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.

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

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!

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)

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.

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!

Evolution

Teenagers with time on hands...
"I wonder if all of us could fit into the vehicle?"

Parents...
"Time for one more?"
(notice that Henry is right in the middle so that he can access more than one Pitcher?)

"Another round please!"



In the end, we were all happy.

i.e. The Chiefs won the Tim Horton's Hamilton Tournament!

out with the old...

Just like that...Jenny decided to redo her room...

nouveau teen mag decor is so passee...

Jenny's room is under 'construction' again and probably will remain a government project (no completion date), as there is no money in the budget to repave this particular section of road (yes, the powers that be decided to allow kitchen upgrades i.e. new fridge and stove-we'll have to devote a complete posting for that event!)

After months of wall to wall teen magazine pictures, many people are surprised to see the lovely decorating scheme underneath. It's like peeling back shaggy carpet and finding beautiful hardwood (well, maybe not...but you get my drift)

when you just can't do anymore laundry or dishes...

As the rest of the week will be spent at hockey arenas, I sat down in front of the TV tonight and decided to watch something new.

This new show, called Dragon's Den is quite something. It is on CBC.

Canadian people show up in front of five millionaires and pitch for money to market/sell their product.

Of course, the topper of the evening went to Gene Simmons Family Jewels
This show is hysterical and everyone in our family loves to watch it. You can't help but break out with laughter (which everyone needs at the end of a long Monday, and Tuesday, and Wednesday....)

shut up and drive!

I'm proud to say...Just like her mother at a concert!

For Jenny's birthday, we went to a concert on Sunday.

How appropriate that one of the songs is the story of my life...shut up and drive!

Rihanna and Akon were actually pretty good in concert...I only sound a little surprised because they aren't the 'old-school' concert 'bands' that you know are going to be good (like Van Halen...hint, hint Henry)

S.O.S and Umbrella were also awesome.

Michael and Jenny seemed to enjoy Akon better, but I didn't know as many of his songs as Rihanna's.

Jenny was very happy to take her friend, Katie...

as Henry opted out of this excursion...

(and I quote...)

Henry: who is she? (we listen to her songs in the van...)
Henry: that's not music (gee, sounds like MY father)
Henry: I'm not going to go.
Michael: Are you nuts???? She's HOT!!!!

THAT SHE IS...



And Akon isn't bad either!

you know it's time to go to bed when...

I was sorting papers tonight as Henry was annoyingly channel surfing from Futurama to Blue Jays along with a myriad of other flashes of night-time TV nothingness. My annoyance and my sorting came to an abrupt halt as I heard the opening notes of one of my favorite cartoons; Pinky and the Brain. After so many years, Henry knew to leave it right there and put down the remote! Needless to say, we spent a wonderful half-hour chuckling.
For those of you not familiar with this procrastinative past-time of watching cartoons, let me tell you that no average schmuck produced this baby. Spielberg himself is the executive producer on this one. Pinky and the Brain is a Spin-off of Animaniacs, produced by Warner Brothers. Pinky and The Brain are lab mice. One is brilliant the other is a drooling idiot (the tall skinny one: his laugh cracks me up every single time). The plot isn't too complicated (otherwise, why would Henry and I watch it at 9:30 at night?): they do the same thing they do every night: try to take over the world. Unfortunately, they always sabotage their own wacky plans and have to try again the next night.

Works for me...

It shouldn't amaze me, but it does...

I sometimes forget how friends have the ability to surprise me.

You all know that if you have kids...you endure fundraising.

There are two choices to fundraising...

1. hit up everyone you know over and over again
*however, you must be prepared to open that door when those who bought, come fundraising back

2. buy enough to not look cheap, fill your freezer/eat the junk/gain weight and quietly lament this fundraising era.

Our family 9 times out of 10 opted for choice number 2.

Henry couldn't exactly take all of this paperwork to the construction site, I was at home for the majority of this era (pets aren't very good paying customers), and Henry and I are the youngest on both sides of the family so nobody was interested in buying what we were selling. (I also HATED asking for anyone to buy something from us)

So it happens that Michael's hockey team is selling Elmira Poultry products for fundraising this year. Now, I know from past experience those around us that actually buy and like this product.
So I happened to mention it to a few people...

What amazes me (and it shouldn't), is that my friend Julie (see below) 'kidnapped' the sheet and took it with her to coffee last Sunday after mass, while I went to Sarnia to watch Michael play hockey. The generosity of our friends overwhelmed me when we got home to find the envelope filled with all kinds of orders! (Maybe going to church wasn't such a bad idea after all? God does reward in mysterious ways!)

Of course, having friends like this is worth more than anything (yes, they are quite funny, even when they're not drinking). A heartfelt thank you to all of you that covets Elmira Poultry and is willing to shell out the money for it.

