Monday, February 02, 2015

What the picture doesn't show...


 What the Picture doesn’t show…


One of the many things I dislike about Facebook other than peoples brag factor, is the ability to make things look all rosy and good.  Our family took a small getaway vacation this weekend and I posted some pics.   Several of my friends have commented to me that it looked like we had such a fun great weekend.  Don’t get me wrong, we did have fun, but the pictures don’t capture the essence and comedy of moments in between.  Several times throughout, I stopped, looked at Tanya and said, “What am I doing… what are we putting ourselves through here”.   Somehow our memories have a way of going from “I want to poke my eyes out” to “yeah, that was a fun weekend” awfully quick though thankfully.

After taking a day off work, and planning a winter weekend trip to Ottawa & Montreal, I was excited to get a jump on the day and head for some winter outings by 9am.  As our vehicle pulled out of the driveway shortly before 11:30, we were excited to finally be on our way.  A few accidents along the way caused us to extend our late departure and allowed us to see the more scenic views and back roads, Napanee, and beyond to Newburgh.   20 minutes into the trip, the questions commenced from a few different sources…. “are we there yet” and , “how much longer”   No matter how often we answered, it didn’t prohibit the same question from being asked every 20 minutes.   After finally arriving in the capital city, the weak bladdered one announced she had to go to the bathroom…. And it couldn’t wait.   After circling the block south of the parliament buildings, a McDonalds with no parking was located and a pit stop occurred.  Doris, our GPS lady was in a tizzy with all the wrong turns I was taking her on but somehow she managed to direct us and find our way back to our refreshed ladies .

As we made our way to Hull, or whatever they call it these days, we went to the Jacques Cartier Park and were able to enjoy the commencement of Winterlude activities without long lines.   The minus 21 temperatures which with the wind felt like -31, didn’t slow us down… much.  After several trips down the slide, the beginning stages of hypothermia began to set in.   On one occasion, there was the elateful sight of my eleven year old bounding down the slide, with my disconnected GoPro bounding on a head of him.  Just Awesome.  After a quick trip to the warm tent, some Beaver tails and sugar on snow were in order… both of which found their way into #2’s hair.   The hypothermia had left most of our bodies with the exception of #1 who was pleading for me to carry him around  as his toes were about to fall off.

We arrived at our hospitable host’s home, which was a highlight for the weekend.  We left our kids with theirs and made our way out for dinner.  We had a great time, as did our kids.  The weak bladdered one especially had a fun time… too fun in fact to stop what she was doing and use the facilities, instead rather, electing to urinate in her pants.   We’re still not sure how much she drank while we were out, but it was enough to wet her pants in the evening and to wet her pull ups, pj’s, sleeping bag and bed that night too.  She’s going to do great things … one day.  One day.


After a hearty breakfast, we were off to our busy days events.  Arriving on the Canal, we managed to make our way down without much trouble.  With the -25 temps, the picture shows Tanya, Isaac & Faith on the Canal with the Parliament buildings in behind.   What the picture doesn’t show…Is #2 refusing to pose for the picture because the tongue on her skate was bothering her and she was cold.  The overtired and teary Diva could not be consoled, especially with the constant barrage and pestering by #1.  Not even the promise of yet another beaver tail could rescue the situation, although it did manage to find its way into her hair yet again.

After rondez vousing back at the Chateau Laurier and retrieving our partially clean van, we began our quest to a hill to ski.  Not long into our trip, I discovered that we’d left some clothes at our host’s home, which caused us to go out of our way to go back and pick it up.  I’d like to blame one of my 3 offspring, but this clearly was all on me. 

