It's August!

Wow, time flies. You can guess I've been taking time off the computer (blogging) to enjoy summer - or what there is of summer here.

I spent 20 days on the road traveling with my family. My children travel well. They have their moments, but hey - considering we had 12-14 hours in a van, they did extremely well. And, considering we supplied them with movies and video games.. that helped all the more. We had a few "pull over to the side of the road" episodes where we explained (through gritted teeth) the importance of quiet and not fighting, so not to "distract the driver."

My kids saw and played in the ocean for the first time. They took to it like they have been in it every day of their lives. Quite amazing! Even my husband, who born and raised in the centre of the world really didn't have much ocean experience. I hemmed and hawed at the importance of watching the children. Making sure they understood the currents and what they can do. My husband learned that when the tide comes in, that it's important to pack the towels and such - up along the dunes... He and the girls came back to a drenched site one day. I spent time trying to find "sand glass." I never found any. Instead I spent the time awwwing over the smooth flat rocks the ocean spit out.

I also got to IKEA 2x's. It's amazing to actually go to IKEA twice in the same week. Simply amazing. And I did it in two separate cities, many miles apart. And I didn't spend more than $100. My husband doesn't quite understand IKEA. He went with me on the 2nd trip. He was confused. He tried to find an exit - and for those of you that know - there is no exit! You must go through each section.. follow the arrow.

We came home to a jungle in my backyard. It was beyond insane. Like up to my knees insane. And to make matters worse - I think it rained 95% of the time we were gone! So, it was a jungle of wet grass. My lawnmower spit. It did not like the grass. It refused to put the grass in it's baggy attachment, instead - spitting it out in clumps. It was a horrible looking grass. Just horrible. It's looking a bit better now. A bit.

Since we've been back, it's rained 95% of the time. Sigh. The temperatures have been way below normal. In fact - we are saving so much electricity. I can't remember the last time we used our a/c. Normally - that a/c would be running nonstop. And.. kicking my kids outside brings cries of "it's tooo cold!" instead of "it's too hot!"

So, I've been spending time redecorating my house - or adding some kind of decorating. I just got two new area rugs. Looks great. I think. I lose all self esteem when it comes to decorating. I worry what "people will think." I must remember - IT'S MY HOME AND MY COMFORT. Sigh. I have a ways to go.

I've also focused on getting my daughter ready for back-to-school. She's about done, clothes wise. I haven't so much on the boys. They are done with Please Mum, and Gymboree.. and Sears and Walmart... they want speciality clothing. Speciality clothing really costs a lot! And rarely on sale. Rarely. Sigh. But I must accept the fact that they are growing up and into new things. And instill in them that I won't spend $100 on a pair of pants - I at least should see a shirt in for that price!!! Maybe two! And for God's sake... a sale would be nice!

And normally, I am not a back-to-school clothing kind of person. I usually buy clothes as they need them. And buying warm clothes in the middle of summer is useless - no one wants to try it on and they can't wear them until October (otherwise they will boil in them in the air-conditionless schools). But since it's so below average temperature wise - it's been rather easy to put my mind into clothes shopping. Still unlike me. I do prefer the wait until they need idea... ah well. Blame it on the sales and the weather.

Tomorrow is my 13th anniversary. Yes, my husband I made it 13 years. Doing o.k. Some bumpy roads, lots of learning to communicate and accepting each others faults - but the love is still there. Still lots to learn (mainly on my part). I realized this yesterday that I really didn't know what my husband was into. I walked the mall trying to find something for him. Deciding on a game. He's into warhammer, catan such games, etc. It's all every confusing to me, and all very uninteresting. I've tried to understand.. I've tried. I even went so far as to ask him "what would you like for your anniversary?" And I didn't get any reply. Just a shrug. So, I had to call his friend. A good friend. Who probably hung up the phone and shook his head. Wondering where Darryl went wrong, marrying someone with zero interest in his interests. His wife probably knows what he wants for birthdays and anniversaries. Although he may verbally let her know too. Really none of my business. But my husband can never say I don't put in any effort to getting him a gift. I walk hours on end, hemming and hawing - drag kids with me and we all hem and haw - and then I call friends. "Help!"

So, 13 years. And you know - I can almost guarantee he is out somewhere right now hemming and hawing over me. Because I refuse clothing. And what I wanted, I no longer want anymore (as earlier in Walmart we were looking at Ipods - to replace the one that was stolen) and I told him that I really didn't want the Itouch anymore that it was useless for me and he really uses this stuff more than I do - so go get what would work for him thingy) I think I heard him scream silently to himself.

oops.

Here's to many more anniversary shopping experiences to come!!!

5K

5K is what I walked today. Not bad after a very long Winter.

