See You Later

I am no longer going to have this blog. It has been a lot of fun and I still love checking out my other friends blogs. I guess the novelty has kinda worn off for me. Thanks to everyone who checked me out. I may be back some day!

Resolutions

I don't believe in resolutions. I find it funny that people put so much stock into one night. There is an entire year, 365 days in which you can work on yourself, make changes, start fresh- why do people think they have to come up with these plans at a specific time? Right now the gyms are packed with people trying to get into shape, weight watcher meetings are standing room only but in a month all of those people will be gone- given up on their plans for a new and better self. I am not saying you shouldn't try to get in shape or lose wight or whatever it is you want to change- I am just saying to not put so much pressure on yourself and set such strict deadlines. Life is a very long journey, you have lots and lots of time--- use it wisely but don't be so damn hard on yourself!! Every day is a new day, a fresh start, another step and remember..... we are all in this together : )

Movies, Movies and More Movies

There are a few things that I like to do when I have some spare time- scrapbook, read & watch movies. I watch movies at home on DVD occasionally but I really prefer to have the whole theatre experience. I like to see movies before lots of people see them and I get too many opinions- I like to make up my own mind about movies. I like all kinds of movies, from action to science fiction, drama, animated, chick flicks with my least favourite being the ones with 12 year old boy humour (Adam Sandler- Ben Stiller- you know what I mean). Over the Christmas holiday I managed to take in 4 films and I am happy to say I wasn't disappointed in any of them I went to see Sherlock Holmes with my parents and Shawn. I have had a huge crush on Robert Downey Jr for most of my life. It started with Less Than Zero and Air America. I loved him in Ally McBeal- I know he has had his issues but come on, the man is amazing! I had been really looking forward to this movie for the past year. It wasn't the best movie I saw over the holiday but it was enjoyable and worth seeing and Robert does take his shirt off a few times.

Katie and I went to see Up In The Air. It was very good. The story line is a bit depressing and really hit home with us after what Shawn went through this year. I think Katie got a new perspective as to how Shawn may have felt when he got laid off- he didn't really let the girls see how hard and depressing it was for him- we tried to keep it positive at home but there were times that were tough. I thought it ended on a hopeful note and George Clooney does a great job ( doesn't look to shabby either!).

I went out for lunch and to a matinee with my friends Gen, Michelle and Deb to see The Blind Side. This movie is very uplifting - it is based on a true story. I love true story sports movies- they always hit me in the heart. I don't always love Sandra Bullock but she really, really impressed me in this movie- by the second scene I had forgot it was even her playing the role. I would recommend this movie to everyone, it is a great, uplifting story.

This was my favourite movie of the holidays. It may just be my favourite movie of all time. Nicole, Josh and I stood in line for 2 hours to see this and it was well worth it. I knew from the first trailer that I saw that the movie was going to be visually stunning but I had no idea how great it actually would be. The 3D effect is very subtle- you feel like you are in the movie- it is not the old things popping out into you face kind of 3D. I really liked the story, I thought it had a wonderful message and the 3 hours went by in no time. Nicole and everyone else I have talked to all liked the movie and Josh thought it was Da Bomb- high praise there.

So there you have it- my take on a few ways you can spend some free time.

Another Christmas has Come and Gone

Well yet another Christmas has come and gone. All the presents have been opened, the decorations have been put away and I have gone back to work. Every year as the girls get older Christmas undergoes some changes. When the girls were little we had letters to Santa, visits to the mall and cookies to bake. The girls no longer write letters to Santa- I get lists now instead, I did get a photo of Nicole and Josh with Santa so that made me happy. Katie baked cookies so we put them out with a glass of milk for the big guy. I hope that doesn't change for a long time.

Every Christmas eve since I was little my parents have hosted an open house. It was a way for us to see lots of friends and family with out having to go out and a bout. This year was a change in that Nicole spent most of Christmas eve with Josh's family as they celebrated with his mothers relatives at his house. It was strange not having Nicole there for a lot of our evening and dinner but she and Josh did show up and opened the traditional Christmas eve present of Pj's with Katie and my niece Jadyn. We sang carols, ate my mom's special meat pie and got to spend time with friends.