I couldn't find pictures of everyone right away (y'all KNOW how many pictures I have stored by date in my computer????)

Thanks again, guys!

Finalists

Michael's team made it all the way to the Championship game at the Golden Blade this weekend in Sarnia. They played a strong team in the final and lost 3-1 with the third goal being an empty netter after Michael headed to the bench in order to put out the extra player.

We hooked up the trailer after consoling our sorrows drinking beer around Ferguson's campfire this afternoon. Stacey and Jesse...hosts with the mosts!

Henry - Aw come on...won't somebody play football with me? Henry, Chris and the boys played football until Chris felt something "pop". (Always a good time for the Dads to quit) Hopefully Chris had enough alcohol in him to loosen up whatever 'popped' and he will be okay tomorrow.

Jenny went with friends to watch the OHL game (London Knights vs. Saginaw) and had a great time. Personally, I think they spent the majority of their afternoon 'scoping' things out! Ah, I remember that age so well. Good thing Henry is already grey, because the next few years is going to stress him out I think.

All in all....an awesome weekend.

An Ideal Husband

Henry is great and all...but no, I'm not talking about him in this instance. I went to Stratford last night for my annual indulgence in partaking of the arts. Henry bids me "adieu" with great fanfare which included hopping in his truck and getting out of Dodge faster than I could say well, "ideal husband".

The play, by Oscar Wilde, is called "An Ideal Husband". It is a comedy that I found absolutely entertaining. The costumes were gorgeous, the actors brilliant, and the dialogue witty and 'laugh-out-loud' funny. For more info on the play, along with photos and review, go to A n E Vibe

Michael is in the Golden Blade hockey tournament in Sarnia this weekend, so the boys were more than happy to call Jenny and I with long distance updates (they are winning their games by blowouts 12-1, 27-0). The last time Henry phoned me, they were having a beer by the campfire (they are camping at Ferguson's - thank you for your hospitality guys!) They spent the afternoon between games at Gilmore's cottage...life is very rough for my boys. Jenny had her own hockey Friday and today. She played in Stratford this afternoon at the new arena. What a beautiful facililty! The chairs were nice and comfy! Jenny played awesome and the team skated strong to pull away with the win 6 - 3. Still just exhibition games...but I think they will have a good year.

Oh yeah, she DID look really good in all her new goalie gear.

And that fridge and stove is going to look REALLY good in my kitchen. (gotta laugh-hard- with the new Home Depot commercial The husband opens the door to a deliveryman with a delivery for "Furniture". The husband looks over at his wife, and she casually whips out a portable tape recorder and plays (something like) "Honey, if I get these golf clubs, you can have anything you want!"

The look on his face right before he signs the delivery order is PRICELESS.)

Up for debate...

Up for debate…

We all know of the massive campaign to stop people from smoking. A person who wants to smoke nowadays is quite restricted to where and when to light up. Not only are they harming themselves, but impose the health-risks to those unfortunate enough to be caught in the same zone as the smoker.

As you can tell, I can’t stand smoke. Don’t confuse this with not liking those who do smoke. If I can smell the smoke on you, you are WAY too close to me. If you smoke around me…I’ll move away. I have friends who smoke. They just respect my views on smoking. The same can be said for other ‘vices’. I am aware that Henry can’t stand the smell of coffee on my breath, as I abhor the smell of beer on his. Most times, we are aware of this, and respectfully try to avoid making the other person gag. It’s always a ‘give and take’ kind of thing.

Or so I thought until I read ‘this month’s debate’ in the Oct 2007 issue of Shape magazine. The question put to readers was,

“Should all restaurants be forced to use trans fat-free oils?”

(can you see where I’m going with this? Reminds me of the beginning of the campaign to stop smoking in public places)

At first I was surprised at the polling results…56% Yes, 44% No.

With obesity at an all time high and health care costs seemingly reflecting this, are we at the stage where public opinion will sway and elevate as the smoking issue did to force restaurants to the ‘healthy choice’?

There are good arguments for both sides.

Those that said yes obviously mentioned the health benefits, and the supposed ease to switch from non-healthy to healthier oils to improve people’s diets.

Those that said no, pointed out that the measure was too extreme, and as an alternative, restaurants should be forced to provide nutritional information for all their meals so that diners could make informed decisions. I really liked one readers response, “When it comes to helping people manage their weight, banning trans-fat oils won’t make as much of a difference as taking more drastic measures, like serving smaller portions.” Another reader said that a person should just stay home and cook if they are that concerned.

Like everything in today’s world, I think that society will dictate changes, with the media fueling the debate.

I am still on the fence with this one. I do think the idea has merit, but is society ready for all these ‘good for you’ decisions made for them? Restaurants and bars always seem to be the industries suffering the brunt of these ‘changes’. Will targeting just these industries be enough to change the obesity and health care costs concerns?

