Today is my last day in this job and I am training my replacement. It feels a bit weird and I know I will miss this place but I am excited about my new job which starts Monday. I have new shoes, new pants (yes trousers that I bought here, therefore they can be called pants), new bag!
I dont get many new bags, I am not a girl who has a bag for every occasion therefore a new bag, to me, is a big deal.
It was 12C when I left the house this morning, grey and windy too (very windy) with a fine rain falling. It feels nice that its this warm and the clocks go forward this weekend so thats something to look forward to.
Chloe went to a pyjama party at school today in her green pyjamas as its nearly St Patricks Day. I dont think she was even aware of St Patricks day before.
We have been chatting with friends about driving to Florida next March. They have two girls too and two dogs (shelties) and we have found a divine place in Sugarloaf Key which allows pets.
http://www.vacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/87682.html?promoType=none
We would take a vehicle each, ours is a van and theirs is a crossover. We are throwing around ideas but so far have come up with:
Leave home at 7pm and drive 12 hours with the kids and other driver asleep. Hopefully this will get us just south of New York. Stop for breakfast and rest, let the kids and dogs stretch legs and play abit.
Other driver then drives for around 6 - 8 hours, with breaks and lunch, first driver sleeps. This hopefully will bring us to the Carolinas where we stop for the night.
Next day we drive to Orlando where we stay for two days and take in a park - one family goes and takes all the kids. Other family hangs out with the dogs.
After short break drive 8 hours to Sugarloaf Key with breaks and lunch in Key Largo hopefully - at Sundowners on the Bay - fabulous place
Spend week in the Keys
On way back do the reverse with another two days in Orlando and another Park.
I love the fact we are taking Dukie with us, that rocks my world.
Friday, 9 March 2012
Thursday, 8 March 2012
the 8th of March
Today is gorgeous outside - its 12C and the sun is shining.
The alarm went at 6am and I lay there for a moment thinking about the fact that in England it was 10am, and 10am on the 8th March is the exact time and date that all our worlds changed forever 3 years ago.
That was the time that it was first known that our dear friend and wonderful husband of my other dear friend has passed away. It was a terrible time.
So 3 years on and we still remember. Never forgotten, always there locked in our minds, we love you Alex.
The alarm went at 6am and I lay there for a moment thinking about the fact that in England it was 10am, and 10am on the 8th March is the exact time and date that all our worlds changed forever 3 years ago.
That was the time that it was first known that our dear friend and wonderful husband of my other dear friend has passed away. It was a terrible time.
So 3 years on and we still remember. Never forgotten, always there locked in our minds, we love you Alex.
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
oh the rage
Dons puppy keeps peeing in my house, we came home last night and saw two little pees upstairs on the landing on the carpet (RAH!!!!!!!!) next to Dukies bed. I know hes marking and I am outraged that hes marking next to my dogs bed in my home. He's not even allowed up there!
I know hes just 12 weeks and a baby but I am cross.
Hes only young but he already has growled at my children when they touched his toy - boy did he face me for that and hes already felt my wrath at peeing on my downstairs rug. straight after coming in from outside. He clearly wants to be an alpha male and quite frankly he can want, this isnt his house. He can wait for his own.
I want that dog to stay in his own domain, downstairs. I need to discuss this with Don today, when I get home. I just needed to get how I feel off my chest.
I know hes just 12 weeks and a baby but I am cross.
Hes only young but he already has growled at my children when they touched his toy - boy did he face me for that and hes already felt my wrath at peeing on my downstairs rug. straight after coming in from outside. He clearly wants to be an alpha male and quite frankly he can want, this isnt his house. He can wait for his own.
I want that dog to stay in his own domain, downstairs. I need to discuss this with Don today, when I get home. I just needed to get how I feel off my chest.
Food, running, weather
So my eating healthily plan is not err going to plan. I managed to do the finish eating before 6pm thing for about a month and I felt really good. And I also managed to run almost every day which felt even better.
