October
This month has been a busy one. We decided that since both kids were in highschool now, that a night at Stratford Festival Theatre was something that we wanted them to experience. The night of the show, as soon as they got off the bus, we got in the van and drove through crazy traffic in order to make an 8pm Friday night show time. We arrived with minutes to spare and enjoyed Romeo and Juliet. Both kids, while I am sure they didn't exactly know what to expect, came out saying they were happy to have seen it.
Of course the language is different but seeing Shakespeare and reading Shakespeare are so different. This is not something a school offers. Small hand gestures and such make the play just that much more special.
It would have been easier if we could have just stayed overnight in Listowel, but alas, this may have been the first time we were split up for a Thanksgiving dinner at my dad's. We all drove home after the play, and in the morning Hadley and I drove to Listowel to attend Thanksgiving with my sister and her family, my brother and my dad. While Brian and Easton stayed back because Brian was scheduled to coach Easton's hockey team. I think my dad did amazing. This was his first Thanksgiving after the loss of Brenda and he made a turkey meal and we all gave thanks!
Brian's cousin Ben got married this month. It was a small ceremony out west in the mountains, but then he came back and had a little reception in Toronto for a very close few family and friends. Brian and I were fortunate enough to be included in this list. (Ben was our ring bearer and Brian lived next door to him while growing up). This was a special night to be sure.
House stuff: This month we found that we needed to add a few roof vents as air was not flowing well up in the attic causing a small area in the upstairs bathroom to have a ripple in the drywall, so that is now fixed. The well had a fault error and water pressure was low, so we had the well guys out and that is now fixed. We are just trying to run enough water through to get the dirt and such through and then we will have it tested to confirm drinkable. Water bottles for now. We have had it tested already and it is deemed okay for boiling to consume, okay for showering and teeth brushing but full consumption still needs a final clearance. Hoping that comes soon. Couches...we have never bought couches as we were always given other people's hand me downs. UNTIL NOW! We bought our first set of couches for the main living area. It allows for so much seating! I love how it fits in the room.
Hadley and I went to Toronto to the College Fair to talk with schools and get advice on scholarships, awards and general info that may be helpful in the next year as we navigate what comes next for her.
Last year at the end of the year I was nominated and picked for the Volunteer of Distinction for Valley View. So this month I was invited along with my family to attend a ceremony celebrating each volunteer picked from each school in Durham. I walked across the stage, got my picture taken and talked with other volunteers whom I have met over the years, the school brought me flowers and then we enjoyed food made by the culinary students. I felt privileged to be able to volunteer, this award was just icing on the cake.
A new experience for Brian, and a really old one coming back to me from highschool, was a trip to Huntsville where we tried out curling for the day to raise money for Brian's cousin Scott to raise money for his wedding. The kids were not old enough for insurance to be able to try it out, but they had fun with the games. Hadley came home a winner with new hand painted coasters, and Easton won the 50/50 draw $165 and a bluetooth speaker valued at $100. I think they had fun even though they couldn't curl.
The next day we headed to Strathroy to celebrate Brian's cousin Patrick at his wedding shower. It was a long weekend of driving but nice to see so much family. We were all tired but glad to have supported and celebrated family.
This month the Northern lights were visible and we could see them from our yard, however, after marvelling at colour, we decided to drive about 20 minutes north to see the sky dance! I am so glad to have had this experience. Brian had just arrived home, literally off the plane, we saw the view from our backyard and then drove north right away to experience it the best we could! Beautiful!
It is official, I sometimes now require readers also known as cheater glasses. Not quite a prescription, mostly just magnifiers for close up and dim lighting and not all the time but enough that it is noteworthy.
Lindsay's husband Jamie is on a three month work project with Disney so this month we decided to go visit her at her house for a girl talk kind of night. Always fun to bring the latest tips and tricks, money saving tips, and we talk about kids and life.
Halloween looked different this year. Both kids grabbed something from the bin of old costumes instead of a new costume about ten minutes before school. No trick or treating, and no giving out candy, well Ellie did come from next door, so one kid to give out candy to. So strange! Instead...we went to get our updated Covid Booster shots after school, (the latest Covid vaccine is available, so we are all now ready for the winter ahead with our latest doses and the kids have a PA day November 1, so this made sense). Then we took the kids out to McDonalds, and then drove through the Spooktacular Light Show at the Ajax Casino. This was followed by a Halloween movie. So, while different, it still felt festive. On to November...