Oh My!

We have been having some big Oh My moments lately.  Let's start with the weather. . .

Because of the snow last week, our schools ended up being closed the entire week.  Really.  It was only somewhere between 8 and 9 inches, but we were closed.  Okay, so I got why on Tuesday.  Maybe even Wednesday because some of the streets to the west of us are mountainous and unpaved so they can't be plowed and so the school buses can't get to the kids. . .nice long run on sentence, eh?  But Thursday??  Really???  And then because this Monday was supposed to be a Teacher work day for the Quarter Break (did they even go enough to make a quarter???) they decided to close Friday and be open on Monday.  Really messes with the day care situation.

My office was open all but Tuesday.  So, not realizing Aidan would be off all week, I took him to work with me on Wednesday.  He was really good.  Surprisingly good.  He drew pictures, did his homework and even helped people out.  We ate lunch together and then Pat picked him up when he got off work.  Perfect!  Thursday I had to take him to Winwood ($70.00) for the day. And then Friday I had our neighbor girl watch him for the day ($50.00).  If you're keeping track, that snow cost me $120.00!    Oh My!

Moving on. . .

Aidan's hockey team had a game in Waldorf, Maryland on Saturday afternoon.  The drive was 1 1/2 hours each way and we were there for a little over 2 hours, 1 for the pregame warm up, 1 for the game, and then a little extra for a Coach's meeting with the '06 parents.  We left the house at 10:45 and got home at 4:30.  And the car is now covered in salt. . .It looks pink instead of red!

The Southern Maryland Sabres were also undefeated.  When the kids came out and did the on ice warm up, this boy came out

And he was the opposing player against Aidan!!  I swear he was three times Aidan's size. . .but my baby out skated and out manouvered him!!!  And Aidan's team won 5-0!!!  A shut out!!!  And then we heard the boys on the other team crying in the locker room because they lost. . .  : (

Oh My!!

Gluten Free life continues.  I've gotten pretty good about the eating part.  I have had a couple of contamination instances but my reaction is pretty minimal--red cheeks and nose and face very warm.  I didn't realize in the past that these were Gluten reactions.  Interesting. . .So now I'm moving on to cosmetics and other personal products.  I'll be picking up Tom's of Maine toothpaste and deoderant this weekend along with a mascara I know I can use.  The regular make up I already use is Bare Minerals so I'm safe there.  But, I do wear lipstick.  And the best ones I need to order. . .to the tune of $20.00 per tube!  This is getting expensive people. . .

Oh My!!

Although the yard is locked in an icy grip, Pat and I have been talking about our patio that we want to put in this Spring.  And I've been thinking about a Kitchen Garden too.  I love growing things in the dirt and since we're redoing our back yard anyway, I thought we could change up our vegetable garden and put in things, in a bit more moderation than in the past, that I am really using in our new Gluten Free cooking.  I've been covetously staring at a seed catalog which specializes in Kitchen Gardens. . .I have a list. . .And I can't wait!!

That's not really an Oh My, except that it's depressing that the yard is locked in an icy grip!

Pat has been moving things around in our house.  The couch and TV that had been in the Rec Room are now in the Man Cave.  The couch that had been in the Family Room is now in the Rec Room and he wants to take the two chairs down there too.  The old couch that had been in the Rec Room is awaiting pick up to go to the dump. . .which all leaves the Family Room empty.  I guess we're going furniture shopping. . .

Oh My!!!

And finally, my mom. . .I don't know what to say about this.  She is at the Rehab Center, but her orthopeadic doctor thinks she'll be there 3-4 months and then she cannot go home and live alone again.  She has severe osteoporosis and even a minor bump can shatter her bones.  She currently has a fracture in her leg that no one is sure how it happened.  Added to that is the possibility she has leukemia--although she refuses to see her oncologist because she just doesn't want to know.  And she has been fighting with my sisters about where she is going to live after the Rehab Center.  I really don't know what to do.  I just ask for some prayers.

That's about it.  Aidan's team has two games this weekend and both, thankfully, are at home.  Other than that, we are hanging out and watching the Super Bowl and just relaxing.  For a change.  Oh My!!!  : )

Snow Days (PICTURE and VIDEOS ADDED!!)

Well, it is winter.  And winter around here frequently means snow.  And when we get snow. . .sometimes just the mention of snow. . .our schools close.  This time we did get over 8 inches and the temperature dropped like a rock and the wind picked up.  Miserable.  Glad to be home!

Aidan spent the better part of yesterday outside.  Either shoveling or playing.  He came in for a nice warm lunch and to warm up for a bit by the fire, though.  I kept the fire going all day.  It was nice to sit by it while that snow piled up outside.

I didn't just goof off though.  I actually cleaned out our file folders and got everything together to be ready for tax time.  We still need a few more statements, but otherwise I'm ready!

Yesterday was also Pat's birthday.  Not very fun for him, though.  He had to work.  But we made up for it by making a nice pot roast for dinner and then a dessert of brownies with gluten free ice cream (I didn't have the brownie though.)  Gifts were given and Aidan sang!!  Hilarious.  Poor Pat. . .

