So it seems I haven’t blogged much lately. Clearly you haven’t noticed. Or cared. Frankly, neither do I. Why haven’t I blogged? Because I’ve been busy. Really busy. Like the kind of busy that not only prevents you from writing blogs or reading blogs, but the kind of busy that makes you forget you even had a blog in the first place.
And what exactly is keeping me so busy?
Here’s a clue - it’s 10 years old, has two legs and a hockey stick. And it made our Town’s Rep hockey team earlier this year, which started their games and practices in September.
And I haven’t seen my life since.
Because when your Eldest son makes your Town’s Rep hockey team, this is what will happen;
- you will pay $450 to register him for the season that runs from mid-September to approximately March
- then he will be subjected to many vigarous tryout sessions (another $60 for that process FYI)
- when he makes the team, there will be much celebrating by your child & your husband. You, on the other hand, will be a) curled up in the fetal position b) vomiting and c) in tears because you will understand immediately how very busy and expensive your life is about to get
- then you will fork over an additional $1,600 for that pleasure
- and spend approximately $200 in new hockey equipment (because apparently it’s important that the team wears all the same colour helmets, gloves & pants). It’s the rules people – don’t ask me why.
- and then spend another $300 on team jackets, track suits, shirts, etc so they all look respectable when they show up for games. Whatever.
- he will be at the rink an average of 5 days per week (this does NOT include his brother’s 2 times per week). If you include the before time, the game or practice itself, and the time you wait for Mr. Chatty Cathy to come out of the GD change-room afterwards, you end up spending anywhere from 2 – 3 hours at the rink each time. Rinks are boring. And cold. But they do sell really good fries & gravy.
- your family will spend much of their time in the car, driving back and forth to rinks. When you play hockey for your Town, you play against other Towns. Towns that may be over an hour away. So you can just go ahead and add that round-trip driving time to the previous point above.
- as a result of all this physical activity, your son will fall into bed utterly exhausted every night and eat you out of house and home.
But he couldn’t be happier.
Me? Not so much. It’s a grueling schedule. So far his school work hasn’t suffered, but I am keeping a close eye on it. Fortunately his Coach is also a school teacher so that helps to keep his priorities in line.
Rest assured, we’re under no mis-conseptions. We are not planning to retire early off the interest from his professional hockey career. He will likely not be the next Wayne Gretzky. He will probably never play in the NHL or even get a hockey scholarship.
But we do hope that through all the sacrifices we’re currently making, he will learn the importance of self-discipline, leadership and keeping your body healthy. What it means to work hard for something you really, really want, to be part of a team and to make new friends.
And in the process, we hope he has some fun along the way.
Got any suggestions for how to pass the time in a car or while waiting around a rink? Can too many fries & gravy give you heart disease? Am I the only person that can’t grasp what “icing” means???
22 Responses to “Can I Please Have Fries With My Ice?”
(if you want your picture to show up with your comments here and elsewhere on the web, register it at http://en.gravatar.com/)
Subscribe via RSS
Subscribe in your Google Reader
October 8th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Cher! I’ve missed you. I don’t know what the child labor laws are in Canada, but I believe your son needs to get a job in the summer. Or do extra chores. Because crap on a cracker that’s a lot of moolah.
The rink doesn’ have wireless internet? Perhaps you should start a petition? Or take up knitting. Then you can make matching socks for the team. Or something.
October 8th, 2010 at 11:06 am
HERE YOU ARE!!!!
I was so happy when a post from you came up in my reader.
I had no idea that hockey could be so wallet-draining and time consuming. 5 days a week at the rink? That’s serious biz.
Beckles beat me to it, but I was going to suggest knitting or crocheting. Or maybe you could buy Rosetta stone and teach yourself another language while you sit there for hours and hours. You could learn how to order fries and gravy in 12 different languages.
October 8th, 2010 at 11:38 am
Cher. You know I know what icing means. And I am happy to explain it to you in a hockeIy mom to hockey mom sort of way. Using m&m’s, wine glasses and gourmet cheese when you’re here.
Ok, what is the additional $1600 you threw in there? And when does his team travel to San Diego? I hear our travel guys from our club are pretty damn good, so….
Also, I do understand the wacky schedule. Jason has it for football right now. Which is hindering our hockey season that has already started but lucky for someone (not me or my wallet) they will let him come into the season a month late.
*sigh*
October 8th, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Oh my lord woman. That is insanity. But like you said hopefully your son with learn all those great things and have some fun. But, damn, you are gonna be busy.
October 8th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Yay, you’re back – we missed you! Holy crap that’s an insane amount of money! I agree with the knitting idea – perhaps a blanket to keep you warm in all those cold, cold arenas. Icing? Uh, ya, that’s what you’ll be doing to dozens of cupcakes at the END of the hockey season
October 8th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Oh my hell. That sounds really boring and crappy. I have been thinking about you and wondering how you were…never imagined you were sitting around eating fries and gravy,but not I want some!!
