Alive and Still Kicking...

No, I have not dropped off the face of the earth but I have been extremely busy.  The first of the year I decided I wanted to paint all the rooms in the house before spring.  Well, I'm pleased to say I made a very good start but did not make that goal.  We have had a lot of activity going on in the house with various service and contract people in.  The problem is, each tends to take up a good day or more of time leaving me a lot less online time.  So far the custom woodworker has finished the bathroom but the doors to the cabinet weren't quite right so he is redoing them.  In the meantime, he built in the bulkhead in the kitchen in a gorgeous oak to match our kitchen cabinets but the colour is off just slightly and we like the new colour so the cabinets have to be refinished.  See how it goes, one project leads into another one!  Then they installed our new garage door opener as the old one just quit and installed the central vacuum unit to replace the broken new vacuum just out of warranty.  His work tied up a good three days and he is far from finished.  Onward to our window treatment saga.  We ordered panel sliders for the patio doors and California shutters for the large front window.  They came out last Saturday for the install.  The panels were the wrong material and the shutters ended up only partially installed.  They are up but will fall if you try to open fully because there is nothing securing the shutters other than the hinges.  At a cost of almost $2,500, going through a business with a top notch reputation and tying up a Saturday afternoon, I was beyond being disappointed.  The good news is the new panels are scheduled to be installed this afternoon aka more time tied up.   The plumber was in to fix the upper level shower which ended up spanning three days then he was back to install a water powered sump pump backup system which took up another day.  We live in what the insurance company deems a flood prone area so our insurance went up $300 by moving here.  This backup system will give us a discount on our insurance policy.  The alarm company was in to determine the security system install for this coming week. 

Aside of the various service and contract people filling in my days, I have been volunteering at the breakfast club three mornings a week then running my errands in the morning and getting things done around the house in the afternoons.  Early this week one of the volunteers at the breakfast club had a stroke so I was there every day this week.  I don't mind and really enjoy being around the kids.  I did a bit of volunteering a couple of evenings and play volleyball once a week.  Actually, I don't play volleyball well at all but my doctor said moving is good for pain control so I go there to fill a spot but at least I'm out and moving a little.  I'm also walking daily, something that isn't going to hurt me and it's good for the heart.  Oh, and I'm spearheading a new and very exciting community project.  It is a lot of work but I think it will be great for the community once up and running properly.

So, I'm alive and still kicking, just busy getting our new home settled and looking forward to the nicer weather...

Garden Gnome
©2006-2012

Blog Your Blessings Sunday - DIY Skills

My husband and I have been very fortunate to learn a lot of DIY skills over our journey together.   Our new house doesn't need a lot of work, mainly a bit of updating and decorating.  The updating consists of replacing electrical switches and outlets as well as ceiling and outdoor light fixtures.  Even though we like the colour tones of the rooms, each room does need to be freshened up with a new coat of paint.  We will be able to do the majority of this work ourselves.  We are also very blessed to have family and friends who are qualified to help us with some tasks (eg. hooking up natural gas appliances) that we are not qualified to do.  They are always willing to lend a helping hand.  We learn from them and in return we share out knowledge of how to do tasks that we know how to do.  As a result, we are able to save a considerable amount of money on needed improvements and decorating that would otherwise be spent on labour.  This has allowed us to build equity in our homes much more rapidly than possible if having to hire out all home repairs and maintenance.  

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Moving Preparations Escalate

The Porsche

July 31, 2011

Our moving preparations have escalated since we get the keys on September 1.   Aside of packing we've been shopping.  After much discussion we decided that we deserve a few new pieces of furniture for our new house.  We've been married forever so want to replace the tired for new.  We knew that we wanted to go to a gas range and replace the dishwasher anyway so adding in new furniture just entered the discussion.  We set a budget then yesterday we went shopping.  I am a very frugal person with expensive tastes especially when it comes to kitchen equipment.  What is really nice is my husband and I have very similar tastes when it comes to furniture and appliances.  I don't like shopping either so it works well that we have similar tastes.  Yesterday we bought the dishwasher, natural gas range and bar height breakfast table set (table with two bar stools).  Those items will be delivered out on September 2.  We looked at the mattresses and bedroom furniture and we are about 75% sure we want the dining room set we saw. 

