Growth is painful. Change is painful. But, nothing is as painful as staying stuck where you do not belong.
N. R. Narayana Murthy
I know I have been MIA lately. I usually like to be more consistent. In fact, I was a guest on The Palmer Files last week where I discussed this very blog and how consistent I am! 😂 You can check it out HERE
On my last post I talked about all the changes we have been going through with the Girls starting new schools and the summer ending. At the time I may have mentioned that we had started the construction of our addition. Since then, things have gotten more… well just more.
There was a time right before my Mom went into hospice that we got into a fight. It was the last fight we ever got into. It was right before she went in for her MRI at the Kelowna General Hospital. She was laughing and smiling and said, “promise me that you will stay with your Dad for the next 5 to 10 years. I think you guys should build up.” At the time I shot it down. We argued about it, somewhat jokingly but also kind of seriously LOL. When she got out of her MRI, I never saw her get out of bed again. For me, That was her turning point. I will always remember how we were joking and laughing and then an hour later she looked like she was going to die. 2 1/2 weeks later she did.
For the past 6 years we have looked at different options. We have been to numerous open houses and seen countless houses that just didn’t fit our needs. We definitely wanted a house with an Inlaw suite. However, Dad didn’t want to be stuck in a basement. He wanted a house… Like the one he already has. So, after many years we hired a designer. He laid out a floor plan that would give us our own kitchen, 3 bedrooms, our own entrance, our own laundry, and an open floor plan living room/dining room! All while Dad gets to keep his house!
So we did it! We hired a contractor, one that we know his work and that has worked with our business throughout the years. Things were pretty slow to start. We had a lot of issues with red tape at City Hall. At first we had hoped to be considered a duplex. However, the hoops we had to jump through for that to happen were outrageous! We realized if we wanted to make this a legal suite that there was a lot more to it than just adding a second level. There were firewalls, square footage allotments, and area percentage of the entire lot. There were doors we had to add, windows that couldn’t be covered, openings that aren’t allowed to be close to our neighbours property line. So many things to consider. And then it happened! Right when school began, we began building our new home!
I should have know just by the red tape what a difficult experience we were in for!
So there you have it, the major change that is happening in our lives… right now! In total we will have 1800 ft.² on top of the 1200 ft.² we already have. Dad is also making some improvements to the lower level! Adding pot lights, a new bathroom, and new kitchen cabinetry! Along the way we have had some issues but none as big as the weather! We live in a semi arid desert. We don’t get a ton of rain. However, it would appear that Mother Nature likes to rain on every important milestone of our life. You know weddings, building a home, I even remember looking out the window after 24 hours of labour and seeing it snowing!
We have had so much rain that the tarps that the crew have put up sprung leaks and shorted out our bedroom ceiling fan/light. Nothing we can’t handle but a pain in the ass nonetheless. There’s a lot of emotions that have come with this build. This was my Grandparent’s house, I remember it as a kid! The grapevine, that had to be dug up, had been feeding my family for close to 40 years. This is my Mom and Dad’s house. It breaks my heart to know that we have to let go of all the beautifully painted flower garden tires that we made my Mom on her last Mother’s Day.
However, last Thursday would’ve been my Mom’s 61st birthday. I feel like we are honouring her in so many ways this year. As usual, we donated how old she would’ve been in dollars to the Terry Fox run. This year the Girls are in separate schools so Dad and HBear donated $61 to her school while Ninja, SBean and I donated $61 to her elementary school. We are also doing what she asked me to do 6 1/2 years ago. I’m sorry I didn’t ease your conscience then and just say, “yes” but I know where ever you are, you are happy. You are happy that your family stuck together. You’re happy that we’re doing what you knew was best for us. I wish you were here to help me decide what colour to paint the bedroom and what fixture is worth splurging for. I wish for so many things but mostly I wish you were here to see this major milestone of our lives come to fruition. Thank you for the idea Mommies and I hope wherever you are you are you had a shot of Tequila to toast the birth of an amazing woman. L.O.V.E.
A few episodes of How Was Your Week, Honey? Came out recently! Check out Episode 136: You’re Sleeping on the Leather Couch HERE. We are chatting poker, elections, Canada, Joni Mitchell, dance life, work, bands, Righteous Gemstones & furniture shopping!
Check out Episode 137: The Sky Is Falling HERE We’re chatting Daylight Savings, construction zone, being self aware, thieves, brown face, The Rhinoceros Party, cheating & female bands.
Or check out out latest Episode 138: Living The Life HERE We’re chatting VinylFest, Community Radio, Renos, Rain, Leaks, Fox News, PMS, female bands and Road Rage!
With all this rain and autumn temperatures I am craving soup. I love soup. A big bowl of soup with a chunk of crusty bread… Comfort! I used to be intimidated by soup. I knew that it took hours to really get those deep layered flavours that make a bowl of soup good enough to be a whole dinner. However, that’s not the case here! You can get all the flavours by a few simple tricks! Rotisserie chicken, Campbells Chicken Broth, and a crockpot! Trust me, this soup is delicious and your whole family will love it!
Crockpot Mexican Chicken Soup
Adapted from I Heart Naptime
1 rotisserie chicken, meat removed & shredded
1 tetra box chicken broth
1 large can diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cups carrots, chopped
1 1/2 cups celery, chopped
1 cup onion, chopped
1 cup red bell pepper, chopped
1 cup cilantro, chopped
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 lime, juiced
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 lime, juiced
Combine all ingredients in a crock pot and cook on high for 3-4 hours.
So we’ve been busy but we have still found the time to start the dance year! HBear is in 8 dances so far while SBean is in 5. This week they both add Hip Hop and I begin Adult Jazz😳. The girls have also started swimming lessons! HBear is in swim kids 9 while SBean is in swim kids 3! SBean also started skating lessons this past week!
We went furniture shopping and out for lunch!
The Girls are finally settling into their new schools! We attended their open houses, HBear is loving band and I volunteered for SBean’s first field trip! We went out to Vaseaux Lake to learn about the bird migration! Despite the dreary weather we had a great time!
Grandma and Grandpa came over for dinner and the Girls put on a “puppet show“.
SBean attended Little Leonardo’s Art Camp at the Art Gallery on Pro D Day! She had a wonderful time.
Last weekend while HBear was on a play date, SBean and I did some knitting and visited Ninja at VinylFest! He volunteered at the sale for PeachCity Radio and did a live on location! It was super fun!
This weekend SBean attended Library group, I was in the 4th Line Podcast fantasy hockey draft and then Ninja and I ducked out for an hour and had dinner and a few drinks at The Nest and Nectar! On Sunday Ninja and I did work around the construction zone aka our house while the Girls did a science kit and some crafts. We finished our week having a wonderful Roast Dinner at my In-Law’s!
