Days Gone By

You'd think my first post in a good, long time (that's not just pictures, I mean) would be about something like...ummm...our summer holidays...nope...changes at work and the on-line courses I'm working on...nope...the kids' first day of school and how grades three and five are going for them...nope ...(although, I will be posting pictures of their first days soon...).

Nope, none of the above...

This post is about....

wait for it.....

the Keith Urban concert I went to on Thursday night!!!!

Well, as you can probably tell by the big letters and multiple exclamation marks, I had a fabulous time.

A couple of weeks ago, my original companions for the show had to back out due to medical reasons. So, that was disappointing. But, thankfully, I snagged a couple of more friends who wanted to go, so off we went.

Lady Antebellum opened for him and they were really good. It's so nice going to see an opening act that you actually want to see (hence my paranoia about being late and being completely anal with all the parties who had to change their schedules around for me to get to the concert on time...) and whose songs you know. They played for about 45 minutes.

Then after what seemed like an eternity, out came Keith!

What I've always found attractive about Keith Urban (besides, the obvious gorgeous, perfect face and killer smile, that is --and yes, he is that attractive in real life!) is that he always seems to be having so much fun when he's performing. And that came through loud and clear (REALLY loud, actually...) at the concert.

He's quite the ball of energy. He ran from side to side of the stage, all the while playing a variety of guitars.

Then, he got off the stage and made his way (surrounded by his security dudes, naturally) to a mini-stage toward the back of the arena (not far from where our seats were!). It was pretty cool. My friend, Sue, and I got as close as we could (abandoning her poor husband who stayed behind and took the pictures I've posted here and on facebook). As he got on his mini-stage, he announced "Who's got the good seats now?" Then, one of his roadies was beside us with a guitar and passed it to another guy to give to Keith, but when he did it hit my friend! Not hard or anything...and we kind of gave it a cosmic spin by saying "It touched you...and he touched it...so it's sort of like he touched you!" haaaa! (I guess you could safely call us "immature" or maybe even "delusional"...) Before he sang "Memories Of Us" he dedicated it to his wife. And we heard after the show that she was there, but we never saw her. I really wondered how they were going to get him off that stage, through the crowd that had gathered and back on to the main stage--but they did it! (I read yesterday that he uses his guitar and speed to move without incident...)

He had another foray into the audience where he went up in the stands and they plunked a microphone stand down and he stood there and sang. Can you imagine being behind him??

So, it was a really great night and just what I needed.

He put on a great show and I would definitely go see him again.

Patrick

So sad...

To Blog Or Not To Blog...

I've been pondering for a while whether I want to keep this blog going. I've gotten so lax about it and wonder if I could have said all that there is to say (stop snickering those of you who think I always have something to say...)

I look back at posts I've written and if I do say so myself, some of them are really good. And funny. And I like them. And lately anything I even attempt to compose (when I bother to try and think of something to write, that is) just pales in comparison.

And it's all so boring. (and I don't even think I even know how to write any more--good lord, just look at all those sentences I started with the word "and"!)

I could post about my holidays--but big deal...we went camping...here are the pictures--whoopy do! (and besides, I posted them on my facebook, and since most of you are also my friends on facebook, do you really want to see them twice?)

I sometimes wish I had created a bit more anonymity for myself on this thing, so I could rant and rave without going back and editing myself or risk totally embarrassing myself in front of those who might actually know me "in the real world".

Lately I've also been sort of protective of my family's privacy. I don't know why--nothing's happened--but I've watched a few news stories on just this issue and it really gets you thinking.

I've thought about making it private, and this is something I'm still mulling over. I'm just unsure as to how many readers I actually have and whether it's worth it for the 5 or 6 people I think might actually read this drivel. (Can you tell I'm sort of having a bad night?)

The dumb thing is, while I criticize my own content, I really do enjoy reading about the day-to-day happenings on other people's blogs and I still stay as current on reading them as I ever have.

So, that's what's going on...not a heck of a lot. I think the only reason I'm doing this now is because I'm having trouble sleeping tonight because too many things are running through my head. So, it was either pull a Michael Jackson or play around on the computer.

Later.

Ten!

Today I am the mother of a double-digit kid! How can that be??? More specifically--how did I manage to keep him alive for 10 years? Some days I really wonder.

Christopher is such a cool kid (well, what parent doesn't say that about their own child?)

He has loved nature-related things, specifically animals, his whole life. Having come back from camping, he is now changing his future career from paleontologist (which he decided he wanted to be when he was 2!) to naturalist. He has a huge collection of animal encyclopedias, books, etc. that I think would rival that section of the library and they have grown more in-depth and detailed as he's gotten older.

He continues to play hockey and although he likely won't ever be the top scorer of his team, his coaches have always held high regard for his positive attitude and good work ethic. I wouldn't trade that for all the goals in the world--although it is really cool when he gets them!

Christopher has lots of friends and next week he is going away with one of them for 4 whole nights. Yikes! I'm pretty certain in saying that I will miss him much more than he misses me. It's not that he doesn't love me, it's just that he's very secure and will have no problem with homesickness and I hope the family enjoys having him.

