We left the lawyer's office with the keys. The kids were beyond excited to get into our new home!
As all my months are, of late, August was full. Many ups and downs and all around. Many sighs. Now that it's over I'm amazed at how much we managed to accomplish. I'm officially pooped ;)
- One of the highlights included many lunches were enjoyed with Stoney's and J-Bistro being regular spots - great food and wonderful company, the perfect combination.
- Did you know that you can be in breach of contract and have no repercussion? The older couple selling us our new home decided they didn't like the terms of the deal and simply said "no". We were unable to move into our new home as scheduled on the first of the month.
- It turns out, for some reason, Cole had a different cellular plan than the rest of the family. How did I find out? The texting bill in excess of $700 for the month of July. One month. $700.
- The lake house has had more than a few showings and a few nibbles, but nothing serious yet. If it's not on paper, it's not worth considering. The house remains on the market. It will stay there, happily, until someone wants to love it. Until then, I am content to wait. My kids are settled, that is the only thing that matters.
- Cole continues to suffer the ill effects of the Rugby Tournament in Ottawa in July. He got hurt during a hit, but didn't complain as he was determined to participate in the tournament in BC. He had a GREAT time with Team Ontario - but now he has a possible tear in his rotator cuff made worse because he "sucked it up" and played anyway. If confirmed that means no activity until October!
- Chloe got her new computer for Appleby next year! Cole came with both of us to the orientation and he has been a great help to Chloe navigating her new machine. It's a PC and I use a Mac, so I'm happy for the help.
- I signed up for, and was chosen, to lead the Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk in Oakville. I'm so excited! If you haven't signed up, do it! Click here for the site :)
- My property lawyer, Stuart Henderson, was lovely and had me sign all of the paperwork for the new house mid-month. I signed with one hand and crossed my fingers on the other. Eventually we got the keys, but it wasn't without a lot of fear and worry! I even had to sign a document that I wouldn't sue because of their being in breach. Crazy.
- "Banana Poke" is heard far too often in the car. Every time we pass a yellow car, someone yells - and pokes - "banana poke". This game has become tiresome for the chauffeur, but the kids love it so they continue to poke.
- Claire and Cole finally made it to the optometrist. Claire? Perfect 20/20 vision. Cole? Not so much. So he is now sporting a really gorgeous pair of frames. All of the kids with glasses are near sighted.
- The separation/divorce story is not my own. I'm so happy to have found a small, but mighty, sisterhood of seven others in various stages of the same process. Not one story is the same with the exception of one theme: we all initiated the process.
- Poor Caden is suffering at rugby. He has come home early from the last few games and practices covered in hives and short of breath. Clearly an allergy. A severe one. Our naturopath saw him and cleared him of a severe ragweed sensitivity. If I ever had any doubt about whether or not the natural hocus pocus works they have been placated. No more hives. No more wheezing. Caden is back on the pitch!
- By the time mid-month arrived, I was in fully "over it". Summer that is. I thrive in routine and summer always has me scattered. As much as I love having my kids at home, them going here, there and everywhere more than a bit exhausting!
- Our movers arrived - early! Oh, how I love early. We moved half of the house to the new place. Since we're still on the market a lot of the furniture remains - it is just far less full and more "staged". At this point I'm really missing my bed!
- So the cable company was to show up sometime between 9AM and 5PM on the day we moved in. Good thing the movers were long gone by the time the guy showed up at 4:45PM. Sigh. With the wrong equipment. Double sigh.
- My month gets better. Something happened, a traffic matter, in the beginning of May. As a result I needed to meet with a criminal attorney. A lovely guy who let me know that as far as criminal matters go, I'm not looking at hard time, but it did necessitate some hoops to be jumped through.
- I have some incredibly wonderful friends. For them I am incredibly grateful. Every day.
- Claire and Cole went to the CNE in Toronto, via GO train, with friends, to see what I've come to learn is a tremendous Canadian band: Marianas Trench. Good stuff! They are at the age where I have to show that I trust them. So with heart in throat, I drive them to the GO station and send them, with fully charged cellular phones, to an evening of fun and adventure.
- When we moved into our new home we discovered an incredible stain on Claire's carpet. It could not be cleaned, it really is terrible. Measurements have been taken and new carpet ordered. While we did that, I had the second floor measured, too. In for a penny ... and many, many, more.
