This Quarter has begun living behind the last (3rd) Quarter with a few incidents. Three to be sure.
1) The Sign Structure at nana/nani owned commercial building ( a mini-mall) at Petawawa fell down (knocked over) when a sudden intense storm hit Petawawa at noon (or thereafter but before 1.00 pm) on Friday 19 July 2013. Nana was there (went to Lions Club to play cards). Nana & his car (Dodge minivan) escaped any hurt/injury at that time.
Note: Insurance Company covered the cost for rebuilding the Sign Structure
2) The house Gas furnace ( some 12 years old) konked out around 19 September 2013 or just a few days before that .
It was replaced by a new Payne High Efficiency Gas Furnace – by a local Gas contractor immediately after that. This is not covered by insurance and thus the cost (quite considerable) was borne by nana.
3) The third incident happened when nana/nani car ( 2010 Toyota Corolla) was hit in Quebec -while returning on Monday 30 September 2013 from attending Ray/Alix wedding at MonteBello. Thanks to our Guardian Angle (Shree Jalaram) – no one got hurt badly. Nani got a small head bang on the dashborad – fortunately the car was slow.
This accident fortunately is covered by the Insurance – who have assessed that the car cannot be repaired and is a write-off. An new car may be needed to replace the old 2010 Toyota Corola.
Okay – so much for such incidents – Lucky that we are okay and life continues.
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Saturday 2013 October 05
This day our Sitara has passed another milestone. She lost her front (lower) middle tooth – a normal process of growing up . She actually had the tooth wiggling for some time and she was always showing that to her nana when she comes over to visit ( mostly on Tuesdays) . Nana has one tooth ( same area – lower middle) had already pulled out many years ago in Kenya – nana loved to show thst to Sitara .
Her tooth came out when they were in Petawawa at Home Hardware store this afternoon. Sitara have taken this in her stride and now the Tooth Fairy turn to bring her some gift ( possibly dollars) .
Wednesday 2013 October 09
This day the kids (Sitara & Sachin) were left with only one parent – their mom as their dad has gone overseas for a few days on business.
Thursday 2013 October 10
This was the first day for Sachin for his ice skating lesson. His first that now he has become 4 years old. He wanted his nana also to go to the arena – and he asked his mom whether nana would come. So his nana went and had a great time watching him to start learning to ice skate. He took all in his stride -as usual with a smile on his face . At the end of the session (and after few falls etc. ) he managed to shuffle on the ice and made progress in gliding without falling – though with a slow pace. At the end,he seemed to be satisfied and enjoyed his “tryst” at/on the ice.
They spent Tuesday , the previous day at nana/nani home along with their mom and their dad joining in for dinner.
Friday October 11 and Saturday October 12 they did a sleep over at nana/nani home in Deep River- along with their mom . All had a good time together both days – spending fun time outdoors and in backyard. The weather was beautiful -all sunny and warm but not too hot.
On Sunday October 13 – it was a wet day – raining . It was a day when all went to a children’s movie at Perawawa Theater. Troyes Cinema, the best theatre in the Ottawa Valley where going out to see first rate movies doesn’t have to cost a lot.
The Title of the Movie : Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 .
Its an Animation’s hit comedy—
Description:
Chester’s right-hand-gal – and one of his greatest inventions – is Barb (a highly evolved orangutan with a human brain, who is also devious, manipulative and likes to wear lipstick). It’s always been Flint’s dream to be recognized as a great inventor, but everything changes when he discovers that his most infamous machine (which turns water into food) is still operating and is now creating food-animal hybrids – “foodimals!” With the fate of humanity in his hands, Chester sends Flint and his friends on a dangerously delicious mission, battling hungry tacodiles, shrimpanzees, apple pie-thons, double bacon cheespiders and other food creatures to save the world again!
ThanksGiving Day Monday 14 October 2013
Sitara/Sachin
After many activities during the ThanksGiving weekend (see above ) both Sitara & Sachin spent the ThanksGiving Monday at Mackey. Their nana/nani joined them for the day . It was a beautiful sunny day . All spent the day outdoors in the front yard – raked the leaves , trim all the flower plants, kids played on the swing & slide and also on the tarpauline . In the evening kids mom started the bonfire as Sachin wanted taoated marshmallows. However, the bonefire did not quite took off and as it was gettinglate -all retired indoor for dinner . After dinner, nana read many story books – they are not satisfied with one or two books -so nana was happy to read all the books that the kids wanted him to read.
Everyone wished each other a Happy ThanksGiving . Nana/nani then returned back to Deep River at about 8.00 p.m.
