In my lifetime...

the Riders have only held a record of 6-2 twice: in 1976 and 2007.

Saturday's night game in Regina, which included an hour long interruption from rain and lightning, convinced me of two things:

• Riders have the most fantastic, dedicated, (not to mention slightly crazy) fans of any professional sports team on the planet. Several thousand fans crowded under the stands - crammed together with strangers in pitch darkness - to wait for the power to come back on and the rain to stop at Taylor Field. I'd like to see that happen in Edmonton.
• Riders will play in the Grey Cup this year.

Now, as for my prediction of playing in the championship game... I say this because of something I see in this team that I haven't seen since... since... well... since Kent Austin QB-ed Green and White...

Poise.

Or call it confidence or consistency, I don't care, but this team possesses this weird, wacky polish I can hardly recognize.

A KJ toss gets picked? No big deal. Once the D shuts down the other teams offense we get the ball back and nab a touchdown. No problem.

The whole team is way less fragile than they used to be. A meltdown on a play - even a massive meltdown on a play - hardly rattles them anymore. They're back out there next play bigger and better than before.

And KJ leads the pack. I never thought I'd type the words of KJ being a leader on the team, but he's proving again and again that he can come back. Not just after a miscue on the field, but after that devastating loss in Edmonton a few weeks back.

You remember... the one where the team forgot to switch on their brains after the half.

This team looks confident, poised and ready.

And after seeing their fans dripping wet waiting for their team to come back and win on Saturday night, I have no doubt: This team is on a mission.

Get 'er done boys!

Weather

For those who might be hearing reports of flooded basements in Saskatoon due to rain of biblical proportions over the weekend, I thought I would put up a quick post to say all is well.

Our basement is dry and we didn't get anything more than handfuls of pea-sized hail. They were driven by high winds at the time, but we survived unscathed.

We did get winds, rain, and the longest, most intense lightning storm I've ever experienced. The thunder wouldn't let up for hours - it remained a constant grumble from about 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. interspersed with loud crashes and cracks, while the sky lit up like daytime from near-constant flashes. The power went off at least twice.

This occurred, not once, but two nights in a row. The second night our area (Dundonald) recorded six (6) inches of rain.

The storm sewer system was overloaded from Friday's deluge so I have no doubt that Saturday night's six dripping inches saturated even more basements.

Total precipitation over the week, as reported by various news outlets, roughly eight inches soaked some areas around Saskatoon.

We've been asked to curb water usage as the city is expecting more rain in the forecast and the sewer systems are already at capacity and have no where to drain to as drainage ditches and ponds around Saskatoon are brimming already.

Here's hoping the rain will pass us by over the next few days... or else someone should start building an ark.

Pictures of the new place

Here are pics of our new house, including our kitchen appliances which arrived yesterday. They are so pretty!

The Move

Our move could not have gone more smoothly. And we have dozens of friends and family members who helped make it possible. First and foremost are our kids... (aren't they cute little slaves?). Both Mikaela and Logan helped load and unload Lynn's van each day. We made one trip a day and it definitely helped on the final moving day when we had the truck.
Lynn's van came in very handy, although we both missed our "real cars".

I was trying to get a picture of Mikaela moving a box, but she wouldn't stand still! After several attempts I finally had to get them to stop and stand still so I could take the first one in this post.

After unloading one day, we were all impressed by the size of the bathtub and so these three goofs tried to fit in it... at the same time. This was taken on moving day when we had the big truck. It is also proof that our nephew Kevin actually works (sometimes). Though I'm pretty sure Melissa is telling him what to do.

We celebrated finishing the move a day early by inviting everybody over for a huge shin-dig at the new place. My mom catered with a huge spiced roast and salads. Everything was delicious and we all decided my mom can cater anything anytime anywhere!

Of course, we didn't get a picture of the 30 or so people in the place that night!

Camp

I'm finally bloggin' with pics today! Yay me!

