S and I had eye appointments yesterday. Apparently the doctor could see no muscular reason for S's lazy eye and gave him a bit of a strengthening exercise to try and keep that eye from wandering. The same eye is also slightly near sighted, but not enough to be concerned about as yet.
On our way home we picked the A-man up from his day with Jazzy's brother. Sounds like they had an enjoyable day, too.
When we got home, the boys got ready and went for a swim. Yes! We have the pool up and running finally! While they were swimming, I decided to continue to pull the huge weeds out from my gardens and pathways. I filled the wheelbarrow 4 times...
I finished my weed pulling by my favourite place to sit in the garden, and was inspired. I came in the house and grabbed my book - Chicken Soup for the Canadian Soul - a wine glass and a bottle of Cab Franc. I also grabbed my bug jacket. I went and placed these items on the bench, then went and raided the A-man's wood pile.
I started a nice wee fire in the chiminea that I placed in my lily garden this spring, and sat on my garden bench (which is between two big pine trees) while reading my book and having a glass of wine! It would have been perfect if I hadn't needed to wear netting over my body, but we can't have everything now can we?
It started to get darker, and I could no longer read, so I just sat on the bench watching the fire and sipping my wine. Suddenly I could hear sounds of water moving behind me and over to my left. I sat very still and listened. The movement and splash sounds started to come closer... and closer. (Behind my garden bench is a long ditch that runs the length of our property - we have ducks in the spring, and once had a beaver build a damn in the ditch.)
I turned to look into the water area to see what was heading my way. The bushes were moving ever so slightly, and the moving water sound was very close. Suddenly, I saw it. At first I thought it was a duck, but it wouldn't make sense that I would have heard that; they are usually silent. My eyes peered into the darkness, slowly adjusting to the dimness, and I then realized that I was looking at a baby raccoon. "Oh, hello!" I said. The wee little guy just sort of froze.
The next thing I knew, there was some serious growling coming from the ditch, a little further back than where the babe was. Momma. I watched the baby scamper out of the ditch and head to some trees on the other side. It was facinating to see him just climb that tree like it was flat. I heard, but couldn't see, more scammering into the trees. Momma continued to growl at me. I told her that I wasn't going to do anything, but she didn't seem to want to listen. By this time I was sitting on the edge of my bench, ready to run if I needed to.
I guess she realized that I wasn't a threat to her babies, because she stopped growling at me, but I know that she was sitting watching me. I finished my wine, made sure the fire was just about out, and headed back in to the house. (I guess these are the critters that have been trying to get in to my chickens.)
Not your everyday occurence, that's for sure! I could have done without the growling part of the evening; I was scared of her jumping out at me, and I didn't even really know where she was. I didn't think that she would attack - that is something they only do when cornered, or when someone is harming her baby, but still - it was quite the growl.
I did enjoy the sitting by the fire in my favourite spot of the garden - I will have to repeat this part of the evening again!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Time's slipping away...
I think this has been the longest that I have neglected my poor blog!
Quick update on the "farming" side of my life: two eggs were laid the other day (!), we lost two chickens in as many days - silly girls flew out of their run never to be seen again, and a pheasant has some how gotten out of the coop so we are down to 19 chickens and 11 pheasants.
Now, let's see if I can do some recap... Boys and Hubby were off at the cottage and left me home alone for the week. I enjoyed that week even though I didn't really do anything other than housework and read! But I will admit that I did get kind of lonely, too.
The second week of Hubby's holidays was also a holiday week for me. We went up to the cottage on the Friday evening.
On Saturday, we went to the trailer park where Cuz has her 'summer home'. My cousin (that is Cuz's husband) has recently finished his stem cell transplant - which will hopefully knock this blasted cancer out of his body forever - and that Saturday was a fundraiser day for the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. (This is the cancer hospital where he underwent his treatment.) Although my cousin was supposed to me running this fundraising event, we knew the responsibility would fall to others as his heart is in the right place, but his organizational skills are just a little lacking...
Anyway, there was a pig roast, a live band, a motorcycle show-and-shine, and a horseshoe tournament, and the last report that I got is that the event raised over $3,500, which is pretty incredible considering the size of the venue. Cuz and I were able to sneak away to spend a bit of quality chat-time together, but of course it wasn't enough. We never seem to get enough of that.