The snow has long gone. Yah, Mother Nature has fooled us a few times .. more like teased us with flurries... I've officially banned the word "snow" from this house as a naughty four letter word. My children love to taunt me with it. They don't understand. One day, I'll be retired down south.. in a nice warm state or country. And I'll call my lovely oh so darling children and ask how they are doing... and I'll make sure to check the weather for the area they live in... and I'll call them... and tell them how nice and hot it is where I am!!!! Yeah.. that will teach them to use that four letter word around me. Revenge is Sweet.

I raked today too. Sort of mulched or something the grass.. I have no clue what I am doing.. all I know, is I raked up dead grass. It's in a pile. Because I raked up garbage too. And at the ripe old age of 42, I figured my back wasn't going to let me bend to pick them up. And I had a light bulb moment - I have 4 children!!! WOOHOO!

They don't know it yet - but that is what we will do tomorrow :D

I will not be "Mother of the Year" tomorrow.

Tracy

SNOWSTORMS AREN'T ROMANTIC IN MARCH

I woke up today to white stuff. It was everywhere. Dang blasted stuff. This is my front steps.. looking down. At 7:09pm, they are still not shoveled.











Here is my walkway.. still not shoveled at 7:11pm and I don't give a woohoo. See where that red car is? That is the location of the big puddle. Now iced over. But you can't see the ice, but it's snowed over now.










And this lovely couple. They had the foresight to bring an umbrella. They make standing in the middle of a snowstorm so romantic. pfff.















Today, since all the kids were in school - My hubby and I decided to take the opportunity to go on a lunch date. Eating together, sans kids. So, I rushed out to get my youngest to preschool. And I find my van battery dead. It takes both my husband and I a good 20 minutes to extricate dd's car seat from the van and put it into his car. Dear hubby, tells me to just take her to school and come back to get him. Off we go. I cursed the city of Winnipeg for their not so excellent plowing... I go slow, steady. And up I go into the back lane of the preschool, to the "new" spot. And I get stuck. NOOOOOOooooooooo I scream in my head. This can NOT happen again! At least, there was hope this time... this was just snow. I spent a good 10 minutes, going back and forth, reverse, drive, reverse, drive... I get out and kick snow around... get back in. Finally I get the car moving and I run my daughter into her class. 30 minutes later, I return home.

My husband has a puzzled look on his face, and asked... "what took you so long?" I laughed, tell him the whole story... and off we go. :) We had a marvelous lunch. This is the 2nd date we've had this week.. spoiling ourselves I think!! :) We better be careful, or we may get addicted to this romance stuff!!! We may actually start to think we are childless adults! Nawww.... unfortunately the school bells start to ring, startling us into reality.

The snow continues to pile up. No one here seems to mind. While waiting for a tow truck to come and boost the van's battery, and while I let the van run for 30 minutes, I dug snow. I moved snow... I huffed and puffed and quietly cried inside. "why me? why me?" I started to hate friends that were leaving for warm climates. It's their fault you know. But the cars can now get out without getting stuck. I moved hundreds of pounds of snow. But the front though. It's a mess. And I know the mailman will hate me now. I think he used to love me. I know he loved me. I was nice to him. I am wondering what he thinks happened? If he did something wrong? Sigh.

I don't want to shovel anymore. I don't. I quit. I'm not doing it anymore. This OCD thing is not for me. It bugs me... but I'm too exhausted - aka lazy - to even care. And I have 4 children who can shovel.. o.k. 2 really.. and 11 and 9 - yeah, they are more than capable... but they aren't budging... I think, they think if they are real quiet and don't make a sound, mom won't notice them... but this one will no doubt beg for a ride in the morning - because 1, there's too much snow, and 2, he's brilliant student, but not so brilliant in survival skills.. wear boots? whaaaa?????

NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT

Today I spent 2 hours stuck in a hole. A hole that ate 1/2 my tire.

The snow is melting rapidly here. It's warm and raining. So, when I parked my van outside the preschool, I parked by a rain gutter. That rain gutter was spewing water.. which softened the ice I was on.

As I parked, I noticed my van going forward. Odd. It was in park.. what was going on?

What was happening was that my car was being sucked into weak ice. Dragged below into the mud that lay beneath. I tried to get out, but was was just spitting sludge up against the building.

I sat there and panicked for a bit. Not sure what to do. I used to have a sticker on my window for road side assistance, but it mysteriously disappeared. My husband canceled the "onstar" a few months back (dang him).

So, I called my dealership. Because I never throw anything away, I still had the book in the van with my agent's name in it. I called the main number and the receptionist forwarded me to the repair section (I'm sure there is a proper name for it, but it escapes me!!) I tell them what was going on and he says he'll call me back. I'm sure he was laughing his arse off!

