Morning Ride

This is Kieran's 3rd time riding his bike to school.
Molly took this photo of us for her slideshow preso. I just got it this morning.
Kieran's bike looks so small next to mine.

The school is just over 2.5km (almost 1.5 mi) away. And it gets busy after 8:00am with people heading to work or dropping their kids to school. So we leave around 7:30ish so we don't have to deal with drivers running stop signs, making u-turns, running red lights on a right hand turn, speeding in a 40km zone and coming out of driveways blindly.

Most times I'm sweating from nervousness, but Kieran loves it. He looks forward to it. He's been asking me if he can ride his bike to school ever since his training wheels came off 2 years ago. I've always said to him that it's too dangerous, but really what am I doing? I'm not helping him by limiting him. I need to teach him how to do it, and do it safely and smartly. This way, when he goes on his own, I can know that he will make good decisions and be alert. We forget that we are our kids first and longest running teachers. If they struggle, practice with them daily til they get the confidence to do it on their own. Don't cope out with a lame excuse. We have a responsibility to them to not get frustrated, to take the time and practice with them so they learn how to do everything we do, and do it better.

So on May 11th I agreed that I would ride with him to school. And the next morning we got up early, had breakfast, changed and brushed our teeth and we headed off to school with me on my bike and Kieran on his bike.

He was so excited.
We went cautiously, at first I would ride on the sidewalk with him trailing me, then when we got into the High Park area, I rode on the road giving him instructions as he rode on the sidewalk. He made it down the hills and up the hills. His balance is really good. And I was looking out for cars, giving him some direction when pedestrians were on the sidewalk and we had to find a line go around them. It was nerve wracking for me.

But he did it. And he was so proud. And he said I didn't have to come upstairs to see him to his class, that he can go on his own.
Afterschool I met him to ride home with him. It's busier then. The Runnymede TTC station is under construction so we've got construction and pedestrians and cabbies. But once we past that area it's smooth sailing.
He was telling me that his classmates were playing with the lights on his helmet, and taking turns putting it on.

On May 26 we rode to school again for the 3rd time.
It was raining a lot last week, so he didn't ride at all.
But it's getting pretty routine.

He loves riding his bike.
The one good thing about riding to school. He goes to bed early and will wait in his room for a story. And will fall asleep. He knows that in order to get up early enough to ride his bike, he needs to sleep earlier.

Wonder how long this will last? I'm going to milk it for what it worth.

C3 Kids of Steel - Caledon

It was race day!
This was the largest Kids triathlon in Canada.
It's been raining recently and I was praying that the rain hold off until after.
And it did. Conditions were ideal for a race. Too bad I wasn't in better form, but I was happy with my finish. I felt good and my hamstring wasn't bothering me.
It feels like I can continue running and re-building my base again.

I think I was 2nd last out of the water in my heat (8 people per heat). I was with this large but really nice guy in the lane. So for the whole swim I pretty much swam in his wake and let him pull me along. I had only swam once before this race. So I wasn't going to try to over take him in the water. What for? The race isn't won in the water anyways. So onto the transition where I struggled with my shirt because I had forgotten my race strap for my bib # and i had to pin it on my shirt and was trying not to rip it off. I was glad one of the other racers helped me with my shirt. Not supposed to but it's a friendly race. And I find triathletes are super friendly bunch. Unlike pure cyclists who turn their nose up if you ride with SPD's on your road bike.

I was able to catch people on the bike (I know I caught 1 guy from my heat on the bike) and on the run I caught another guy in my heat and another lady from the heat before mine. It felt pretty good.

Now on to the more important race. Kieran's.
I rushed back to my sister's to get him ready for the race.
I already had his bib #, so all we needed to do was to get his number written on his arm and leg, and get him set up in the transition area.

