according.to.kim

The next two months

May and June are going to be crazy for us. We have soccer four nights a week for the next eight weeks {cringe*}, dance classes two nights a week (as usual) for the next five weeks, and weekend commitments for the next seven weekends in a row -- several of those involve Irish dance as we gear up for Mosaic. (Thankfully, both Sparks and Brownies end next week.) On top of all that, I'm desperate to keep working on things at home -- my paper clutter class (four more weeks), other organizing and purging projects (so many things I want to get done NOW), yard work (oh, the yard work!), printing my backlog of photos (four more weeks), my Library of Memories class (four more weeks -- this is the scrapbooking part of the class and I was really hoping to participate!)... arrrgggghhhh. Obviously, some things are simply not going to happen. Notice I didn't even mention regular housework. Without a doubt, our house will not be very tidy over the next two months! When I do have time to work on something, I would rather move forward on some bigger projects than tidy up a space that will look just the same within a day or two. (Of course, the mess will drive me nuts at some point!)

*How'd that happen? / What the H-E-double-hockey-stick were we thinking?! Well, all three girls wanted to play soccer this year; Georgia is excited that she can finally do something her sisters are doing; we haven't done soccer since 2006; and it's pretty hard to say no to an activity that gives children lots of fresh air and exercise, and is both inexpensive and close to home (the soccer fields are only half a block from our house), don't you agree?! Of course, the girls are in three different age groups and I thought there might be some overlap in their games (which would have been good), but no -- there's no overlap whatsoever! Madeline's games are M/W, Sophia's games are T/Th, and Georgia's are Thursday, before Sophia's. I sure won't complain if we have the odd cancellation due to rain, but I do not look forward to the crappy cold and windy weather that's sure to happen, especially in May. Nice weather will go a long way toward making this a pleasant experience for all of us! Fingers crossed.

Correction (May 1): Just learned that soccer runs for seven weeks, not eight -- yay!

Pats game and budding photographer

Madeline took this photo at the Brandt Centre on Saturday. I like the angle. She used our little camera to take almost a hundred photos over the weekend at various places. It's pretty funny what a five-year old will photograph! (And odd -- there are several photos of an unknown lady at this same location.)

Neil decided to take Sophia and Madeline to a Pats hockey game last week. It was going to be their first live hockey game (of course they've had many opportunities to see NHL hockey on TV). On Thursday, he got tickets for the three of them to see a playoff game on Saturday night.

Unfortunately, when Saturday came along, Sophia had come down with a fever and couldn't go. She was disappointed, but handled it fairly well (a sign she's growing up, for sure). So, Neil called his cousin's nine-year old son and he agreed to go to the game with Neil and Madeline. By coincidence, my brother and his family also had tickets for the same game (but in a different section) and by chance they saw each other before the game as they were entering the Brandt Centre. As for the game, Madeline was ready to go home within the first period, but I understand she was pretty good throughout.

Sparks Winter Camp

Just a few photos from the Sparks Winter Camp (and mother- daughter sleepover). The girls went snow-shoeing in Wascana Park this morning. What a perfect morning for it! And the hoar frost was absolutely gorgeous. I'm very glad we attended the camp. It was well-organized with lots of fun activities, indoors and out, and good food. I really enjoyed the "international" theme of this year's camp and I think the girls did too. I could go on and on about everything we did and ate, but frankly, I'm just too tired! We were very busy last evening and today, and I didn't have the best sleep last night -- as you can imagine, sleeping on a thin camping mat on the floor of a room with about 30 other people!

Daily scan: 20 Feb 1998

Simply happenstance that my first scan is of a photo taken 10 years ago this month. In February 1998, Neil and I drove to Salt Lake City for vacation. We did some skiing (Neil) and snowboarding (me) in Montana and near SLC in Utah. We stayed with my cousin, Nate (and his girlfriend at the time), who only lived in SLC for a year or two, I think. While there, Neil and I spent three days at the Family History Library and learned so many things about my ancestors on the Byrns side. It was great! I enjoyed piecing together the genealogy puzzle. Neil was very helpful and supportive. That library is such an incredible resource! We looked through many books and pored over microfilm and microfiche of very old documents.

And what about the photo itself? This is a sign for Trolley Square, a shopping centre in Salt Lake City. (I have just learned it is on the National Register of Historic Places.) I remember buying saltwater taffy and visiting a Williams- Sonoma store there. The theatre sign lists these movies: under "The Flick", Hard Rain, Kundun, Wings of a Dove, and under "Trolley Theatres", The Wedding Singer, LA Confidential, The Borrowers, The Replacement Killers, and Palmetto. (Of those movies, I've only seen The Wedding Singer.)

The Grey Cup

I had no idea this was going to happen today...
I just happened to have a meeting with a manager from The Wireless Age this morning and she mentioned that the Grey Cup would be at their store this afternoon. Of course, I had to let Neil know about it. He hadn't seen the cup up close yet. I really had no intention of being photographed with it, but a bunch of people insisted. And the players (Anton Mackenzie and Mike McCullough) insisted that Neil hoist the cup!

