A sunday morning wake up call..

which also lead to limited power and no water..AGAIN ..a HUGE wind storm beat up our tree and knocked out one of our power lines...we spent the day removing the tree before sending everyone to Oma's for a meal and showers....thankfully Hydro restored power early this morning....24 hours after the storm.....CRAZY December weather...and did I mention that it was only CHRISTMAS just days before where we had 2 feet of snow and an ice rink for the driveway.....it now looks like spring outside.....I knew SANTA should not have bought those skis....

Merry Christmas from our Family.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

mail delivery...????

Sunday afternoon after an enjoyable breakfast at the hotel with Jo...we headed home......approaching our driveway....we noticed our MAILBOX in the ditch ..dragged about 30 feet from where it should be standing.....what the heck?..did the snowplow hit it?.....parking....we unloaded the truck...and at the front door.....it stood.....a BRAND NEW MAILBOX neatly packaged with a note.....Dear homeowner...I am so sorry but yesterday I slid off the road and took your mailbox with me....I went out today finding an exact replacement...sorry for the inconvenience and Merry Christmas......imagine someone doing something so nice...okay she wiped out our mailbox ..but to go replace it....she could have just drove away...we would have never known any different......its good to know that Christmas does bring out the best in people..........the only thing....we no longer get mail delivery to our personal box.........I called the lady....thank you for your kindness but you can return the mailbox to get your money back.......and merry Christmas to you too. :)

weekend fun...

We spent another Saturday night in downtown Toronto. Our plans included a stay over at the Delta hotel and a birthday party celebration for my Nana at my aunt's house. With Justin in charge of babysitting..we headed out to the lobby...my aunt Jo had flown in from Ottawa and was waiting for us. A quick chat in the cab ride over before getting to the party which was well underway. Kisses and hugs to all the family members and a toast to my Nana on her 90th. The rest of the evening was spent retelling old family stories while enjoying good food and sparkling wine......a great evening enjoyed by all.


( short and brief....its Christmas for heaven sakes...I don't have much time to blog!!) :)

snowed in.....

Despite the snowstorm warnings......school was a go...no snow day....well not officially.....thankfully Justin is done exams so I didn't have to tackle that road trip .....just a quick run across the street to drop off Katie and Jamie...I was due back at the school for Jamie's Christmas concert at 10:30...before I made my way to the kindergarten classroom for lunch duties. I kept the kids inside for recess watching the snow fall and wondering if the buses will be able to plow their way through to get these kids home. At 1 o'clock...I left the school with Katie and Jamie in tow ..many other parents had already started picking up their kids..hoping to start the holidays a few hours earlier. I am now stuck inside thinking of the million things I have to do.....I guess I should be grateful that we will indeed have a white Christmas. Now I have some time to clean the house...it has been waiting for me all week.... I have cancelled guitar lessons...the kids are upstairs fighting...sorry...playing video games...I just have to wait for Brian to get home safely....I wonder if it is too early to pop open the wine and watch " It's a wonderful life".....its a perfect day .....its a snow day.

more parties...

Our family spent Saturday night at the King Edward hotel in downtown Toronto. Justin was in charge of babysitting while Brian and I went to the Distillery for a Christmas Bash. There were close to 500 people at the event and running out of red wine by 8:30 pm didn't seem promising until a liquor run made way with cases of more red wine......ummm..CHEAP red wine......can you say headache and hangover......UGGG!....and I know that crashing at 2:30 in the morning didn't help matters but Nadia and I were just having too much fun.The kids woke us up at 9 am..but the room was still spinning.....I layed back down sleeping till checkout time...when the maid woke us up for housekeeping.....fast showers and a stop at TIM HORTONS for a LARGE COFFEE was in order before Brian and Justin walked over to his office for some exam studying and dockets. Valet had my car ready and I headed home with the 2 younger ones....slept for 2 more hours before I had to get my body up and ready for a BIRTHDAY SWIMMING party in Aurora.............and even though both my kids passed the swim test so I could hang out with the parents on the sidelines nursing my headache...I offered my services when Angelina arrived with floaties on her arms and a mother who doesn't swim!!!....don't worry Mrs. K will go in the pool with you honey...........headache and all......by the way...Mrs. R...you owe me a EXTRA LARGE COFFEE...lol..........we made our way home before 7...I stuck the kids in front of tv to watch the POLAR EXPRESS......and went to bed.....the moral of this story....DO NOT DRINK CHEAP RED WINE when you have to attend a birthday party the next day with 20 screaming 5 years olds who like to splash HUNGOVER mommy's who just want to go to BED. oh the pain...ouch!

