Time to Move Home

Peter Walsh's story in today's Telegram sent me back to our time to move home in December 2004.

We packed up our "slit" in Roncesvalles Village and moved back with Ben (20 months old)and FG on the way. And same deal as Peter -- we left two jobs in Toronto for one here. PL has since started Ignite and its going like gangbusters! So, as they say in NL, we came home to take a job and to make one!

There have been plenty of adjustments to living back home — the biggest one was having left our friends and work connections behind. Thank god for Facebook.

Hopefully Peter's article will goose a few more Newfoundlanders in Exile home to roost.

I didn't miss you until I heard you on the phone

It's the longest time Ben's ever been away. Almost 10 days, with one little visit back home for a change of clothes and to grab his sleeping bag.

He was camping (read: playing spotlight, making sand castles, catching snails, roasting weiners and chasing waves) with Nana and Poppy Hynes in Northern Bay Sands.

When I spoke with him on the phone, he was more and more giddy each day.

"Guess what mama! I have 6 snails in my jar!" "Guess what mama, Liam let me ride his scooter and I didn't tip over once!"

I was happy for him; a little sad for me. This summer has been so wacky with crazy house projects I feel like I let it (and Ben) slip by.

On the night before he came back, Ben prattled off to me about his adventures. I wondered if he would want to come home.

"I miss you Ben"

"Mama, I didn't miss you until I heard you on the phone."

Humble Radiant Terrific: CW PIII

In Gr 2, our class went to the Bay Roberts Cinema to see Charlotte's Web. I remember crying at the end, just thinking about Wilbur and how wonderful he was to look after Charlotte's babies. My mother later gave me the E.B. White hardcover (I still have it).

4 years ago this weekend, we read a passage from the Last Day at Ben's naming ceremony:

"Your future is assured. You will live, secure and safe, Wilbur. Nothing can harm you now. These autumn days will shorten and grow cold. The leaves will shake loose from the trees and fall. Christmas will come, and the snows of winter. You will live to enjoy the beauty of the frozen world, for you mean a great deal to Zuckerman and he will not harm you, ever.

Winter will pass, the days will lengthen, the ice will melt in the pasture pond. The song sparrow will return and sing, the frogs will awake, the warm wind will blow again. All these sights and sounds and smells will be yours to enjoy, Wilbur—this lovely world, these precious days…”

Charlotte's Web Cam - Part II

It may not be as popular as BC's Bald Eagles (yet) but On the Go is already taking names for her.

Charlotte's Web Cam

25 years after E.B. White's wrote Charlotte's Web, Charlotte has landed on cbc.ca. At least that's what I'm calling her.

Check out the web cam on the left side. I found her here this afternoon. I'm convinced its a female.

Grands Vents

Desperately seeking a new director for our Daycare. Ben & Frances (and Papa too) were media darlings again: http://www.radio-canada.ca/regions/atlantique/2007/07/12/006-TNL-grandsvents.shtml.

The piece will be on Here & Now in English tonight.

Real Woodswoman (Week 6)

Yesterday, one of the contractors asked me how I've been doing the dishes (note: Still no running water in the kitchen. My swishy stainless steel computerized dishwasher can't be hooked up without the sink!

"Boiling the kettle and washing them in my Green Dominion grocery bin."

"You're a real woodswoman!"

I took it as a compliment.

My grandmother did just fine with 9 youngsters, a woodstove and a well out back. She didn't have too much Royal Chinet. And my grandfather was in the lumber woods as a cook for 11 months a year!

Every day, the dust literally settles a little more on 38 Empire Ave. This week, Ches poured the concrete, finished the basement electrical, and put in the stairs. Countertops and butcher block are installed in the kitchen and my washer and dryer will be hooked up today (Please God!).

I'd post pictures... if I could find the camera.

Hyper Reno - Week 5 (aka Money Pit Part Deux)

The move this weekend went smoothly. That is after we hired movers at the last minute. The painting and trim is almost done (thanks to Justin, his girlfriend, mother & Dale). And despite the fact that there was no washer/dryer and no running water in the kitchen (the porcelain sink was scratched and needs to be returned), we're good.

We even got to the lake for Canada Day fireworks.

