Happy Birthday Mum!

As my dear mum turned 70 this year, I wanted to share some words about this incredibly special lady. It's impossible to articulate how I really feel about her, but I'll share the toast I wrote for her birthday dinner.

What a wonderful privilege to call this woman our mum and Grammie. From a new wife with three under three to a loving Grammie that has expanded her flock to 14…your life has been spent pouring into and building up the people around you.

Mum, your caring and nurturing traits are what got you the nickname Mama Ellen at Meadowview and they’re what are at the very essence of who you are. You started off helping out with a brood of five brothers, picked the perfect profession when you became a nurse and spent 30+ years caring for others. And each one of us got the benefit of having you as our MUM.

I dare say I had the best spot in the family – as the “baby”. It meant that I got to spend one on one time with you while the rest were at school.  These memories include baking bread, trips to town, learning to read, many many songs and the time you took me to see my hero – Mr. Dressup.

Honestly, it wasn’t until this past year that I fully realized the sacrifices you made for us. When I remember my days at home, I don’t remember you having many hobbies of your own or nights out with a friend. You were old faithful. Preparing a meal for the family, cleaning up from the meal, helping one of us with a homework assignment, counseling another through some tears, repairing a ripped pair of pants, and making lunches before calling it a night. Mum, you gave everything you had for your family and we are all here tonight to say THANK YOU.

One thing that I’m so grateful for and as an adult have such an appreciation for is our spiritual upbringing. Through it all, you never wavered - faithfully taking us to church on Sunday, Family night on Tuesday, youth group on Fridays all while building a strong foundation of faith in each of your children.

We’ve had many laughs over the years as well. You aren’t afraid to be silly and enjoy a good belly laugh. Actually, a lot of those laughs came on family vacations. Who could forget the squeals of terror on the Cabot Trail or the famous “row boat” incident at Rainbow Valley? Your first trip down the waterslide was one to remember but we were all thrilled that you were brave enough to jump in!

Mum, you truly reflect the meaning of love shared with us in First Corinthians 13.

Mum is patient, Mum is kind. She does not envy, she does not boast, she is not proud. She does not dishonor others,  she is not self-seeking, she is not easily angered, she keeps no record of wrongs. Mum does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Mum always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Mum, tonight we want to celebrate who you are and who you’ve been. We are all so grateful for the unfailing love and support. Happy 70^th birthday and we look forward to celebrating many more with you.

Stories

One of my favourite memories with my Grandma Mills was listening to her stories. Stories from

when she was a girl or when my dad or his siblings were little. Those stories - told over and over - fascinated me.

Stories from my other Grammie were equally as alluring. Tales of growing up in England, falling in love with a Canadian soldier and her adventures in raising a young family in a new country were mesmerizing!

Several weeks ago, I was thinking about this and how I need to be sharing my own stories with Cody. Well, no sooner had the thought entered my head and we were right in the middle of it.

We were in the truck driving back from Niagara when Cody asked if we could listen to the radio. I suggested we leave the radio off and talk for a bit. Honestly, I had not thought of sharing stories - just thought it was an opportunity to have some family discussion. His response was "Tell me all about your first Beetle. Tell me what you were doing when you got smashed into and what happened after. I want to know everything."

So, for the next two hours, I shared true stories of my past with Cody. It was fun! I was surprised by what he thought was interesting. After I detailed the demise of my beetle, I shared with him about Dad getting his toe chopped off, my first time on an airplane, and my first trip to Marineland. (quite the range of topics!)

The questions didn't end when we got home. On Tuesday morning, it was just the two of us for breakfast since Devin was away doing some training for work. While I was preparing things, he asked if we could "do that thing again like we did in the truck". He wanted to ask more questions. Awww. So, over breakfast we discussed more tidbits about me. His fascination was really adorable.

I started writing this blog post yesterday and before I could finish it, last night Cody found my Blook (a photobook printed from my blog) and sat down to look at it. While I made dinner he poured over the photos and asked questions. While Daddy & I were having a conversation, he didn't want to interrupt us, so he put some bookmarks in the pages he had questions about. When we finished he said "Emmy, I have a number of questions I want to ask you." Ha ha ha. Who is this kid?

It's funny how things take care of themselves. I didn't need to worry about making time for stories. The stories took care of themselves!