I'll start first with our recent trip to Heritage Lake Bible Camp. Yes, that's right. Richard and the kids finally dragged me out with them to sleep in a tent for the very first time.

So here we are setting up the tent. Or as it is known... The Mansion. It has a foyer, two bedrooms and a common area in the middle. Oh and sky lights.


This is Logan helping to set it up and looking pretty darn cool in his new shades, I might add.

The kids are always very helpful when we're doing things. Here's Mikaela trying to get a stake to cooperate.

Mikaela is testing the water at the lake, which is notoriously cold from being so far north. It wasn't that bad this year and we did spend a very enjoyable afternoon on the beach. I got my nose burnt and Richard looked kinda lobster-ish for a few days... but what are holidays for, right?

Logan and Dryden are negotiating what to do with the dingy apparently... while Trevor looks on.
So what was my first camping experience like?

Other than the fact that it rain every night. And stormed most nights. And a rather close encounter with a spider on the first night, I rather enjoyed myself. The camp is nestled right in the midst of the woods and as such is very quiet and peaceful.

That part I like. The spiders I can do without.

Top 10 things I love about my new house!

I know everyone is wondering where I've been.

First we moved. Then went to camp for four days. Then went back to work. Then attended a farewell for a friend who went back to Korea. Then spent an evening helping friends of ours move (in between watching the game on Friday night - Yay, GREEN!). Then yesterday we spent 12 hours moving another friend of ours (into our old duplex).

Today we set up Logan's new bunkbed and unpacked the rest of the boxes in his room.

Now I'm spent. (And I have arbitrarily decided no one I know is allowed to move for a while!)

But I did want to share just how much we're enjoying the new house. We aren't just enjoying it... we're loving it! The longer I'm here the more I discover to appreciate about it.

The hardest part about living here so far is the location. But I'm sure we'll get used to that in time. It just means we plan our outings a little more in advance and try to group them together.

I thought I would share some of the things I love about my house...

(Pictures are forthcoming. I found the camera AND the cable to connect it to the computer, but now the batteries in the camera are dead. Sigh. So they are charging as I type this.)

1. My island
There is no other feature in my kitchen that I adore more. When baking it is an absolute joy to collect ingredients and measure, pour and mix with such a large amount of space accessible from all sides! I rolled out pizza bread the other day without having to put a single dish or bowl on the stove - a place I used as extra counter space sometimes, with often disastrous results.

2. My pantry
My pantry has it's own light switch! I've been known to walk in and close the door behind me. Just because I can. (Cool hiding place, too, when Momma don't want be found, if y'know what I mean...) Now it has big blue recycling bin on the floor, so I can't do that as easily. How have generations of housewives managed without one, I wonder.

3. My diningroom and kitchen area
This is my favourite new place to have tea. Even if the big beautiful windows only look out onto my backyard, it's a wonderful view anyway!

4. My veranda
No better place to watch the sunset. I definitely need to track down a rocking chair or a wicker chair to put out there. It's so nice and relaxing in the evenings. I haven't had much time yet to be out there, but soon...

5. My shower
Can not tell how absolutely spoiled I feel to have a hot shower in my ensuite and then jump into my pajamas and crawl into bed. It's an addictive habit.

6. Stairs, stairs and more stairs
It forces me to slow down and think before I go dashing off to a certain room to grab something. Sometimes I've gone downstairs to the basement to grab something, gotten distracted and found myself back up in my bedroom without said item. Two flights of stairs down and two flights of stairs back up gets tiring after a while! Slowly I'm learning to think ahead.

7. Wall colour
I love the colour of our walls. It's a very versatile taupe colour. I love that it's not white or off-white. And yet it's soft and bright and manages to complement most of our decor.

8. My washer and dryer
My laundry machines make so little noise, I have to watch for movement in the drum to make certain they are on! Mikaela spent about an hour one day watching her new bedding going round and round. Better than most of the stuff on TV! Another fabulous part about our laundry pair... I don't have to share them anyone else!

