It Seems We Have Finally Arrived!

Well, it's finally here! The city inspection passed and our occupancy permit was issued this morning.

The keys should be released to us within the hour. The house is finally going to be ours!

The walk through yesterday went very well. There were a number of outstanding issues that were being taken care of later yesterday or early today. They ordered us the wrong shower door, so we may have to wait a few days on that. Some of the screens needed to be put into the windows. Paint needed touching up, and the garage floor needed to be poured.

Those things aside, the house is amazing. I'm feeling more excited, and less resentful of what a horrible experience the build was. We will never build with Reid Homes again, nor will we recommend them to anyone we know, but at the end of the day the house is pretty much exactly what we wanted.

I took some photos at the walk through yesterday, and I promise more photos of the painting this weekend and next week. Click on any image to see it larger:

Master Bedroom


Master Ensuite Shower


Master Ensuite Bathtub


Master Ensuite


Kitchen


Family Room


Dining Room


Basement


Basement Bathroom


Kitchen Back Splash


Counter Top


Dining Room Floor


Carpet (It's really like a honey color)


Main Floor Tile (Also in out ensuite)


I hope you enjoy the photos! Sarah and I are hoping to start taping this afternoon and tomorrow, and then begin the painting tomorrow evening and continue through the weekend. It's going to be very nice to have her help with this project, and in exchange, I am going to help her tile her bathroom and re-paint some of her apartment. Seems like a great trade off for both of us.

Lincoln is home from school today with a bit of a cold, but I didn't think it would matter much if we took them to the new place for a bit. I'll plan to take the portable DVD player perhaps, so that they can watch movies while we haul in the paint supplies and the light fixtures.

The builder was supposed to put up the light fixtures we purchased on our own, but no one called us to bring them over and then they claimed that was our responsibility. So, I picked up a book on basic wiring at the hardware store, and I'm going to put them up myself. None of them are ceiling fans, so it should be pretty simple. Two connections and a ground, nothing complicated. Our site supervisor showed me where the master breaker switch is, which kills power to the entire house, so that way I don't have to worry about isolating specific switches. We will just shut off the entire house and do all of the fixtures in one swoop during daylight.

Tomorrow morning the water softener people are coming to install our water softener and reverse osmosis system in the house. Jay is certainly looking forward to that, since the seriously hard water in the rental here has caused his eczema to flare up like crazy. I think it's gotten so bad he might start driving over to the new place to shower in the morning before work (OK not seriously, but I know he can't wait to move).

I think I'll just be happy to get out of this cramped little townhouse and back into a space large enough for us to actually unpack more than a few boxes.

The phone call should be coming any time now, so I'm going to get the kids rounded up so we can go over and pick up the keys immediately! Wish me luck this weekend with the painting. I'll try to get updated photos posted early next week :)

We've Just About Made It!

This evening Jay and the kids and I drove into Toronto to sign all of the papers with the lawyer in regards to taking possession of the new house. The transaction will be completed on Thursday, after we do a walk-through tomorrow and the house has been deemed complete (or close enough to it that a permit of occupancy can be issued). As long as everything is taken care of, the funds will be released to the builder on Thursday, and they will turn over the keys to us.

Quite a thing really, the whole process.

One of my friends at the gym asked me if I was excited, and you know, I think I am just too tired of all the waiting and of the arguing with the builder. I mean, don't get me wrong, part of me is excited. I'll be relieved on Thursday, once it's all said and done and we can just put this horrid building experience behind us.

I bought paint for the main floor, the kids rooms, and our room this week. I'm actually really looking forward to painting, and my friend Sarah has offered to help me as much as possible. We're going to get started this weekend, and I'm hopeful we can get the main floor finished before Monday.

I'm going to take my camera to the walk-through tomorrow, so that I can update the pictures here and also to document anything that needs to be fixed/changed. I'll also take photos again as the new paint is going on, and after it's all finished!

We are really looking forward to my Mum and Grandma coming out next week. The kids have been excited and asking every day how many more sleeps until they visit. It will be lovely to have time to visit, and to have help with he kids while I finish anything that needs to be done at the new place and then packing stuff up over here at the townhouse.

In many ways, it's been such a long process that it's difficult to believe we're right down to the wire. Only 2 more sleeps until the house is ours.

A Little Of A, A Little Of B

You know, I really wouldn’t win any awards for consistency when it comes to this website. I want to apologise for the long absence. Jay and the kids and I are all wonderful, perhaps so much so, that I haven't had much time or inclination for writing.