"Just Because" Flowers are the BEST!

Yesterday my husband arrived home with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. It wasn't my birthday, our anniversary or any other "special" day. He got them for me just because. Or, more accurately, he had listened to a broadcast from Chuck Swindoll that encouraged listeners to love their family, spend time with them, and let them know how special they are. He was inspired by this message to pick up flowers for me on the way home.

I don't need flowers every day, every week or every month, but it sure felt nice to be appreciated. It's so easy to get caught up in the to-do list that we miss key opportunities to enjoy moments with the ones we love.

Last night Devin & Cody went for a bike ride while I got dinner ready. And this morning when Cody bounded into our room - all dressed and ready for school, we lingered a few extra moments having some morning snuggles. As he said "it's the best way for me to start the day".

I agree!

Footnote: You can listen to Chuck Swindoll's 3 part series here - entitled Delightful Memories Your Children Won't Forget.

My Epic March Break

For the first time in a long time, I enjoyed a week off in the middle of March. I remember looking forward to "March Break" when I was in school - mostly because my birthday always fell during the vacation.

This year, I decided to take the week off work so I could spend it with my favourite 8-year-old. We had such a GREAT week, but were both exhausted by the end of it.

On Monday we met up with friends Laura and Luke for a cooking class at Loblaws. During the Mexican Fiesta, the boys whipped up a real feast and enjoyed their lunch. Laura and I caught up over coffee at the nearby Williams. To burn off a little more energy, we let them run around the McDonald's play area afterwards. Wow, talk about gross! It went against my better judgement to be there. Just the smell of sweaty kids, stinky socks, wet boots and McDonald's food was enough to prevent me from going back. LOL. But the boys had fun.

In the afternoon, we headed to my stompin' grounds of the TV station for a tour. It was great to see some of my old friends and catch up. Cody was intrigued by the many buttons, lights and cameras. He even had the opportunity to be the weatherman! It was trickier than he thought - ensuring he was pointing the right way on the screen!

We set out for Sarnia on Tuesday to visit my BFF and her kidlets. It was so nice to have some time to catch up and see the kids playing together. They had fun building a fort, doing crafts and playing outside. Oh, and putting on a performance!

The real excitement started Tuesday night when we stayed over night at Jo-Anne & Nick's house. It the morning we set off for my Aunt & Uncle's place near Goderich. I'm convinced that everyone needs a Penny & Cliff in their life. We all had such a great time! Over the course of the three days we were there, the boys went to a watercolour class at the library, swimming at the Y, and a Mad Science presentation. But the memories were made with Uncle Cliff and Aunt Penny while building a teepee in the woods behind their house. It was a chance for little boys to do what little boys like to do.... hauling dead trees around, jumping on stuff, sliding down the hill, and GETTING DIRTY!

They loved their trips over to the teepee. Uncle Cliff bossed the job and named himself Chief Big Shot. Aunt Penny was helpful in breaking off the lower branches so no one got poked in the eye, and, of course, brought snacks!

It was a wonderful week of fun and adventure for me an the munchkin. We shared lots of snuggles and "I love you's" and added some memories to the memory bank.

What is Love?

There are certainly plenty of songs, poems and thoughts about love but, has anyone really figured it out? It's an elusive topic, for sure. Many people are in search of it but I'm not sure how many people find it.

On this Valentine's Day, love is in the air. Everywhere you look there are heart shaped EVERYthings. So I thought I'd take a moment to ponder my true love. Until I met Devin, I had experienced love in a number of ways - with family, with friends, love of the Beatles, love of MY Beetle. But the love I now share with my husband is one so different than any of the others I had ever known.

I believe it's because it reflects the love of our creator. I truly believe that God orchestrated our lives being brought together and has blessed our relationship. We love because God first loved us.

How do I love him? Let me count the ways...

• I love that he makes me feel safe.
• I love that he makes me feel beautiful.
• I love the way that he's a Daddy.
• I love the way he encourages me to be a Mommy.
• I love the way he makes me LAUGH.
• I love that we agree on the fundamentals and are committed to this life together.
• I love the way he knows me.
• I love his thoughtful and analytical mind.
• I love his attention to detail.
• I love his positive outlook and encouragement.
• I love his beautiful blue eyes and how they look at me.

