I heart Groupon (and family fun)

Seby and Simon fishing 2008

No, they didn't pay me to say that, but it's true. Once in a while I will purchase a Groupon and then we treat ourselves with deals. One time I got a luxurious pedicure! Something I wouldn't regularly do, but since I had the discount, I thought why not? It made for a fun day on the weekend for the family. I had two Groupons that I wanted to use, one for Lazer tag and one for the aquatic center, H2O. We thought, why not make the day of it and have some discounted family fun? I woke up congested and wasn't sure I was up to all this fun, but once I got rolling and had some IHOP pancakes in my belly, I was good to go. We hit the Lazer tag and learned about the vests and guns. We laughed at our glowing teeth and phosphorescent lint on our hoodies. Our opponents were two other school age boys who, as siblings, decided to team up against us, even though it was supposed to be every man for himself. They put the lazer hurt on us for the first 17 minute game ( much of which I could be found panting in a dark corner, trying to hide my glowing teeth and other vulnerable targets). By the second game, we wised up and, though the Terminators united, I am proud to say, we lazered the heck out of them. Take that, school age kids! Then, a strange thing happened; I ignored the team thing and became Renegade Mom, mercilessly lazering my hubby and son and those other two at every opportunity. Must have been the Buckley's cough syrup or something. We passed the afternoon swimming, hot tubbing and water sliding, followed by an early dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory. What a great family day!

A couple more...

I decided not to take this coral home, and took a photo instead. So beautiful and just laying everywhere!

This lady (whom I did not know) kept the birds hovering while she fed them, looked so cool!

This trip was inspired by our beloved sister Cynt, who left us two years ago today. We brought you with us when we went to Mexico, we love you and think of you often. We always remember your funny stories and it was so fun retracing your steps. I felt you with us, along for the journey .

Mexico 2013

We were more than blessed to be able to travel to mexico for a week long vacation. It was an amazing experience to swim in the warm water of the ocean and see the tropical fish while snorkeling. It was a once in a lifetime trip, one I won't soon forget. The pictures don't even do justice to the turquoise color of the water. We were pampered and spoiled the whole week and it was difficult to come back to snow on the ground at home. Still, I longed for my comfortable bed and a home cooked meal. So, even paradise doesn't compare to home sweet home. But it is sure a great substitute!

The Tragically Hip

Last night was Date Night! And what a night it was! We had tickets to The Tragically Hip in Kamloops, B.C. We started the evening at The Keg which is right next to the arena and had a delicious meal, just the two of us. This almost never happens to I enjoyed it as the rare treat that it was. My wonderful Aunty had charge of our son, so I knew he was in good hands. We had the good tickets which allowed us in the arena a half hour before the general public to buy T-shirts and drinks and find our seats. We were on the floor, third row! I had a great view of the action the whole time. The opening act was a band called The Arkells, who were unknown to many of the fans my age and older, (I thought I recognized a few bars here and there) however, I noticed a few of the younger kids knew who they were and were rocking out. This, and the fact that I had just come from the Keg and held one of the best tickets in the arena made me feel momentarily middle aged, but I soon got over it when The Hip came on.
Those kids had no idea where they were! At least they were getting an education and there is something to be said for that. Gord Downie is a performer that's for sure, every fiber of his being is in performance mode. He has a way of acting out the lyrics in a sort of mime so that even the new songs from the album were understood and were completely the band we all know and love. They started the show at full volume and you almost wondered how they would keep up the pace. It was like night and day; the energy in the arena just surged when they came on. They doled out the older hits sparingly, just tastes at a time, while leaning heavily on the new material. It was a nice balance that didn't end up feeling like a reunion tour.
My favourite song from the New album Now for Plan A has to be Good Night Attawapiskat. It brings awareness to the issues and it's just a damned good Hip tune. Even the teens could dig it. The encore started with Little Bones (yay!) and they calmed us all down with Fiddlers Green, which was amazingly beautiful. All in all it was a perfect evening and I was sad when my coach turned into a pumpkin. Oh well, back to real life, I guess, but an experience I won't soon forget!

Happy Ninth Day of the Year!