Lately its been too icy outside to attempt running with a sane mind. But the other day I had a chance and off I went and it was fine, easy actually to run the 1k I could run before without needing to walk. I am hopefull I can push this to 1.5k and then 2k soon. I cant go straight to 2k as my sodding knees or pelvis could well start to complain and then I will be back to square minus 10 before I know it (yes worse than square one as I wont be able to do a thing).
And I have started snacking again in the eve, I am blaming this on 90210 which I am addicted to and need to watch at least one episode an evening, I in turn blame this on the weather so at least I am not to blame here.
Also theres too much food at work - gah! always! Thankfully I am dealing with this issue by leaving on Friday. Yes, new job starts on Monday and I am getting super excited about this. I have high hopes for this job, I want a company to retire to, I am hoping this is THE ONE
Anyways (not anyway, they add an S in Canada) its forecasted to be 13 degrees on Thursday, yes thats plus 13 (in March!!!) and I read in the Metro yesterday that its going to be a warm Spring. Now a warm spring to me is 13 - 20 C each day, thats a warm UK spring which then always turns into a cold and grey summer. So what is a WARM Spring in Nova Scotia? I shall report back in May with that answer. Well, I shall prob mention temperatures before then but I shall attempt a proper report in May.
Oh, and another tip I need to share to any Brits moving here, if you like to walk anywhere do not buy a house on an unpaved road, those roads are lethal and take forever to defrost! Just wanted to share
Lately its been too icy outside to attempt running with a sane mind. But the other day I had a chance and off I went and it was fine, easy actually to run the 1k I could run before without needing to walk. I am hopefull I can push this to 1.5k and then 2k soon. I cant go straight to 2k as my sodding knees or pelvis could well start to complain and then I will be back to square minus 10 before I know it (yes worse than square one as I wont be able to do a thing).
And I have started snacking again in the eve, I am blaming this on 90210 which I am addicted to and need to watch at least one episode an evening, I in turn blame this on the weather so at least I am not to blame here.
Also theres too much food at work - gah! always! Thankfully I am dealing with this issue by leaving on Friday. Yes, new job starts on Monday and I am getting super excited about this. I have high hopes for this job, I want a company to retire to, I am hoping this is THE ONE
Anyways (not anyway, they add an S in Canada) its forecasted to be 13 degrees on Thursday, yes thats plus 13 (in March!!!) and I read in the Metro yesterday that its going to be a warm Spring. Now a warm spring to me is 13 - 20 C each day, thats a warm UK spring which then always turns into a cold and grey summer. So what is a WARM Spring in Nova Scotia? I shall report back in May with that answer. Well, I shall prob mention temperatures before then but I shall attempt a proper report in May.
Oh, and another tip I need to share to any Brits moving here, if you like to walk anywhere do not buy a house on an unpaved road, those roads are lethal and take forever to defrost! Just wanted to share
Monday, 5 March 2012
my birthday weekend
I just had the most amazing Birthday weekend.
I am not a high maintenance Birthday girl (I dont think and I hope not!). My idea of a good day is some homemade cards and a couple of presents that float my boat. I got this and a whole lot more.
Firstly I got a new Scentsy warmer from my friend Heather and some white tea and cactus scent. I have been thinking about what warmer to buy for my living room to replace the snowflake one which needs to be lovingly put away until next December 1st. The deadline for this is March 21st and now I have my new Spring /Summer one - its called Enchanted and its beautiful. White tea and cactus is a lovely fresh Spring/Summer scent (to me) and I am looking forward to putting this one in my front room - thank you Heather.
The day before my Birthday was a handy Saturday and I spent the morning walking the dog and then the afternoon hanging out at the local Spa having my Valentines Day gift of facial, hand massage with warm paraffin treatment and hot stone foot massage, was bliss! Then I came home and we went to Ruby and Steves for dins, the most divine pork roast! I love it there
My Birthday dawned bright and early and I crept out of bed at 6.45am to have some lovely me time with coffee and this laptop. This lasted all of well three minutes when I was joined by both children and Paul. Now I am not complaining but 20 minutes of me time would have been rather nice first, especially as the light was so good coming into the house.