His brother thinks he is the greatest thing in the world--at the same time as being his biggest antagonist, causing Christopher to lose his cool more often than not. I guess that's just the plight of being the big brother.

He has grown from a temper-tantrummy 2 year old (say that three times fast!) to a mature young man who, most of the time, is a pleasure to be around.

As I look at him tonight, I can't believe that ten years ago right now I was holding a little red-headed bunchkin in my arms and wondering what his life would hold. He's made me so proud and happy to be his mom.

We love you, Christopher. Happy birthday!

July Bullets

So, it's been awhile and there are a few updates to report, so it's time to do it bullet style.

• I started an online Word course. I thought it was going to be a fairly basic course and my reason for taking this particular one was more to familiarize myself with the online part of it (receiving, sending assignments, tests, etc.) than the Word part of it. But, I just finished chapter 2 and I've already been exposed to some Word elements I've never used. I just might learn something after all and I'm thinking I'm not going to breeze through this quite as quickly as I had thought. I just submitted my first assignment tonight.


• We had Christopher's kids' birthday party last week even though his birthday isn't until the end of the month. I'm going to risk being called a bad mom here when I say "I HATE HOSTING KIDS' BIRTHDAY PARTIES!!!!" The family ones are easy enough, but the kids' ones always stress me out. I've gotten better though and sort of enjoyed this one--maybe because the kids were 10 and not as insane as they are when they're 5 and 6 and 7. We had the party here and although they're not my favourite things to host, having it here is awesome. This is the third birthday party Christopher has had here and Andrew also had his here in May. (oops...I forgot to post about that one...). Here's a few pictures from both parties.

Corn snake around Andrew's neck

I had to post this picture of the cupcakes I made for Chris' party. I think--actually I'm sure--that this is the first time I've actually baked anything for my kids' parties. (see--I told you I'm a bad mom--totally a "buy it from the bakery" kind of mom...) Christopher asked for cupcakes and I figured I couldn't screw them up too badly. They were a hit and the kids loved the gummy snakes and spiders on top that went well with the theme of the party.

• A couple of weeks ago we bought a fish tank at a garage sale. It was a pretty good deal--$15.00 for a 10-gallon tank including the pump, heater, decorative accessories, net and a bucket. But since then, we've been back and forth to the fish store about 10 times getting everything else we need (filters, bacteria, more gravel and a couple of plants). And yeah, FISH! We initially bought three little guppies (we were told not to buy our entire stock at once), but they lasted for about a week and sadly all died. We went back to the store to find out what we did wrong and it would appear that we overfed them. So, we bought three more fish and are taking another stab at it. I hope they last but I was told today that fish dying repeatedly in the first month of establishing a tank is normal and to be expected while the water is establishing itself to properly house a fish. Great. So, I told the kids not to get attached to any of the first fish we have. This deal of a tank is turning out to be a great big pain. I'm keeping my distance and making it more Mike's and the kids' project.


• We went camping for the first time this season. Mike had taken the kids a couple of weeks ago, but this was our first outing as a family. The weather was beautiful and we had a good time...too bad it was only for one night. Here are pictures I took at the water. It's not really a beach because it's on shale deposits and you have to be very careful not to slip and hurt yourself. Of course, Andrew did...not too seriously though. Everyone had a really good time.

• As those of you who are my "friends" on Facebook know, I had a bit of an accident on Saturday morning, prior to leaving for camping. I was taking a dish of hot cereal out of the microwave and it slipped and fell splashing on my left hand, left arm, left leg and right toe (who knew that oatmeal could jump!). It was pretty painful and I'm pretty blistered up. I went to the doctor yesterday and he prescribed antibiotic cream and also drained a bit from my pinky which was very swollen. For those who want to see, I snapped a picture of it at camping (before it was drained):

The blister is down now by about half of what it was in this picture. Everything else is healing as well, but I suspect I'll have some pretty nasty scars when this is all said and done.

That's all to report for now.

Bye!

1958-2009

Let's remember him for his talent and when he was at his best...not what he became in later years:

Rest In Peace

Sand Cake

We had a fairly boring relaxing weekend at home, so the kids and I got creative and made sand cake! I found the recipe in a magazine and decided to give it a whirl. I rarely make recipes from magazines because, well truth be known, I'm pretty lazy when it comes to whipping up kitchen magic. I like eating it, but making it is quite a different story.

So, without further adieu...

Presenting my sand cake!!!!!

And here's pictures of Andrew and I enjoying it. (Mike had some too--and poor Chris, wanted some but wasn't feeling well by the time it was ready, so we'll save him some...REALLY, he wasn't feeling well BEFORE he ate it!)

