Saturday

I am hoping our bad luck has changed. Drew was able to get our computer fixed and it was only about $150. which is a lot better than having to buy a brand new computer. Fortunately, nothing was lost. Mazie seems to be getting better although she still has a horrible cough. She felt so good last night that she was running around playing spys with Leo. I knew something was wrong when Leo came running in and grabbed Mazie's water cup and left. I could tell on his face and went to see what was up. Mazie was sitting on the ground trying to breathe with tears streaming down her face. She was having a horrible coughing fit. I screamed for Drew and ran downstairs to get her nebulizer which we haven't used in a long time. Luckily there was some albuterol in there. It was expired but it did the trick this time. We had planned to go to the beach but we didn't tell the upstairs neighbors that this meant getting up early so we could beat the crowds. it didn't happen which is ok since it is suddenly cloudy again. Welcome to Toronto folks. After sitting around wondeirng what to do, hiking, picnic, UP in 3D for $55, Hamilton WingFest, etc. Drew left to go to the grocery store. We set on hiking and then I remembered the sick girl and decided that probably wasn't the best idea. I think we might try the wing fest in Hamilton.
So, today turns out to be a somewhat lazy day although I did manage to wash off all the mold on the ceiling in case that is what is causing Mazie to be so sick. Most likely it's H1N1 though. Before you say gross - mold.... you were aware that we live in a basement right? Well, get over it.

Tomorrow is Leo's soccer pictures. Let's hope it doesn't rain. Thunderstorms are predicted. But I think our bad luck is over for now.

Next Friday is my 10 year wedding anniversary. 10 years ago I thought to myself, "in 10 years I hope to get a beautiful ring for my anniversary." I figured for sure in 10 years we would have enough money for that. I change my mind and now I hope that for my 25 year anniversary I can get a beautiful ring.

I need ideas for father's day. Since the kids were born I've done gifts with either their picture or handprint or both. Mostly it's been pictures in special frames, etc. Last year I did a garden stone with their handprints on it. I don't know what to do this year. I'm out of creative ideas so if you have any, please let me know.

String of Bad Luck

As if the side view mirror falling off, the WII remote breaking the tv, or the blowing up of the computer weren't bad enough, Mazie is now sick. We got a call from a friend yesterday stating she was very sick and they had tested her for H1N1. She's a nurse so I figure that's the reason she was able to get tested. SHe also happens to be the person Mazie has spent several days with recently. Right after her call to see how everyone was doing, sure enough, Mazie had a fever. So the nurse friend tells us to take her directly to the ER if she gets a high fever and cough. Hang up - Mazie starts to cough. Deep cough. She woke up fine today so it seemed we were in the clear. No need to go to the dr. Drew just called to say she is coughing up a storm and perhaps we should take her to the doc. I call the doc and he's not taking any more patients today and if we want to come tomorrow we have to play beat the clock and call in much like you do a radio show and try to be the first caller. It really doesn't matter because the receptionist told us they won't swab there anyway - they are only swabbing at the ER. ON the news they say they are treating all patients with flu like symptoms as if they have H1N1 and sending them home to rest and drink water. So for now, we won't bother with seeking medical attention and stick to the motrin and try not to panic.

Luckily Drew was able to contact a neighbor and ask her to pick up Leo. I just recently had a talk with him about not going anywhere with strangers. She's not a stranger but still - she doesn't usually pick him up. Drew did call the school to let them know to release him to the neighbor so hopefully they will pass that message on to him. Drew didn't really want to drag Mazie to school with him to infect all the other kiddos. I hope my poor baby feels better soon. She had to miss primary play day today which she was so much looking forward to. She'll have to miss class tomorrow too and she only has 6 more days left until summer.

Do you have any idea how hard it is to sit at work and wonder how she's doing all the while i want to be home giving her gatorade and cuddling with her on the couch?! This is one crazy society we live in. Don't even get me started. I don't want to go there. Sure she is with her daddy and well taken care of but it's a mommy's instinct to want to make it better. Yet, here I sit playing bejeweled trying to beat my high score of 39,000.

Just another manic Monday

How many blogs out there do you think start with this each Monday? I bet about a million. HOwever, it clearly explains my day so far and it's only 9:15 am. I woke up panicked that the alarm didn't go off. Surely it can't be this light out at 6:40 I thought. Good to know that it is and I didn't sleep until 8. I got all dressed and then turned on the weather channel only to find the high today is going to be 14 and rain! Must change only I had nothing to wear. Story of my life. There was an accident on the 401 but luckily it was cleared by the time I hit the road however there was still a lot of backup. I was late to work and I'm trying to cut back on the amount of coffee I inject so I sat there on the 401 with nothing to sip. Tragedy! I knew I should've stopped at the McDonald's for an iced coffee! I couldn't find a parking space at work. What else is new? I am more late. Then about 5 minutes later I got a call from Drew saying his computer won't turn on. He opened it up and discovered where that burning smell came from yesterday. Well great. Gotta love MOndays.