Eight is Great!

This little guy turned 8 years old today. I told him this is where he stops getting bigger! He's at such a fun stage - exploring and discovering new things, his is personality starting to form, he still loves giving and receiving hugs and kisses... I want him to stay here forever!

I never dreamed it was possible to love someone else's child as my own. But that is exactly what happened with Cody. He has become such a huge part of my life, worming his way into my heart and grabbing hold!

I love the moments in the truck when we share a favourite song or when he recognizes a Paul McCartney song. I love it when we see a Beetle driving down the street and we call out "love bug" and blow each other a kiss. I savour the moments cuddled on the couch with a book. I am so grateful for the tender moments we share, the times he grabs my hand and tells me he loves me or wants to run and jump into a bear hug. I am blessed to have this little life to pour into and it spills back onto me.

So, today we celebrate this wonderful redhead that God has blessed us with. He is truly special and I can't wait to see what's in store for him.

Banff for Christmas

What a wonderful place to spend the holidays! This year Devin & I flew to Banff for Christmas. A number of factors came together to make it a reality: Cody was spending Christmas with his mom, Devin & I both had nearly a week off work without taking "vacation" time, we had wanted to do a delayed honeymoon at some point....so, the decision was made.

We stayed at Buffalo Mountain Lodge just outside the city. It was exactly the feel we were going for. The lobby was totally decked out for Christmas with a roaring fire in the fireplace. We even had a fireplace in our room!

This trip was the perfect blend of relaxation (puzzles and Christmas movies) and adventure (snowmobiling up a mountain). The views were so spectacular we felt that we were in a snowglobe! It was cold - I wore an insulating layer the entire time I was there - but gorgeous. The layer of snow on top of everything was breathtaking.

One of the moments I had anticipated the most was the "one horse open sleigh" ride on Christmas Eve. I'm a real sap sometimes and the thought of doing this in the mountains on December 24th was just too much for me to handle! It did not disappoint. We climbed into our sleigh and were covered by a buffalo hide for warmth. We made our way through some open areas and even spotted a herd of elk. As the snow softly fell, I tried to take a mental snapshot that I could savour in years to come. What a unique experience!

Another one of my favourite moments was our full day of snowmobiling in BC. Wow! What an adventure. It was amazing to wind our way up the mountain and see the fantastic views along the way. We stopped a few times at particularly breathtaking vantage points - including this frozen waterfall. At the top, we stopped for lunch at a cabin - giving us the opportunity to warm up. After lunch, it was time to rip around the "powder bowl". That was what Devin had been anticipating since we booked the trip :) However, when you're on the BACK of the snowmobile, it's much different. With each bump, my bum came right off the seat! I was really getting jostled around and thought I might just fly off the back and Devin would never know. So, I had a time out to take photos while he raced around like a maniac.

We both returned home sick with a cold, but we had such a great time, it didn't seem to matter! What a great first Christmas as Mr. & Mrs.

Better to Have Loved and Lost...

Grieving the loss of someone you love is relatively new to me. Fortunately I have not lost a lot of loved ones. I was only 6 when my Grandma Mills passed away and the loss was much different as a child. My Grandad died when I was 18 but we didn't have a close emotional attachment so the grief was different, yet again.

Losing my Grammie in November was like nothing I've ever experienced. I am so fortunate to have had such a close and loving relationship with this special lady. Not only was she my Grammie, sharing stories of her youth and from the past, but she was also my friend. A confidant. Someone I could talk to. Someone I could LAUGH with. We laughed a lot. She was quite funny.

I feel that I have mourned in gradual stages. Several years ago, I started to see signs of her aging. It became more difficult for her to get around and our trips in the car were less frequent. As superficial as it sounds, she stopped dying her hair and started to look older. She moved from her home of 60+ years to an apartment, to a retirement home and then to a nursing home. Our phone conversations were not as long and our visits were shortened by required naps. All of these stages gave me time to process what was happening and what was inevitable. Although I could not imagine what it would feel like, it wasn't as overwhelmingly crushing as I thought it might be. I'm grateful for the gradual grieving.

