"Age tends to bring the seeds of wisdom to fruition... but youth prunes the old and dying branches to make way for new life."

Guess who wrote that...

A smelly predicament...

I woke up this morning and headed for work at my customary 5:55am. I'm never fully awake and kind of zombie walk to my car. This time when I got around the corner though I was fully awakened by a black and white friend. A skunk... He was sitting right at my drivers side door so about 5 feet away. I don't know who was more surprised... him or me!?! Now... the next thoughts that went through my head occured in the blink of an eye. My first thought was to run away screaming like a little girl. My next thought was to run away... but scream with a more "manly" tone. That thought was then followed by SLOWLY backing away, not breaking eye contact. All reasonable thoughts with their own merits. However, I did get one last thought. This could be the lil bastard that tore up my lawn last fall in one night... AND he was going to make me late for work!! So... with that in mind, I did an extremely brave and moronic thing. I started trying to shoe it away by waving my arms, stamping my feet and giving little charges. This in turn led to the skunk turning it's back to me. Now in a normal animal... this would mean I had won and it was running away. However, skunks are NOT normal animals. By turning it's back to me, it essentially said "You are about to have a VERY bad day". As I saw the skunk slowly raise it's tail, new thoughts went streaming through my mind like "Gee, I sure hope I have a lot of tomato juice in the house to bath in", and "hmmm.. I wonder if the bomb sniffers at work will alarm when I walk through them?". But the main thought I had in my head was "Why oh WHY did I not run away?!?!". As the tail reached it's maximum hight, I swear that the skunk turned to look back at me and grinned, then I heard a little "pfft" and a lil cloud of smoke rose from the butt of my would be tormentor. Then ever so slowly, the tail AND the face of the skunk began to drop with the realization that he was out his ever so powerful poop juice! Armed with that knowledge, a new sense of bravery engulfed me and I charged this animal a 20th of my size!!! He skittered under the car, rolled under my van and dashed into the road. For once in my life, I wished we lived on a slightly more busy street... like the QEW or maybe the european autobon. Oh well... maybe next time he'll get hit for not looking both ways.

So that's my story and I'm sticking to it...

I'm Shaun McLaren. Thank You and Good Night.

Welcome Isis

Well I know it is a bit soon after Nikki's death, but I found I really missed having 2 cats around. It just didn't feel right. So we headed to the pet store today and got Isis. She had 2 other sisters there who were black and beautiful but they reminded me too much of my first cat Mindy. Plus I think Kat would have confused them too much with my inlaws cat Charlie. The other plus with this beautiful cat was she was VERY good with the kids and very social.

Here are a few pics of our newest McLaren. Ramses and her are still getting aquainted but I'm sure they will be best of friends shortly enough. In the meantime, his nose is a lil out of joint.

New Things Going On...

A couple new things going on the home renovation front.

1. FINALLY doing the fence between us and our neighbors. We had waited on them to finish up their landscaping before we built the fence so it would not get wrecked. The fence itself is only 4 feet high because we actually LIKE these neighbors. I'm kind of just picking away at it but when it's done, our backyard will be nicely fenced in to keep the rug rats from scampering off!! Not that they would do that right now!

2. Deb ripped up the old carpet in the dining room and we're going to replace it with peel and stick tiles. It was becoming combersome to have half our dining room table on carpet and the other half on parkay floor. The changes will only be temporary since we hope to have the entire main floor redone with ceramic tile (except the living room which will be a nice carpet) in a few years time.

That's about it for home reno's again. I also picked up Tiger Woods 09 for my 360. LOVE IT! It looks SO cool on my big screen!! You can actually see individual blades of grass :) Even my old man liked the game. I showed him how to play it and he ended up playing 11 holes before I suggested he go upstairs and see his grand kids before they went to bed!!

That's about it folks!

Everyone here is doing well. Patrick and Kat are growing both physically and mentally every day! I wonder what they are going to do or say when I get home from work!

Alright... I'm trying a little creative writing experiment. May be fun... may be a total bust. I guess it depends on how many people get involved and how fast I can write. It's basically a choose your own adventure. Check it out at the following link.

