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! ...

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. :)