I just spent an hour with the boys over at the playground, “schooling” them in basketball (their words). And man, am I beat. Quite literally. We’ve focused on dribbling and shooting techniques, but I haven’t really gotten into the realm of what “not” to do yet.
So, it was pretty much the two of them playing full tackle basketball against me. Thankfully, the only injury for the night was Brandon taking a rebound in the chops, but he toughed it out once we determined there was no bloodshed. He’s getting a wicked little shot to him as well! Connor is really improving his ability to move the ball around on the court. Now, if only we can work on making his defensive skills a little less offensive, it’ll be a bit safer to play against him…
My pet peeve: People who wait for my parking spot - at the gym.
I mean, you’re at the gym – one would anticipate that you are there to burn off some energy, right? So, why would walking an extra 20 steps from the parking lot to the gym door really make that much of a difference?
Twice this week I have felt pressured by someone waiting for my parking spot as I have left the gym. Okay, I know there are two politically correct things wrong with that statement – first, only I can make myself feel a certain way and secondly, the person waiting may have a valid reason for wanting a spot closer to the entrance. I’m going to ignore the first thing because I’m no longer having coffee in the morning, so I may not be exactly rational and others do, in fact, make me FEEL certain things like rage before 7:30 am. Secondly, in both occasions when I was being “hustled” for my spot, I noticed that the disabled parking spots were still open.
So that brings us back to the fact that some people feel the need to sit, idling in their car and blocking the driveway for other drivers (not to mention, making it more difficult for me to back out as well), just to park one or two spots closer to the entrance TO THE GYM.
Yes, I can feel your eyes staring at me as you impatiently wait. But ya know what? I’ve locked my purse and work stuff in the trunk for safe keeping. Yes, I’m going to take the time to switch them with my gym bag before hopping in and letting you get on with your day. In fact, I may even move a little bit slower than normal. Just because I can.
Uploading to avoid shopping - and the end of holidays
The thing I hate most about vacation? (Okay, the only thing I really hate about vacations?) The pile of laundry and endless household chores that stare you down at the end of it. That’s how I spent the weekend, coming down off an incredible high of two weeks of blissful peace at the cottage and camping. Oh yes, there were the usual chauffeuring duties – to karate lessons and soccer games and off to Grandma’s house for a quick visit.
A significant amount of time was also wasted trying to download photos to get some prints made. To me, it doesn’t matter what store will get my business. I’m just looking for ease in the downloading process. It’s not just vacation pics either – pretty much everything since 2010 arrived. In other words, our family’s entire time in London.
For us, that equates to about 250 shots – a couple of birthdays, Easter, sports stuff and holidays. It shouldn’t take that long, right? Wrong!!! Between getting an uploading program installed and actually shipping off an order, I think I must have invested about 10 hours of time. I was working between 2 computers (one totally refused to cooperate, constantly slamming Windows) and I finally found one place where I could actually get my computer to work. It meant I had to use an incredibly slow uploading program that would allow me to send no more than a batch of 6 at a time. It was dreadfully slooooow. My wireless internet also decided to become sporadic, which has left me darn near suicidal.
I know, I know. Just take the card to the store and download it there. That’s too easy. You see, I HATE shopping. That would mean two trips to the store. Not going to happen. I had to do it my way – and after a lot of frustration, my prints are ready. Ah yes, happy, precious memories! Now I just have to go to the damn store to pick them up – and to get a photo album. Did I mention I hate shopping?
Homeward Bound – Begrudgingly of course
Once again, Mother Nature is telling us with rainy, windy weather that it’s time to go home. I’m not sure how we lucked out on the great weather these past two weeks, but we must’ve done something right! It was difficult to clean up the cottage and sum up our week in a handwritten note in the cottage book. We really did have such a great time doing, well, nothing. I really don’t want it to end.
We’re again sitting at a Tim Horton’s drive thru this time in Burk’s Falls– awaiting a coffee and tea for the five-hour journey. Am hoping we hit the 401 before the Friday afternoon rush. The boys had a fantastic breakfast feast in Grandma and Grandpa White’s trailer (it makes most apartments I lived in during my 20s look tiny).
They’re now quietly watching a movie in the back seat and we’re cruising south down Hwy. 11. And there’s lots of northbound traffic already! Safe travels to everyone out there on the roads!
That rooster has GOT to go!
Life has been so peaceful here in the little corner of the world where our cottage sits that I really haven’t had much to blog about. Life has pretty much revolved around ensuring everyone has enough sunscreen, paddling around the lake with the boys, untangling fishing lines, dealing with a few fish that get a little greedy and swallow a hook and reading a bunch of Goosebumps books to my wide-eyed kids.
Nothing to complain about at all – except for that damn rooster across the road. Yes, I heard you at 4:30 am. And at 5 and pretty much every 10 minutes thereafter. Do you have no respect for the cottagers in the area? Do you not realize how tasty you would be on my grill? I’ve harvested poultry before my friend, and I’m not afraid to do it again…
Only one more night here, however, and then we’re making the trek back home. I’ve just really gotten into the swing of things (or lack of swing as the case may be) and don’t want to go anywhere. Am quite comfy right here in my Muskoka chair, thanks.
My Dad and Stepmother came for a visit yesterday. They’ve got a fifth wheel trailer set up behind the cottage where they are staying while our crew enjoys our last few days. We had a good visit yesterday, complete with corn roast and campfire. Later this morning we’re off to Sundridge to visit the Maple Sugar House for breakfast. It’s become a tradition. Bring on the blueberry and raspberry pancakes!
