Thanks for the Journey

It has been great sharing my experiences with you.  Thanks for your comments and your support.  Take care!

Now What?!

They pulled out of the driveway at 7:20 am, their little faces pressed against the windows as the truck rounded the bend out of sight.  My babies are camping...without me.

So, now what?  I went to work, had dinner with friends, came home to a quiet house, did a load of laundry, emptied the dishwasher and collected the garbage and recycling.  It's too quiet around here.  The hands on the clock aren't moving, I think the batteries are dead...

Is it Friday yet?

I am sure their father has it all under control, at least he better.  I'm sure they'll/I'll be fine, I'm almost positive I'll make it four nights without my little ones.  I should have recorded some arguments, whining and pounding feet noises to keep my company.  What was I thinking?

A Close Call

You know that we recently acquired two fish and that we are already have a dog and a cat?  Thankfully our local Humane Society helped us out or we would have been home to a baby crow.  Before you say, "ahhhhh, how cute, a baby bird" listen to this:

After a very long day at work on Thursday the kids and I arrived home to settle into the routines of homework, dinner, baths and other such evening chores.  As we climbed from the car, my youngest blurted out, "ahhhhh, how cute, a baby bird" (sound familiar?)  At first, I didn't think it was a common bird.  The thing was huge!  The sound of his cries instantly broke my heart.  Obviously his wing was broken and with it extended at such an awkward angle it was over twelve inches long.  The beak was a mottled blackish brown and his baby plumage was black, blue and white.  We waited to see if his parents were in sight, but eventually we had to find a box in the garage and nestle it gently in with some grass.

En route to the animal shelter I called to see if they'd even take Pickles (yep, in those few minute he had been named;  rather aptly too, as he had been in quite a pickle when we found him.  I was assured the vet would be ready the moment we arrived.  I fought rush hour traffic with focused determination.  The three of us hurried from the car and into the vestibule of the Kitchener Human Society, Pickles held tightly in his ice cream sandwich box.  The vet was very kind and whisked Pickles into the medical centre as I provided the necessary info to the intake nurse.  It was heartwarming to see so many people dedicated to the care of animals.  We left the centre, my children disappointed that Pickles would not make his home with us, but clear in their understanding that he was going to be well cared for and then released when he was strong enough.

I'm sure you'll understand my relief that our animal count remains at 4, for the moment anyway.  This afternoon my little guy was walking around the backyard with a toad clenched in his grubby little hand.  I'm almost positive he left it outside...

Angel on Earth

I saw an angel today. An angel with faded, ripped jeans, a well-worn jacket and a tired baseball cap. He was standing just up from a busy, four lane intersection in downtown Kitchener. As my children and I approached the intersection, on our way home from swimming lessons, we noticed a mother duck and 10 brand new ducklings. She was frantically trying to cross all four lanes of traffic and stepped out into oncoming cars and certain death. In a blink of an eye the man, our angel, was by her side with his hands in the air. His thoughtful actions brought cars from all directions to an abrupt halt as he escorted mother and babies safely across the road. My heart melted as the new mother looked up at her 'crossing guard' repeatedly as she ushered her ducklings to the other side. I glanced into my mirror in time to see the new family meander down into the gully where a little creek runs into a small forest. And the angel? I don't know where he went, I lost sight him after that, but I take great comfort in knowing there are angels amongst us.

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

That childhood song has many happy memories for me. You see, I grew up in a family of Blue Jays fans and if you know anything about baseball, you'll know that is a very powerful thing.

Yesterday marked the 2012 Blue Jays' home opener and although the result was rather dismal, the energy level in my house could have powered the downtown core of Kitchener. Who knew that a love of baseball could be passed down genetically? My offspring did not get my green eyes, my right handedness, or my stubby little nose, but they did inherit my enthusiasm for a good ball game.

I remember outlasting rain delays at Exhibition Stadium. I remember 'The Wave' and Bobby Cox going toe to toe with a thoroughly misguided umpire. I'm a fan who remembers, Gruber, Stieb, Bell and Willllllllllllllie Uppppppshawwwww! Imagine my delight when I turned on the pre-game show and saw a white haired Buck Martinez! He's still the commentator I remember from years ago!

So I watched the game, by myself, as it was a night game (bummer for an opener!) and my little ones had to go to bed, (it was a school night.) I had my snacks, wine and was snuggled on the couch with my dog at my feet and my cat in my lap. I cheered and I clapped. I rout, rout, routed for the home team. They didn't win, it was a shame.

Why on earth Farrell pulled Oliver after the eighth inning I'll never know, but it was all downhill from there. However, I giggled this morning when my eldest woke with her usual less than sunny disposition, slunk down to her place at the breakfast table and grumbled her first words of the morning, "so, who won?" A new generation of Blue Jays fans emerges. Surely, combined with a stellar back-catcher, a proven right fielder and a dedicated fan base, the Jays have a good chance at the World Series. More importantly, I have two mini Jays fans to commiserate with when the manager pulls the reliever too early or changes the batting order at the last minute. Oh genetics are a powerful thing!

Introducing...

On behalf of the youngest members in my family, I would like to formally introduce our newest additions. Mr. Bubbles is a delightfully active orange goldfish who is the pride and joy of my youngest. Mr. Bubbles had to be a male fish because my little guy did not feel he was, "up to the responsibility of raising baby goldfish." We also welcomed Violet, a tri-coloured Japanese fighting fish, known for her graceful fin movements.

We are now a family with four pets: Piper, our 6 year old black lab; what he lack in brains he makes up for in cuteness. Finnigan, our feline of questionable pedigree and age, as he was kitty-napped from neglectful owners before we provided him with his forever home. And now two fish. It feels complete and I purposely ignored the ohhing and awwing that came from my children as we passed the hamster cages at the local pet store.

So both fish are well established in their deluxe fish bowls and both children are contentedly reading as they gaze at their new pets. I'll keep you posted on how they (me) adjust to adding this responsibility to our (my) daily routine.

The First Camping Trip is Booked!

Yipppeeee!

This was the same reaction I shared, in a reply email to my mother, when she told me she had reserved the site for our annual camping trip to Restoule Provincial Park. This August will mark our third annual camping trip and will be the major highlight of my summer. Yes, there will be other camping trips to other campgrounds but they will not be as highly anticipated as this one. There is something unique about three generations fishing, swimming, walking and marshmallow roasting. Something so unique that I find it hard to articulate. You'll have to trust me when I say it is magical.

I hope there is something you are planning that brings you this same level of contentment. I'd love to know what it is.