{"id":2385,"date":"2012-06-02T17:19:50","date_gmt":"2012-06-02T23:19:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/homesteademporium.wordpress.com\/?p=2385"},"modified":"2016-08-05T22:21:17","modified_gmt":"2016-08-06T04:21:17","slug":"a-guest-post-from-our-eldest-daughter-alesia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/homesteademporium.com\/blog\/2012\/06\/02\/a-guest-post-from-our-eldest-daughter-alesia\/","title":{"rendered":"A guest post from our eldest daughter, Alesia."},"content":{"rendered":"<p align=\"LEFT\">\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">Two months ago, I was most likely at work, wondering where I would be in two months. I knew I was moving to Ontario, but where would I be in that move?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">What would I be doing at this time of day?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">Would I be settled in, would I have made friends yet, would I have a new job?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">Or would I be crying into my pillow, wishing I hadn\u2019t moved, while my suitcase lay on the floor, still packed because I just wanted to go home.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">\n<p><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">In reality, I never expected to be where I am right now. I don\u2019t mean, I never expected to be where I am right now, as in, sitting on my bed with a cat on my lap trying to eat the popcorn in the bowl next to me, while Huey Lewis asks me if I believe in love as I write this blog post.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">\n<p><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">No.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">\n<p><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">I mean, I never expected to be in Ontario, happier about my life than I\u2019ve been in a long time, and more sure of my decision to move here, than I have been of anything ever before. I have no doubts, no \u2018did I make the right decision?\u2019 thoughts going through my mind. I know that beyond a shadow of a doubt, I am where I\u2019m meant to be. Whether it\u2019s for a little while, or longer, I know I\u2019m meant to be here, back in Ontario.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"font-size:large;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net\/hphotos-ak-ash3\/538448_344276062301092_100001561036781_993624_1723238180_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"518\" height=\"691\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">Living as a Nanny for Anneke (my cousin), and helping to take care of her four boys (all under 8 years old) and her twin baby girls (7 weeks old today) is an amazing experience that I wouldn\u2019t trade for anything. I am extremely grateful towards her and Jesse (her husband) for allowing me to move in with them. If it weren\u2019t for them, I would have merely come to Ontario on a two week vacation, then moved back to be with the rest of the family in Saskatchewan.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net\/hphotos-ak-ash3\/529324_344934298901935_100001561036781_995487_1984588270_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"553\" height=\"553\" \/><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">And things would definitely not be where they are today.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">Life as a Nanny is always entertaining. Whether I am chasing two year old Levi around, pretending to be a shark as his giggles mix with his screams, his legs frantically trying to carry him up the steps of the bunk bed to get away. Or having a cat sleep on my leg, which decided to randomly take on a mind of its own, and kick the cat off the bed, who then wakes you up when he lands on the floor with a loud &#8216;thunk&#8217;.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">It&#8217;s never a dull moment, and each day is never like the previous.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net\/hphotos-ak-snc7\/295139_335510293177669_100001561036781_973052_1550109366_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"518\" height=\"691\" \/><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">Moving to a new province also comes with it&#8217;s own list of things to do. Changing your phone number, change of address, getting new health care coverage, finding a job and trying to ignore the &#8216;newcomer&#8217; label that&#8217;s slapped on your head, and settle into your new home. I have to say, I&#8217;ve been the &#8216;new girl&#8217; so many times in my life, but it has never gotten easier. At church, I feel like the outsider, as all the younger people go off in groups to talk. I&#8217;ve met a few really nice girls who I can see becoming good friends with, but I&#8217;m not the type to go out of my way to introduce myself, so unfortunately, I usually end up waiting for them to do that.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">\n<p><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">Job hunting definitely hasn&#8217;t been easy. I&#8217;ve dropped off a few resumes now, and I have a couple small jobs lined up, but nothing I can see becoming permanent.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">One job is to help a local dance studio owner, at a dance rehearsal and performance that is being held this week. I&#8217;ll be helping escort the girls off stage when they are finished and anything else that needs to be done backstage. Dancing has always been a strong passion of mine, so being able to work backstage like that, is going to be a dream come true!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">\n<p><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">Then there is the small one day job I have coming up near the end of this month. For one day, I will get to work at a Circus that will be in town. I&#8217;ll be selling tickets and possibly doing any other background work. Talk about every child&#8217;s dream, right? To work at a Circus and see it all up close and personal. I&#8217;m really looking forward to this, because I know it&#8217;s an experience I&#8217;ll never forget!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">So, although these jobs are nothing big, they are experiences and stories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I still plan on finding a part time job, but I may even have that covered, as a couple up the street is looking for someone to watch their 5 year old daughter a few days a week after school. Talk about the perfect job for my situation, right?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net\/hphotos-ak-ash3\/522882_347718255290206_100001561036781_1000773_249847508_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"498\" height=\"498\" \/><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">Life has definitely been chaotic, interesting, and a whole new experience for me lately.