There is a ton of snow on the ground and I am in full hibernation mode. Thank goodness for those pesky things called work and school, otherwise, I know I'd be in bed right now and for a while to come. As it is, I am waiting for the kettle to boil and the boy to accept that it is, indeed, morning. It's a tough one to accept in the dead of winter, when it feel like night. I haven't made any goals or plans this year. seems to me the dead of winter is not a time when I feel inspired to make changes. I just want to hole up in my living room and keep warm. Alas, it is not to be. I must get on with it and go be cheerful at work. I wish I could bring my blankey with me, but they might not appreciate that too much! If I were to make changes, they would be financial. I am steadily working on paying down consumer debt and I know, with each payment I am closer to freedom. I charge things next to never and when i do, for online purchases only, I pay it immediately. I am considering furthering my education, but I also want to own a bigger home. I don't think the two will be possible in the same few years, so I have a decision to make. Why can't I be independently wealthy? You hear of those celebrities who use their wealth to get university degrees? That would be me. Lots of people would go on fancy vacations and buy lots of cars, I would get educated. Next month will be three years since I quit smoking! My life has vastly improved since I made that decision, so if you are on the fence and that Jan 1 deadline has past, please, don't smoke for another year. Go through withdrawal in the ugly months and by summer, you will be free!

Surviving the flu

I guess one would expect the obligatory Christmas cheer post, and fair enough, but unfortunately, along with the presents, Santa left us with one hell of a nasty flu bug. Someone must have ticked him off, it may have been me, and after I left him cookies, too! So, Christmas eve was spent on the couch and Christmas dinner consisted of chicken broth and ginger ale. We were kind of bummed to be sick on Christmas but since we had opened our presents early anyhow, we decided to spend the time watching Disney movies and getting better. I was super thankful that my house was well stocked since there was no way I could get out for groceries. I put most of the goodies away since they held little appeal for our ailing tummies. When I did get out on boxing day, I went at 3 p.m. after all the madness and stuck to a list. I had a very sick little boy with me and the meds only last for so long. I bought; a case of ginger ale, (I swear that stuff will sustain me through anything) facial tissues, jello, applesauce, apple juice, bread for toast (in case we could stomach it) chicken broth, mr. noodles, can soup (chicken noodle) sanitizing wipes and a pharmacy some medicines. And of course, like every time I go to Walmart, no matter what I end up putting in the cart, it never costs less than one hundred dollars. It's weird, actually. Not your typical boxing day deal shopping, no way I had the energy for that!

We hunkered down for another day until I noticed my son started turning into in an old man. He started blaring Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and The Avengers, ignoring me on his way to the bathroom, and shouting at me to, "Speak up!" then acting annoyed when I apparently wasn't loud enough for him. He was deaf as a stone. That's when I knew he had an ear infection for sure. He's had so many, and he felt so rotten, I guess he just didn't complain, but once the doc looked into his ears, he all but jumped back in surprise, confirming what I already knew. Ears as red as tomatoes inside and nothing for it but antibiotics.

So, after three days, my darling little boy has bounced back, while I, still weak as a kitten, must tend to his returning appetite and protest weakly to his skateboarding in the living room. Please, no skateboarding in the house, honey. He's still ignoring me, but now I know he can hear me! Darn you kid and your resiliency!

Oh what the hell, do an Ollie for all I care, Mommy needs a nap.

How sweet it is.

 I just love when I can get the time to make treats with my boy. He is growing up so fast that I know I need to enjoy these moments while I have them.

He is starting to question The Guy in The Red Suit, (Mom, I saw that he had a mustache under his mustache...) and honestly, I'd be worried if he didn't begin to question the conspiracy we adults have all been running by this age, but he still gets that excited sound, (I call it his tea kettle sound, because it's all, eeee!)  when he talks about him and his homeland The North Pole. I guess it all comes down to erring on the side of caution. You have to believe for the magic to work. My son is, thankfully, willing to suspend his belief for the time being, against his better judgement and that pesky opposing evidence to the contrary.

So, for another year, at least, the magic is strong. I wonder how it will be when there is no more pretense of St. Nick. With no siblings to carry on the fib, will we forget all about him, or continue with the grand charade?

As for myself, I don't think I have ever had a Christmas where I didn't leave the cookies out, plus carrots for the reindeer, and I hope I never do have one like that!  I guess a part of me remembers how it felt when there was so much possibility and wonder in the world. When you don't believe in any dreams anymore, it is a very dreary existence after all. We all have our own version of the North Pole in our heads, mine is a very warm and comforting place to go in the depths of winter. I wouldn't give it up for anything.

So, here is to whimsy, fantasy, dreams and imagination. May they always stay strong in the hearts of those I love, not just at Christmas, but every day of the year.