We had a full weekend. My sister came down to celebrate my kids birthdays. Sam was on the 18th and David is today (27). We had a dinner with a bunch of the family on Saturday. Got a cake for David since Sam already had a cake for herself the weekend before. David was quite happy to open his gifts. He loved the Crane set, the Jeep, trailer and quad set. He has a Scramble game (2 player perfection)that was a joint gift for him and Sam. Both Kids loved the gifts that Michelle and I got for them. They each got a watch and they were quite happy about that. Then they opened their second gifts. Ottawa Senators Jerseys. David has an "Alfredson" Jersey and Sam has a "Meszaros" Jersey, their favorite players. It warmed my heart to see the joy on their face when they opened it. The shrieks of joy was beautiful music. David threw his arms around Michelle's neck after she read "Alfredson" for him. He was quite happy.
Well that was on Saturday. Sunday we had a little breakfast with Nat, Dan and Jon. They left early wanting to be in Timmins for the evening. Michelle spent a good part of the day putting plastic window covering on all the windows upstairs. We are hoping that it will help with the heating this winter.
Sunday afternoon was dedicated to round 2 and 3 of the cakes that we had to celebrate. Michelle's mom, Janice, made 2 cakes. The first was a family recipe carrot cake (The best I've ever had) and the second was a chocolate with chocolate chips with no icing as per the instruction. These cakes were for Bobby(30th) and Christine (24th). Now we are caked out. I didn't actually have a piece of the chocolate cake opting for the best in the world Carrot cake. But I did have a few crums of it. I was afraid that it would have been dry but it was very mosit and quite good.
Yesterday, my Christmas present arrived. I got 2 Car seats and Floor mats and a steering wheel cover, all with the new Senators Logo. I put them in my car and it looks really sharp.
Today, I will leave work early to take David to a movie this afternoon. Then we are bringing him to the restaurant of his choice, Lone Star. It hope he has a special birthday.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Friday, November 23, 2007
Winter Tires
I got my winter tires onto my car last night. When I bought the car it came with 2 sets of tires. So I didn't have to go out and buy winter tires. However, I hadn't gotten the winter tires on. I drove for 2 days with my "all season" tires. They got me around fine. I'd spin when I started moving and stopping, well.. that required a little more skill. With the "all season" tires, breaking quickly would send the car in a tailspin. I was amazed at the difference in traction that the winter tires made.
I read a few articles about tires. Basically, the concept of an "all season" tire is bogus. All season tires were created to appease the car manufacturers in order to appeal to consumers. But in the end, they ended up being summer tires with a little more thread, that really don't work well in the winter.
If you don't have winter tires, I recommend that you get some. They do not exagerate when they say that you get 30% more traction. If you find buying winter tires a little price, you can always get some used ones. My father-in-law got 4 winter tires on steele rims for only $300.00 and they were practically brand new. The previous owner said that he only put about 8-900 Km on them.
Don't skimp out on this one, it is for your safety and your family's safety.
I read a few articles about tires. Basically, the concept of an "all season" tire is bogus. All season tires were created to appease the car manufacturers in order to appeal to consumers. But in the end, they ended up being summer tires with a little more thread, that really don't work well in the winter.
If you don't have winter tires, I recommend that you get some. They do not exagerate when they say that you get 30% more traction. If you find buying winter tires a little price, you can always get some used ones. My father-in-law got 4 winter tires on steele rims for only $300.00 and they were practically brand new. The previous owner said that he only put about 8-900 Km on them.
Don't skimp out on this one, it is for your safety and your family's safety.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
First Snow.
Today was the first (real) snow fall of the year. The drive in this morning was interesting. I was lucky enough to not be delayed by any accidents. Mind you a plow had broken down in the middle lane of Innes Rd just in front of Rona. That cause a slight delay but nothing to be too concerned about. I found that the Queensway moved along fairly well.
I've been in Ottawa for 15 years now. I know what to expect. Keeping yourself relaxed and not rushing is key on this dreaded first snow day. Actually, this applies for any day that snow is accumulating. There is a lot of wisdom in taking it easy.