After finally arriving at Edelweiss Ski Resort in Quebec, a picture of our family shows us ready to tackle the hills.  What the picture doesn’t show, is the constant fighting between siblings, the weak bladdered one falling on the hill and urinating her pants… AGAIN, going back up to the top of the hill, prematurely jumping off the lift only to shut the whole thing down as the chairs narrowly missed her head.   After the tears and cries began to disapate, the weak bladdered one announced that she in fact needs to go to the facilities yet again.  Apparently the urinated fall, did not quite empty the bladder before and but now we were in emergency bathroom mode.   At this point I was quite content for her just to let go and finish the job in her pants, but she was determined to rescue her last amount of dignity and finish the job at the chalet water closet, all the while crying down the hill.  On one of my own desents, a partial fall I felt went undetected until I went to pay four our dinner, only to realized my credit card was now split in two.

As we finished the day, a quick family photo shows us smiling and ready to head to our next adventure in Montreal.  What the picture doesn’t show, as we packed our frost bitten bodies into the van, was that Doris, the GPS lady decided to route us back 45 minutes to where we came from rather than take us on the shortened route.    After locating a timmies for #3 to do her thing, we were off In search of  some gas and food.  After finally finding a gas station, and delicately entering the severed credit card we were informed that all the pumps had just ran out of gas and we’d have to go elsewhere.  As we left, now a few hours behind schedule and left the capital city in our wake, the pestering and sibling rivalry began yet again, and the weak bladdered one started up with the “are we almost there yet” questioning only 5 minutes outside of Ottawa. 

As we arrived at our favourite hotel and checked in, the gracious francaphone hotel clerk gently swiped split credit card and sent us on our way.  Our valet parking attendant helped unload our now dirty and tattered van.  As he brought our belongings up to our room, I reached for my wallet… which was not where it should be.  After arranging for security to escort me back down  to the parking facility to retrieve my wallet, I received the call from my family that it was safely nesselted back in our room… exactly where I had left it.
Our Hotel picture looks modern and relaxed…. What the picture doesn’t show, is that, although our bed was extremely good, the sleep we got was not.  Although #3 managed to keep dry and give us a urine free night, she managed to kick and move a and keep her mother awake all night.

There is a picture of us all relaxed and waiting for our hotel meal for breakfast.  What the picture doesn’t show is the servers arriving with our Belgian waffles and ommletes for the kids and Tanya and looking at me perplexed… “umm… ya, so what did you order?”.    As my meal arrived, the kids were long finished theirs, #1 and #2 announced they needed to go and couldn’t wait.  #3 ironically was good and didn’t need to go.

After checking out, we began to make our way to the Canadiens matinee.   A few steps into our km walk, #3 began sobbing that her pants were hurting her and were too tight.  Apparently wet pants must make things a little more comfortable because the dry ones were causing quite a stir.  In between tears, we managed to undo the buttons, unzip the pants  and make the journey somewhat more bearable.  The tears did not stop the entire time, but she managed to make here way there, fortunately without her pants falling down.

We arrived at the game, Tanya had her contra ban water confiscated while I had managed to sneak in several electronic goods and recording equipment.  A picture of our family shows the kids getting their faces painted and enjoying the family day festivities.  During the first intermission, #2 and #3 began to lobby and interigate hard to take them for snacks and more tattoos.  I confirmed we’d make the trip at the halfway point of the 2nd period when lines weren’t so long but the thorough barrage of tears and questioning did not let up.  Finally at the 16:00 minute mark, I caved and left with both daughters in tow to get  some Popcorn for Isaac and some hotdog and fries for the “starving” #2, which also managed to find it’s way into her hair.  After returning to our seats, not before tripping and falling on the stairs and gifting a portion of our popcorn to the drunk lads in 314 row CC, #3 started in on wanting to look for more face painting tattoo artists.  I wanted to sit down but my quest to give my kids a fun time and a good weekend won out over that part of me that just wanted to enjoy the game.  After leaving and walking around the entire upper bowl, we found that facepaint place, only to disover the tattoo ladies were gone.  So back to our seats we went and enjoyed the last few minutes of the 2nd period.  As the period came to a close, I noticed #1 beginning to fade fast and put his head on his mothers lap.  My concern for the health of #1 was quickly interrupted with the request of #3 to once again go and try and find the talented tattoo face painting ladies.   Of course when we arrived, the line was now quite long but wait we did and missed a good chuck of the first half of the third period.  Now the only good thing about missing that, was not getting to witness firsthand the coyote diamondbacks from Arizona, Glendale, Pheonix or whatever they call themselves these days, scoring  two goals to go ahead in the game.   As the game came to a close, no comeback was to be had and our beloved habs lost yet again with us in the stands.