This was both our first time doing this venue.
It was surprisingly short, but was exciting enough. It was really amazing to see Kieran's eyes and face light up as he ran toward the finish. It made all the effort of getting our stuff together worth it. And there's mama with her swollen foot and crutches and all cheering her star on.
He caught that little kid right at the finish line.
Instead of giving the kids loot bags, there was a box of dinosaurs and loot bag stuff in it, it was brilliant.
Forget the medal man. That box had 20 kids rifling through it looking for treasure!
And the line up for the clown making balloons was longer than the food line.

This was a very well run event. Everything was one time and on schedule. This is the largest KIDS triathlon in Canada. There were 5 times more kids in the 3-6 yr old category than the adults alone. Kudos to the C3 event volunteers. And Barrie Shepley. For those that don't know. He was/is the triathlon coach of Canada. He was there in 2000 in Sydney when Simon Whitfield won gold.
So this event is a grassroots level event to get kids into triathlons and have fun doing it.
I know we did.


We even made it to Samatha's birthday party. I didn't think we would, but he managed to play there for almost an hour. He was sweating more from this place than from his race.
And we got some much needed pizza and drinks too.
Thanks Shaun and Michelle. It was so good when I used the oven to warm it up instead of the microwave.

He was pretty wiped by the time we got home.
And I was a pretty tired too.
Next year, we all might do this.

Click me for more photos







Swim 400m, Bike 15 Km, Run 5 Km

Place: 13
Bib: 316
Name: Raymond Garces
Total Time: 1:11:24
Class placing: TM40-49 5/8
Swim
place: 16
time: 9:30
pace/100m: 2:23

T1 + Bike + T2
place: 14
time: 37:14
speed Km/h: 24.2

Run
place: 12
time: 24:41
pace/Km: 4:57

Critter visitors

We had some little critters hanging around.

This little raccoon was in the tree next door to Kieran's school. It was the middle of the afternoon and I wasn't sure if it was breathing. Since it was the middle of the day and it was right out in the open.
And it certainly drew a crowd of little kids and adults.
But then I saw it move. So that was a relief.



This little guy was running around our front yard looking for food.
I was eating some falafel so maybe it smelled the hummus and was looking for a handout.

I shoo'd him away but he kept coming closer.
This was a fat squirrel and he was probably looking for some of the food he'd buried before winter.

He was pretty fearless coming so close to people. But I know the old ladies feed him. I found out later that he'd eaten Ola's cucumber seeds she just planted. Serves her right for feeding and trying to domesticate a squirrel.

She was pissed, now she looking to put a bounty on this grey bandit pelt.

She's an old Euro, I bet you she'd turn him into goulash.

Papa needs a new pair of boots

Woo hoo, the bin is gone.
It arrived on Sunday, around 9am. I loaded the debris from the basement.
Then the rains came.
My boots are 14 years old. Although I used them for less than a year. I got them when I was working for EDS and had to walk through the North Fab plant in Oshawa.

Good thing I wore them for this job, since several times it saved me from checking my tetanus shot records.
But the sole of the boot was falling apart. I was noticing all this black stuff where ever I was walking.
Then I looked at my boots and I could see the shiny metal plate of my boot.

I guess I could get a new pair when I do the kitchen or the bathroom project.
But for now I don't need a new pair. Unless it's on sale.
I'll have to keep my eye out for new boots.

Even though on the schedule they said pickup and delivery can be between 7am and 9pm. But just like delivery they arrived just after 9am they came and picked up the bin.
Bye bye boots and junk.

Last stairwell to basement

Well, I finally got to the basement stairwell. I was going to do this last year, but I was too tired.
But since we were gutting the basement and we had the bin.
I might as well get the demolition going. So I got 'er done today.
I was debating on doing this or not. Mostly because I wasn't sure what to do about the foundation section that's halfway down the stairs. It's not like a regular wall. It's solid. But the stairwell has always been freezing in the winter. You can feel it when you walk down to the basement. The main floor stairwell is much better now since I did the insulation last year. So the basement was a must.

I was hoping to get the garden all de-weeded and prepped for Ola to plant some cucumbers, but there's just not enough hours in the day to do it all. But I'm happy that all I got it all down. The basement stairs are different from the main floor stairwell. Since the gyprock and plaster stopped at the foundation. Below that, it's just solid. So I'm going to have to insulate that differently.



