Our Crazy Life

MORE LIKE SPRING EVERY DAY

Hello again from the nation's capital !

It was a beautiful spring day in Ottawa.  The temperature was +10C.  We could not have asked for a nicer day.  The snow disappears more each day.  Soon it will disappear.  Hopefully tomorrow as the forecast is for rain.

The GO Blues are out for the season.  They lost the fourth game on Monday to a very close 0-1 loss.  It was a very exciting game.  We had many chances to score but just couldn't find the net.  It was rather frustrating watching in the stands as one or two players missed a few empty net shots.  Oh well, next season.  It was really frustrating for Carter as he had to watch the last three games from the bleachers.  

As for Carter, he is still at home.  Randy watched him on Monday and Paula is home with him the rest of the week.  He still suffers from the odd headache so we don't want to rush his recovery.  He did attempt school this morning.  It was a little to much to soon.  Paula went to the school on Tuesday to retrieve homework assignments.  The principal and one of his favorite teachers asked that he give it a try.  He did and all agree that it was to soon.  The noise in the classroom was still to loud.  Paula picked him up at noon after just one class.  We will try again on Monday.  

Carter is also not coping well with being cooped up in the house.  He keeps Paula on her toes most of the day.  He does not rest and relax very well and is understandable as he is an active young man.  The hockey and lacrosse sticks have been taped and re-taped a dozen times.  He just found another roll of white tape, previously hidden by you know who.  He drives poor Bob crazy every second hour.  Thank god we have Bob to keep him company.  Poor Bob may run away soon so we will be careful not to keep the gate open.  Bob is extra happy when Randy returns home from work each day.    

It sounds like Roberta had a wonderful vacation.  We enjoyed reading your report and are happy you have returned home safe and sound.  Marlene will be extra happy as she was worried sick about you being so close to Africa and all the mid east tension.  You aren't wasting any time getting back to work.  I guess you have to pay for all your shopping or your next trip.  

Reg is going to be a grandpa.  Is there a wedding in the future?  Congratulations Reg and Barb you will make wonderful grandparents.  I wonder which one of us will be next ... Rick.  

That is about it for tonight.  Enjoy the remainder of the week.

If I had a bumper sticker on my car it would be tory blue and in white letters in would read    MAJORITY

SCHNEIDER SISTERS LOSE WORLD CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FOR CANADA

Hello again from the nation's capital !

We just finished watching the Womens World Curling Championship game.  Amber Holland curled a good game.  The same can hardly be said about her team.  The Schneider sisters made three good shots all game, not good enough to win a championship.  When Amber needed them the most in the tenth end the Schneider sisters both choked.  Obviously we feel sorry for Amber.

The GO Blues play game three this afternoon.  We will be in the stands cheering them loudly.  Carter is feeling much better this morning.  He had a good sleep last night.  It looks like he may be back on the ice next week.  The sun is shining brightly but it remains below zero. 

The wind chill makes it feel even colder.  The plants sprouting out of the ground appear to be surviving the cold.  The day lillies are also poking out of the ground.  We may have flowers sooner than later.  It is suppose to warm up this week.

Have a great week. 

CARTER'S LAST RUSH - LAST GAME OF THE SEASON

Hello again from the nation's capital !

The Blues played their first semi-final play off game on Tuesday night.  They played a good game but were held to a one score tie.  It was a pretty chippy game.  Two of our defensemen were seriously injured including Carter.  First Noah Simpson was hit just outside the corner and suffered serious damage to his back.  He was convulsing and in a whole lot of pain.  The doctors at CHEO were 'pissed' that he was not taken to the hospital on his back.  Secons to be hit was Carter late in the third period.  He was hit into the boards with a clean check then hit from behind straight head first into the boards.  It happened right in front of his box.  He was very slow to get off the ice.  He sat in the box for the rest of the game.  He has since been to the doctor twice and has been assessed with a concussion.  Dah!  In both cases no penalty was called against the oppostion.  Paula wrote a polite email to the powers that be asking to be included in any reports that had to be filed.  This was done so something would be done hastily as the season is almost over.  We spent most of that evening on the phone describing what had happened and what steps we should follow up on.  

Anyhow,  Carter was watched diligently every hour Tuesday evening.  His face was totally red and his eyes hardly open.  He was given a pain killer to relieve his head ache.  We tried to watch hockey on TSN but the noise was to much for him to handle.  He and Paula visited the pediatrician early the next day and Carter was diagnosed and told his hockey season was over.  He must not read, not play video games, no school work, no computer, no stimuli for seven days after the headaches subside.  Today, Friday evening, he is still suffering from headaches and gets dizzy if he stands up or moves to quickly.  The next hit will be the worst so no chances are being taken until he is headache free for one week.  