The matriarch

Meet an incredible woman who beginnings were humble. Her mother was the daughter of an Indian princess,.. her father from a working class home. She was a sibling to 8 who lived on a farm in southern Manitoba. Her father liked his whiskey a little too much and her mother died giving child birth when Blanche was only 8. After raising her siblings...she married a British bloke ... had a family of her own...6 children in all ....and many grandchildren whom she also parented. Her faith kept her strong even after many challenges from God. She taught me how to be a lady, love my God and be a good mother and wife. She has now lived to see all of her family grow up,.. even outliving her spouse. She turns 90 next week ...now blind and partially deaf ...she still wakes up everyday being thankful. I know my time with her will end soon but she will always be apart of who I am. She changed my life for the better so many years ago when I was a child..an innocent victim of circumstance...she was there to wrap her arms around my broken heart and bless me with her love.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA! I LOVE YOU!

oh christmas tree.....

Oh Christmas tree...how come you never turn out looking like a Martha Stewart tree?...Every year I have visions of white lights with silver and gold decorations and trim...but am always over-ruled with tradition and kids who will have nothing less than a tree with a million ornaments and multi colored lights....its okay though...cuz ...I enjoy you just the same....even if you look more like a Charlie Brown tree....my kids decorated you and that's all that counts!!..

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas...

This was the weekend for the official kick off for the Koscak Christmas season with the hanging of the outside Christmas lights. Brian and Justin were left in charge under my orders and thankfully there were no glitches while I finished the Christmas cards. With the snow falling later in the day...we headed to the Varsity Arena for a Christmas Skate with Santa party hosted by Daddy's law firm. It was Mommy's turn to skate this year and the kids encouraged me as I made my way around the arena one lap at a time. After pizza and hot chocolate, Santa was giving out gifts to the all the good boys and girls..a great night of fun. This morning we headed out to Horton's tree farm for our annual tradition of cutting down our tree. The weather did get the better of us though when we decided to grab a pre-cut 9 foot tree instead of going out into the bush.. which put Jamie in a mood..( notice he is not looking at the camera!).he loves tradition and he was not impressed that we were messing with it!....but with - 25 degree windchill ..we were anxious to get back to the warm car. Now this week I must start some baking along with decorating the tree and just maybe I will be ready this year for Christmas!

old is new again!

I can't help but feel like I am in a time warp. Justin took his birthday money and bought himself a TURNTABLE...yes that's right a record player. He found Brian's old albums last year and has been intriqued enough to want to listen to them...Can you believe with all the technology today and him insisting on a IPOD touch last Christmas...he suddenly has gone retro on me...in fact you can now buy ALBUMS in the music stores. For the first time in years...I listened to Trooper on vinyl..over and over again as the boys sat around the turntable watching it spin. I thought I would dedicate a video to Justin looking back on his 13th year with their favorite trooper song playing in the background..



Justin turns 14. from justanotherstayathomemom on Vimeo.

birthday boy...

So with the mouse caught and out of the way...we were able to restore order in our home in time for Justin's birthday party sleepover. Once his friends arrived and were all accounted for...( 2 didn't show up)....we headed over to our local bowling pit where I had a lane reserved for a few hours of glow in the dark fun..and rounds of pool. Leaving them to their own devices, Katie and I left. When we got to the car she was not amused...and told me that Justin's party sucks....why wouldn't her teenager brother want her at his party??!! I offered her some chocolate and told her that boys are strange ..which seemed to satisfy her. Picking up some now energized boys who just finished some friendly competition.. they needed food. At home ..Katie helped me make the pizza while I prepared the homemade fries and wings. Wolfing down the meal, between burps and stupid jokes they were ready for cake. I didn't realize how difficult it would be to light 14 candles and sparklers without burning one's hand. Rushing to the table in step with the Happy Birthday song...most of the candles blew out...the boys were laughing....I realized teenagers laugh at everything. Time to cut the cake..........umm frozen cake...frozen ice cream cake........nothing like getting the knife stuck in the cake 20 times before eventually serving the large slabs to the boys...who thanked me for their brick. At 10 o'clock I left them on the couch in the great room with cots and sleeping bags... the XBOX & Playstation ready to go...and a few midnight munchies. I headed to bed but woke up at 2am to the faint sounds of teenager laughter and noises from the game. At 6 am I heard the toilet flush...I woke up at 7am to check on them. The boys were sprawled out on the floor and couch from sugar and video game fatigue. The empty bags of chips and bottles of pop surrounding them. I thought of waking them up for breakfast but am rethinking I may make them lunch instead...it looks like they may have pulled an all nighter! BOYS...TEENAGE BOYS...HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUSTIN!

UPDATE: Managed to wake the crew convincing them to get outside for some tobogganing fun.

bad timing...

Talk about bad timing.....within an hour of Brian leaving for Ohio....I see it as I walk through my front door.....running across the kitchen floor....EWWW!...and under my fridge.....A FRIGGIN MOUSE.........the hunter is away and now they come out to play....just my luck.....I have been a nervous wreck all day...in fact I left the house for 6 hours after setting up 14 billion traps by the fridge, along the island floor, near the registers and dishwasher.......but no luck...came home to my spring loaded traps still set and no mouse.....so now I am off to bed soon with one eye open hoping to hear the infamous snap in the middle of the night....thankfully Jamie is not afraid and has graciously volunteered to dispose of the vermin once caught......I just hope it happens before tomorrow night, when the herd of teenagers come through my door with stinky feet, pizza boxes and sleeping bags....they just may get a surprise in the night!..I was thinking of a fun " catch the mouse" birthday game may be in order with a generous loot bag for reward!....damn I hate mice, damn I hate country living....well for today anyways!