Obviously with all the new furniture and appliance purchases that gorgeous Porsche is not going to be gracing our new driveway any time soon.   I really do like the new driveway though!  It is interlocking brick, so much nicer than asphalt.  The sidewalks are interlocking brick as well so trés chique! 

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Change in Moving Plans

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

Flash Backs

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

Blog Your Blessings Sundy - Major Good Fortune

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

Excited but Detaching

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

Blog Your Blessings Sunday - An Offer

The Ongoing Saga of Selling Our House

Our house has now been on the market for the better part of the past year.  It was briefly off the market last September/October for about 3 weeks but other than that we've been at the potential buyers' beck and call.  Let me tell you it is getting very old!  We showed the house yesterday and again today.  It's rather ironic that there haven't been very many showings over the past couple of months but with the contract drawing to an end with this real estate company, all of a sudden they are pushing it?  The should have been pushing it harder earlier as we have no intentions of extending the contract.  If there is no offer by the time the contract expires, that's it.  We will take it private and sell it ourselves.  I've had it up to my eyeballs with fickle real estate agents!

Garden Gnome
©2006-2011

Blog Your Blessings Sunday - Our House

Ocean View from Condo
January 21, 2008

Update: Things are going as well as to be expected here. The weather is more like March than February so we never know what to expect. The health problems that almost cancelled our vacation have not subsided and it appears from two ultra sounds that the obvious suspected causes are not the causes so I'm onto more tests this coming week and the next. We've started working on the kitchen and baths as well as adding finishing touches to the family room. This has been a nice diversion. I'll be posting about this more on my homemaking blog.

It has been an event filled week with more good than bad. I'm not negating the bad but rather choose to dwell on the positive. I think that in itself is a real blessing. I'm really lucky to live in a country where medical treatment is easily available. I'm sure with persistence the problem will be resolved so just having that faith is a blessing as well.

As many of you know we moved here last June. We did a full month of get go to get the house presentable for a large family event. After that we were tired and honestly we really didn't have a good feel as to how we wanted to decorate. The lower level (main level) is mainly tongue and groove wood with the exception of the field stone fireplace and about a 5' height of wall from wainscotting to tongue and groove wood with large beam ceiling. This room is open to the kitchen that has cabinets in the same wood with the same wood ceiling. It is quite impressive and was the selling feature that sold us! I do have to stress what a blessing it was for us to find and be able to buy this house!

I have made several comments over the house to the effect that "it will be a matter of being at the right place and the right time" and "when we see it we will know it will work". I've been searching for a mural for an upper level accent wall but just couldn't find what I wanted. Friday we stopped at Home Hardware and here was this gorgeous wallpaper border so I mentioned to my husband that we could buy the 10 feet needed since they sold it by the foot, paint the wall and at least that would be one more thing done. Well we bought it, then discovered it matched perfectly to the lower level family room. Talk about a real fluke! So Saturday, we picked up more of the border along with fixtures for the upper bathroom and kitchen. Then we went shopping for ideas and tile for all three rooms. This is a bit different as I normally make most of the decorating decisions but my husband is actually giving input this time so that is really a nice change. We had a very enjoyable shopping trip and while we didn't buy a lot, we learned a lot. It really was a lovely day spent with a loved one.

The blessings this past week were many. Some were very subtle and others quite obvious but all were blessings!

Blog Your Blessings Sunday - Many Blessings

To participate in Blog Your Blessings Sunday click here.

Last week was slow paced and pleasant despite a couple of dreary, cold weather days. I busied myself with a couple of winterizing projects. The wind was quite strong a few times but that was a blessing for helping me detect drafts. This house is quite solid so there isn't near as much sealing or winterizing needed as our last house. In fact the house is so well sealed and insulated we have not raised the thermostat higher than 19º C (67ºF) and that was only for a couple of hours as I had a chill. Right now 18ºC (65ºF) is a comfortable setting. This unexpected bonus is a nice, much appreciated blessing as well.

Thursday was busy as I got the call to pick up our half of pig, another blessing that came about from a farmer giving up pig farming so the price was well below market value. Since moving here, my second chest freezer is smaller than what I had at our last house. It is new and energy efficient though and it has forced me to be more conscious of my freezer space, all blessings. That meant I had to do some freezer reorganizing as well as get things ready for the weekend. It also meant I had a few pieces of meat to do a bit of canning with as well but that would have to wait until after the weekend.