How much will THIS ONE cost the average taxpayer?

What is your opinion?

image problems

I have been having image problems (not with myself...although there are days!) with Blogger lately.

I tried posting a video the other day, as well as photos and now I can't see any images on my blog.

This may have something to do with my using Mozilla Firefox. I checked with another reader of my blog who uses Internet Explorer, and he is able to still see my pictures. Apparently blogger is working on this issue, but it makes it frustrating for me to see what I'm doing!

So hang in there folks...I'll be testing it over the next few days, so it may look odd (or not)

Keep me posted in the comments section so that I know what you're seeing.

I'm just curious...I tried to post a picture above of my niece and myself, but although it says it posted...I can't see it! Anybody????

Thanks!

no self control

Henry has absolutely no self control when put in a retail store that sells goalie equipment.

He debated for all of two minutes to buy Michael new goalie pads last April (he even remembers the date, April 21...how sick is that????)

It took less than two minutes to approve HIS daughters' purchase yesterday of new goalie pads (that are even MORE expensive than Michael's), a new blocker, a new helmet, and a new catcher.

Nobody plan on seeing Henry for another month, as he will be working and working any overtime I can convince his boss to give him in order to pay for this ... what are the words I'm looking for??? We might just as well take out another mortgage to finance this three goalie family!

Insanity...

Usually I don't complain about this stuff, but at the moment, I am royally pissed that Jenny just got a few thousand dollar shopping spree out of Henry, when I haven't figured out after seventeen years how to do this.

(So much for MY new fridge and stove/AGAIN...damn)

p.s. Jenny apparently doesn't GET how I feel about this, as she just told me that they got a FREE goalie stick along with this wonderful purchase!

This little tidbit of info doesn't take the edge off whatsoever...

Potter

Can you believe it...Michael actually BEAT me to finishing Harry Potter!

(I finished the book the first day back while we were at goalie camp.)

Of course, he was able to read in the back of the truck (while we were on holidays) for seven hours at a time...me, I was too busy checking out all the lighthouses enroute (this one is Cape Ray, Newfoundland)


History of the lighthouse (double click on the picture for a larger print reading)...you know that there is ALWAYS a history with each lighthouse! It still amazes me that families lived solitary lives to protect those on the water. Some lighthouse keepers were paid very well (Cape Spear, for example); others were not. Tomorrow, I'll post the Cape Spear info.

As requested...Henry on holidays...

I know...I know...hardly recognizable!


Funny, that you should mention the lack of Henry and guinea pig photos...look what I found:

newfie land

Michael, Bailey and Jenny on a rock, on "The Rock"


I even managed to find a mini golf course with a light house!


Bailey on "the Rock"

Adapting...

THE BODY (AND MIND) IS A RESILIENT PIECE OF WORK THAT IS CAPABLE OF ADAPTING TO A MYRIAD OF CIRCUMSTANCES. WHEN WE WERE AWAY ON HOLIDAYS, WE WENT TO BIG FALLS, NEWFOUNDLAND TO WITNESS THE SALMON RUN. OVER TIME, THESE FISH HAVE ADAPTED AND EVEN CHANGED THEIR BODIES TO BECOME LONGER IN ORDER TO SURVIVE THEIR JUMPING UP THESE FALLS TO MAKE IT OUT TO THE OCEAN.

A TRULY AMAZING FEAT TO WITNESS.

ANOTHER TRULY AMAZING FEAT TO WITNESS WAS MY ADAPTATION TO THE COLD THIS WEEK INSIDE THE ARENA (NOT THAT MY BODY CHANGED OR ANYTHING…SOMEHOW LOSING A FEW POUNDS DOESN’T SEEM TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH ADAPTING TO THE COLD) THE HUMID EX OUTSIDE IS IN THE TROPICAL RANGE OF 35 DEGREES. FASHION THEREFORE DICTATES SHOWING AS MUCH SKIN AS LEGALLY POSSIBLE. HOWEVER, MERE STEPS AWAY THROUGH THE SLIDING GLASS DOORS EXISTS SUBZERO TEMPERATURES FOR THOSE CRAZY PEOPLE CALLED GOALIES (AND EVEN CRAZIER PEOPLE CALLED ‘MOTHERS’ WHO INSIST ON SITTING IN THE COLD PART TO SUPPORT THEIR PROGRESS)

IN PAST YEARS, THE ROUTINE HAS BEEN TWO HOURS IN THIS CLIMATE IN THE MORNING, A WARM UP BREAK FOR AN HOUR LUNCH AND THEN ANOTHER TWO HOURS FREEZING IN THE AFTERNOON. MY BODY ADAPTED TO THIS QUITE WELL WITH A WELL-PLACED BLANKET AND FLEECE PULL-OVER.

