Our Crazy Life

NICE FALL DAY IN OTTAWA, IF IT DON'T RAIN !

Hello again from the nation's capital !

After a very rainy Saturday we enjoyed a very nice sunny Sunday.  It rained all day Saturday.  At times it seemed to come down in buckets and others just a lite mist.  It did not stop.  We all managed to sleep in.  No hockey all day.  Imagine that !  Carter and Randy took two of Carters friends to the movie Paschendahle (sp?).  It was a very good love story.  The boys were a tad 'not interested' to say the least during most of the film but loved the battle scenes.  We do highly recommend you go, it is a part of Canadian history and Western history to boot.  The two boys came home with us after the movie.  They played battle games and Rock Band down in the basement.  Paula spent the afternoon shopping for groceries and clothes (which she will need for our trip to Paris.  She was out a lot longer than the boys.  She came home with lots of new outfits.  We all had a good afternoon. 

Randy made hawaiian pizza for dinner to eat while we watched the football game.  The Riders throttled Edmonton.  What a white wash.   I am sure most of you also enjoyed the game.   It was nice to see some of the injured guys back on the field.  Too bad B.C. had to win.   A loss would have helped the Riders big time.  We also watched the Senators, during Rider commercials, lose to Toronto.  OMG!  This is devastating here in Ottawa.  Good thing they sold lots of season tickets.  It will be the talk of the town all week.  After a grueling rainy day we were all in bed very early.  

We had hockey practise at 8:00am this morning.  Only eight players showed themselves.  I can't believe it!  We had a game today at 1:00pm.  We played a so-so first two periods and were down 2-1.  The other team, on the whole, were a better skilled team than ours.  We played Metcalfe.  They did not have enough players to make an A team so the good kids were dispensed to two B teams.  The better players stood out like Bobby Orr.  Unfortunately for them our guys percerveired and came back in the third period.  We kept coaching the boys that we could come back and tie the game.  At 6:32 we tied the game and a couple minutes later scored on a two on one to win the game.  We held them off for a couple more minutes for the win.  It was just so exciting.  Metcalfe is the town where the town folk show up with scarfs and all kinds of noise makers.  Man, our teams parents were so loud during the third period it was mesmorizing.  It was a good game and all the boys played their best, Carter included.  

We brought Cam, whom we took to the game, home with us.  The boys played on the internet for an hour then we went to Cam's house for a swim.  They took possesion of their new house yesterday.  It has an indoor pool.   The boys swam for a couple hours before returning here for a nice home cooked dinner.  Carter is currently getting out of the bath and will shortly be in bed sleeping.  He had a very big day. 

Our week was much the same.  Paula is 99% back to normal.  She still puffs away on her puffer a couple times a day to stay healthy.  Carter was ill a couple of days with a sore stomach.  On Thursday morning he chucked in the school secretaries garbage can.  Friday he spent at home with his mommy.  We went to the school dance for an hour and a half.  He was back to normal for the dance.  We had a great time at the dance.  Paula spent Thursday night helping with decorations.  She also stayed late on Friday to take them down.  On Wednesday evening we got costumes so went out for dinner.  We went to Sushi Khan.  It was spectacular.  If you come to Ottawa we will take you for sure.  It was delicious. 

That was our week.  We look forward to all your reports!

 

 

RIDERS SQUEAK A WIN, COUGARS SHUT OUT ORLEANS

Hello again from the nation's capital !

The Cougars won their second game today against Orleans.  What a game our Carter played.  We couldn't be more proud.  He was skating like a pro: passing to the net every time he went into the corner and fighting hard to keep the puck away from the opponents.  He would skate right into a scrum and come out with the puck.  No hitting just pure muscle and determination.  He was on a roll.  He had many compliments after the game.  He played centre today with his buds Cameron and Jaden.  Being the centre Carter would instruct his wingers and defensemen which player he was going to direct the puck to from the face off.  9.5/10 he would do what he planned.  He even made a few nice shots on net from the puck drop.  It was a good game. 

The rest of the day was spent doing chores and putting things away for the winter.  Randy went out and bought us a dehumidier.  Hopefully it will do its job and lessen the humidity in our house.  After hockey we relaxed and watched the Riders sqeak a win.  We won't elaborate on who deserved the win.  Whom ever has the highest score at the end of the game is deserving.?!  Four interceptions does not constitute good play.  Hopefully they pull up their socks in the playoffs.

