Packing, old professors and food habits…

I’ve been free from the center for two days now and I still feel like it’s only a short break and I’m going back. It’s going to take a few more days to get used to the idea that I have no intention or commitment to return there ever again. I love the fact that I no longer have to go back to that hole, but I really haven’t had much of a chance to enjoy it that much… all I’ve done since I left is pack and toss stuff out. Basically everything I need to do to pack this place up for the big move. The truck is coming in five days to take all our furniture away. We’ve done a bit to get rid of a lot of stuff that would have cost us a lot of weight. A friend of mine is taking our washer/dryer because we already have them at the new place. So I’ve spent most of today packing and tossing stuff out.

Because our move is paid by the pound beyond 2200 lbs, we are tosing out our heavy stuff in fear of having to pay more above our original quote. That means the crates of books that I had stored in the appartment all have to go. I drew the line and said no for a few books, but to save those all the rest I had collected and used during my university years had to go. The thought of just tossing all these books out in the trash was against everything I know… so I contacted a friend at the University to see if the English Society there had their yearly book sale yet. Every year they hold a used book sale to raise money for scholorships for people in their department who need financial help. This year’s sale wasn’t until February, to thanks to a friend who provided the car, I carried over over 150+ books for them to use. I think they were a little stunned by the donation, but I was happy to do it for them cause the alternative was unthinkable.

Some books didn’t even get that far as a lot of my friends got first dibbs and went through the boxes for stuff they would prefer. My Harry Potter books, David Eddings and Stephen King books didn’t make it to the English Society, but that’s all right. Leah didn’t care where they went as long as they didn’t go inside the truck. So with those books out of the way, that’s less stuff to pack and more room for the important things, like Leah’s porcelin dolls and the George Forman Grill. The cool thing about taking the books back was that I bumped into one of my favorite English Professors when taking the books in. I guess it’s rather complimenting that he remembered my name, and we talked for a few moments which was nice cause this was likely the last chance I had to talk to anyone on campus before moving back home. He wished me the best and left me with an email to keep in touch.

So here I am back at home, with Ethan who is dancing around to the songs being played on the mp3 player on the computer. For the record, his favorite AC/DC song is “Thunderstruck”, and his favorite Stones song is “Brown Sugar”. He’s not very fond of Depeche Mode, but what can I say… no one’s perfect. He’s still smitten with the Beatles, which was just find we me. I played it for a while when packing up some stuff from the kitchen. Leah was nice enough to leave me with a list of stuff she wants done, so at least I have goals set which will make it easier for me to finish my given tasks. We have the rental agency coming tomorrow to repossess the couches, as by our request. The whole weight in the truck thing again. even though they are amazing and very comfortable couches, we have some waiting for us in Hamilton so it doesn’t make sense to take these. So back they go…

Ethan also had a massive TV dinner for supper tonight. He had one of those hungryman suppers with the boneless ribs that comes with mashed potatoes and corn on the side. I prefer to buy these meals cause they come as a complete entree and are more filling. Ethan devoured his today, only cause he didn’t have much lunch. Despite having an enormous appetite for everything, Ethan has been doing well concerning his teeth. A few weeks ago, I heard from Leah that one of her friends had to take her little girl to the dentist to have a rotten tooth removed. This little girl was only a month older than Ethan, and yet Ethan hasn’t had any problems at all with his teeth. The reason? This kid eats a ton of take out, chocolate and drinks Pepsi all the time.

I do take Ethan out for the occassional take out, but only once in a blue moon. Usually I prefer to take Ethan to restaurants as opposed to fast food joints as well, so even when we do go out… we don’t always go out for fast commerical food. Another thing is what we give Ethan for his snacks. We always keep a huge supply of bananas and apples on hand, and toss in an occassional fruit cup or yogurt just for variety. Ethan does love chocolate, don’t get me wrong… but since Leah and I rarely eat the stuff ourselves, it’s never around for him to have. Leah’s favorite snack is popcorn and mine is crackers so the stuff Ethan has been eating lately is a lot more healthy. Ethan also hates pop. For some reason he hates the bubbles and can’t stand to drink it. He only loves fruit juices and we toss in an occasional Five Alive and chocolate milk, just for special occassions. As I’m writing this, Ethan is sitting on the soon to be repossessed couch, eating an apple. He loves them and munches them down and that is good for him… much better than chocolate and candy.

Leah and I have been strict when it comes to his eating habits, and intend to be the same way with Jonathan. The best way to get them to eat responsibly is to do it ourselves and pass those habits to the kids. We do make stuff like Pizza and chicken nuggets all the time, but we bake everything in the oven, as we tossed out the deep fryer the same week Ethan was born. Good eating starts from the beginning and we plan to keep enforcing this at the new house. Ethan is a good eater and has been easy with us so far. When Leah makes us stirfry, Ethan does eat all his vegetables, and even invades my plate for broccoli when there is none left on his own plate. Leah and I know they’ll be a day when we’ll have no control over what they eat, but hope that these days will make an impression on them so they won’t lose control and eat nothing but bad stuff when they get older.

Ethan just tossed his apple core in the garbage. What a good little boy I have here. Hope everyone is having a good week, and I’ll be around whenever I can. Until then… take care.

Peter