Aidan was off on Monday for the Martin Luther King holiday.  It was a scheduled day off for Pat so the boys went hunting for duck and rabbit. . .I don't know what we'll do with these things and I am not a fan of Aidan hunting, but it will happen I guess.  He seemed to have a great time and didn't come home traumatized.  So, I'll just have to let my mommy feelings go on this one.

Aidan's hockey team racked up two more wins this past weekend.  We only have one Travel game this coming weekend--in Southern Maryland.  But we have House League games on Friday and on Sunday, so we'll still be busy with hockey!  It's fun to watch and lately a lot more fun than the Capitals!  yes, I said that out loud. . .

So far, I'm doing pretty good on this new gluten free diet.  It does take a lot more planning, but I have to admit I really am enjoying the cooking.  And I have to also admit all of the fresh herbs and spices in the cooking is really noticeable!  We were definitely using too much processed food. . .So far, we like the Chicken with Canneloni and Tomatoes; Gluten Free Pot Roast; and Cuban Black Beans and Rice with roasted Chicken.  We didn't care much for the Italien Beef over Mashed Potatoes.  It wasn't bad, it just wasn't one we'll likely do again.  Thanks go out to a nice lady who sent me a comment with a couple of websites for gluten free!  The pot roast recipe came from one of those!

My mom is recovering from her latest hip replacement surgery, but very slowly.  The hip is healing very well.  She has a lot of other issues as a result of the cancer and cancer treatment though which are causing so many problems for her.  I think she is moving out of the hospital today and going into the Rehab Center.  We're looking at Assisted Living places near my older sister because we just don't think she can live on her own anymore.  She keeps falling. . .


That's about it for now.  Stay warm, especially if you're out here in the East.  We're back in the Vortex today!  (Sure wish that thing would stay in the Artic. . .)

Have a great rest of the week!

Mid January Already!

Time is just flying by!  So much is happening and so much is on the schedule to happen.  Where to I begin to talk about it?


To begin with, aren't you all glad that cold snap didn't last any longer than it did?  It was so cold!  Anytime I see a minus sign on the thermometer, even when I'm inside my nice warm home, I feel cold.

brrrrrr................

But, our recent weeks have been in the ice house so much that the weather outside is not a huge problem.  The ice house is open regardless of the weather!


A couple of weekends ago, Aidan had his House League practice on Friday, then on Saturday evening we drove down to Dale City for a game--which our boys won!  and then Sunday morning, we drove over to Bowie, Maryland for another game--which our boys also won!!  Aidan played really really well in both games.  He's really coming along in his skills.  He has been working on a Sharp Angle Shot (basically a top shelf shot from the side and almost behind the net) with a lot of success.  I can't wait to see him do this for his travel team.  It worked perfectly for his House League team this weekend.

Puck handling during game against Bowie. . .

Aidan scores!!!  See the puck in the back of the net??

He's been invited to be on an elite team this spring and summer.  It's pretty exciting.  I've been told only four boys in his birth year from his ice house will be on this team.  I think there will 14 or 16 boys from different ice houses in our area, all 2006 birth year.  With this team, we'll be travelling for sure to Connecticut , New Jersey, and Maine over the summer.  There's a fourth tournament in Massachusetts which we might go to, but we'll see.  It's right before school starts and his other team will be gearing up by that time.  We'll probably make a vacation out of one or two of these trips.  Already setting up to be a fun and exciting summer!


A few weeks ago, Grandma gave Aidan a bag of coins.  We finally sat down to sort, count and wrap the coins.  At first, Aidan said he was very excited to be doing this with me.

This is really fun, mama, counting money with you!

 Then, he told me how bored he was. . . .

Mama, this is really pretty boring. . .do I have to keep doing this???

Then he was gone. . .

Aidan is no where in sight. . .sigh. . .

So, those coins are being deposited, in total, into his savings account. . .if you aren't going to put in the time, buddy, no fun will come of these coins!!  : )  So sayeth the Mama who wrapped them all. . .


My mom is back in the hospital again.  She fell and broke her hip.  Luckily it wasn't the one she had already had replaced a couple of years ago.  I guess that's a luckily.  Anyway, she is very very sick.  Her white blood cell count is extremely high.  Hopefully the infection that she has can be controlled enough for her to have the surgery.  Prayers are requested. . .


And I just found out that I have Celiac Disease.  Crazy.  I have been anemic for a while and felt run down.  But my tiredness I attributed to being my age with a very active 7 year old boy.  But, when the anemia didn't respond to the iron supplements my doctor put me on, further tests were done.  It's a definite.  I have Celiac Disease.  And the really awful, sad, but still kind of funny thing is that I have been eating Cream of Wheat every morning for breakfast in an effort to be healthy and to boost my iron!  I had no idea I was actually kind of poisoning myself.  And so, we are on a Gluten Free diet now.  Me, totally and my boys somewhat.  I have to be careful, though and not let my food be contaminated by the gluten in food the guys are eating. We had chicken thighs cooked over Cannelini beans and grape tomatoes that were tossed in olive oil, fresh thyme and fresh basil with a little cracked pepper and sea salt last night.  Yum!!  Tonight we're trying Italien beef and peppers over mashed potatoes.  Looks like it will be good, too!




