Back to school...

Its been a few weeks since the kids headed back to school. I have had to adjust to my new routine which includes no longer working at the school. I started the boot camp over at curves to keep me in shape and a daily walk with the dog to keep her active. Dinners are finally back on schedule and everyone has clean underwear and matching socks. I now have an endless supply of clean towels and can see the bottom of the laundry bin. Yes...its been two years since that happened...I never realized how behind I was when working at the school. The after school schedule continues to be crazy though. Jamie has been invited to the competitive boys team practices so he is up to 7 hours of gymnastics a week. If he decides to go provincial he will be at the gym 12-15 hours a week!.. Katie is busy with her additional reading program , synchronized swimming, gymnastics and piano...and Justin has started Grade 10..joined senior band, the yearbook committee and continues flipping burgers. Life at its finest! I hope to report back to this blog more frequently since it keeps me on track with my life! Cheers!

dang it!

Dang it!....It happened...I fell in love with that darn little gaffer of a pup....she is away from the house today....at the vet getting spayed and this house is so darn different without her....especially when you leave and come back.......the unconditional love and excitement ...the wagging of the bum and tail ready to take off...nothing......the crate is empty...no-one snuggling up at your feet or following you into the bathroom......I feel lost...it is so stupid...we have only had her for 3 months ...I can't imagine how we will feel when she is no longer here....Justin can't take it....he wants to go out so he doesn't have to wander around the house thinking of her...crazy.....but true....I am sure those who own a pet know exactly where we are coming from today....I can't wait to pick her up later even though I know she will be groggy and sore....I can assure you that she will do her best to do her happy dance when she sees us!

Sad little puppy...damn teenagers...

I guess I should just get used to it..I should know better by now....it happens every time Justin has his teenager friends sleep over..the day goes something like this.....I make my way downstairs for my morning coffee wondering why the kids seemed so quiet last night after I went to bed...only to find myself stepping on pillows without their pillow cases in a room they don't belong...must have been another pillow fight...how I didn't hear it?....only to find the kitchen looking like a bomb went off with melted ice cream on the floor and in the sink....thankfully someone had the decency to hit their target....getting my coffee...I head to the couch for some morning news and wonder what that smell is.....aah yes...a smelly gym sock stuck between the cushions...nice....taking the dog outside for her morning pee.. I see the towels and swimsuits are still wet and laying on the hardwood floor in the laundry room....yep right location but missed the machine by a foot....cleaning up and dealing with the dog I start breakfast....hoping that today the boys can control their appetite long enough for me to finish making the pancakes before someone is trying to lick out of the batter bowl.......with a small break I head to the store for some shopping only to come home an hour later to see my puppy dripping wet...cause someone wanted to see if Kaycee could do the "doggy paddle" in our pool......dumping the groceries on the counter I rescue my dog...blow drying her fur to stop her from shaking....within minutes I hear something being tossed by the dog....yep...the game of RISK on the coffee table now missing some pieces and me trying to convince Kaycee to give me that little blue toy house back......but she swallows...guess I will see it later when scooping her poop....lovely... but have no fear....Justin has to work by 3......so the kid has got to go home.....if only he would get out of the pool....making a mad dash to drop Justin off ...I leave his friend to get ready.....just hoping that the house will still be in order when I get home....oh sorry Mrs. K...I left my swim shorts on the washer...can you get Justin to bring them when he comes over to my house.......I CAN DO THAT...( as the bubble in my head is saying..."pay back is a bitch"..........Justin will be there next week....

the Geek Squad

we had Andrew over this week...Justin's friend...also known as a die hard techie...who had us computer savvy and set up with a faster modem, and a stronger connection within minutes after arriving at our house...he walks around with his i-pod and mac laptop like a professional constantly searching sites and able to fix computer glitches without a blink......he helped Justin launch his new i-pod phone downloading apps and setting up ring tones as well as configuring my blackberry for live TV while standing in line at wonderland....I can now view the weather channel on my cell anywhere on this planet.... I learned new geek lingo like tethering, wi fi and sims cards...... and by the end of the two days...I felt like I had just completed a crash course in computers giving me enough information to get me through till his next visit.......I have no idea how we survived before without Andrew.....Brian is now convinced that he needs to buy Justin a mac laptop...welcome to the geek squad kid!

shocking ...

