Aren,t Little People Wonderful

We are settling in nicely in our new home.
It was a frantic time the first 3 weeks or so. Don was having trouble keeping up to my pace of hanging / arranging / planting and organizing but it has been worth it. Now the front is landscaped the pictures are in place and furniture organized so we can relax and enjoy.

This week we have or smallest member of the family visiting. Her family have gone camping but I convinced her parents that she would be happier here with Grandma and Grandpa. Fun to have little people around. We are loving every minute.

Don,s shed arrives tomorrow. Also cement for the base. Hope Abby wakes us up early -- the crew is set to arrive at 7:30.,

Other additions to our outside projects include a sun shade.
Sadly I can,t seem to make this Apple mini add more than 1 picture.

Life is good.
Love our new location-- close to the city -- almost in the country. The best of both worlds.

Make each day count.
Enjoy your day whatever it brings.

Getting Settled

OK --- moving is a drag, but it is behind us now. The boxes are unpacked (mostly) Pictures are starting to find new homes. We have a Murphy bed assembled and ready for company and closets are somewhat organized so we can find things. This is a small house ----- kind of like a 2 bedroom apartment with a garage and small yard (with tons of potential). Keeping down the clutter and having things in their place is essential for ones sanity because you can't get away from it ---- all space is used.

Todays tasks included finding and ordering shower doors and a small shed for storage --- Don likes the garage for his car. Next it was off to Lowes for cupboard organizers and blinds for the basement windows.Tomorrow will be busy!

Before supper we cut the grass for the first time --- a mere 15 minute job-- quite a treat after the 3/4 acres we used to cut.

After dinner we rewarded ourselves with a long walk along the canal.

This path stretches 23 miles from Port Weller where we live to Port Colborne. It is great for walking or cycling --- flat and paved . Like the Rhine River in Germany transportation options line the canal --- boats – walking paths and auto route all side by side. The far side of the road is boarded by lucky homeowners who have positioned their patios under shady trees to watch the river traffic ----- awesome!

The far side of the canal is lined with cherry trees which are loaded with fruit at present. The trees glitter with streamers and guns are sounded regularly to keep birds away. (reminds me of picking blueberries years ago)

The locals are friendly. We stopped to chat with a cyclist who noticed a beaver swimming in the canal. Sadly we weren't able to spot it but we will keep watch in future.

Last stop was a snack break for Don. Two girls were sharing a pizza and were more than happy to share once Don did his sit up and beg routine (kidding --- we asked if they were eating the best pizza around and they insisted Don try it and make his own decision). You can be sure he will be looking for these two next time we walk --- it was good pizza.

More jobs ahead tomorrow but we have decided from now on each day must include some outdoor activity ----- after all August is approaching and we have to be able to keep up with the grandkids when we hit the hills in Europe .

The adventure continues!

All Settled In?

I know it has been a while. It is true ... Time flies!
We are slowly getting settled in our new home. The appliances are hooked up, the boxes are unpacked and the pictures are slowly finding a new perch.
I am trying very hard to tick off the jobs to be done 1 at a time. Problem is in this household we run on 2 speeds --- mine and Don,s. I am working on tomorrow .... He is trying to catch up on yesterday. Together we will have this place feeling like home in no time.
Our main project this week was assembling a Murphy Bed. We bought it from Costco and it came in pieces. The bed part is now complete and we just have the side shelves to assemble. Anyone contemplating this project should have some carpentry experience and have at least 1 assistant --- this can,t be assembled by 1 person. We are happy with our project so far. We purchased a nice firm mattress from Sears so our guests should sleep well when they visit.
We did take time off this week while our daughter visited from California. We had a wonderful few days exploring the area so alive with vineyards , fruit farms and busy marinas. It is a treat to walk the canal (just minutes from our house by foot) and see the freighters pass by. Niagara-on the Lake is just a 10 minute drive past lush farms of peaches and cherries. Hard to get back to work now with so much to see and do.
Moving has its ups and downs. Everything is new but it takes time to make new friends and feel part of a community. People however are friendly here so we look forward to soon sharing a glass of wine or local adventure with the locals nearby.
We also hope friends and family will make time to share this new location with us.
Till then I will keep wine chilled and the BBQ primed.
Days are made for sharing.
Always new adventures awaiting.

A Cottage Essential

OK ----- who recognizes this ----

Found this in the cupboard here. No one knew what it was! Everyone thought it a fire hazard. To me it is one of those items every  "real" cottage has.
If you know what this is you have given away your age.
It is in great shape and ready for action. Yup --- I can smell the toast burning at breakfast already. Can't wait.