He calls back and gives me the number to road side assistance. I call and that lady sends out help, but tells me it would be a 75 minute wait. Did I have a warm place to go? Was there a "Tim Horton's" near by?

I told her, I guess I could sit inside, not sure though and no, I was no where near any restaurant. I wasn't sure about turning on the van, because I was so deep down into the hole, I didn't know if it was safe at that point.

Bless her heart, took pity and put a rush on the order. I sat in the van and waited. I felt my left foot start to freeze up and I just sat there.. like an idiot.

The tow truck driver came just over an hour later. He was a nice fellow, who had a smirk of laughter on his face.. he wasn't smug, just I really did get the van in a pickle!!!

He assured me that this has been happening a lot.. (I didn't believe him!)

He looks at the van, and then turns to me and says.. "you know you back wheel is flat, eh?" Ugh.. yeah. Monday is not my day apparently. Actually, my friend, not 45 minutes earlier, pulled up beside me, while I was stuck in the hole. She burst out laughing when she saw my almost flat back tire.

It takes the man a good 20 minutes or so to get the van out. He tried to pull it out, but it wasn't budging. That tire wasn't going to move, if a building fell on it. So, he takes out his jack and raises the car way up high... I'm thinking... great, he's gonna tip the van over.

He took out a bunch of wood.. starts piling it under the van like... takes it out, tries another position. A neighbor comes up and finds some wood in his garage... so they fill the hole with all this wood... slowly move the van on top of it.. and drive backwards.

My van is free.

woohooo.

And because my van is still low mileage, it's still covered under road side assistance. woohppeee! I didn't have to pay a dime. Which was good, because I didn't have any money on me at all!!!

My friend and I decided that our parking spot behind the preschool just wasn't a good option for us anymore. We are parking elsewhere now. Away from rain gutters. Off of ice and flowing water.

We are now parking behind a church. The good lord will look down upon us and watch over our vans. I hope he watches over my back tire as well. I went to fill it up, and I had no clue!! I got air into it, but not sure how much... there is this thing called a tired gauge that if you use it will tell you -- but unless someone shows you, it's absolutely useless. My friend has one in her car that her husband insisted she have. Problem is, she doesn't know how to use it either!!!

Now, I bet if I still had "onstar" they would have told me how to use it!! LOLOL I also wonder if I had to wait just as long as well? Or would "onstar" automatically come on and say "hello, this is onstar, we've noticed you've got yourself into a pickle "

:)

And .. the topic of my post.. "never leave home without it"

And that would be my camera. Because that would have been a GREAT photo to share. Because this is what life is like in the Spring time: big puddles, melting snow, melting ice.

And if I was really clued into it - I would have remembered my cellphone had a camera... yeah...

WINTER MELT

This lovely puddle is on my street - yup in front of my house. Whenever the snow melts, this is what happens. In fact, whenever it rains, this is what happens.

Up near the top, if you look closely you can see the street drain... hmmm.. not sure if there is another name for it? In any case, oddly enough it is on a bit of a "hill".. making it impossible for water to drain into it.

Yeah.. it's annoying. Last summer the street crews were out for a whole week fixing the street. Took apart the curbs... redid a few things.... never touched this problem -- and it was quite obviously a problem... we were really excited when we saw them too.. thinking "FINALLY! we can get rid of that stupid puddle.

Winnipeg is a magnet for mosquitoes. We are built on flood lands (of some sort).. It's mosquito heaven!! I'm sure half the population of mosquitoes are bred in that puddle. Yup. It's a fertility haven.

It also really hampers parking on the street, as there is no where to park... You don't want to step in the puddle.. or the kids - and trust me they don't step, they jump, jump and jump some more - especially the children who are 4 and under. Even 6 year olds are prone to jump in it. And a 9 year old will do it out of spite sometimes, especially if you are wearing light coloured clothing, and or clean clothing at that... It's a good thing my 9 year old is cute.

Speaking of puddle jumping, I still haven't found any splash pants. Nada. But then again, I haven't looked very hard since my last post -- and I was even in Walmart and I totally forgot to check. But I did have 4 children with me on a Saturday morning.

My backyard is melting too. Hopefully we can get the garage door open soon. Yes, it's frozen solid.. not good drainage over there at all.. water sort of drains down towards the garage, and well, from December on, we can not enter our garage via the door. Yeah, if we ever replace the garage door opener, we would actually be able to enter that way if need be.

We are in for a lot of rain the next couple of days. So our puddles and frozen doors won't go away soon - especially if the temperatures drop below zero at night.. not a chance in heck.

Speaking of rain, I have to seriously think about redoing our gutters... it's high time they were replaced.. they aren't working as well as they should be at all. Every corner of our house has a puddle.. drip, drip, drip.... Yeah... gutter-failure at it's best.

