Currently in the midst of...

  • Michael = got braces this month and getting ready to start refrigeration apprenticeship
  • Jenny = school, and work, soccer and badminton
  • Gillian = work
  • Henry = busy with work

Monday, December 31, 2007

Happy New Year!

With hockey over for a full four days (we lost in the quarter finals...Chicago won the whole thing), we can now prepare for the new year.

Time to bake rum cake and take our bathing suits (for the hot tub) to go visit friends tonight.


Saturday, December 29, 2007

on we go...

1 - 0 win for the Chiefs!


We won against the team that finished first in their division (we were 8th - wildcard)

Michael had a great game in net, and even successfully faced a late third-period penalty shot!

On we go...playing yet another game today at 9:15 p.m...

When Jenny isn't lounging in the hotel pool and hot-tub, she fully supports her brother...


Wildcard...


Scoring 11 goals in our first game helps us get a wildcard to the next round in the tournament...

We will play the Mississauga Senators at 4:00...

Toronto Holiday Classic

No...this isn't a movie. This is where/how the Roefs spend their holidays!


At this point, Michael's team is 3 and 1 and awaiting a wild-card decision to move on this afternoon after a loss of 2-1 in this mornings game against Chicago Mission (last year's tournament champions).

Here is the web-site for anyone wishing to follow along...

Toronto Holiday Classic

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Merry Christmas!


When decorating for the Christmas season, I came across a bag that held our 'long-lost' nativity.
Digging into the bag, I only found one Wiseman and the baby Jesus in the manger.

I wasn't going to put them out, as I was missing the rest of the ensemble.

However, this is what Henry said:

"I'm sure if you put them out, the rest will come..."

Happy Holidays everyone!

Friday, December 14, 2007

Breakfast Sunday!

Jim, this is for you...

Breakfast at church IS this Sunday (Dec. 16)

It was really nice to run into you, Jeff and Sandra and have lunch with you all last week!

THAT is what I like about the holidays...spending time with friends (even if it is just a surprise quick visit)

Friday, December 07, 2007

Convenience...

Everything we expect and demand of our vehicles:

Reliability...

Convenience...

Dependability...

To be able to pay off the car loan and actually own the vehicle for at least a moderate amount of time...

That 'time' is coming close to fruition for our van.

That is why I know that our van is becoming the roulette game of chance on whether or not it wants to start. By the way, it is temperamental in the fact that it likes to 'act-up' with me, rather than Henry (probably because Henry knows how to knock it around and make it go again)

Problem, that apparently is just a little wrench fix away from solving (do you hear the sarcasm here???) If this is so simple, why, oh why has it not been permanently fixed during the last week or so???? Anyhow, I digress:

Battery cables lose their effectiveness over time. As the copper in the cable ages, it loses its conductive properties. Cuts or mars in the rubber jacket can also expose the cable and allow it to oxidize. The ends and terminals corrode. If you are experiencing hard starting or no starting, our new battery cables may be the solution.

Nooooooooooo.....

After achieving a masters degree in battery 'adjustment' via the University of Henry crash course, I felt quite confident and was able to solve the 'van won't start honey' dilemma (four times in the past two days!) I just needed to move this 'thingie'.

Apparently, I did not read the fine print in my degree stating that there was a statute of limitations. It ran out tonight after visiting with my friend Shelley. For being naughty, the van is spending the night in a 'time-out' in her driveway.

Of course, it was my night to carpool for hockey. However, stay calm...focus...I am a mother...Plan A: rent a car (NEVER ask Husband before you do this), Plan B: telephone for another ride and BEG.

Did I mention that Henry is far away with Jenny at her hockey tournament for the weekend?

Right about now, I'm thinking this is a good thing.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

sad, but so true...

IS YOUR KID'S HOCKEY TAKING OVER YOUR LIFE???

· You base the next purchase of your new vehicle on whether it will hold six kids, six sticks, and six hockey bags.

· You know the location of every Tim Horton's within a 400 mile radius.

· You relate directions to places by the nearest arena.

· Knows every single kid on every single team your child has ever played on... But doesn't have a clue who his school mates are.

· You feel lost when you have a free weekend.

· Your spouse waits until you decide where to sit and then chooses a spot on the opposite side of arena.

· You become a partner in a skate sharpening business to save money (we actually priced a machine last week!).

· Can justify complaining about someone who gives hundreds of hours of volunteer time to your son or daughter.

· You ground your kids for a week (except for hockey practice).

· Can rationalize spending $159 on a new goalie stick for a 13 year old (and new goalie pads, and new helmet), but won't spend $5 on a Birthday card for his wife.

· When someone asks how old your children are you respond, "I have a '94 and a '97."

· Has had to use a family member/neighbor to take kid #1 to a tournament because Dad was in a Different province with kid #2 at a tournament and Mom had kid #3 two provinces away in a 3rd tournament all in one weekend.

· Has more miles on '05 minivan than a '66 Chevy

· Practices make up a very large part of your social life.

· You buy gloves according to how loud you can clap in them.

· You find yourself missing the parents of your child's team mates during the off-season.

· You refuse to make any plans with your friends until you check your kids' hockey schedule.

· Takes out a home loan to pay for all the equipment and expenses.

· Plans birth of next child so he has a good hockey birthday.

· New baby's first word is Zamboni.

· All computer passwords begin with "hockey" or contain child's number.

· Has been barred from more than one rink on more than one occasion

· Purchases new $135.00 stick because old one "didn't have any saves left in it."

· Knows a few 5 year olds that are good but "lack focus".

· Has had kids ask if Christmas is "home or away".

· Asked to decide between try-out and first communion - asked church what his options were.

· Received a letter from AAA Automobile Club and called for more info about tryouts.

See you at the rink!