Simon was in charge of the morning entertainment.

The kids ran up and down the hill outside the cottage trying to keep up with Simon's new toy. They chased it! It chased them. Can you see it?

This little car provided  hours of fun. So glad you brought it Simon.

We spent most of today at the boathouse. If I had a cottage this building is all I would need.
 There are 3 very stable kyaks available for our use. Life jackets are available for every size. The kids enjoyed being paddled around the lake.
Animal sightings have been few here. Squirrels and chipmunks seem to be the main residents although a family of Canadian Geese did pay a visit today.

Tomorrow there is promise of fresh fish ........!!!!
A photo shoot is being planned........
Cottage uniforms are being  created .........

Never a dull movement.

This is the best!!

Cottage Resort

 We arrived at the cottage after a beautiful drive through northern Ontario. As you can see " cottage " is a debatable  description ..... Not like any cottage I have been to. We are very comfortable with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms in the main house plus 2 bedrooms and a bath in the Boathouse.

Main house has 2 cozy rooms with fireplaces and a large sun room. The kitchen is gourmet .... Love the double wall stove and oversize fridge. (There are 2 other fridges on premise)

The kids are enjoying the boats and beach but wondered why we arrived by car when the neighbors flew in this morning .... way out of our league but we are trying to get used to this life-- 

The kids have adapted no problem. So great to see them all together....amazing how well they  get along.

I am getting tons of decorating ideas for our new house .... I'm thinking cottage chic!

Weather is great.Sunny but not too hot.
Time spent with my girls and their families ..... this is the best!

Life is good.

No plans to do much but enjoy....and why not.

Back to reality ..........soonish

For today I'm lov'in it!

                 So cute...... a walk down country roads.

 

Our boathouse quarters ---- away from early risers!

This one is for Sherri

Surprise surprise .... I am back ...... Sherri keeps nagging me and being busy really can't be an excuse (although that is the one I have been falling back on!)

Life has become VERY busy ..... sometimes we make our own busy-ness I think.
Anyway in March I left my computer power cord in Ottawa so had no computer to blog on until May 24 when we retrieved it. During the time without computer we sold our house in London and purchased a new one in St Catharines. For the past 5 weeks we have been homeless  spending most of out time in Oakville with 3 busy little people .......never a dull moment.
Next Wednesday we move into our new home...... exciting but uncertain since we really don't know anyone in the area.However we will be in a great location nearer to Oakville and visits to Ottawa.  Also just blocks from the water, wineries, peach groves, Niagara and Buffalo. Life is an adventure so we look forward to exploring this new area and hope  family will enjoy visiting when they are able.
Today we are packing up and heading to Huntsville for 5 days. Kari and Alastair have rented a cottage for everyone to stay in so it will be extra special to have the whole family together for a few days.
I look forward to this mini vacation before returning to southern Ontario and plunging into the joys of unpacking .... co-ordinating deliveries...confirming utility hook ups and generally just  getting settled.
Will try to be more regular with updates on life on the move.
Watch for pictures of cottage life ......
Change is inevitable ..... enjoy each day.
Thanks for the encouragement Sherri .... you inspire me!

Ron

We are in Florida visiting cousins. I talked about Anne yesterday so only fair I report on Ron today (don't want him feeling left out)

Ron is a work in progress! He needed some work .... I think we made progress.

Where Anne's T-shirt reads ---- DETERMINATION
Ron's reads ---- been there - done it all -- don't anticipate much more!

Life has become one big "take away" --- his boat / his truck / his motor scooter!

Ron does have some serious health issues. He will undergo surgery early April.  His blood report right now isn't good so his energy level is low.

When we arrived I thought  Ron and his chair were permanently attached --- everything he needed for the day was at his finger tips. Not good.

He needed motivation.
It was parked in his driveway. He has just purchased a new Lincoln MKX SUV --- beautiful.

Funny how we managed to find somewhere we just had to go --- every day. Don would drive and Ron would navigate (no way was that car leaving the driveway without him in it). At our various destinations there was shopping to be accomplished. Ron walked Costco - Sam's Club - Walmart - and the Deli. We did let him snooze while we bought groceries. Point is ----- he was out and about and getting exercise.
As we age it gets harder to do what we know is good for us --pacing our day -- eating properly -- regular exercise -- proper rest. The effort however is worth the reward -- we feel so much better.
I hope you enjoyed all the exercise Ron. I know you appreciated being out and about.
Hope your surgery goes well.
Thanks for the hospitality.
Keep moving. We will be back --- we owe you a picnic!