October Already!

Where did September go?

Our first October weekend arrived in Ontario with a blast of cold wet fall weather and single digit temperatures. The family wasn't very happy with me as I made them all bundle up, refusing to turn the heat on just yet! And presto, then we hit a full week of beautiful weather and even needed the air conditioner on a couple of days again!

After a great summer, Susan and I are now back to reality! Like most, as summer leaves, September and October means settling into new fall routines with school and numerous activities. Being my first fall as a retired gentlemen, it has meant some reflection about what to do with my time, balanced with the demands of ALS.

The kids are great. Ben is 6 and has entered Grade 1 and full time school. It has been interesting watching as he has left the "caged" area of Kindergarten, and has entered, as my sister says, the "gen pop!" Sarah is 3, ruling the house, and will talk forever. Ben is in hockey again this year and Sarah started skating, both are also swimming so I'm in full control of the household schedule!

Along with getting everybody back on routines, September has brought us to looking at the changes needed in our house.  As I've said before, with ALS, you don't really know what the hand is your going to be dealt, so it's been a bit of a daunting process getting started and what do we do. We have taken the approach that we are in this for the long haul(is it possible to look at it any other way?) but even when you say that out loud to yourself, at times, the pragmatic side always has a way of creeping back into your head, not to mention the financial investment. But we balance what we can and move forward!

My first big investment of the month was a new recliner lift chair! For those old enough to remember it's not as ugly as Frasier's dads chair! We figured it was a good purchase as there was a couple of nights where I got "sucked in" on the couch and almost had to holler out for help to get up! As the last to bed most nights, those in the house don't take kindly to any kind of unscheduled wake ups! I'm getting the chair broken in, as long as the kids aren't using it, they think it's a great toy!


Our big project is renovations to our home. Accessibility is the word, and two big areas that we have been looking at are elevator options and a bathroom renovation. I don't like to use the same word twice, but "daunting" is as good an adjective as I can come up with. So much to think about and lots of questions to ask! The elevator especially, and yes we are talking about a real elevator, "next stop, bed, bathroom and clothing!" We visited a family in Georgetown who have an elevator in their home and you wouldn't even know it. Some may be wondering why an elevator as opposed to a stair lift?(cue Acorn commercials, imagine me riding that up!) Well, the stair lift requires you being able to get on or off or to have someone transfer you, and then a wheelchair on each level, you get the picture, so an elevator currently seems like the most viable option. This month has been about educating ourselves about what needs to be done, and we have had 3 elevator companies in for quotes. Bathroom thoughts and design are underway as well! We are blessed that we have had help from friends and family with contacts/connections making the steps a little easier. Stay tuned, may need design opinions in the future!

Healthwise, I'm pretty good, hands a little worse and speech a little worse. We are back to McMaster in November so will be addressing what we need to. Not looking forward to the colder weather, too many clothes and shoes! I've been tangled up in a coat and sweatshirt a few times now, kinda like Twister with clothes, and even funnier when no one around to pull me out!

So as I close off, and being that it is October and Thanksgiving, I just want to say my thanks...the list might be long...but you know...my blog, my story!

to my Mom and Dad who continue to support us each day and keep our house running!
to my sister, who always provides an ear, an opinion when needed, and scolds me when I'm not reaching out enough
to my SIL/BIL, who are always here to help and rescue my children when we are at the end of our rope!
to my MIL/Bill, for helping us whenever we ask, don't ask and always check in
to my home boys, for always checking in and heaping on the abuse, and keeping it honest!
to my kids, who everyday hug me and now help me get through the menial tasks, that are so frustratingly simple, but require assistance

And last but not least, I am thankful for my wife, Susan...she works, she parents, she rarely complains about the shitty hand she's been dealt and just keeps ploughing forward. As any married couple knows, it's up and down and a lot of work. And now trying to do home renos (and not necessarily ones that you want to do, no new kitchen!), find a new nanny, manage our finances, discuss the undiscussable, and deal with me, well most would probably turn and run...fast. Not my wife, she may yell at me(rarely, of course), but she somehow soldiers on, makes us hug and keeps moving. There was a reason I didn't get married till I was almost 40 and the reason was I hadn't met her yet...

So take the time to say thanks this month and let us all be thankful for what we do have!

Thanks for sharing, chat in November!