However, you never know when an emotional moment will hit you. While putting up the Christmas tree this year, we carefully removed ornaments from the box and hung them on the tree. And then I opened a box that brought out the tears. It was an ornament I had given Grammie many years ago. Last year she returned it to me to hang on my own tree. As soon as I saw it I was overwhelmed with sadness and started to cry. Cody wanted to know what was wrong, so I explained to him that this ornament was very special. I had given it to Grammie and she had given it back to me last year - as if she knew that she wouldn't be with us this year. He rubbed my arm and said "I'm sorry you're sad Emmy."

Today would've been Grammie's 90th birthday. The last two days have been difficult. Yesterday a memory popped up on my Facebook feed. It was a video I had put together for Grammie's birthday 2 years ago. As I watched the photos fade across the scene, I started to cry - right there in my office. Fortunately, no one else had arrived yet so I was alone, but it was a full out "ugly cry" as Oprah would call it. I think I'm lucky to have loved so much to have lost so much.

I will always miss this special lady but am incredibly grateful for the memories I will always carry with me.

2016 Draws to a Close

Another year is behind us and a new one stretched out in front. For me, 2016 was an emotion filled year of changes. Change would definitely be one word that would sum up 2016!

Early in the year, Devin sold his house and we bought our new home. When I look back on all that we packed into a few short months, I'm not sure how we did it!  Searching for a house while planning a wedding and doing it from cities 2 hours apart! But we managed just fine and LOVE our new neighbourhood in Mount Elgin.

The first 5 months of the year were filled with wedding planning and preparations. It was great fun to see everything come together for our special day. But, more than anything we were ready to live together as a family.

May 22 was a perfect day. Everything just fell into place and created an ideal day for us to share with our family and friends. Honestly, I could not have asked for it to be any different.

And then reality happened. Ha ha ha. Consider all of this happening at the same time:

• Closing the deal on my house & moving my stuff out
• Moving into a new house - living in chaos as we figured out where everything should go
• Changing my name
• Changing my address
• Becoming a wife
• Becoming a mom

Wow! Talk about adjustments! But, with the support of my very patient husband, we made it through all of those transitions. We enjoyed some fun times this summer with family and friends and went on our first family vacation! In August we traveled to the Smoky Mountains with my parents and spent a week exploring. It was a great time for the three of us to spend undivided time together and an opportunity for Cody to bond with my parents.

As we moved into fall, we felt more settled as a family. We were finding our groove. I altered my hours at work so I could spend more time with Cody after school - which has been such a blessing to our family. Following with the "change" theme ...we bought a truck and sold my Beetle. Yes, the time had come for my little car to find a new owner. We needed something more practical for our family.

In November, I said good bye to my beloved Grammie. What a sad day, indeed, when I got word that she had passed away. I'm so very grateful for the many memories I shared with her and will carry with me forever. She was a very special lady to me and I'm so glad she was able to attend our wedding and share in my joy that day. I believe it has been a gradual mourning for me. Things have changed over the last few years. We took fewer trips out in the car, she moved from her house to an apartment and finally a nursing home. He mind was still sharp and witty but I know she was uncomfortable and did not enjoy her everyday life any longer. So, as sad as it leaves me, I'm relieved that she died peacefully and her suffering is over.

Just 10 days after my Grammie passed away, we lost Devin's Grandmaman. She lived a very full 98 years but will be missed by many.

We capped off the year by celebrating Christmas with our families a week early and headed to Banff for the holidays. Our delayed honeymoon was everything we thought it would be! We stayed at a beautiful lodge in the Rocky mountains, went on a sleigh ride on Christmas Eve and a full day of snowmobiling. The week was a perfect blend of relaxing and adventure!

So, as we close 2016 I'm thinking of all the possibilities ahead of us in 2017. I am so blessed to have the wonderful people in my life that I call family and friends.

Remembering Grammie

On Saturday, November 12 we lost my precious Grammie. If you know me, you know how incredibly special this woman was to me.

I was honoured to be asked to write the obituary and give the eulogy at the funeral. Until I can compose myself to share my personal reflections here, I wanted to share what I wrote earlier this week.




Good afternoon. For those of you that don’t know me, I’m Janice, one of Olga’s granddaughters. I’m honoured to have been asked to share with you today – a glimpse of who my Grammie was and why she was loved by so many.

