Our Crazy Life

COLD WEATHER BLANKETS THE COUNTRY

Hello again from the nation's capital !

It is winter.  It is January.  I guess we have to expect cold weather.  We checked the weather network and all of us are in the deep freeze.  We envy all of you making travel plans to warmer destinations.  We have heard of some amazing deals that our friends are taking advantage of in the Caribean.  With any luck the cold spell will be gone in a week.  Ya Right!

We had an exciting week and weekend.  Carter had a game and a practise on both Saturday and Sunday.  We lost Saturday morning 0 to 1 against the highest scoring team in the league.  Our guys played their best game of the season.  They skated their hearts out to hold the opposition to one goal.  We were shut out by a very good goalie.  Our goalie was no slouch either stopping some very good shots with alot of help from our defense and offensive back checking.  We practised on Saturday afternoon and again on Sunday morning at 7:00am.  Yes, another 7:00 o'clock practise in -25C weather.  It is getting harder and harder to get up for for this old gheizer.  Carter was up and ready without much coaxing.  It was a good practise; most of the team was in attendance.  We skated the kids hard enforcing discipline to the ninth degree.  Hopefully it benefits them in the long run. 

Carter hustled off to La crosse practise right after hockey practise.  His bud, Jaden, and his dad volunteered to give him a ride.  The practise was at the field house of Carleton University.  To far for us to drive after hockey.  From all reports Carter played hard.  He and Jaden played at our house afterwards until our game Sunday afternoon. 

We had Lacrosse practise last Tuesday night in the Superdome in Blackburn Hamlet.  It is nice and close and easy to get to.  Carter played good but was a little leary.  We chose Lacrosse over an outdoor hockey practise that evening.  Good thing as Carter stayed home the next two days with a sore throat.  He would have been even worse had he played hockey outside.  He coughed steadily for two whole days.  Paula stayed home with him on Wednesday and Randy worked at home on Thursday.  It is amazing how much work you get done at home without distractions.  Randy also did seven loads of laundry.  Not bad eh!

We tied our hockey game Sunday afternoon.  We came out like gangbusters in the first period but totally sucked the next two periods.  I guess the guys were tired.  Too much exercise.  Carter and Jaden both played an excellent game and they had Lacrosse in between.  It all has to do with fitness and desire. 

We had an exciting trip to Metcalfe for the game.  Good thing we have a GPS.  We showed up fourteen minutes before the game after leaving the house an hour before the game.  It was a tad tense on the icy backroads.  

We had hockey again today at 5:00pm.  Our next practise is on Friday with something in the works for Wednesday.

Paula is kept busy with the budget tomorrow.  She has to be ready to answer questions of the minister.  We won't expect her home early this week.  

Have a great week. 

   

STILL COLD - JUST NOT AS FRIGID

Hello again from the nation's capital !

The weather has taken a turn for the better.  The severe cold has left our area.  Hopefully for the rest of winter.  Unfortunately it has been snowing for the past few hours.  We shoveled a couple of inches this morning, this afternoon and will again before bedtime.  It is much better that -25C. 

This past week was much the same as per usual.  We were all kept busy with work, homework and hockey.  Friday night was spent relaxing in the house.  We had hockey early Saturday morning.  Saturday was mostly a hockey day in Ottawa.  Between practise and the game we had the oil in the Escape changed, Carter did some tidying in his room and Paula did some tidying in the office.  After the game Carter went straight to Pats house to play with his club friends and Randy & Paula went to a competitive Pee-Wee hockey game.  After the game we picked up Lebanese take-out, picked up Carter and returned home for another early night as we had hockey this morning.  The Leb food was quite delicious.  Garlic, Garlic, Garlic was the motto.  It was very tasty with huge portions.  It wasn't cheap so I guess you get what you pay for. 

It was another early day today.  Carter was up early with his parents.  We had a hearty ham and egg breakfast before the second game of the weekend.  Carter played another great game.  His team mates did as well.  We were up against the first place team.  We challenged them to the last minute but lost 1-2.  It was a hard hitting game.  They were checking us and the ref was totally blind.  One of our players came back to the bench in tears after taking a check, from behind, straight into the boards.  We whined but with no success.  Carter made a really nice check, which is not allowed, on one of the opponents better players, and got a roughing penalty.  He will do in contact hockey.  We were proud of our team for playing to the end.  At times we thought we were going to tie but it just didn't happen. 

