Car-free and loving it

People often question us about how we make it through life without a car. And how we will have a family without a car. To those with the question, it seems impossible to live without a vehicle. Perhaps because they are attached to their car, or cannot fathom the change in lifestyle that it brings.
But to us, the answer is simple. We just do. When life without a car began, it was difficult and we often asked the same question. How are we going to make it? But as life went on, the question changed. Why do we need a car? As long as you live in a "walkable" area, living without a car is easy. Yes, it takes a few more minutes to get places via two feet and a heartbeat or public transit. Both are far better options on a personal level (free exercises program) and an environmental level. We have also found that walking enhances your relationship, as you are less prone to crank the stereo and sit side by side in silence.
People often encourage us as a couple that living our life this way when its just the two of us is easy. They commend us for our efforts. But they always seem to point out that when we have a child, life changes and we will no longer have the determination to walk anywhere. The reality is that yes, it will be difficult. Our child will probably scream and it will be a long way from home. But they do that in a car too don't they? At least there are a lot more environmental noises to block out the screams! We do wholeheartedly admit that it won't be easy to go car-free with a family. But we are willing to try. Plus, the benefits that we can envision for our children, seem to outweigh the consequences. They will be fit, able to walk long distances, and learn patience (things aren't always instantaneous). They will get to enjoy nature, chase birds, and explore the world around them in a way that a child strapped to a car seat never will. They will get to interact with people of all sorts, ranging from kind elderly couples out for their daily walk, to strange and creepy weirdos wandering the streets. They will get to meet other children, talk with the marginalized, and visit with under appreciated bus drivers. We have seen the benefits of walking with Cypress and River already. Benches have become playgrounds, sidewalks are school yards and safety lessons. They have spotted the white cat in the house down the street and run to say hi through the window. They have learnt their numbers by watching the buses go by. (That is the #1 Amanda!) They know bus drivers by name and wave hi to the man who waves his tongue at us every day. They know Charlie, the blind man who delivers newspapers, and his mom who walks with him. They know the shoe-less man who walks everywhere getting numerous coffees from various places throughout the day, and they know that he "not pay attention." They know the neighbours dogs by name and how to cross the road safely.
When you look at all the things we've noticed just by walking, it surprises you how many people you know and what you know about them. Walking has built relationships with our neighbours and within our family. Not having a car causes us to rely on other people for things we cannot provide for ourselves (like a ride to Langley). We have learnt to ask for help when we need it and quite often you realize what you are capable of doing without needing help. It has shown us inner strength, physical stamina and humility. Or in the immortal words of Great Big Sea, "Courage, patience and grit."
Can we do it? We will give it our best shot. In the meantime, we'll save the planet, one car at a time (and our pocket book, one gas fill up at a time!).

Conversations with Bruce

A couple of weeks ago, we invited our favorite "homeless" man to join us for coffee at Starbucks. We've seen Bruce around town for a couple of years and always like how he kept to himself, never asked for anything and was genuinely friendly. In all the years of seeing Bruce, we've never really had an opportunity to say more than a couple words to him. So we took this opportunity to have him join us for coffee for a couple of minutes. A couple minutes turned into a two and a half hour conversation. As it turns out, he is no longer homeless, but rents a basement suite off of Maclure Road. He seems to work as some sort of ESL teacher for a nurse from Bosnia. He has travelled a lot in his days, all across Canada. He is originally from Toronto, loves chess, literature and the arts. It surprised us to find out how educated he is. Perhaps our own bias and preconceived notions were put to the test, and our judgements were thrown out the window. There was more to this man than met the eye. We enjoyed a wide range of stories, involving politics, geography, history, travel, literature and a few musical performances. We also discovered a kindred spirit in our love for walking. Bruce enjoys walking everywhere because he can see things that you don't see while driving or even biking. Walking also gave him inspiration for his artwork. For the price of a large tea, we got more than we bargained for. It was a pleasant evening filled with laughter, story telling and learning that there is more to someone than meets the eye.

Annual Crazy Event (part one)

A few days ago, Dan had this crazy idea (nothing new there). He thought it would be a GREAT idea to bike to Mission and see the new movie "The Bounty Hunter." (In reality, the movie was just a cover for the great idea. A ploy to get Amanda to agree; she can't resist a Gerard Butler film). Hesitantly, Amanda agreed to this idea (it was the promise of Gerard that threw her over the edge. She has a thing for Scottish men). She must mention that she hasn't biked anywhere in over a year and the thought of riding to Mission scared her a bit.

So, the morning of the great adventure came. Amanda, after much prodding and hesitation, got her bike helmet on and they began their journey. But their journeys are never without a little bit of excitement and adventure. (There wouldn't be an annual crazy event without it!)