9. Bathrooms
I've mentioned the shower in the ensuite, but really having three bathrooms in the house is a blessing. No more rushing when everybody has to go at the same time (which happens with regular frequency in our family. How odd...)

10. No basement development
We can do whatever we want to the basement - set it up completely to suit our needs and fancy. It will eventually house our computer room/office, a family room and a laundry/utility room. Right now it's pretty much a chaotic mess! But the best part about having no basement development... NO TENANTS DOWNSTAIRS! Yippee!

Other cool features: lots of mirrors, windows and storage!

Listening to: Greg Sczebel
Pending assignments: some... not sure really...

Phone!

Our phone is no longer connected to the old house. So if you're trying to get a hold of us today, please use our cell phone numbers. Thank you!

The moving truck arrives tonight at around 5:30ish. Hopefully, I will have the rest of the house packed by then. ; )

See everyone soon!

AHHHHHHHHHH!

I yelled myself hoarse. Again.

What the heck was that?

This is the only team I've ever known that consistently snatches defeat from the jaws of victory.

I am sick. Frustrated.

Yuck!

Get. It. Together.

I'm taking a breather from Rider games... having hopes dashed too often is not healthy for this fan. Next Saturday we host Edmonton and I will be moving. So I'll be distracted with the moving truck, boxes, chaos... etc.

Go Green! Yeah... right...

Pictures

These are pictures from earlier today at the official handing over of the keys. That is me standing by the back door, while Richard and Sheldon check out something on the sprinklers. (All pictures by Logan)

That's Mikaela beside the new fence and our flowers.

That's Mikaela again pointing to the deck plate where our new deck will go later this summer. Right, Richard?

That was Logan taking a picture of himself taking a picture of our ensuite.

That is the light fixture in our dining room. Without a table underneath it Richard kept whacking his head.

This is our first picture on the walls of our new house. It was a gift for Richard and he unwrapped it at the new house. It won't stay in this location in our dining room, but this nail on the wall happened to be handy.

This is Mikaela peeking out of the storage area on the landing on the way upstairs.

This is our car parked in front of our new house. In case anyone is interested, the house next door (the one on the right-hand side) is for sale. $290,000.

Okay. That is all the pictures for now. Reality needs some attention before we can truly call that home.

Jubilation... and reality

We have keys!

We stood in our own house. Our house. Our very own house.

It was so exciting! I'll post pics as soon as I can track down the camera again.

It seemed even more beautiful than we remembered.

Unfortunately, I came home several hours later and reality came crashing back in.

Ah yes... there is a lot of work to do. There is more packing. Lots of hauling. More cleaning, wiping, scrubbing.

But it does feel so great!

Post-game blog post

Ok. Technically there was still 32 seconds left when I shut it off, but the game was done a while ago in essence.

The only good thing to come out of tonight's game was I learned how to watch TSN games on broadband. Worked slick, once we figured out where all the links were. (Check out tsn.ca if you want to try it!)

But back to the game...

Or lack thereof.

I can not make excuses for this team. They've got the talent, the coaching, and this year (for a change) a playbook. Yet they could not pull it together tonight. They looked like a bunch of rookies playing high school football for their first game.

There are no excuses left. We've seen what this team can do. And tonight they didn't just fail to live up to expectations, they failed to show up for the game.

And I think they can no longer afford to do that. They've given Riderville a taste of victory - not just scraping by and winning by a few threads on a football seam, but actually winning a game like we know what the heck we're doing and not many fans are going to stand for anything less.

Three things I was happy to see: Fantuz finally stepping up to the plate and CATCHING a ball. They need to get the ball to him when he's hot and open.

The second thing... Austin actually pulled the quarterback. I have screamed myself hoarse in previous seasons trying to communicate to the previous coach the value in changing up the playmaker.

However, those pleadings fell deafly on my TV as Barrett would often refuse to pull the QB until too late in the game to make a difference. What's the point in changing quarterback's in the fourth quarter when they have just 15 minutes to clean up a game's worth of mess?

