The life and times of the Hughes Family and all it's goings on...more times than not, it'll be the random thoughts I have and their explanations
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
The Aftermath
Most of our snow is melted...and whatever is left is a muddy shade of brown! I miss the pretty whiteness..but that's about it! We are the evergreen state for a reason! The power however is not done showing its "power" (for a lack of better words!) as this morning as I'm getting Sam's hair done for church, the lights flickered, and then went out. Thankfully I was done my shower as we lost water pressure too...but that meant I coudn't make my breakfast and I sucked down the last shake in the house. And as I was getting my make up on, the propane guy showed up! What timing!!! So that made us late for church as the drive and the path to the tanks needed to be cleared and the driver wasn't gonna do it! But at least we have propane again (at a massive cost too...remind me not to let it get THAT low again!! OUCH!!!) and proper heat! I was told we may have to wait til Tuesday, so I'm very glad they fit us in today!
I was supposed to do Sam's class at church today, but they didn't need me...so DJ and I went and sat down to wait for Howie...he wanted to clean up after the propane guy left. Pastor Dan had gall bladder surgery last Wednesday, and so he wasn't preaching today...one of the elders did....I found it hard to concentrate on him as he was a monotonous speaker...but I did enjoy the old school hymns we sang! DJ took a cat nap for the last 10 mins of service...crazy kid! The kids went home with Howie and I carried on to Bothell for an Avon leadership meeting. I brought my lunch with me as I knew a coffe joint wasn't gonna have salad! lol
The meeting lasted way longer than I anticipated, and I didn't get out of there til after 3...and I still had to hit up Costco! I've decided, if you can find a parking spot rather quickly, it's not that bad inside!! And I found one with in 3 minutes of pulling in! Not too shabby!! Plus, it helped that the football playoffs were happening at the same time!! That was the real trick!! I found some Vitamin D to start taking....and a pretty good dose too...I'm excited to add it to my daily routine as I know that's something I seriously lacked last year in winter!
I got home and we started dinner right away....lovely pork chops, broccoli and cauliflower...delish! DJ added salad to his and gobbled it right up! After dinner they had fruit for dessert and still wanted more! Their hollow legs are showing again! Of course, they didn't get anything more! They went to bed well as they'd been outside with Howie earlier this afternoon and were tired! Howie too for that matter! As soon as he was done his fudgesicle, he went to bed!! I watched Once Upon a Time and Desperate Housewives....both in top form tonite! I also finished my first ever fair isle (knit with two colours) hat! LOVE it! Here's hoping DJ does! :)
Looks like I forgot to post this...oops!
Til next time...God bless!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Goin Stir CRAZY!!!!!!!!!
Last nite just as I was getting ready to shut everything down for the nite, the power went out! I'd been waiting up for Snickers to get home (sounds odd, but yes, I was waiting on the DOG to come home!) She had come home, settled on the mat outside the sliding door and the minute I stood up to let her in, she took off down the stairs again...I watched her trot across the yard to the road and that was the last I saw of her....I flicked the light off on the back porch and the entire house went dark. I thought I'd blown a fuse or something...it came back on briefly, like a camera flash, and then off again. I'd already shut the tv down...and most of the lights...so I locked up and headed to bed. The heaters had been running all nite, so the house was warm but knowing it was going to chill considerably, I actually put a nightgown on! Left the doors to both kids' rooms open so they'd not have to bang into it trying to find it. DJ didn't take long to come screaming into our room cuz it was so pitch black!! I pray one day he'll enjoy darkness for sleeping...as it was, he snuggled in with us and we went to sleep.
I woke up the next time and Sam was in Howie's spot...mvfm vfi
000000000000000000000000000000000000000dxzcdxxxxdfxddxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxdffffxxxxxxxxxx
The above gobbledygook is from one of my children...proof of their stir craziness too!! lol
Today, Saturday, and all is right with the world!!! Slept until 10:30 or so...lovely!! Chilly, but lovely!! Had breakfast and was out the door by noon to head to town for groceries. Did the dollar store, my boyfriend Ben, Freddy's and the co-op before heading home! My hips actually hurt from all the walking!