Daily pic: 26 Nov 07

The Green Mile

All five of us were there! Hooray for Saskatchewan!

Daily pic: 25 Nov 07

We're off to watch the Grey Cup at our friends' home and we're taking bison ribs and pork ribs for supper. Neil also made a special barbecue sauce for them. Mmmm!

Kick-off in 56 minutes. GO RIDERS GO!

Daily pic: 23 Nov 07

Friday, November 23 was Green Day in Saskatchewan and we participated, of course! Neil wouldn't have it any other way.  And the rest of us are certainly willing to join in the fun (it doesn't hurt that Sophia and Bronwyn's favourite colour is green!). I was kind of glad I had to work yesterday as I got to see how many people in my work place and in the mall were decked out in their Roughrider gear or in any green they could find. There were lots! For those of us in my office who didn't have any official Rider clothing, a coworker made up some Roughrider logo stickers for us to don.

In keeping with this theme, and in the off-chance you haven't seen it, here's a fun video with Jason Plumb and The Willing singing Paint the Whole World Green. I don't know about you, but my inbox is full of Rider-related email messages! I don't mind. This is so huge. Saskatchewanians, no matter where they currently live, have Grey Cup Fever. There's no doubt about it.

I don't recall anything quite like this in the past. Maybe I wasn't paying attention. I lived here in 1997, the last time the Riders went to the Grey Cup. Was it this big of a deal? In 1989, I went to a Grey Cup party with a bunch of Agros in Saskatoon and the Riders won. I do remember everyone taking to the streets after the game, but I was oblivious to any pre-game excitement. Of course, at that time, I wasn't dating or married to someone who "bleeds green"!

Oh, and what about the amazing generousity of the Rider Nation?! I think it's fantastic that 11 young people with cancer (each to be accompanied by a parent or caregiver) get to go to the Grey Cup in Toronto -- all through the donations and work of individuals, corporations, and the Roughrider organization just since Monday. I love stories like this.

(The picture is Neil, Sophia, and Bronwyn making pizza for supper. Our niece is staying with us all weekend while her mom is in Toronto for work meetings. She won't be going to the Grey Cup game, but she's going to Riderville tonight and has been able to see TO painted green!)

P.S. I forgot to mention that on Thursday, on the bus for a field trip that included Grades 1-3, Sophia and Bronwyn learned to sing the chorus of Green is the Colour (see the lyrics for several Rider songs) and they've since enjoyed singing it at the top of their lungs whenever the mood strikes. They've also had a couple Rider Pride days at school over the past month.

{Who knew I would have so much to say about this?!}

Daily pic: 19 Nov 07

Today was a pretty ordinary (and dreary) Monday, except for one thing: the undeniable excitement and buzz over the Riders heading to the Grey Cup. I haven't lived in other places with CFL teams, but I suspect nothing compares to Rider Pride. Look out TO!

Daily pic: 18 Nov 07

I took this one while Georgia, Neil, and I waited for the Santa Claus parade to begin this afternoon. (I love taking pictures in natural light!) Sophia and Madeline were on the Girl Guides float in the parade, so we had to be there an hour and 15 minutes before the parade started. Lots of waiting. The temperature wasn't bad today, but the wind chill made it necessary to bundle up.

How 'bout those Riders?! Off to the Grey Cup. Good stuff!

Daily pic: 17 Nov 07

A great many Saskatchewanians are on pins and needles as the clock counts down toward the CFL Western Final to be played Sunday afternoon in BC. Go Riders!

Daily pic: 11 Nov 07

I caught the last few minutes of the game on TV as the Riders won the West division semi-final. All the sweeter as it was their first home playoff game in 19 years. In fact, the mere occasion of hosting a playoff game was enough to precipitate a 32-page preview in yesterday's local paper. This is major excitement in our province. Even I can't ignore it. Well, I do hope they go all the way! It's nice to be surrounded with glee.

Daily pic: 17 Oct 07

I was asked to sub for one match of volleyball tonight, and I agreed -- of course! I couldn't turn down a chance to play volleyball even though I had been looking forward to a free(ish) evening. Unfortunately, it was rather exhausting ('twas my first game of the season), and I didn't know anyone on the team (not a big deal), and I hurt my hip (twisted it somehow; ouch!), and we lost both games (pretty badly)... but that's okay -- I still got to play volleyball! I just love this sport. And I know I've said that before.

Daily pic: 15 Sep 07

When the temperature dipped to minus five two nights ago, our Elm trees dropped a lot of their leaves. And when we were getting ready for the wedding Friday morning, Sophia was not happy that we wouldn't let her rake them. Bathing took priority. So, as soon as she was dressed this morning, Sophia was out there raking leaves. Is there any way I could bottle this enthusiasm for yard work and save it for when she's a teenager? I know I'm gonna need it then!

We had another eventful day. Within an hour of getting up this morning, Georgia threw up a couple times then went back to sleep for about three hours. She was totally fine after that. I'm surprised but SO glad! I'm sure Neil was very relieved...