Productive Pointlessness

A Final Decision...

Those are words that are applied to a lot of decisions in life that are not necessarily as "Final" as we initially perceive. The decision maybe "Important" and "Life Altering", such as to get married, baptized, returning to school, etc... but there are few decisions in life that are truly "Final". And when the decision is upon us, it can be a lot more daunting then some of those "Important" decisions that can pop up so often in life.

I sadly had to make one of those "Final" decisions this week. I had to decide whether it was time to put my cat Nikki "to sleep" which I've come to accept as the nice term for "having her killed". I've weighed the pros and cons for quite a while now and have come to the "Final" decision that it is time. I can go into the whole list of medical reasons and other considerations for why I made this decision... but I don't feel it is really that necessary. Normal people don't have a family member (and that is what she was) euthanized for the hell of it. Unfortunately for me, the reasons are cold comfort to me and simply do not help with the guilt and pain that goes on inside. I've also come to the understanding (at least for myself) that in order for me to live with this "Final" decision, I've got to accept the guilt and pain that I'm feeling because I think it makes me a better person. If I didn't have this feeling, I think I would be a monster.

Anyways... as you can see, I'm rambling.

So today... at about 5:15, I felt my cat's heart race and stop in my hands while her eyes glazed over. I had to be there for her because I believe that if I could make this decision, I would have to accept the image of her last moments of life.

I Loved My Cat... despite the fact she was a cold hearted bitch.

I also hope I don't have to make many more "Final" decisions in my life because... once you've made them, there is no turning back.

Holidays Begin!!

Actually they began a couple days ago. My restrictions at work were extended for my tendonitis and I was getting bored sitting around all day so I just booked off a couple days extra and left :)

So... Here i am relaxing!! It's great :)

The bathroom is pretty much finished! A couple cosmetic things to do like put up mirrors and a door stop. Maybe a bit of caulking but that's it. Here are the pics.




Not planning on doing too much for the holidays though. Mainly spend it with the kids and Deb. It seems every time I get time off, it's been spent doing home repairs and the such which really blows. When I was doing the deck, we'd start first thing in the morning and only come in for meals and end the day when the kids were already in bed. Blech. This time, it's about the kids :) I think Deb and I are going to take them to story book park in Owen Sound next wednesday. And just goof around here the rest of the week.

In sadder news. I just got a call from my mom saying my sister was in an accident. I won't get into details about the accident but it could have been a lot worse. She has a broken wrist and a very sore hip. GET BETTER BOO!!!!!

Anywho... that's it for now.

It has begun..

Actually it probably began some years ago but I’m only now willing to admit it. I was driving into work this morning listening to my iPod. I just recently updated the song list on it so was enjoying some new tunes. Then it dawned on me. I was listening to “Save a horse, ride a cowboy” by Big’n’Rich. A COUNTRY song! I was mortified. Now people who know me know that I have ALWAYS hated country music. Even so called “new” country (which I still think the title is a load of crap) was garbage and meant for old people. But it would appear that I had hit a crossroad in my life but not seeing any posted signs, drove right through it without realizing it! Now I know there are probably some people out there reading my blog who have ALWAYS liked country and can’t see the problem. To those people out there I have this to say. You STILL have a lame taste in music! Just so happens I’m developing the same lame taste. Now I’m not a die hard fan still. I have no intention of getting myself a cowboy hat or painting the back windshield of my car with a confederate flag or something stupid like that. But I am willing to admit that I’m slowly losing touch with today’s music which, as we ALL know, is a sign of age. I still listen to new groups coming out and new songs, but I’m finding I download and listen to the stuff that I grew up with more and more which are sadly starting to get labels such as “oldies” and “classics”.

I’m also starting to wonder what other characteristics I’m displaying that groups me together with the “older” crowd? Do I have more hair growing in my ears then on my head? Am I dressing more and more for comfort and not for style (actually I can pretty much guarantee that last one)? Having kids now a days doesn’t mean you’re getting older anymore which is kind of sad when you think about it. Blech.. so much to think on!!