I'm thinking that I'll have to get the EPS and just attach it to the wall. And above the foundation, I can do what I'd been doing before. Should be ok. I'll have to research it for I begin doing it. I just wanna be done in a few weekends. Hopefully I can be done before July 1st. Not sure if that will happen. But I will try.


The bin is going to be picked up tomorrow, and it's full.
Atul came by and dumped some cardboard and some stones from his front garden project.

Raoul came by and dumped some junk from his backyard.
Kevin dumped his boxspring.
And Gino jumped in my bin and teefed my copper pipe and I noticed he snipped off the connections from the faucet I dumped. Ah that's ok. Reuse is one of the 3 R's. He coulda asked, I would've let him have it. So he could ride his bike to the metal scrap yard.

The bin is pretty full.
It's 99.00 per ton (2200lbs) which seems like a lot of weight. I'm hoping this isn't more than that. I had the bin a 3/4 with just my stuff, so hoping the additional stuff plus the rain water doesn't add a whole lot more.

I'll find out in a few days. This week is a short week!
Time for a beer. It's the Victoria Day weekend!






Click for more photos, this is the same link as the previous post

Basement Gut

It was D-Day for the basement. That kitchen eyesore down there had had it's last day in the sun. I am so glad that my brother in law and nephew came to help me gut it. I thought it would take me a day to do myself. I'm sure it would have taken at least 3 days, by myself just to gut.

Today we started at around noon. By 7pm we were done.

Now all that's left to do is wait for the bin tomorrow to haul the debris away.

Please don't rain...please.

We found these hockey cards.
Are they worth anything?
Should I go on the antique roadshow?

Then I can begin working on the framing and lights. This is the fun stuff anyways.

I hate the destruction part. I hate uncovering crap.

In taking out the kitchen cabinets, I found that the pipes are on an outside wall and not insulated. Well the pipes were wrapped with newspaper. I am surprised it had not burst. But since the walls weren't insulated, I guess the heat from the room kept them from freezing.

So I capped them closer to where the tee off from the main line.

So it's a bare canvas now. Looking forward to installing pot lights and new flooring to brighten this room and making it a new rec room for everyone. Can't wait til it's done.

Wish everything could be done as fast as this demolition day. I'm gonna have to call in help more often.

Click me for more demolition photos

New kid on the block!

Backstreets' BACK!
Ah nah.
Our neighbours across the street got a new schnauzer puppy the other day.
He's 9 weeks brand new.
He doesn't even have a leash, he's got a piece of rope.
He's already had several name changes so I don't think he has a set name yet.

I wasn't sure if they were going to get a new dog. Since Cody past away last year. But I am glad they did. Sam said he's always had a dog since he was a kid. But it was Jessie who didn't want to go thru the pain of losing a pet again. They had Cody for 14 years.


But now they have a new guy. And he's friendly too.
We went to go see him for the first time and he laid his head down on Kieran's lap. When Kieran tried to move, the puppy moved with him.
Now our next door neighbour Yahvi has a new animal to fear.





Click me for more puppy pics

And yesterday, Kieran brought home another pet.
Diggy. At his Science Fun class, they got mason jars and went looking for bugs. I managed to find an aphid but it escaped. And later on I found a potato bug.

So right now Diggy is at school, with a piece of carrot peel for lunch, dinner and breakfast for the week.

Letterbox mail

We decided to do this for obvious reasons.
Not sure if he realizes it or not. He's probably too young.
But Kieran did a nice thing.



Hopefully this sort of giving back to a worthy cause becomes a habit.
We are seeing a trend away from materialistic and external forms of gratification and instead a rediscovery of what is more important in life and hopefully a balance between wants and needs.




He got a piece of mail today.
And seemed dazed that someone would send him something.
When he looks back on this he'll probably laugh. Just like how he laughs at movies when he was a baby.
But he may look at this and feel a sense of pride.