That's about it.  This weekend there are no House League practices or games.  But Aidan's travel team has two games:  Reston on Saturday and NoVa on Sunday.  And then we'll begin the celebration of Daddy turning 50!!  I know he's glad I wrote that. . .  : )

Have a great rest of the week!

Midlife Crisis? Project List and Prayers for Others

2013 ended with as much of a flurry of activity as it had all during the year. . .and 2014 has started with excitement, new beginnings, and a continued crazy schedule.

On New Years Eve, we went down to Tysons Corner-a place we ordinarily purposely avoid!- and bought a dream car for Pat.  It is a used 2012 Camero (yes, he is turning 50 in a couple of weeks : ) ). . .used, but only has 4200 miles on it!  It has all of the bells and whistles, is black, a convertible and I actually feel comfortable behind the wheel.  Not that I have driven it.  Not that I have even ridden in it yet!  Hey, what's up with that??? 

Anyway.

It is beautiful.  And, although this means we currently have 5 vehicles, Pat has promised to sell the old Neon in March.  And so, my chances of getting a car, that is mine, into the garage has just diminished even more--Pat's '73 Corvette and now the Camero are in there. . .  : ( 

Aidan loves the new Camero.  I think he is thinking it may be his in 10 years. . .  : /

And here it is

Beauty, isn't it??  Yeah.  It really is.

I did find the new Chevy Traverse that I really like, though.  Pat even liked it.  I'm hoping I can trade the Tahoe in on one of those in a couple of years.

Aidan decided on New Years Eve, he wanted to try and stay up to midnight.  He almost made it, too!  All the way to 11:23.  We woke him up at 5 minutes to midnight, wished him a Happy New Year and then trundled him off to bed.  Hilariously, he took one look at his bed and said, "Oh yeah!  There's my bed!"  Crawled in and was out.  And he slept until almost 10:30 the next morning.

New Year's day, I spent the day taking the inside Christmas decorations down and packing them up for next year.  It is a bittersweet operation.  As much as I love Christmas, I was just exhausted this year, so I was kind of glad to have everything looking fresh and uncluttered again.  I'm hoping to be more myself next year. . .over the top! 

We also watched the Winter Classic which was played outside up in Michigan.  Oh my!  It looked so cold and snowy.  Little did we know that that was heading our way!  The forecast for January 2nd was rain changing over to snow in the evening and then getting cold on the 3rd.  Well, my friends, the cold front moved in much sooner!  We had full on snow by early afternoon on the 2nd which resulted in about 5 inches and then that night the cold cold wind began to blow.

On January 3rd, I woke up and saw this on the fancy new weather station I got for Christmas

Yes, that says 14* with a windchill of -3* and wind of 19mph.  That was the steady wind here and gusts to 25 and 30.  It was sooo cold!  This is Virginia, people!  It's technically part of the South!  Come on!! 

We've gotten spoiled (so they say) with not having this kind of weather for at least 20 years.

It took me an hour to scrape the frozen snow off my car!  I was in tears because my fingers hurt so bad from the cold. . .which freaked Aidan out (sorry, baby!) and he went and got Pat up who helped me get the car cleaned off so I could go to work.  Aidan was off school due to the weather, so Pat kept him busy with inside things at Grandma and Grandpas and then at home, too.  I then brought home subs and we holed up in the warm Man Cave and spent the evening there. 

I thank God that we have such a nice warm house.  It's on evenings like that that I just really feel so for the homeless.  I know there are shelters, but honestly, that is little comfort on these bitterly cold nights.  And, I hear there is more, and even colder, to come!  Pray for those without to have a place to go and give thanks we have such nice warmth.

Meanwhile, back at our busy schedule. . .

Aidan has a game today at Prince William in Woodbridge, Virginia and then tomorrow morning in Bowie, Maryland.  But then we'll be free the rest of Sunday.  Maybe I'll get some work done on my workroom. . .

Yes, Maggie is pulling away a little. . .just a little. . .  : )

And, so, we have some projects lined up.  We seem to make project lists like most people make resolution lists!  First off, we're getting the gas fireplace we bought last summer hooked up in the Rec Room.  Hopefully in the next week or so.  Then, we're adding some pull down attic stairs in my workroom so I can get some things packed away and out of sight (not to mention I'll have a new present hiding place other than my closet!  shhhh!!)

In March, we're planning to have our kitchen countertops, stovetop and sink replaced.  So excited for that!!!  I've been wanting to do that for a couple of years. . .

At some point this year, we're also planning to paint and put down wood floors in our bedroom and my work room with Pat building me some shelves, similar to those shown behind Aidan above, as well in my work room.  So excited also to do this!!!  Two more rooms will be liberated from the carpet scene. . .And the shelves!!!!  Love them in the office and can't wait to have them in the work room which will have a writing desk, daybed with trundle and other work space for wrapping gifts, etc.  That room faces west and looks out at the park across the street.  Such a nice restful view.

That's about it.  I guess I'll just ask for some prayers--I'm having a little procedure done on Monday.  Pray that all goes well and that there are no complications.

Blessings on your 2014!