And I have the TIME to think on all this because I got an old persons injury (tendonitis in my hand) and have been put on restrictions at work! I don’t know if this camels back is broken but it most certainly is a sway back at this point..

Here I sit..

It's about 11:10pm sunday night. The night before Deb and the kids get home(FINALLY). At first I thought I was too keyed up to sleep because of that but I don't know anymore. There's something not quite right but I can't put my finger on it.. It's like pent up energy and I don't have a release because i'm not sure what kind of energy it is. BLECH!!

Maybe I just need a vacation.. And before you think "well he just was on his own for 2 weeks".. Well I was busy most of that time and I don't sleep well when Deb and the kids are gone so i'm pretty much exhausted. I guess I just need my routine back. I can handle new situations fine and can even thrive on them, but I still need my "safe" place. For the longest time that used to be holed up by myself with a ton of movies or books to lose myself in for a couple days. Now I tried that and it didn't work anymore. My safe place now is with Deb and the kids. I guess my batteries needed to be charged but I had no way of doing it.

Anyways.. I'm kinda rambling. I AM tired. Just can't sleep. And when I DO get to sleep, i've got to wear this stupid splint otherwise I can't move my hand for a couple hours in the morning because the pain is so intense. Here's a couple pics of the thing.




Isn't it lovely? The doc's said I had to wear it a couple weeks and then get re-evaluated. Yippee!! I know people get injured and stuff and I'd probably be fine if it were my foot (which has happened) or ribs or something. Or even my LEFT hand. But my right?? I do all my favourite things with my right hand and after years of neglect, the left one just doesn't feel the need to step up to the plate and help me out.

Blah.. rambling again.. Sorry

Anywho.. if anyone actually reads this anymore.. well. Ummmm.. Good For You!!

Wow... it's been awhile AGAIN!

Sorry it's been so long viewers. I've been a tad busy. To start off, the deck has been completed. The only thing left is the pergola which I'll probably do next year. Here are some pics of Deb and her mom cleaning it off.







Our bathroom is currently slap day in the middle of it's renovation. It was gutted down to the studs. They didn't find as much mold as I was expecting which is GREAT, but it is still a lot of work. The only downside i'm having a hard time with this reno is not having Deb and the kids with me. It was kind of problematic not having a bathtub to clean the kids in plus all the noise generated by workers. So Deb and the kids ended up going to her parents place until we got use of the tub again. That was July 15th. Now they aren't coming back until July 28th and even then, I don't believe the floor will be quite done. I was hoping the tilers would be in today so they could grout on friday but no such luck :( BLECH! It is so empty in this house it's driving me nuts. To top it off... I just got diagnosed with tendonitis in my right hand which means a lot of little fix-it projects aren't getting done.

Now... on to some happier news! My sister and her bf just got engaged! James will make a fine little brother :) Deb has been asked to be the Matron of honour and Patrick and Kat will be ring bearer and flower girl :) I think it's going to be a busy time for the McLaren family!

And more happy news... I GOT MY BIG SCREEN TV! WOOHOO!!! 50" Plasma mounted to the wall. It's loverly :)

And lastly but no less important... Kat called me the other day from her grandma and grandpa's saying she peed on the toilet :) Such a big girl!!

Alright... You're up to date now... I'm probably missing a bunch of stuff but my hand is throbbing from typing this so if you want more... suck it up because you ain't getting it for awhile!

Oh! Forgot to mention!! We are also having our upstairs bathroom totally gutted and redone!! We figured it wouldn't be until October but he's squeezing us in in July!!

New walls, new floor with infloor heating, new sinks, new counter with sinks, new bathtub, new toilet... EVERYTHING!

I hope we get a Ferguson :) People who watch Married with Children will get that reference :)

It's been a bit since my last post. Basically the fence and deck have taken up most of my time as per usual! Deb has been really great about taking care of the kids pretty well the entire day and night so I can head out and work on things! I know we'll both need a vacation when this is all over!