But yesterday morning we had a bit of a hiccup. We woke up to water dripping on the dining room table and a sewer backup. So last night I took the kids to Donna's and claimed reno refugee status. We all slept in the same bed.

Ben & FG are pretty tossed around these days but they're hanging tough. Yesterday, when I got them from school Ben asked, "Whose house are we going to for supper?"

Today, a little Kubota tracker is digging up the backyard. Hopefully we'll be back on track this weekend.

Hyper Reno -- Week 3/Rainy Hump Day

Ivan the Plasterer is sanding today and we're hoping to start painting this weekend.

I booked a babysitter for Saturday night so that I can strip for PL (wallpaper, that is). One of these days we go on a date to one of those big, dark rooms where they show moving pictures on a wall and you eat popped corn.

For now its DIF wallpaper remover, crushed stone (yes, we're trying to pour the basement), grout and brick pointing. All sorts of finishing touches that I wish were finished. Ready to make another run for it, if inspections don't slow the hyper reno down!

Hyper Reno - Week 2

Plumbing, electrical, drywall are done -- we're plastering now and hope to have painters in by Wednesday. Kitchen and bathroom are still unfinished. PL hopes to tile this weekend and the kitchen floor and cupboards "should" be here by Friday next week.

Basement is a mound of dirt with a trench for the plumbing. Hopefully, that will be poured next weekend. Ches has been a Renovation God!

I'm slowly starting to believe we are going to be seeing fireworks from the back garden on Canada Day!

The kids are excited about the move - don't seem to be phased at all about leaving Greenspond Dr. Only question Ben had was "Mama, will we take our remotes?"

Paging Dr. Bob - I need an answer

On Sunday morning, Ben wanted to sit on a new bench in Bowring Park. He hadn't seen this one before and there was a plaque on it.

"In Memory of Dr. Robert Burden Bartlett" It had his date of birth and death.

"Read it Mama"

I did. Then the questions came "Who is Dr. Bartlett?" "Why is his name on a bench?" "Why does it have his birthday on it?" "Why do people die?"

The answer (at least the one I gave) "Sometimes people get too sick and they get really tired. It's better for them if they go to sleep for a really long time."

"Is that what happened to Dr. Bartlett?"

"Yes"

"Where is he now Mama?"

"Somewhere nice and cozy where he can sleep."

"Can we go feed the ducks?"

For now, my answer seems to work.

Juggling

Beni Malone says to juggle, you "simply need more objects than hands." Well Beni, I think its safe to say we're juggling...on speed!

Today started like every other morning -- I peeled FG's grip back from my neck at daycare and she screamed as if she was left with wolves. I cried 2 minutes in the parking lot; grabbed a double double; went to work; sped to Home Depot at lunch to rent a recipocating saw; tore down from one work event, set up for another; back to work for two conference calls with Corporate and then raced up to daycare, grabbed the kids and headed home. Roll in the grass with the kids. Dinner. Roll in the grass with the kids. Bath. Stories. Bed. Groceries. Home Depot. Peel wall paper. Kiss Papa. Goodnight.

I Wanna be your Sledgehammer! - Day 1

I want to be your sledgehammer/why don't you call my name/oh let me be your sledgehammer/this will be my testimony

Demolition on Empire Ave started today! Special thanks to Morne "the crowbar" Van Antrep and Steven, Craig, Alex and Nick from Cowbell.

"I'm Ready Now" (or am I?)

At 7:30am she was standing in kitchen in her pink winter jacket and yellow rain boots (gotta love spring in NL).

"I'm ready now!" she squealed, dragging her backpack down the stairs.

Even when we gave her and Ben a hug and a kiss at school, we (meaning me, PL and FG) were fine. Ok, I sobbed a little at Tim Horton's over a double double with PL. But I was pretty proud of myself. I've thought this moment over and over so many times in the last 6 months -- she's too little; she's not ready; I'm not ready; Brenda loves them so much; we love Brenda so much. But we made the choice based on a whole bunch of things. Then, when today came and off she went to Grands Vents Daycare with big brother Ben at her side -- I was starting to feel alright.

When we checked in at lunch time, she was eating, smiling and getting ready for her nap. I exhaled.