She was born in Manchester England in 1927 and grew up during the war. During those uncertain days, the children were shipped out to the countryside to keep them safe. Grammie and her sister Vera stayed together but were separated from the rest of the family for 11 months.

She returned to Manchester and became a young milk maid. It was at the end of her run one day that she happened to meet a dashing Canadian soldier at a bus stop. She happened to mention where she worked and was surprised to find him waiting for her the next day. The rest, as they say, is history. My history. Our history.

Grandad and Grammie were married in 1946 and soon came to Canada to start their new life. After living a brief time in Moncton with the Murrays, they headed west to Ontario and eventually settled in Corunna. I know we’ve all heard the stories many times – they lived in a four room garage while Grandad built their house. Times were tough – he even re-used nails having to straighten them first. They had to use an outside toilet and pumped water from a well. Quite an adjustment for this young wife and mom.

I often have thought about how it would feel to be 19 and leave everything you knew behind you and set sail for a brand new life. Of course, this was before the days of email and skype to make communication easy. Information was shared by sitting down to write a letter – only to have the contents read many days later! Imagine! I know being a new wife and mom, I have lots of questions for and advice to ask my mom and call her daily! For Grammie, a trans-continental phone call was reserved for only the rarest occasions.

She certainly had determination. She raised a brood of five boys and a girl, went on to have 19 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren. Her family was her pride and joy. Any chance she got, she would tell you about the exponential growth of the Murray family and would often follow that up with “and there ain’t an ugly one in the bunch”. She was so incredibly proud of each and every one of us – in our own way.

When chatting with some of my cousins this weekend, this was certainly a theme that came up. We each felt encouraged and loved by the way that she loved us individually. She kept tabs on what you were up to and would be sure to ask about it. Whether it was about your soccer team, your job, your kids or your car! She would pick up on what you were good at and compliment you with a “you’re so clever”.

Sometimes people don’t seize the opportunity to tell loved ones just what they mean to them. And perhaps that is the case. But I can assure you that through our many visits – in person or on the phone, I heard about each of you – how much she loved you and how proud she was of you.

As her only daughter, Grammie shared a special relationship with my mom. On many occasions, she would look at me and ask “What would I do without Ellen?” Indeed! I can’t imagine growing up in that Murray house full of boys! They shared a lot of tender moments as well as laughs over the years. Grammie recognized my mom’s big heart and her need to help others and always commented that she deserved to have a break. She was so grateful for the countless ways you helped her in the later years Mom.

Grammie thought a lot of Uncle Cliff. She was proud of his accomplishments when he moved to Toronto and started his life there. She was so grateful for the way Cliff and Penny have cared for Melvin and would often comment how loving and giving you are.

Uncle Doug was pretty special in Grammie’s eyes. I think she loved that he had inherited Grandad’s knack for “MacGyvering” anything. She enjoyed many lovely meals with you and Carmelle, tucked in by the woodstove. I know she missed you so much when you moved to Nova Scotia but was so happy that you were fulfilling your dream.

I remember hearing a number of times how Uncle Russ was such a beautiful baby. He had such lovely curls. And, you still have those lovely curls! I know she would enjoy your trips to Tim Horton’s when you would ride your bike down from Sarnia. Grammie kept me updated on all of your latest adventures and was so pleased with your growing family and the many musical talents of your kids and grandkids.

Having Uncle Dave close by in Corunna for so many years was a blessing to Grammie. She always enjoyed your visits and could count on you to take care of her tech support – hooking up the TV, figuring out the remote, etc. Grammie enjoyed the many family events that she was included in over the years and cherished your quiet and faithful support.

And Uncle Mel. I know there is a special place for the baby of the family and you had that place of honour in this family. Grammie always shared with me about what you were up to and enjoyed your regular phone calls. She was so pleased to see you cutting lawns, clearing snow and going on trips!

She cherished each of us and never missed sending a card on our birthdays. And that’s a heck of a lot of birthdays to keep track of!

We all remember the Merry Murray Christmas. Grammie loved getting everyone together once a year to celebrate Christmas. Uncle Dave recalls going to Kreskie’s with Grammie to do the Christmas shopping and stopping for lunch at the snack counter. He had the inside track of what the older kids were getting for Christmas, but somehow Grammie always managed to have a surprise under the tree for him on Christmas morning.

