A delayed update. I’m
on the right day for updating but skipped one in between. I normally don’t miss… and those rare times I
do I usually double up and do two in a shorter period of time in order to
counter the extra time off… but things were busy with family and work and
Easter so this time I ended basically taking a week off. And when so much goes on over such a short
period, my updates get clouded by overload.
Too much to focus on one part. So
here’s the breakdown of the time.
Two Birthdays and an Easter
So much went on these past few weeks. So much to feel good about really. In sports, the last two softball games we
play are decisive wins where we give up only 8 runs in two games combined while
scoring 22. 4 against per game, in slow
pitch, is really something. And it’s a
season you don’t like seeing come to an end.
More snow came as well.
Just when Spring is due to start, 20 cm of snow comes on in and the
family all delay their flights to town by a day. Still, even though we’re all ready for summer
weather, it made for a scenic, wintery trip to Fiddler’s Lake resort (45
minutes north of Montreal). Post card
beautiful kind of beats spring melt and runoff for such an occasion. And the fresh snow gives a fine treat of
boiled maple syrup popsicles.
Then there was family time.
Mom and dad arrive mid afternoon Wednesday. And after some time catching up at home, it’s
off to the airport again to get Edena and the girls for a birthday surprise for
dad. Despite the one day delay in the
reunion, it goes off without a hitch and marks the start of six days of family
love.
Fiddler’s Lake brings hot tubs and saunas with evening games
of cards. While home has us running out
for a few shopping trips. Wandering the
Market downtown. TV events where we all
gather together to watch Republic of Doyle and Murdoch Mysteries.
The BBQ gets lit up for the first time in 2013… after
cleaning out the mouse debris. Next winter will have the BBQ brought in doors. And birthday supper is a taste of summer with
fine BBQ steak and veggies and a tasty cake from the market to top it off.
And Paula and Eddie bring the girls over for a night of
Lebanese food. Ten of us gathered round
the house. No drama. No complaints. Just all enjoying the gathering.
After the crew all leave, I’m back to work for one night
before being back off on my regular schedule.
House cleaning should have happened.
It really didn’t. Some tidying
has taken place. Winter jackets and
gloves have been tucked away for the season.
But sweeping and vacuuming is still due.
Next block off.
Easter has me meeting up again with Paula and Eddie. This time I venture over there for a Saturday
night meal and gathering. Maria, Paula’s
oldest, having shared her disappointment with her mom that it’s just me coming…
“no girls”. My nieces seem to have made
an impact.
Through it all, who has time to keep up with a blog? Dad can sit and write anywhere it seems. He’ll plunk down in the living room, jotting
thoughts into a notebook while three people are sat around him, chatting and
carrying on. I have a hard time doing
any writing even when someone else is in the house.
And this morning I wake to an e-mail from home. With the revealed surprise of Easter treats
having been left in the spare room. My
parent’s room. A modified Easter egg
hunt taking place alone, with input from thousands of kilometres away.
SATURDAY…
--- Straight into night shift alone. Covering the team in front of us rotation
wise… so no day shifts at all this week.
--- It’s a pretty quiet Saturday night.
SUNDAY…
--- Ball before work.
We win 13-5.
--- Straight to work from the game with just a stop for some
Wendy’s for supper. Feeling pretty sore
tonight though. Slept funny on my neck a
night or two ago. It sort of has
tightness from the neck down into my right shoulder. Plus my left knee is tender tonight. Feeling old at work.
MONDAY…
--- Back to my shift and with Keith in with me again for
night # 3. Neck and shoulder still not
perfect but better. Knee is fine
again. Snow starts up around 11:00
tonight and gets pretty blustery.
--- Due to the forecasted storm, mom, dad and Edena and the
girls all delay flights to Wednesday.
I’m taking Tuesday off anyway.
I’m in the frame of mind for it now anyway. And 3 straight night shifts is enough.
TUESDAY…
--- Snow day… but not as bad as forecast. The family would have made it had they flown.
--- Hour and a half shoveling the driveway this
evening. Pretty heavy snow… so a solid
workout that my previously tender shoulder and neck didn’t appreciate.
WEDNESDAY…
--- Get mom and dad for their 2:10 flight. Back to the house for an hour and then I make
my excuses to get Edena and the girls on airport run #2. Dad thinks it’s the dentist instead… so the
girls coming through the door an hour and a half later is a complete surprise
to him.
--- Chinese food and some groceries bought… then a little TV
with the family.
THURSDAY…
--- Edena and I go rent the van in the morning. Then it’s a few more groceries and we all
drive to Fiddler’s Lake resort in the afternoon (2 hours away in northern
Quebec). The all season tires on the van
don’t appreciate going up the hill from reception to our log chalet. We get stuck in a snow bank and, after
getting help getting out, need two runs to get up the hill.
--- Hot tubs and sauna time in the evening. Supper and cards after that. Then some quiet time before bed.
FRIDAY…
--- More hot tub and sauna time and supper in Saint Sauveur
in the evening. Gio’s is good eats.
SATURDAY…
--- Leave at 11:00 and get back to Ottawa in time to pick up
some Lebanese for supper and have Paula, Eddie and the kids come over for a
visit.
SUNDAY…
--- Mom cooks while we take dad to Mountain Equipment
Co-Op. Get him walking poles for his
birthday and I exchange my wallet with a hole for a new one… but leave some
cards in it… oops.
--- Ball for me while the rest stay home. We win the last indoor game of the year 9-3
against a good team. Ends us in 2nd
place for the season.
Republic of Doyle watched as a family in the evening.
MONDAY…
--- Downtown for some shopping and lunch in the Market. Get some meat and a cake while there and it’s
birthday BBQ steak for supper with the family.
--- Do some bedroom furniture shopping between downtown and
supper.
TUESDAY…
--- I’m 41 now. Odd
feeling. My bedroom furniture comes
today. New bed frame and headboard, side
tables and a chest of drawers. Plus mom
and dad give me a blanket box for my birthday.
The bedroom is now all decked out.
A little shopping for an hour after and a little lounging around the
house before bringing the family to the airport.
--- Quiet night alone gearing up for one night shift
tomorrow.
WEDNESDAY…
--- Night shift alone.
Keith off sick. Fairly normal
night.
THURSDAY…
--- Up around 11:30 in the morning. Head to Mountain Equipment Co-op for a little
shopping and to pick up some ID stuff I left there last week by accident. Then it’s some milk at the store, gas in the
tank, and throw a few things in the mail before returning home. Sunny and 10 today makes me wish it was more
like this when the family was in town.
FRIDAY…
--- Quiet good Friday around the house. Clean out the driveway of some more snow… let
it melt on the asphalt.
SATURDAY…
--- Over to Paula and Eddie’s for supper. A nice time hanging with family and catch a
bit of hockey on TV before going to beat the hockey crowd home. I have to drive right by the stadium going
home from Paula’s… and doing that while 18,000 are leaving at the same time
makes for a mess.
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