Art Exhibit for plebs like us..

Although it was another scorcher today, we decided to brave the heat to check out the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, and especially this artist's work.



We love the exhibit as it allows us to access a range of work by both established artists and students who work in a different medias from ceramics to jewelry, watercolours to oils, metal works to textiles. And money doesn't buy you a booth alone as your ability to exhibit is judged by a jury. Such a cool idea..and as the exhibit is free it makes art so bloody accessible to plebs like us. Whats not to like.

Last year we saw a piece that until today I regret not buying. It was, to say the least, stunning. More importantly, when it caught my eye, it made me happy. I can still sort of picture the painting in my head and it still makes me happy. This year we really didn't find anything that we both liked enough to invest in (we pretend these things are investments to make ourselves feel better when we get lectured about our spending every year by Deb, our financial planner who's job is to make sure we dont starve upon retirement) but Sasha pointed to one that she really liked and wanted in her room. She likes oil paintings and she likes dogs. So we bought it for her. To add to the collection she will take with her when she moves out (counting the days).



So we also had to get one for Dylan. We let him look around the booth and we sort of figured he liked this one..OK, I liked it..Of course we were getting some weird looks from people as they realized we were letting 2 toddlers choose our paintings. But we explained to them that it wasnt for us, but the paintings were for them, so they should get to choose their own. I am convinced that about 19 of the 20 people milling around the booth still thought we were barmy..the other, the artist, was just happy to sell her work.



We love our new additions to the family.

Parenting is difficult and its not always pretty..

I read this really excellent article recently and I though I would share. I must warn you though that if you dont currently have kids, and plan on having at least one, dont read this. If I had known then what I know now...All Joy and No Fun: Why Parents Hate Parenting....

Studying..

I am trying to study for my boaters exam. Yes, you read right. I am actually trying to get an Ontario boating licence before my drivers licence. Ironic eh. A new ruling has been introduced which requires all recreational boat users to be licenced in Ontario. Even my father in law, who has been boating for over 60 years is required to take the exam. I think he passed. Unfortunately, as a result of some drunk speedboat user ramming his boat into a houseboat and causing injuries and a death, the exams will be much more rigorous come September so I figured I should get the licence first and worry about actually using a boat later. Will probably need to for safety reasons and also the kids have to learn how to waterski soon..Sasha is already 4 and her cousins started at 3.

We are in the process of getting solar power installed at the cottage upon our arrival next week. We looked into getting a cable laid underwater to get electricity from the Grid to the island, but the cost was UNBELIEVABLE..but I guess it is because the cable has to be up to 900m in length. We therefore had to seriously rethink our power issues. We have decided to keep some of the propane powered appliances on such as the water pump, the fridge, the water heater, and the stove. We will however put in a solar system to power a separate freezer, lights, and outlets for small appliances and electrical gadgets like the wifi and computers. The freezer has been ordered and will be delivered the day after we get to the cottage. Mark, our electrician will install it separate from our main solar system as the other panels cannot be placed on the roof and need to be anchored into the south facing rock. Where, we dont know as yet. We could go totally solar but we believe in diversification..hahaha..no, actually, we didnt want the place looking like a solar farm. Never thought I would ever live off the grid..

Camp

Sasha started her first all day camp last Monday. It is a camp held at the park down the street so extremely convenient for drop offs and pick ups. They start at 9am and we pick her up at 4pm, with 3 kids being looked after each counsellor. This week they learned camp songs, have gone on scavenger hunts, learned about forest leaves, and a bunch of other things Sasha "forgot". She seems to be having fun although she is totally exhausted when we pick her up. I suppose it is good training for her upcoming school days. Also good training for us trying to get the kids out of the house by 8.45am with her lunch and snacks packed. Pretty tough though for a 4 year old. She will also be going next week as we leave next Thursday for the cottage. It has been so bloody hot (apparently record temps on east coast with a few unfortunate deaths) that I CANNOT wait to get to the lake to jump in..

Dilemma

I have a dilemma. Nothing major. A dilemma nonetheless. On days when I am too lazy to do something educational (draining) with Sasha, I take her to do her nails..and while I wait for her I do my pedicure. I dont do manicures as I find I just scuff my nails within minutes..my pedis last way longer. Anyway, we have tried various places (there is a nail/waxing place say on every block here) but the closest one (one block away) is one we have been to a few times. Unlike the others down the street, with a gaggle of girls Chinese/Vietnemese gossipping in the back room while they wait for their mark/client, there seems to be only one girl at this place. And she has a 4 year old son. I usually just walk in and she is always free...does not bode well for the future of this salon. She is always happy for company and her son is always more than happy to play with Sasha..although Sash tells him she can only play after her nails are dry. Here is my dilemma. I find that the only real relaxing, semi-alone time I have these days is during this pedi session...and I cant really relax with this kid around. He plays well with Sash, and she enjoys the playtime, but he is also seeking his mum's attention. This is probably the reason this salon is not overly popular. I feel that I should get my money's worth and find another regular salon. But I feel for this lady. It isnt easy earning a living while taking care of a kid here. It is unlikely she is able to afford daycare. She asked me this afternoon if I knew if she could register her son in a local school by using her business address. I suggested she ask the school as I have no idea. The funny thing is although her business is a block away from our house she would only be able to register her son in a school that we were not too keen on putting Sash as an option (classes are taught in French)..why? Because of the fact that there were too many apartments in the area. Sounds shallow. But yes, that is the mentality here. High rise apartments are nice to have in the area to give us that "urban" feel..but dont want them to be going to to the same schools. In the school district website, demographic info is available. Snobby? Not really..just trying to get the most out of the school system. As Sasha's future headmistress was quoted recently, "There is no equality, we can only strive for fairness". Anyway, back to my dilemma. Should I help this woman earn a living for her son, or find another place that will give me the attention I am paying for.

Uneventful closing

We were in Chicago for the weekend. I was presenting a paper on private equity to an audience of probably 15 people when D received an email from our lawyers confirming transfer of funds and title. Pretty much the most uneventful closing ever. But yes, The Dot is officially ours. We have redeemed a plane-load of airmiles and booked our tix and will be there for one whole month from mid-July. We have to be back here by mid-August as D has to be in Germany, so our initiation as cottage owners will be short. To celebrate the closing, D and I decided that we had to have kick-ass deck furniture. Somewhere we would enjoy sitting as we enjoy the view and morning coffee. Mind you, because the weather will fluctuate from high 90s in the Summer to minus 30s in the winter, the furniture has to pretty hardy to say the least. And no, the cottage isnt heated or insulated so there will be no point in storing the furniture indoors. I dont believe in buying disposable furniture when I dont need to (especially when it will probably cost more than we save to dispose of the furniture)so in view of the fact that the cottage already comes furnished down to the cutlery, I decided to splurge on something new. So we settled on a couple of these..



Okay, I have to admit that we didnt have to look far. There is a Restoration Hardware down the street so we just settled for something we liked without putting too much effort into it. And they will deliver to the mainland dock/garage that we have so that was also a bonus. We only bought a pair, and hopefully we will buy a couple more or the sofa next year..depends on how much we can afford. We shall see..

I must say that I really like Chicago. I love the riverfront bistros, the museums, the architecture..I dare say that I prefer it to NYC. I know the kids loved Chicago..


Dylan splasing in Millennium Park


Sasha and her new American Girl, Riana Rose...

Busy times

Busy times ahead. I have 3 months to prep and "be" a Canadian law professor to MBA students...what the hell have I gotten myself into.