The Canadas
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Fall 2002
Updated March 20, 2003 |
Something Old, Something New
Along with all of these usual aspects of our lives—family, work, travel—we enjoyed a few new developments. In December, my parents came down from Indiana to spend Christmas in our home for the first time, a special treat that we anticipated for weeks and then thoroughly enjoyed. While they were in town, Lisa and I even drove down to Charleston, South Carolina, and spent a few days together. Finally, on the last day of the year, we closed on a historic house, where we will move our family and Lisa’s catering operation in the next year or two. |
Our
fall contained much that was familiar.Big Sister, Little Brother
Fall 2002: Essie spent the season attending and
loving preschool, acting out “shows” at home, and—with a little help from her
parents—reading every book that comes her way. She is a very sweet little girl—good news for her parents,
since her little brother absolutely idolizes her. We often catch him gazing at her, a smile flashing on his
lips, intent on determining exactly how a child is supposed to act. Despite her gleaming example, he
manages to spread mischief—and toys and food—far and wide in the Canada household. After learning to walk shortly after
his first birthday, he graduated to running and climbing. By the end of the year, he was throwing
a ball, leading the way to the bathtub at the sound of the word “bath,” handing
us our shoes when he wanted to go outside, and expanding his vocabulary. He now cries “ball” when he sees
anything round—including the moon—gleefully repeats “ah don” when is “all done”
with his meal, and soberly decries “uh-oh” when something goes wrong. If he picked up the latter term from
his parents’ commentary on his behavior, then his next phrase should be
something along the lines of “Don’t throw it,” “not a toy,” “no more climbing,”
or simply “no more mischief.”
Despite his constant run-ins with the law, his beautiful face and
winning smile keep him squarely in his parents’ good graces.
A New Home . . . Someday
December 31, 2002: The most exciting news of
the year came on the last day.
After a full year of planning, toiling, and waiting, we closed on a new
home. Actually, it’s an old home—a
really, really old home. In fact,
no one—not the county historical association members who sold it to us, not the
various experts Lisa has brought to inspect it, not even the state historical
association—knows exactly how old
it is. The evidence suggests that
it is at least about 180 years old, but it may have been built as early as the
1790s. In any case, it will be new
to us when we move our family and Lisa’s catering operation there. First, however, we have some work to
do. Although it is in remarkably
good shape for its age and lack of maintenance over the last quarter-century,
it needs substantial work before it will be a comfortable place to live. Over the next year, we will be doing
quite a bit of that work ourselves—installing a new kitchen and rebuilding
windows, for example, and cleaning up the floors, walls, and ceiling—but we
also will have to hire plumbers and other experts for larger projects. If all goes well, we may be able to
open the house for holiday parties by December, which typically is the busiest
month for Lisa’s catering business.
The work will continue over the coming years, though, as we will
continue to outfit the property for outdoor weddings and other events, as well
as our own comfort as residents.
The whole enterprise is a dream come true for us, who have contemplated
a home in the country for years.
This one, which is located a few miles from downtown Laurinburg, has
much of what we wanted and even a bit more. In addition to its long history, which has placed it on the
National Register, it has an appealing interior, a sizable plot of land—five
acres—as well as two outbuildings.
Most of all, it has potential, which we hope to help it fulfill.