January felt like a blur. We got home from our trip and it seems as though I didn't have time to catch my breath before February was upon us. Jay and I celebrated 6 years of marriage on January 19th. Sarah babysat the children so that he and I could go for sushi in Milton. We found an excellent sushi bar that also has some kid friendly options, so we ended up there last night for supper as it were, and the kids loved it. Who knew that they would be so fond of green tea and pork dumplings?

We had a pile of snow last month. I can't even tell you how many times we dug out of it. So much different than the winters we were used to in Calgary.



At the beginning of February we made a weekend trip up to Bobcaygeon to visit Jay's Aunt Vera and Uncle Elmer. They have a cabin in the country, near the lake, and it had snowed a whole bunch the days before we arrived. We spent most of the weekend outdoors, sledding and building snowmen!





























It was a lot of fun spending the weekend up there, and we're looking forward to going back sometime soon. Hopefully we'll be able to go boating and fishing up there this summer with the kiddos. I think they would really like that!

We're on the count down to the house being finished. We are still on for February 28th closing date. They've sure been working on it steady, often through the weekends and there were even people there yesterday (which was Family Day here).

Only 9 days to go! I can hardly believe they will be done by then. I was in there over the weekend and took some photos:























March is going to be a very busy month! My mum and grandma are coming out to stay with us from the 5th to the 12th, to help with packing and to play with the kids while I do some painting at the new place. It will be really nice to have them out for a week, I am sure there will be time for some good visiting too.

Jay's mum and dad are coming out for Easter and staying for just about 2 weeks. We will do the remainder of the moving and begin the unpacking while they are here. It's going to be a lot, but I can hardly wait to have space again!

We had to cancel the trip to Ottawa we had planned for this past weekend. The forecast was for snow and rain, so we decided we would be smarter to wait until after we settle into the house. Perhaps in April or May we'll make it out to visit Tina again, and see more of Ottawa.

I've been going to the gym regularly again. Sarah and I have decided to be workout buddies, and so we do classes together 4 times a week. It feels good to be getting back into shape and I've already lost a few pounds! It's really nice to have someone to go with, and also since I know she is counting on me to show up, I don't skip going. The kids really like going to the childminding as well, since they get to play with all the other kids, so everyone is happy!

This post wasn't as thorough as I'd planned, but I have to dash off to pick up Lincoln and getting all of those photos sorted and put up took longer than I had anticipated. I promise it won't be long before the next update!

I hope all of you are healthy and happy! Keep your fingers crossed that the house is done on the closing day, with no outstanding issues!

Happy 2008!!!

Happy New Year!!! Another year behind us, a fresh new one laid out ahead, full of new possibilities and adventures.

Our trip to Alberta was wonderful, filled with family and friends. We spent our time in Edmonton and Rocky Mountain House, visiting and eating and getting caught up on all of the happenings. It was relaxing and laid back, which was just what I needed after the craziness of the house and Christmas and all that sort of thing. The kids adored all of the time they got to spend with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Jay and I got some much-needed time away from the kiddos, which we appreciated a great deal (Thank You SO much Mum & Dad D and Mum G).

Sydnie, who had a touch of the flu when we left, made a quick recovery. Her fever broke just after we boarded the plane to leave for Edmonton. She seemed right as rain from then on.

I had a bit of excitement while I was away. The photo I mentioned in this post, which was being considered for that Ottawa travel guide, was chosen for use. No, I won't make any money from it, but it's exciting none the less!

The gym where I volunteer also offered me a paid position there as the coordinator of the child minding. Basically the same job I was doing in Airdrie. As flattering as it was to get the offer, I decided to say no. I would have to take on more shifts, and I don't want the hassle of struggling to cover those when I need to take trips away. Also I enjoy the free time I have, and I don't enjoy working at the gym here as much as I did the one in Airdrie due to the fact that I am the only staff down there during my shift.

Yesterday the kids and I embarked on The Great Hamster Hunt Of '08. They were begging me all morning to do something about the empty cage sitting there, just waiting for a furry critter to occupy it. Finally I relented, loaded them up in the van, and headed to PetSmart. We were there for half an hour, waiting for someone to help us with hamster purchase. After having one of the clerks page twice, I was annoyed enough to leave a cart full of litter, hay, and toys and walk out with the kids. Off to a second location, not far away, in the hopes of more useful staff.

The second store was much better, the service was fast and friendly. Unfortunately they only had ONE hamster left, and it wasn't what we wanted (we were looking for a teddy bear hamster, since they are the friendliest). The older woman who was helping us felt bad, and quickly offered to call another store, to see if they had hamsters. They did, and off we went, now quite frustrated, but hell-bent on bringing home a pet regardless.

Finally, at the third store, a nice young man was quick to assist me in picking out, packaging, and purchasing an adorable little girl hamster. We were in and out in less than 20 minutes, our new addition scratching away in the cardboard carrier.