He is not a good patient as he is a very active 11, going on 12, year old.  He normally reads over one book a week and loves to draw and or doodle.  He has no problem not doing homework but is totally missing school and his friends.  He has had a couple of visitors but we are not encouraging this as it adds to his stimulus.  He has reacquainted himself with all his old play mobile sets.  They are reassembled all over the house including most of the bathroom (the pirate sets).  He is given 45 minutes of facebook time and watches a little television (mostly hockey on TSN).  We will encourage the curling as it will help get him to sleep...

Please enjoy pic's of his last rush.  He took the puck from one end to the other even with a hip check to the boards half way up the ice only to be tripped behind the net.  He was covered good and there was no one on his team able to keep up with him or to pass to when he got to the other end of the ice.

Check out the stick between his legs above.  Check out the flex on the BAUER TOTAL ONE SUPREME - nice blast !

We hope you all have a nice weekend !

LACROSSE PRACTICE SUNDAY

Hello again from the nation's capital !

We had a pretty relaxing day watching Riddick and The Chronicles of Riddick today after returning from a 9am lacrosse practice.  Not much else to do as the weather was kind of cold.  Randy updated the Spring 4 x 4 lists on the computer and made up what should be our last deposit. 

Carter was pretty tired after lacrosse.  His legs have been bothering him the last couple of weeks.  We are racking it up to growing pains.  Most of his almost new flood pants need extensions.  We will wait until summer apparel is required ie) new shorts.  He watched a couple movies with us today.  None of us were very enthusiastic after hosting some team mates for beverages after Saturdays hockey practice.  Carter recorded a video of his new hockey stick.  He and Paula are currently uploading it to You Tube.  If it works we will forward the link.  It is pretty cool.  He reworked it until it was just right.  He also couldn't believe he has such a deep voice.  He is currently in the bath getting ready for his earliest bed time in over a week.  He slept in again this am until quarter to nine: practice started at 9.  We arrived at 9:05, not bad eh!  We were traveling fast and still managed to get passed by two OPP cars.  We followed them to our exit.

Paula is busy knitting and working on the year end pictures of the Blues hockey players.  She has hundreds of pictures to edit then will make a CD for the team.  It is quite a bit of work but she is up to the challenge.  Her sock collection continues to grow.  We don't know how many pair she has but they are all pretty colorful.  She should upload the pictures on our blog. 

It is confirmed, our tulips are poking through the ground.  Don't know if we should throw some snow over them or leave them alone.  I guess they'll have to cope with the weather and ground hogs.  The peonies are also popping through the ground.  This is a sure sign of spring. 

We heard reports of snow grappling the three prairie provinces.  Sure hope it stays south like they forecast. 

Well, the Minnesota Wild need our help cheering against the Habs.  Best get back to the game.  Have a good week.

SPRING IS IN THE AIR - VERNAL EQUINOX WELCOME

Hello again from the nation's capital !

Welcome Spring 2011.  The Robins have arrived in Ottawa as have the ducks and many flocks of geese.  The snow on our roof has disappeared as has the snow on our front yard.  There is still a big pile from the snow plough and shovel but it will soon disappear.  The back yard still has a foot or two of snow but it is mostly shoveled from the patio.  Poor Bob doesn't like the cold wet snow.  He kind of tip toes around.  He does not like having his paws cleaned when he comes back in the house.  The raccoons are back rustling the neighborhood.  We saw one ground hog which we could have run over but didn't because there were to many witnesses...darn. 

Spring Break is over tomorrow.  Carter will have to return to school on Monday.  He participated in a hockey shooting camp on Monday and Tuesday morning.  He just can't get enough ice time.  The GO Blues did not practice all week although there is a practice at 8pm tonight.  Our opposition (MTK) in the second round had six practices this week.  They will be tough competition.  We were victorious in two of three regular season games.  Hopefully our guys can muster up some gumption and remain competitive.  It would be thrilling to see them play in the final game.

Carter and Paula also traveled to Montreal on Tuesday afternoon.  The highlight of the trip was attending the Habs vs Capitals game Tuesday night.  They said the Montreal fans were quite obnoxious.  Carter wanted to wear a Bruins jersey and we said no...he did see a kid wearing a Bruins ball cap.  They had a great time at the game and Carter loved watching his hero (Ovi).  So much so that today his dad treated him to a CCM U plus Crazyovi hockey stick.  They were just delivered to the store this week so the probability of anyone else having one is slim.  It has a wicked or should we say crazy curve with a big twist at the toe.  It has been trimmed, taped (twice) and ready for action.  The hockey store guaranteed it was a legal stick.  Hopefully it helps Carter score.  It is meant as his back up stick but we can for see the Bauer Supreme Total One sitting on the bench.  Too bad the outdoor rink has melted as we could be practicing with it this afternoon.  He has taken a few practice shots downstairs.

