Hello Winter!!

 
Well, I did manage to get the front cleaned up and about half the jobs done for Fall, but I wasn't counting on Winter hitting so hard so fast! The motorcycle is still sitting covered in the driveway- haven't ordered the firewood, and there's kid toys in the back yard that may not be seen again until Spring.
I managed last pay to buy pedals and shoes for the bike and did get a ride in to work (because the mountain bike is acting up), what a great ride- looking forward to doing a little tweaking with the fit and getting out next year with it. Actually next buy is an indoor trainer too set the bike on to stay in "riding form" for the winter.
Report cards came home yesterday for the boys- the averages are looking pretty good, and it's nice to see they've left themselves a little room to apply themselves a little more- give them something to do over the season.
Not as much time as I thought to update, I'll try again in a few days. Ta.

Where does the time go??

Last weekend Olivia had a game in Kitchener against Waterloo. I seldom read my emails at home- or at least I get to them every week or two when I sit down at the computer with a coffee and catch up on those that haven't been deleted yet. So, I missed the one with directions to the arena- Moses. I Google mapped the directions from Toronto to the arena since Shelah and I would be coming from that direction- an r&r night at the Royal York- but I tried to call Hailey for her address...since she lives in Kitchener and wanted to come to the game. I'm not much on "addresses" and street names if I've been somewhere before, I just travel by feel. So Haileys new apartment- not so new now, I just get to by feel so couldn't plug into the Google maps. But Hailey wasn't home...and apparently I missed her return message, but, on the way back from Toronto we stopped at Hailey's and I asked her to Google to the arena on her computer. She looked at the address of the arena and said " I think that's close". I said "that's nice, could you just look up the directions so that we don't have to go back the highway and come back into the city?" She humored me and came back shortly with her laptop- map with pinpoints showing. I could see the pinpoints were overlapping. "See where these points are and the big park behind them?" Hailey asked? I nodded in my confused state, and she said, "look out the window".
Yes, Hailey's apartment was right next door to the arena. What a funny day.

Florida July 2008

 Summer 2008 already! Let's see, Ted's home and working as "management" at Stronach pool- the asparagus season having come to an end. Dawson and Ian are at Camp QE. Hailey is in summer layoff from her music job and looking for additional employment. Liv gets to put her feet up- in between soccer and being a travel bug. Here's Shel and Hailey on their way to a fancy dress ball.
 So after me getting back from Ottawa on the Sr Ident course, we packed up and picked up Sue, Ellen and "little" Liv- Shel, Hailey Livia and I- and headed to Florida. On the way down we stopped and camped for the night in Knoxville. Sue turned 40, and we celebrated in the rain with cake and marshmallows.
 Orange Lake resort was awesome- I highly recommend it. (Can't recommend the time-share sales pitch however). Two mini putt courses, three golf courses, at least three major pools and several smaller...and the condo was great with a big kitchen, three bedrooms and lots of room for three families- almost forgot Judy, John and Ryan joined us for the week on the Monday. Heck, there was even a gator petting zoo!
 We're thinking we might try it again in 2010- can never start planning too early. But, back to weeding and laundry, cleaning and molly-walking. Have a GREAT summer

April 2008- Cycling weather!

Made it while we're still in April- JUST! But before I get to the bike race, here's one last photo of Olivia from the ringette appreciation- this taken by Shelah at City Hall getting her citation (or recognition) from the Mayor. Oliv will not be AA next season, so doesn't see try-outs until the Fall. Soccer starts shortly (the games- practices are under way already) and she's signed up for a couple of golf programs as well (maybe she can teach ME!!)
So Ian and I did the 35K version of the Paris to Ancaster bike race this year. What a GREAT day of weather and we had a great ride. I stayed with Ian for the majority of the race- just pulled up the final hill ahead of him so I could get a couple of last pictures of him coming in at the finish. Unfortunately he came in at the same time as two others who blocked the view.
Ian's finish was half way up for his age group so he felt encouraged when he saw that. I felt the race ended a little too quickly- probably having done the longer ride last year- so I'll either have to go into a faster mode for the 35 next year, or do the 60 again.
Should have paid the $5 a bike to have them cleaned at the parking compound at the race finish- instead of "almost" cleaning them with the hose at home in the dark so I could ride to work the next day. Guess I could have paid Ian...but money saved is...
Theres another race in June that I was looking at but it's the Sunday that I have to head to Ottawa for a course- so may be pushing my luck fitting it all in. See what happens. That one's in the Niagra area and should be a good ride.
Headed to Montreal on Saturday with Shel, Hail, Ian and Liv to pick up Ted and see his new place. Looking forward to that weekend. Oh, and then there's yoga!
Bye for now.