Welcome Spring

I woke up this morning, not hearing the snow melt, or the birds chirping, but to the sounds of my 3 year old walking around the house saying, "goodbye snow" "Hello Spring"

And I layed in bed and wondered... It is Spring. Wow!

Not to put a damper on my post, but Spring really means nothing weather-wise to Manitobans. All it means is that we can officially eliminate "Winter" from our vocabulary for a few months. Yes, we may have a few days left of frigid temps, and yeah, we may get blasted with snow before June... It won't be bad though - I think the temps will say above 0c during the days for the most part... give it a couple of weeks... maybe....

I've read that it will get as high as 9c on Tuesday. To us Manitobans, that means, no more winter coats, and boots. Heck, I can guarantee that I'll see at least a dozen high school age/college age kids wearing shorts.

My 6 year old has been begging to wear her rain boots. (Which I bought early this year to avoid the mad rush). And I told her she could wear them once the temps rose to over 0c. Of course, today it's going to be a hot 4c and we completely forgot. I'm sure I'll hear about this the whole weekend.

Yesterday I went on a search for splash pants. (of course, I never thought of that while buying the boots).. nor did I think of it when I bought the girl's their spring jackets... Nope... not a pair to be found. What gives??

I'm sure I'll have to hit Walmart and check.. just this year I was hoping the splash pants would actually "match" the spring jackets!

Welcome Spring. You have improved many a mood. Kids are smiling, and even my 3 year old is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Today - she has her mind set on "puddle splashing" She plans on getting me soaking wet.. jeesh thanks there! LOL I will need to hunt down splash pants for her... I know I have some.. somewhere...

And maybe Spring will bring me some organizational skills.. I need to purge this house... things have got to go.

Ahh Spring. The season of hope.

Long time no post

Wow! Did I ever get in a Winter rut. It was dark, cold and well, even I had given up on my OCD-ness of shoveling. And I'm paying for it now! It's just eventually I gave up the fight. Going out in -40c temperature to shovel wasn't appealing. I wasn't willing to lose any body parts to frostbite. But yes, now that the sun is out longer, the temperatures have risen and the snow is beginning to melt. This means, my snow covered walks are pure ice now. I shouldn't have given up... but then again, if I didn't give up, I probably would have lost a body part.

Since the 17th of January many things have gone on. My son made it back from camp. He had a wonderful time. We decided to take the whole family up to pick him up. The Mamma Mia movie take the whole time up.. it kept the kids occupied! :) The camp was very very beautiful. Sadly, my son's disposable camera did not work at all. Which is too bad, since he caught his first fish up there! He came back exhausted and full of fresh air!!!

February brought me the flu. I spent a good 4 days thinking I was going to die. O.k. maybe two of those days. My cat spent the entire time by my side, which really led me to believe I was going to die - some cats have that sense and since this cat isn't one for cuddling, I was a bit nervous. I obviously survived and cursed the person who gave me that germ. No one else in the family got it, so we were lucky.

February also made my cat sick as well. Poor Socks, has crystals. He's on the mend now and on a special diet. He's back to his grumpy self. Although he still is wanting to be near us more often now.

And into March. ahhhh March. The clock change. I can't tell you how much nicer it is to see sunlight still at 7pm. Everyone's mood seems to have lifted. We are wanting to do more, get moving, hibernation is offically over.

On the 10th, my 3 year old broke her collarbone. She's doing fine and is able to resume all her activities. Personally, if it were me, I'd be still whinning. But not my 3 year old. As long as we don't touch her shoulder, all is good. Kids. They heal fast!

I also celebrated my 40th birthday. Ok. It's not my 40th, but I refuse to count any higher. I was o.k. at 41 anything after just isn't going to exist. It's not in my numerical vocabulary!!!! My birthday landed smack dab in the middle of colds, flu, broken bones, pukes and every other imaginable thing that could go wrong. I'll never forget this birthday. In fact it's permanently etched in my brain, something I will probably bring up when I'm very old. It will be endless story my kids and grandkids will hear over and over again. One day, I will post about the birthday present. We still aren't at the laughing stage of it yet... As soon as I can type it and laugh, I will post the story.

I forgot to wear green for St. Patty's Day. I also learned that some family have leprechauns come to their house on this day. I never knew that existed! I have heard of leprechauns, but never knew he was just like the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy. My daughter's friend asked me in shock about why he didn't come to our home. And I stood there in shock, as I didn't know what to say - I told her I guess it meant that we were just more Ukranian than Irish. Pretty good come back there for being caught off guard! She seemed to like that answer.

So, that has been our doings lately. Of course, I hope to post more... to get on the bandwagon more.. to take more photos... contribute a bit to this boring blog.. to get more into why I started the blog...