Carter and Paula both had hair cuts this week.  Both were way over due.  Randy also had his trimmed after his dental appointment on Monday.  We are all back to looking 'kind of spiffy.  Bob needs his nails trimmed; maybe tomorrow. 

It was household chore day.  Randy is totally spent as he did 95% of the work.  He is the one who likes it clean and organized.  Paula did participate by cleaning up her craft items: knitting, jewelry bead etc etc.  Carter even helped by tending to his room.  Bob has begun to shed so there was short black hair everywhere. 

Well, enough for tonight.  Maybe we'll share some more tomorrow.  Hope Roberta is having a wonderful holiday.

SUPER LAZY SUNDAY - DON'T FORGET TO CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS

Hello again from the nation's capital !

We all had a super lazy Sunday.  The clocks all moved ahead during the night (except the ovens and alarm clock) so we really didn't actually sleep in very late.  Paula and Carter were out late last night.  Randy didn't want to spread his cold & cough so stayed home and slept.  The curling put him out fast.

Today we watched some hockey, some golfing and some curling.  We cooked a late breakfast, had snacks for a late lunch.  We get ambitious for a couple hours this afternoon and baked a cake. We decorated it to say Happy Birthday Ron.  We would love for you to be here and enjoy a great big slice.  You have probably devoured your own cake by now.  Underneath this amateurishly applied icing is a double layer vanilla cake with dark chocolate icing on the sides with white vanilla icing poured on the top and drizzling down the sides.  We colored green and purple icing and wrote your greeting.  Bob loved the left over icing and cut-off top of the bottom layer of the cake.  Carter thinks we should have it for dinner before we devour Paula's ribs. 

 

We hope you enjoyed your birthday Ron.

Everyone have a great week.
 

GO BLUE'S ADVANCE TO QUARTER FINALS

Hello again from the nation's capital !

First off - HAPPY B-DAY RONALD.  We hope you enjoyed your night at the theatre and have a great weekend. 

The Gloucester Orleans Blue's played a strong defensive game on Wednesday night to advance to the quarter finals.  The defense managed to keep the puck out of their zone the majority of the game.  They also did a great job of keeping the puck inside the Rams blue line.  The offense did a good job of controling the puck and made some good shots on net.  The Rams goalie was once again on fire as he was for game one.  They also rotate their two goalies each game.  The Blue's had quite a few break aways that were twarted by the Ram goalie.  Carter had a couple of nice breakaways but was always covered with two players: standard policy for most teams we play.  On one breakaway he managed to control the puck from one end of the ice to the other and once in the oppositions zone he stick handled around their players for at least ten seconds looking for an opening or to pass to a team mate.  The coach took advantage of the opportunity to make a line change.  In the second period he almost scored with a blistering slap shot from the blue line.  We were standing at the boards right beside the play.  We have never seen a shot this hard all year.  When it made contact with the top cross bar it made an awakening 'twang' and bounced back ten feet in front of the net.  The centre managed to pick up the rebound and back handed it back to Carter.  Carter returned fire with a hard wrist shot only to be gloved by the goalie.  Pretty much everyone made mention of the shot and how thrilling it would have been if it had hit the net.  Carter had a few other shots tharted by the goalie.  The Blue's ended up winning 1-0 adding two points to win the series 5 points to 1.

There is no hockey scheduled until after Spring Break which means we will not play until at least March 21st.  Most of the city seems to have left for holiday.  Many kids in Carter's class left as early as Thursday.  We however are sticking around.  Randy is way to busy besides others are away for two weeks.  Paula has taken the week off and will entertain Carter.  He has been asked to practice with the Rangers hockey club, will take in some power skating and hopefully a couple hockey camps.  He and Paula have also committed to visiting Chapters every day for rest and relaxation.  Carter flys through Robert Muchamore novels almost as fast as the puck from his slap shot. 

Randy has been suffering with a bad cold.  He has the same cold Carter had last week.  Nothing seems to work.  Last night he took a swig of Buckley's night time cough syrop which gave him major heart burn that didn't go away until after midnight.  We did manage to sleep in until 7:30 this am...the two extra hours of sleep have made all the difference and he feels 90 percent better this morning. 

Our weather has been weird again this week.  We awoke to a foot of snow on Thursday morning only to change to rain by lunch.  It rained and rained until Friday morning.  Luckily we were able to flag a half ton with a plough on Thursday after work.  He removed the heavy snow from the driveway for $20.  Randy was so sick picking up the shovel was an effort.  Carter stayed home from school as it was a snow day.  Paula was a trooper like Randy and made it to work through the heavy snow.  The roads weren't even cleaned Thursday morning.  Our street was the hardest to manouver.  We still have the side walk and back patio to clean.  Bob will have to sludge through the snow until we feel better and able to shovel. 