Attached enjoy a couple pictures from today.

CRISP SUNDAY MORNING

Hello again from the nation's capital !

Another chilly morning in Ottawa.  The temperature dipped below the freezing point for the second day in a row.  While enjoying his espresso and smoke earlier this morning Randy was amazed by the falling leaves on his neighbors trees.  It sounded like rain and looked like snow.  The air is still.  They drop straight to the ground.  You could hear the vermon (squirrels) barreling over the leaves.   We have had frost the last two mornings but our annuals still provide us with lots of colour.  The rest of you are receiving the same weather this weekend as per the weather network.  Lets enjoy it while it lasts.

We had a good Saturday.  Carter played hockey at 9:00am.  They played a good game against the B1 team from our association.  We are the minor players and they are the major (second year) Atoms.  Our goalie saved a lot of shots to maintain a 3-2 loss.  Carter skated his heart out and made numerous awesome passes.  He had a couple shots on net but was shut out.  Both teams looked a little out of shape.  It could be a lack of a hearty breakfast, who knows.  Randy had a GHA conveynor breakfast meeting after the game.  He learned the responsibilities of the position and will look after the Novice A and C teams.  He was worried that he had all the levels to administer changes, phew!  We have another hockey game this afternoon.  Cheer for us, Go Cougars!  Let's hear your ROOOOAAAAR!

Paula and Carter returned home with his friend Cameron.  The boys played on the computer for hours.  Paula did some chores and made pumpkin tarts.  Randy returned home to rake the leaves and put out the Halloween decorations.  Luckily it was a nice day.  By 6:30pm they were all up.  The yard is illuminated with orange pumkins, ghosts and mini lights.  There were lots of cars stopping and looking.  Lots of compliments as well.  A great way to meet neighbors.  Carter left with Cameron and his family in the late afternoon and played and ate dinner at their house.  He returned after the first period of the Sen's/Boston hockey game.  We watched the hockey game and the Bomber football game.  After that it was lights out in our house. 

Randy was awake early this am.  Carter followed shortly afterward.  Paula is still recouperating from her infection and needs her sleep.  Her eye is all red and her back (lungs) still ache.  She is feeling a whole lot better and worked a few days this week.  Having been away from work makes her job more stressful.  When the cats away the kitties play.  You know the drill. 

Randy maintains his busy schedule at work.  We have more projects on the go than we can shake a stick at.  There never seems to be a dull moment.  Carter conitinues with grade four.  He got an A- on his French exam this week.  We were so proud, not his strongest subject.  His other classes are going good.  He almost has his times tables memorized.  When we encorporate money into the equation it tends to stimulate his brain.  No, we don't pay him to learn.  Paula picked him up from school on Friday morning as he had a stomach ache.  Randy was out it Perth and got the call.  We were worried it was this cold infection hitting him.  Turns out he needed a good poop.

Happy Birthday Reg, hope you had a good one. 

Sounds like M & M are happy to be back in the city and close to family.

Have a good Week !

 

BACK TO THE GRIND AFTER AWESOME WEEKEND

Hello again from the nation's capital !

Nice to read the reports received to date.  Glad to hear you all had a great weekend.  We agree with you all that we have much to be thankful for this year. 

Our turkey dinner at the Sims house was delicious.  The turkey was moist and delicious as were all the fixin's.  It was their young lads sixth birthday so instead of pumpkin pie we had birthday cake.  It was just as delicious.  We headed over after hockey practise and showers.  We played football in the park for a couple hours then headed back to their house for dinner.  A good time was had by all. 

Monday was major sleep over day in our house.  No one was up before 9:00am.  Well... only for a quick urination but it was right back to sleep for two of us.  Carter had a good time the night before so was in desparate need of a good sleep.  We lazed around the house until after a hearty brunch.  We traveled to Le Proulx family farm for some exercise and to buy pumpkins.  Again this year we didn't make it passed the threshold of the haunted house.  Carter turned back half way through the foyer.  Maybe we will see it next year.  Apparently it is pretty awesome.  The local Kiwanis club decorate and operate the house.  We made it home in time to BBQ a leg of lamb and potatoes before heading off to hockey at 6:00pm.  The boys were all sweating good after the work out.  Carter deserved two pieces of pumpkin pie and ate them both.