Uncle Tony.....Pavarotti spoof

We got the call on Tuesday from our Ohio relatives that Uncle Tony passed away in his sleep...shocking news as he was only 68 years old and relatively healthy. Fortunately he came to my in-laws 50th wedding anniversary party this June and we were able to spend a weekend with him and have many pictures and video reminding us of all the good times. I am posting a funny spoof from the party..Uncle Tony is the man on the right with glasses. The gentleman in the middle is Peter Marino who is a well known performer in Atlantic City and Vegas. Rest in peace Uncle Tony.



spoof from Camille on Vimeo.

Katie and her pool...

Have you ever met a kid that actually begs their parents FOR SWIMMING LESSONS....well meet KATIE....a stange child indeed....I think she is part mermaid......seeing all this snow has really got her grumpy about accepting the fact that our pool is closed till May.....she is cursing the snow.....hoping for spring...until yesterday ...I found an indoor SALTWATER pool ( cuz my poor child has never had to endure chlorine)....that runs lessons in the winter.....Katie goes for her assessment tomorrow ...no she has never stepped foot in a public pool for lessons.......yes bad mother over here but the kid started swimming in our jacuzzi bathtub at 18 months...she's a natural....so why would she need lessons....until now...cuz the kid is asking for them...nothing like having a 5 year old make your decisions....she told the instructor she wants to race other kids....this should get interesting....but for now ...we are looking out the window at the new fallen snow and telling the pool to hold on...its going to be a long winter before Ms. Katie is back.

snow and deer tracks...

Living on a large piece of land surrounded by farmers fields can lead to strange meetings.I was washing dishes looking out my window the other day when I saw a 4X4 truck pulling a trailer with an ATV heading out behind my property. I decided to get my jacket and boots on curious to see where this vehicle was going and why. The property outback is 85 acres in size with an old abandoned railway trail, ravine and forest which is home to a large population of wildlife. Technically it is still part of my lot that was originally part of a 200 acre land grant that was given to David Willson, a Vermont Quaker who came to town in 1802.....and although the land was severed years ago now being owned by a prospective buyer who leases the land to Farmer Don ..I still felt I needed to check out these characters trespassing on the land. Running back about 3 acres I saw them....as I approached the truck...they were pulling gear out of the pickup...hunters dressed in camouflage from head to toe suiting up with bow and arrow in hand on the look out for deer. I frantically waved my arms making human noise...hoping I wouldn't be their target and suddenly thinking how stupid I was to put myself in danger. It turns out Farmer Don had given these two permission to legally hunt. The deer have been wrecking his crops and wants them to be hunted to help control the deer population. Before turning away, I pleaded with the hunters to leave the mama deer alone... (I am sure looking like a total PETA nut in the process) ...but the cranky old hunter grunted at me that he was only looking for the stag......and although it didn't make me feel any better ..at least I knew the mama deer would be saved.........heading back to my house.....I saw her tracks in the snow..the same tracks she had made only the morning before when she was beside my fence hiding in the brush looking for food.........I only hope she will outsmart those two old farts and hide out till spring and tell the stag to be on the look out.

just because...

I guess with the invention of facebook, instant message, and email...hand written cards and letters are obsolete....when do you really remember the last time you received such an unexpected surprise in the post box?....nowadays only bills with nasty reminders of arrears can be found.....the kids are always puzzled to why I don't frequent the mailbox on a daily basis....kids are always anxious of the unknown....not me...my simple reply...there is nothing in that box that can't wait till tomorrow or next week.....but to my surprise......I found it........a perfectly square handwritten envelope...crisp white with a postmark addressed to me.....return address of a wonderful friend and understanding mother... who took the time to send me such a card.....and no it wasn't the card I have been waiting for........it was a "just because" card....it said that right on the front......a wonderful note letting me know that someone was thinking of me........and even though it probably took her less than a few minutes of constructive organization to get that card to me.....I spent the rest of the day and today thinking about how nice it was to receive such a personal card. Thank you Vern....you have no idea how much I needed that card.....just because!..

town hall meeting....