Anyway, we had some pancakes and bacon for breakfast cooked by my darling man and then I walked Dukie and had a shower. We all got ready and drove to Tracey and Nics house where we left the girls.
We then drove to MicMac Mall where we walked to a store and Paul asked for a girl called Emma who gave him and envelope for me, inside it was some vouchers from Tracey and Jenne for a store called Rickis that has a ravishing raspberry coloured bag that I had my eye on. So up we went and I bought it. Clutching my new bag we then drove to Chapters bookstore (or rather book kingdom as it has a Starbucks in it!!!) where I spent a merry hour or so choosiung $73 worth of books - heaven!
We then lunched in Montanas - mmmmm kapow shrimp, loaded potato wedges and quesidillas! After that we mooched around Home Depot - I LOVE Home Depot and we had no kids and we need a new bathroom so I figured that research of these things is fun. Then back to Tracey and Nics for roast dins. They had decorated the windows with Happy Birthday messages from the girls
It was an all round awesome weekend.
I am not a high maintenance Birthday girl (I dont think and I hope not!). My idea of a good day is some homemade cards and a couple of presents that float my boat. I got this and a whole lot more.
Firstly I got a new Scentsy warmer from my friend Heather and some white tea and cactus scent. I have been thinking about what warmer to buy for my living room to replace the snowflake one which needs to be lovingly put away until next December 1st. The deadline for this is March 21st and now I have my new Spring /Summer one - its called Enchanted and its beautiful. White tea and cactus is a lovely fresh Spring/Summer scent (to me) and I am looking forward to putting this one in my front room - thank you Heather.
The day before my Birthday was a handy Saturday and I spent the morning walking the dog and then the afternoon hanging out at the local Spa having my Valentines Day gift of facial, hand massage with warm paraffin treatment and hot stone foot massage, was bliss! Then I came home and we went to Ruby and Steves for dins, the most divine pork roast! I love it there
My Birthday dawned bright and early and I crept out of bed at 6.45am to have some lovely me time with coffee and this laptop. This lasted all of well three minutes when I was joined by both children and Paul. Now I am not complaining but 20 minutes of me time would have been rather nice first, especially as the light was so good coming into the house.
Anyway, we had some pancakes and bacon for breakfast cooked by my darling man and then I walked Dukie and had a shower. We all got ready and drove to Tracey and Nics house where we left the girls.
We then drove to MicMac Mall where we walked to a store and Paul asked for a girl called Emma who gave him and envelope for me, inside it was some vouchers from Tracey and Jenne for a store called Rickis that has a ravishing raspberry coloured bag that I had my eye on. So up we went and I bought it. Clutching my new bag we then drove to Chapters bookstore (or rather book kingdom as it has a Starbucks in it!!!) where I spent a merry hour or so choosiung $73 worth of books - heaven!
We then lunched in Montanas - mmmmm kapow shrimp, loaded potato wedges and quesidillas! After that we mooched around Home Depot - I LOVE Home Depot and we had no kids and we need a new bathroom so I figured that research of these things is fun. Then back to Tracey and Nics for roast dins. They had decorated the windows with Happy Birthday messages from the girls
It was an all round awesome weekend.
Friday, 2 March 2012
First year - what we have learnt
We have been here in NS for almost a year and we have learnt so much, the key things that spring to mind are:
1. You have to be prepared to re-learn your adult life to a degree, e.g. we did not know what brand of paint to look for, having been used to Dulux, Crown or B&Qs own etc. We didn’t know what cars to steer clear of or what was a reasonable price for sugarpuffs.
2. Sometimes trying to make the right decisions for your family, your pocket and potential consequences when you have little or no background information is exhausting
Martinique Beach on a very foggy day
3. Having 4 seasons is refreshing. I love the build up to each season – wood delivery in readiness for winter and having all your tires changed on your car. Spring cleaning ready for Spring and Summer living, getting the pool up and running for summer. Pumpkins outside for Fall and decorated for Halloween. Getting all your decorating and other boring jobs done when the weather is naff so all your weekends are free to enjoy in the winter and summer.
