The Great Escape.

We did it! We finally managed to organize a mommy and daddy getaway for an entire week...cue the super-sexy music and light the candles! We had it all planned out.....Dominican Republic, a week at a 5-star resort, lots of romance and hotel sex....and no kids, hockey, horseback riding lessons, Beavers, schoolwork, principals or careers to get in the way. It was going to be AWESOME!

The first day there was a little tough because we were up at 4am to make our flight and by the time we landed and took the 45-minute bus ride to the resort we were exhausted! We were so happy to get the key to our love-cave and sleeeeeeep! Until we opened the door. It REEKED like mold!! It was an instant headache and upset tummy all at once. We were trying so hard to be positive, but I finally said, 'I'm sorry, but I can't spend a week in this shithole.' So we went to the desk and got ourselves a new room that didn't smell as bad. As soon as we got settled we knew that we wanted to get some sleep-after all, it was 7:30 at night! Eric plugged in his Cpap machine (for sleep apnea) and guess what? It didn't work. That really sucked for him, because he doesn't sleep well without it. But he was quite positive about and took the 'I can't do anything about it so why get upset?' attitude which was great. It was the attitude that I should have taken when I woke up with my period the next day. The first freakin' morning of my first fricken' vacation in 3 flippin' years. My stupid period was late by 2 weeks and I had actually told myself that I'm sure that it's early menopause, maybe I won't even get it anymore? Very stupid girl. Anyhow, again- not much we could do, so I cried about it then went on my merry way to the pool....

Over the course of the week we adopted a routine which went like this: beach, pool bar, lunch. Infinity pool, nap, dinner. All week, that's basically what we did. It was lovely, except for the shits that set in around day 4. That day, we went to the pool and laid on chairs very close to the bathrooms!

As we navigated our way through our all-inclusive coma (we just aren't used to doing nothing for an entire week!) I think we realized that we could relax in spite of our setbacks. That even planning a holiday around my monthly cycle is not a guarantee. That Eric doesn't need sleep as much as he thought he did. That the shits suck, but Imodium helps. A lot. And above all else, no matter what is going wrong, it can all be made right again by drinking the appropriate amounts of Cuba Libres or Mojitos in the pool. Amen mon amigos.

Aging.

I hate to admit it, but I am getting older. The problem is that I still mentally feel like a 20 year-old but my body is not keeping up like it used to. A good night's sleep eludes me because I'm waking up to pee. To PEE!!! That's something that happens to senior citizens!! My wise 17 year-old told me to stop drinking wine at night and that would fix my problem....ah! She's probably right, but I certainly won't tell her that! So, I've been up since 5:15 this morning. It hasn't been bad, actually; I've done homework, laundry and now I'm blogging...maybe sleep is just a time-waster? I'll let you know around 1 pm today when I am dying for a nap!!

Last night my husband and I had an amusing conversation about ourselves that was really quite enlightening. I started talking about breeding the dog.....she's about to go into another heat cycle and she's 3 yrs old next week so now is the time if we are going to do it.....and he said, "So, you're going to be a dog breeder, keep a puppy, sell jewellery and work in the OR?" All I could do is laugh! He's so got me pegged!! We are such polar opposites when it comes to some stuff.....and while I'm out with my head in the clouds, he gently reaches up and yanks me back down. And when he can't get his feet off the ground, I reach down and yank him up to the clouds. I love how much we need each other but for totally different reasons.

So, I guess if getting older means getting to know yourselves and accepting each other I'll take it. I just wish it would come with a good night's sleep.

Stress free.....Wha...???

I can't remember the last time I just relaxed on a weekend. I do recall that before I had kids my friends and I would get together and play tennis, go golfing or watch movies during the day. Those were the days when I had basically no stress, no worries, no problems....I am feeling a little tired of the treadmill of wake, work, sleep. Probably because my kids really can't appreciate how hard it is and how thankless it is. Even on the days that they are in school I am busy trying to run around, do homework (5 weeks left!!) and clean up the mess they left behind. In fact, I often have someone home on those days- sick.

Sometimes I wish I could just step out of my life for a day or two. With my husband....I would take him with me.....after all these years, he's the one I want to spend my time with. Actually, I don't know a lot of couples like us- work, stress, kids- it hasn't stopped us from being in love. You know how a lot of couples still love each other but they don't feel that heart-stopping in love feeling? Well, we still have it....and it makes our kids sick!! We have discovered that the fastest way to clear a room of kids is to start kissing each other.

Anyhow, if my kids understood anything about anything they would totally leave us alone once in awhile. And I guess if I understood anything about anything, I would thank my mom for allowing me to have stress-free weekends with my friends when I was young.

Thanks Mom.

Hard work and love......

Oh man!!! I've been so busy my head is spinning.....school is getting pretty intense because there's a lot of homework and a lot of tests to study for. I'm well on my way, though, and I'm feeling.....well.......overwhelmed!!! So far, 3 people have dropped out of the course because it's so hard but I am too stubborn to quit, so I think I'll last.

Last night I had to pick my chin up off the floor when Eric informed me that Tim Horton's called and offered Brandon the job!!! He is proud and excited and so am I.....time to GROW THE HELL UP!!!!!! He starts his orientation tomorrow and we're hoping that he gets some hours over the March Break next week to keep him busy. He bought himself another XBox with his birthday money (remember, we forced him to sell his old one to pay for the bike he stole?).....he'd be happy to stay in the basement 24/7 if we let him. But between band 4 times a week, Cadets and a job we're hoping to keep him busy enough to stay out of trouble. The only new glitch is that he has another new girlfriend so I hope he can manage to fit her in somewhere too. Brandon has a certain charisma that the girls seem to love.......there something about Brandon.

And my Emma seems to be smitten as well! She has met a boy in her Philosophy class and I've never seen her so giddy! Apparently, this boy has had a crush on her since grade 9 when they had a class together. He told her that he used to "sit in class and watch" her....but not as a creeper! Only because "she's so pretty". What girl wouldn't fall for that?!!? I figure that as long as she's happy, I'm happy. That's all that really matters to me in the end.

My husband has been a great support to me as I've struggled to get back into the grind. He is a natural at packing lunches, brushing hair, and giving hugs. And he always smells good too. What girl wouldn't be in love with all that? This family is so lucky to have that man behind us, pushing us all along. I'm so lucky that he chose me.

Love Letters.

I've always known that I married the perfect man. He's funny, he's smart (and full of useless information), he's beautiful inside and out....he is very sensitive to my needs and he's totally committed to our marriage and our family. My man works HARD to give us the wonderful lives we have and my love, respect and admiration for him is endless. After 9 years together, I really didn't think he could surprise me.....until the LOVE LETTER.

Yesterday, Eric left for Ireland. I was skating with the kids at a party and he came to watch them for a few minutes before he had to catch his flight. We waved to each other, blew kisses, and I watched him walk away. I was sad, but I'm getting used to this now. Last night, as I sat alone (the kids were asleep) I thought about how much I missed him. I really did look forward to a night alone but once I was (finally!) alone I only felt like something was missing. So, I went to bed.

As I reached out to fix my pillow, I felt a piece of paper. I chuckled and thought one of the kids left me a "treat". So I turned the light back on and felt my heart jump when I read what was in my hand. On the outside it said, "Open me xxoo" in red ink with a heart. So I did....and I was so overcome that I just began bawling! It was the sweetest most perfect gesture a man could ever make....... a love letter. I'm not going to reveal the contents of the letter (SOME things have to be kept private!) but suffice it to say that my husband reached a new level of "perfect" last night. And I ask you.......after 9 years together, what else could a girl wish for?