The Greener side: Happy New Year 2012

Man, does time fly! 2012 already! It's been too long since my last post. Most evenings after work I was too tired to go online much. Two hours of getting dinner ready, bath, stories, practice letters and piano, and I'm whopped. So I hope I will make up for it now. Lots has happened since September. First the good news, Ed got a new job in November at John Bellone's Music Store. He is the guitar guy. He was getting so tired of his Building manager job, it was pretty thankless, and there was way too many on-call shifts. He seems much happier with his new job. His goal was always to make all his money from music. So at least selling musical instruments in a guaranteed pay cheque for when the good paying gigs aren't always there. All the people that work there are professional musicians. The owner is very flexible with the hours, if Ed has a gig or tribute show then he will give him time off. The only downfall was that we lost his medical benefits. We stocked up for now and since I just got a raise at work, I will be setting aside the extra money each pay into a "diabetes supplies" account. We might look into paying for our own plan through CAA (manulife or Sunlife).

We hope to buy a home in the next year, once his new employment is more stable. I hate the thought of paying regular rent for our apartment, it's $1220/mth. Even though Ed worked here for 5 yrs and we lived in another Old Oak building as tenants before for 4 years, the company would not give us a break. We are paying what a regular tenant would pay just moving in. Lots to think about.

Christmas morning was my favourite part of the season this year. It's so much fun having little ones this time of year. Anthony was the most excited he's every been to see what Santa gave him. His favourite gift is the Spiderman web shooter. He's into the superhero stuff this year. I wish I had the video camera on to capture Ava's excitement. She's not even two yet, so I was thinking that she wouldn't be too excited. I guess she saw her older brother's reaction. She got a "Baby Alive" doll, and as soon as she spotted it, she was screaming baby, baby, moving her arms up and down and running on the spot. It was priceless.

Ed's mom had a medical issue and had to go to the hospital a few days before Christmas. Her Alzheimer's is getting worse, and his sister and brother decided that she is best in a long term care facility. She wasn't taking her pills and forgetting to eat some days. Her usual routines were gone. She couldn't remember how to phone people or do her hair and make-up. It is quite sad to see. She knows her children, but doesn't remember their names anymore. She knows Ed is the baby, that's all. She is close by, and the place is really nice. She seems to be adjusting okay, but still asking when she goes home. I guess that will never end, from what I remember from my grandparents. She likes the meals they serve and some of the ladies she has met. She is a very social person, so I think this will benefit her a lot.

Some picture from Christmas 2011: