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.