To make it even better...Howie suggests teriyaki for dinner...how could I refuse?!?! The kids got a glow bath before dinner and once they were settled in bed, Howie and I played cards where he promptly handed me my arse!! Yowch! I also made some sugar-free jello shots with the vanilla vodka left in the pantry...they were yummo!! Definitely do that again!! :)
Til next time...God bless!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Snow Daze
I literally can only see WHITE in any given direction!!! If I ever wondered what it was like to live in a snow globe, this week has given me my answer!!!! I can't see past the trees across the road as its foggy and WHITE!! And the shit keeps falling!!!! We're at teeny tiny flakes, which means its uber cold out there!!! Supposedly, we're supposed to get rain on Friday to melt it all away....at which point we'll be on flood watch!! I don't see the thaw happening quite that fast myself, but I'm no meteorologist!!
I think we're on day 5 now of being stuck in the house...sure we can go outside, but we haven't been in town since Sunday! Howie's been using the truck which has 4wd to get to and from work...and last nite stayed there to be safer. He was prepared tho and has been living out of his shaving kit all week just to keep it packed and with him. School's been cancelled every day too....if it's open tomorrow, I doubt we'll get there anyways....our hills are all ice now....and I don't like our chances.
We're running low on foods, but thankfully we have LOTS of meats in the freezer...and canned goods!! Just not on the phase one approved list....the fresh foods are getting low. Haven't seen the fridge this empty in I don't know how long!! The biggest thing we're running low on is paper products...like paper towel, tissues, napkins....we're good on toilet paper as I bought THE biggest package last time!
The main thing that scares me is how low we are on propane!! I really need to set a task on my phone to check the tanks more often than when its at ZERO!!! I checked last nite when the kids and I went for a walk and was shocked (but not really) that it was at zero! So now I have the space heaters going to conserve the gas...and we won't be doing laundry or bathing til Saturday when we're scheduled for a fill. No one to blame but myself really! If the power goes out tho, we're screwed!! I did have Howie light the pilot on the fireplace the last nite he was here just in case...I just checked, and it's still lit! Whew!
Now I'm off to entertain the children yet again....movies, games, painting....and refereeing!! We'll also head outside at some point today to wear off some energy! If I don't post again the power's out...or it's been out and just haven't started the computer back up...I've lost count of how many times I've reset the clocks....
Til next time...God bless!
Monday, January 16, 2012
For the first time ever
Dj is actually sleeping over at a friends house tonite!!!!
But not until we did a full day of Avoning!! As a family too cuz Howie didn't want me driving in our snow....he hasn't seen an Ontario winter....but hey, I'll take the passenger seat no problem!!
Our day started with DJ waking up at 6:45 freaking out because it was SO dark...and I'll be honest, it took me a good 3 minutes to realize we have no power...in mh defense I was half asleep!! It lasted til just after 7 but who knows how long it was out for. Howie said the clock ws flashing when he got up. Then when I was bathing the kids it went out again!! Sam was done but DJ hadn't even started. That was fun!! Howie woke then and couldn't eat the eggs us made as he had no way to heat them! As I was packing up our lunches it came back on.
We left about 12:30 and the our street was the worst...from there each road got better. The kids did fabulous!!! Howie complained more than they did...but the kids have done it enough they know what to expect!! We got done at 4 and dropped DJ off about 4:30 at Marty's house. This sleep over is SO different than any others....he can't just come running home at the first weakness...we're too far away!!
We came home and made dinner...Sam thoroughly enjoyed helping...even made her own pudding for dessert!! She asked a few times where he was...like she forgot...lol. she went to bed easily and didn't come out once!
DJ on the other hand called sat 8:45 Ind a freaking out...missing me, daddy, Sam, Snickers, Belle and the cats....made me laugh!!! He also wanted me to bring his music him hahaha! Oh and more stuffies...anything he could do to stall!! We hung up and he called back within 5 mins....this time to see when he was coming home. Oh its funny!! But that was the last call and I'm assuming he's doing well!!
Til next time...God bless!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
The snow has arrived!!
