20 years of (mostly) joy
Aged to perfection
Happy Birthday Carson!
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
New place, new ways of doing things
We are slowing finding room for all our stuff. Still unpacked are several boxes of photo albums and several boxes of books and cookbooks and cooking magazines. And a few containers of toiletries. Honestly - why do we think we need all that stuff?
And I have yet to find - uh, an official government document that should be reported missing as soon as it is known to be missing - my headphones (ugh, I can't block out my fellow GO train commuters with my iPod), Ev's 12 pack minus 1 package of contacts, the charger for the cordless vac, and a few other things. Hopefully this weekend we will have everything unpacked and accounted for.
There are a few benefits from downsizing to 1500 sq ft from a 3400 sq ft home and equivalent yard - I can't wipe the smile off my face as I roll the push mower over the lawn. I love the sound the blades make as they cut the grass. The tiny patches of grass in the front and back take a dozen or so swipes - et voila - that job is done. What is taking more time is watering those little lawns. I'm down to taking 5 minutes adjusting the water pressure so that all the neighbours, their cars and adjoining lawns don't get sprayed. The first time I tried to water the lawn, I spent at least 15 minutes going back and forth from the tap to the sprinkler, changing the pressure and the direction of the spray. I think the typical oscillating water sprinkler is meant for big lawns. I'm going to look into a different style of sprinkler, one more suitable to watering 30 sq feet of grass - they should be going on sale any time now.
Being in such close proximity to our neighbours has been mostly positive. And a source of humour for me today. Evann proudly reported this afternoon that she rinsed out all the recycling and compost bins that were put out at the curb this morning. Because of our shared driveway and limited curb real estate, our neighbours place their garbage in front of our place with ours. Ev wasn't very happy when she found out how wonderfully neighbourly she was, having washed out their smelly garbage bins as well.
The big girls seem to be settling in - though they are frustrated with the time it is taking me to figure out how to set up the new wireless internet connection...having to plug their laptops directly into the modem that is under the basement stairs is only temporary, I assure them.
Leah has only spent two days at the new place - as soon as she returned from New Brunswick, she was whisked away to the cottage where she has been having a blast with her cousins; beating them at War and learning how to ski on the wakeboard. If she had her way, she would split her summer vacation time between the two places - cottage and New Brunswick.
More changes tomorrow as Rob takes possession of his new place.
I wonder if he needs any toiletries?
And I have yet to find - uh, an official government document that should be reported missing as soon as it is known to be missing - my headphones (ugh, I can't block out my fellow GO train commuters with my iPod), Ev's 12 pack minus 1 package of contacts, the charger for the cordless vac, and a few other things. Hopefully this weekend we will have everything unpacked and accounted for.
There are a few benefits from downsizing to 1500 sq ft from a 3400 sq ft home and equivalent yard - I can't wipe the smile off my face as I roll the push mower over the lawn. I love the sound the blades make as they cut the grass. The tiny patches of grass in the front and back take a dozen or so swipes - et voila - that job is done. What is taking more time is watering those little lawns. I'm down to taking 5 minutes adjusting the water pressure so that all the neighbours, their cars and adjoining lawns don't get sprayed. The first time I tried to water the lawn, I spent at least 15 minutes going back and forth from the tap to the sprinkler, changing the pressure and the direction of the spray. I think the typical oscillating water sprinkler is meant for big lawns. I'm going to look into a different style of sprinkler, one more suitable to watering 30 sq feet of grass - they should be going on sale any time now.
Being in such close proximity to our neighbours has been mostly positive. And a source of humour for me today. Evann proudly reported this afternoon that she rinsed out all the recycling and compost bins that were put out at the curb this morning. Because of our shared driveway and limited curb real estate, our neighbours place their garbage in front of our place with ours. Ev wasn't very happy when she found out how wonderfully neighbourly she was, having washed out their smelly garbage bins as well.
The big girls seem to be settling in - though they are frustrated with the time it is taking me to figure out how to set up the new wireless internet connection...having to plug their laptops directly into the modem that is under the basement stairs is only temporary, I assure them.
Leah has only spent two days at the new place - as soon as she returned from New Brunswick, she was whisked away to the cottage where she has been having a blast with her cousins; beating them at War and learning how to ski on the wakeboard. If she had her way, she would split her summer vacation time between the two places - cottage and New Brunswick.
More changes tomorrow as Rob takes possession of his new place.
I wonder if he needs any toiletries?
Friday, July 15, 2011
It takes a village...
...to move me into our new place. Chief amongst those villagers are Carol, Paula and Brent. They kept me focussed (never an easy job) and propped me up when this whole transition seemed physically and emotionally overwhelming.