On the Sunday afternoon, Sammy and her Hubby arrived at the cottage for a week of holiday fun with us. The weather did not cooperate for most of the week, but at least the Thursday and Friday were nice. (We are really having a terrible summer so far - the temperatures and sunshine don't seem to realize that it is July in Ontario!!)
We came home on the Saturday morning, and Sunday was the "Kid's Fishing Day" event for the Fish & Game Club we belong to. I tried - unsuccessfully - to wake the boys to come with me so that as a family we could assist the club, but since it was the first time the boys had slept in their own beds for quite a while, I guess they were happy to stay snuggled under the comforters.
I went to the event to provide my help, and it was very successful indeed! We had over 240 kids participate in the 4 hour fishing day, and it was really great to see the reaction of some of these children when they caught a fish for the very first time. It was also a very nice feeling to be able to give each child their own rod and reel when they left that afternoon. I'm sorry the boys missed it, actually.
This past week went by a blur, to be honest. Monday evening the boys and I harvested some lettuce and went to deliver a bag of it to our new neighbours. (Nothings says "Welcome" like a bag of fresh produce...)
On Tuesday I stopped in to see a friend on my way home from work, and ending up staying for a while to assist her with preparing a legal document. When I got home I started working on updating my resume.
Wednesday night took me to an appreciation dinner. We went to a wedding a little while back, and the parents of the groom held a dinner for those of us that helped with getting the tent ready. Isn't that nice? I told her we helped because we WANTED to and didn't expect anything in return, but they hosted a dinner anyway. It was a very enjoyable evening.
Thursday was my golf lesson night.
Friday I left work early - it was actually sunny and beautiful in the morning, and I'd made plans with Jazzy's mom to have an afternoon on the beach. It started to rain just as we were heading out, but we had a nice visit at their house regardless.
We didn't stay late that afternoon, although she was very kind and had invited us to stay for dinner. I had not been sleeping well last week, and after we left Jazzy's, the boys and I picked up groceries, and when we got home, I left them to put everything away so that I could lay down for a nap. I had a good nap and still went to bed that night at 10:30!
Last week Hubby was on afternoons, and my travels kept me away from the house for most of the nights until late, but the boys managed just fine. I'm in a state of adjustment right now, I think. I'm starting to come to the realization that my kids don't really need me anymore; they are starting to be independent individuals. Okay, that's not quite true - they still need me, but they don't need me as much, for as many things.
I remember longing for those days... when I couldn't pick up a phone without having the two of them break into a fight or suddenly have something they HAD to tell me, when I had to either make all my plans for when Hubby was on days or hire a sitter, when I had to make sure I got home right after work so that dinner was finished and we had some time together before they went to bed.
And now that time is here... now I am simply the person that makes sure there is food in the house and that can transport whenever necessary and that goes to bed before they even think about it... I'm not sure I'm ready for this!
Quick update on the "farming" side of my life: two eggs were laid the other day (!), we lost two chickens in as many days - silly girls flew out of their run never to be seen again, and a pheasant has some how gotten out of the coop so we are down to 19 chickens and 11 pheasants.
Now, let's see if I can do some recap... Boys and Hubby were off at the cottage and left me home alone for the week. I enjoyed that week even though I didn't really do anything other than housework and read! But I will admit that I did get kind of lonely, too.
The second week of Hubby's holidays was also a holiday week for me. We went up to the cottage on the Friday evening.
On Saturday, we went to the trailer park where Cuz has her 'summer home'. My cousin (that is Cuz's husband) has recently finished his stem cell transplant - which will hopefully knock this blasted cancer out of his body forever - and that Saturday was a fundraiser day for the Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. (This is the cancer hospital where he underwent his treatment.) Although my cousin was supposed to me running this fundraising event, we knew the responsibility would fall to others as his heart is in the right place, but his organizational skills are just a little lacking...
Anyway, there was a pig roast, a live band, a motorcycle show-and-shine, and a horseshoe tournament, and the last report that I got is that the event raised over $3,500, which is pretty incredible considering the size of the venue. Cuz and I were able to sneak away to spend a bit of quality chat-time together, but of course it wasn't enough. We never seem to get enough of that.