Uncle Cliff remembers the Christmas chaos that happened each year – after the Christmas Eve service. Grandad would wait to get a deal on the tree and they’d put it up on the 24th. Grammie would be madly wrapping gifts for all the kids and putting the turkey in the oven to cook over night.

When reminiscing about Grammie, there were a number of things that came up that took you back to childhood years. Some of our favourites included:

•    The smell of the woodstove
•    The sound of the clock above the sideboard
•    Putting pennies on the railway track
•    Grandad’s rocking chair
•    Sleepovers with cookies & milk
•    Vacation Bible school
•    The crayon drawer
•    Her spoon collection
•    The plates hung on the wall
•    Getting Avon samples
•    Her hand-knitted mitts, sweaters, ….even Barbie doll clothes!

Another thing we all seem to remember is her pie. She was famous for her pies and Grandad was famous for volunteering her to make them for events at the Moore Museum! It was always a treat when you walked in the door and the smell of fresh pie greeted you. She has passed this skill on to many of her children and grandchildren!

Speaking of the Moore Museum, who remembers the countless events we all attended there? I know it was near and dear to Grandad’s heart, but Grammie continued the tradition. I loved attending the Victorian Tea with her on the May long weekend.

I am so blessed to have many years of treasured memories with my Grammie. I know that my life’s circumstances allowed me this opportunity. For many years we would talk about how I was still single and how she just couldn’t understand why I hadn’t met a “nice young man”. She even joked that there needed to be a war so myself and a couple of other single cousins could find a husband. And as much as I wanted the next chapter of my life to begin, I look back and see what a blessing it was. I was able to invest in my relationship with Grammie in a way that I could not now that I have a husband and family.

One such opportunity was in 2006. It was declared the “year of the war bride” and a big reunion was happening at Pier 21 in Halifax. I had the privilege of attending with Grammie & Mom. What an amazing experience to see hundreds of ladies transported back in time as they reminisced with each other and danced to the songs of the era. I know that Grammie was so pleased to have done that trip and talked about it many times over the past 10 years. I know I will hold onto that memory dearly.

While chatting with my cousins this weekend, another theme that seemed to emerge was Grammie’s tea. Of course, being British, she loved a good cup of tea. But heaven help you if you made it the wrong way! I recall getting a scolding when Josh & I were visiting and I made some tea. I was never a big tea drinker, but when Grammie made it, it just seemed to taste better. And she always had cookies to go with it. Usually Peak Freens. We all loved Grammie’s tea and have a variety of memories of her favourite go-to meal when she had us over. From a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup, cold cuts or spaghetti. Food has a way of uniting people.

Grammie had a wonderful sense of humour and we laughed a lot. One of my favourite stories involves this little card here. She has told this story countless times over the years and it only seems appropriate to share it here today.

We were at my sister Connie’s birthday party at a place called “My Mother’s House”. It was an old victorian home that had been converted into a restaurant. We both needed to use the washroom and realized the lock was broken. She agreed to “stand on guard for me” as I put it and I would return the favour. So, she dutifully stood by the door while I used the facilities and then it was her turn. Unfortunately, I got distracted talking to someone and forgot to watch the door. Wouldn’t you know it, someone walked in on Grammie. I was horrified! So upset, in fact, I made this little card to apologize. It’s in the shape of a toilet and says “Sorry”. Grammie was tickled pink with this card and it had a place of honour in her china cabinet for many years. She would often remind me that each time she heard “O Canada” and they came to the line about standing on guard, she thought of me. In fact, when we attended The Nutcracker – they played O Canada before the performance. Grammie and I both had a chuckle as we looked at each other during that point in the song.

I was so pleased to share with her when I met Devin. She was one of the first people to know about him and was excited to meet Devin. She wanted to ensure she had proper notice of when we would visit, so she could put some make up on! Grammie was so accepting of both Devin and his son Cody – welcoming them into the fold.
She made it a goal to attend our wedding, and there were a few times when I wondered if that would be a reality but I am so grateful that she could be there to share in our special day.

These are some of my stories of Grammie, but I know we each have our own memories that we will tuck away in a safe place and savour them for years to come.