Friends and family have been sending good wishes and another favourite friend arrived Saturday afternoon for a visit. Marilyn and I sat caught up on the front porch and were eventually joined by Carol and Paula. Impromtu dinner plans were made and within an hour or so, we had prepared two pounds of delectable and garlicky mussels. Perfectly accompanied by Paula's bocconcini and tomato salad and lots of fresh bread. And a few splashes of wine.
I'm so glad we had that fun time - the next few days were hectic - preparing for the movers, moving and now finding a place for everything.
Cousin Brent has been spent most of his vacation here, putting together furniture. A desk, tv console, and two beds. Here is Leah's room - before and after assembly
Right now Brent is hooking up the tv/dvd player to a small surround sound system. I've got boxes open and stuff scattered on all three floor. Plus a whole lot of cardboard to break down.
We have plans to get out to the downtown Midnight Madness event tonight - we might just be able to tear ourselves away before midnight.
Or maybe Brent will be able to hook up the "entertainment system" and we will just veg here.
Two more days til the girls return from their travels. Lots to do.
Friends and family have been sending good wishes and another favourite friend arrived Saturday afternoon for a visit. Marilyn and I sat caught up on the front porch and were eventually joined by Carol and Paula. Impromtu dinner plans were made and within an hour or so, we had prepared two pounds of delectable and garlicky mussels. Perfectly accompanied by Paula's bocconcini and tomato salad and lots of fresh bread. And a few splashes of wine.
I'm so glad we had that fun time - the next few days were hectic - preparing for the movers, moving and now finding a place for everything.
Cousin Brent has been spent most of his vacation here, putting together furniture. A desk, tv console, and two beds. Here is Leah's room - before and after assembly
Right now Brent is hooking up the tv/dvd player to a small surround sound system. I've got boxes open and stuff scattered on all three floor. Plus a whole lot of cardboard to break down.
We have plans to get out to the downtown Midnight Madness event tonight - we might just be able to tear ourselves away before midnight.
Or maybe Brent will be able to hook up the "entertainment system" and we will just veg here.
Two more days til the girls return from their travels. Lots to do.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Out and about
In between purging and packing (not enough of the former and too much of the latter), we have been:
Downtown to see Glee,
enjoyed a fabulous post-show dinner (thank you Andrew)
and watched the world go by
I spent a day at Leah's track and field meet (and I'm watching her compete at another one today)
Acted as MC for an all-staff meeting held at the Bell Lightbox (if you love movies, you have to go there)
Downtown to see Glee,
I spent a day at Leah's track and field meet (and I'm watching her compete at another one today)
Acted as MC for an all-staff meeting held at the Bell Lightbox (if you love movies, you have to go there)
Father's Day brunch was a lot of fun
And the past two days, had a blast with Carol to and fro and at the cottage
Today I am basking in the abundance of family and friends.
Happy first day of summer!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
59. And a half.
I am planning to take Carson to New York City later this summer in celebration of her 20th birthday. As soon as I had confirmed travel dates, I started imagining where Evann and I would go for her 20th (hint: Eiffel Tower). Giddy with excitement, I shared these plans with Leah the next morning as we were getting ready for work/school.
"Oh Leah. Imagine when you are 20 and we are planning a trip to anywhere in the world. Won't that be great?" I enthused.
She didn't seem to share in my excitement.
With a perplexed look on her face, she asked "How OLD are you going to be then?"
Sigh...
"Oh Leah. Imagine when you are 20 and we are planning a trip to anywhere in the world. Won't that be great?" I enthused.
She didn't seem to share in my excitement.
With a perplexed look on her face, she asked "How OLD are you going to be then?"
Sigh...
Friday, June 10, 2011
Beginner's Test
"Well, if I have to walk home from the GO station, at least it's a beautiful evening. And a half hour walk is good exercise. If I ever get to live in Toronto, maybe I will be walking a half hour home from work every day. This is good."
Rob and his folks are in the city for a family function, and Carson has my car. This isn't the first time I haven't had a ride home and it definitely isn't going to be the last. We are now just days until our new lives officially begin. New homes, new labels. Single mom. The kids will still have their support group. Mine will be significantly diminished.
7:40 p.m. Five minutes from home I receive a text from Evann. She's volunteering at a school carnival in the next neighbourhood and needs money and a sweater. I tell her that I'm almost home and will bike over with her stuff. "A little more exercise!" I tell myself.
I'm starving. In the house, a quick hug to Leah, a greeting to her friend, change, grab a square of dark chocolate, hop on my bike and I'm off. I also managed to scrounge a handful of change - hoping I have enough for Evann to buy one of the bbq offerings. Curse these school events - just about the only place that doesn't accept debit cards.