As most of you know we live on a one acre property surrounded by forest and farmland with a very loud concession road approximately 200 feet from the front of our house..now don't quote me on that distance because I was never good in judging things when math was involved ...anyhow....with the addition of puppy and the fact that she is small and can escape my fenced yard in the back...which she has done on a daily basis since we got her 2 months ago and has continually given me a near death experience each time she ventures out....I decided to have the invisible fence installed....yah yah I know ..she will get shocked....oh how inhumane the critics will say... but getting hit by a 2 ton truck is probably far worse....right....so the install was today...and the start of the initial training........yes laughing over here....because my pup seems to withstand a lot of shock....thick skin I think was what the trainer had said...until I suspected that maybe something was wrong...so I put my fingers on the prongs of the collar while walking through the zone...and felt nuthin......yep ....tolerating pain seems to be no problem for us girls in this house..I clearly remember pushing out 9 and 10 pound babies without a scream....lol... okay...I screamed a little...anyways getting back to the training.....its seems that the collar was a dud....yep...not working...no wonder Kaycee was looking at us like lunatics and not reacting....so a new collar was used and although she lifted her ears and retreated from the zone area she probably will need the zapping cranked up a bit.....lol....I will keep you posted ...next week we test her outside....the things I have done for this pup I never thought I would do in a lifetime...guess the silly pup has grown on me ...but just a wee bit....lol

friends, fun and fireworks...

Shawna and her family finally made it up to the Koscak's on Saturday for some fireworks, BBQ and fun... it had be close to 4 years since we had a get together with both of our families. All the kids have grown but still got along amazingly...and with the hubby's inside chatting...we were able to sit by the campfire sharing some drinks...okay more than a few....some laughs and just being "us". Shawna and I had an instant connection when we met each other 13 years ago when I strolled past her desk at my new job and announced that I was the new broker who would be sitting along side her..we found out quickly how much we had in common...and from that day....we have stayed connected..and although we both had some difficult years...we have grown to be strong independent woman and damn good mothers I might add. She is a great friend....a true friend...a friend for life. Thanks for coming over ...see you soon.

Canada day..

We had an impromptu get together Canada day after spending the entire day wondering when the rain was going to start. My aunt came over with her family including her new baby grandson Seth who is such a bundle of joy..one of the most content and happiest babies I have ever seen. As mom and dad played volleyball with my kids...Gamma Maggie cuddled her grandson with delight. Kaycee was also very interested in the baby and followed whomever was holding Seth ready to lick his face any chance she got....and although it rained ..we made the best of the evening huddling around the campfire and sitting under the umbrella when the downpour came. Luckily my teenager and his friend have no problem being in charge of the pyrotechnics.... lighting the night sky for us all to enjoy. In fact the kids are getting so old now... we the parents can actually sit back and enjoy company without having to help someone be fed, deal with a toddler meltdown or put someone to bed. We had a great evening and were happy that once again we spent Canada Day with Margie and Dave...it seems to becoming a Koscak tradition.

dear blog...