Having said that, I do believe KJ should have been tossed back into the game when Crandell threw his first pick. The change may have kept some positive energy going, rather than letting it die completely.

And the final thing I was thrilled to see... going for it on third down! And it paid off more than once. The 3rd down gamble can often generate badly needed momentum and can change the entire direction of a game. (If used properly.) There's always risk involved, but hey... in a game like tonight could they have gotten much worse?

I see some tremendous potential because these things demonstrate Austin's creative playmaking genius.

However, I am completely dismayed at the team's lack of consistent effort.

Receivers need to catch the ball. Tossers need to toss.

And the gladiators... well.. actually they did a pretty good job. If not for their gritty play, the game could have been much much worse.

Inconsistency is the only consistent thing for the Roughrider fans for far too many years. So let's hope this one massacre at Mosaic Stadium is the only time we look like we're still trying to learn high school football.

Because this team can do better.

And has done better.

Because the fans deserve better.

Ack!

This week we had a rather unexpected turn of events regarding our move.

The sellers are moved out already and were concerned about leaving the house empty for so long. As a result they offered to move up the possession date - if we were ok with it.

We were hesitant since absolutely everything is already booked - moving truck, furniture delivery, utilities, friends, catering...

But we decided to take the leap. We just have to get the house insured right away.

So...

We officially take possession of our house in one week.

Seven days.

Eeek!

Nothing changes for those wishing to help us move. We decided at this late date getting a moving truck would be impossible. And the utilities - forget it. So while we take possession next Friday, it'll be another week before we move in.

Exciting, yet I find myself inexplicably scared out of my mind! LOL! Homeownership is a wonderful, yet daunting responsibility it seems.

I think I need someone to hold my hand!

Anyway... here is a picture of the chaos that is slowly engulfing the entire house.

Riders romp: 49 to 8!

I think the Stampeders are still looking for the liscense plate of that green-and-white truck that just pasted them to the turf. Maybe it was a tractor.

I don't think they ever did get a good look at what hit them, as they spent an inordinate amount of time picking Taylor Field's new turf out of their helmets.

Or like Burris - lying on his back gazing up at the prairie sky.

Did you see how the Riders dug for the ball?

It was a Rider ball all game, they just loaned it to the Stamps on occasion so they could practice their defensive plays.

I noticed something on Roughrider faces that I haven't seen in a good long while... joy! My goodness, it looked this team suddenly discovered football is fun!

For a loyal group of fans crowded into the house of the only friend with TSN, we discovered another joy: cheering for a winning team! I, personally, can not get enough of DJ Flick's spectacular catch in the end zone - one handed, around blanket coverage, while falling down! How in the world...?

I predicted Austin would not let down fans and I'm not ready to gloat yet, but... honestly even I didn't see this coming.

B.C. Lions will be Saskatchewan's next victims... er... I mean... team to beat on Friday.

Pondering a mad trip to Regina just to see the green and white truck in person.

Blessed

This morning as I sip lemon tea at work, I'm looking out at a perfect blue sky.

I'm suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude for the many blessings God has bestowed upon our lives in the past year.

My kids have each had a wonderfully successful year at school. Hubby has seen his job responsibilities grow. My work has increased both with writing and with my part time job.

Of course, we've gotten a house, too. What a major blessing and joy that is!

But then there are blessings of a more subtle nature...

We were each spared tragic accidents and injury.

We were also spared any major illnesses.

No major emotional trauma tore apart our world.

Our kids have never known the pain and agony of watching their parents divorce.

We are lucky enough to live in a country that affords us - not only a life if impractical luxury at times - but also freedoms our ancestors probably couldn't dare to dream - freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom from social classes, etc.

Our lives are so... blessed. Undeservedly, richly blessed.

Listening to: FREE 100.3 FM

Moving details

I know several of you have been asking for details on the move - I think so you can help us. Or maybe so you can stand on our porch and mock us.

Either way here are the specs:

Thursday, July 26:
Richard and JJ take possession (also our 11th anniversary!)