Christmas day we opened gifts at home, headed over to my parents for brunch and presents then came home, watched a movie and had a nap. Then it was time to go over to Shawn's folks for some turkey. Nicole was off with Josh again, this time to his dad's parents house. I am glad we were able to get all these plans in place without to much bother, Nana and Popa did miss Nicole but we had Josh and her last year so it is only fair that we share! I am not looking forward to the year that we have to figure out both the girls and their significant others.

Boxing day for the past few years has been at our house with whatever new Wii game Santa brought. This year we got Wii resort. I love the Wii- it creates so much fun and laughter- and apparently lots of concentration as you can see from the photo below.

Yes Christmas changes, adjustments are made but as long as we are all together at points- that is all that matters.

Merry Christmas!

Here's wishing all my blog friends a very Merry Christmas. Have a safe, happy and relaxing holiday with your friends and family.

I am now kinda a hockey mom- and I love it!

I have never been a hockey mom- I fact I was almost the complete opposite, the girls have always done water sports, not ice sports. I have spent many, many years at the pool side cheering them on whether it was a synchro meet or a lane race I always went to show my support.

Early on in our marriage Shawn used to coach hockey- this was a passion for him. As the years have gone by and we have been more involved with the girls Shawn stopped coaching, he still played on a team so he got his hockey fix that way. I have been to see my god sons play games and to watch the leafs. I love live sports but I never really got that into it as I didn't really have anything invested in the games.

Well over the past year this has changed. It started last year with Nicole's boyfriend Josh. Josh plays house league hockey and Shawn and I would accompany Nicole to the games to watch Josh play. It was fun. I enjoyed watching Josh tear up the ice and score goals. I still had no idea what was going on other then the fact you need to get the puck in the net but hey it was a start!

This season Josh is still playing and Shawn has started coaching again. Shawn helps out coaching the Kitchener Jr Rangers AAA midget team- now this is where it gets a bit convoluted so follow along- Josh's younger brother Jeff is the goalie on the team, one the girl's high school teachers is also a coach and my girl friend Kirsten's husband is the head coach ( it really is a very small world)

I have now become obsessed with the sport. I try to get to all the games. I know who the players are, I get to visit with Josh's parents at the games, I have a common interest to share with Shawn but mainly I am just in awe of Jeff! This guy can grab a puck out of thin air. I can't even figure out where the puck is and he has it. The reflexes it takes to be a goalie are astonishing. Jeff is the most flexible guy I know- he does the splits and is up and down on the ice in an instant- it is great to watch.

The team mom's have taken me under their wing- they answer my silly questions and explain things to me. I am starting to get the hang of the game, I still don't get icing but I am sure it will come. I appreciate their support and patience.

So now I spend my time in icy cold arenas, I cheer when we get goals, I hate it when we get penalties and I am like a proud mom when we win. I say things like- "no I can't go scrapbooking this weekend we have a game"- words I never in a million years thought I would hear coming out of my mouth- as Nicole likes to point out- I don't actually have a game- Josh, Jeff or Shawn may have a game but I don't - although I do like to think of myself as part of the team!!

Go Rangers Go!!

The Night Before Christmas

I love Christmas. I love the sights, sounds & the smells. I mainly love getting together with friends and family. I am lucky in that both mine and Shawn's families live here in town so we don't have far to travel to see anyone. I love relaxing and spending time doing nothing. Over the past couple of years I have come to realize what is important about the holiday time. I have scaled back on the decorating and prep work. I put less pressure on myself and others and that has really paid off. Who cares if the house isn't done up to the tee, if the cookies aren't done perfectly- no one- we care that we can take a moment to be together, to rediscover one another, to stop and smell the cedar!

I love the routine and tradition of Christmas and I really, really love my Night Before Christmas books. I have been collecting them for years. They really are the only thing I collect. I have pop up books, lift the flap books, one that was published the year I was born and one that was quilted for me by my sister in law. They make me happy. As long as I have them and my Hallmark ornaments I am good to go.

Merry Christmas Everyone!