Quick Takes - January edition

1.  It's foggy today.  It rained yesterday.  Last week it was -40.  Gotta love winter in Saskatchewan.

2.  Derek's team had a great hockey weekend, going three for three.  We went to Lashburn to meet Maidstone for the first round of Provincial B hockey playoffs.  Only saw about 10 minutes of the game, though, as Derek's buddy took a hit into the boards and broke his collarbone.  Since his mom had traveled up with me, I became the ambulance driver.  We (carefully) raced back to Unity (I love my Honda!), where they have a great doctor who got him fixed up in no time.  I had to wait an hour in town for Derek to get back with the team - that's how quick they were at the hospital.  Oh, and the team won 7 to 1.  The next night it was off to Outlook to play Conquest in a league game.  It was a bit of a sleeper (we won 8 to 1), but the booth offered up some good eatin's and we got to see my dear Uncle Tony.  Sunday was a trip to Unity for another game.  Although the Kerrobert-native coach would have loved to beat us, it was not to be.  Derek started off the scoring with a nice low slap from the blue line for a 4 to 1 win. 

3.  Adam is alive and kicking.  I haven't actually seen him since Christmas, but I get these great one-word texts ("ya", "K") when he replies, 24 hours later, to my queries, so I know all is well.

4.  Stephen has returned to the great white north, but not before getting into a little trouble at the local arena.  It seems discipline/justice is fairly discretionary in our little town, and "incidents" are dealt with according to who sees what and who you happen to be.  Not that my little boy is innocent - oh no, he can mix it up with the best (worst?) of them - but it would be nice to experience just a little fairness once in a while.  That's all I'm asking.  Why, oh why, do I continue to hope for that?  You'd think I'd learn.  After all, you can see the bruise on my forehead from banging my head against the wall...

5.  The Rage is continuing to suck slough water, poor guys.  They lost three for three on a big road trip last weekend.  It can't be the fault of our billets, though.  They are very dedicated to the game.  They went to the gym last night, and they still aren't home.  They will be in extremely good shape!  Not sure why they needed the poker chips, though....

6.  I am awaiting what I'm sure will be amazing photos of little Sawyer.  Brendan promised.

7.  Clem is off to the dentist today for four crowns, and not the kind you wear on your head. Sucks to be him. 

Thanks for  checking in!
Chandra

Welcome, Sawyer!

Clem's nephew, Brendan, and his partner, Kristy, have made him a great-uncle.  Brendan - actor, writer, all-around-nice-guy) has done some pretty amazing things in his short life, but this is probably his best accomplishment!  Little Sawyer arrived on January 13, a few days late but we certainly forgive him.  He's just too cute!  I'm thinking it may be time for a return trip to Toronto!!

Bye for now!
Chandra

Welcome back!

Back to hockey talk, that is.  We are back in the full swing of all things rink-related.  Derek had a tournament in North Battleford on the weekend, and it was a really good time.  The boys won their first three games to take first in their pool, but then lost the semi-final game Sunday morning to a really strong team from Kinistino/Birch Hills.  We saw some good hockey.  And we had a lot of fun.  This is hard for me to believe, but it was the first time Clem and I were ever at one of the boys' tournaments together!  I guess one of us always had to stay home for another son's games.  We made the most of it, and enjoyed lots of time with some other hockey parents while the kids hung out together, swimming or eating or whatever they do when their parents are all in a hotel room having "refreshments" and laughing a lot.   Derek's playing has improved a lot this year.  He is doing some nice hitting and passing, and has a lot more confidence out there.  And his recaps of the games are hilarious!  He talked all the way home yesterday. 

It was nice to come back to a house in the same condition as we left it.  That didn't always happen when our boys were all living here!!  Ben is back from his Christmas break at home in the NWT, and we have another billet again, Dustin from Minnesota.  They seem to be getting along well, and I can find no evidence of a party in our absence, so all is good.  The Rage won their game last night, which was nice to see, as it was only their fifth win this season, and the first time they've ever won two games in a row!  Maybe things are looking up!

So that's about it around here.  Thanks for stopping in!
 Chandra

Blame it on Facebook.

Or Pinterest.  Or even perhaps my new ereader.  I've been busy with a little me-time, and it's been good.  For me, that is, but then I guess that's the point!  But today I got the Christmas out of the house (for that fabulous  once-a-year spacious feeling) and started getting myself organized for 2012.  It absolutely amazes me that it is now the year 2012.  That means that I will turn 47 this year (which, when my mother was that age, was ancient), our oldest child will be 20, and we will be married for 23 years.  How in the world does that happen?  I guess I blinked.  Actually, on second thought, this progression of time is good; it is how it should be, and perhaps realizing how fast it happens will cause me to live more in the moment and to savour those moments.

I did get to do a little of that this Christmas.  I was actually ready for Christmas this year (as long as no one went looking in any drawers or cupboards), and was able to enjoy a few extra things, like a cookie-decorating party for my niece and a couple of good-looking little cousins.  What fun!  The weather has been unseasonably warm this winter, and Derek has the dugout in prime skating condition.  We took advantage of that a few times.  And when I say we, I mean people who can skate.  Definitely not me.

I spent the week before Christmas finishing up some last-minute stuff, having some friends over for supper, and attending a the funeral of a wonderful lady, Madge Knorr, where I saw people I haven't seen for years.  Many, many years.  And although it was a terribly sad occasion, it was good to catch up with old friends.  Savour those moments, people!

Then for Christmas, my whole family, minus our Santiago-dwelling sister Lisa, was here.  We spent Christmas Eve at Mom and Dad's farm, visiting and eating and playing cards.  Christmas Day found them all at our farm for more visiting, eating, and a bit of skating.  Derek also shared some of his newly-acquired guitar playing skills and wowed the crowd.  Dylan joined the Huck crew, too, as his mom is at their Mexican casa and his dad was heading back to Fort Mac to work. Copper is at the perfect age for Christmas, and delighted us all with her excitement and wonder.  And little Rogan really seemed to enjoy his first Christmas.  It is definitely a more magical time when there are children around!

Jason outdid himself once again with the turducken.  It was scrumptious, although there may or may not have been a bit too much bacon involved.  And since I'm all about savouring the moment now, Clem hid behind the camera and took some great shots.
  

 

Boxing Day was back out at Mom and Dad's, and my Uncle Tony and cousin Tim joined us for the day.  There was more visiting and eating (you may be noticing a pattern developing) and watching a couple of hockey games.  Oh, and playing with cute little kids. 

The rest of the week was all about visiting and eating leftovers and reading and napping and drinking wine and watching hockey on TV.  It was terrific!   It is my favourite time of the year.  I am renewed and ready again to take on whatever life has to throw at me.  If you had a crystal ball, you would be seeing hockey rinks and farm receipts right now.  It probably won't throw much more than that!

So thanks for checking in - you are such a patient group! - and may 2012 bring you health and happiness!
Chandra