Between moving, canning and a rather nasty infection I have no choice but to slow things down a bit. I've tried pushing things but obviously that was not the correct plan of action. The last couple of mornings I have slept in to 11 AM but that is because the nights are so disturbed. Disturbed as in getting up and down several times through the night, fever and chills so I am exhausted. I'm going to listen to my body and slow things down a bit...
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
Between moving and canning all the tomato products we need for the up coming year I seriously don't know whether I'm coming or going! I'm in major overdrive mode while trying to ignore the fact that I'm not feeling well. The good news is my doctor's office called this morning with my test results and were nice enough to fax a prescription to my pharmacy saving me a trip to her office! I had to go into town anyway to pick up a few canning supplies for the sauces I planned making today so I called the pharmacy before leaving the house. They hadn't received the fax yet so I decided to pick up the groceries first then check back with them before leaving town. They had the fax but said my prescription wouldn't be ready for 20 - 30 minutes. Since I had taken advantage of some great frozen fish sales I didn't want to wait that long and besides I was anxious to get the longer cook sauces on. I called my husband to pick up my prescription on his way through town. When I got home I set about getting the pizza sauce and two roasted tomato sauces going. Neither will be ready for canning until later tonight but I can get a batch of crushed tomatoes canned in the meantime.
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
According to the Province of Ontario, I am a victim of a violent crime not once but twice. The irony is both crimes were murder. Both have profoundly affected my life. The first really was a bit easier to deal with then the second but I am used to being followed and stalked. That's my life. It always has been and I doubt it will ever stop. But I would like to say, I'm a survivor. I've learned to protect myself and my family. I will not let the Province of Ontario or the accused tell me I am a victim. I'm sorry but that is not in my realm of thinking. I am not a victim! I live my life as I see fit and no one not even someone capable of murder is ever going to dictate or control how I live. So I am flipping the bird at two individuals who are guilty of murder. You tried to take something from me but in the end you made me stronger!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
It started sinking in last week that the house is sold and we are finally able to move. We increased the decluttering in anticipation. While we have been decluttering since first listing our house well over a year ago, we've decided that some larger things are not going to be moved because we would like to buy new. At the same time some of the smaller decor items won't work at the new house so those are being gathered up to give away or donate.
We have already purchased a natural gas range, dishwasher, kitchen bar height mini table and chairs, a dual fuel outdoor grill (charcoal/propane) and a cordless battery powered lawnmower. We have a list of what we need to replace yet. All of our larger purchases with the exception of the grill that we bought about a month ago are scheduled to be delivered directly to the new house so we won't have to move them twice.
As I'm packing, planning and shopping I can't help but being reminded of how very blessed we are. These are tough economic times with house forecloses at an all time high. Here we have been blessed to find a gorgeous home that will save us money on several levels while allowing us to continue our laid back lifestyle. The move will allow us to spend more time at home. Family and friends are excited about our move which translates into more company, something we very much enjoy!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
We have spent much of the day packing. I wanted to go out on the boat but the weather forecast indicated a huge band of storms heading our way. Just perfect since most of my emergency lighting is packed. I know where it is and we have flashlights readily available so am not concerned. Our power always goes out here during storms so needing emergency lighting is a given although the last storm my husband and I sat in the sunporch enjoying nature's fireworks while the power was out.
We are definitely on the countdown to when we get the keys on September 1. It is supposed to be storming tomorrow as well so we will spend part of the day packing but my husband wants to do a bit of shopping. While we made a good dent in some of the things we need, we still have more to replace. I hate shopping :(
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
Our house was officially sold a couple of weeks ago with a closing date of November 1. Everything was settled as far as us moving into our new home officially on that date but we had also arranged with the sellers to take possession three weeks earlier. That way we could do whatever cleaning needed while taking our time moving things in. Everyone was happy, signed, sealed and delivered. It was a done deal with every I dotted and T crossed. Yesterday the real estate agent called us with a change of plans.
The buyer of our house had contacted them and wanted to know if we would change the closing date to October 1. There is no way for us to do that given prior travel plans. So the buyer wanted to know if we would change the closing date to September 15 which meant our agent had to go back to our sellers to see if they would change the closing date as well. The sellers have moved about 95% out of the house so an earlier closing date was fine with them and we have a provision that allows us to move in September 1. Now I am really rolling my eyes at our buyer. Honestly, during the main negotiations she would not budge at all from the November 1 closing date. It went back and forth several times with her staying firm to that closing date. Technically we could hold her to that date but we would prefer getting the move over as soon as possible and get settled before the holiday season and our winter vacation. I don't know why she changed her mind and don't really care as it means we get into our new house two months earlier!
Our moving time has been reduced from three weeks to two which is still workable. I didn't want the everyone moving on the same day scenerio with the sellers trying to get out while the buyers try to get in tripping over each other . That's just two hectic for this old gal! Now I have to go shopping for my new kitchen stove and our new bedroom furniture. The packing is going well though. It helps that we are getting rid of a lot of stuff. I need to pick up the pace considering September 1 is quickly approaching!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
I hate the turmoil and chaos of moving. For some strange reason it triggers strong emotions and flash backs from my childhood, something I have worked very, very hard to keep in the deepest recesses of my memory. I don't talk about my childhood to anyone including my husband or kids. I can't explain why those particular memories start flooding back and I can't explain the vivid imagery but I can say I don't like it. I can't control it so I've learned to deal with it.
