Our first Olympic event

The girl and I had a wonderful time at the Olympics! We had tickets for the Pairs Short Program figure skating, on Valentine's Day.  We dressed in our Red Canada wear, complete with Red Mittens. It was a gorgeous, sunny, warm day.  We arrived at the venue 2 hours early (we're a bit eager!), and enjoyed just soaking in the atmosphere, and meeting folks from out of town.

The girl was thrilled to finally get her favourite Olympic (unofficial) mascot: Mukmuk. Apparently he's just a sidekick... The boy and the girl have had many heated discussions about the exact role of Quatchie, Miga, Sumi and Mukmuk.

The Skating itself was awesome! We cheered and clapped when skaters did well, and said "awww" or gasped when someone fell.  We cheered for good marks, and booed when we didn't like the rankings. The event was 3 1/2 hours to watch 20 pairs skate. The Chinese were very strong - and the couple that captured Gold the next night were very experienced, having just returned from retirement. (last pic). Our favourites were the Russian pair (well, she's actually Japanese), who skated to Swan Lake. It was beautiful!

Olympic Torch Relay - February 11, 2001

The day before the 2010 Winter Olympics started, the torch relay came through our town.
We were there at 7:15 am to get ready. Wearing red (Paint the town red campaign), our olympic red mitts and maple leaf tatoos on our faces, we were there to celebrate with THOUSANDS of people in the early morning rain.

Mark and the kids staked out their spots, and I and my class were on the bandshell stage. We waved our own torches while everyone sang O Canada, then sat in front of the choir while they sang an african song of peace.

We were then moved to line the path up to the stage where the torch was to be passed.

We cheered as the torch arrived in the square! In the 3rd photo you can see the 2 flames of the torches in the centre of the shot.

Finally, Dave Kam left for his short leg of the very long relay!

Click here to read more about the 106 day Torch relay.

You know it's Monday when.... (or why my kids were late for school today).

Usually Mondays are great days... I get the kids off to school, throw some laundry in, do some exercise, then eat breakfast and write.

Today, however, has not started off great - and it's only 10 o'clock!
You know your day is screaming "IT'S MONDAY!!!" when, 15 minutes before getting the children/cherubs off to school, the boy lets the dog into the kitchen from outside, and realizes that the dog has tracked poo into and all over the house.  The boy calls the dog and tries to chase her to catch her - the dog runs through the living room, into the girl's room, into my room - then hides under MY BED!  There are gobs of poo through the kitchen, under an end table in the living room, down the hall, in the girl's room and in my room.

The house stinks. The dog will NOT come out from under the bed. I am still in my PJ's, the girl is not dressed either. This does not look good. I quickly dress, grab a whole roll of paper towels, disinfectant and a garbage bag. With the dog now locked in my room, I proceed to clean up the messes I can find.  The girl wanders into my room and entices the dog out. She gets a hold of her and hangs on until I arrive.  Gross! There is poo stuck to my dog's butt. Gagging, I realize that the only solution is a bath - with 8 minutes until I should  be getting the kids out the door.

I get the dog into the laundry sink, hold her with one hand while I search the nearby drawer for the dog soap.  Crap! (literally - aren't you following along?) Dear hubby cleaned out this drawer, and I now have no idea where dog soap is.  The boy quickly finds doggie shampoo in the upstairs cupboard and runs it down.  Bathe dog, and she, sensing my mounting annoyance, cooperates fully for the first time.

While I am tending to the dog downstairs, the girl is trying to dress herself upstairs. However, she wants to wear a skirt and tights - and still can't get tights on without assistance. I send the boy up to please help his sister, but he really has no clue on the mysteries of getting tights on either.  Finally finish bathing & drying dog - lock her in her crate.  Dash back upstairs to assist daughter and brush her hair, and pile kids into the minivan.  The time on the clock shows that the bell rang 5 minutes ago - not bad. I thought we were much further behind.

I return home to wash every floor in my home. Finally let dog out of her crate and feed her breakfast. She gives me the "I"m sorry mommy" look. I never intended to be called the dog's "mom" - her real mother is a Shi Tzu-Poodle. Then it dawned on me: I have a Shit-Poo for a pet. How could I not expect moments like this?

Pic of me, the boy, the girl and Millie Twinkletoes, the offender.