Last night I had the privilege of getting together with my rural neighbours while attending a meeting about the urban development and upcoming road changes to my area that is being projected over the next 25 years. We are a community fortunate enough to live close to urban development but having property nestled within farmers fields and wildlife. The surrounding towns want apart of our untouched community and therefore road work and budgets are planned which will greatly impact our rural living. We were a strong force to be reckoned with last night with over 40 people showing up representing a 2km stretch of road hoping to maintain the status quo and stalling the future changes. I meet old man Tom, an 86 year old senior that was born in his home and has lived in this community all his life...in fact his picture was on the wall in the room of that town hall where our meeting took place. His young picture smiling back at us representing himself as the first legion member and community organizer. Farmer Don spoke about attending school in the one room brick house beside mine and travelling with his school mates out back throwing sticks into the ravine and chasing the girls on his tractor. Others spoke about the numerous wildlife sightings waking up to deer in their yard and falling asleep to the sounds of howling coyotes. One lady spoke with emotion as she retold her story about her families farming business and how she woke up at the crack of dawn to help her daddy harvest. This community I moved into is not just a place where I live...this community has a past...a history with faces and I can greatly empathize with their resistance to change...letting go of the past is saying goodbye and they are not ready to forget. We came away from the meeting feeling someone vindicated that our stories were heard but knowing that final decisions are made by the bureaucrats. My community will change over the next 25 years but the people that started it will be known to all those who come into my home when I share their stories of the past never forgetting how I was so fortunate to be apart of it.

forts and frost..

I woke up in the night to the sound of ice pellets hitting my bedroom window...another hour passed and the snow trucks were out clearing our concession road..the snow had arrived and by morning the kids were eager to play in it..out the door my 9:30am building forts to stage their massive snowball showdown ..after some drama with a winner and a loser......they surrendered together and built a Jack Frost snowman.

kicking and screaming...

Can you tell that Justin is gritting his teeth for the camera?...Suddenly I have a child who flatly refuses to get a photo with Santa...a cherished family tradition being compromised by a teenager!!......not so fast kid.....you owe me this...I am your mother.....but the protesting started and didn't stop until I bribed him with an ice cream... reminds me of when he was two ........so before he changed his mind ....I threw the kids in line being on look-out for any known friends that may see Justin...told the photographer to make it snappy...only one photo please....and Santa to skip the questions......2 seconds of embarrassment......marked in history with a photo....thanks kid...
..

Careen on the brain..

This past week....I have had Careen....(a longtime grade school friend)....on the brain ...........you see I found her on facebook this year after losing contact with her 15 years ago.....after chatting back and forth....
I learned that she was getting married in June.....in an instant...I knew I had to fly out to Winnipeg and surprise her on such a special day....she stood by me as a bridesmaid on my day and I was determined to be there for her......arriving in Winnipeg...I had planned to see her before she walked down the aisle hoping not to distract her from her big day... but things don't always work out as expected and at that moment instead of looking down the aisle to see her groom....she saw me.......she looked exactly the same....vibrant and beautiful...not a day older than I remembered her.......the urge to run up and hug her was resisted knowing at that very moment it would have been inappropiate... .imagine her groom wondering who the crazy lady was attacking his soon to be wife....lol.....hey it could have been worse...I could have been a long lost boyfriend.......so I watched the service through my teary eyes anxiously awaiting for the kiss so I could grab her for myself...reuniting with my long lost friend.....we spent our precious hours together chatting and laughing before I had to fly out the next day....catching up on the past but realizing that we were still the same .......we both were older and coincidentally each had three kids but our time lost was forgotten as we talked on her couch sometimes not really saying anything at all.......we met in grade school...she lived in the same housing complex as me...together we tackled the big bad world while our single mother's tried to cut out a life for us girl's.......we understood each other and our sisterhood.......so when she facebooked me the other day letting me know that a thank you card was in the mail....I headed out to the superbox down the street....I was running late for Katie's gymnastics but having Careen on the brain...checked the mail....out of the corner of my eye...I noticed a landscaper riding his lawn mower tackling a steep hill...heading back to the truck I checked the rearview mirror to turn around when I saw the kid ( only he was like 23...but that's a kid to me) lying on the ground with the heavy machine on top of him...I high tailed it out of the truck...realizing that this kid was bleeding and his arm was stuck under the machine...greatly aware of the gas and oil spilling out of the tractor...I helped him get his arm out....I knew at that point he needed medical attention and wondering if Careen was with me in that moment being a nurse and my intention was to get her card....so I told him to tie his shirt around his head before finding his supervisor who was working down the street....now if you know me I don't do well with blood...but fainting was not an option at this point.......thankfully I found the supervisor and he took over....later in the day I passed by the superbox seeing the tractor still turned over and reminding myself what happened that day...that kid was lucky and wondering if it was fate that I was there at that exact moment.....the next day...I checked the super box again since I still hadn't received the card...and the kid was back ..this time with a new machine and a helmet...he thanked me for my help and all I could do was smile knowing that Careen was there with me......my timing was spot on ...now if the mailman could deliver my card....this story could truly have a happy ending.........