I'm Moving to Cookstown

As you all know the Maxwell family loves to garage sale and so does the Raetz family. Jason is away this weekend so we decided to hold off on our beach trip until next weekend so he can join us. Paige suggested we go to Cookstown because she heard they have a thing called Wing Ding once a year and basically the entire town does a garage sale. It's about 40 minutes north of us so we mosied on over this morning. It was the best! If I had a fun job, my life would have been 100% complete (oh and a size 6 bikini body wouldn't hurt). The town is pretty typical small town quaintish with an ice cream shop, a bakery, a little coffee shop and lots of antique stores. However, there were litterally hundreds of yards sale and interspersed were a few craft booths as well. It was a dream come true. But the best part was the houses. They were so old fashioned with porches and wild flower gardens. I fell in love and I'm headed off to www.mls.ca to check out home prices. Perhaps they have a basement apt. we could rent next year. Leo got a toy soldier from a collectibles store and the owner gave Mazie a free Christmas ornament. They had a Christmas store but I refused to go in. I was after all, garage sale shopping on this day. I bet it was cute though. I'll have to remember to go back soon. Leo also got a Hot Wheels and branched out and got a motorcycle this time instead of a race car. Mazie got a book and get this - a Barbie boat! It was only $4.00! I got a bunch of homemade rhubarb and a recipe for rhubarb cake all for $1.50. I've got the cake in the oven right now. I'll let you all know how it tastes later. We had some hotdogs and pizza and icecream. I got seriously sun burned on my scalp. I'm really afraid of how that's going to turn out. We forgot our hats and sunscreen and really shouldn't have done that because it was the most beautiful day of the year so far. The kids fell asleep on the way home and now are conked out on the couch watching Rugrats go to Paris. It was a beautiful day and now I've got some home searching to do. You should google it.

Soccer Day II

So I am not sure which is worse, sitting with the parents or coaching the kids. I made the mistake of telling the coach when he called that I had played soccer since I was 4 and that I had the experience of coachign for 8 year old girls and also a high school team in the past. I said I was willing to help out on occassion. Well, that occassion came y'day when he asked if I would help with the substitutions and talking to the kids on the sidelines about their role. Unfortunately Drew wasn't there so I had Mazie literally hanging on my shirt tails. These kids were a nightmare. They had potty mouths like you wouldn't believe and were incredibly disrespectful. I raised my voice on several occassions and they just would not respond. At one point a bunch of them decided they had to go potty. I suggested they go over to the outhouse that was available but about 5 or 6 of them went behind the tree about 10 feet away. They just dropped trou and pulled it out and went. THey literally had a pissing contest and just about pee'd all over my stuff that was sitting next to the tree. ONe kid came back and complained that another kid (MItchell) had peed all over his shirt. Indeed, the entire shirt was wet in the back. I was appalled. It's not surprising though considering who their parents are. The brat level of the kid directely correlated with the irritation level of the parent. NO scientific study needed there. It took me several hours after getting home to get my blood pressure down. I was boiling. Poor Leo said, "see mom I told you there were bad." I felt like pulling him out right then and there. I don't want that sort of influence on my child. I was kissing him all night and so proud of how well behaved he is. This is going to be an interesting summer at the soccer field.

Light

It's 8:45 and it's still light out. It makes it very hard to put the kids to bed when its still light. I'm exhausted and it's been a long day. I'm off to clean out the car though so Drew can take it and a few of the council members tomorrow to St. Catherines for the Clergy/Lay conference. It's going to be a long few days without him.

I remember when we lived downtown and we would put the kids to bed at night after washing them up. They would get so dirty down at the playground. Then they would lay in bed and listen to the kids still outside playing. We no longer have that issue. it's very quiet when they go to bed but it's still light out. I love the long summer days though so I can't complain. However, it was only 11 degrees today and it was cold. My friend told me it snowed today at her trailer up north. Huh.

Grande Finale

Places everyone!

Mazie had her rhythmic gymnastics end of the year show today. She began last summer and took classes all through the Fall, Winter, and Spring and was really excited about the show. Unfortunately they chose to do it on a Sunday morning so Drew wasn't able to make it. However, Aunt Paige was able to be there and I know it meant the world to Mazie. Paige and Jason got home late last night. I am not sure what runs through Drew's head in the middle of the night. We heard the dog going crazy and Drew suggested I go up there and say hello to them. I was like, "Um, I don't really want to say hello at 1 am." He says, "well you should at least go up and make sure it's them!" It was them and I didn't need to check.

So we had the show and the entire time Leo just complained how he was hungry. I swear that's all this kid thinks about. I tried to get some good shots but I was so far away. However, I had lots more showings at home so I managed to get a few more. LOL

I even got a shot of our kitty Emily watching from above.