We relaxed alot this weekend.  No strenuous chores.  Paula was feeling better yesterday but all the walking made her sick again today.  She came home from work just after lunch and slept the rest of the day.  She felt good enough after dinner to attend a PTA meeting.  We all walked to the polling station, 1-1/2 block walk, to vote.  We met a neighbor there, they drove.  Can you believe it?

Enjoy a couple mug shots of our weekend.

   

WEEKEND BRINGS WARM WEATHER TO CAPITAL CITY

Hello again from the nation's capital !

We have to give thanks to mother nature today.  The weather is wonderful.  It reached a high of +20C this afternoon.  The forecast is for the same on Sunday and Monday.  We hope you all enjoy the same temperatures.

We are spending Thanksgiving Dinner with the Sims family tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon.  Paula is bringing the stuffing and cranberries.  We are looking forward to spending the afternoon playing football with the kids and afterwards sitting down to a turkey feast with all the trimmings.

Yesterday was a P.D. day for Carter, that means no school.  Randy skipped out of work in the afternoon.  He came home and raked leaves and began the fall clean up ritual.  The weather was just to nice to be sitting in his office.  He had a very busy week and needed a break.  Paula spent most of the week at home recovering from her illnes.  She finally went to the doctors office for a check-up.  They prescribed rest and antibiotics for her infected lungs.  She is suffering badly from a breathing disorder and can hardly speak.  Randy's cold continues with a dry hacking cough but shows signs of improvement everyday.  The runny nose has gone and we are glad as tissues are not only expensive but bad for the environment.  Carter remains unscathed by our infections.  We spent last night at a hockey game at 6:00pm, a BBQ steak dinner and a late movie (Iron Man).  We were up past midnight.  We all slept in this morning enjoying a good eight or more hours sleep.  

Carter had hockey at noon today.  He played on his dad's computer until it was time to head to the arena.  Randy spent the morning sharpening skates and getting his trainer bag prepared for duty.  We had a good practise.  The kids were worked hard today.  They were all dead tired after practise.  Carter left with his friend Cameron.  They drove off in his dad's Porsche Carrerra with the top down and the music loud.  He spent the afternoon with them and will enjoy a sleep over at their house.  P & C were invited over to watch the Red Wings/Sen's game but given our health gave them a rain check.  We enjoyed a lazy afternoon napping, running errands and doing laundry.  The drier is still tumbling.  Paula, our team treasurer had an appoitment at the bank to set up the account and deposit the team fees received to date.  She is our money person.  We will enjoy a chicken stir fry after the cranberries and stuffing are in the oven.  Paula roasted a turkey this afternoon.  We will cut it up and eat it on Monday and the rest of the week.  What would it be without turkey left overs after Thanksgiving?  Hard to imagine.

We are looking forward to the Rider game on Monday and maybe a golf game.  We don't have hockey till 6:00 so should be able to get plenty of activities in before then.  We want to get to the Gatineau's before the leaves drop.  It should be in full colour this weekend.  The tourists will also be a plenty.  It is well worth the hassle of traffic.

Later.

Have a great weekend,

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 

SUNDAY EVENING WIND DOWN

Hello again from the nation's capital!

It is back to work tomorrow morning, ba humbug!  The weekends fly by way to fast.  We had another jamb packed day.  Randy spent the day at the trainers course.  Paula and Carter spent the day sleeping in, shopping and preparing for a birthday party.  Paula also prepared frozen dishes and soup for the upcoming week.  Her and Carter bought vast quantities of broccoli, cauliflower, red peppers and tomotoes at the market yesterday.  We should have lots of preserves for the winter.  Oh yeh, lots of green and yellow beans as well.  They are a favorite in this house. 

Paula and Randy just returned from the parents meeting for Carter's hockey team.  It was short and sweet and to the point.  We should have a good team this year with lots of volunteer help from the parents.  We won our exhibition game yesterday 7-3.  Carter got one goal and Paula says he was on the ice for each goal.  He played awesome with many shots on net.  The entire team played with determination.  We came out strong in the first period with two goals in the first twelve minutes.  The opposition rebounded in the second to lead by one.  The Cougars in turn came back to score four goals in the third period.  We are still determining positions so each player took turns playing forward and defense.  It was pretty obvious who wouldn't be playing defense but it is still early in the season.  The boys had lots of fun.  Winning was a good reward.  To be honest they would have been just as happy with the game if they'd have lost.  Their were six adults behind the bench.  The allotment is four so the head coach will have to make some decisions as it was way to crowded and way to confusing to the players. 