....forgive me for not paying attention to you but I have been a little preoccupied with a pup ... a pup who has turned my world upside down with her antics ...whom I have witnessed on many of occasion to chase her tail to dizziness and exhaustion,but not before playing the old grab and go game finding the best pair of underwear from the laundry bin and ripping the crotch to shreds all while proceeding on route to the living room whereby she drags her rear across my carpet to alleviate her butt gland problem .. while chasing a mother of an ant that goes up her nose ...and flickering in annoyance...(me and her) I retrieve the critter until she squirms out of my arms to find an old water bottle left on the floor ..running and hitting the walls playing the catch and come game....making enough noise to wake the dead..she heads outside for her potty break.... but not before making a beeline to my lovely perennial garden...whereby she grabs and destroys a few flower petals and privacy branches and then does her business on top of my hosta..."nice"....and while I heed the chase she flies back into the house stealing a paper clip from the "off-limit office" area and me ..like a fool trying to bribe her with a treat for the exchange..yes she ignores me and the clip goes down..... oh no blog...I am telling the truth...this is a real typical day....and now as I am looking for my "puppy bag" I am off to puppy classes hoping that we won't be kicked out although the dirty looks from on-lookers is getting annoying.....yes someday I will have a well behaved dog!!! OH VEY!!!!

puppy training over here...

I don't have a minute to spare...all eyes are on KAYCEE...I am on poop patrol and must keep her within my sight at all times making sure to avoid any accidents.....and let me tell you....its been a full time job...I found myself watching TLC's Baby story Monday morning while watching KAYCEE...it reminded me of my newborn days with the kids....instead of going for a run or taking a shower...I was watching Kaycee....thankfully the crate has been a lifesaver allowing me to take a quick shower or make dinner...yep just like having a baby all over again!

our little girl turns 6 today...

Its funny....6 years ago today I had no clue what child I was going to meet when I went into labour for the 3rd time. During my pregnancy I kept hoping I was having another boy since I already knew how to manage boys....besides what did I know about girls....I was a tomboy as a child beating up all those girly girls who played with dolls and wore pony tails. The last thing I wanted was a girl in my life who would be sensitive and squeamish. I liked being the only girl in the house and I certainly didn't want a little girl to mess things up with her pink purses, barbies and lip gloss...but all that changed when Katie was placed on my tummy...screaming loudly to be heard and scrunching up her bright red face in anger announcing to the world that she had arrived and was not a girl to be messed with. She had a fire in her belly that made me proud and I knew she would be a lot like me. Living up to that reputation over the past 6 years her independence has served her well. She can handle her brothers with ease...parenting them when they need it, she can pack a punch with the best of them and do it when no one is looking while at the same time showing her maternal side grabbing a Kleenex or band aid when some one needs it...yes..she turned out to be exactly the girl we needed in this family and even though she does have a room full of pink stuff we are thankful for her life. Happy 6th birthday Kaitlyn!

feeling green...

Maybe it has been so long since I have seen the grass but doesn't it look greener than usual for April...must have been all that snow this winter!..We open the pool in 4 weeks so here's hoping for a long and warm summer.

Birthday wishes....

Katie turns 6 this week so we invited her class to celebrate her birthday at our local trampoline centre. Since these are "my kids" I supervise at school it really was just like a typical school day with me "Mrs. K" in charge.. comforting those who needed a Kleenex for their runny noses, making sure they had a water fountain break, and ushering those who needed to the bathroom with my " make sure you wash your hands when you are done".The two hour party went by quickly. The kids were exhausted after jumping for an hour and gladly welcomed the pizza, veggies and cake. I have never seen kids eat so much at a birthday party but I guess all that jumping worked up an appetite! Katie received a ton of gifts including dolls, coloring books and a diary. We headed home and I could see that Katie was starting to get sick. Jamie had been home from school Thursday and Friday so I knew it was only a matter of time. Then Justin came home from his 8 hour work shift and the cough and chills had started. We all headed to bed. Thankfully Katie wasn't sick for her party. So another year has passed, another birthday celebration, and my kids just keep getting older!

