I'm moving!

Hello Everyone,

I've been looking for a new place for a while and tomorrow I'm signing a lease for a one bedroom in the NW. I'm spending a lot of time up there (Jerry will be one neighbourhood away) and it's a great location. 4 blocks to mall and C-Train station. Slightly shorter commute to work (and less steep hill going home). 20 minute walk to Kensington (fun neighbourhood for coffee, window shopping and people watching), 30 minute walk to downtown and Prince's Island. The street is an on-road bike path and it's a nice, safe neighbourhood.

The apartment itself is a little less nice then my current one and more expensive. Why move then?

1. Well, location is a big factor. Jerry and I have been dating for over 1 1/2 yrs and I'm tired of the 40 minute bike ride to see him. It's an ongoing joke that we have a river between us and it doesn't matter who is visiting who - there's still a hill to climb. We'll be able to spend more time together and his place is directly on my way to work so I can stop in for morning coffee.

2. hardwood/linoleum flooring. Much easier to clean for pets. Much easier for my bike.

3. garden. There's a 15'x15' garden in the back I can share with the upstairs tenants. Won't have to go all the way to the university for growing veggies anymore!

4. laundry. No more washing my clothes in the bath tub

5. not having to deal with my landlord. I've had to call every month for the past 6 months to find out when they were coming to pick up the rent. This month was the worst. They went on vacation and I was calling for 2 weeks waiting for someone to come pick it up. They also want the rent in cash so I have to stand in line for 20 minutes each month. There's family politics. Noise carries terribly in this apartment and I can hear the dog's claws as she walks across the floor. And they aren't super noisy upstairs at all. It's just that I'm very quiet so I hear everything.

The apartment itself was not quite what I was looking for but it has potential. The lease is for 6 months, then it'll go to month-to-month. I'm quite happy with this arrangement. There's a huge storage room (almost the size of my current bedroom) off the kitchen. The main entrance leads to the kitchen. Open concept. Living room slightly larger than my current one. Bathroom is accessed through the bedroom. Bedroom a bit smaller and no closet but I have a shelving unit with a clothing rail I can use. There's no tub but Jerry has said that when I desperately need a bath, I can go to his place. It's small too but I can deal with it. Kitchen cupboards a bit small but I don't use all the space in my current ones. New appliances. Windows have window wells so although I get a lot of light, there's still privacy. I was originally looking for a suite in an apartment building so I could have a balcony but there are few places that allow pets.

The upstairs tenants are reponsible for looking after the front and I would be responsible for the back (cutting grass, shovelling snow etc). I'm ok with that since I enjoy these things. As well, with the back yard, I could get a bbq or picnic there or sit under the treee and read a book. There's a convenience store across the street and a yummy donair place in the next block over.

So, I'm paying rent at 2 places for the month of March. That's expensive but the moving stress is completely lifted. I'll move most of my stuff over the next couple weeks (Jerry's roommate has a truck) so I can do a good thorough cleaning of this place. I've been here for a couple years and with pets, it'll take a bit more than the average move-out clean.

This apartment served its purpose. It was originally to cut down on costs by having a roommate. I now don't need one, and I'm not reliant on transit anymore. It's at the top of my budget but I think I will end up cutting down on some of my entertainment costs. As well, there's a great Chinese grocery store about 12 blocks away that has super cheap and very good quality fruit. Grocery store is 4 blocks away.

Once I get settled in, I'll take some pictures.

More photos

The first picture show Mike and Whiskers in their attempt of playing nice. They share the water. Whiskers often rushes over to Mike's food bowl when I fill it (but doesn't eat anything). Shortly afterward they got into their regular argument with Mike swatting Whiskers and Whiskers charging back. Neither won as I stepped in to break it up.

The second picture is me at Sunshine last month. Note the very cute pink helmet. This is by Jerry's Run (named for a local trapper that just had his 92nd birthday and is well known at the resort). The AB/BC border runs through the resort. I now have nice snowboard pants so I can retire the ugly bulky grey ones for the cute green ones I got last weekend. I hope to try them out this weekend since it's suppose to snow all week - powder!

bunny mittens

For all my craft friends...

I love my bunny mittens. Many of you know that when I wear mittens, they often turn into puppets and they have very polite conversations with each other.

So, when I was in Banff and saw actual puppet mittens, I giggled and had to get them. Jerry laughed when I put them on. There were all sorts of animals - mice, snakes, alligators (with white beads for teeth), dogs, etc.

But I like the bunnies.

I just have to watch that the ears don't damper my bicycle bell.

So, they're knitted mittens. The under side of the ears are microfiber. The eyes are buttons. The knitting is very thick and you can't see through it to the liner. Fully lined with polar fleece.

Cute joke

I'D LOVE TO BE EIGHT AGAIN

A man asked his wife what she'd like for her birthday.

"I'd love to be eight again" she replied.

On the morning of her birthday, he arose early and made her a bowl of Coco Pops and jammy toasties! He took her to Alton Towers and put her on every ride in the park: The Death Slide, The Wall of Fear, The Screaming Monster Roller Coaster. Five hours later she staggered out of the theme park. Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down.