reminiscing

Yesterday I found myself playing in the park with my daughter Katie....2 years ago when we lived in a subdivision...this was a daily ritual apart of our lives just as taking a bath or brushing our teeth.....so when we ended up in our old subdivision park...a flood of memories came back to a time not so long ago...........I thought of the MARCUZ family and remembering what seemed like a lifetime of hours we spent together at the park...passing the time with the kids ..playing referee .. making sure everyone took turns on the swings and slide and spinning our kids till they were sick on the merry go round..... we enjoyed being with our kids while getting some adult conversation and laughs in at the same time.....never fail we could head to the park passing the MARCUZ house and see Liz in the midst of chaos in front of her house.......a litter of monster trucks and juice splatter on the sidewalk and boys whizzing by on their bikes doing tricks and jumps as if they were professional daredevils....she welcomed a break to head to the park...you see she had 3 boys in 3 years.....god love her...and together we had 6 rambunctious kids all under the age of 11. I miss those days...call me crazy...but it was a great time. I took a few pictures yesterday before walking Katie over to our old house stopping in front of what once was the MARCUZ house.....the silence on the street made me miss them more......people really make a home ....and since we have both moved out of the area within months of each other........the subdivision and that park is just not the same anymore...miss you guys....

some- days....

some days being a parent is just downright difficult ..and a parent of a teenager makes life that more challenging....discipline tactics that worked in the past no longer have an effect and suddenly you are at a loss of what to do................we received an email yesterday from Justin's teacher about his disrespectful behavior as of late in her geography class.....to say that I was upset is an understatement but I was not the least bit surprised.....his mood swings and mouthy behavior have been rearing its ugly head at home too....... but when teachers are now on the receiving end...things have to change....frustrated...I grabbed Justin after school in front of his friends and walked him into the principal's office demanding to see his teacher.....the look of panic on Justin's face made me sad but I knew I had to stand my ground letting him know that his behavior was unacceptable...he knows that he is lucky to go to a highly respected private school and can be thrown out at any point so his behavior is of extreme importance along with good marks.........humiliated and red faced...he apologized to his teacher before running to the car.....when I caught up to him...he was crying..and didn't stop the entire ride home...pulling into the driveway....he ran up to his room, crawling into bed and eventually falling asleep from emotional exhaustion....at dinnertime I woke him up to do his homework and I could see he was deeply hurt.....although my heart ached for him...I knew that sometimes in life you have to stand against your child to really fight for them.....he is grounded for the week with the ACDC tickets being held in limbo in hopes that his attitude will change....I am feeling like a bad parent today and guilty that I was so tough on him...but I am hoping that he will get my message....I love him enough to help him become the best he can be in life.....to most I am sure it may appear that I over-reacted but I am just trying to prevent a slippery slope of worse things to come......sometimes I just wish he was a toddler again...I miss that Justin.........

Halloween fright...

Halloween this year was weird.......maybe it was because it was a Friday night and everyone was out partying...or the recession has kicked in big time... ...because only every 10th house was giving out candy...seriously it was "frightening"...how little effort was made this year by neighbours.......we saw few houses decorated and less giving out candy..it was kinda strange.........but in saying that we still managed to score many pounds of candy and came home after an hour and half. The kids have been filling their bellies all weekend...no cooking for me...and when they get sick of the candy which is usually by the fourth day...I throw the rest out.....yep I have lived by that rule for years and it works...instead of sanctioning candy daily until Christmas...I get rid of it in days.....here's some pictures...notice Flat made his appearance too...hope everyone had a happy Halloween.

kids social life...

Friday night my two youngest were invited to a Halloween dance at the school. I stood on the sidelines as a parent chaperon. The school gymnasium was transformed into a scary disco decorated with Halloween witches and pumpkins. Kids dressed as ghosts and skeletons rocked to Monster Mash and the electric slide. Jamie was hanging out with an astronaut and a zombie. Katie was glued to my hip.. monster watching. Prizes were being handed out all night for the best dance moves and Jamie was working the dance floor. A flood of parent chaperons got their groove on when Grease lighting was played....I found myself finger pointing and arm pumping like "Danny" yelling out the words...Katie joined in and Jamie looked on slightly embarassed....kids....After a few hours of dancing, treats and endless sodas we left feeling monster-fied. When we got home daddy was fast asleep on the couch and my moody teenager was sulking and complaining that his little brother and baby sister had more of a social life than him...laughing ..I knew he had a point.... but then suddenly realized that I too don't have much of one either... unless you count the kids parties that I chaperon......oh to be a kid again ..roller skating to YMCA and Funky Town.........if only I could have a week back of grade 6!....those were the DAYS!

wintertime in October?????!!!!!...

only in Canada eh?

our new family member...

meet "Flat"





Jamie came home yesterday from school and introduced us to "Flat". He will be staying in our home until November 18th. The paperwork clearly informed us that "Flat" must be treated like a family member and participate in our daily activities including when we go to the arena, grocery store, gymnastics or church....and to make sure we scrapbook our outings so Jamie can share them with the class. ( grrrr...another grade 3 project).... I can just see myself next week out with the kids treat or treating and fielding questions and stares from on-lookers wondering why the heck I am holding a paper doll.... but not to be discouraging I listened to Jamie's enthusiasm and watched how he spent the evening taking pictures of "Flat" and showing him to his room not before visiting and trying out Katie, Justins and my bed first...he spent some time in the washroom with Jamie, sat with us for dinner...even said the prayer, helped Jamie with his homework and watched a little tv before watching him take a bath and then listen to books. After a few hours of "Flat" , a dozen pictures and having a paper doll sit on my lap for books....I reminded Jamie and "Flat" that both of them better behave because my woodstove is always looking for paper....with that they both ran to bed............

