The Shake Shed Freddy & Life Update

The Shake Shed Freddy

On my day off last week, we decided to try out The Shake Shed Freddy! Kris had been there before, but it was my first time- and having stalked their social media since they opened, I knew exactly what I wanted.

I ordered The Minty Fresh, and he got The Kings Cup protein smoothie. We tried both and they were both amazing! We can’t wait to go back and try some more fun items off the menu. The Minty Fresh is a mint chocolate milkshake, with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, a chocolate icing and mint aero rim, topped with half a mint aero bar & two mint chocolate sticks. If you don’t want as many toppings, they also have a “basic shake” version of The Minty Fresh, which is just the milkshake. My 7 son is a bit picky, so the basic shakes are perfect for him.

The staff was super friendly and inviting, and the place had a really great vibe.

Pandemic Rules: As of posting this, The Shake Shed does require masks under the current NB rules, but they are take-out only and do not require proof of vaccination.

Life Update

I started my Wednesday Brunch series a while ago with the intention of replacing my diary posts. It was supposed to be a 1-2 times monthly post where I share food (restaurant reviews, recipes, etc) & chat about my life and current events. With every intention of creating a regular schedule for my blog in the New Year, I’m bringing it back.

I’ll be making a separate post introducing him at some point (and he’ll be guest posting sometimes) - but I have a new boyfriend- the above mentioned Kris. Do people our age still say boyfriend? The word boyfriend seems small and insignificant compared to what we have- but for all intents and purposes that’s what he is.

Kris and I have known each other for about 7 years, began dating earlier this year - and he moved into our townhouse last month. He is truly the missing piece that I didn’t know my life needed, and you’ll be hearing a lot more about him/from him in future posts. I could literally sing his praises all day, so I’m really excited for you guys to get to know him more.

I haven’t talked much about my separation, BUT I wanted to add this little bit of an update, in case any of you are in a similar situation (everyone mentioned has already given the okay to post this). My ex husband, Mitch and I separated in early February of 2020. If you live in New Brunswick (or anywhere really), you’re aware of the crazy housing crisis we’re dealing with right now. It’s near impossible to find an apartment or house for a reasonable price. Two bedroom apartments that used to be $800 are now in the $1400 + range, which isn’t feasible for most people. SO, we’ve lived as roommates in separate rooms (and on separate floors of the townhouse) since we separated. I know a lot of people who are in the same situation, and if you find yourself in the same situation and need advice, let me know! For over a year and a half, we’ve been navigating the world of finding ourselves as separate people, entering the dating world, co-parenting, and learning to be civil with each other, all while living under the same roof. I think this transition into becoming roommates helped our son Mason process our separation better than he would have if there was an abrupt disruption in our lives.

So, if you put two and two together, you now understand that I am currently living under the same roof with my ex husband, and my boyfriend (we’re all fine, it’s not awkward)- BUT that is changing soon, because Mitch lucked into an amazing opportunity to rent a townhouse in the same townhouse community we currently live in. He will be literally 20 steps away from where we are now, which is amazingly convenient for our son going back and forth.

He’s moving over in November, and we’re going to help him move everything over on moving day, help set up Mason’s room, etc- which I’m so grateful for the opportunity to do. This child already has enough toys for eight houses, so we’re going to be deciding what he’s going to take over there and what will stay here (loving the decluttering that’s happening). I’ve also been gathering up household items that we have double of (kitchen things, etc), so we can take stock of other things we need to move over. It may seem odd from the outside looking in to be helping an ex move, but to us it’s not at all. This will be the other house that Mason will be spending time in, so I’m loving the chance to help with the move and set up of it. Also, we’ve had almost two years of being separated, so there are no raw emotions anymore, or weirdness about this.

My vanity! Obsessed with this mirror!!

I’m also excited at the chance to give our townhouse a little make-over. Kris has brought in his furniture, and we’re getting a new-to-us couch from my dad & step-mom. For now I’m going to be turning the spare room into an office/closet, which I’m REALLY excited about. I foresee a lot of TikTok videos being filmed in there once I’m done. For the closet side of the room, I have a gorgeous vintage vanity that I got for free on the side of the road that I’m going to be making over, and I just bought a $5 clothing rack from FB Marketplace to spray paint. For the office side of the room I have my white Ikea desk to bring upstairs that I’m going to use for writing, blog work, journaling, etc. I also have a smaller white desk that will be used for crafts & projects.

Our townhouse has an interesting 2 level basement, and Kris has created a man cave in one of the rooms on the bottom level where he can work on his model trains & cars, etc. Mason loves going down there to hang out and listen to records. That room has been essentially empty and unused for the last 6 years, so it’s refreshing to see new life being breathed into it. Into the entire house really.

Mason doesn’t know it yet, but he is also getting a bit of a bedroom make-over for Christmas. My mom bought him a new desk, new bedding, etc, so that will be fun to put together after the holidays.

Also, I wanted to mention a quick user name change on social media. I haven’t officially changed my last name yet, but for professional purposes (my blog, writing, etc) I’ve decided to use my maiden name. My new user name for Instagram is now @dedreannadionne.

So, that’s my little life update for now! I plan to document different home projects as we do them, and I can’t wait to share them with you!

D