Our Stupid Cat

Connor and I ran in the door, stripped off our ski gear and raced out again. It was Caitlin's day off today and while we were at the hospital she amused herself making videos of the cat and Connor's ski boots. Easter played with the boots for half an hour or more.

Skiing with the Grade 8's

We all know that downhill skiing often results in broken bones and concussions but almost every time I go cross-country skiing with Connor's class someone gets hurt (or lost).  Kids get poked with ski poles constantly.  Last year the boy with diabetes had his blood sugar drop below 1 and Connor was involved in the rescue.  This time it was Connor's turn to get hurt.  He was at the furthest point on the trail (that is usually where all the accidents happen).  Skiing down a hill something flew into his right eye and he had to ski all the way back to the lodge - about 5 km.  I just happened to be heading out again and met him returning.  His eye was bright red and painful.  I brought him home so I could rinse his eye out but the pain was still a 6 or 7 out of 10 and the water stung.  So off we went to the hospital.  There was a microscopic piece of something stuck to his upper eye lid and the stain they use showed fan shaped scratches to his cornea.  As soon as the speck was out the pain diminished and he can return to school tomorrow.  His regular eye exam is two weeks away so we will get it checked again then.  Kevin and I leave tomorrow morning for a "weekend" away - I hope he doesn't have any more trouble!

A Busy Weekend

My parents came up on Friday for the weekend.  They only live an hour and a half away but we don't see each other that often.  We dined on an Italian casserole my mom brought and salad.  For dessert she brought a chocolate cherry cake.  Friday night my parents, Caitlin and Kevin and I went to see the Rankin Family at Casino Rama.  They were great.  For more details and pictures see Caitlin's blog - canteringcaitlin.blogspot.com/  We spent 3 years living in Labrador and 4 in New Brunswick so we enjoy East Coast music like the Rankins and Great Big Sea.  We got home about 1 am.  The next day Kevin, my dad and Connor were out of the house at 8 and drove down to Brampton to spend the day at the Outdoor Adventure Show.  Caitlin, my mom and I went shopping at our local consignment store.  They had a half-price sale!  I got a 3 piece pant suit for $12.50!  I do not normally like shopping but if I have to go I like it fast and cheap.  My mom and I played Upwords and I knit for the afternoon.  She won both games.  I barbecued chicken breasts for dinner and we had rice and salad with it.  Caitlin and Grandma planned to go skating at 7:30 and the rest of us were going to go cross-country skiing.  There is only one moonlight ski a year and I really enjoy it.  The weather turned really nasty so we ended up staying home.  Connor, my parents and I played a rousing game of Rummoli.  Connor doesn't remember playing before and didn't have a clue how to play (he would bet then see what he had) but managed to win the poker pot almost every time.  They headed home just after church this morning.  So all in all it was a good weekend.  The weather is beautiful this afternoon but I don't know if I have the energy to go out and enjoy it.  A nap sounds good.  We have all been fighting colds for close to two weeks - every time we think it is finished it returns or someone else gets it.  

Family Day Activities

The first thing I did to celebrate the holiday was an exciting and productive trip to the laundromat.  After recovering from that thrill I took Connor and a friend cross-country skiing.  I am recovering from a cold and wasn't sure how much I was going to be able to do today but didn't want to waste such a beautiful day inside.  I was aiming to do about 6 km but we probably did 8 or 9 km in about an hour and a half.  The trails were icy but still pretty good.   The Nordic Centre is only 2 blocks from our house and I am ashamed to say I only make it 4 or 5 times a year - most of those for free with the school.   We came back home to put on proper boots and I got Tori up (at 1:50!) and took the 3 of them to McDonalds for lunch.  Then Tori took the boys back to do more skiing and I stayed home to start supper.  They did another 9 km and when they dropped Marcus off it was close to 6 and he was absolutely wasted.  So sorry we forgot to take a camera.  To make it a perfect family day I would like to finish it off with a family game night but Caitlin is still at work and Kevin is helping Connor iron his Air Cadet uniform for an inspection tomorrow night so maybe I will play solitaire!

Renovation Update

This weekend Kevin got the over the range microwave installed.  It looks great.  He ran into lots of problems with the ducting and the location of the studs so it took two weeks and lots of visits to our local hardware stores.  The guy we hired to tile the upstairs bathroom showed up (he is not very reliable and doesn't plan ahead).  The tiles are all down and he is supposed to come tomorrow and finish the grouting.  I am so tired of having all the stuff from the bathroom we use every day in odd spots to protect it from the dust and allow us access during construction.  I will be very glad when it is finished.  The next project will be replacing the washer and dryer.  I still don't mind going to the laundromat every 5 days or so - it is much faster than doing it at home.  It might be more difficult after I return to work next month but for now I can wait for a great sale.

Our weekend

Not very exciting but here it is anyway.

Saturday we went to Barrie because the guy supposed to tile the bathroom didn't show up.  We found a Maytag Clearance Centre in Barrie and bought an over the range microwave and narrowed the washer/dryer set down to 2.  I had done a lot of research on line but it helped to acutally see the model.  I had hoped to restock my aquarium but I am having trouble with the heater and until it stabilizes I can't.  I am very annoyed about that.  I bought the top of the line heater and I could have got the same results for 1/3 of the price buying a Wal-Mart heater.  Connor has to pay for his own shoes because he destroys them wearing them in puddles and snow when he should be wearing boots.  He was happy to find $9 skateboard shoes (reduced from $29) and bought 2 pairs - one the next size up.

After supper yesterday the five of us went skating at our outdoor rink (they flood our tennis courts).  There was a small family there when we got there but they left (we have that effect on people) and a couple arrived much later.  Most of the time we had the rink to ourselves.  Kevin and I skated sedately around the outer perimeter.  The "kids" (aged 13, 18 & 22) stayed in the middle, stole each others hats and played with pylons.  They fell down a lot.  Usually Tori refuses to go out in the winter so it was nice that we all got out together.  Caitlin found a mole running around on the path and spent a while trying to catch it.  Connor joined her and it was funny to watch their very unsuccessful attempts.