As we say good bye to Grammie, we know she is in a better place and reunited with Grandad once again. We are left with an abundance of memories to carry with us and are grateful to have had this wonderful lady as the matriarch of our family.

Thank you for the opportunity to share with you today.

Driver Wanted. Driver Found.

If you know me, you know my love of VW's Beetle. I have all kinds of "bug" paraphernalia that has been gifted to me over the years - from Christmas tree ornaments to a cookie cutter.

I bought my first Beetle in 2002. It was yellow and it was my dream car. I had wanted a yellow Beetle since I was a little girl. Finally, it was mine. I loved that car. It really became a part of me - I became synonymous with yellow Beetles, and Beetles in general.

I was heartbroken in 2009 when I was rear ended. I quickly transitioned into my silver Beetle, although it was never quite the same. I had become accustomed to the control panel, heated seats and flower vase. And the silver car had a sunroof!

As we know, everything has a season. And the season of my love bug has now ended. It had a good run - 14 years! We knew that after we were married and settled in, we'd look at getting a more family-friendly vehicle. Two doors and zero trunk space was wearing on me and I was ready for a change.

After being listed just two weeks, I found a buyer. It was comforting to me that my little bug was going to a girl that reminded me of me. I wanted the new driver to enjoy it as much as I had! Devin later commented that when she arrived, she looked like a young Janice. Indeed...we were wearing the same shoes. LOL.

And just like that, it's gone. One last drive into Ingersoll to get the paperwork and I've closed that chapter. OK, there were a few tears, I'll admit. But, the new chapter is just beginning and I can't wait to see what's in store.

I thought I'd include my Kijiji ad here :)

Driver Wanted.

Punchbuggy! Love Bug. Beetle. It has many names and is loved around the world. Picture yourself cruising your neighbourhood while your neighbours stop and slug each other! 

VW’s Beetle has been my daily driver since 2002 and has not disappointed me. German engineering coupled with the awesome service at Autobahn Motors has kept me safe on the road. Rest assured, I lovingly took care of her by having regular service from Chris and his team.

This Beetle came into my life when her older sister met an untimely demise in 2009. She has been a great companion on many road trips! But, don’t fret. VW has a reputation for going the distance.

VW’s Beetle has been my “dream car” for as long as I can remember. It’s now time for my dream to become your reality. My days of being single and footloose and fancy free have matured into family life and a 2 door car is impractical for us. I’m returning to my roots and have shifted into a pick up truck.

Check out her awesome features:

• Heated seats – quickly became my favourite feature, especially in the winter
• Sunroof – for those awesome sunny days
• Impeccably clean interior – very few back seat passengers for the duration
• Flower vase – throwback to the 60s!
• Membership into the VW family

Finding Our Groove

As we approach five months as a family, we are finally starting to find our groove. It was been a lot of transition for each of us - moving to a new house/neighbourhood/school, new schedules, new routines, new personalities to accommodate. And, of course, this is all happening while we deal with mountains of paperwork. Paperwork to change my name, change our address, merge our banking, etc. And don't forget the boxes to unpack! We merged two houses into one and the boxes seem to be endless. Although, it finally feels like we are making progress. Yay.

The first while was pretty challenging. As anyone that has moved will know - it's tough to live in a house when nothing is organized or settled. It took time to wade through things and get the kitchen functional and clear enough boxes that we could walk through the living room without it feeling like a maze. And it was tough to get ahead of things when each night we would arrive home at 5:30pm, make dinner, eat and clean up, complete the daily Kumon assignment (more on that later). After getting Cody to bed, we would make lunches and get something prepped for dinner the next day and it would be after 10pm. Neither of us could keep up with that!

Our first step was to get a dishwasher as I previously posted. That has been a life saver. It definitely helps with the time spent in the kitchen. But, we were still finding it difficult to get everything done that needed to be done and be left with no down time for our family. Devin & I discussed the idea of me working less hours to allow some "breathing room". We liked the idea and when I proposed it to my boss, he liked it too.

I'm so blessed to work for such a wonderful husband/wife team. They treat me like family and have been very supportive and accommodating as life's circumstances come up. Marc agreed that I can start a half hour earlier and leave 90 minutes earlier - meaning I'm working one hour less per day. However, this means I can pick Cody up from school (no aftercare) and have time to get dinner ready and have Kumon done when Daddy comes home. It's only week 2 but we are noticing such a difference! We don't feel rushed all the time. Cody has time to be a kid - riding his bike or doing a craft after school. We eat dinner at a decent time and I'm not in the kitchen at 11pm!!

