Well it may not technically be the "ghetto", but to me it feels that way. It's a good reminder not to get too comfortable with what you have because, in uncertain times like these, it could all be gone in the blink of an eye... And this is what you'd be stuck living with!
The lot has two 4-plex's side by side. In our 4-plex, the walls are paper-thin, so we hear the farts, the fights, the T.V.... We hear EVERYTHING! And our neighbour is extra special because he never takes his cowboy boots off, he just clunks around all day until he finally decides to go to bed at night. I have to be real sneaky when I get my mail because our mail box is right outside and he sure loves to talk. He'll come outside with his little chihuahua in his arms, and it's so hard to get away, because there never seems to be a pause in his talking where you can say "well, I should get going..." I'm not sure if that's just his personality, or if it's because he loves me! lol But I've always thought that senior citizens have a need to talk allot, especially if they've lost someone, they have a need for company and a need to be heard. So I feel obligated, and besides they usually have very interesting stories, for anyone who loves history (which I absolutely do)!
The single-mom next door is a constant reminder of my past. The loneliness and exhaustion I'm reminded of every time I see her. I would love to offer to watch her kids for a while, but they are just so bad that I can't even bring myself to do it. They're always outside playing on the small patch of grass between our buildings that they call "a yard", with mom nowhere to be found. The other day they were fighting, one with a pitch-fork, the other with a shovel. I felt obligated being the only grown -up out there to say "you need to put those away right now, before one of you gets hurt"! Well the older one laughed at me! And so I could tell that these were the type of kids that needed a bit more firmness, so I said "I'm not laughing, you need to it right now... while I'm watching you"... Then Tim came outside and told me to get in the house, and then yelled at me because those kids aren't my responsibility. But seriously, I think it was worth getting yelled at, over a 5 year old being stabbed with a pitch-fork!
I feel a little bad for them though, they've had their bikes stolen twice this week. They were lucky to get them back the first time and they should have bought some locks, but they didn't and the bikes got stolen again. They have so little as it is, seriously, who would do that?!
The rest of the neighbours we never see, either because they're depressed and never leave their apartments or they work nights. Not really sure, we just try to mind our own business and not spend allot of time here. We are here just long enough to do our school work, eat and sleep... The only comforting sounds in our apartment is the sound of Tim singing, and the train whistles blowing almost constantly has become a comfort to me.
Well we're about to start our day, one of my kids just woke up... We've got to take our toys back to the toy library, and twice a week I take the kids to the Parent-Link Center to make a craft. It really helped us to not have to buy stuff while we were here. I'm going to miss everything that this town has to offer... The indoor, play park, the spray park, the running trails, and stores... Even the schools compete with each other for who has a better play ground. The schools out here all have better play grounds than the big Hanover park.. But it's because the parents raise money for the parks, and a better park means better (well really just richer) parents, so they actually do compete with each other... I think people in Ontario can take a lesson from these guys.... Instead of whining about lack of government funding for the schools, consider it payment for "childcare" for having the schools raise and teach your kids!
Anyway, now too many opinions are being conjured up and I fear I may break out on a rampage, so this is where I will end this blog... I'm not looking forward to going home and losing all my friends, so I'll just say "THE END". Love you friends! Be home in 3 weeks! =D
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
FINALLY A CHANCE TO POST!
It's been a while, but as predicted in the beginning, I wont have time to post regularly. So I will give a quick run-down on the last week or two...