Dog daze

The kids finally convinced me that we should get a dog. I agreed only because I am NOW ready...lets face it ...the majority of the responsibility will fall on me......the kids although old enough to be pet owners will have to be pushed to poop and scoop but I am sure the feeding, playing and exercise will need less nagging. I started researching breeds last fall before deciding that a backcross labradoodle would be perfect for our family since they are non aggressive,easily trainable, love kids and are non shedding and hypo-allergic.The next task was finding a responsible breeder since this breed is quite popular and a money maker for those without good intentions. Contacting several breeders I felt most comfortable with Tammy at Doodleacres. Her dams and sires live on her property, she only breeds a few litters a year, the pups sleep inside a heated garage, have the run of the house and fenced in backyard during the day but most importantly she loves animals which is why she moved to a 15 acre hobby farm so she could raise chickens, horses and dogs. She spent an hour on the phone with me screening our family to decide if WE were puppy ready before inviting us up to her farm the following weekend. A 2 hour drive lead us to Kaycee. We were greeted by a dozen happy dogs...labs, poodles, labradoodles....before Kaycee was placed in my arms and at that moment I knew she would come home with us in 4 weeks. She was so small and adorable still crying for her mom and littermates who were in the nursery. We spent 2 hours playing, petting and learning about Doodleacres and glad that we chose this breeder since it was evident how much time, love and effort she has spent will all of her dogs. When we left Tammy gave the kids and I some homework. We had to watch a video she recommended on how to be a good pack leader as well as read some books about puppies. Tammy follows the dog whisperers motto....that a dog should be raised in this order.....exercise, discipline and then love. Driving home we headed to the pet store for our research and then spent the rest of the afternoon watching videos about pups. Later that night Justin and I curled up together and read " puppies for dummies".. it was like studying a crash course on dogs learning about grooming, discipline,tricks and crate training..kind of like preparing for a child and thinking about all the books I read before Justin was born..........so our due date is in 10 days...and we are anxiously anticipating our new addition....the crate is set up and ready, her bowls waiting to be filled with food and water, blanket and toys are bought...just need to have Kaycee...here's looking forward to 15 years of enjoyment and hoping that my kids were glad that as a family we decided to get a pup!

MS WALK

It was a cool and sunny morning as our family headed to our community centre for the Annual Supercities Walk for Ms. A crowd of 500 is gathered around the start line with our local radio station booth jamming out the tunes. The kids head inside the centre to get their faces painted while I grab my Starbucks coffee. An annual tradition once again upon us. We head back outside to hear Katie the personal trainer miked and demanding warm up commands to the crowd...the song " let's get this party started" blaring in the background. The runners head to the start line ahead of the walkers...dogs, kids, strollers and wheelchairs also line the area. I see some familiar faces including the lady with the greyhound dog. She has MS and now participates in the walk from her wheelchair...only a few years ago she walked with her cane....a sad reminder of how this disease can change one's life. The whistle blows alerting me back to the start line and the mayor cuts the ribbon.....we are off. We head down Main street our usual way and see the library, Carl's house and all the old century homes. Jamie makes sure he does the annual photo op laying on the usually busy road that is now closed for the walk. Talking and laughing we walk...and I think about how the kids have changed over the years. Katie no longer is in her stroller being pushed to the finish line.... Jamie easily walks the entire 5kms no more shoulder carrying the last lap of the walk... and Justin the team leader ...still compassionate about the cause and at the same time still enjoys the midway refreshment break. The kids are bigger but the reason we do this walk is still the same...we have family that have suffered from MS and walk to raise money to find a cure. As we make our way to the finish line...Jamie runs to make it monumental yet again...and I look at Brian and say...we are so lucky for our kids and their health. We walked for MS because we CAN! Patricia you are in our prayers always.

vegas and me don't mix.......