The real blessing in this new schedule is the one-on-one time it affords me with Cody. We are settling in to our new roles and really having fun together. There's the tough stuff - like reminding him to make his bed, flush the toilet and use soap when washing his hands. But then there's the fun stuff like singing songs in the car, making crafts and cooking together. There are many tender moments from this little red head and last night he looked at me and said "Am I making your heart explode?" Ha ha ha. Indeed, Cody. Indeed.

Our Wedding Video

When planning our wedding, there were so many decisions to make. The options are endless but everything comes with a price tag. Initially we were not going to do a video. It seemed like an "extra" that we didn't really need. However, Jo-Anne convinced me that I would regret not having one...especially with my television background.

After plans were underway, we decided to go for it. What's a few more dollars now when you're already spending so much!?! We are so glad that we did. The day was gone in the blink of an eye and we know there are tons of moments that we missed.

Thank you to Marty Lewis for capturing our day and producing this highlight video. Enjoy.

Happy Birthday Duaner

I thought I'd take a moment today to wish my friend Duane a happy birthday. You know how there are some people that come into your life and you instantly feel like you've known them forever? Duane is one of those people.

We met when I started working at the TV station many years ago. We worked some shifts together but where we really connected was when we were on the same team for a company-wide scavenger hunt. Duane (and his then-fiance Debby) drove us around in their minivan - frantically solving puzzles, taking photos and racing around London.

After that, we started to chat more during our shifts and over time Duane became like a brother to me. He has always been great to listen to my issue-de-jour and provide his insight and opinion. Insights and opinions that I value and trust. He was one of the first people I talked to when 9-11 happened, coached me through many relationship twists and turns, listened to family drama, and has made me laugh. A deep belly laugh. He also shared in my excitement - whether counting down to a trip, purchasing my first home or accepting my new position and leaving TV behind me.

He has removed a dead mouse from my kitchen drawer, helped me move and inspired & encouraged me when I went back to school. He loves my hyper-expressive face and pushing my buttons.

Perhaps most importantly, he put my nightmare to bed when he agreed to run the sound at our wedding. I had multiple dreams that I got to the end of the aisle there would not be any music. Or worse, I had to run over and push play myself! Well, Duane (with assistance from his lovely wife Debby) took care of the audio/visual stuff at our wedding and kept things running smoothly.

Imagine my horror when I discovered the slideshow Devin & I had spent hours to put together would not work on the system the Elm Hurst provided. This was despite checking about that very thing the week before. I was so upset to think we couldn't share this with our guests. At the height of my emotion, Duane calmly asked for a key to my house and the password for my computer so that he could go and get the original file and sort out the details. I was overwhelmed. Talk about friendship!

Happy birthday Duane. Hope it's a great one.

Handy Hubby

Have I mentioned how thrilled I am to have a handy hubby? Devin can do pretty much anything he puts his mind to and is knowledgeable in all the things that I'm not. LOL. Remember last year when he re-wired my Christmas tree star? This time he created a coffee nook/installed a dishwasher! 

When we purchased the house, we realized there was not a dishwasher but thought we could hand-wash until renovating next year. A few weeks into our new life and we noticed most of our time was spent washing and drying dishes :( A dishwasher was necessary for our sanity!

Since the kitchen was not designed to include a dishwasher (lame, I know!) Devin had to put his thinking cap on. I'm quite impressed by what we came up with. It involved designing and building a cupboard for the dishwasher - the bonus being a little coffee bar for all our java essentials. He even thought to add a pull out shelf for coffee mugs and the dishwasher soap!

I was quite thrilled as I watched him work - scribbling dimensions, measuring, building, installing. This guy is amazing! He knows what he's doing and he's a perfectionist. This probably sounds totally "1950's housewife" of me, but it was comforting to watch this project and know that my man can take care of me & our family.

 

The end result is a great little area in the kitchen where we can make our morning coffee AND store our dishes. The best part is, we put them in dirty and they come out clean. How cool is that?