Hot Tub March '08

The hottub is in, installed and operational! So far, like there was ever any doubt, it's being used a few times a day. Have had one party in already- the bender girls, and having more over this weekend. Everyone loves a hottub. Going to be lots of work to do around it this Spring/summer with a fence, deck, arranging the bbq, hopefully getting to the retaining wall gardens...ahh summer!
Cheers.

Dawson's 17th Birthday

Happy 17th birthday Dawson!
Sporting a newer shorter haircut, new girlfriend (Hi Carissa),and a big smile, Dawson turns 17!
Although the moneys good, the job at the community center has been running late the last two weekends- coming home at 3 am after cleaning up after "a wedding or something". Glad he perked for brunch after a short sleep.
I think Olivia was trying to imitate the frog on the paper plate...I don't think she was trying to offend our guest! Liv should just have one more fun game for Ringette this season- just did the fitting for her soccer uniform yesterday. Ian's coming out to the gym, and riding the Paris to Ancaster with me in April.
Shelahs still loving her kitchen, and the opportunity to do some more baking. I love the opportunity to eat some more cake! Shel is in training for a 10k race this spring and getting to the gym 3 or 4 times a week. Still growing the locks out, almost to the shoulders. Very nice.
Apparently Dawson wasn't really making a face at the cake, he was just about to cough. Great brunch, great day. Hopefully next photos will be outside with the new hot-tub...less snow in the background would be a bonus, but we can't ask for TOO much. Play safe..

Myrtle Beach Golf Trip '08

For the second year running London Ident had our winter golf in South Carolina. The same crew, myself, Kim (retired), Tom (the boss), Andy, Judy and Teri. Stayed at the same hotel, Long Bay, and played four rounds. Most of us agreed that our favorite course this year was Legends Heathland. They have two other courses in the same area- I forsee going back to try one of those.
The weather was not as kind as last year, a little colder and we got to see some rain. Our first day was very wet- we gave up on the 14th hole, but they were very good about it and gave us all a nine hole rain check and we came back the next day at 3 after we completed 18 at another course.
I can't beleive the amount of food thats served at all of the resteraunts there. Seems like there was twice as much as normal- and twice the amount thats deep fried, just fried or re-fried. I tried to keep breakfast small and have fish or salad or both at dinner. Had to save some calorie room for the "occasional" beer.
The refreshment cart lady on day two told me I won the award for least dressed on the course. I was in golf shirt and shorts- most had pants and long sleeve- she had three jackets, hat and mitts! This is Judy on the Wednesday-she decided to start the day off warm. That doesn't look like a "golf hat"!
Heres another pho of the happy crew- minus the photographer, and Jude had left to meet her hubby in Florida for the next couple of weeks. The drive back was a little better this year- we stayed over the Thur night and left fresh Friday morning...probably safer for the other cars on the road!
FORE!

February '08....Three of the girls.

I know, it's been too long. It seems every opportunity to bring a camera to a holiday or event the last couple of months I either forget to bring the work camera home, or just plain forget to bring the camera from the house. It's always easier to remenmber things in hind sight. If I could learn to get my hind sight forward...
I have to give Ian credit for the photo of Molly. She looks so small sometimes- comparing her to Larry I guess, but she sure fills this chair. What a good puppy.
Speaking of great pictures, how about these two beauties. Hailey's down for her reading week and she's just so happy and fun to be with. She wanted to have a picture taken wit her sister- which I have to admit was something NOT on her agenda the past few years. I love the way that all of the kids are growing and maturing and are becoming friends as well as brothers and sisters.
It'll still be a couple of days to get golfing pictures added- I can't add photos at work for some reason so I have to fix them up there, email them home, then add them, blah blah blah. Later.

Christmas 2007 at Home.

 

Christmas 2007..can you believe we've come this far already!!? Hailey and Ted came home for the holiday, it was wonderful to have everyone back. Could've cried. Ted sqeezed in a hair cut this holiday, the first since the dreads got trimmed off, Hailey got...well, she'll have to tell you about that.

 

It was nice to see the snow fall, it made Christmas all the more "traditionally" pretty. Kids got a chance to snowboard, toboggan, and shovell.

 

Christmas eve was a blast, we all visited at the Simones accross the street. Too much great food to eat, lots of beverage and a lovely time had by all. We should do this again(?)

 

John and Caroline, Danny and Davy came down on the 28th, it was so nice to have family in during the holiday. Unfortunately they had to leave a day early. Hope their time on the board hill gave them the bug. Back to work now, new years over with everyone surviving. Ringette tournement in Cambridge this weekend, then the kids back to school (thanks for the visit...see ya!). Merry Christmas, Happy New Year...cheers.