Maya
Maya spent the ThanksGiving weekend at her grandparents’ (maternal) cottage – where she had gone with her parents and joining in with her grandparents , aunt and other relations .
They had a great time together and returned back to Toronto late at night on Monday .
This is what her Grandma (Kathy ) said in an e-mail she sent to Maya’s mom on Friday 18 October 2013 -copied to family members.
On Saturday 16 November 2013 – Maya celebrated the Birthday Party for her Ba – thrown by her mom and dad . Her Toronto grandma and grandpa along with her HeatherAunite and Ryan Uncle also attended the a party. Maya gave a nice Birthday Card (all scribbled by her) to her Ba.Now on Sunday her dad went to USA ( Califonia) for a week on business and again Maya was with one parent. Though this time her Ba and Bapuji were with her -so the house was still full with people.
On Sunday 17 November 2013 – Maya had a visit to her great Grandma ( Rae) in Toronto – she was accompanied by her mom, her Ba and Bapuji. They all went by their newly acquired Subaru Ourback car – driven by her mom. After the visit and then a great nap at home – all proceeded by Metro Subway to Toronto downtown to watch the Santa Parade – however by the time Maya and her entourage arrived downtown – the parade had already passed and thus missed.On an e-mail of 18 November 2013 – this is what her mom expressed” Even though we missed the Santa Claus parade on Sunday, we still got into the Christmas spirit looking at the Bay windows downtown. Maya was quite enchanted by the moving parts! Her favorites (not surprisingly) were the windows showing the toy shop and the candy shop 🙂 “Her Ba and Bapuji left Toronto and drove back to Deep River on Wednesday 20 November 2013 . They had the opportunity to take Maya to her DayCare in the morning ( by a stroller) – she was to be picked up by her mom in the evening. This taking Maya to DayCare in the morning and bringing her back in the evening – provides a good way for exercise (walking) by Ba and Bapuji were there . Her parents also have routine walk .Wednesday 20 November, 2013The first winter snow came – a bit wet some 3 to 4 inches deep. The upshot of this was that the school bus service in Deep River and area was suspended ( It is amazing that with not so much snow a school bus service just cancels ! ha) . It also was the day kids’ ( Sitara & Sachin) mom had a job (work at her old place ) for the day that she had accepted – and kids dad was to be busy at his office for the day and plus – attending a Manager’s meeting at Lions Club in Chalk River. So nana/nani got the opportunity to take the kids to school in the morning and and pick them up in the afternoon. This is the day nana/nani play bridge in the afternoon at the Deep River Library – but nana decided not to play bridge as it would be necessary to come out early (from the Library) as the kids have to be picked from the school at 3.30 pm.So the kids were driven over to nana/nani home in the morning at about 8.50 am by their mom – they had a breakfast at the nana/nani home and were ready for school by 9.10 am – at that time nana/nani drove them to school ( in their mom’s car – her mom had left it at nana/nani home and had taken nana/nani Dodge van to take her to her workplace) . At 3.30 pm , both kids were picked up by nana/nani and driven to nana/nani home. Well what happened? The kids wanted to play in the snow – in the backyard . There they had a great time shovelling snow, making blocks (using a play container) and just “monkeying around” for about an hour. What a sight! When inside – just before dinner both were brought to the kitchen table by their nani and given sheets for “colouring” Santa Clause figures . Both got into that activity but then nana noted that both were singing songs – those songs they knew and Sitara leading by calling out new “score” .
Note for record: on Tuesday 19 Nov 2013 – the hot water tank at nana/nani home was replaced by a new GSW Series 6 Hot water tank – the contractor had obtained that the from the local Home Hardware Store. The old Cascade 40 Hot Water Tank was taken away for the dump by the contractor.Wednesday 27 November 2013 – Maya had gone over to her Grandma/Grandpa home for an extended (over the coming week-end) sleep-over as her parents were going away (driving out next day on Thursday) to Huntsville area – at the place where they had spent their first honeymoon. This is to spend time together with each other – prior to arrival of their second child – sometime in March 2014.Friday 29 November 2013 – Sitara and Sachin went to Toronto area – driven their by their parents . The parents planned the trip to attend a birthday bash for their friend Dhanuka’s husband in London, Ontario . The party being on Saturday.They returned back to Mackey/Deep River on Monday 2 December 2013 and went for Sachin’s swimming – which though got cancelled due to power outage. Sitara/Sachin and their parents then spent the evening at nana/nani home in Deep River and after fun and dinner went to macket at about 8.30 pm.
Thursday 5 December, 2013 – today was Sitara’s final swimming session (at MacKenzie pool in Deep River) and she got her report card for successfully completing her Stage 2 – Skill Development course. Good progress.