THIS YEAR AT GOALIE CAMP HAS BEEN A LITTLE BIT MORE DIFFICULT FOR ME. JENNY GOES ON THE ICE FROM 9 – 11 AND 1 -3. MICHAEL IS ON THE ICE FROM 11 – 1 AND 3 – 5. COUNT THE HOURS PEOPLE THAT I AM SITTING IN THE ICE-BOX! TUESDAY WAS EXCEPTIONALLY LONG WITH ANOTHER GOALIE CLINIC IN THE MIX (9 A.M. TO 9 P.M.)

VANITY, IS OF COURSE EVERYTHING AND PEOPLE LOOK QUITE FOOLISH COMING OUT OF THE ARENA IN JEANS, SHOES, AND JACKETS AND IMMEDIATELY MELTING TO A PUDDLE BEFORE THEY GET TO THEIR CARS. I, OPT FOR A SLIGHTLY LESSER ‘LOOK’ BY COMING OUT OF THE ARENA QUITE PURPLE BUT STILL RETAINING THE ‘SUMMER LOOK’ OF BEING IN FLIP-FLOPS, SHORTS AND T-SHIRT, CARRYING MY SWEATER AND BLANKET FASHIONABLY OVER MY ARM. OF COURSE, I WON’T WEAR MY NAVY BLUE SHORTS AGAIN, AS THEY BLEND IN TOO WELL WITH MY MAUVE LEGS AT THE END OF THE DAY! I AM LEARNING TO TAN WELL AND WEAR BRIGHT RED TOE NAIL POLISH TO HIDE THIS CRAZINESS OF BEING A YEAR-ROUND HOCKEY MOTHER.

ALL IN ALL, I THINK THAT I HAVE MADE IT THROUGH THIS GOALIE CAMP VERY WELL.

HOW DID MICHAEL AND JENNY DO, YOU ASK? POOR BABIES, IT WAS GRUELING FOR THEM…THEY TOLD ME EVERY NIGHT ALL ABOUT THEIR ACHES AND PAINS AND PAINFULLY SHOWED US THEIR BLISTERS AS THEY LIMPED AROUND THE HOUSE.

FUNNY, NOT ONCE DID THEY ASK ME HOW I WAS COPING WITH THE EARLY MORNING RISING AND DRIVING, AND THE EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES IN THE ARENA. I AM PROUD OF MY BODY AND ITS' RESISTANCE TO SUCCUMB TO FROST BITE. (MY TOES ONLY TINGLE NOW INSTEAD OF GOING NUMB!) I THINK IN A FEW MONTHS I'LL BE READY TO ADAPT TO HEAT, SAND, AND SUN (PREFERABLY IN A TROPICAL SOUTHERN LOCATION BELOW THE EQUATOR...OF COURSE, I'LL BE GOING BY MYSELF BECAUSE EVERYONE ELSE WILL BE IN A TOURNAMENT, OR PLAYOFFS, OR...ADAPTING TO MY SUDDEN PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL DEPARTURE)

LIFE IS ALL ABOUT PERSPECTIVE, LOOKING AT THE FUNNY SIDE OF THINGS…AND, OF COURSE, ADAPTING.

Darien Lake

If you look very carefully, you can see how Michael and I are so similar!

One of the components of our trip was Darien Lake, an amusement park that never ceases to amuse our family (hence why we keep going back each summer) Henry, Michael and Jenny go mostly for the roller coasters, mostly the Superman (I mean "Ride of Steel" as it is now called as Darien is no longer owned by six flags)
Me, I enjoy other aspects of the park...the huge ferris wheel, the water rides, the merry-go-round and the funnel cakes. Oh, and I must of course, mention wack-a-mole, my favorite carny game. Henry and I faced off against each other for the championship title.
I had him at the first mole.
(That, or Henry has learned a thing or two after sixteen years of being married to me!)
Our friend, Brenda, videotaped my victory dance. She looked quite surprised at the spectacle I made...I don't think that she had seen this side of me yet. Henry actually caught my slightly rougish streak as I bumped the crap out of our friends at bumper cars. (Who knew that I also have the family trait of sticking my tongue out when I concentrate?)

The funnel cake gods were not nice to me the first two days...can you believe they didn't have any apple or strawberry topping??? I had it all planned out, Apple on Monday...Strawberry on Tuesday, and just a sugar-coated one on Wednesday. Of course, you realize with my family, I had to make excuses to sneak off to actually have one all to myself! However, my family knows me better than I think, as they tracked me like a seasoned pro and innocently asked to share. Some days being a mother is just too much for me. Check future posts, as I will compare this episode to our puffin-watching boat tour.