Last weekend was great! Tim, for the first time ever, showed his spontaneous side! He came home from work Saturday night and said "pack the kids some overnight stuff!" He wouldn't say where, but it didn't take long to figure out (he's not very good at hiding stuff). So we went to Drumheller, which is about 2 hours south of here. And let me just say, apart from the mountains, that the Badlands are the most beautiful and amazing thing I've seen in my whole life! We had a great time and the kids loved the dinosaur museum! But I think the part that everybody enjoyed the most was the Hoo Doo's. Kalvin and Tim climbed right to the very top of the Hoo Doo cliff, while Abi, Jared and I crawled around and explored the small caves and crevasses below. I took lots of pics on my cell phone, but we'll have to see how good they turn out before I post them. Anyway, we had blast! If anyone reading this should ever find themselves in southern Alberta, Drumheller would definitely be number one on places to visit! http://www.traveldrumheller.com/
We've finally been having real summer weather. The spray park has been crowded all week, we've been there ALLOT! There aren't any real beaches out here... Many people have tried to tell us that there are, but I don't call a small lake with a 20 foot patch of sand "a beach". We'll just have to wait until we get home... Which FYI will be in 4 weeks.... That is unless Tim takes another job.
There is a possibility that Tim will be working on another pipeline that would run from Edmonton to Winnipeg, a job that would take 3 years to complete.... So we shall see... But it just may be that our family will be traveling between provinces over for the next 3 years of our lives... Like I said before, that wouldn't bother me a bit! It's Tim that's the homebody, I really could care less!
Anyway, I'm drawing a blank here.. Obviously lots is happening and I should have lots to share, but I'm sitting here trying to think of things to say, but all I can think of is all the things I have to do. So for now I'll just say so long and I'll post when I have time to think.
Last weekend was great! Tim, for the first time ever, showed his spontaneous side! He came home from work Saturday night and said "pack the kids some overnight stuff!" He wouldn't say where, but it didn't take long to figure out (he's not very good at hiding stuff). So we went to Drumheller, which is about 2 hours south of here. And let me just say, apart from the mountains, that the Badlands are the most beautiful and amazing thing I've seen in my whole life! We had a great time and the kids loved the dinosaur museum! But I think the part that everybody enjoyed the most was the Hoo Doo's. Kalvin and Tim climbed right to the very top of the Hoo Doo cliff, while Abi, Jared and I crawled around and explored the small caves and crevasses below. I took lots of pics on my cell phone, but we'll have to see how good they turn out before I post them. Anyway, we had blast! If anyone reading this should ever find themselves in southern Alberta, Drumheller would definitely be number one on places to visit! http://www.traveldrumheller.com/
We've finally been having real summer weather. The spray park has been crowded all week, we've been there ALLOT! There aren't any real beaches out here... Many people have tried to tell us that there are, but I don't call a small lake with a 20 foot patch of sand "a beach". We'll just have to wait until we get home... Which FYI will be in 4 weeks.... That is unless Tim takes another job.
There is a possibility that Tim will be working on another pipeline that would run from Edmonton to Winnipeg, a job that would take 3 years to complete.... So we shall see... But it just may be that our family will be traveling between provinces over for the next 3 years of our lives... Like I said before, that wouldn't bother me a bit! It's Tim that's the homebody, I really could care less!
Anyway, I'm drawing a blank here.. Obviously lots is happening and I should have lots to share, but I'm sitting here trying to think of things to say, but all I can think of is all the things I have to do. So for now I'll just say so long and I'll post when I have time to think.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
It's the little things...
In a two bedroom appartment, furnished with three queen sized airbeds, a blow-up couch, and boxes for night-stands, things are being put into a very different perspective for the Quesnel family. There was once a time not too long ago when such a situation would have put me into a depression... Most of my friends would remember the days of the duplex when I was so overwhelmed and complainy. But take away the clutter of furniture, toys and unnecessary junk. And all that you're left with is opportunity for new adventures... All that you're left with is each other! No distractions, no meaningless phone calls and time wasting activities... Just good old fashioned family fun and plenty of room for personal growth! Taking time to enjoy the little things that you may otherwise be too busy doing other things to notice.
Although I will confess there are things that I am missing, like Internet and my leather sofa (I really love that couch), I am excited about the opportunity for a fresh start for our family! I realize that the things and people I have grown dependant on, I really can live without. But to my friends back home, I DO miss you (most of you).. Just that I've come to realize that true friendship will last no matter how many provinces may lie between us.