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">Another thing that I&#8217;m adjusting rather quickly to, is becoming the one in charge of making most of the meals. I love it! I am making the lunches and dinners, and then of course, the desserts. Anneke and I usually try and set up a 1-2 week meal plan so we know what to be ready for. So we aren&#8217;t looking at the clock, seeing that it&#8217;s 3:30pm and asking &#8220;what&#8217;s for dinner?&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net\/hphotos-ak-ash3\/s720x720\/578950_351123104949721_100001561036781_1009376_1327069862_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"432\" height=\"324\" \/><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\">\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">This week, the meal plan looks great.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">Wednesday:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">\u00a0Stir Fry<br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">Thursday:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">Bean Slop (A crock-pot meal since I&#8217;ll be working at dinner time. So Anneke can just serve it when it&#8217;s dinner time)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">Friday:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">\u00a0Spaghetti cheese bake (I&#8217;ll be making this, then leaving it to Anneke to bake since I&#8217;ll be at work again)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">Saturday:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">\u00a0Ravioli Bake (Or something along those lines)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><strong><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">Sunday:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">\u00a0Fend-for-yourself (one of my favourite nights, ha-ha)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"font-size:large;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net\/hphotos-ak-snc7\/s720x720\/577873_352456988149666_100001561036781_1013112_256567389_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"486\" height=\"648\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">And the next week is still in the works.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">I&#8217;m hoping to have another big baking day some day soon, because we finally ran out of the cookies I had made, and I feel an itching for some sweets a&#8217;comin. That, and it&#8217;s been almost two weeks since I did any real baking. The boys are beginning to scrounge the cupboards for any crumbs that may remain from the cookies I had made. Boys, eh? They say the way to a mans heart is through his stomach, well, any woman that can cook, will have these boys eating out of the palm of her hand.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">One day last week, I had gone to Ottawa for the day with my cousin, and Anneke was picking the boys up from a friends out. Nathanial (the eldest, asked \u201cWhere\u2019s Alesia?\u201d To which Anneke replied: \u201cShe\u2019s gone for the day.\u201d I believe it was then Isaac who said, with a sound of panic: \u201cWe\u2019re going to have to eat at McDonalds tonight!\u201d because apparently, they have forgotten who it was that cooked for them before I showed up.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">I really love the town I am in. The people are so friendly, and the church we go to is full of the nicest people.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">Looking back at when I lived on the Island, feels like it never happened. The past 13 years of living there, now seem like a blur. My only connections are a few family members still there (my Oma, Opa, Aunt and Uncle) and a bunch of friends I left behind. The rest of my family (parents and siblings) have moved to Saskatchewan.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">I don\u2019t see my life slowing down in the future, if anything, it can only get busier, especially once I get a steady job and become more involved in the church and community. I look forward to it, because as many people know, I\u2019m not the type of person who can just sit around and do nothing. I have to be going, or I go crazy.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color:#333333;\"><span style=\"font-family:Arial, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size:medium;\">My Mother may laugh at this, as there were many days when I did just that. Sat around doing nothing. But this feeling of having to keep moving is a little new, and although it may have me exhausted by the end of the day, I love going to sleep, knowing that I did everything I could during the day. Cleaning, baking, taking the kids roller blading up to the store. If it was a busy day, it was a good day.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net\/hphotos-ak-ash3\/526742_352922508103114_100001561036781_1014192_1422705000_n.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"461\" height=\"614\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Two months ago, I was most likely at work, wondering where I would be in two months. I knew I was moving to Ontario, but where would I be in that move?<\/p>\n<p>What would I be doing at this time of day?<\/p>\n<p>Would I be settled in, would I have made friends yet, would I have a new job?<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/homesteademporium.com\/blog\/2012\/06\/02\/a-guest-post-from-our-eldest-daughter-alesia\/\">Read more<i class=\"fa fa-arrow-right\"><\/i><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[32,303,444],"class_list":["post-2385","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-homestead","tag-alesia","tag-guest-post","tag-nanny"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/homesteademporium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2385","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/homesteademporium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/homesteademporium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homesteademporium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homesteademporium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2385"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/homesteademporium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2385\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4070,"href":"https:\/\/homesteademporium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2385\/revisions\/4070"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/homesteademporium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2385"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homesteademporium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2385"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/homesteademporium.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2385"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}