Then it happened, every drain in the lower level backed up Friday night! Just perfect when Saturday was my husband's monthly poker game that we host and the kids with grandbaby would be home. We thought we had the problem solved only to discover the furnace room flooded Saturday morning! We figured out the pump was not pumping the water/sewage from the reservoir up and out but if we unplugged the pump and switch then plugged it back in it worked (would need repeating until we could repair), another blessing. So my husband used the some of the kitty litter I had for my door snakes to soak the water and odour and we got on with our entertainment plans.

I watched grandbaby (a real blessing!) while making various appetizers for the crowd. What a little sweetheart! Grandbaby is walking now which is really cute but I have to tell you this little one can climb stairs faster than Grandma can. I'm really tuckered out but in a good way.

My husband cleaned out the furnace room this afternoon preparing for the needed repair. Unfortunately a few things had to be discarded. The rest of the kitty litter was spread out to soak up all the water so that will be scooped up later this afternoon. This was a good reminder (a blessing) to keep a large bag of kitty litter on hand and install a water alarm. It's important for anyone with sump pumps and even more important in cases as ours where sewage water could be involved.

So all in all last week was good and even in the midst of problems there were blessing.

Peaceful Enjoyment

Sunset
July 7, 2007

So much has happened in the two short weeks since we moved. Not only are we unpacking and trying to get the house organized we are also working on the house. That means long, tiring days. So far we have removed three pick-up truck loads, heavily loaded of brush and the same amount in rubbish to the dump. Inside, we have organized the home office for my husband as he often works at home during the evening, organized the pantry, organized the utility room and am now preparing the family room for painting this morning. DIY activities have involved: electrical wiring, updating electrical receptacles, solar lighting, stripping wallpaper, reviving flooring, installing our stove, hanging bird feeders and indoor lighting. We needed help with included the gas lines for the grill and dryer plus our electrician is coming in Tuesday to get the electrical problems fixed quicker than we can right now. The AC is being installed the same day. I just calculated that we have 23 days to get the house and yards in shape for our anniversary party on August 6. Given that a good 5 of those days are already committed to other events that leaves 18 days which would be fine if we were both home all day to get things done but we aren't. So a couple of deep breaths and steady work to get what we can done is working right now.

The picture of the sunset was taken while sitting on our dock. We have so much going on that it would be easy to miss these photo opportunities and the chance to re-connect as a couple. The past few mornings we have been sitting together in the sunporch re-connecting as we watch the glittering water. Our even meals have been mainly grilled then plated and taken to the dock to enjoy. After dinner we take a short walk just enjoying our surroundings. Right now these intervals of peaceful enjoyment are critical. They put everything into perspective and give both our minds and bodies a chance to rejuvenate. Some of our best ideas for our new home have risen from this type of peacefulness.

First Glimps

Our New Laneway

Moving day ended about 1:30 am Friday morning so it was a very long and tiring day. Everything went well with the exception of a very nasty temper tantrum by the new owner. Obviously he thought we weren't getting things out quick enough so became quite abusive. Other than that between our friends, family and the movers we managed to get things moved rather quickly.

Friday morning I was up early to do a walk about the new property. It is very much geared towards friendly privacy. The laneway is bordered with boxwoods and open onto a deadend road. A wide expanse of greenspace dotted with a stand of trees separates the deadend road from the main road. I think the laneway is quite majestic looking! The layout of the property is greenspace and laneway to the garage. From the garage to the house is a yard bordered with gardens on one side, a walk way and side yard leading to the back (we prefer it as front) yard. From the house to the water edge is lovely. There are large trees with a lot of under growth, grass area and natural privacy opening onto the water. There is a breakwall softened by boxwoods and a dock.

The property as beautiful as it is did not come without problems. I'll be posting how we deal with these problems on Garden Gnome at Home and from time to time mentioning them here. The house itself is a well built two level home with brick exterior. The lower level is not really a basement as the house was built into the ground so that at the side face the garage it is mainly underground except for about 3 feet. About halfway up the house the ground slopes to where the the kitchen opens at ground level. The lower level walls are a foot wide keeping this level a fairly constant temperature. The house was built for energy efficiency at a time when few talked about saving energy. Vegetation and trees provide protection from the prevailing winds as well as providing privacy. The most startling thing I notice about the house is the quiet. Once inside the outside is virtually non-existent!

