Kitchen Reno

  Thinking about a renovation in any of your rooms?  Is it a gut and redo or a modification to what is already there?  Do you really need it?  I mean really need it?  If you have answered yes to needing the reno than you need to follow my advice.  Move, buy a new house that has what you need because it is easier, probably cheaper (in the long run), and you can sell and be moved in before some contractors complete your reno.
  I may seem a little extreme, although my current situation would suggest otherwise.  Three months into a kitchen reno and tomorrow might be the last day, if all goes well, and nothing breaks.  It all began with a commitment that the job could be done, followed by one mistake after another.  All of this could have been avoided with the correct use of two very crucial tools, a measuring tape and a pen.  Correct measurements and writing things down and we would be complete.  From my understanding you do not even need training on how to use these tools, you only need a brain.
  The guys that have been in the house doing the work have been great to deal with and have pointed out all of the deficiencies, making certain they are corrected prior to installation.  They have been a pleasure to deal with and I don't hold them responsible, (as they were not the ones that I dealt with during initial measuring) although I have asked where the boss is and why has he not stopped by to check on things.  I expect I will see him or hear from him when he wants payment.  Funny thing is I to have problems writing things down, such as my signature on a cheque.

  Now, I don't really suggest selling your house and moving, over a reno, although I do suggest that you research who you are using and create time-lines up front.  Get a commitment that the work will be done prior to your changes going out of style and that the time lines are before man gets back to the moon.  All of those construction shows that tell you what to look for and to spend the time selecting the correct contractor, well it appears they are right.  Sorry Mike Holmes for not listening, but I have learned my lesson, next time I will do it myself, that should make for a fun time.

I Didn't Do It!

  The house is a mess, there are toys all over the place and you have to blame your spouse because all the kids said, "I didn't do it".  It is hard to believe that my wife would walk around the house scattering toys.  What's even more amazing is she did all of this while being at work.  What if it was me and I was sleep toy throwing again, oh my the poor kids, I was blaming them.
  Who got toothpaste all over the floor?  "I didn't do it" is echoed four times as the kids all walk away from me.  That's the problem, we have a ghost that likes to play with the toothpaste.  I should not be surprised as during our visit to the medium I did find out that there are spirits that visit our home.  One of them mentioned playing with the kids, but he, the spirit, never said anything about squeezing the toothpaste all over the counter.
  Than there were the toys that were scattered throughout the house that I had to clean up as we could not figure out who made the mess.  Once I cleaned up I was determined to get to the bottom of this mystery.  But just as I thought I was getting somewhere, more toys, sitting on the floor.  How could this be?  This time I have witnesses as the kids were hanging around the area, so they must know something.  "I didn't do it" and in unison "we didn't see anyone else around".  Here we go again.
  Now, when it comes to laundry around our house I was recently asked by the kids "why do we have to put away our clothes when you do the laundry"?  So I have decided that starting this week I am not doing their laundry.  When they run out of underwear and socks and ask me "Dad, where is our clean laundry"?  I can answer "I didn't do it, but maybe you can get the person who throws your toys all over to do it for you".  I expect I will get a response such as, "Dad, we throw the toys, but we can't do laundry".  Busted.  So they admit guilt, but when questioned about the crayons and paper all over the place they respond, "I didn't do it".
  When my wife gets home tomorrow and says "Why is the kitchen not cleaned up"?  I will try the response "I didn't do it" and hope for the best.  I do see a problem with this as she will probably respond "I know you didn't do it jack---, I want to know why and when it will be cleaned up"?  Tomorrow I try this approach with the kids minus the jack---, maybe.      

Who Likes To Talk?

  I like to talk and if you have ever met my wife and her sister, blah blah blah, you would understand.  I spend most of my time around them listening or at least letting on that I am listening.  You see, I learned many years ago, thanks to my brother in law, how to sit near the two of them and yet be able to zone them out and pay attention to the game on T.V.
  When it is my turn to talk, I can tell a tale and I am not afraid to admit it.  I have always told long stories since I was a kid, you should hear the one about scoring my first goal, but that's me and like them or not, listen or not, they are my tales.  Blogging has provided me an opportunity to share my stories without having to say a word, although that does not mean I have less to say.  I know they can sometimes run a little long and I thank you for reading them and hope you continue as I have a great story about a place in Florida, that I have never been to and may never see after this blog.

  Oh wait, I hear my wife and sister in law speaking.  I must be quiet now, will continue when the voices are gone.

Thank you, Monday

A tribute to my Mondays in my own special way, a poem.  After all, it is National Poetry month in Canada.

The day begins with preparing a lunch, as my oldest eats getting ready for school.

His brothers and sister awake much too early, saying they need their morning fuel.

Get my son off to school, with plenty of time.

So starts my day, as I struggle to rhyme.

I pack up the kids and head to the store, hoping to find some brand new lights.

The kids in a race cart I want only one thing, for them to stay calm with not one fight.

The Grumpies set in by 11 o'clock, there close to breaking and so am I

What to do for lunch I have no clue, but I know for one thing I could use a rye.
The afternoon is full of laughter and laundry, as the kids put away clothes that I fold.

My oldest gets picked up from school, his homework ahead not much I am told.

We manage through and get him all done, time to go play outside in the back.

The yelling begins as they start to argue, I can feel it coming I'm starting to crack.

Dinner comes not a moment to soon, as they wash and sit in their favourite chairs.

I clean up the dishes and think of dessert, if nothing is served I'll have four angry bears.

The house is tidied, the kids ready for bed.

Mom gets home with time to spare, spend time with the kids and kiss all their heads.

Once their asleep it is time for the two of us, to open our laptops and type away.

She with her work, me with my play.

The day is all over, as I pull off my sweater.

As my wife goes to sleep all I think, Monday brings blahs to make my week that much better.



Easier s