Neil stayed home with Georgia while Sophia, Madeline, and I went to the Hotel Saskatchewan for Rich and Melinda's gift opening. Afterwards, I helped take some family portraits of my Grandma Mantay and her six daughters in the hotel and then in Victoria park. The weather was lovely! And it was a stroke of luck that a friend of mine was in the park too and she offered to watch the girls while I took photos.

From there, the girls and I headed to the museum for Sophia to attend a birthday party. It wasn't easy (tears were shed), but I managed to convince Sophia to let me leave the party briefly to take Madeline home. (I wonder when Sophia will out-grow this behavior.) I headed back to the party before too long and was there for most of it. Oh well. Sometimes it's good to be reminded that your kids aren't the only ones who wipe their hands on their shirts.

Meanwhile, Neil and Georgia watched the Rider game. Madeline had better things to do. Neil isn't too happy after today's CFL results. I'm sure he's not alone.

We put the kids to bed fairly early. Madeline was so painfully tired from staying up until midnight the night before and then getting up shortly after 8:00 a.m., that everything in the world was devastating to her. For example, she was looking at her first year scrapbook tonight and when she saw our old area rug in photos, she cried hysterically because we gave it to Auntie Laurel for her basement -- last fall. OK. Bedtime!

Daily pic: 02 Sep 07

On the day of the Labour Day Classic, I can't think of any photo more appropriate than this. Especially this year. Go Riders!

P.S. What an exciting finish! The Riders came from behind and won the game with a surprise touchdown in the last minute.

Daily pic: 13 Jul 07

It's not easy to get Neil to smile for a photo -- unless he's on his way to a Rider game! (The girls and I always drive him there and he takes a cab home.)

Let's talk Riders

Disclaimers:

1. I don't yet know the outcome to tonight's game against BC. I'm afraid to look after seeing my friend K's status: "wondering where the Riders of yester-game went...?"!
2. I should warn you, if you're looking for a discussion about the Saskatchewan Roughriders team (i.e., players, coaching, or, anything related to football), you're definitely in the wrong place! There are other blogs for that. (I may have just lost a bunch of readers with those links! Neil, are you still with me?)

Okay. You may have noticed (especially if you know me in person) that I'm not terribly enthusiastic about the Riders. Why is that? Well, it's not that I don't like the Riders. I know it's not obvious, but I do like them. It is nice to have a local team that people get excited about and I certainly want them to win. After all, the general mood around my house, office, city, and province is always much happier when they win. Who wouldn't want that? (Go Riders!) But, but...

What happens when there's a Rider game, whether home or away, is that I temporarily become a single parent. (Neil may argue that point with reference to away games, but really, while the game is on, he's only home in body, not in spirit. What good is that?!) This may get easier over time, but right now my kids are the proverbial "hand full". Plus, the games usually coincide with supper and/or bedtime which are the most challenging times of the day.

Also, I'm always trying to get stuff done (perhaps that's my fault, being such a busy-body 'n' all) and it bugs me that everything comes to a screeching halt when the Riders are playing. I really have to put the schedule on my calendar so I know when to expect this down-time which is typically between five and eight hours per home game. Gah. My weekends are short enough already! (This wouldn't be an issue if they would just play while I'm at work. Guess that doesn't work for too many fans, huh?)

Last but not least, when the Riders lose, it causes Neil to be in a Very Bad Mood. (This year: so far, so good!) I just don't care to get so emotionally invested in something I have no control over and I'd prefer that Neil didn't either. But that's just me.

Oh yeah, and Neil has to read (paper and online), watch, and listen to every flippin' mention of the Riders in the media. This post, Dinner buffet, from Rider Rumblings pretty much sums up what it's like around here during the CFL season -- except that we have three kids adding to the noise level! (Have I mentioned that I love silence?)

Perhaps I'll feel more enthusiastic about the Riders when the kids are older (and less work), especially if Neil succeeds in training them to become Rider fans. Then he can them take them to the games while I have some free time! Or, I suppose we could all go -- but only when my kids are old enough to go to the bathroom by themselves. Spending half the game in the ladies' washroom is not my definition of fun!

For any Rider fans left reading this, I can't comment on the team itself, but I will say that for my radio-listening pleasure, I'm very happy with the new GM, Eric Tillman. He seems like a nice, smart guy and he's wonderfully articulate. Sounds like he's building a good team too. Go Riders!

I invite you to take my poll below. It's completely anonymous.

P.S. Just saw the score. Ouch.

Rider poll

Daily pic: 06 Jun 07

Ouch. A depressing evening for Sens fans to be sure. I'm afraid I didn't have time to watch any games of the Stanley cup final (tonight, for example, I started painting almost as soon as I got home from work, then went straight to Laurel's to pick up the girls, and then put them to bed as soon as we got home), but I was well aware it was taking place and who was playing. I do share a certain home town with a certain Ottawa Senator, after all. (Please don't ask me to explain his hair. I can't; it's not a YG thing!) At the same time, I happen to share a work place with the mom of a certain Anaheim Duck. In fact, there are two Ducks from Regina. How exciting for those families (and the Niedermayers)!