Day 20

Today is Day 20.
The first major milestone was reached 10 days ago when Tresa got her stitches out.
The next one is in another 18 days when she gets the rod out.

The pain is excruciating. Well this is what I hear. I don't experience any pain, right now I'm experiencing tiredness and fatigue. And I just took 2 advil from some muscle fatigue. I think it was from basketball, hockey and spinning this weekend. No marathons for me. It was a lousy day. But good for those that did. Be proud of your accomplishment and take some anti-inflammatory drugs with a big meal as a reward.

She hasn't been taking the pain killers too often, mostly because it just makes her sleepy.
Which could be useful in putting Kieran to bed on a regular basis...hmmm. Ah...Nah.

I'm thankful Steph came over on Saturday to help us out. It was a huge amount of clothes to sort through and kid stuff to sort through and make the house safe for Tresa to move around in on her crutches.

Click me if you a strong stomach!

Short staffed Mama's day

Man, we are short staffed. It's been almost 2 weeks since Tresa got her bunion done. And it's been a lot of work.
And today is Mama's day.
I forgot he had art class last week. I had changed the oil in both cars and forgot all about it.
Glad he didn't miss this week.
This is what he made for mother's day.
Not sure what it is, but it looks like it could be used for target practice.


He made this beaded thing on his hat. He calls it - 'a hat'.





And his masterpiece is this 'slug'.
It's huge.
Plus it had to dry. So I left it in the sun for a day.
The head is on the left there, and the tail is on the right.

Happy mother's day!
Man I'm tired.

The ROOF! The ROOF! The roof is on FIRE!

Ah nah...no fire, to go with that 80's song, but we did get get our roof done.
Last week we had serious wind storms and power outages all over the city.
I was picking up shingles all over our property. I'm not sure if they are from our house or some other house. But the shingles on the south facing side were curling like Canucks in a Briery - HAAARD!

So we got our roof shingles replaced this week.
This was one job I wasn't going to be able to do. Mostly due to my fear of heights. I know who could have done it. ChrisR. Since he's got no fear of high places with his climbing and all. He will work for bottles of wine. But it must be complex or he will not even use it for cooking.

He will accept wine with a score of no less than 92 pts.

I could pay him in USD which is like 50c CAD now, but since he's in NJ and has little in the way handy skills. And I couldn't get Mike S (from SBC, because he's only in Ottawa, cuz he only does gov't people's houses).
After getting estimates from several roofing companies - I went for my third choice. Another Mike S. We know him through our day care lady friends. He's a civil engineer from the Ukraine. And being an engineer myself, plus he has done many houses in the High Park area, including our day care ladies and came highly recommended, was very experienced and his name was MikeS.

He gave me an estimate in Nov, and recommended that the work be done when it's above 15 deg C. Mostly because the shingles are more pliable and when the nail goes through, ie. it won't crack. Other roofing companies will do the work in any weather. The problem with having it done in cold weather, is that the shingles are as hard as shale. Put a nail through it, it may not break, but may crack where the nail penetrated. Over time water will find a way to that crack and you will eventually have water damage.

He said that is the difference maker, and he can guarantee that the roof will last more than 10 years. If not, he cannot guarantee it more than 2 years. And he doesn't want to come back to fix the roof in 2 years.

He's very meticulous. His face is weathered like leather. Obviously due to working outdoors. So he's not like those guys that comes to give you an estimate, but does none of the work. He was actually here doing it.

They were delayed by the spring rain.
Finally on Tues they started. It was instead raining shingles into the trailer in our driveway. By the end of the day they were 75% done on the roof. He even put a vent for our bathroom, when I get to that.

Today they started on the garage.
By 10:30am they had the old shingles removed. By 2:30pm they were 90% done.
I thought they'd be done in 3 days, but looks like they'll be finished in 2.
I didn't realize that our old shingles were green.
I thought they were grey. But I blame my Red-Green colour blindness to that. The new ones look great.


Click me for more photos.
Some of them are focused on the window screen. Dang it. So I went to my trusty DSLR.