Lincoln wanted to name her Charlie, and who was I to argue? She is all kinds of cute, and has provided us much entertainment already. Although she's still a baby, and still pretty wild, she's good natured. She hasn't at all attempted to bite, despite me handling her quite a bit. The kids are in love with her, even though she's not quiet enough for them to hold her yet.







Jay and I have an anniversary coming up on January 19th. We will be married 6 years, which seems incredible, considering all that has happened in that time. I've asked Sarah to babysit for us that evening, so that we can go out to a movie or for food or something. We are looking forward to that.

We are also planning a trip to Ottawa in February, for the Family Day long weekend. It will be great to see Tina again, and it will be something to distract us from the lag of the house building.

Speaking of the house, it seems that they were insulating in our absence. We are going to take a peek inside it this weekend, and I'll take my camera. I'm looking forward to moving in there eventually, and doing my very best to avoid getting frustrated.

2008 is going to be a great year, I can just feel it!

All I Want For Christmas...Is A Hamster

Christmas is over for another year for most people, but for us, we're still in the thick of it, as tomorrow we fly out to Edmonton and do Christmas at two more houses!

I have some video of Lincoln's Christmas Concert, but I am having some trouble uploading it, so you will have to wait for that I am afraid. I also have an audio clip of him singing his song all by himself, so I will work on getting those posted here once I figure out the problem.

We took quite a few photos of the two rugrats on Christmas morning. Naturally the little rotters were spoiled. The four of us totally enjoyed the day together, playing games and eating treats, and trying out our new presents! It ended up that we did not have guests for dinner, which was just as well, even though I cooked for 15 people (as always). I think I made enough stuffing to fill half a dozen birds. Tonight I am portioning it all out into homemade TV dinners for freezing and eating later on.

Here is a slide show of the photos from Christmas Day. Just click on the arrow button to view:

Tomorrow night our flight leaves for Edmonton, and the kids are looking forward to that very much. Unfortunately, Sydnie seems to be coming down with some sort of flu. This evening she was running a bit of a temperature, seemed lethargic, and got a bit sick at supper. We put her to bed with a shot of children's Tylenol for the fever, and hopefully she feels better in the morning. It could be a very long flight tomorrow night at any rate. Please keep your fingers crossed that she gets better and not worse.

Despite that, we are sure excited to see a bunch of you. We fly into Edmonton and will be staying at Mum and Dad's there until January 2nd. We head down to Rocky Mountain House that day and stay with Mum and Rayna (Dad will probably be away for work during our visit) until the 7th, when we drive back to Edmonton and catch a flight home. Not nearly enough travel this trip, as compared to our last one in October, which is nice although we won't see as many people.

For those of you we miss this time, we are planning a very lengthy trip out in July. It will be just the kids and I for the first half, and then Jay will join us for the second half. Not too many details on that just yet, but I'll keep you posted.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and we wish you all an excellent New Year as well!

No More Monkeys Jumping On The Bed

Well, we are hurtling towards Christmas at record speed this year. Things seem to just keep happening one right after the other, so I apologise for the lack of updates here.

Earlier this week we received some very unfortunate news. Jays grandmother passed away, peacefully in her sleep, at the age of 100 years. Despite the fact that she was long lived and it had been expected for some time, it's still been very difficult for him, and for me. The kids are too young to understand yet, which is probably just as well.

Due to the timing, I'm not going to be able to go with him to the funeral this Friday. It's in Regina, and since we've already booked tickets for Alberta on the 28th, it seemed ridiculous for us to all trek out to Saskatchewan, then come back, just to fly back out a few days later. Also, most flights are sold out and it was hard enough to get a ticket for just Jay, let alone the kids and I. Admittedly I am rather upset at having to miss it. We have no one to watch the kids though, since everyone is trying to get ready for Christmas. Jay was asked to be a pallbearer, and his Aunt Reta and mum and dad and Brian are going to be there, so I am sure he will manage.

He will get back very late on Saturday night, so I intend to distract myself with the last minute Christmas baking and grocery shopping while he is away. I have also been entrusted with checking on the pets of a friend I made recently through the gym while she is away at her parents for a week. She and I became friends a couple of months ago and she has a couple of cats and rabbits and small rodents. The kids and I get to go over and feed and water them twice a day, which they are really excited about. I don't mind helping her at all since she was able to watch the kids for us the other morning, on last minute notice, while we did our first walk-through of the house.

Speaking of the house, they are actually working on it at a fairly good pace these days. We got a new site supervisor (I think our third or fourth since the house got started) and he doesn't waste any time. As I mentioned above, we did a walk-through with the electrician last week, and everything seemed to be going well.