Here's the recipe in case anyone is interested in making it:

1 (5.25 oz.) package of sugar cookies (I couldn't find any so substituted vanilla wafers and sugar cones instead)

1 frozen butter pound cake, thawed

2 large packages of chocolate instant pudding mix

3 cups milk

1 large container of frozen whipped topping, thawed

2 tsp. vanilla extract

4 chocolate covered toffee candy bars, finely crushed (I used coffee crisp--a household favourite)

Garnish: chocolate candy shells

1. Crumble cookies; process until finely crushed; set aside. (Cookies will resemble sand). Cut pound cake into 1-inch cubes; set aside.

2. Whisk together pudding mix and milk; add whipped topping and vanilla, whisking until smooth.

3. Place half of cookie crumbs into a 3-quart sand pail; top with one-third of pudding mixture, half of cake and half of chocolate bars; continue layering pudding, cake and chocolate bars, ending with a layer of pudding. Top with remaining cookie crumbs. Cover and chill at least 30 minutes. Garnish with candy shells if desired.

Let me know if you make it!

I Wish I Had Said That...

Not sure which way I'm feeling this one today...but I like it...

Life is tough, it's tougher when you're stupid.

-John Wayne

$25.00

What can you buy for $25.00? Well, if you were with the kids and me on the weekend, you could have bought:

-4 forest green woven placemats
-Othello (the game, not the Shakespearean king)
-a light saber (not just any light saber--Darth Maul's light saber!)
-a remote controlled insect
-2 player mini-sticks
-1 goalie mini-stick
-an inflatable chair ("which would be really good for playing video games--puhhhleazzee, Mommy?")
-a framed Mark Messier/Wayne Gretzky picture (it's old...Mark has some hair...)
-a 3D castle puzzle (which was allowed under the condition that Mommy not be asked to help complete...)
-a box of 15 small star-shaped candles
-a Montreal Canadiens talking beer can holder (brand new from Avon, still in the package with a price tag of $11.00 that Christopher thought would be a good Father's Day gift--he was right!)
-an Emerson Drive CD
-6 tennis balls
-a wicker chair with pad (in great condition!)
-a chest protector for road hockey
-a Toronto Maple Leafs clock

We went garage saling and we bought it all! Garage sales are hit and miss and on Saturday we did really well...or not so well considering I'm always harping on Michael and the boys to declutter and get rid of junk. It doesn't help my case when I encourage this kind of behaviour. But, I like a good deal and we all came back happy. Well 3 out of the 4 of us did!

Take Me Out To The Ballgame

We had the best time today.

On Friday, very spur of the moment, I went on-line and got tickets for the Toronto Blue Jays' game (agains the Boston Red Sox). But, they weren't just any tickets...no sireeee...they were these tickets!

Yup, all you can eat! Seriously... besides "You've won the lottery", are there four better words in the English language???

Anyone who's been to a Blue Jay game knows that they absolutely gouge you on food prices. Although the tickets were a bit more expensive, it was so nice to be able to tell the kids "yes" when they asked for treats and not have to haul my own stash in a backpack...much to Michael's embarrassment and horror. (It doesn't embarrass me in the least...)

It was Andrew's first Blue Jay game--Chris had been to one many years ago when he was in daycare. It was also the first time Michael and I have been to a Blue Jay game together.

We drove to Yorkdale mall and took the subway downtown (took about 20 minutes). Doing that saved us probably $10 - $20 in parking and an immeasurable level of stress finding a parking spot and dealing with the inevitable after-event traffic. It worked out really well and was also the first time the kids have ridden a subway.

We had so much fun. Besides the never-ending supply of food (well, almost "never-ending"--they did cut it off at the bottom of the 7th inning, but we more than had our fill by then), the atmosphere was wonderful.

In the final innings when it became apparent that the Jays were going to lose, we still had a blast by some guys in our section who probably had had more than their share of beer. They kept starting a wave, which eventually made its way around the entire stadium (30, 000 + people) and then they entertained everyone by just cheering out trivial things that seem stupid, but in the moment, were absolutely hilarious. Things like "Hey...let's count to 10!" and got everyone to do it and cheer at the end. And then, "Let's count to 14!". Again cheers and then the leader of the group stood up and said "Take that, 13!" The kids thought it was hilarious. When one of the guys in his row left, he stood up and said "Hey, this guy is leaving...everyone..." And everyone joined in for a rousing chorus of "Na na na...na na na....hey hey hey...goodbye!" And the guy bowed, waved and left. The security standing there was crying because she was laughing so hard. As we left, we saw the guy outside holding up a bag of peanuts (that was available to us for free) and saying "Peanuts...$3.00...get your peanuts here!" I wonder if he sold them. Oh well, you have to make your own fun, right?

I also had a lot of fun listening to one of the Jays' names. His name is Rod Barajas (pronounced ba-RA-has), but the announcer kept really overemphasizing the middle part of it and it cracked me up and I couldn't wait for him to be up to bat again so I could hear it again. Then the kids started saying "Rod Bara-ha-ha-has". (It clearly doesn't take much to amuse me, I know...)

So, it was a good day and I'm glad we made the trek to the big city.

Here's a few pictures:

First time on a subway

Ohhhh...very tallllll!!! (C.N. Tower)

Ba-RA-jas!!!