We didn’t get this house with the pool, but this is the house that pulled the trigger to move. We didn’t exactly want to upsize, we just wanted to have our separate space, detached from the neighbours. Then, we found the house that’s just the right size for our family.
And so this is the house we will call our home in the new year and into the next chapter of our life. Every time a meal is prepared, Sushi asks if we’re having guests over. He is most often disappointed, when nobody's coming. But our house has always been and will always be open to friends and family over simple to great meals, good conversations and lots of laughter, with or without any occasion.
We are thankful for material blessings. But my world does not revolve around them. My jewels are my 2 boys. During the move, we saw how much stuff we have accumulated over the last 6 years we were in the previous home. Like do I really need to save all the kids’ toys for someone until they pile up? Do I really need a number of purses when I only alternate three? Will I ever use all the toiletries I slink out of hotel stays? When I said space, I meant empty space and not room for more. Not filling in the blanks. So this new year, it’s all about purging down to the bare necessities. I shall go on with reducing, reusing and recycling. Not buying until I have rummaged my stash. Or it’s one in one out. I just did that with my new pan, and new grilling machine (thanks, Riaz!).
Year after year, my office announces job cuts. But luckily, after 5 years, I am still there, and happy with my job. Granting me part time work hours has given me the opportunity to become better at my full-time and permanent career as mother and homemaker. Every day at the strike of the clock, I could only look forward to picking up my boys from their school.
This year we went diaper-free and daycare fees free. Weee! Sashimi went to big school this year for JK. Although with resistance at the onset and long interruptions (vacation, move & sick), he has matured tremendously. Same as Sushi, who this year has declared ladies’ washroom no more! Both kids will start the new year in a different school in the new neighbourhood.
Prior to our decision to move house that was followed by weekly househunting, we spent most of our weekends out and about. We’ve been to Blue Mountain, Erindale Park, Chinguacousy Park, Bronte Creek, Hilton Falls, Kelso Beach, Sibbald Point, Niagara, and did Tall Ship Kajama in Harbourfront. My personal favourite was the road trip to Quebec, including the long drive. It’s as if I left Canada, and everybody is French. What's not to love about Quebec. Quelle beauté!
Towards the end of this year, I was happy to go home and see my family again and make a side trip to Singapore. Finally! I never had the chance while I was still on that side of the world. So it was perfect timing. Especially with the newly opened Universal Studios. The kids had a blast!
It is very expensive to go back home, not to mention the entire family having to miss 4 weeks of school and work. But to be with family again – priceless! Most especially to see and spend time with my dad who has fully recovered from his lung surgery earlier in the year. .
It was the longest and saddest weeks of my life. I listened to “Take Me Out of the Dark” everyday around the time of his surgery. I am grateful for the outpouring love and support families and friends have given our family, especially to Dad & Mom, throughout this rough time.
At the end of each year, I would look back on the year that was and thank God for his bountiful blessings – good health, sanity, lots of energy, the abundance of the basic needs and just enough of the wants. But the greatest blessing is my wonderful family, especially my 2 boys unique in their own ways and the hub who leaves me to do what pleases me, and pleases me. I don’t make New Year’s resolutions, but if I have to make one, that is to spend even more time with my boys. The best things in life are free, and what money cannot buy. That’s my mantra going into the new year.
Wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2013!