Pictures...pumpkin farm

the munch-kins



zip-lining queen



another group shot



Don't shoot.....


....

medical stuff....

I hate to admit it but I detest doctor's so much so that I really never go see a physician unless I am about to have a baby or worse have strep throat...seriously strep is up there with my maximum pain threshold...over the years little things like bronchitis,a small blood pressure issue and my asthma I ignore...hey supposedly I have exercised enduced asthma so I stopped exercising.......lol.....okay okay......and ...although I am trying to hold onto 39.....I realize its time for a physical and mammogram to prepare myself for my early 40's.....I need to keep my health in check for my kids......heck Katie is only 5.......I know its a responsibility I have as a parent...seriously if I didn't have kids I probably would avoid doctors altogether.....I just can't wrap my head around the fact that my girlfriend Careen wanted to be a nurse and work in a hospital...I get queasy the moment I step through the front doors of any medical building or hospital....the faintness and headache...the feeling of sickness comes over me...maybe its the smell of bad hospital food or its seeing people hooked up to machines and tubes in places they shouldn't be....the feeling of death is eminent and I can't wait to run the hell the other way.....and forget about eating.....can you really eat dinner after a day at the hospital......and I always find myself dodging the smokers outside the hospital doors..finding temptation to yell at them....um......hello.....did you see the cancer patients inside..duh?.......anyways so I finally did it...went for my annual physical....okay I haven't really seen a doctor since Katie was born...yes she is turning 6 in April...........I told ya...I hate doctors.....my mammogram is scheduled for Thursday...supposedly that hurts like hell.....but I can take it as long as it doesn't hurt as bad as strep throat..........and my cardiologist appointment is today.....yeah I kinda have a blood pressure issue....no worries ..no medication at this point but I need a 24 hour monitor put on me to wear at home..to check my ups and downs......this problem came to my attention back in my 20's...when I tried to get birth control pills at the university and the doctor refused because my blood pressure was an issue....hey I am okay...no problems yet.............and then today...the doctor's office calls....my blood work is back...and shows I am anemic....low iron....damn......so that explains some of the dizziness and fatigue....yeah yeah...I know what you are thinking....I should have just stayed away from the doctor's office....I would still be thinking in my mind how healthy I am instead of now suddenly feeling sick and weak.....damn doctors......lol.....

Pigs......

I just have to ask if I am weird?....okay don't answer that!......So here's the thing......I take the kids to the our local pumpkin farm yesterday for some zip-lining, pumpkin launching and pig races....sounds great....until I see it..........a hot dog and sausage stand 10 feet from the pigs track.....ummm....people eating hot dogs while looking at a live pig races?...that is just like seriously wrong...........hyperventillating...I grabbed the kids and headed to the hot chocolate and donut booth instead...gosh.....if my meat doesn't come nicely wrapped from a grocery store...there is no way in hell I will ever eat it....poor Mildred...if we don't see her at next year's races...we know she is being cooked up at the hot dog stand!......

Thanksgiving in Muskoka

my new love....

I fell in love this weekend. I know I am married..but Brian said he was okay with it...........in fact he was encouraging me to meet him. I left the hotel mid-morning and headed out to his property. He was waiting for me with the others........I had booked the time to see him....although he was not quite my type...brown hair and eyes with long legs and a big rear...but he was chosen for me.............the girl who introduced us was embarrassed though because he had a unique way of saying hello.....he (passed gas) in her face just when I approached....he was the largest of the 7 to choose from....his friends Whiskey, and Doc looked on....he was friendly and loved walking in the trials so he was a perfect match for me............we headed out into the bush spending an hour together.....walking in the autumn setting...... with the leaves falling at our feet making a red carpet for us to follow......we took in the beauty of the season......such rich colors and warm weather to celebrate a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend...no kids to bother me or a husband for that matter...just me and Duke..yes that was his name....he didn't say much but I knew he liked me....he followed my direction well and didn't run away....as we headed back to his property..I tried to take a picture of him but it was too hard...my hands were shaking and I was worried I would drop the camera......then I saw others patiently waiting as we approached....and I knew my time was up....as I walked away...I turned back one last time and said goodbye promising Duke that I will be back to see him soon.........I wanted to bring him home but knew I couldn't...........when I got back to the hotel I told the kids....thankfully they were understanding....and want me to go see him again ...maybe next Thanksgiving....hopefully he will wait for me............what a beautiful creature....DUKE....all 1900 pounds of him....the most lovely Clydesdale horse you will ever see.....