As we journeyed back to our car, #1 was at this point in quite a bit of pain.  #3 was not complaining at all, which one can only assume that she had wet her pants to make the trip a bit more comfortable. 

After retrieving our now destroyed and messy van from the valet, I drove exactly 2 feet until I realized I needed to get the boy some tylonel.    As I opened up the back of the van, I was sarcastically happy to discover the suitcase needed was now wedged and packed firmly under all the other suitcases, under all the ski equipment, and of course under all the skates.  After some hastily rearranging, I was able to get the said medication up to the front and administered to the ailing #1 child.   As we started off on our journey home, the moaning and cries began to intensify.  Our prudent advanced preparation caused us to empty a bag and give to the now inconsolable child in case he was to get sick.  He assured us several times that it was only his head that hurt and that his stomach was fine.  Somewhere between Boul de Sources and Boul St. Charles, the partially digested remains of the Belgian Waffles and “Mais SoufflĂ©” popcorn made their way all over the van…. All over the van… and nowhere near the bag.  As I stopped at the next Tim Horton’s and surveyed the damage of the Boul de Sources Barf, I felt it best not to take a picture.  No one needs to see that disgusting mess.  As my freshly puked on son awated in between the doors of Horton’s, the horrified glances of nosy onlookers watching and sneering to see a middle aged man paper towel and mop up the remains of the Belgian popcorn waffles party mix.  As #1 waited without his coat, which by now was resting in a near by snow bank awaiting one of us to clean it, we ventured into the back of the clearly trashed van to go under the skates, under the skis and all the other luggage to retrieve a fresh set of clothes for #1.  As we pulled away and set out with new bags in hand, the trip got a little better as we inched our way closer to the border.  I yelled to confirm if we needed to make a stop at the on route and was assured all was good and we kept on going.  5 minutes past the exit, another portion of the Belgian party mix came up but this time into the Tim Horton’s barf bag.    5 minutes after that, #3 announced that dropped her water bottle.  I knew by the sound of her voice, there was more to the story and then asked if her lid was on.  With a hesitant giggle and laugh, I learned in fact it was not and was now mixing on the ground in the carpet with skis, the other garbage and of course the remains of the party mix. As we made our way to the next On Route, I questioned again if we should stop.  Again I was assured, we should keep going, all was good.  3 minutes past the exit this time, the third deposit of party mix came up.  5 minutes past that, #3 informed us that she needed to go… bad, and it couldn’t wait.  Of course.  Why not.

Finally we arrived home, unloaded our vehicle, and although I’d considered allowing to Ginger the dog to help lick up the mess, I elected to try and keep her away from boul de sources barf and go at it and clean myself.

As time will go on, I’m sure from looking at the pictures, we will remember the good times.  Our memories have a way of forgetting the fighting, the crying, the peeing, the cold, and we will remember the good family fun.  Maybe we will go back to winterlude again but for now and this coming weekend, I will elect for a warm home, a remote, a nearby washroom, and a good auto detailerJ




Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Meeting The Prime Minister




 
Quite a Thrill last week to visit my friend Jason R. and visit his "Boss" on the Hill.  Very cool to be able to take members of the Bulls along for the visit.
 
