January 31, 2010

Last year Kassie and I started the tradition of eating Dad's favorite meal on his birthday. Even though I was here with kids who don't eat this stuff (and normally I don't either to be honest) I dusted off the deep fryer and made some good ole artery clogging deep fried fish and home fries. I even found a recipe for a knock-off of A&W Onion Rings. Today he would have been 57.

This is what I have to look forward to

Late last week I went to pick up Colby from school like I always do and he wasn' there. I assumed he got in the bus with his friends and went on home. When I got there, the bus came and went, but no Colby. I called the school to find out what was going on and was told that Colby was staying afterschool. Normally this doesn't bother me, because there is a lot going on after schools that he participates in (skiing club on Tuesdays, soccer etc) so when he walked in the door after getting off the late bus I asked him what he stayed for.

"Oh, a bunch of us stayed for math help".

My first thought was, "good for him, staying for extra help" when it SHOULD have been "Wait a minute, this kid is a whiz at math and is normally ahead of his class". So.... you see where this is going, right??

The next day I get a call from Rob at work, who is laughing. He was talking to the teacher who kept Colby after class FOR DETENTION the day before. It seems Mr. Chatterbox wouldn't shut up when he was asked, and him and a bunch of his friends were kept after school for it. So, me being me, had a bit of fun when Colby came home.

As Colby is walking through the door

"So bud, I forgot to ask, what was the math help yesterday for?"

Him, without missing a beat "The work we did that day. I didn't finish it so I stayed."

Me: "Colby, are you sure at this point you don't want to change your story?"

Him: "No, why?" (At this point he's starting to sweat a little bit)

Me: Colby, you know I'm a teacher right? You KNOW teachers talk and tell each other things, right?"

Him sheepishly: "You know, don't you Mom?"

The best part is the punishment for this. He assumed that he would lose his electronic privledges. OH NO. I told him he had to write a page on what really happened, why it's bad to lie, and what will happen if he lies again. I'm gonna frame it.

How I spent my Saturday

Couldn't you just eat her??

Get comfy, this may be a long one

I have been really stressed over the last couple of weeks, for details that I'm not willing to share in a public forum like this. But let me just say, my faith in humanity and in myself has been restored.

With that being said, I have a story I'd like to share with you all about why I feel we were meant to be here. So get comfy, get a snack and maybe a tissue or two, if you're anything like me you'll need it.

Once upon a time.... alright, I don't subject you to that. I have always felt that we were meant to end up in this community. We felt it right from the start, well at least I did. The community is very welcoming, and right from the first day I went out people walked up and introduced themselves.

We have met some great people here in town, and now refer to them as our "extended family". This family live across the street from us, and Rob first met "P" at the store, as his daughter works for Rob. They got chatting, and we were invited to their son's 2nd birthday party for us wives and children to all meet. Honestly, at first I didn't think we had anything in common and we probably wouldn't get along. Well, I am soo happy to say I was completely wrong. "C" and "P" have a son 6 months younger than Joey, and the boys hit it off from the start. "C" would bring her son over to play with Joey, and our friendship began. It soon extnded to the members of their families, which on his side is very large (11 siblings) and 3 on hers. PLUS both of their parents.

They have had some very difficult times in their past, and as we got to know them they shared these with us. They shared with us the loss of their nephew to suicide 3 years ago, who I will call "B". Their nephew was a big part of their lives, and his suiside was a huge shock to their family. To say it rocked their foundation is an understatment. His mother who we all know well, is still troubled by the loss of her son.

I mention her now because from the time I met her, I've always felt a connection with her. I can't explain why, but the thought her torment with his death just breaks my heart. But she just lights up when she sees my Joey. You see, she has a son named Joe, who is in Colby's class.

But here is where it gets a little freaky.

Last May as you may remember, I put Joey's birthday's announcement on the scroll. While watching for it to come on, there was a "in memory" annoucement, which stopped me in my tracks. It was for her son "B". It had a beautiful picture of him (he was 17 when he died) and said "In memory of "B". Born November 4, 1981, Died May 11, 2006.

For those of you who are NOT freaking out right now, let me let you in on something. Colby's birthday is November 4th. JOEY'S birthday is May 11, 2006. Yeppers, she lost her son on the day mine was born.

Yes, a skeptic would say this is a coincidence, and maybe it is. But that's a HUGE coincidence, don't you think?

More artsy fartsy

I have had more than my fair share of drama in my life over the past few weeks and I have turned to my camera for some peace and tranquility, because frankly I need to give poor Rob's shoulders and ears a break. I am super pleased with how these pictures are turning out. Guess I just need to be super stressed out to take good quality pics!

Shutterbugging around town

Why we love living here

It's been super busy here in the Schwartz household over the last few weeks, but life is finally slowing down a bit. I have 2 weeks of pictures on my camera that I just uploaded tonight so I'll have new pictures to share. These were taken today. It was too nice to stay in so Rob brought out the quad. As you can see, both boys love it!

Yep, that's Colby driving!

The 3 most important people in my life.

The sign of a great Dad.

Power sliding, or at least trying to.

I love Joey's face in this one!

15 second jigging.AVI

Joey jigging

Living in a deep freeze

We have had a blast of cold, arctic air over the prairies that has been here all week. It has been -40C or close to it for the past 7-8 days. It's at the point it's almost ridiculous. This type of cold is dangerous, so we have all been huddled inside our houses trying to stay warm. I go through more fuel in the truck this time of year, as we need to warm it up a good 20-30 minutes before leaving. With temperatures this cold, there is always that fun feeling of driving on square tires, since the bottoms of the tires freeze and don't warm up enough to unflatten until I'm almost at work. Yes, I'm bitter (no pun intended). According to the weather network, we are suppose to warm up to -1C by the beginning of next week. Holy hannah that's a difference of almost 40 degrees. No wonder everyone is sick. How are you suppose to adjust to that type of drastic weather change?

Did I mention I'm turning 35 tomorrow? Holy crap when did I get old??