Dupont:

Missing the "Ts" who left at 9:30 am for the 8 hour trip to Philly. Was a good visit. A bit longer would have been nice; there is still talking that could be done as my son seeks more understanding of the family, as in "what was your mother like?". We cove4red a great deal and some touchy areas - gently.

Tenley is a sweetie; I thanked her for making my son happy. Relaxed and open as he has not been in years; a major de-clutter has occurred, allowing him to return to his same old used to be - vibrant, relaxed.

We ate in the K and did minimal food prep, by design. Together, no one got in anyone's way. And sat in the comfy LR for conversation. We only had the 3 evenings as they were in the city during the days - giving Tenley the opportunity of enploring Old Montreal; Taun lived here about 5 school years and 9 summers so it was him showing her around.

They arrived with bagels, having had the priority of stopping at the Bagel Factory, special to Taun for 50 years! He orders them on line and, rather than spend an extra hour going for some this morning, he will order them. And an order to his #1 son in VA for his upcoming B.D. So the veggie burgers were cooked and the Ts had theirs on bagels and R and I on buns. Tenley took it upon herself to find mustard in the frig - good searching! I detest it and thought there was some but did not deign to search! I made it clear we are in this together! We were so comfortable with each other; we are a family already!

Sunday, I made a double batch of buckwheat cakes, enjoyed by all, with this year's QC maple syrup. I had asked my son Sat night if he liked buckwheat cakes: "You're my mother! Of course I do!" It has been a long time since we were family together. Even when we lived in the same house, he soon-to-be-ex was a fly in the ointment; the stress was palpable.

Sunday, a veggie lasagna from the bakery in southern QC served, with salad and, again, choc cake from said bakery. They are also Dark Choc fans. We sat on the spiffy back deck for a short time as the weather was chilly. I am pleased with what I managed to do to shape the house up. The house could still use a serious lot of work - the windows and radiators... I cannot face trying to clean them. Maybe in the spring, a window washing company.

Baking was done in new toaster oven - quite adequately. I love it. Definitely saves heating the house. The "new"/borrowed stove is getting minimal use but is quite nice. Just lacking that wonderful downdraft the Jennair had. No way to put a hood over the stove.

R made some progress on his library. He had to move the thermostat so that was yesterday's chore, then waiting for the plaster to dry. Today, he claims to have started getting the book cases in place. Then went to fetch a de-humidifier from a friend who had one in a closet - never used!

AND measure the windows in the house that he "is selling" - some year. (That dreadful house we lived in.) He thinks new windows will improve the desirability. Probably will! He has a cohort who will supervise the window manufacturer at the Mill, with an eye to making the process more efficient, and finding someone to take over the business. Then, maybe the rent will be paid.

Sheets washed, laundry done. And next Monday back to Ontario for a couple weeks.