I enjoy traveling and new experiences, but even more I enjoy being with my family! While part of me misses the comfort of my own bed, there's another part of me that could care less if I ever see our house or Hanover ever again. I needed this. And I think alot of people need to do this, leave, leave with nothing... Take your family and realize that, in fact, you have EVERYTHING!
Although I will confess there are things that I am missing, like Internet and my leather sofa (I really love that couch), I am excited about the opportunity for a fresh start for our family! I realize that the things and people I have grown dependant on, I really can live without. But to my friends back home, I DO miss you (most of you).. Just that I've come to realize that true friendship will last no matter how many provinces may lie between us.
I enjoy traveling and new experiences, but even more I enjoy being with my family! While part of me misses the comfort of my own bed, there's another part of me that could care less if I ever see our house or Hanover ever again. I needed this. And I think alot of people need to do this, leave, leave with nothing... Take your family and realize that, in fact, you have EVERYTHING!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
THE 3 M's:
THE MALL:
Wow! Very big and very fun! I don't know how many visits it will take to do everything, but we sure didn't on Sunday! We arrived at opening time and went straight to the Water Park! The kids had such a great time! Of course my camera had to break right before our trip so I have no pictures to post. But I think some friends of ours that went may have taken pics so I will post them if I can get ahold of some... Here is a link to the West Edmonton Mall for those who are curious about what's there. http://www.westedmall.com/home/default.asp
The weather's been pretty freaky out here, stormy weather mixed with sunshine makes me think of one thing constantly... TORNADO'S! ... I think I need to get over my paranoia, I'm sure we'll be safe in our basement apartment anyhow. One great advantage to the pooey weather though, Tim's had lots of days off work to do family stuff. Little road trips and outings... I'm loving the time together! Which brings us to another cool destination: the Reynold's-Alberta Museum and Aviation Hall of Fame...
THE MUSEUM:
I'll post pics soon too. But for now I'll just say, I thought it might be boring for the kids, but don't let the name fool you... There was lots of cool old fashioned cars to go in and airplains and helicopters... They had alot more fun than I would have thought. And so did us grown-ups, although it would have been nice to take the time to read all the information on the exhibits, rather than just the name and year it was invented! lol
THE MEN:
I'm so glad that Tim has another daddy friend to hang out with. His friend from work brought his wife and daughter out here too and we've been doing alot of family stuff with them... The guys are so much alike it scares me... Big, macho, meat-eaters... I think we could get used to this life-style of traveling in trailers and homeschooling our kids... We could be neighbours everywhere we go... And maybe even start a commune with the other Wilbros guys! lol I think Tim and I have come to a point in our lives where criticism doesn't even bother us anymore. I would totally do it, without a care about what anyone thinks! Life's too short and we're gonna do what's best for our family!
Anywho, that's my mini, meaningless update, for the friends we've left behind... We miss you all!
Wow! Very big and very fun! I don't know how many visits it will take to do everything, but we sure didn't on Sunday! We arrived at opening time and went straight to the Water Park! The kids had such a great time! Of course my camera had to break right before our trip so I have no pictures to post. But I think some friends of ours that went may have taken pics so I will post them if I can get ahold of some... Here is a link to the West Edmonton Mall for those who are curious about what's there. http://www.westedmall.com/home/default.asp
The weather's been pretty freaky out here, stormy weather mixed with sunshine makes me think of one thing constantly... TORNADO'S! ... I think I need to get over my paranoia, I'm sure we'll be safe in our basement apartment anyhow. One great advantage to the pooey weather though, Tim's had lots of days off work to do family stuff. Little road trips and outings... I'm loving the time together! Which brings us to another cool destination: the Reynold's-Alberta Museum and Aviation Hall of Fame...