On the Sunday afternoon, Sammy and her Hubby arrived at the cottage for a week of holiday fun with us. The weather did not cooperate for most of the week, but at least the Thursday and Friday were nice. (We are really having a terrible summer so far - the temperatures and sunshine don't seem to realize that it is July in Ontario!!)
We came home on the Saturday morning, and Sunday was the "Kid's Fishing Day" event for the Fish & Game Club we belong to. I tried - unsuccessfully - to wake the boys to come with me so that as a family we could assist the club, but since it was the first time the boys had slept in their own beds for quite a while, I guess they were happy to stay snuggled under the comforters.
I went to the event to provide my help, and it was very successful indeed! We had over 240 kids participate in the 4 hour fishing day, and it was really great to see the reaction of some of these children when they caught a fish for the very first time. It was also a very nice feeling to be able to give each child their own rod and reel when they left that afternoon. I'm sorry the boys missed it, actually.
This past week went by a blur, to be honest. Monday evening the boys and I harvested some lettuce and went to deliver a bag of it to our new neighbours. (Nothings says "Welcome" like a bag of fresh produce...)
On Tuesday I stopped in to see a friend on my way home from work, and ending up staying for a while to assist her with preparing a legal document. When I got home I started working on updating my resume.
Wednesday night took me to an appreciation dinner. We went to a wedding a little while back, and the parents of the groom held a dinner for those of us that helped with getting the tent ready. Isn't that nice? I told her we helped because we WANTED to and didn't expect anything in return, but they hosted a dinner anyway. It was a very enjoyable evening.
Thursday was my golf lesson night.
Friday I left work early - it was actually sunny and beautiful in the morning, and I'd made plans with Jazzy's mom to have an afternoon on the beach. It started to rain just as we were heading out, but we had a nice visit at their house regardless.
We didn't stay late that afternoon, although she was very kind and had invited us to stay for dinner. I had not been sleeping well last week, and after we left Jazzy's, the boys and I picked up groceries, and when we got home, I left them to put everything away so that I could lay down for a nap. I had a good nap and still went to bed that night at 10:30!
Last week Hubby was on afternoons, and my travels kept me away from the house for most of the nights until late, but the boys managed just fine. I'm in a state of adjustment right now, I think. I'm starting to come to the realization that my kids don't really need me anymore; they are starting to be independent individuals. Okay, that's not quite true - they still need me, but they don't need me as much, for as many things.
I remember longing for those days... when I couldn't pick up a phone without having the two of them break into a fight or suddenly have something they HAD to tell me, when I had to either make all my plans for when Hubby was on days or hire a sitter, when I had to make sure I got home right after work so that dinner was finished and we had some time together before they went to bed.
And now that time is here... now I am simply the person that makes sure there is food in the house and that can transport whenever necessary and that goes to bed before they even think about it... I'm not sure I'm ready for this!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
This and that
Gee – started to write a post this morning and it was starting to sound all too familiar. As I was about to post it, I realized that I had already posted the information! I don’t even remember coming on here yesterday and typing about my day! (Talk about a brain gap…)
I got the bar area cleaned up last night, emptied both of the dishwashers, and finished the laundry. I even finished one book and started on another. I’m amazed at how quiet the house is though. Even though the boys spend their time downstairs in their TV room, they do still come out to chat, grab a snack, that sort of thing. It’s just a bit odd having no one but the cats to talk to. (And they don’t really have much to say during their ‘awake’ time!)
On Sunday before they left, the A-man came in and told us that there had been a raccoon by the hen house. We thought it odd that a raccoon would be out during the daylight hours, so Hubby and the A-man went out and put the chickens and pheasants back into the coop to ensure their safety. Now I’m afraid to leave the chickens out in the run when I go to work! It is supposed to rain for most of the day today, so I didn’t even bother opening it up for them this morning. Since I had been in the veggie garden yesterday, I wasn’t as concerned, though. I will probably let them out for a wee bit when I get home after work, though – if it’s not raining, that is.
