Family

I've always considered our family to be close. By family, I mean my brothers and sisters. I realized today that I haven't seen one of my sisters since Christmas! My other sister's fiance has been in the hospital since December, and I only talk to her once a week. My brothers call once in a while. This is not a close family. When did we all become so busy that we can't even find the time to see each other? We don't live hundreds of miles apart, we are all in the same city, except for me and I am only a little ways out of town. I am the oldest, and I feel the responsibility is mine to keep us together, so now what do I do? Trying to arrange a family gathering is next to impossible, but I'm going to try for Easter anyway. We seem to see less and less of each other, especially since my parents moved to another province. It's true, Mom and Dad's place is a gathering place, and without that, we seem to be drifting.
So, just because we don't fight or argue with each other, it doesn't mean we are a close family. I think that families that do fight are probably closer than we are, you have to talk to someone to fight with them. It all makes me incredibly sad, my children have cousins they hardly know, and they are hardly known to their cousins. Now I have a goal, bring my family back together! Wish me luck.

Starve A Cold, Feed a Fever?!

I've been sick with a cold. It started on Thursday, and it's still hanging on. Of course, being a MOM, I didn't take the time to rest like I should have, so by Sunday, I couldn't move. Very sick on Sunday. I'm feeling much better now, though, which is a good thing because we are starting playoffs for hockey. This means that between the two boys, we have hockey every day this week, and probably next, too.
It was a terrible weekend in Manitoba for driving. There were 10 fatalities on our highways in a 24 hour period. And more before that. I was acquainted with two of the woman killed, both were from the town where I work. One woman was killed along with her 4 yr old son, the other left 3 children. It's so sad, I can't even comprehend how awful those families must be feeling. Most of the accidents are being blamed on high speeds on slippery highways, which is probably the case. At this time of year, everything melts during the day and then freezes in the evening, making dangerous driving conditions. And people refuse to slow down!!

Work

Today at work, I found out how anal people are about their mail. I had a customer come in and complain that she didn't get her flyers!! This is not important mail, it's not even mail!! It's advertisement for pete's sake. She was quite upset, and I just don't get it. I would be upset if I didn't get a cheque I was expecting, but not if I didn't get a flyer. I actually wouldn't care if I never got another flyer. The thing is, she was complaining to the wrong person, I have nothing to do with the mail delivered to her mailbox, I only take care of the boxes at our retail outlet. Since I have been working at this job, I have heard enough complaints about mail to make me sick. Why are people so worked up about getting a wrong letter, or having to pay more for a stamp? Most of this stuff is beyond my control, so I give them the 800 number and tell them to try that. Speaking of mail, could one of you Americans tell me how much it costs to mail a letter to Canada from the States?

Grocery Shopping

How is it that you can go spend $400 on groceries, and then stop for takeout on the way home? I find it strange that we feel the need for fast food when we just spent all that money to have healthy food in the house. Maybe grocery shopping is just so exhausting there is no energy left over for cooking, lol. I must admit, I hate cooking and will use almost any excuse not to do it. I often tell my husband that once the kids are on their own, we will be having sandwiches or cereal for supper. He'll have to go to a restaurant for a good meal.
Anyways, I cannot believe the prices grocery stores are charging!! I remember when a box of Kraft Dinner was 25 cents, now you're lucky to find it on sale for under a dollar. If we didn't have to eat, we'd be rich. My oldest son eats nothing but Cheez Whiz, which is expensive, but we bought 3 big jars because it was on sale. We'll be lucky if it lasts a month. In Canada, we get a Child Tax Benefit every month, but the stupid thing is, they lower the amount when the child turns 7. It's then that you need MORE money! Teenagers eat an unbelievable amount of food.

Valentine's Day

WOW! After almost 25 years, my husband finally got me a good gift. He bought me a book, and a flower! The book is actually one I haven't read, so I know he had to put some thought into it. Any one who knows me, knows I would rather read than do most anything (yes, even playing at Toadgames). I was so surprised that he didn't go for the usual flowers, which are way overpriced!! Books aren't cheap either, but I get way more enjoyment from them. So, all in all it was a great day. I got the kids some candy, like they needed it. I miss the days when they would bring valentines to everyone in the class, spending hours writing the names on them, and making sure their "best friends" got the good ones. Now, they don't even want to give them to anyone, in case it means they "like" them. Oh, the lost days of innocence.
My 16 yr old is driving!! How scary is that? He still has his learner's permit, but he can go for his license in June. I am not ready for this!! Wasn't it just yesterday that we took the training wheels off of his bike?

I've been doing our taxes, and frankly it sucks! How can we pay so much and get so little back! My husband usually get a little bit of a refund, and this year he will still get some back, but not nearly the amount as usual, yet he paid more! When I think of all the taxes we pay, it makes me sick. We pay income tax, provincial sales tax, GST, and all the other hidden taxes on gas, smokes, booze, etc. Not to mention property taxes. Where does it end? I'm sure we only get 50 cents out of every dollar earned, and that's a generous estimate.
Oh well, I complain every year about the same thing, and there's really nothing that can be done about it. I should just be thankful that we do get a refund at all.
It's another hockey weekend, both boys had a game Friday night, one north and one south, youngest had two games yesterday and oldest has a game tonight. After this weekend, the playoffs start, so the end is in sight, lol. One daughter babysat over night last night and the other went with a friend to stay in a hotel in the city, waterslides and pool. It's actually pretty quiet here this morning!
Today is cleaning and laundry day here, I just can't seem to find the time during the week, so Sundays is it. What happened to those relaxing Sundays, just sitting around reading or playing on the comp? They seem to be a thing of the past.

Blah Blah

I found out today that if Canada was involved in the war, care packages could get there for free. Not throught the postal system, but if you can get it to the airport it will be delivered. Good to know.
Boring day at work today, very slow. The kids are being very rambunctious today!! My mom used to say we were going to get a storm when we were like that. She was usually right!
The school where my kids go made the news tonight. The kids are busy making magnets and selling them at local stores. All the money raised is going to the tsunami relief fund. So far they have sold more than 600 magnets and have orders for more, that is $1200. Way to go kids!! The magnets are very cute, blue for the ocean, yellow for the sun and rainbow ribbons for hope. I'm ashamed to say I haven't got one yet, but I will get one tomorrow.
No hockey tonight, yay. A rare night at home. I think I might actually get to watch some T.V. American Idol is on. The Canadian version is not quite as good, (I know, not very patriotic of me to say) but we don't have Simon, lol.