Well, the OSCARS are over

AND . . . An Inconvenient Truth won!!! I am not surprised! Best documentary AND best song!! I am glad that they are getting the recognition because perhaps it is the kind of familiarity people will need to actually work to make a difference. I continue to be frustrated with the complacency I see in the world at large! This is our PLANET everyone!!! (deep breath! I know, I am "preaching to the converted.")

I love the Oscars (TM) and was happy to spend the evening huddled up in front of the television watching the pre pre show, the pre show (with smatterings of the Barbara Walters special) and the opening show before the actual awards got going. Doug was forewarned that this was how I envisioned the evening unfolding for me and so he and the boys spent most of the pre-show time playing Play Station. We even made sure to have a finger-food dinner so that there wasn't much to have to clean up afterwards.

We got a great dumping of snow last night. There isn't much in the way of quantity but to see it flying around in the air last night was making us glad we were all snuggled deep in our cosy house. Now we'll have to go out and shovel. ("We," isn't that funny? We only have one adult-sized shovel so right now Doug is outside shoveling and by the time I get ready and go out to see if he wants to switch, I bet he'll be finished. At least he will be if I get my timing right anyway.) I love how the boys are really excited about helping until they are actually outside. Right now Fergus is outside shoveling snow ONTO our front steps to make a hill. The snow Doug is trying to move away from the front of the house is actually getting closer and closer to the front door. I bet by the end though, Doug will be helping Ferg with this "project!"

We went and had dinner with friends on Saturday night. It was great to see them. They are a wonderful couple (Kelly's my best friend from WAY back -- 20+ years) and we don't make enough time to see one another. I guess life gets in the way for all of us. This time we decided to make it an adult night so it was nice to be able to relax and not have to listen for children. Kelly found out about a great pub in Guelph -- these friends live in Kitchener so we split the distance -- and so we were able to get some real pub fare. Doug had the fish and chips with a pint (or three) . . . doesn't get more appropriate than that! The boys didn't mind staying home with their babysitter and having pizza for dinner either. They love it when we decide to go out because it always means that they get a treat too.

I had a surprise call from my mom last Wednesday. Dad was curling in Guelph (for those who are not from Southern Ontario, Guelph is a city of around 100,000 people about 40 minutes from our place) and she was going to be looking for things to do. Did we want to go and have lunch with her? YES! The boys love seeing her (both of them but she was going to have to be enough this time) and were excited at the opportunity.

What a week! They had seen my sister and her partner (Noni and Chris) the previous weekend when Doug and I went on a failed date! It was a fairly miserable experience for us but the boys had an amazing time. One thing about Noni and Chris is that they don't have children and they really love playing with their nephews. Add to that that Chris really loves playing in general and you have a very fun combination. They picked the boys up at 6:00 or so on Saturday night to take them to a movie (Bridge to Terabithia) and then -- all hopped up on sugar from their snacks at the theatre -- to Chuck E. Cheeses for an hour or two. The boys were in HEAVEN!!!!

Meanwhile, Doug and I were trying to use the gift card we received from Noni and Chris in December. We didn't know that it is unreasonable to assume you can go to The Keg and get a table without waiting for 2 hours on a Saturday night. We were (still ARE) absolutely desperate for some time alone. We haven't been on a date in a very long time and we needed to get away from the house (because there is never any real privacy when you have an open-door policy and your in-laws living downstairs) so that we could try to be alone. You can imagine what kind of state we were both in and how much we were looking forward to our quiet dinner, ALONE. We tried two "Keg" restaurants in our area and the first was a two hour wait, the second was one and a half hours. We just felt defeated. We came home and got take away instead. Then we waited and waited for the party crew to come home!

Life is good. Busy and chaotic but good. I am grateful every day for Doug and his seemingly unconditional love and support.

Valentine's may be a bunk holiday with little more than an economic value but, if nothing else it forces us to think about love. It may make you frustrated that you're forced to think about love but consider this, how often do you make yourself think about it? I don't need flowers, candy, and cards to tell me I am cared for (they help, sure ;o) ) but I do like that we make sure not to forget to say "I love you." In our everyday life we are so swept away with what needs to be done or who needs to be driven to whatever lessons are on the agenda but sometimes we forget to make time for the one person who gives you a reason to get up in the morning. Sure, my kids do that too, but Doug is my forever man. The boys fill a different part of my heart than he does.

That's enough sentimentality for one day. I will go snuggle with Quinn while he races his cars around the virtual track on the computer screen. Maybe I'll put the kettle on for some hot chocolate too so my other boys can get warmed up when they come in.