- Chloe attended a computer camp from 9AM to 12Noon for a week. She can now do just about anything on her new school computer. Help us all! It was a great experience. In her class were a couple of Cole's friends as well as her cousin, Justin. It was a great week getting familiar with the school and some of the other new kids.
- Spending time in both houses. Decided to run a wash in the new place. Guess what? Dryer doesn't work. The knob (carefully placed on the dryer) is broken. Can't start. Sigh. I quickly went online and ordered a replacement. In the meantime had to go out and buy some tools. Somehow I was left with a hammer and a pseudo screwdriver. No pliers or a million other things of which I used to have in triplicate. Pliers purchased, dryer works. Sigh.
- First weekend in the new house and we had a huge leak in the kitchen. Something happened with the faucet. Lots of water. So it was shut off. Saturday and Sunday and most of Monday with no water in the kitchen - and four kids. It was not pretty.
- Yes, Chloe's door has been removed. More sigh.
- Tired. So very tired. I cannot go to sleep at night. Then I cannot wake up in the morning.
- I'm embracing a new colour scheme in the new house. I am normally very good at choosing colour from a 2" square paint chip. This time, not so much. The gray I chose turned a bit blue. Hmm. Instead of changing it, I've embraced it. While we're changing things we may as well go all the way.
- While I was painting the first floor, each of the kids painted their own rooms. Friends came over and helped out. Much chaos and fun. We actually managed to get some paint on the walls and not just on the carpet and clothing!
- The death of Jack Layton really hit hard. We are hardly supporters of the NDP but we did admire Jack's energy and knack for getting at the truth of the matter. He was voted as the politician we, the public, would most like to go out and have a beer with - he was that personable. May he rest in peace.
- Claire got her first job! She is now training as a cashier at Metro, a large grocery chain out of Quebec. I remember my days on cash. I think she will love it. I know I'm looking forward to the stories. So far they've been about meat - chicken leaking and a save of some ribs that came out of the package. I've resisted the urge to visit the store - I really don't need to, so many of our friends do it for me!
- So glad that a serendipidous conversation with some mums at rugby has provided a young couple with a couch and two chairs for their new place. And less for me to store!
- Even more changes! I know I voiced my disappointment with my doctor a few months back and knew I had to find a new one. So, on top of this month being about the busiest in my life, I've had all four kids in for a meet-and-greet and follow-up appointments have been made.
- All of the school books were ordered and have arrived - already. Whoot!
- I signed up to write a guest post on a blog I greatly admire. It's been submitted and approved and published today. Yay! It's a topic near and dear: finding the bright side. And I've heard from another, so I'll be doing some more writing. So happy.
- Claire recently told me that she's noticed that I'm starting to get really gray. She also mentioned it really suits me. Hmm. Not sure I like the process, but the results are great!
- Bachelor Pad has provided a remarkable number of parenting moments. Who knew?
- I enjoyed a wonderful afternoon walking through our new neighbourhood with 3 out of 4 kids. Kerr Village really is a special place and I'm so happy to be here and show my kids what it's like to live in a diverse area with plenty of neat people, great restaurants and fun energy.
- Pub Nights continue. I'm really enjoying checking out all of the pubs in the area. Sometimes we have all of the kids with us, other times it's just the adults. A very easy-going ebb and flow. I have to say, O'Finn's Irish Temper is, so far, my favourite of them all.
- We braced ourselves for the arrival of weather created by Irene, but it never arrived.
- Taking stock and know I really have to get back to work. I spent the month attempting to reconnect on LinkedIn. Who knows? Do I want to go back to what I did, what I know to do, what I can do in my sleep? Do I want to embrace the creative and writing? Time to work it out and decide.
- The kids all continue to push. With four children 15, 14, 12 and 11 there is never a dull moment. I wouldn't have it any other way.
It seems August was the month of "Le Sigh". What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right? Well, if I could survive August 2011, bring it on. I can handle anything. Anticipating some more battles ahead.
I'm looking forward to September for a few reasons: I've joined the course at Chookloonks, I'll be celebrating my birthday and welcoming the return of routine mid-month when school starts on the 12th and hockey season starts soon thereafter. Oh, and cooler weather will be most appreciated!
I hope you had a lovely August and will enjoy your September!