I am still riding on my summer tires. I meant to change to my winter tires, but life has been getting in the way. This morning, the drive was ok, where the raod was salted I had plenty of traction, but the last mile into work was on an unplowed road,
I drove slowly, knowing that the traction wasn't that great. All was well, until I got to my turn off, I slowed down a little too quickly and I went for a tailspin. It was quite fun actually. I knew that there was no danger of hitting anything, the person following me was quite far and no one was coming in the opposite direction. It would have been more of a risk to try to stop it. I wasn't going fast so I wasn't worried.
On the weekend, while I was busy helping out for my daughter's b-day party, my father-in-law changed the tires on his car. When he was done he put his summer tires in the back shed. I guess to make more room in the garage, he thought that he would put my tires back there too. I just bought my commuter car and it came with a set of winter tires. I had just left them in the garage so that they would be convenient for when I wanted to take them to my mechanic to sawp them out. Well, now I guess, I'll have to dig them out of the shed.
I've been in Ottawa for 15 years now. I know what to expect. Keeping yourself relaxed and not rushing is key on this dreaded first snow day. Actually, this applies for any day that snow is accumulating. There is a lot of wisdom in taking it easy.
I am still riding on my summer tires. I meant to change to my winter tires, but life has been getting in the way. This morning, the drive was ok, where the raod was salted I had plenty of traction, but the last mile into work was on an unplowed road,
I drove slowly, knowing that the traction wasn't that great. All was well, until I got to my turn off, I slowed down a little too quickly and I went for a tailspin. It was quite fun actually. I knew that there was no danger of hitting anything, the person following me was quite far and no one was coming in the opposite direction. It would have been more of a risk to try to stop it. I wasn't going fast so I wasn't worried.
On the weekend, while I was busy helping out for my daughter's b-day party, my father-in-law changed the tires on his car. When he was done he put his summer tires in the back shed. I guess to make more room in the garage, he thought that he would put my tires back there too. I just bought my commuter car and it came with a set of winter tires. I had just left them in the garage so that they would be convenient for when I wanted to take them to my mechanic to sawp them out. Well, now I guess, I'll have to dig them out of the shed.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
A Date
Last night Michelle and I went out, just the 2 of us. It had been a long time. It was nice to have a quiet dinner in a fancy restaurant without having to get up to bring one of the kids to the bathroom halfway through the meal. We don't get much of a chance to go out like this. Even if we have live-in babysitters, we don't like to abuse that priviledge. We already tap into taht twice a week to go to the gym, after the kids go to bed mind you, but we still appreciate them being there for us to be able to do that.
After dinner, we went to a movie. Must be the worst movie I have seen in years. The Heartbreak Kid had the usual crude scenes that you would see in a movie of it's gendre, the usual occasional swear words, I was however surprised by the brief nudity. In the end none of those things would have mattered had the plot been different. The story goes, single guy who just turn 40, finds a girl, who he convinces himself that she is a great girl. after 6 weeks they get married. On their honeymoon, he realizes that she is "OFF". So off course that gives him the right to pursue another woman. As far as I was concerned, it was a bad decision followed by another bad decision all through the movie. Kinda reminds me of some projects that I have worked on ;-)
We were going to walk out of the movie at some point, but I opted in staying hoping that they would end the movie on a positive note. With maybe a lesson about all the things that were done wrong and a way find peace with all the people involved. But instead the film ends on the same low moral note that it played all along. Silly me!!
My recommendation is to stay away from it.
After dinner, we went to a movie. Must be the worst movie I have seen in years. The Heartbreak Kid had the usual crude scenes that you would see in a movie of it's gendre, the usual occasional swear words, I was however surprised by the brief nudity. In the end none of those things would have mattered had the plot been different. The story goes, single guy who just turn 40, finds a girl, who he convinces himself that she is a great girl. after 6 weeks they get married. On their honeymoon, he realizes that she is "OFF". So off course that gives him the right to pursue another woman. As far as I was concerned, it was a bad decision followed by another bad decision all through the movie. Kinda reminds me of some projects that I have worked on ;-)
We were going to walk out of the movie at some point, but I opted in staying hoping that they would end the movie on a positive note. With maybe a lesson about all the things that were done wrong and a way find peace with all the people involved. But instead the film ends on the same low moral note that it played all along. Silly me!!