After the game Paula spent the day at a scrap book crop.  R and C returned home to showers and spent the balance of the day in front of the boob tubes.  We watched a few episodes the "The Rat Patrol".  Do any of you remember the '60s series?  Carter just asked if we can watch a couple more episodes before bed so best call this a wrap.

We hope you all have a wonderful week and we look forward to reading your reports and or talking to you on the phone.

COUGAR UPDATE

Hello again from the nation's capital !

The Cougars played an exceptional game this afternoon.  The coaching staff stressed team work, skating hard and playing your position.  After a hard skating 7:00am practise earlier this morning the team was ripe for a win.  Our game was against the Leitrim Hawks.  We haven't won a game against them in two years.  We tied their other B team earlier in the year but until today we were shut out. 

The play was fast and hard.  Both teams were determined to win.  The Cougars out skated their opponents resulting in a 2-0 win.  The game was scoreless after two and a half periods.  The crowd were on their feet many times as we had a few breaks aways and lots of shots on net.  The Hawks goalie was on his game today.  He wasn't letting any shots pass his mitt.  Carter had at least six break aways and was shooting hard.  The goalie stopped all of them.  None of our players could keep up to retrieve a rebound until there was 3:30 left in the game.  Carter came in with a blistering shot.  The goalie somehow managed to stop the shot.  A team mate of Carters was close by, Carter stopped fast and back handed a good pass to him.  He got the pass but whoosed out on the shot.  There was a scrum.  The puck went loose.  Carter reached hard with his stick and passed it back in front of the net.  The puck rebounded off his team mates stick and we scored the first goal of the game.  YAHOO!  

The bench was extactic, the crowd was elated with cheers and "ROAR'S".  The coaches jumped for joy.  We quickly composed ourselves and returned to the action.  The other team came back as hard as ever.  Our next line out was tired but our defense managed to keep us in the game.  One of our guys got a break away and due to the other teams fatigue he skated in and scored.  The crowd went wild.  Could we manage a shut out against our arch rivals from Leitrim?  Our hearts werer racing.  Our guys were pumped.  For the next minute and a half we never reliquished control of the puck.  Our opponents were well above us in the standings with only one loss.  We played the best game of the season. 

Carter played another exceptional game.  He made some moves that impressed everyone.  He has learned to use his speed to back check and steal the puck.  He has skinny little arms with barely a muscle but uses every ounce of strength he can muster to manipilate his stick.  His use of the boards was his best ability today.  His quick little back hands, which we have been practising on the outdoor rink, up the boards and skating fast around an opponent then stopping on a dime to out manouvre another player illustrate how much he has improved this season.  He also takes more criticism on the bench than other players.  The coaches expect more from him.  He soaks up all the advise he gets and uses it his next shift on the ice. 

F.Y.I. Carter did not get a penalty today. 

With friends like this . . .

who needs enemies?

A very interesting clip.  Enjoy! Ferbey and Martin OTR

OUTDOOR RINK PROVIDES SUN, FUN AND EXERCISE

Hello again from the nation's capital !

Looks like we are the first out with the reports this weekend.  The weather must be nice in Red Deer, Saskatoon and Winnipeg this weekend.  Good, you all deserve a break from the bitter cold.  If it hasn't warmed lets just pretend and be happy.  Have a stiff one and sit on the back deck with a cigar. 

Carter and Randy just returned from a 2-1/2 hour game of shinny at the outdoor rink.  We were all smiles when we arrived that the ice was shovelled.  We were prepared to do our share... ya right.  We skated, Carter ties his own - big kid now ya'know, around to warm up then we all through our sticks in the middle.  The sticks were thrown each direction and two teams selected.  Carter and Randy were lucky enough to be on the same team.  It was a great learning experience for Carter.  Our team pretty much controled the puck and with Randy on defense/net, due to oldness and lack of ambition to skate fast, we dominated the game.  Carter practised his passing skills and shooting.  We had two youngsters on our team who were given the puck 80% of the time.  The adults on our team were all pretty much the same age.  The other team had younger faster adults and the bigger of the small kids, probably peewee players, three of them.  Randy was picking off all attacks with his stick stuck out like Chara.  One guy yelled 'use your body' while in a corner.  We all had a laugh after that.  We returned home just as the sun was going down.  It was great for fresh air but we'll see what it does for the cough. 

The morning was spent attending two Bantam B games in the Cougar Bantam tournament.  Both teams won and were very entertaining games.  Neither teams advanced to the semi-finals.  Paula just returned from the Bantam A semi-final. 
The Cougars were unable to score and lost 0-1.  The opponents goalie got MVP of the game. 