We have another walk-through tomorrow morning, and I am going to ask Sarah (my new friend with the pets) if she would be able to come over and hang out with the kids again while we do that. Apparently there was an inspection of the framing this week and our house failed. I kid you not. The site supervisor claims it was just a few minor things that needed fixing, but it doesn't give me a lot of good feelings about our builder.

They want to start insulating and so forth next week, so I suppose that's good. I am starting to believe we actually might make it in by January 31st as they promised. More pictures are coming.

On an additional note about pictures, you may have noticed something about My Daily Photo on the side of the page there. I decided to create a separate page on which to post my photos not related to family/house/etc. Every day I put up a new picture I have taken, so I hope you will take a look. Yesterday I received a bit of an exciting e-mail in regards to one of my photos. It seems that a picture I took of the Peace Keeping Monument in Ottawa is being considered for part of an online guide to Ottawa. The photo will include credit to me and will be linked back to my collection of photos on Flickr (the photo hosting service I use online).

Here is the photo in question, snapped in August during our visit to see Tina over the summer:



I won't get paid for the use of my photo, but it's still very flattering, and who knows what other opportunities might come about as a result.

Tomorrow is Lincoln's school Christmas concert. He is playing a lamb apparently. I will be taking the camera, and I will attempt at least a few clips of video. He has been very secretive about it all, which is very cute.

Last weekend we picked up their final gift, which I have to say I might be more excited about then they will be. We decided (or rather I decided and then prodded Jay into agreement, HA HA) to get them a hamster from Santa. Since we are going to be going away right after Christmas, I went and got the cage and food and all the hamster related stuff one needs, and Santa will leave it under the tree with a note about picking out the hamster themselves with Mommy and Daddy. That way we don't have to worry about having someone look after it while we are out west. I know they are going to be thrilled.

Most of you heard about the big dump of snow we got last weekend. Jay figures just over a foot of it fell here, and it seems to be staying, which means we will have a white Christmas. The kids are quite enjoying having snow to play in, and I'll admit that as much as I dislike the cold, I prefer to have snow for Christmas than dead grass or slush.

I can hardly believe that Christmas is only 6 more sleeps away. Where has the year gone?

Counting Down To Christmas

15 more sleeps until Christmas!

We are sure excited around here :D The kids especially. Jay and I are pretty much finished up our Christmas shopping, which is a great feeling. Most of the gifts are already wrapped and under the tree.

Over the weekend we all took a trip to IKEA to get a filing cabinet (which will eventually go into the den in the new house). While we were there we found a few extra odds and ends for the new place. Bathroom hard wear for one (the builder only had one option for us, really cheap white plastic stuff, so we just removed that from the plan) and some light fixtures for the kitchen (we have two spots for light fixtures going into the kitchen). I found these product images on the IKEA website to show you guys!

Or Kitchen Light Fixtures


Toilet Paper Holders For Each Bathroom


Towel Bars For The Bathrooms With Showers/Tubs

I really like the towel bars we found because they have the double rods. You can hang the bath towels in the back and the hand towels on the front.

Also, the lighting fixtures are actually three rods, with two flexible connector sections between, so you can make them into different arrangements, like 'Z' or 'U' (as shown) and all of the light holders themselves are movable, so you can point the lights the direction you want. I think that will provide a lot of light in the kitchen.

The filing cabinet we got is actually quite attractive looking. I found an image of something similar, except the one that we bought is only two drawers high, not three.



In the future den we plan to have two cabinets like this, one for filing (the one we already have) and another with doors on the front like this, to hold our printers, scanner, etc.



There are also some really nice wall cabinets that go along with it that we are going to put up in the den, for office supplies, books, binders, etc.



All very exciting, ha ha. We got rid of our big old corner desk before we moved, so for a work surface we are just getting a small table type thing.



Can you tell that we really like stuff from IKEA? I think that the espresso brown furniture will go really nice with the golden yellow paint I have picked out for the den.

Enough about that, I don't want to bore you all to sleep!

The kids are getting super excited about Christmas. Every morning the first thing they want to do is open a new door on their chocolate Christmas calendars. Generally I make them wait until after breakfast at least, hee hee.

This coming weekend Jay and the kids and I are going up to visit Uncle Elmer and Aunty Vera at their place in Bobcaygeon. They live within walking distance of the lake and I'm looking forward to visiting with them. I'm going to take my camera too, so I promise photos once we get home.

I also plan to take a lot of photos, and maybe some video clips of the kids on Christmas morning for everyone. I've figured out how to post video online, so I'll do my best to get some put up here for you guys.

There are some pictures of the inside of the house I'll be posting within this week, so check back for that.