Satyrday 7 December 2013 – Maya helped her dad to decorate the Christmas tree at their home in Toronto- her mom taking the photos .
Thursday – 12 December – Nana went to Sachin’s skating at the DR Arena – it was family day at the Arena. Sitara, Sachin , Nina & Sunjay -all were on the ice. Sachin has inproveda lot – from the the first day he started. He vcan go around and around on ic ebut still noy skating but sort of walking. He can get up by himself now -when he falls on ice. Sitara is still a bit scared of skating.Most time sshe remaibed near the periphery board – holding it often. Though she can slide on the ice and can skate a bit without being near the board. She needs lessons to gain confidence,
Friday -13 December – kids came over to nana/nana home after school – brought over by their mom . All had good dinner ( Sunjay had come over from work) – we celebrated Nina’s birthday also at that time – no cake at this time as on Saturday we would have cake and more celebration.
kids slept over at DR -as Sunjay had a party at Kelsey’s in Petawawa (office group) and Nina had to go to a party in DR. They spent Saturday helping their nani to decorate the Christmas Tree at the Deep River home.
Saturday 14 December – parents came over at noon – Sunjay brought cake for Nina’s birthday- all celebrated the birthday with cake etc after lunch.
Kids slept over at nana/nani – parents went to AECL Christmas party and then came over at mid-night to sleep over at DR.
They also has a planned power outage at Mackey on Sunday so it was wise to stay in DR. All went to Mackey after lunch on Sunday -kids having completed their home work
Monday 16 December – nana/nani went to Mackenzie at 10.00 am – Sitara particpitating on the stage for singing.
Then on Wednesday 18 December – nana/nani went back to Mackenzie at 10.30 am – this time Sachin particpitating on the stage for singing.
Both kids continued on their skating and skiing sessions – getting the most out of the winter season.
Well towards the end of the year the most exciting happening is when Maya ( their lovely 2 year old cousin) comes over along with their SunirMama and ShannonMami .
On Christmas day Wednesday 25 December 2013 – kids (Sitara and Sachin) celebrated the Christmas morning at home in Mackey – joined in by their nana/nani – rejoicing in many gifts left by Santa during the night.
Sitara/Sachin had left cookies and milk for Santa at the fireplace and a bowl of feed for elfs outside. Kids had a variety of toys, books and clothing.
Maya celebrated her Christmas with her parents at their Toronto home and received her gifts from Santa and the spend the day at her great grandparents (Rae – Shannon dad’s mom) home where many of Rae’s relatives have gathered and organised a party .
Maya arrived on Saturday 28 December having driven by her parents in their newly acquired silver-colored Subaru SUV . Maya and her parents had spent a night (Friday night) at Huntsville at her great grandpa/grandma’s (Shannon’s mom’s parents) place before coming over to Deep River from Toronto. They arrived just after noon – Maya all excited to see her Ba/Bapuji and she was at once at home at the Deep River residence. Her cousins Sitara and Sachin joined her from Mackey a bit after that afternoon – brought over by their parents ( Maya’s foi and fuva ).
All had dinner together except Maya’s foi and fuva had a light refreshment as they were to go to a party at Soly’s house in Deep River for a few hours.
All three cousins played together – with such love and comraderie – which remained intact till the last day while Maya and her parents were in Deep River area.
The grandparents were ecstatic to see this love and bond between all three cousins – 6+ yr, 4+ yr and 2+ yr olds – thoughout when Maya was here visiting.
Sunday 29 December 2013 -Maya was driven by her parents to Mackey – her cousins’ parents home . They went before lunch . The kids had a great time playing with each other – Maya’s Ba/Bapuji ( who are Sitara/Sachin’s nana/nani) joined the party just about a mid-afternoon. There was outdoor activity throwing snowballs at each other specially by Sitara , Sachin, Nina , SunirMama and dad (Sunjay) . ShannonMami was indoors as Maya was having her afternoon nap.
All had great dinner – all three kids enjoying the dinner and in great mood – singing Christmas songs together at the table. Maya ( at her age 2+ yr old) was knowing the songs along with Sitara and Sachin – by heart . That gave all adults an entertainment -for which there is no price.
After dinner Sitara played with her SunirMama and Sachin played with all but more so with Maya. Of course there was usuak ” Hide and seek” -all three kid hiding and grandparents trying to find them .
Maya along with her parents returned to Deep River in their Subaru car and Ba/bapuji in their Didge minivan – just after 8.30 pm.
Monday 30 December 2013 – this day there were to be visitors from Ottawa – Both Isabel and Harry arrived promptly at 11.00 am – as previously arranged. Isabel is daughter of our Canadian grandma (Aunt Ruth) – who became a great member of our family when we were in residing in Niagara Falls.