On Thursday I took S to see the orthopedic surgeon for a follow up on his knee injury. The doctor was amazed at the laxity of S’s ligaments. He now has another smaller brace that he has to wear for at least a month any time he isn’t in the actual house. He also has to undergo some physio-therapy to help strengthen the upper thigh muscles, thereby helping with the ligaments. The doctor indicated that both of S’s knees are really lax, but the left knee was unbelievably so. He indicated that if S is good to do his therapy follow up, he shouldn’t have any problems. But, he could. If the knee popping out becomes a ‘norm’, S would have to have some surgery to correct it. Nice.
S has been really good about putting the brace on, but I know he doesn’t like it. I guess he didn’t like the pain of the injury more, though. Poor guy.
Talked to Hubby last night and he said it was incredible how quickly the kids came around to the cottage once they arrived. It is so nice that the kids have so many friends up there. Sometimes I feel really guilty that we moved them out to the country with no neighbouring children to play with, but given the boy’s history, I am not always 100% certain that would have been a good thing, either. Plus, with no one else around, our son’s have an incredible closeness that I’m not certain most brother’s share. When S and I got back from Ottawa, it was really heartwarming to see how happy the A-man was to see his brother. I got a small hug – S was embraced in a bear hug and swung around the driveway!
But, anytime the boys have wanted to get together with friends, I have always been more than willing to either drive them to their friend’s house, or even pick up the friend to bring them to ours; simply put, they don’t make plans with their friends. I think they both prefer to just hang out at home together.
Tonight I am going to go to an open mic night with Sammy and Hubby. It’s open to anyone that wants to get up and sing, and apparently it is quite a fun night, so I’m looking forward to it. Tonight just so happens that it is held at the restaurant where my assistant has a second job – and she will be working there. I’ll get to terrorize her for an entire day and night, lol. Nah, not really – she and I get along really well and I am going to miss her when she is gone.
Then, tomorrow night I will be going over to a friend’s for coffee. Having a pretty social time this week!
I got the bar area cleaned up last night, emptied both of the dishwashers, and finished the laundry. I even finished one book and started on another. I’m amazed at how quiet the house is though. Even though the boys spend their time downstairs in their TV room, they do still come out to chat, grab a snack, that sort of thing. It’s just a bit odd having no one but the cats to talk to. (And they don’t really have much to say during their ‘awake’ time!)
On Sunday before they left, the A-man came in and told us that there had been a raccoon by the hen house. We thought it odd that a raccoon would be out during the daylight hours, so Hubby and the A-man went out and put the chickens and pheasants back into the coop to ensure their safety. Now I’m afraid to leave the chickens out in the run when I go to work! It is supposed to rain for most of the day today, so I didn’t even bother opening it up for them this morning. Since I had been in the veggie garden yesterday, I wasn’t as concerned, though. I will probably let them out for a wee bit when I get home after work, though – if it’s not raining, that is.
On Thursday I took S to see the orthopedic surgeon for a follow up on his knee injury. The doctor was amazed at the laxity of S’s ligaments. He now has another smaller brace that he has to wear for at least a month any time he isn’t in the actual house. He also has to undergo some physio-therapy to help strengthen the upper thigh muscles, thereby helping with the ligaments. The doctor indicated that both of S’s knees are really lax, but the left knee was unbelievably so. He indicated that if S is good to do his therapy follow up, he shouldn’t have any problems. But, he could. If the knee popping out becomes a ‘norm’, S would have to have some surgery to correct it. Nice.
S has been really good about putting the brace on, but I know he doesn’t like it. I guess he didn’t like the pain of the injury more, though. Poor guy.
Talked to Hubby last night and he said it was incredible how quickly the kids came around to the cottage once they arrived. It is so nice that the kids have so many friends up there. Sometimes I feel really guilty that we moved them out to the country with no neighbouring children to play with, but given the boy’s history, I am not always 100% certain that would have been a good thing, either. Plus, with no one else around, our son’s have an incredible closeness that I’m not certain most brother’s share. When S and I got back from Ottawa, it was really heartwarming to see how happy the A-man was to see his brother. I got a small hug – S was embraced in a bear hug and swung around the driveway!
But, anytime the boys have wanted to get together with friends, I have always been more than willing to either drive them to their friend’s house, or even pick up the friend to bring them to ours; simply put, they don’t make plans with their friends. I think they both prefer to just hang out at home together.