whistling 101

Yesterday evening I had to take Justin to the orthodontist for a check up. Jamie and Katie have been there a dozen times before so they usually settle for playing with the toys in the corner or making a game out of getting a drink from the water fountain.....which brings me to ask... why does every kid that comes into the office find that big jug of water so fascinating?...is it the bubbles?...........anyways after many paper cups of water... Katie had to use the little girl's room..........finally some peace and quiet in the waiting room with her in the washroom....until you hear her......is that Katie making that noise?...how can a little kid magnify that sound for all in the waiting room to hear?........I look over to see the receptionist giggling....and Jamie turning red.......how could she?....I guess she is alone so she thinks its okay..no one will hear........but we all can ...since the washroom is so close.....most people are trying to ignore the sound pretending to read or look out the window....but I know they can hear...in fact I am sure the dentist could hear it over the sound of his drills......as soon as she comes out of that washroom .....I am going to have to speak to her about washroom etiquette......... and tell her....no whistling......yes whistling....what sound did you think I was talking about?......NO..NO....not that!!......you see Katie has mastered the whistling component for the 5 year old category...... in my house the kids have some weird threshold requirement that one must meet before entering grade one......its a house rule..... you have to:......be able to whistle, snap your fingers and blow bubbles with bubble gum...and lets just say...Katie is on her way to accomplishing all three............as Katie opens the door to leave the washroom....she sees the entire waiting room staring at her.....she looks at me as if to say " what?"....and before I can say anything....she starts whistling again....I thought the receptionist was going to bust a gut........kids ...gotta love them...

Hockey............

First game of the season today for Justin.....5 months of weekend hockey is now upon us.... I thought I had finally weaseled myself out of arena time after 8 years when Jamie decided to quit hockey last season and Justin joined football.....but.....Justin is back for his ninth season...I guess it shows commitment on his part .......He plays house league hockey..non competitive and non contact...which suits Justin's gentle spirit and non aggressive personality to a tee.......He is now Bantam which means no more 6 am games...that schedule gets passed down to the little kids...it also means the number of teams have dwindled down to 8 from 10...players typically start dropping out of hockey at this age...some players have moved to rep hockey leagues by now, others quit because they simply haven't grown yet and playing with boys who are 6 feet tall can be intimidating....and others just are tired of playing..........thankfully Justin still enjoys the game and socializing with his hockey buddies..........so that being said.....the skates are sharpened and in less than an hour he is back on the ice.....good luck this season son...and yes mom will come watch all your games....with coffee in hand no less.....pssst.....has anyone seen my mitts?...

why can't women just be nice....

This political debate and media spin on Palin has got me thinking. I have concluded that women simply hate other women that are beautiful, smart and successful. Let's face it Palin IS the all American girl.....she played basketball in high school, married her homecoming sweetheart, educated herself in journalism, can hunt moose and wrestle politicians,a mom to 5 children and can turn heads. She wasn't a pageant queen for being ugly. This woman attacking woman concept isn't something new to me.......I discovered this theory back when I was a kid....my mom just thought I was boy crazy but the reality was I was too busy punching out the snobby girls and making friends with the boys. My best friend was Connie and she had 5 brothers, whose brothers had friends and together we hung out as the Bogacki bunch. When I was thrown into the workforce as an Insurance broker in my 20's lets just say working for women was a bitch...the gossip and bickering were relentless.....thankfully the insurance industry is still part of the old boys club. As a first time mom hoping for some support...I joined a mom's group....but found myself questioning why I punished myself at the meetings.... when the group judged more than supported.......questions like ....oh...Justin is not walking yet?....or ...what?..Justin still has a soother at the age of 2?...snicker snicker...........this constant criticism made me question what is wrong with the majority of women. The answer is simple.....woman are jealous by nature... so it is difficult for most to get along or be non-judgemental of other woman. Oh but not true... women loved Hillary Clinton.....ummm hello...she is an alpha-male.......lets face it she is not exactly the epitome of feminine... If women would start coming together instead of pulling each other apart...this Palin race would be a lot different. Thankfully there is the exception with a small circle of woman who are confident with themselves to put jealousy aside and admit that Palin is the perfect package.

Missing kids...

Last year when I started working in the kindergarten room as the lunch supervisor....the kids were slowly weened into the program making the transition from preschool to school less difficult for them and me.......so at the beginning of the year...I only had a handful of kids......as the class grew to 17...I found myself panicked wondering how I am going to keep track and care for all these kids....although a big challenge ..somehow...you find yourself managing......don't get me wrong...it doesn't come without craziness...and being a mother and able to multi-task is a skill that comes in handy......because.....I am forever getting tapped on the BUTT ....Mrs. K...Mrs.K....Amy is not sharing, ....Mrs. K...Mrs. K.....I have to go to the bathroom.......then someone always bangs their head crawling underneath the slide and another little one will most certainly need a band aid after wiping out running full speed on the concrete....(even though I am forever reminding them to play soccer on the field)..did I mention that kids don't always like to listen............and yes....someone will have sand in their eyes ...and another child just doesn't want to play that day........but the time passes quickly...the bell rings, we line up for a head count, go inside and start our washroom routine and then lunch.....an hour later after I have entertained them with games like Simon says, Duck, Duck, Goose, musical chairs and dance freeze ( a crowd favorite I might add)... I am then done for the day until next day's class........but this year the kindergarten class is smaller....only 13 kids...and with 2 sick yesterday ( with chicken pox..oh vey)... I only had 11 kids......what...how weird...as I find myself missing kids.....do you know how easy 11 is?...I can't believe I am admitting that....that weird feeling is always there though............the same feeling I have today at home with Justin at camp....suddenly 2 kids at home just seems so wrong..............so even though the kindergarten room this year is less hectic....I can't help but miss kids.....weird..I know...

forgive me....