Right away they went to a McDonalds where her loving husband ordered her a HappyMeal with extra fries and a refreshing chocolate milkshake.

Then it was off to the movies: the latest Kiddies three hour epic cartoon, a hot dog, popcorn, all the Coke she could drink, her favourite lolly and M&Ms! What a fabulous adventure!

Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed onto the bed exhausted. He leaned over his precious wife with a big smile and lovingly asked, "Well dear, what was it like being eight again?"

Her eyes slowly opened and her expression changed to one of total realisation..."I meant my dress size, you IDIOT!"

The moral of this story: Even when a man is listening, he's still gonna get it wrong.....

I passed the rewrite!

Hello Everyone,

I just found out tonight that I passed my mid-term rewrite. I'm not out of the woods yet but I still have a chance of passing this stupid course. I need to rewrite the final but I have until mid-April to do so. I'll take a look at my schedule to see where it would best fit in.

Had a nice Valentine's weekend. Rented a car (upgraded to a PT Cruiser for no extra charge) and went to Banff. We left on Saturday late so we didn't get to snowboarding but we went to the hill and hung out with friends. Hit the hot springs. Saturday was snowboarding and I did my first run on Goat's Eye. It's a more advanced lift and although it was difficult, I got down relatively well. Had a couple nasty falls because there wasn't much powder so the board slid more and the snow was harder. Had to go for a massage today to help work things out. Spent Monday relaxing - went to hot springs, did a short hike. Jerry bought me chocolates in a pretty velvety heart-shaped box. I eat chocolate all the time but I rarely buy actual chocolates and they're very tasty.

His present had a long story based on me not wanting to study. He gets excited about Italian food so I was going to make him an Italian dessert. Problem - all the internet recipes for Italian love cake used cake mix and I don't like the taste of cake mix cake. Next was a search to see what Italians give as presents for Valentine's Day. It's not a big holiday there as they have a different holiday to celebrate love. But they often give Bacci chocolates, which are hazelnut truffles that have little love notes in the wrapper. So, I found some. Then, with the idea of love notes, I thought about a book of poetry. So my next search came up with a famous Chilean poet. Who was a character in the move Il Postito - a movie I like. Then I found a bottle of Chilean wine with a bicycle on the label to signify how the workers get to the vineyard. And finally, a candle that when melted down turns into massage oil. I'd heard a lot about them and I made sure to get a good quality one.

Anyways, I need to pull out my books again to study.

Have a great day!

Travel Changes

Hello Everyone,

We had to rebook our flights because of work time-off issues. All is sorted out and we're now coming out a month later.

Fly into Ottawa late July 28. Fly back late Aug 9. Jerry has never been to Ottawa and he's involved with politics so this was something he requested. Since he is willing to be bombarded with family, I am more than willing to accommodate this. So, we'll spend a day or 2 in Ottawa, take the train over to Toronto, spend a day or 2 there while he does business stuff. Head up to the cottage to see everyone. He hasn't really seen Ontario except for Toronto.

So if you have suggestions for things to do, let me know. I don't know Ottawa at all - went there for grade 8 trip to parliment buildings. So, maybe some relaxing activities to do after we tour the government stuff.

As for Chesley area, I was thinking Ingils Falls/Owen Sound (did lots of hiking there), Sauble beach and Lake Huron, tours around town etc. As part of travelling from the cottage, we'll stop by Blue Mountain. Where do you usually take visitors to the area? It's the whole, I grew up there so I don't have the perspective as to what's interesting.

Have a great day!

An up and down couple weeks

Hello Everyone,

Well, life has been interesting. Starting today...sold my piano. I wasn't playing it and I'm thinking about moving. Too expensive to keep paying for moving costs so I sold it (they're picking it up tomorrow) and will learn how to play the vioin. I have one of gramma's so it'll be a matter of finding a teacher this summer.

Last night found out I failed my final. So, I can rewrite this exam and still pass the course if I pass the midterm rewrite. I got 45%. Haven't got my mark back for my midterm rewrite yet. If I fail the midterm rewrite, I redo the course.

Yesterday morning, found amazing flight to Ontario for Jerry and I this summer. So, we're flying into Ottawa on June 23 and coming back July 5. Jerry hasn't really seen Ontario except for Toronto so we'll do a couple days in Ottawa, a couple in Toronto (business) and then head up to see family.

Thursday night, had my 50th blood donation. It's much easier when you give plasma. Got my picture taken, had a cupcake and then ate pho with Jerry. Then found out I need to do some major maintenance on Polly and may need to replace her frame.

Sunday I cooked "winter dinner". Jerry took my frozen turkey and turned it into a wonderful, moist yummy meal. I actually ate both the gravy and stuffing. For gravy, he took the carrots, onion and celery that the turkey roasted on, drained the juice and put everything in the blender. It tasted like thick vegetable soup. To make the turkey moist, he soaked it in brine for a couple hours.

Saturday, went snowboarding and did my first black diamond run. Spent the afternoon working on speed and confidence. Had a wonderful time.

So, I've had some great ups but frustrations with school. I really didn't want to go back into study mode in February. I'll let you know what happens.

Have a great day!