Our house is sold. We are moving so end of and quite frankly I can't wait to move. We are both excited to be going home to where our family and friends are. It's funny that once the news came the house was finally sold I went into a packing frenzy but the flash backs didn't happen that day or the next or the next. Oh no, they waited until the following week then hit with a vicious vengence. I seriously dread the night when dreams become reality. I will wake soaking wet and in a panic from one nightmare only to drift off into another one and so the pattern repeats itself throughout the night. I will find any excuse not to go to bed including drifting off in my favourite chair. Nothing stops the nightmares! Trust me, being sleep deprived is one hundred percent better than those nightmares...
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
Being sick is not normally seen as a blessing but physiologically it is one of prominent indicators that your body needs attention. I've been having what I though was benign symptoms prior to the past week so when they escalated the first of the week I foolishly did not pay attention. I stress foolishly because I make it a point to listen to my body. Anyway, mid-week there was no ignoring symptoms because they were right there giving me a hi five followed by a whack across the head and a boot in the butt with a healthy dose of "I told you so". I broke down and called my doctor then crawled back into bed.
This is not something I do unless in desperate mode. My doctor and I have a great relationship. She knows I will not use pain killers unless absolutely necessary. She trusts my judgement, knows I do my research and am qualified to do so, knows I know my body and at the same time guides me but can be insistent if necessary. She knows I don't call for an appointment unless absolutely necessary and is very accommodating when I do. I respect her and she respects me. It is a great relationship!
So I call my doctor, asking for an appointment telling reception what was going on. Reception patched me over to my doctor's health practitioner. My health practitioner is a wonderful person as well who meshes well with my philosophy of holistic and natural health care. Based on the symptoms, tests were arranged and I was given strict guidelines as to how to manage the symptoms until the test results come back.
I'm still under the weather but am very grateful for having the doctor I do. She is a true blessing! She is a team mate in my health care not old school or not willing to listen to my viewpoints about my body but a partner in my health care. I am very blessed to have a doctor who treats me like their equal, realizes I am quite knowledgeable and respects me. Besides I really like her :)
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
This past week has been a roller coaster of extreme stress, playing the waiting game and anticipation. Finally within the matter of one day, two huge deals were settled in our favour. The first is rather private so I won't discuss it but suffice to say it fell into the major good fortune category. Later that day our house was officially SOLD! The buyer removed all conditions for the purchase of our home. The following day the seller of the house we want agreed to the ammended closing date so we officially bought a new house. Then, the seller went a step further agreeing to a deal so we can move in three weeks earlier than the official closing date. To end the week on a high note my husband and I celebrated our Anniversary. In the end, the week wash highlighted by major good fortune that will take on another amazing adventure in this journey called life!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
My gosh, everything is just happening almost too fast. We knew it would with the right buyer but I did not bank on this almost lost feeling selling the house. It isn't that I don't know where to start with the packing or what to get rid of, but rather more of lost for lack of a better word. We've had sixteen months to decide how we were going to handle this move. I know what I want to replace as far as furniture and etc. with a set budget. I already have my colours picked out for the new house AND we have arranged to be able to have access three weeks before the official closing date. I have a lot of plans for the new house!
I am seriously totally wound up aka major hyperactive. I tore apart the upstairs bathroom just after getting the news everything was official. It is empty and in ready to move condition. I've gathered up all the nautical themed decor into two boxes, one to give away and one to take to our vacation home. I've gathered up all the documentation that needs to stay with the house like manuals. Unwanted items are going out the door daily. And so the detaching begins...
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
I really apologize for not making posts the last couple of days. Things have evolved at such a high speed here pace the past couple of days I really can't even get my head around it. Our house is officially sold! We have an official move-in date but because the house we bought is pretty much empty we can get in there three weeks earlier. That allows us to do the cleaning and painting we want to do as well as move smaller things in. We will have a mover and we are buying new furniture that will be delivered directly to our new house. We are extremely excited!
We did another walk through today. My husband was thrilled to discover the thing we nick named the pulpet was hiding the plumbing for a wet bar. I discovered three peach (? apricot) and a pear tree in the back yard! We made a list of what we need to do sort of and what we need to change before fully moving in. I cannot believe this is happening so fast! I'm elated of course but still it is almost too much to fanthom. Talk about a gorgeous house too. It isn't on the water but it is in a wonderful location that will save us a bundle while moving up all at the same time. My husband says downsizing yet square foot wise and ammenities it is anything but downsizing!
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
This was the long holiday weekend celebrating the Civic Holiday in Canada. We spend Saturday at the kids will most of the kids meeting there for a feastive summer barbeque on a beautiful summer day. The grandkids had a wonderful time! We spent the night at the kids then traveled to Niagara Falls the following day to meet up with one of our friends and his little one. We went up the Skylon Tower (pictures to come) and saw the movie at the iMax theatre. Last night was perfect for walking down to the Falls to enjoy the fireworks over the falls. My gosh, walking back up that hill was a chore! Then we did a bit of a pub crawl after enjoying a tasty Italian meal. It was a relatively early night with a fairly early start towards home. We took a lot of pictures so I will be sharing those once I've worked my way through the Florida spring vacation pictures.
My husband and I are celebrating a special milestone so stopped in Brampton at the casino for a couple of hours. It was a nice diversion but over stimulating with all the stress as well as recently being in Las Vegas. He lost a bit and I came ahead. We stopped for a quick bite to eat then made the final stretch home.
We are tired and the stress from the house is still wearing heavily on both of us. I'm beyond stressed! It was wonderful to be away for a couple of days. We are signing one offer tomorrow so at least we have one offer. It will remain as a first with a 48 hour clause for the buyer to remove all conditions should we choose to accept a better offer. The good news is we are showing the house again on Wednesday so perhaps that will be the better offer we are hoping for. At least now with this offer we have a tentative moving date.
Garden Gnome
©2006-2011