Stephen Harper, Meet Stephen Harper


Senator Jacques Demers & Jordan Subban

In the House of Commons



 


CHRISTMAS 2014

 

 
The prospect of an outgoing Christmas letter was in great peril earlier this year. One might assume the culprit could be the ever so rising costs of postage, the ongoing expenditure in Rep hockey, or perhaps our latest investment into orthodontist care and Dr. McLaird’s new BMW. But in actual fact, our pause this Christmas season was thanks in part to our darling daughter Faith. It seems recently that she ventured into her mothers iPad, discovered the password and purchased some extra credits to fuel her addiction in that ever so popular game Pet City. As the confirmation purchase emails began to fall faster than Bill Cosby’s endorsement deals, the final tally came in at $745.72 . As I began to tremble and fast, thankfully the iTunes employees responded well to tears from grown adults and reversed the charges… thus this Christmas script can continue.

It would seem every Christmas season, one of our appliances tends to take a holiday and break down. This Christmas, without fail, we feel doubly blessed as both our dishwasher and freezer felt best to stop working. Mercy sakes. Ah well, Nothing says Merry Christmas like a freezer full of rotting meat and a sink full of dirty dishes. Joy To The World #LGFAIL

Isaac’s school year began with him starting off in High School. It seems the kids new school wasn’t ready in September so they were sent to empty classrooms through out the city. Isaac started off Grade 6 at Quinte Secondary School and aside from hanging out with the kids down in smokers hall, it turned out to be a good experience. Isaac continues to be involved in soccer, hockey and also other school sports and annihilating his father in hockey pools.

When Eva was younger, I distinctly remember being faced with the question… do we try and reform her of her habit of sucking her thumb or let it continue and just get a good nights sleep. Sleep won out and now, several years later, I’m in a position to know the exact cost of that decision … that cost is $3, 600 just for phase 1. Phase 2 or as I like to call it, the Porsche phase, will commence in a couple of years. Certainly makes Faithy’s iTunes habit seem quite tame. Eva’s adjusted to life with braces, is active in Soccer and Tap dance. #Daddysnumberonehelper

Aside from nearly bankrupting the family fortune in iTunes, Faith continues to be the self-starter of our three and is extremely motivated with her musical talents and her continual quest to learn how things work and teach her older siblings. This summer, Faith point blank asked us where one goes to buy puppies as if she was fully intending to go there on her own. After years of relentless requests, we caved in to the pressures and welcomed Ginger into our family, our golden doodle.

After 4 years of billeting, we bid farewell to Scott who’s off to University. We will miss him a ton but know he’ll always be considered a member of our family. Other bulls players have mused that Scott has been replaced by a dog to which I replied, although there are similarities, they eat a lot and don’t shed but at least Scott didn’t have accidents on the carpet… at least that we’re aware of anyway. This in fact could be my final Christmas Letter though, between failing appliances and never ending dental work, it seems that Ginger’s carpet “duties” have expedited Tanya’s wish to replace carpet with Hardwood. #CHA-CHING.

It has become my quest to slow down and simplify somewhat. I answered that this year by getting a dog, becoming a deacon, and buying another brokerage in a neighboring town. So apparently I suck at this slowing down thing.  As our family continues to grow, Tanya and I remain active in their sports, helping out with Awana, ladies ministry, church ministry and the Bulls Chapel program. Between dentist visits and waiting for repairmen, we manage to fill our schedules to capacity.

As our house prepares for this advent season, the festive smells of apple cinnamon glade candles, decomposing meat, Gingers accidents on the carpet, and just a hint of febreeze permeate throughout our humble abode. I’m sure we’ve likely got some mould in the house by now with our leaky dishwasher to only add to our festive potpourri of aroma.  So as you prepare for Christmas complete your holiday expenditures, whether its new appliances for the home, dental care and gum grafts for the family or iTunes purchases for the addicted, take time to pause, forget about the costs and reflect on the things that are truly important… celebrating the birth of a savior, time with family making memories, and never buying another LG appliance again! From the Mackay’s, #MerryChristmas

 

 

Tuesday, December 02, 2014

Walk for Mom 2014

 
Walk for Mom 2014
I'm planning on making this an annual event. I will be walking again this year from Mackay Insurance to my home in support of Christmas Sharing in honor of my Mom.