We spent last night enjoying a late BBQ dinner.  It took twenty minutes to warm up the BBQ.  It was not nice yesterday.  The high was 11 or 12C.  It was a tad warmer today at 15C.  Anyhow, after another 25 minutes of BBQ'ing we were ready to eat.  None of us was hungry so we ate quite late.  At 9:30pm we put in a movie then snuggled up in bed.  The furnace has been keeping us warm for a few nights.  Seems weird having it run but it takes the dampness out of the house. 

Carter attended a birthday party from 6:00 to 8:00pm today.  The parents obviously booked the space at the last moment as who has a party at this time of night on a Sunday.  We all have our own methods I guess.  He said he had fun.  He was in bed ten minutes after he got home, we had the babysitter here waiting for his arrival.  The B-day boy's mother brought him home.  Oh, and he had vast quantities of candy before heading to bed.  He should be asleep by midnight.  Oh well.  The teacher will have to deal with the kids tomorrow.  Poor thing. 

Look forward to going to the master computer and reading your reports. 

COOL AND HUMID / COLD STILL HANGING AROUND

Hello again from the nation's capital !

To all you Westerners - ENJOY THE WARM WEATHER THIS WEEKEND.

Cool humid weather continues.  We finally turned on the furnace the other night.  It dries the air in the house.  The heat feels good.  It is +3C this am.  Our high is projected at 11C.  It would be nice to be in Saskatchewan this weekend.  We could all handle 24C.  M&M will be putting the party boat back in the water.  There will be lots of fisherman on the lake.  Our leaves are slowly turning.  The two trees in the front yard are 3/4 bare.  They lose leaves all summer so raking has been a weekly chore.  We have four bags of leaves already.  Randy drove to Brockville the other day.  The views were spectacular.  The fall colours are in full splendor.  There are lots of tourists in the region. 

Carter had power skating last night.  We have to be a bit sneaky and say it is hockey as most of the boys don't like power skating.  They just want to play hockey.   We waited until we got to the rink to tell him it was power skating and not a game or practise.  Ha!  He ended up having a good time as most of his team from last season were on the ice, younger ones.  They were highly competitive during the skating drills.  It did Carter well.  He was as fast or faster than most of the other guys.  We have to remember this is only his second season playing hockey.  He has come very far from the beginning of last season.  He has a exhibition game this afternoon against the Orleans B1 team.  We haven't even gone over player positions and zone coverage with the kids.  It should be interesting.  The kids are there to play so we agree we will let them play.  We are lucky to have so much ice time.  Some other areas have only just begun tryouts.  We have a busy hockey schedule with a game, practise and power skating each week.  We are also thinking of enrolling in another Canskate power skating course. 

Paula's cold has left her body.  Randy continues to struggle although it is way way better.  The coughing attacks are much less frequent, mostly after enjoying a smoke out in the humid air.  But that is not the cause.  Carter remains healthy and why shouldn't he be.  He eats more than anyone in the house.  Can I have a snack?  When is dinner?  Even after he is in bed.  Randy broke down and snuck a bag of cookies in the house.  He has to remember they are only for Carter. 

Oh it would be nice to be golfing this morning.  Rick, Ron and Roberta will probably all spend some time on the course today.  Have fun.  I like reading your reports about your golfing.  I can brag that my siblings all have low handicaps.  We haven't been out for quite some time.  If it was 11C right now I'd take off by myself.  It isn't so am inside on the computer awaiting everyone else to get up.  Will spend tomorrow at a trainers course from 8:30 to 5.  I guess they cram as much stuff as they can into your brain in eight hours.  Should I take a dozen doughnuts?  Ha!  We also have the parents meeting tomorrow evening so am totally booked for Sunday.

Better get some bacon in the oven and get breakfast ready.  Carter has a friend over and I am not here tomorrow to make bacon and eggs.  Have to have it at least once a week.