I know I know....what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas...but having a blog I must tell....and its not what you think.............because not 24hours after arriving in the city that never sleeps...I found myself yearning for sleep trying to make the nausea and headache go away between the puking and diarrhea episodes.....somehow the romance of Vegas vanished and I was thanking Pepto bismo and Tylenol for making the best of my visit...Brian and I managed to see a Cirque production at MGM GRAND, and take in a comedian show at the FLAMINGO but most importantly took our HELICOPTER tour to the grand canyon.... nothing like seeing a bird's eye view of the hoover damn, the Vegas strip and the canyon from the front seat of a helicopter before touching down for a picnic lunch in the middle of the canyon! I admit I can understand why people like Vegas...it was impressive with the large scale themed hotels and endless shows but the constant barrage of Mexicans pushing prostitute cards in your face and the toxic smell of cigarettes turned me off and had me ready to go home after 2 days......don't get me wrong I am glad I went to Vegas and checked it off my "bucket list"...but it is not my idea of a vacation...too much action...not enough relaxation....BUT I WILL NEVER FORGET my day in the GRAND CANYON to celebrate my 40th!!! ya baby!

Happy St. Pats. Day

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

the big one.....

dammit....I am turning 40...there I said it.....the day after St. Patricks day....so I better get right drunk on some green beer to help me sober in that day. I didn't think I would care all that much...hey Brian turned 40 almost 4 years ago and I was okay with that...lol...but now its tag...my turn...I'm it. I have outlived my mother's age...something I never thought I would do and now I have to deal with this getting old business.....seeing older ladies at Katie's swimming lessons got me thinking the other day...if I live to 72...I only have 32 years left on this earth to live out all my dreams, goals and ambitions....which lead me to my spontaneous decision to BOOK VEGAS BABY.......hey...if I am going to HAVE to turn 40...I am doing it in style...first stop....the helicopter tour over the grand canyon where we touch down walking on such a wonder of the world and realizing that I have just experienced one of many that I will now check off my new " getting older" list. If I am going to HAVE to DO birthdays I may as well have an active plan. Instead of ignoring them....I am going to embrace them....well not exactly embrace...BUT you get my point....so next year its Costa Rica and the year after Australia...oh and Hawaii is another part of the world I want to see....yes the list goes on so I hope I do have those 32 birthdays left!! So happy birthday Camille...you old broad...life is just starting to get good!!!! and a little botox won't hurt either!!

caught between a......

Question..

Have YOU EVER been pinned by a headboard to a fence in a windstorm during the lunch hour at IKEA?

Answer....

LIKE NO SHIT...I WAS!!!

Long story short....the winds picked up to 100 km just when I decided to LOAD my vehicle with a headboard that WOULDN'T fit and at that exact moment tried to take the packaging off to get the stupid thing in the truck when I WAS PINNED by the headboard between my truck and the nearby FENCE...the box of packaging flew off and I was left screaming for HELP with people just walking around me???...finally after about 2 minutes I yelled at a young guy to help me...he thought I was just " taking a break against the fence"......a little thick ( yep) but his arms came in handy...he pried the headboard off me and we ushered it into the IKEA....I waited for the winds to settle...moved the car out of the WIND TUNNEL and re-attempted loading with success....now WHO DA THUNK!!!

real world hits home....

So my teenager finally did it.....he didn't wait long after his 14th birthday and promised me he would come through...I doubted his ability at his age but the fact that he is an honour role student and can play the trumpet, guitar and drums lead me to believe it was a possibility....and his experience delivering the local newspaper when he was ten helped...yes ...he GOT A JOB ....flippin burgers....YAY!!!.....I'm thinkin his private school education got him in though...lol......so its official....my kid now has money and I can raid his bank anytime I feel like it!!!!

before and after...no not my hair..the basement

The seamless glass shower door will be installed Tuesday. I am still painting the french door..( plastic will be removed) and trim so the carpet will be installed as soon as I finish the rest of the painting. We managed to squeeze a bathroom, bedroom, family room and small office in a 600 sq foot space directly under our great room. Justin can't wait to move downstairs but I have a game plan...if the kid acts up...mommy and daddy are taking over the space for ourselves!

you know your blonde when....