Carter is down stairs trying to enjoyhis PS3.  He purchased a driving game yesterday.  Man is it sensitive.  The graphics are awesome and you can drive anywhere, turn anywhere, go through barriers, hit from behind...  Paula suddenly agrees that we need an HD tv for the basement.  She and Carter got onto the internet last night on the PS3.  Carter wants to play his games on-line. 

Saturday was chore day.  The Christmas tree is finally back in its box until next season.  Decorations (twelve that got on the tree) are still on the table.  R and C's laundry is all clean and ironed.  Yep, it was a busy chore day.  Carter and Paula went shopping and got the hair clipped.  Randy did the Cosco and Loeb shopping.  He was thinking of Rick the entire time.  We are only allowed one trip a month to Cosco and we stick to the list.  Sure glad that rule doesn't apply to the beer and liquor store.  Oh yeah, Paula enjoyeded the skins curling.  She was cheering on Martin, too bad Ferbie had to win eh.  Any of you catch the 'off the record' clips on www.tsn.  Check them out.

Friday and Saturday evening we enjoyed a few episodes of the classic 'Gilligan's Island' comedy.  We haven't cracked the black and white episodes but it is still as amusing as it was back in the day.  I can't remember if we even had a tv when the first episodes broadcast.  The tv didn't come along until Reg asked for it, Ha!

No hockey this weekend.  We have power skating Monday and a game on Saturday.

Have a great week !

Momma got a new lens!!!!!

I was getting tired of taking bad photos at the rink, so Santa brought me a Boxing Day gift!

Enjoy . . .

   

   

 

    

 

Momma got a new lens!!!!!

I was getting tired of taking bad photos at the rink, so Santa brought me a Boxing Day gift!

Enjoy . . .

   

   

 

    

 

HOLIDAY ENDS - BACK TO SCHOOL AND WORK

Hello again from the nation's capital !

Have read that the weather is cold again in Saskatchewan and snow forecast for Alberta.  Glad it hasn't been as cold here for a few days.  It is currently -8C at our house with ice pellets forecast overnight but we will more likely receive snow.  We have gone a whole 24 hours without shoveling.

It was another busy weekend with hockey.  On Friday afternoon Carter walked on his own to the local outdoor ice rink where he laced up his skates and played shinny with some other boys.  His mother followed a half hour later to take some pictures, and check up on his condition.  Randy followed shortly afterward and we ran practise drills.  He was in seventh heaven out on the ice.  We had the surface all to ourselves so shooting the puck around wasn't an issue.  He skated for 2-1/2 hours and almost had to be drug home for dinner.  Yep, he had a great nights sleep after a hearty meal and a movie, Wild Hogs.  The rest of the day was spent lazing around the house not getting dressed until after lunch.  It was our last 'holiday' day. 

Randy was out the door early Saturday morning getting the skates sharpened for an 11:00am practise.  This city is a ghost town on weekend mornings.  Very little traffic anywhere and no waiting.  We were to bed early therefore ready to get up early.  The Cougars also played a game at 3:00pm.  Carter played a good competitive game with a goal and an assist.  He was passing and back checking good, stealing the puck away and had a couple of breakaways.  They won by three goals.  We almost had a shut-out.  After hockey we had our team Christmas party.  A good time was had by all. 

The best part of the party was watching the last period between Team Canada and Russia.  What an exciting last few minutes, overtime and shoot-out.  The house was a rockin'.  We all left after the game.  Man were we pumped.  The Senators were not as entertaining.  I can't think of a better time than now that they need our support.  Man it would have been exciting to have been at Scotia Bank Place on Saturday night.  Wish we had tickets for the gold medal game.

Sunday was pretty much a right off.  We all slept in late and had a very long sleep.  Carter and Randy went out for an hour or so in the afternoon but other than that it was a very lazy day with only minimal chores.  We watched seven episodes of Gilligan's Island.  Man, those were the days.  Carter enjoys Gilligan as much as he enjoys Shultz on Hogan's Heroes.  Paula roasted us a nice pork tenderloin with sweet potatoes and salad for dinner.  It is diet time starting tomorrow for this household.  It has been a feast filled holiday which ends tomorrow morning.  There are still a few cookies and chocolates in the house that need devouring tonight.  Ha!

We hope you all enjoyed your holiday season as much as we enjoyed ours.