8:15 I find Evann outside at the back of the school working at the freezie stand - freezing and hungry. She gets permission to take a break and we head for the cafeteria. Hooray, the food is marked down. We can get a hamburger or hotdog and a drink for $3.00. Ev counts the change. I had managed to scrape together $6.25. Yippee! We can both dine at the school tonight!
We park ourselves outside on a baseball bench, wolf down our burgers and take a few minutes to catch up. Ev has to help out til 9 so I bike around the neighbourhood until she is done. I really don't want to walk all the way home so I make Ev ride with me. She is seated and I am pedaling upright. It takes a bit of adjusting to keep her legs from tangling in mine and in the pedals. We laugh as we picture how we must look - thinking of those images from somewhere in the far east of families of 8 or so all piled on one bicycle. Ev is a great sport. She is both mortified (that someone she knows will see her) and terrified (I'm a bit wobbly riding this way), but hangs on tight and laughs along with me. We manage to ride together most of the way home.
As we near our house I see my car in the driveway. "How long has Carson been home? Don't tell me we could have got her to pick us up." Ev finally clues in that my walk home from the train and my bike ride were not whims of fancy. They were a necessity.
I remain positive, thinking "Ah well, it was a fun bonding experience and a great workout. One car, one parent and three busy kids. We will be able to make this work."
I am greeted at the door by a panicked Carson. Her toilet won't flush. Only a few days ago I was thinking about all the little home maintenance jobs that I felt I would be able to handle on my own once I'm in my new place. "I think I'm going to warn the landlord that he better be prepared to help out with any clogged toilets. That's about the only thing I don't want to deal with."
It didn't take long for me to become agitated - especially after finding out that it has been clogged for two days. Two days that Opa or Rob could have fixed the problem. At first I told her she was on her own - but then I gave my head a shake and rose to the occasion.
And we did it! That's about all the details I need to share about THAT bonding experience.
Back downstairs to check in with Leah, fold some laundry and finally at 9:50 I sat down, thinking "That felt like a test."
I think I passed.
Rob and his folks are in the city for a family function, and Carson has my car. This isn't the first time I haven't had a ride home and it definitely isn't going to be the last. We are now just days until our new lives officially begin. New homes, new labels. Single mom. The kids will still have their support group. Mine will be significantly diminished.
7:40 p.m. Five minutes from home I receive a text from Evann. She's volunteering at a school carnival in the next neighbourhood and needs money and a sweater. I tell her that I'm almost home and will bike over with her stuff. "A little more exercise!" I tell myself.
I'm starving. In the house, a quick hug to Leah, a greeting to her friend, change, grab a square of dark chocolate, hop on my bike and I'm off. I also managed to scrounge a handful of change - hoping I have enough for Evann to buy one of the bbq offerings. Curse these school events - just about the only place that doesn't accept debit cards.
8:15 I find Evann outside at the back of the school working at the freezie stand - freezing and hungry. She gets permission to take a break and we head for the cafeteria. Hooray, the food is marked down. We can get a hamburger or hotdog and a drink for $3.00. Ev counts the change. I had managed to scrape together $6.25. Yippee! We can both dine at the school tonight!
We park ourselves outside on a baseball bench, wolf down our burgers and take a few minutes to catch up. Ev has to help out til 9 so I bike around the neighbourhood until she is done. I really don't want to walk all the way home so I make Ev ride with me. She is seated and I am pedaling upright. It takes a bit of adjusting to keep her legs from tangling in mine and in the pedals. We laugh as we picture how we must look - thinking of those images from somewhere in the far east of families of 8 or so all piled on one bicycle. Ev is a great sport. She is both mortified (that someone she knows will see her) and terrified (I'm a bit wobbly riding this way), but hangs on tight and laughs along with me. We manage to ride together most of the way home.
As we near our house I see my car in the driveway. "How long has Carson been home? Don't tell me we could have got her to pick us up." Ev finally clues in that my walk home from the train and my bike ride were not whims of fancy. They were a necessity.
I remain positive, thinking "Ah well, it was a fun bonding experience and a great workout. One car, one parent and three busy kids. We will be able to make this work."
I am greeted at the door by a panicked Carson. Her toilet won't flush. Only a few days ago I was thinking about all the little home maintenance jobs that I felt I would be able to handle on my own once I'm in my new place. "I think I'm going to warn the landlord that he better be prepared to help out with any clogged toilets. That's about the only thing I don't want to deal with."
It didn't take long for me to become agitated - especially after finding out that it has been clogged for two days. Two days that Opa or Rob could have fixed the problem. At first I told her she was on her own - but then I gave my head a shake and rose to the occasion.
And we did it! That's about all the details I need to share about THAT bonding experience.
Back downstairs to check in with Leah, fold some laundry and finally at 9:50 I sat down, thinking "That felt like a test."
I think I passed.
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