In full force too!!
This morning out had a sleeping DJ next to me til he woke up at 8:45...not too bad for a Saturday if you ask me!! I'd left them both a sippy, so they were happy....til DJ managed to change the channel and put it on Sonic...which apparently scared Sam and she came running to me. I loved the snuggles and giggles!!! We got up and had breakfast while waiting for Howie to get home from fishing. Meanwhile Kung Fu panda was on....don't much like that show a had two jumping and kicking children!!
Howie got home about 10:30 and I was off to get ready to head out Avoning...just as I was about to out makeup on Howie came in to tell me it was snowing ...and hard!!! He wasn't kidding. It was pouring snow!! Just dumping down!! I sent Howie to have a nap and helped the kids get dressed for snow. I did DJ first as he's quicker and knows the process of getting geared up. There was only an inch at this point but that was enough for them. Sam was longer get dressed what with her independent streak of wanting to get dressed herself!! I was smart tho and made her put a pull up on....getting out of all these layers to pee in a hurry is tricky.
She was off and the first thing she did after getting down the stairs was make a REAL snow angel!!! So cute to watch her admire her work too. While they were out I got busy cleaning the kitchen. I even did a Norwex test for a girlfriend of mine who's daughter wrote on her countertops with a Sharpie...so I took a marker, wrote Norwex on my counter and then got it right off with cleaning paste.
I woke Howie after two hours and he was shocked at how much snow there was. I'd already had a nice quiet lunch and so did he before the kids trickled in to eat and warm up. Theory both asked for some hot cocoa and I obliged with a sugar free recipe I'd found on Pinterest. They didn't like it :( DJ got redressed and headed back out. Howie cleaned the truck off and I got SamSam redressed too. She didn't want to play but rather go inside their house. With the snowfall I'd volunteered to go unload a run for the shed...Howie volunteered to drive me. The kids stayed behind and we got done pretty quickly. Boy was it COLD out!!! We got home safely and decided we weren't going anywhere!! Our street can be tricky with the hill, but if he was to get called to work, then off he'd have to go!!
Since the kids were still busy playing, I grabbed a shower while Howie watched football. Then we got dinner going. Sam was the first to come home...with DJ not far behind her. They chose waffles and bananas for their dinner while we had steak, mushrooms, artichoke and xauludlower ....very yummy!!! After dinner I skipped their baths as they were both clearly worn out!!! DJ was asleep before I got to hug him good nite!! He was the crankiest!! Once football was over Howie and I played crib. We've both got it on our phones and haven't played for years!! We each win a game before he headed to bed. He's gotta go in for 5 to melt ice before people come work out. I watched Miss America but not wholeheartedly, just nothing else on and none of the movies I have in dvr interested me. Now I've gotten caught up in Golden Girls and loving it!! Betty White will be 90 on the 17th of this month....she's the only one still alive too!!
Til next time...God bless!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Some turned the heat off
After breakfast we snuggled in the chair a bit with the blanket just enjoying our body heat...and some Dora of course! By noon we were both hungry, so I made us our lunch and we enjoyed it together. Once I'd gotten the dishes done, I loaded her up in the bath for a quick wash. She chose a quick wash over a play bath so she could get some swing time at DJ's school before picking him up. And she would have gotten longer except that she made a big mistake in not listening to me. I'd asked her more than 3 times to put her coat on, she already got her shoes on, but stopped to play on the leapfrog game...and even while I was down there getting myself ready I asked her again and she ignored me. So, I left the house, got in the truck and started it...even pretended to drive away...she was NOT happy with me then!! But I think (hope) it will have taught her a lesson! I also told her she lost her swing time....which made her really sad (read: POUTY) and so when we got to the school, we discussed her attitude and how she needs to do a much better job at listening to what I say as there's consequences to her actions.
As she was swinging away, DJ came and startled me from behind...and off we went! Before we left the parking lot tho, he informed me that Marty had invited him to spend the nite...and I found THE cutest handwritten note asking him to come for a sleep over. When we got home the kids went next door to play and before I got in the shower, I called Marty's mom and chatted with her to let her know the invitation was put out there. He'll be having a sleep over on Sunday nite....I'll keep ya posted!!! This is one he can't just run home from at 11 pm! Should be interesting!