THE MUSEUM:
I'll post pics soon too. But for now I'll just say, I thought it might be boring for the kids, but don't let the name fool you... There was lots of cool old fashioned cars to go in and airplains and helicopters... They had alot more fun than I would have thought. And so did us grown-ups, although it would have been nice to take the time to read all the information on the exhibits, rather than just the name and year it was invented! lol
THE MEN:
I'm so glad that Tim has another daddy friend to hang out with. His friend from work brought his wife and daughter out here too and we've been doing alot of family stuff with them... The guys are so much alike it scares me... Big, macho, meat-eaters... I think we could get used to this life-style of traveling in trailers and homeschooling our kids... We could be neighbours everywhere we go... And maybe even start a commune with the other Wilbros guys! lol I think Tim and I have come to a point in our lives where criticism doesn't even bother us anymore. I would totally do it, without a care about what anyone thinks! Life's too short and we're gonna do what's best for our family!
Anywho, that's my mini, meaningless update, for the friends we've left behind... We miss you all!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
After a very long time of not posting, I have finally decided to post... From the public library in Cmrose Alberta... And for those of you who have missed out on that obvious note, yes we have made it to Alberta safe and sound!..
What a journey, oh baby... We're talkin' 3 kids in a car, 8 hour days, times 5 days... A broken down mini-van at the side of the trans-Canada highway for over an hour before CAA finally decided to show up, then $650 in repairs just to get us back on the road again... A dumpy motel in the middle of nowhere in Saskatchewan run by a very scairy man who looked like Bin-Ladin! But all those great experiences aside and it was a journey we will never forget!
The kids were so well behave... At some points I caught myself looking in the rear view mirror just to double check that I didn't take some one else's kids by mistake! They were just so good and I am really proud of them!
It's been hard on all of us to get used to the time change, and especially the fact that it stays light out here until 11:30pm... (That's like 1:30am our time). Last night the Canada day fireworks didn't start until 11:15pm, way too late for us, we went to bed at like 9pm, lol... But the darn neighbours had their kids out playing outside after the fireworks, so it was like 12pm and there were little kids running around outside our windows squealing and playing in the middle of the night! Totally insane!
The other thing that irks me a little is the price of food out here! $10 for a brick of cheese, makes me glad to be dairy-free! The cheap food at the cheapest grocery store here costs more than buying Organic at Zehers or Independent... But the part that suits me fine is that the Organic food out here isn't more expensive, it costs the same as the regular stuff... So yea for Alberta, Organic it is!!! :) ...Maybe I can even convince "the beast" to go raw vegan! (here's hoping!)
Anywho, that's all for now... Until the next time I hit up the Public Library! lol
CHIAO!!!
What a journey, oh baby... We're talkin' 3 kids in a car, 8 hour days, times 5 days... A broken down mini-van at the side of the trans-Canada highway for over an hour before CAA finally decided to show up, then $650 in repairs just to get us back on the road again... A dumpy motel in the middle of nowhere in Saskatchewan run by a very scairy man who looked like Bin-Ladin! But all those great experiences aside and it was a journey we will never forget!
The kids were so well behave... At some points I caught myself looking in the rear view mirror just to double check that I didn't take some one else's kids by mistake! They were just so good and I am really proud of them!
It's been hard on all of us to get used to the time change, and especially the fact that it stays light out here until 11:30pm... (That's like 1:30am our time). Last night the Canada day fireworks didn't start until 11:15pm, way too late for us, we went to bed at like 9pm, lol... But the darn neighbours had their kids out playing outside after the fireworks, so it was like 12pm and there were little kids running around outside our windows squealing and playing in the middle of the night! Totally insane!
The other thing that irks me a little is the price of food out here! $10 for a brick of cheese, makes me glad to be dairy-free! The cheap food at the cheapest grocery store here costs more than buying Organic at Zehers or Independent... But the part that suits me fine is that the Organic food out here isn't more expensive, it costs the same as the regular stuff... So yea for Alberta, Organic it is!!! :) ...Maybe I can even convince "the beast" to go raw vegan! (here's hoping!)
Anywho, that's all for now... Until the next time I hit up the Public Library! lol
CHIAO!!!
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