I’m giving my 5 year old his books today, I know he’s gonna love em!
Will you message me your address?? I won’t stalk you, promise.
October 8th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
And? The money? HOLY CRAP.
October 8th, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Oh my gosh, you HAVE been busy! And, geeeeeez, that’s a lot of money for a kid sport! Dang.
And I have missed you, just fyi. I guess I’ll see you next April.
October 8th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
So happy to see you back – missed your blog terribly. Hockey Mom’s should get a metal at the end of the season. No one but a Mom would understand how much time it takes to organize the entire family around one little boy.
Why don’t you take your lap top to the arena and write your blog there. Even a piece of paper would do so that you can construct your ideas.
October 8th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
You have definitely been missed! I don’t speak hockey very well, but I have heard of people losing theirs husbands once the season starts and getting them back the following summer. I’m sure your son will be eternally grateful once he grows up and realizes all you’ve done for him and then returns the favor and takes care of you
Also I just had garlic-parmesan fries and I would gladly give you some.
October 11th, 2010 at 11:10 am
Holy crap. I knew hockey was expensive…but WOW! Get an air card and blog from the car. HA!
October 11th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Hey girl- I here ya! We don’t do hockey—but soccer! Holy crap- it has a life of it’s own. But I think you’ve got me on expenses- hockey is spendy. I’ve steered my kiddos away from it!! Hang in there mama!!!
BTW- i missed your posts.
Crystal
October 11th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Ugh. No wonder you haven’t been blogging lately. Can you take your laptop with you and write drafts? (I’m sure it’s too noisy there to concentrate.) I’m big on listening to audio books on my ipod in the car and when I’m waiting places. I feel so productive – even when I’m just sitting there.
October 12th, 2010 at 9:12 am
Oh God love your heart…I HAVE missed you but I’ve been sucked into Army Wife Pre-Deployment World which means a LOT of travel, a LOT of late nights packing duffles, and sometimes wi-fi and sometimes not. I have only had time to catch up this month because I’m solo while Neal trains and I can have some peace and quiet. But as soon as he gets home at the end of the month, we’re back at it. Ft. Bliss, Ft. Jackson, Ft. Lee, Orlando FL. It is just really stupid is what it is. But it is preparing him (and his unit) for the year that lays ahead so I certainly cannot and will not complain about that. Just like you can’t so much complain about how happy your son is. Ah…the sacrifices we women make.
So, for the record, I did and have missed you. And….I just love that you put a “u” in color.
October 12th, 2010 at 10:18 am
Oh gosh, you’re definitely busy & yikes on the expenses! But so worth it right? Nothing but the best for our kids
Thanks for stopping by the blog btw! Have a happy week!
October 14th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
Huh. So they obviously breed mothers much stronger and much more selfless up in Canada. (Is it the bracing air?) Aura’s just doing preschooler dance and I’m already planning a vacation just so I can skip the single recital. Jamaica in May, baby. Tropical humidity trumps sequined tutus any day.
October 15th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Wow it sounds like you are having such a crazy time! Maybe you could spend the time writting your posts by hand then just photograph them and post them? Otherwise you could read some books? Doesn’t sound like fun though, some evening I have to wait at the ice rink while my boyfriend’s at curling – it’s not even interesting to watch, they do serve cake and hot chocolate though and the seating area is heated.
October 16th, 2010 at 10:31 am
I suggest buying a Kindle — or an iPad (just a liiiiiittle bit more expensive) and read and/or blog while you’ve got time at the rink. See? Two birds, one stone.
You’re doing fabulous wonderful awesome things for your son, so feel good about the outlay.
October 17th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
I have also been wildly MIA, so I assign no blame.
Hockey is expensive. Tell your kid to be a runner. All you do is buy him nice shoes and then say, “Off you go!” At least, that’s how I always pictured it.
P.S. French fries and gravy?? I knew it! I’m moving to Canada!
October 18th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
I second the iPod /Discman books on tape suggestion. I listened to lectures on tape from the Teaching Co. during my long commute. Listened to all kinds of fantastic stuff–mythology, classical Greek drama, political philosophy, even physics, which I’d never taken in school.
Good luck being a hockey mom. Sounds kinda grueling.
October 19th, 2010 at 11:16 am
There is a great new blog award waiting for you at http://shhhhhjustbetweenume.blogspot.com Please stop by, read the post and accept you new blog award. And don’t for get to pass it on!!
October 20th, 2010 at 12:15 am
That is some serious devotion right there (on both of your parts). I think Salt had a great idea suggesting Rosetta Stone. I think I would just go through a stack of books/magazines, perhaps listen to a new CD in the car, or do some blogging.
I give you so much credit for all that you do. It is a great sacrifice, but you are definitely teaching your son very valuable lessons on teamwork and disciple he’ll take with him forever
Thanks for stopping by earlier. It was nice to have you!