2010 in Review

It seems like everywhere you turn is a year in review, and here at my blog will be no different.

Been an eventful year indeed, and here are a few reflections.

The preparations for selling the house. Oh my goodness, what a crazy few months that was. I was hellbent and determined to get the house for sale in February while the market was still hot, and that meant we had to repair all the little things that were broken around the house, clean out all the crap, and paint. We had a contractor in for a week, (who was totally awesome), his painters in for two weeks (they got the house sold, anyways - but Sass is way better, cheaper, faster, etc). I bonded with my father-in-law as we spent 3 consecutive weekends ripping out carpets and laying new tile in the laundry room. Of course, who can forget the stomach flu hitting each one of us the weekend before we were supposed to be going up for listing?

Selling the house. Well, I'm pleased to say it all paid off. We got over our asking price, thanks to a nicely maneuvered and handled little bidding war. Our agent, Sue Vine, was awesome, sending us a staging consultant, a cleaner, and just general support. I was at the zoo solo with the girls when I got the call that we had multiple bids coming in that night, and it was such a weight off my mind I can't even begin to tell you. Of course, over our asking price was exactly what I'd determined we needed to be able to pull this all off without ending up with our heads deep under water.

Crushing of the thumb. Nothing like getting a hysterical phone call at work from Gabi, en route to the hospital with Maya, who has crushed her thumb in the door of the honda. Two weeks in a cast later, and it turns out Maya was perfectly fine. Taking her to get the cast off was memorable indeed, as the guy in the bed next to her wound up collapsing in the middle of having his cast put on. Quite a scene indeed.

Scrabble. Got a little too into the game at some points this year, but hey, it got me on TV. Two of my kids went to Orlando to play in the National School Championship, and both they and I got interviewed by Rob Leth on Global News. They finished 14th, and I didn't get to go.

Myrtle Beach. My parents, Ter, Jen, the boys and my family all got together in a rented house in the Ocean Lakes campground, and had a fabulous week - quite possibly the highlight of my year. I thoroughly enjoyed everything, except perhaps the trip home. Maya and I golfed Jungle Lagoon, my favourite as a kid, we ate at J Waltons, Cresthaven, and other familiar favourites, and even did Wizard Quest, which was a little cheesy but kind of fun. Just a great trip.

10 years. Gabi and I celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary. I know my parents had Chloe, because she drove them nuts, but I can't for the life of me remember where Maya was that night. Whoever had her, thanks! We had a great night, even if it did start off at Ikea, starting to plan our new kitchen (which will be installed in 2013 or so). We had dinner on Bayview at a pub whose owner I play squash with, then got some amazing gelato, then came home and watched, at full volume on my new home theatre, Avatar, which we hadn't seen yet. Amazing movie, and an amazing night overall. I would also like to thank my darling wife for the best ten years of my life, by far.

The move. After much anxiety about possible buyers remorse, everything closed on time. We had two homes for a week, allowing us the opportunity to get Sass in to paint quite a bit of the house, and I've started working on painting the parts he didn't get done. I also moved quite a bit of stuff myself using the new trailer, which turned out to be a good thing, because our moving truck was packed to the absolute brim. Not another thing would have gone in there. The best part of all was that our movers were fantastic. If you're moving, G&S Moving in Scarborough is absolutely the way to go. Only one thing got damaged, and all I needed to do was replace a screw in the toy chest. That's it. Every possession we had, and every single other thing was perfect, although to be honest, since we have nowhere to store it, we still haven't opened the fine china.

My kids. Maya is an awesome girl, very determined to get things right. We seldom have behaviour problems with her, which is great. We're working with her on reading, but the two of us love to play math games in the car, and I think it's fairly obvious she has a math brain. Chloe kind of has me wrapped around her little finger. I didn't let Maya get away with much, but this little cutie pie seems to be a highly manipulative piece of work. She is improving, however, but we did go through some really rough stretches with her. She is two, after all, and they don't call it the terrible two's for nothing. I honestly don't remember if Maya was ever like this...maybe we blocked it all out, or we probably wouldn't have wanted a second kid. Definitely no #3, however. At any rate, I love these two wonderful girls with all my heart, and woudn't trade a minute with them for anything.

Work. 2010 was a mixed bag at work. I had a very challenging job assignment, and two very challenging groups to work with, and I was completely and utterly consumed by my work getting the house ready, and then prepping the move. Jan-June was definitely not the defining moments of my career, but I've been completely rejuvenated by the group I'm working with now. I love every minute of it, and am looking forward to finishing up the year. This is the first group I'd seriously consider taking to Grade 8, if my new principal (start the anxiety level ratcheting back up) decides to change things up a bit.

Cora. Oh, the poor dog, what a year she's had. First a burst cyst, then an infection around each eye, followed by a complete systemic skin issue. Turned out to be demodectic mange, which took over $600 to diagnose (did I mention I love my vet's BMW?), plus a small fortune in meds. I am pleased to report, however, that she's ending the year in excellent health. I wonder how much was stress and confusion? We uprooted her multiple times, during the painting, during the selling, then moving everything to the new house, not to mention leaving her with Nonna while we were in Myrtle. No wonder the dog had some immune system issues. I'm feeling guilty now, so we're heading for a walk as soon as I post this.

The new house. Love it. Love living here, love the layout, love everything. Didn't love the appliances, and we've now replaced 60% of them, one toilet that leaked into the kitchen ceiling (trying to paint water stains is not fun) and trying to run speaker wire in the suspended ceiling is a challenge for me at best. The aforementioned kitchen could do with replacing as well, as we just don't have enough space for all our stuff. We probably need less stuff, but we got so used to boatloads of cupboards in the old place that it's something we'll likely try to replicate here, when we get to it. Love the mancave, curling up down there watching a movie is just the best. Watched Inception with the fireplace going last night - awesome evening indeed.

Vera's move. Helping Vera move was fun, but best of all I was able to help her out by giving a few treasured possessions a new home. There were many, but the two that stand out for me were her bar/globe, which I'd always admired, and my absolutely favourite, her Westminster clock. That will be a treasured possession as long as I have a mantle to put it on - just love having it keeping time in the house.

Car shopping. The Honda was getting kind of wonky, and I went into car shopping overdrive for about a month or so. Finally, to get the Honda ready for trade, we replaced the catalytic converter, and suddenly it was driving like a new car. Much better for the bottom line. I have, this year, test driven the following cars. Ford Fusion, Mitsubishi Lancer, Nissan Cube (3 times), Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Hyundai Sonata (2007). Got serious about the Lancer, Gabi vetoed it. Could see myself in a Forte, but the truth is I really don't think I've found the perfect car yet, and when the Disney savings come off our budget next year, I'll have the cash flow freed up for something kind of nice, like a 2008 Accord, maybe even a Maxima.

Cottage. Not really a highlight, Maya and I spent a few nights up there in the spring, and then we only got back twice more over the entire summer. The new house was a bit too much like a vacation spot this year. Boys weekend was memorable, or so I've been told. I didn't have another drink until Christmas. Hopefully next year will be better up there.

Mat Latos. Really enjoyed watching this guy pitch all year, and am thrilled to have taken him with the 17th overall pick. Can't wait for my team to finally return to relevance next season after two very down (and very painful) years. Now if only Matt Wieters could really be the next Joe Mauer....

Our parents. Last in this, but certainly not least. In fact, we could never thank them enough for all the help, support and guidance they've given us over the years. Glad they're all healthy, and doing the travelling they love to do. Keep it up, guys!