Anywho... here are some updated pics




We also took a weekend and went to visit my Nana in Perth, Ontario (near Ottawa). This was the first time she had met our kids since it's such a long trip up there and we have to stay in a hotel when we go. Deb and I were a lil worried about the trip but all in all, it was a good time! My folks and sister went with us so we had 2 vehicles so we just kinda shuffled between vehicles all the way down and back. Here are some pics of the trip. I'd also like to say my Nana cried when she saw the kids for the first time! I've also included some pics of a bridge my parents use to take my sister and I to whenever we visited Perth. The kids loved it!

Uber Busy!

Alright... We've been REALLY busy the last week. We headed to Orangeville the friday so we could attend a great wedding shower for Les and Mike in Norval on Saturday. Then had a 10th birthday party for Ayla while also celebrating mother/fathers day. Headed home monday and I immediately ordered more wood for the deck/fence.

That arrived Tuesday while I was at work so every night since has been spent working on the deck/fence with the help of my mom and dad.

Here are the pics!

Conversion from Destruction to Construction

Well the last couple days have been extremely busy. I have nearly finished the mods and supports on the old deck and with the help of my Dad and Father-in-law, we've started putting in new posts for the new deck, fence and pergola. The 4x4's weren't too bad but the 6x6's were a pain in the ass! In total we've put in 9 new posts. 3 6x6's and 6 4x4's. We still need to put in 4 more 6x6's and 4 more 4x4's. My Dad and I will have to get that done over the next few weeks after work since our weekends are pretty well booked for quite some time. Here are the latest pics.

Some more Demo!

Well my father-in-law and I were able to get started on some of the demo of the old deck. We were able to take down the old glass railings and some of the face boards so I could get a better look at the support structure of the old deck. Kind of figure out how to tie in the new one to it. It is a real hodge-podge of joists and beams, some of which have rotted out. I was able to remove quite a few of those and come up with a bit of a plan to reinforce the old deck while attaching the new one to it. Once again... I can't wait until this is done!

Progress Updates

Well I've nearly got the ground leveled for the new deck (which was a nightmare in the fact that I had no idea where to put the earth I dug up!). I've also got temporary fences up so I can start tearing things apart without worrying about kids/animals getting into the pool area. I've also gotten all my locates done for the various utilities. Only problem was they couldn't find the power line running from my house to my shed. I can see electrolisis in my future... which I guess is OK. Deb isn't really big on body hair. I've added some pics of the "job site". SO MUCH MORE TO DO!!

Kat's big word explosion!

Deb decided to write down every word Kat said yesterday to see how many she actually says. Here's the list.

Hi
Bear
Blanket
Hello
No
Kitty
Eat
Spoon
More
All Done
Mess
Cloth
Uh Oh
Patrick
Doll
Wow
Yes
Help Please
Juice
Banana
Book
Teeth
Brush
One, Two, Three
Ready, Set, Go
Yay
Hi Sweetie
Fish
Pretzels
Nose
Toes
Ear
Shoes
Hat
Head
Hair
Swimming Pool
Up
See
Mommy
Numbers
Play
Coat
Truck
Krispies
Swing
Slide
Cart
Cookie
Cracker
Nuk
Ni-Ni
Button
Fork
Apple
Milk
Park
Tomorrow (Morrow)
Elmo (That's a dog)
Doggie
Dad
Daddy
Shovel
Truck
Grampy
Gramma
Wagon
Snack
Row
Up Above
Thanks
Ball
Yellow
Blue
Bye
Out
Open
Mouse

Not too bad for a 16 month old!!!

Going to be a BUSY month or so!

So the next month and a bit are going to be extrodinarily busy! This weekend coming up, we've got the garage sale plus my inlaws are up and I'm hoping to tear down some of my old deck.

The following weekend we head to Orangeville so we can attend Mike/Les's wedding shower in Norval on the Saturday followed by celebrating Mothers day/Ayla (My Niece) birthday on the Sunday!

The weekend after that, we pack up the kids and make the trek to Kanata (a lil ways from Ottawa) to stay with Mike and Les for the weekend! In on the saturday though we will be heading about an hour away to Perth to visit my Nana. She has YET to meet my kids!! Deb and I are really looking forward to being up there but NOT all the driving!