We have met the neighbours on both sides who are extremely friendly people! We met the neighbour two doors down on the one side Saturday and the other neighbour two doors down golfs with my husband. On Saturday we also managed with the help of our kids to trim up some trees, remove two bushes, collect the garden ornament clutter left behind, clean out the sunporch and clear the garage so the car fits in.

And so begins another chapter in out lives...

Rambling and Ranting

Blue Gill
June 9, 2007

On May 31, 2007 we signed the papers waiving all conditions for the purchase of our new house. Officially and legally our house was sold the day before. Little did we know we would be entering the twilight and nightmare zone! The buyers are obnoxious, arrogant snots who demand on getting their own way. They went through four times before the official signing, getting progressively ruder each time. They wouldn't budge on times at all to the point my husband missed his golf day and I missed a doctor's appointment because that was the only time they were available. Then they were only in the house all of 4 minutes! So when they insisted on coming through after signing the contract we told them not on Saturday as we had plans. He called and left a nasty message at my husband's office indicating either we let them in or he would pull out of the deal even though he had signed the sale contract! Excuse me? He signed the contract then was threatening to back out so we cancelled our plans on Saturday and let him go through for the fifth time. Imagine our surprise when he was actually showing the house to another couple! We have rooms pulled apart and boxes stacked. The house is organized chaos! The girl wanted to see under the carpet so he went to lift up the wall to wall carpet in the bedroom when I stopped him. She turned around and said "you will if you want to sell the house". I calmly told her no, the carpet stays as is. It is sold! Which part of that don't they understand? Well they were nice and pissy so we took that opportunity in front of both real estate agents to verbally notify them we were not available for them to go through for the following two weekends. Then my husband met with the lawyer this morning to weigh our options. You know threating to take your ball and go home when you don't even have the ball is not the brightest move in the book. At best the deal completes as intended. At worst we end up owning two waterfront properties, one of which will be sold very quickly if the first deal falls through. Of course if that happens there is the following lawsuit not something very appealing given I'm in one now (in my favour). Either way, we move on the 28th period.

BTW, I'm not sure if this is a rambling or ranting post or just one to get things off my mind. As upset and concerned as I am, some very positive things have come out of this deal so far. First I haven't killed the little snots and that is likely a very good thing. Second, I have bit my tongue a lot so as to not come back with snarky comments. Third, my husband and I are pulling on the same rope so we are gaining strength from each other. Forth, somehow despite everything I'm finding an inner calm. It's weird but I know what has to be done and so despite the stress there is still calm. Yesterday the phrase this too shall pass popped into my head and from that point the calm has grown.

Take care and many blessings to you,

Sold!!!

Exactly two months ago yesterday we listed our house. It doesn't seem like it has been that long ago. Wednesday it was officially sold but the sold sign didn't go on until Thursday after we waived conditions on the house we were buying. Once again we're making plans for turn a house into a home. We are both very excited!

Details: The house is single family well maintained brick two level with the lower level entirely below grade at the front of the house but exposed at the back much like building a house into the side of a hill. It is brick with solid structure. The yard is divided into three main areas - garage to road, garage to house, house to water. The side yards are what I would consider access areas but like the rest of the property are all maturely landscaped.

What we are gaining: The house is set on property geared towards friendly privacy. We really like this instead of fences! There's practically no privacy in our current home so that in itself will be a real plus. The house is on a dead end road off the main road so traffic will be minimum. Other gains - separate utility room, cold storage, guest room, larger dock, gas fireplace, bigger garage and mature landscaping.

What we are giving up: We are giving up the large vegetable garden and greenhouse. The moving date is early enough that I will be able to plant a few vegetables and will have some in containers but for the most part will not have any kind of formal vegetable garden this year.