Friday, July 27:
All day - appliances and furniture delivered to new house
5 p.m. Richard gets moving truck
Evening - loading up moving truck at old address (3214 McGill Street)

Saturday, July28:
Morning (exact time TBD - probably about 9ish) - empty moving truck at new address (131 Blakeney Cres)
Second load will be organized after first load
5 p.m. - Richard takes moving truck back
6 p.m. - Supper at new address (131 Blakeney Cres)
Roast beef, buns and salad, courtesy of my mom, Jackie

Driving instructions for new house: Drive west on 33rd past Wedge Road. Keep going until you think you're about to leave the city. Turn left onto Steeves Avenue. Take the first or second right. Both are Blakeney Crescent. Parking could be an issue, so you may have to park on Steeves and then walk. We're closest to Steeves on the second right hand turn. Our house is on the south side of the street.

Driving instructions for old address: McGill is one block north of 14th Street, just off Acadia Drive. We're really close to the Circle drive on-ramp.

Please email me or call before the move to get our cell phone numbers if you want them. I won't publish them here.

Countdown to move: 22 days!

Listening to: fish tank making weird noises
Pending assignments: none! Woohoo!

Countdown

We signed our last rent cheque today.

The moving truck is booked.

There are just 29 days until we move.

It's so exciting and so nerve-wracking all at the same time!

Listening to: neighbours next door hammering, sawing, and using some sort loud power tool...
Pending assignments: zero!

Woohoo!

There probably isn't a worse place on the planet for the new and improved Riders to start their 2007 season than Montreal.

However, Austin's lean mean green machine played flawlessly and started the season on a winning note.

They didn't hang on to win.

No.

They played an error-free game under a new coach, with a new playbook, with new teammates. And they didn't win by a field goal either.

They won by nine points.

Nine stinkin' hot points!

Not to mention the defensive line netting seven sacks against Calvillo.

And my hubby will be happy to hear KJ actually threw the ball for a 34-yard touchdown.

It's too early to say whether winning thing will stick, but Austin has given Riderville something they haven't had in decades... a win in Montreal.

All I can say about the new Riders is this: me likey.

Listening to: TV
Pending assignments: yahoo! none!

Summer holidays

It's here! Summer holidays are here!

[doing the Snoopy Happy Dance]

Okay... so it's one job out of three that are one holidays as of today, but still...

[back to Snoopy Happy Dance]

Besides tomorrow morning when I finish my papers at roughly 6:30 a.m. I will be done another job and it too shall be on permanent summer vacation.

[again with the dancing]

And then on Monday my kids go to Grandma's for a two weeks of holidays and swimming lessons.

[Snoopy Dance goes on and on...]

I have never looked forward to, nor needed, a holiday so badly in all my life. I'm not sure I will know what to do with myself... well, except for the packing and moving thing.

I never thought working part time and packing up our house to move would be considered a holiday. But in my life. Right now? YES!

Can't. Wait.

Listening to: nothing again...
Pending assignments: 0... that's zero... nil... sweet nothing!

Flowers

Thought my blog could use some colour, so I'm posting a pic of my favourite flower.

I love fuschias, but I haven't planted any for years. This little one I planted this year is blooming all over the place. Can't wait to hang it on our veranda at the new house.

I should also post a picture of my african violet. I have managed to own the thing for almost two months and I have yet to kill it! (My grandma will be so proud!)

I hope it survives until we get to the new house. I think it will appreciate the tremendous amounts of sunlight it will get there. Hopefully, I can manage not to kill it there too!

The last days...

Today was the last day of school!

Friday is my last assignment before I take off the entire month of July!

Saturday is my last day of papers!

Sunday could be the kids' last day here before they visit grandma for two weeks!

Meanwhile, we're down to our last days in the duplex.

28 days and counting...

Woohoo!

--
Listening to: Michael Buble: Call Me Irresponsible
Pending assignments: 3 assignments (BEFORE Friday)