I picked them up at 4:30. FG wrapped her arms around my neck and squeezed tight. She ran her fingers through my hair and rubbed my face, as if she couldn't believe I came back. I asked Madame D & Mlle R how she did when I left. "Excellent - she only cried for about an hour." "What?!" Oh god. To them it was normal, to me it was horrific! Please let it be better on Day 2.

Working Mom's Guide to the 100 Mile (a minute) Diet

Think local, act global.

When you're running a 100 miles a minute, its not eay to pass Dominion and head to the farm (not to mention the farm isn't open on Sunday night's at 9pm when I realize we're out of milk!). Might be easier in Toronto or Montreal where Keningston or Atwater Market is lined off with "grown right here" greens. But what do you do when you live in Newfoundland?

Here's a few places to consider if you and your kids are trying to make a smaller footprint on the planet.

Grandpa's Garden. (for us, that's Placentia Junction)
If you are lucky enough to have grandparents around, you know they love gardening. My parents have been growing root vegetables for years. Put in a little sweat equity on the weekend and enjoy some of Poppy's potatoes, carrots, onions. Kids love pulling them up too!

Lester's Farm. (Brookfield Rd.)
We love this place. They have great local produce, a petting farm, local baked goods and even ice cream. In the Fall there's a corn maze and a Pumpkinfest.

NL Organics. The idea of food co-ops delivering green boxes to your door is popular in Ontario & BC but is just coming to NL. I haven't ordered yet but plan to. I know, I might end up wit a lot of kale in July but its worth it for the Fall goodies.

Windy Meadows Farm & Market. (1 Lundrigan's Rd, Kilbride). Where's the beef? Organic meat, chicken and sausage all at Windy Meadows. Great burgers for summer too.

Moo Moo's Ice Cream.
Local ice cream made right here!

FG Turns 2

FG. Lulu. Lucy. Miss Moo. Mrs. Murphy. My Scallywag. With the same spunk that she came into to the world, feet first, Frances Grace continues to charm us and amaze us. She a funny little creature. A real old soul. Sometimes, she strolls around te house, hands on hips asking "Who made this mess?" Other times, she is hopping and squealing in franglais"I love to saute!" translation: I love to jump!" She loves shoes, purses and it full of hugs and kisses. I know, you don't have to tell me. I have my hands full.
Happy Birthday, baby.

Radio Noon Cross Talk

I'm no parenting "expert". All I have is 4 years of sleep deprivation. Ok, that's a small badge of honour I suppose. Strangely, the week Benjo turned 4 and FG turned 2, I landed a spot on Radio Noon Cross Talk.

Michelle Lester, owner of Coo Chi Coo (LOVE that store) and 2 1/2 year-old, Max chatted about tantrums, fussy eating (alright, I'm an expert there) and nighttime routines.

Thanks to Ramona & Gerry for the oppportunity.

Yabadaba..YUCK

"YUCK!" Bam-bam shot out of his mouth like a spit-ball. "This tastes as sour as a lemon."

You know you have a picky eater when he won't even eat sugary Flintstone vitamins!

Foiled again.

Billy Blazes Look Out - Ben turns 4

Things have been a bit crazy lately with the house and work but I wanted to do something special for Ben for his 4th birthday. For months (that's a long time for a preschooler) he's been crazy about Rescue Heroes. So, when he jumped out of the car and realized he was at a real firestation and screamed "I can't believe my mind!", I nearly cried.

He even met a firefigther named Benjamin. Special thanks to everyone at Central Fire Station for an incredible birthday suprise.

Pebbles, Bam-Bam and Dino - Oh My!

Supper-time battles are a regular thing at our house. We've done it all - "just try 3 bites", "eat this or have nothing", "eat this, get ice cream". But nothing seems to work. Ben is a fussy eater. Despite his limited diet, he's a happy, vibrant, busy boy. That said, there's only so much buttered wacky mac pasta a mom can cook before you really start to lose it.

Last night, I started to worry though (mom's are good at worrying). And I bought some multi-vitamins -- the Flintstone ones. And just to make sure they didn't taste like cod liver oil, I popped one. Yup, tasted just like I remember -- pure sugar. Yabadaba-doo!

If it wasn't for the label I'd be convienced it was just that. I haven't given up on trying to make him get his veggies. But this eases some of the mom guilt... for now.