On December 23, 1986, my mom made me walk home alone from town to our house on the 4th Concession. If you were at the funeral,  you heard me share the story. My mothers heart was always to look out for those who were less fortunate or alone. With that in mind, I'd like to try and raise funds to go towards a local charity (Christmas Sharing) that helps supply Christmas Dinners to those with no where else to go. I am asking my family and friends to consider contributing $5 or $10 towards my walk. All proceeds will be donated the Christmas Sharing Program.
 
Over the last 3 years, we've been able to raise over $10,000 to help with Christmas Sharing.  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

 Thanks for remembering and honoring my mom


 A few have asked how to donate. There are a few ways:
1. Cash or Cheque and drop by either the office at 211 Dundas St.
2. Mail to 211 Dundas St. E. Belleville, Ontario K8N 1E2
3. Give direct to either Dad or Myself
4. I can also accept online by paypal:
... https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=bruce%40mackayinsurance.com&lc=CA&item_name=Walk+For+Mom&currency_code=CAD&bn=PP-DonationsBF%3Abtn_donateCC_LG.gif%3ANonHosted

I plan to deliver the cheque  after my walk to the folks at Christmas Sharing. Thanks for sharing the vision and honoring my mom.
Online Payment, Merchant Account - PayPal
www.paypal.com
PayPal is the safer, easier way to pay online without revealing your credit card number.

Here is link to my blog with more of the story:
http://www.dbrucemackay.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-walk-for-mom.html



So Thankful for my Family... November 1st went for our annual photos and it wasn't too bad.  Lead up to the pictures and morning were a little stressful and a puppy to the mix, always a fun adventure:)



Thursday, June 19, 2014

Gearing up for another year of Belleville Youth Soccer.  Helping coach all three teams this year.  It's not for the love of soccer by any stretch... :)  They still want me around and want me to coach and be apart of their sporting lives

New Start...
Time to refresh the blog.  Its not like I have free time but i'm often reminded how quickly time is fleeing and i'm forgetting the experiences things that have been happening.  Will try and keep my posts updated

Every weekend seems to get insanely busy but was fun to take off on Saturday and head to Kingston and take the ferry to Wolfe Island and do some biking.  The pictures and the video don't capture the whining and crying as soon as we got there, complaining are we there yet :)... but thankful for the family in my life and the memories we are making

 

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Christmas 2013

http://youtu.be/C9PLRoqnl4o
Christmas 2013
A fun year, kids behaved and all were well

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Walk For Mom 2013
 
I'm planning on making this an annual event. I will be walking again this year from Mackay Insurance to my home ins support of Christmas Sharing in honour of my Mom.

On December 23, 1986, my mom made me walk home alone from town to our house on the 4th. If you were at the funeral,  you heard me share the story. My mothers heart was always to look out for those who were less fortunate or alone. With that in mind, I'd like to try and raise funds to go towards a local charity (Christmas Sharing) that helps supply Christmas Dinners to those with no where else to go. I am asking my family and friends to consider contributing $5 or $10 towards my walk. All proceeds will be donated the Christmas Sharing Program.

Thanks for remembering and honoring my mom


Hey Everyone. A few have asked how to donate. There are a few ways:
1. Cash or Cheque and drop by either the office at 211 Dundas St.
2. Mail to 211 Dundas St. E. Belleville, Ontario K8N 1E2
3. Give direct to either Dad or Myself
4. I can also accept online by paypal:
... https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=bruce%40mackayinsurance.com&lc=CA&item_name=Walk+For+Mom&currency_code=CAD&bn=PP-DonationsBF%3Abtn_donateCC_LG.gif%3ANonHosted

I plan to deliver the cheque  after my walk to the folks at Christmas Sharing. Thanks for sharing the vision and honoring my mom.
Online Payment, Merchant Account - PayPal
www.paypal.com
PayPal is the safer, easier way to pay online without revealing your credit card number.

Here is link to my blog with more of the story:
http://www.dbrucemackay.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-walk-for-mom.html

Friday, August 09, 2013