Forgive me for yesterday's political outburst....I think I have been watching too much Foxnews and with 2 elections upon us....I just was ready to explode........but that doesn't change the fact that I am still a conservative......LOL.....peace out!

political views...I just have too....

okay I admit it....I am a conservative...always have been.....I don't believe in socialism and that everyone is equal....sorry....making the rich pay is not a slogan I want to live by....why should others have entitlements to my husband's income just because he works harder!....he went to school for 10 years committing himself and putting in the time to get where he is today.....we both sacrificed....we flipped a few houses to get into the mortgage we currently have now, socked away a small RRSP and are investing in the private school system for our kids...while the government still takes taxes from us for public school.........my property taxes are outrageous even though the town doesn't provide any sewer service to us...hell I don't even have my own family physician.........in the US....things are magnified....Obama is a joke....a puppet educated but with no common sense.....I agree that Palin has made me uncomfortable at times....but the fact that that woman governed a state and manages 5 kids shows she can deal with childish politicians....she has convictions....and doesn't tell the people what they want to hear....you have to admire her for that.....I am anti-abortion...must be from my SMA days...when the Mortgantaler clinic first opened up and Sister Marilyn had us go down to the clinic to mildly protest....and I am a woman...unheard of........I am a woman who believes in my faith and that life begins with a heart beat.....and those who argue.....well that fetus couldn't survive outside of the womb .....is true...but could a newborn baby survive without their mother at birth....without nourishment and love from her.......no...........as for Liberals supporting gays....a touchy subject since I believe in a traditional family.......lets face it....all politicians says things that the people want to hear but in the end are forced to do what the governing bodies dictate....Obama or McCain will have no choice but to introduce more taxes and cut services to compensate for the financial crisis upon us......in saying that I would much rather have MCCAIN running the US than Obama....as for the Canadian election...is there really one?....Dion is not getting in...no chance...Harper will be back with a majority....JMO...

Pioneer Camp...

Justin heads out for a field trip with the school tomorrow to spend 3 days up north at a pioneer camp. Each minor niner will have a grade twelve mentor. Justin's mentor is a band mate from his guitar club so I gather most of their conversations will be about amps, picks and strings. I think the school has the right idea though...transporting this millennium generation of teenagers back in time.....to survive in the bush away from electronics and modern conveniences.....down time is good.....talking to peers around the campfire and tossing around the pigskin is much more meaningful than playing guitar hero. I had the nerve to give him the "lecture"....you know the one......" well when I was a kid we didn't have video games or computers...we actually played hopscotch, jacks and baseball"....so heading into the bush will do you some good!..........yes mother.... accompanied by the eye roll.........anyways it will interesting to see how everything turns out.....he will either come home starving, grumpy and suffering withdrawals from tv or turn into nature boy like my husband and want to kayak for 3 days up north with the bears portaging from island to island surviving by eating berries from the trees. oh vey!

life...

We live close to a pumpkin farm that offers free hayrides, a challenging corn maze and a small petting zoo area. Now that Justin is in high school these outings with him are less impressive and I find myself now doing field trips with only Jamie and Katie. The other day before picking up Justin from school, we decided to drop by the farm. My kids have been to the farm many times before and always in sequence start with the hay area...jumping from bale to bale chasing each other and playing tag....before running to the pens to feed the pigs and goats....once they have spent a significant amount of time watching the pigs fight over a piece of corn... they head to the maze......getting lost and me frantically trying to find them....once found...we go pick out our pumpkins and are ready to head home.....seat belts done up and ready to pick up Justin...I turned around and asked Jamie if he had fun.....and suddenly I felt a pit in my stomach.......all I could hear was Jamie saying...."Mom...the farm now seems so small and the maze is way too EASY....it just seems different mom".............oh gosh no..no..no ..Jamie....Jamie...its because you are getting bigger so the farm seems smaller...oh......gulp......he is just shy of 9 but I hate to admit it...he is no longer my little Jamie..........the kids are growing up too fast.......driving to Justin's school....I found myself looking in the rear view mirror at Jamie....hoping that maybe I could freeze time.....around the corner...I see Justin standing at the front doors of the school....talking to some other kid who is at least 5 feet 10...both in their suits looking older than grade 9......yo...see ya bud..later.......throwing his backpack into my trunk.....he hops into the front seat.........hey mom "what's up?"....oh nothing.....holding back my tears..........knowing that soon enough it will be Jamie that will be waiting for me to pick him up ...Justin will be in university and my little Katie will be smacking her gum in the backseat while talking on her cellphone.....................................................just LIFE kid.....that's all.....just life!....