Maya and her parents were present when the visitors arrived.
Nina and kids (Sitara and Sachin) arrived a bit later – their coming was delayed as the Contractor who is doing some work at their home decided to turn up that day to finish some remaining work in their Gym room . Their dad remained at Mackey further and he came over at lunch time – leaving the contractor alone to complete the work.
During lunch time – all three kids showed grace and etiquette at the dining table – ate their lunch very nicely and with that also much laughter and fun – and all three bursting into ocassional Christmas songs .
The afternoon went quietly with chit chat with the visitors – and also going through some memories of Aunt Ruth .
Maya had her usual afternoon nap and Sitara and Sachin played with adults or watching TV or playing on the Computer.
The vistors left for Ottawa at about 5.50 pm – all having a good visit.
The dinner was great – all three kids nicely at their seating and again entertaining with laughter and ocassional songs. Such comraderie!
Sitara/Sachin went back to Mackey at about 9.00 pm with their parents – Maya having gone to sleep at 7.30 pm’
Tuesday 31 December 2013
Last day of 2013 – New Year eve . It was spent so joyously -wth the whole family together . This si teh day we spent our 2nd gift giving day – Santa was generous . First Christmas present Maya got was in Toronto and Sitara/Sachin at Mackey on Christmas day 25 December.
Both Sitara/Sachin came over from Mackey with their parents just before lunch. All had lunch and after that all cousins playing together till Maya wentfor afternoon nap. Both Sitara and Sachin were taken by their parents to Skating and when Maya woke up, she went with her parents to Hill park (in Deep River) – all walking in cold weather. After the kids came back from their outdoor activity – all gathered around the Christmas Tree in the living room (DR home) – gifts were exchanged – there were many different types of toys, books, clothing. gift of $251.00 to Deep River Hospital by Sunir/Shannon (for expressing love/respect of Ba/Bapuji ), other usual legacy gifts to all the adults and young kids by the grandparents.
After sumptuous dinner along with kids laughter and songs and toasting for the coming NewYear (all three kids loved the toasting and joined in so enthusiastically) – all sat together, played and then at about 8.00 pm all gathered in the Computer Room (downstairs close to Receration Room) to welcome the New Year 204 – watching the fireworks from the famous tower in Dubai. Here is what Nina posted on her Facebook entry on 31 December 2013 :
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After that Maya went to sleep ( albeit with a bit of resistence -as she wanted to spend time with her cousins and all the excitement of the evening kept her going).
Shortly after that Sitara/Sachin went to Mackey with their parents having spent a great time in Deep River with their cousin and SunirMama and ShannonMami along with theri nana/nani and their parents.
Wednesday 1st January 2014
This day Maya went back to Toronto driven by her parents. The morning started with an excitement – her Bapuji saw from the living room a car lodged into the snow bank across the road – must have slipped/skitted earlier . Outside temperature was minus (-) 20 degrees C . Her Bapuji went outside (of course well protected by winter clothing) and examined the car. There as man at the steering wheel – who did not respond to tappings on the window ( passenger side) . So Bapuji came back to the house and asked Maya’s dad to call 911 report the incident. The man could have serious health issue as there was no response from him.
In the meantime her Bapuji try to start his Dodge Minivan (on the driveway – blocking the garage door – her parents car was parked in the garage) and move it on the side of the driveway so that her parents’ car can be brought out of the garage on to the driveway – and then can drive away to Toronto. But Murphys’ law – “anything that can go wrong will go wrong” happened . The dodge minivan would not start. All chilled out . The engine would not turn. It so happened that the block heater plug-in had not worked. There was a bit of a panic as Maya’s parents wanted to leave early so they can arrive in Toronto before sunset. Bapuji calleds the CAA for help – however CAA stated this will be the last call allowed till the new subscription kicks in around mid-Jan. Bapuji decidedd not too take CAA assistance at taht time as there may be a necessity for assistance between now and mid-Jan. So he asked Ba to bring a Table lamp -to allow to verify that the electrical socket outdoors is operative. Bapuji found that the electrical socket was operative but also noted that the cable (connecting the car block-heater and the socket) was loose at the socket. So Bapuji pushed the electrical cable in tight and planned to wait for about 10 min to get the minivan engines warm up. Well there was obvious panic with Maya’s parents that it may not be possible to depart in time – which kind of pushed Bapuji to try starting minivan earlier than 10 minutes. Luckily the car started – which brought relief to all.
And as the saying goes – they left nicely and relaxed but not as early as they earlier indicated – they drove away for Huntsville starting at 11.00 am.