Cottage weekend with our friends
4. Learning to buy different food. Our weekly shop is based on the flyers. We try not to buy anything that’s not on offer as it makes a massive difference to the cost of groceries. The upside to this is the increased variety of our meals.
5. Canadian experience, there is no point coming to another country and thinking that you are a good accountant or other professional that they NEED. Without Canadian experience you are not as good as the next person who does have it. They may still use fax machines here (WTF??) but they don’t count you as being from the future.
6. Road trips that are less than 4 hours long are not road trips. Driving to the US is a road trip. Thankfully the highways are wide and the traffic to a degree is minimal, it’s a lot easier to drive long distances here.
7. People work hard here, its not uncommon to have 2 jobs and work a 12 hour shift. People are not rich, they do not have cleaners, they enjoy their lives, make the most of their money and take enjoyment from the small things in life. Makes some in the UK appear pretentious and always wanting.
8. We are better people here. We are outside more and making improvements to the house, we get to spend days at the most beautiful beaches, we hardly watch TV in the summer but accept we can in the winter. We socialise more whilst spending less. Restaurants are nice but much more of a treat, a home cooked meal with friends has more weight in our lives now than it did before.
9. Our children are free to play in the neighbourhood, ride their bikes, swim in our pool with the kids next door and run in the ocean waves. Life has more quality, an ice-cream enjoyed for 50 cents is a memorable part of a day, back to the simple stuff.
10. We are no longer planning ahead constantly and living in the future. Sure, we have plans but at last this is our home for a long time and we are now living in the moment. Its exhilarating to be able to just be.
friends?
One of the things I have noticed most about emigrating is behaviour of people and I have had to come to terms with things that I have always considered unpleasant and tried to avoid. Back in my old life in England I hated to offend anyone and worked hard at my friendships even with people that maybe I shouldnt have as we didnt naturally get along.
I hated the thought I that I wasnt liked by everyone.
Since moving here I have had to accept "best friends" dumping me. I tried to reconcile, I was immensely saddened, I analysed, I questioned all my actions and in the end I accepted.
When we moved we mets lots of new people online that were already here that offered immense support before and after our move and we were so very grateful. We were in a land where we had no real friends. As time has passed some of those people have slowly disappeared out of our lives. I have again questioned my actions, behaviour and how I come across. I have tried to salvage those early friendships and its taken a while to accept that people dont always want to be your friend.
This before would have horrified me, now having been pushed into facing it as a reality it has been both painful and enlightening. People dont always want to be in your life and actually thats ok.
We have since our move made some great friendships with some good people who want to be in our lives and I cherish that. So now, I shall appreciate those people that I get on with and that get on with me, I shall invest time and energy into those people.
I will always appreciate those that were kind and friendly and supportive of our move here, and I will recognise that we dont need to remain friends.
I hated the thought I that I wasnt liked by everyone.
Since moving here I have had to accept "best friends" dumping me. I tried to reconcile, I was immensely saddened, I analysed, I questioned all my actions and in the end I accepted.
When we moved we mets lots of new people online that were already here that offered immense support before and after our move and we were so very grateful. We were in a land where we had no real friends. As time has passed some of those people have slowly disappeared out of our lives. I have again questioned my actions, behaviour and how I come across. I have tried to salvage those early friendships and its taken a while to accept that people dont always want to be your friend.
This before would have horrified me, now having been pushed into facing it as a reality it has been both painful and enlightening. People dont always want to be in your life and actually thats ok.
We have since our move made some great friendships with some good people who want to be in our lives and I cherish that. So now, I shall appreciate those people that I get on with and that get on with me, I shall invest time and energy into those people.
I will always appreciate those that were kind and friendly and supportive of our move here, and I will recognise that we dont need to remain friends.
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