Dinner was DELICIOUS!!!!! BUT I found out that the kids don't like frozen green beans...I liked them, but they didn't...and I have 4 more bags in the freezer...lol I left as they were battling as I had a meeting to attend at school for the auction. I'd sent out a few emails, got no response, and the school sent out a second email this afternoon that was reminder...so I wasn't sure what to expect...I was over zealous....I see that now in hindsight! Ugh!! I had 6 people show up, and one of them was the principal. I did learn a lot from the people there and got some stuff cleared up, so that was good....and I got a few names to contact who did stuff last year. The fun begins!!!!
I got home about 8:30 and the kids were already in bed....and Howie was waiting to have a fudgesicle with me before heading to bed himself. My chores were already done, so it was nice to sit and not worry about that....altho, I did get up a couple times to switch out laundry...the kids now make a whole load each!!! I feared this day would come!
I watched BBT which was hilarious with the reaction to the tiara...what woman wouldn't freak out at getting one!?!?!? lol And then Grey's was just tense with the separation of those twins!!! And I don't like how they're portraying Dr Webber these days! PP was wild!! Pete was on his A game!! And I love how Addison is going to continue on her journey! I also watched Revenge from last nite...WOW was that heavy!!! Dang!! Such a good show!
Now I'm gonna go watch the scene behind my eyelids....
Til next time...God bless!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Who's dragging their butt now
This is the latest quote from Rio that Sam's spouting off every five seconds!! The first time I heard her say it tho, I was in stitches!!!!
This morning went well until DJ lost his sippy cup I'd JUST poured him two seconds before...and we spent probably 5 minutes looking for it before I decided enough was enough and we headed to school....LATE! I knew from the moment we got in the truck he'd need a tardy slip...and informed him of that too! The kids had their breakfast in the truck and I had mine in my purse...I don't like eating the moment I get up...I need to clear the cobwebs! After we dropped DJ off, Sam and I went to SVEC to drop books...and we sat and chatted with our neighbours, who were also eating breakfast...so I joined them and Sam played with play doh with K and C. We left just before 10 and headed to her dance center. It was SO cold out, that the heat in the truck was quite welcome.
After dance we had one stop to make...getting the pizza and dropping it off. Easy breezy, lemon squeezy!! We got home and I made myself a lunch as Sam had already partaken in pizza...she got some cucumber with me and was quite happy. After lunch we got some laundry going and then snuggled under great grandma Thelma's blanket together....it was SOOOOOOO cold in the house it was ridiculous!! My nose was ice cold!! At 3 we started moving around, but cuz it was still SO cold, I put the oven on for an hour and enjoyed the warmth in the kitchen as I cleaned and prepped dinner.
Dinner was early as it was an Awana nite....and we were taking K with us for the first time...DJ was SO excited to bring him as a friend....he got a little wired from that and was doing stupid stuff to show off all nite! They separated them in game time, on the same team, but with 4 kids between them lol...they learned quick! He said he had fun! As we were loading up in the truck, I heard the choo of a train and thought "good timing, we'll miss it!" and then as we pull up to the tracks, the bars are down and flashing and there's a second train that was FAR longer than the first one! grrrr To top it off, I had a day 3 headache that would NOT stop!! The lights and noise were threatening to turn migraine on me....got home and took 4 advil right away! Within the hour, it was gone and I'm SO thankful!
Howie went to bed immediately after the kids did...so I came out and watched Whitney, which had me rolling...and then a new show Are You There, Chelsea...which I'm not too sure about...it's quite irreverent, and while I'm a fan of Chelsea Handler, not sure I'll be able to watch this one, we'll see. Modern Family was perfectly funny!!! Such a good show! And Happy Endings was the funniest!! I'm saving Revenge and heading to bed early...I liked being in bed at 12:30 last nite...the morning wasn't too tough...waking up at least...
Ha ha very funny!
Til next time...God bless!