We had decided to buy the other house regardless whether the HVAC or built-in appliances were working. Our reasoning for this was we have all new major appliances except the dishwasher which I had planned on replacing here this summer anyway. We found out in the early stages the AC wasn't working there and because of the age likely wasn't repairable. The owner compensated by offering to leave her three year old washer and dryer. Neither are energy efficient and since we have new front loaders, we will likely sell hers to offset some of the costs of a new AC. Yesterday we went through again to measure for appliances. We will have to do a kitchen remodel to remove her built-in stovetop and oven so the JennAir will fit but that shouldn't be too bad and it was something we knew we would have to do. Rechecking the furnace confirmed we need to go furnace shopping as well. It's a Clare Megasave I that is almost 24 years old. A bit of research revealed that we can't get parts for this beast and besides we want a high efficiency furnace something we had planned on replacing at this house. We replaced our hot water tank with an energy efficient one just over a year ago but the new house has a rental hot water tank so we will have to replace that. Oh and we found out yesterday after we had signed the papers the dishwasher didn't work so it looks like I'll be getting my much coveted Bosch. Other than that, the house is in move in condition and didn't present any problems we weren't expecting.

We had a chance to meet one couple next door who invited us in for drinks. I'm going to have to work on that aging process a bit more because they thought we might have young kids! They are really a nice couple with a lot of the same interests as us.

So there it is in a nutshell, signed, sealed, delivered and SOLD!

Agitation

Sunset
May 23, 2007

What a wonderful site to sooth the soul Wednesday night. The prospective buyers came through to do some measuring and were all over the place. I was really on edge the entire time. On one hand I understand what they are doing and I don't want to do anything to jinx the finalization of the deal but boy is it ever bothering me. That means I have had little sleep and am agitated, not really a good frame of perspective. They are coming through in about an hour with a contractor/inspector because they want to see if they can do a particular renovation involving a flat roof. We do not want them or anyone else walking on this roof not that you can't structurally but we were told when we bought the place that walking on it could cause leaks. Besides if they were to accidently fall we would be liable. So we told our real estate agent that we did not want anyone on that section of roof. She has them bringing a ladder with the specifications of no one on the roof. Hopefully tomorrow I can report all is well, the deal is signed and the last of strangers trooping though our house. Wish us luck!

A Touch of Yellow

Goldfinches
May 3, 2007

What is a garden without birds? I look forward to the return of the goldfinches each spring. I posted this picture to my gardening blog yesterday but thought I would share it with my readers here as well. Goldfinches are beautiful little song birds that flit about the feeders brightening up the garden with their showy yellow feathers.

I've been up since about 4:30 this morning for no apparent reason other than I was tired of sleeping. Stress is suspect but not confirmed as a cause to my increasing restlessness. We went to see the grandbaby on the weekend. While enjoying a nice leisurely breakfast Sunday my husband's cell phone rang. It was the real estate agent wanting to show the house at 7 PM that night. Since we weren't home she put it off until last night. So I did the spit and shine yesterday, canned up thirteen pints of chicken stock and had chicken in the oven when they arrived so the house smelled pretty good! This young couple is pretty interested but they already mentioned they want my washer and dryer. No way! I've waited almost 30 years to get a set like this so they are not negotiable. My husband disagrees. So we are having a bit of a tiff over this when the real estate agent calls asking if they could go through again tonight, this time with their parents as they are ready to make an offer.

By 5:30 this morning I had the spit and shine done, one load in the dryer, second load in the washer and the oven doing the self clean thing. I've had a chance to take pictures of the moon, sunrise and garden as well as listen to the birds welcome the day. That leaves the rest of the day for a trip to the farmers' market and doing a small bulk cooking session. Chicken baked in roasted tomato sauce will be in the oven filling the house with a wonderful aroma while the house is being shown again. It's a good thing we don't mind eating dinner late!

Fluffy Clouds

Clouds
Mar 29, 2007

It has been a whirlwind of activity here! Our kids have been down to help do a massive clean-out in preparation for listing the house. We had two family Easter gatherings and our first grandbaby was baptized Easter Sunday. The poor little angel is so exhausted from being passed around from person to person. They were down to help me on Wednesday, went home for doctor's appointments, then back down early Friday morning. She's becoming quite the globe trotter at 3 months of age! Despite all the work, stress and activity we so enjoyed all the kids home. That's what it is all about.

Today is the dog & pony show as one of my kids call it. The house was officially listed yesterday so around 11:30 am all the agents from the real estate firm will be parading through the house. I seriously hate the process of selling. People always comment on your stuff, decorating choices and homemaking skills even though they should be looking at the house itself. It's still our home but while listed I view it more as a house waiting to become a home. I think that is the only way I can deal with the process of selling.

Have a great day!