I think we have a little bit of a breather then for a couple weeks... but then back to Orangeville to drop off the kids and head to Norval again for Mike/Les's wedding! Deb and I get a night WITHOUT THE KIDS!! Hotel and everything!! Can't wait!!

Then we head home and I have to finish the deck/pergola in 5 days! We have the Fessenden reunion thing up here this year which should be good! I just hope the weather is good throughout the week of building!

There.. My next month and a half in a nutshell!!

Project Time!

Well it's time to get my ass in gear and really figure out what I've got to do this year. Basically I get to handle all of the outdoor projects. The trick is not to bunch them up too much because I'll run out of time and money!

Here's what's made the list:

1. Build New Deck/Fence around the pool
2. Have sandpoint pump installed
3. Install a new panel and breaker system in pool shed
4. Lay down topsoil and sod/hyrdoseed front and back yard
5. Install inground sprinkler system
6. Get a Kreepy Krawly or some sort of automated cleaner for the pool
7. Finish fencing off backyard
8. Start kids playset

Yeesh that's a lot. Right now the first thing on the list is the deck and pool fence. I keep having to redesign the damn thing as I learn more about decks!

And those are only the outdoor projects I have! Deb i'm sure has a few PLUS we are thinking of having our main bathroom gutted and redone this summer. We'll probably know by late next week if we should start looking for contractors.

Back from Iron Man!

Positively Loved It!!!!!! Robert Downy Jr. Did a GREAT Job!

Highly recommend it!! Oh... and stay until after the credits. There is a scene at the end. Unfortunately I was friggin tired and forgot about it by the time I had left. So if you DO see it... TELL ME WHAT IT WAS!!

But who am I kidding... who of you that reads my blog will actually see this movie???

It's been some time since I wrote in here...

So long in fact that I'm just going to point form this.. Enjoy.

- Patrick Had his 3rd birthday yesterday!! He is SO big and makes me feel so old sometimes!! He is learning at a phenomenal rate now. We thought it was pretty cool that he pretty well knows his numbers up to a 1000 but were blown away when out of the blue he started linking the numbers to the words as well. For example he can link 4 to FOUR, and so on. SO proud of him!!

- Kathryn is our little sponge now too. She learns by mimickry.. Especially with her big brother!! She does tend to be a Mommy's girl though sometimes which can drive Deb nuts!!

- Both kids are in swimming lessons now. I've only made it to Kathryn's lessons so far but watching her is a blast. Both kids love it which makes me want to open the pool even more.

- The skunks/raccoons are back and have destroyed my lawn. So much so that I've cancelled all of my weedman for this year and am going to spray the lawn with every deadly chemical known to mankind!!!... then... ummm.... wrap the kids up in plastic suits i guess? The goal is to wait until fall, roundup the entire lawn, lay a new layer of topsoil, install a sprinkler system and sod it. THAT's the goal. I've always wanted a perfect, soft lawn and i've been working on this one for years to no avail. I'm DONE screwing around!!

- Pool fence is nearly completed (I know I know... long process). I've also got plans for rebuilding a part of the fence in order to allow me to build a 13' x 24' deck for the pool. I'm just waiting on locators for various utilities before I finalize the plans and beginning purchasing lumber. LOTS OF FUN! :(

- Deb and I are good. Real good. Deb has decided to make a bid for a job at the new walmart coming in order to keep her pharmacy tech licence. Now although this will mean the kids will have to go to the Y for daycare, we know they would get good care there and this will be good for Deb. CONGRATS HUN! YOU'RE A SHOE IN!!

- And lastly.. My deep thought for the day. People don't change. And I mean at a fundemental level. Not on a cosmetic level. If you remember that.. You're golden!!

Well... I have my doubts anyone actually reads this so i'm going to add some reminders for myself.

Shaun.. Call BMTS for phone line locates before you dig!! Cause you know... You're a McLaren... and our luck isn't just bad... It's just friggin horrible!!