Tonight I am going to go to an open mic night with Sammy and Hubby. It’s open to anyone that wants to get up and sing, and apparently it is quite a fun night, so I’m looking forward to it. Tonight just so happens that it is held at the restaurant where my assistant has a second job – and she will be working there. I’ll get to terrorize her for an entire day and night, lol. Nah, not really – she and I get along really well and I am going to miss her when she is gone.
Then, tomorrow night I will be going over to a friend’s for coffee. Having a pretty social time this week!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Wedding and weeding
We had SUCH a good time at the wedding this weekend. It was an outdoor event - son of S's Godparents - and I had gone over Saturday morning to help with the final set up. It's incredible how much a tent can go from looking like a tent to looking like a place for a wedding once you put out the linens and place the centre pieces.
Hubby and I were invited for a barbeque before the wedding reception - it was an intimate family-only dinner after the wedding - and we had a great time with our friends before hand. The evening was perfect for an outdoor event. We had been worried that it would be too cool, but all the sides of the tent were left open, and most people actually mingled outside of the tent. It got too warm inside the tent because of all the dancing! I was the dd that night, but I still managed to rock the dance floor, and the AC/DC song I love has given me a kink in my neck that I know the chiropractor will love me for...
Hubby and the boys left yesterday afternoon for the cottage. I had talked about having a nap, but never actually did that. I did, however, get rid of all the cobwebs at the front entrance of the house. I also cleaned the boy's bathroom, and the kitchen, and made two types of flavoured vinegars; chive vinegar and tarragon vinegar. These herbs infused into the vinegar will make the vinegar very mild, and I will use it for salad dressing and hostess gifts. (This also used up some of my garden bounty!)
I took today off in lieu of Wednesday's Canada Day. Originally I had planned to go up to the cottage, too, but then I decided I could use the quiet time at home. This morning I got the veggie garden all weeded, then got to work on the moonlight garden by the hot tub. Got that cleaned up, and the chive garden, too! Then it started to rain. The rain put a ky-bosh on my afternoon golf lesson, too.
I'm going to work on indoor cleaning now, though. I figure I will be able to run the vacuum around the basement tonight, and depending on my stamina after that, I may even move to the upstairs, too. Both boys rooms have been tidied, and once I tackle the foyer, I will be pleased with the entire house again.
OH! Some good news! We have new neighbours - and they have a son the same age as the A-man! They also have a daughter that is a couple of years older, I think. This is the first time in 10 years that we have had neighbours with children the same age as ours. Now, at 16, it's hard to say if they will actually get along, but here's hoping...
Hubby and I were invited for a barbeque before the wedding reception - it was an intimate family-only dinner after the wedding - and we had a great time with our friends before hand. The evening was perfect for an outdoor event. We had been worried that it would be too cool, but all the sides of the tent were left open, and most people actually mingled outside of the tent. It got too warm inside the tent because of all the dancing! I was the dd that night, but I still managed to rock the dance floor, and the AC/DC song I love has given me a kink in my neck that I know the chiropractor will love me for...
Hubby and the boys left yesterday afternoon for the cottage. I had talked about having a nap, but never actually did that. I did, however, get rid of all the cobwebs at the front entrance of the house. I also cleaned the boy's bathroom, and the kitchen, and made two types of flavoured vinegars; chive vinegar and tarragon vinegar. These herbs infused into the vinegar will make the vinegar very mild, and I will use it for salad dressing and hostess gifts. (This also used up some of my garden bounty!)
I took today off in lieu of Wednesday's Canada Day. Originally I had planned to go up to the cottage, too, but then I decided I could use the quiet time at home. This morning I got the veggie garden all weeded, then got to work on the moonlight garden by the hot tub. Got that cleaned up, and the chive garden, too! Then it started to rain. The rain put a ky-bosh on my afternoon golf lesson, too.
I'm going to work on indoor cleaning now, though. I figure I will be able to run the vacuum around the basement tonight, and depending on my stamina after that, I may even move to the upstairs, too. Both boys rooms have been tidied, and once I tackle the foyer, I will be pleased with the entire house again.