My recommendation is to stay away from it.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Movement
There is a lot happenning in my professional life.
There may be big changes coming and the status quo may remain.
All is good, many people are contacting me, so that is good.
The right one will come eventually.
There may be big changes coming and the status quo may remain.
All is good, many people are contacting me, so that is good.
The right one will come eventually.
Monday, November 05, 2007
What a weekend
Friday after work, I picked up my commuter car. A 1996 Mazda MX-3 Precidia. It was fun to zip aound in it all weekend. I dropped it back off on Sunday cause I'm getting the bottom repainted to address a bit of the rust and som minor dings here and there. I feel like I got a good deal on that and since my father in law is away this week. there is no better time to get it done.
I took it a little earlier than my mechanic wanted me to since he hadn't had a chance to clean it. I didn't mind driving it for a couple of days while it was still dirty. He going to make sure that it is good and clean when I pick it up after the paint job.
I had planned to do some outside work this weekend. Well, mostly on Saturday. But, alas, I laid in bed all day with no energy. I got hit with a chest cold that sapped the energy right out of me. I slept through most of Saturday. Getting up briefly to find myself drawn back to my bed. It has been a long time since I had a day like that. I was discouraged by this, since it was a beautiful Saturday, not sure how many more we are going to get, plus I have a pile of things to do outside before the snow comes.
Sunday I was expelled from the house with the kids while Michelle hosted a Signature HomeStyles party. I was more than happy to oblige. I wouldn't have wanted to be there at any cost. So, off to Mike's I went and the kids played with his kids while we hung out. After the party was over, we headed back to my place to have supper. The kids got to play some more in a home and home series. It was the first time that the 4 kids both got to play at their friends house and at their own house.
I took it a little earlier than my mechanic wanted me to since he hadn't had a chance to clean it. I didn't mind driving it for a couple of days while it was still dirty. He going to make sure that it is good and clean when I pick it up after the paint job.
I had planned to do some outside work this weekend. Well, mostly on Saturday. But, alas, I laid in bed all day with no energy. I got hit with a chest cold that sapped the energy right out of me. I slept through most of Saturday. Getting up briefly to find myself drawn back to my bed. It has been a long time since I had a day like that. I was discouraged by this, since it was a beautiful Saturday, not sure how many more we are going to get, plus I have a pile of things to do outside before the snow comes.
Sunday I was expelled from the house with the kids while Michelle hosted a Signature HomeStyles party. I was more than happy to oblige. I wouldn't have wanted to be there at any cost. So, off to Mike's I went and the kids played with his kids while we hung out. After the party was over, we headed back to my place to have supper. The kids got to play some more in a home and home series. It was the first time that the 4 kids both got to play at their friends house and at their own house.
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Trick or Treat
What a blast we had last night.
We met up with our friends, Mike and Louise.
We had supper with them before going out, trick or treating with our 4 kids both family combined. The children got their fill of candy and they were happy to spend time with each other.
I was cute to see the little ones running from door to door. They all amassed a good bag full and were happy to head back before the parents were ready (weird switch).
We hung out with Mike and Louise for a little bit afterwards, had a bit of dessert. Mmmm those were good Rasberry cheesecake/cookies thingies that Louis made. I could have eaten them all.
I think we found a new tradition that we will be able to share for a few years to come.
We met up with our friends, Mike and Louise.
We had supper with them before going out, trick or treating with our 4 kids both family combined. The children got their fill of candy and they were happy to spend time with each other.
I was cute to see the little ones running from door to door. They all amassed a good bag full and were happy to head back before the parents were ready (weird switch).
We hung out with Mike and Louise for a little bit afterwards, had a bit of dessert. Mmmm those were good Rasberry cheesecake/cookies thingies that Louis made. I could have eaten them all.
I think we found a new tradition that we will be able to share for a few years to come.
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