The journey began uneventfully, by filling up the bike tires with air. It all went well until we got the bottom of Gladwin Hill. The velocity of the downward momentum of the hill left us both with tears streaming down our faces from wind getting in our eyes. Dan stopped to wait for Amanda to catch up and as she bypassed him, a couple of dogs from the farm next to the road came out to investigate. Amanda was now in the lead, and looked behind her to find these dogs barking viciously while attempting to run Dan off the road and eat him alive. Dan biked like he has never had to bike before in his life, in an attempt to out-bike the dogs. Meanwhile, Amanda turns her head to see these dogs chasing after Dan with their mouths wide open. She bikes as fast as her little legs would go (into a head wind we might add) in an attempt to keep distance from the dogs, leaving Dan to fend for himself. (sorry Dan!) Dan meanwhile feels the dog breathing angry breaths up against his leg. Dan looks down to see the fangs of this rabid hell hound gnashing his teeth and narrowly missing the flesh of Dan's calf. Fearing for his leg, Dan bikes all the harder, while contemplating what to do if the dog actually gets its teeth into him. Somehow, we both out bike the dogs (its that fight or flight instinct). Yah adrenaline! By comparison, the rest of the bike ride went smoothly, with only the occasional teasing about rabid puppies from Amanda.

The Mission bridge was another interesting point of the day. If you call having to walk the entire span of the bridge, pushing your bike along, because some thoughtful engineer 40 years ago, failed to realize that having a high railing might actually be useful. Lets just say, it would be easy to fall off your bike and into the Fraser River. Which, we might add, is a LONG way down. Especially when the railing that is barely hip height is the only thing keep you from meeting Jesus. The next stage of adventure came when we had to disembark from the bridge into on-coming traffic barreling along at 80km/h or more. And when, we did safely make it across the off ramp and onto a narrow grassy knoll, we realized that our biking option were limited. The really didn't design this bridge with any real pedestrians in mind, or rather how they would GET to the bridge or OFF the bridge. The bridge itself wasn't a bad 20 minute walk. But we did manage to make our way down a narrow shoulder protected from traffic and arrive in the theatre parking lot only to discover that it was not cyclist friendly (let alone pedestrian friendly). We did manage to eat lunch and get to the theatre before the movie started. The movie was good, thanks to that handsome Scottish man Amanda really enjoys. After very little thought and/or contemplation, the idea of biking home (and up the Gladwin Hill, chased by dogs), was vetoed and we took the bus home. All in all, a great 13.6km ride.

Annual Crazy Event (part deux)

Rockos: The Aftermath

Anyone who has experienced Rockos, knows what this picture means and the necessity of the Tums.

Rockos Part deux

Rockos and the first Poutine Experience

Our lovely American friends, Dan and Amy, have experienced the height of Canadian culinary cuisine: poutine! We went to Rockos in Mission (a truck stop diner that we LOVE!) to have the best poutine in the Valley. We also made them try the Hi-Lite Burger that comes with 3 kinds of meat (bacon, beef and a hot dog weiner) and their world famous milkshakes.

Life with Kids: In Pictures

While we had the kids for the week, we took the kids to Capilano Suspension Bridge and the Cleveland Dam. Don't worry, we didn't lose any kids...

Life with Kids

We recently came into a new role: Parents (okay, only for a week). We had Cypress and River for an entire week non-stop while their parents enjoyed the sun in Palm Springs. It was an enjoyable week, once the children realized that you should SLEEP at night. The week was filled with momentous occasions. We watched the gold-winning hockey game and the closing ceremonies of the Olympics with the kids. We had a picnic in the living room, enjoying pizza and chocolate milk while we watched the closing ceremonies.

One day, we went into Vancouver for the day. We rode the sky train and sea bus, getting to see the Russian Tall ship as it left dock. We visited Lonsdale Quay, Northern House, and the un-lite Olympic Cauldron.



That same evening we went to our friends new condo. Things took a little turn for the worst while we were there.

Pictures truly do say a thousand words! But we must add that there is more to this scene than meets the eye. What you cannot see from this angle is the other half of that brand new roll of Toilet paper that is currently residing in the toilet bowl. (we were lucky that it flushed!) We must also mention that the children broke a cat toy rumoured to be invincible, stole money (2 cents!) and a cat toy. We are sorry Colin! But if that's the worst that happened, there must be lots to celebrate!

Discovering new foods was the highlight of the week. River surprised us by eating foods with no complaints, including this fish stick! We thought we would have a fight on our hands to get it down his throat, but the fight was to keep him from eating Dan's fish stick. (a nice fight to have, if you ask me!) All in all, it was a good week, full of fun and laughter and the occasional scream in the middle of the night.

Life Lessons for the week long parents:
1. There is nothing more startling than getting woken up from a dead sleep by a blood curdling scream let out 10 feet from your bedroom by a 2 year old at 2 in the morning. (except when its followed by puke, but that's from another time altogether).
2. Making children clean our their own soiled underpants is great incentive for potty training. As is the cold shower that follows.
3. It is surprising how far children will walk, when push comes to shove. (leaving strollers at home does that to a child).
4. Positive attitudes go a long way to make boring activities enjoyable.
5. Children SHOULD learn what stranger danger is, especially when they make friends with any one they meet. (hi Yuko, Christa and Joe!)
6. Being a parent has its ups and downs. But facing them with laughter makes the situation a bit funnier.

FREEDOM!!!

It is a momentous occasion for us! For the first time in 6 years (for both of us), we are DEBT FREE! Say good-bye to those student loans, because they are GONE! We are super excited and feel that we have moved up in the world, from broke to poor. We have stuck to a budget (and still will), got Dan through school and paid off the debt aggressively. Now we can start saving...