OH! Some good news! We have new neighbours - and they have a son the same age as the A-man! They also have a daughter that is a couple of years older, I think. This is the first time in 10 years that we have had neighbours with children the same age as ours. Now, at 16, it's hard to say if they will actually get along, but here's hoping...
Friday, June 26, 2009
Summer 2009
Today is the first official summer holiday for both boys. Although S didn't go to school this past week until Thursday, he wasn't officially finished until I picked him up for his doctor's appointment.
His EA even made me go in to the office to sign him out of school. Because, at 2.45 on the last day of school, when the entire school population is outside, it's really going to matter if you follow protocol.
Whatever.
(In a rebellious state, I didn't date or time the sign out sheet, not did I complete his full name - just used his first!!)
I will admit, I felt tears of joy and relief as I pulled away from that school for the very last time. S and I gave each other a big ole "high five" as we left, too.
The only person I felt the need to say good bye to was S's SERT. I wrote a very long - and somewhat rambling - letter letting her know how much we appreciated all that she did for S. She thanked me for the letter as I was pulling out of the parking lot.
We are going over to see Jazzy's family tonight, and then tomorrow we have another wedding to attend. Hubby and the boys will be heading to the cottage on Sunday for some holidays. They will be coming back on Thursday so that Hubby can attend a meeting and complete a computer job, then as a family we will be heading up to the cottage for another week. I am really looking forward to this holiday.
Oh, and did I mention that my assistant gave her notice this week? Next Friday will be her last day with us as she will be moving to Australia the following week to continue her education. I'm really happy for her, but really not looking forward to the work that will be on my desk when I return from my week off!
I don't want to start the search for another assistant...
His EA even made me go in to the office to sign him out of school. Because, at 2.45 on the last day of school, when the entire school population is outside, it's really going to matter if you follow protocol.
Whatever.
(In a rebellious state, I didn't date or time the sign out sheet, not did I complete his full name - just used his first!!)
I will admit, I felt tears of joy and relief as I pulled away from that school for the very last time. S and I gave each other a big ole "high five" as we left, too.
The only person I felt the need to say good bye to was S's SERT. I wrote a very long - and somewhat rambling - letter letting her know how much we appreciated all that she did for S. She thanked me for the letter as I was pulling out of the parking lot.
We are going over to see Jazzy's family tonight, and then tomorrow we have another wedding to attend. Hubby and the boys will be heading to the cottage on Sunday for some holidays. They will be coming back on Thursday so that Hubby can attend a meeting and complete a computer job, then as a family we will be heading up to the cottage for another week. I am really looking forward to this holiday.
Oh, and did I mention that my assistant gave her notice this week? Next Friday will be her last day with us as she will be moving to Australia the following week to continue her education. I'm really happy for her, but really not looking forward to the work that will be on my desk when I return from my week off!
I don't want to start the search for another assistant...
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
DONE!
We are done, done, done at the elementary school level!!
Last night was S's 'graduation' ceremonies and other than going to school on Thursday for the final day - he won't be going the rest of the week - we are completely and totally finished with that school.
I think I am still in denial about it. Probably won't believe it until he begins life at the new high school with his brother again. Maybe not even then.
I'm going to write a thank you letter to the SERT that has worked with me - and advocated on our behalf - for S to take in to the school on Thursday. I am also going to prepare a note for the Principal to let her know how nice I thought the ceremony was last night.
I will have to pick S up from school early on Thursday, though - he has a follow up appointment for his knee at 3pm. That's okay - at least he will get to participate in the last day of school. I doubt many - if any - of the Grade 8s will be there this week.
Summer time is here!
Last night was S's 'graduation' ceremonies and other than going to school on Thursday for the final day - he won't be going the rest of the week - we are completely and totally finished with that school.
I think I am still in denial about it. Probably won't believe it until he begins life at the new high school with his brother again. Maybe not even then.
I'm going to write a thank you letter to the SERT that has worked with me - and advocated on our behalf - for S to take in to the school on Thursday. I am also going to prepare a note for the Principal to let her know how nice I thought the ceremony was last night.
I will have to pick S up from school early on Thursday, though - he has a follow up appointment for his knee at 3pm. That's okay - at least he will get to participate in the last day of school. I doubt many - if any - of the Grade 8s will be there this week.
Summer time is here!
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