you pull into the gas station 30 minutes before you have to pick up your kids at school.......jump out of the truck and quickly start filling your tank aware of your time line... ....reading the pump at $50 bucks you suddenly hear a DING- A - LINGING go off in your HEAD......DAMMIT.....I am pumping the WRONG FRIGGIN GAS....my truck takes DIESEL.....you frantically call Mercedes who calms you down telling you NOT TO START THE TRUCK...you wait patiently for the DAMN FLATBED TOW TRUCK to arrive all while everyone at the gas station is staring at you and thinkin.......now that's a first....because have your EVER really witnessed a TRUCK BEING TOWED AFTER GETTING GAS?......LOL......I end up with a go cart of a rental...damn thing looked like the car in the ZZ TOP video....and every time I heard sharp dressed man I cringed!!!....only to get my truck finally back detailed and fixed all for a cool .......$800 BUCKS........I am so not going to that SHELL GAS station ever again...!!!!!! unless I dye my hair brown... the humiliation would be unbearable....

deep breathing over here...

Its' already February and I have been ignoring my blog......life is just too hectic to record.....the basement renovation has been a nightmare starting with a cracked foundation block, annoying contractors and flooding just as the walls have been closed up and the carpet is ready for install...I have 2 masonry guys outside digging what looks like a grave along the perimeter of my house hoping to find the culprit and determining why my newly finished basement now is taking in water....the mud, the noise, the mess, and the headache..oh vey....the kids are still bugging me for a dog...my aunt wants us to book a Mexican vacation and the kids are driving me crazy with after school activities and orthodontist appointments...I haven't been able to go for my run in a month so I am becoming increasing irritable and FAT....yes soon... I keep reminding myself this time will pass and all will be a blur with the wonderful result that I can send my grumpy pre-puberty teenager and his friends down to the newly finished basement leaving me to enjoy some peace and quiet....here's to counting down the days...

projects and parties on the go...

The new year started out with a bang...back to school for the kids and I, schedules to include swimming lessons, gymnastics, ski club and guitar along with a minor "niner's" little birthday celebration for Jamie. We also have started our renovation to finish the basement so Justin will have some new diggs....yes....chaos at its finest....I knew I needed those days for rest during the holiday season! I have narrowed down our dog breed search in hopes of getting ourselves on a waiting list from a litter of Goldendoodles or cockapoos.. so I haven't had the time to stay still and sit at the computer for a blog entry. Hopefully everyone else is enjoying the new year despite the ARTIC weather and wonder if skin freezing in less than a minute really helps the global warming fanatics cause.....

no wonder....

I had the chance to bake this season with the new and improved EASY BAKE oven that Katie asked for from Santa. It seems that Santa along with the manufacturers have wisen up to the fact that burning one's hand on the infamous light bulb while pulling out one's freshly baked cake is no more because you can no longer OPEN the oven door.....nope...you have to slide the cake in one end of the oven for baking and then push it out the other end with a wand thingy when done..all in the name of safety. Well no wonder the kids today are the way they are......burning you hand while baking with the easy bake oven was a right of passage when I was a kid along with bumping my head on the pavement while riding my bike and bouncing around in the back of the Grand Torino without a seat beat on......I know with lawsuits and the new modern common sense ..things have changed...but honestly a little boo boo won't kill a kid...builds up some character don't ya think? lol....

A New Year....

A new year is upon us and I have been feeling particularly lazy. I think subconsciously I have been preparing myself for the back to schedule routine that starts tomorrow with 3 busy kids, a part time job and mom duties. The holidays gave me a chance to host a few dinners, visit family and relax with a glass of wine by the fire. The fast pace buzz of the clock was forgotten. Sleeping till 9 am was the new norm and watching old movies with the kids was a nightly routine. This is my last day of freedom before I am thrust back into the fire. Brian woke up early this morning to venture back to the ski hills with the boys and Katie is smart enough to leave me alone knowing I am dragging my heals mulling over the fact that tomorrow is back to the grind. ( as my mother used to say). A New Year....yes.. but really no different...Happy New Year! ...