Talk to you again soon.

SPRING - WILL WE EVER GET A SIGN IT IS FORTHCOMING

Hello again from the nation's capital !

It has not been as cold in Ottawa as it has been in the West but we are as fed up with winter as you.  When will mother nature show us a sign spring is in the air?  We had more snow this past week than we have received all winter.  It started snowing again Saturday morning.  Carter and Randy were up early for a 7:30 morning hockey practice.  By the time we left the house the Escape was covered.  We started shoveling as soon as we got home because the snow had turned to ice pellets and the forecast was for rain.  Luckily we completed the driveway and back patio before the rain.  It wasn't easy shoveling in the ice pellets; they have this painful bite on your face.  After warming up with a hot shower Randy had to race outside with hot pails of hot water to clear the eaves troughs.  Up and down the ladder pouring hot water then picking out the ice from the eaves with his bare hands.  Soaking wet he returned to the shower one more time to sooth his frozen fingers.  If it saved one ounce of water from entering the basement it was worth the effort. 

The eaves troughs have since frozen over as the rain turned to snow.  The weather turned cool over night, as expected and we awoke to another foot of snow; out came the shovel to clear it away.  Randy was spent by the time he cleared away the heavy and wet white stuff.   All was fine after a hot pulsating shower.  We had a nice surprise when we were ready to leave for todays hockey game.  The grader left us a big pile of ice blocks and wet snow at the end of the driveway.  Randy was sweating bullets by the time it was cleared.  He was more pissed from the brakeage of his life saving scoop shovel ... oh the horror.   We made it to the game on time on unsalted roads and a litre of windshield antifreeze. 

Carter played his first playoff game on Thursday night.  They had a practice on Wednesday in preparation.  It didn't help as they only tied the seventh place team we were 20 points ahead of in the standings.  It was an exciting game albeit the boys played at the same level the opposition played all season.  The opposition scored on us just after the defense door opener so-called coach called Carter and Joe off the ice.  They got a nice break away and our goalie couldn't make the stop.  The defense door opener coach had the gall to blame it on Carter after the game.  Carter heard him outside the dressing room telling other players and parents it was Carter's fault.  We advised Carter to take it in stride, be the better man and not let it bother him.  All the parents watching the game know what happened.  Thus, we were tied with a point a piece after the first game. 

The boys practiced again Saturday morning.  Carter and Noah, another defense man, were both on the ice at 7:02, twenty minutes before the coaches and most other players surfaced.  The boys practiced hard the last fifty minutes of practice earning them a 2-0 vicxtory this afternoon.  The opposition came out fast and physical.  The referee's were totally biased.  Carter made a little hit on a smaller player and ended up in the box for two minutes.  Somehow the team managed without Carter, yuk-yuk-yuk.  Our goalie had a very good game and saved the team with a shut-out.  The boys scored two back to back goals in the middle of the third period and held off the opposition for the last six and a half minutes of the game.  It was nice finally seeing some happy smiling faces on the players and parents faces.  We are now ahead 3-1 in the point total.  The first team to four points wins the series.  We play again on Wednesday.  We won't wait until next Sunday to report on the series.

Carter was under the weather this week and missed Tuesday to Thursday inclusive from school.  He had a small fever and harsh cough all week.  He was a trooper went to practice on Wednesday night, against his fathers wishes, and to the first game of the playoffs on Thursday.  Paula managed her hectic schedule and stayed home with him on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Carter somehow managed on his own at home on Thursday.  He was coughing and hacking again this morning but was A-okay by noon so we let him play this afternoon.  He is still coughing a bit but for the most part has survived the brunt of the cold.  He never brought any homework home on Friday so he must have caught up on his assignments Friday.  He brought a friend home after today's game.  They spent most of the time playing video and computer games. 

Randy and Paula remain busy at work.  Randy's office recently received very big orders from projects in St John's Nfld and for McAphee (PC software protector) in Texas.  We can hardly keep up with orders due by the end of the government fiscal year end of March 31, 2011.  Taking time off for March break is unthinkable.  Paula has booked the week off and depending on how the Blues fair in the first round robin of playoffs determines their holiday.  It is either a week in the West or a week of hockey camp.  Hopefully the latter will prevail.  Paula skipped out of the New York meetings this week sending an employee to fill in her absence.  She has a lot of catching up to do what with her three weeks off of French language training. 

Well, that was our week.  It looks like warmer weather in the West by Thursday.  Have a great week.