So long, Roosevelt

We have been moved out of the house for 23 days. Closed on June 12.  Everything couldn't have gone better; events happening according to a schedule even though the prerequisite offer to those said events was serendipitous.

I listed the house just when it needed to be, although it took a few weeks longer due to snow, final touches and negotiating with the real estate agent a proper price.  A very interested buyer submitted an offer, meeting the asking price plus 100.00, with in 24hrs of listing.  I accepted it after the weekend. The inspection, the negotiations, the bank assessment, the fixes, etc. all happened within  two month time frame. The buyer agreed to a later closing day to accommodate my child's school year schedule. The buyer was perfect and sweet, which made passing on the house so much easier.

 

The 4+ weeks time I gave myself for sorting through stuff, eliminating and moving boxes down two floors to main floor and then to basement and out to POD. Working several hours a day, enough to feel like I was making progress yet also spending valuable time with preschooler, scheduling swim lessons and book club assuring we get out of the house.  Enough of a work out but not kill me. Realizing and Recruiting my  neighbour to help me move one big item each day into the POD, allowing me to then stuff it like a puzzle with all the little boxes.   Everything that I wanted fit into POD and everything I decided to part with, either selling or giving away went.

An Ode & and Twang to the house on Roosevelt

It just could not have gone better. Even budgeting my savings to last a year, down to the last $100.00 dollars, before closing and receiving the house $$. Phew!

I'm officially a visitor in the US now, another thing I needed to deal with, surrendering my VISA. We are living out of suit cases in a friends house, enjoying our easy going month of nothingness but summer fun in July.

What happens next, a bit of mystery.  Hopefully events will unravel in the same smooth way. Moving to Ottawa, finding a job or making one happen. Getting kids enrolled in their new schools.... or perhaps some other kind of adventure. Who knows.

This blog was originally about renovating the house, with a whole lot of other stuff happening in between. I believe, this is where it ends too, until my future becomes more apparent!

"So long, Marianne", as we used to say

Yummy Russian Sage

I posted this picture on my photo blog, but I love looking at it and want to post it here too.  I planted the Russian Sage beside my driveway / parked car. As I swung open the door, I looked over at the buzzing plant, assessing the bee situation. Many bees have found the plant this summer; I am not sure if its due to the hot weather / no rain or if it just took them three years to find it, but its a buzzing!  Just as I noted the bees were minding their own business, my eyes fell upon this gigantic, beautiful dragonfly. He was sucking back nectar too. He didn't flinch or budge as I moved in closer and closer.

I have never seen a dragonfly sit still for so long, allowing me to stand this close to take his picture. Or a dragon fly so big; I had to step back in order to capture his entire body. Bees were buzzing through the plant, I thought I might get stung, but it was worth it. I had dreamed of taking a close up of a dragon fly, and oh how lucky I feel now!

Happy weekend!

Funky, artful weekend past

We had grand plans this past Saturday (6/4/11). We started out with a plan and energy abound and made it to Funk and Waffles for breakfast. This seemed like the natural place to eat before going to the funky flea market.

Our 2nd time here and my son has already pinned a table for us. The gold velvet sofa.

We then explored the Funky flea market. Typically, in this town, antiques are over priced and the pieces are less antiquey and more flea markety.  And the flea markets are merely a mass collection of Ty Beanie Babies.

I was excited to find a flea market that was full of vintage items properly {=why not buy it} priced. This was the first year for the event and I hope it continues and grows.

A moody day for vintage finds.








.




Our day was interrupted switched over to a soccer league game.  After the game our exploring around town turned  social {for my son} so I took the opportunity to practice the art of nothingness  (i.e lay on sofa under ceiling fan, flip through magazine, tickle baby)

The other planned touring included Food Festival,  Westcott Art Trail and a neighbourhood yard sale. Thankfully they are reoccurring events. The art of nothingness needs practice.

Blooming trees

Maybe not the best day to capture the beauty of the flowering trees ... or maybe its because they are drive-by snapshots from my car window! Pretty, none the less.


Blooming trees:

I love this weeping, skinny trunk tree:

And then there is this W I D E weeper:

Any my Japanese Maple that I bought and planted last year. I am happy & relieved to see some sprouting leaves.

And my little buds: