The move was totally HORRIBLE

The last few months during contruction were trying, but it was nothing compared to the first three days of last week. So much went wrong, it was unbelievable... I know it's normal for a new house, but I think we were cursed.
We are coping, but I am still frazzled and there is still some work to be redone on the house.

What went wrong?
These are just a few of the things that were discouraging:
Getting defective hardwood floors.
Getting the wrong color cupboards (when you paid thousands of dollars extra for the color) and when the company came to take them back to the shop they did not take the ones in the bathroom that were the same...
Getting yelled at by the builder just for mentioning said bathroom cupboards .
Getting the wrong outside French door that you paid for, and on top of that it’s crooked.
Getting the wrong keys to the house and realizing it around 7:00PM when everybody is gone home.
Getting a garden door that doesn’t stay locked.
Getting a garage door that doesn’t lock.
Getting a scratched front door.
Being obliged to deal with the builders’ notary who is late giving you an appointment, even if you called him a few times, (he finally called at 7:30 AM the day of the move!) And then, he has the wrong number but blames the bank
Having to pay a penalty because of that.
Having the bank blame the notary.
Having the notary ask you for $24 000 more than expected because he made a mistake.
Having to sign some preoccupation papers urgently when the moving van is waiting at the door of the new house otherwise they will not let us in (all this because of said notary).
Getting the movers to bring a couch from Toronto that can’t fit in the stairs and that has to be stored in the garage.
Having a heirloom piece of furniture that can’t fit in the stairs and having to store it in said garage.
Getting a flood on the hardwood flors in the former home on the last day it was legally ours....

I was so overwhelmed, frazzled and it was such a major change of scenery that the first time I watched TV, I was surprised we had the news from the Ottawa area at the new house (which is still in Gatineau...) I guess that, mentally, I was travelling abroad!
NEVER AGAIN
Now if I can get a few good nights of sleep I will be able to turn the page and look ahead to enjoy the place

Blog problems, help me Stechie!

Hi Lovelies! (as our Diva Loca would say - I like that!)
I have been trying to upload pictures and nothing seems to work tonight. I even knew which ones I wanted to post, but I can't find the new pics... I am sure we uploaded them from the card last night. I guess I am computer challenged tonight or something...

Well, we had a lovely time in Maine : 2 weeks by the ocean... so relaxing. This place is my little piece of paradise, my source of energy. The ocean, the waves, the sun glittering and my wonderful family and friends. I love it all.

We have been going back to the same place for about 16 years, like old horses going back to the same stable. But it works for us, we relax, we forget about work and we reconnect with our inner kid... Ok, ok - I know, mine is never very far. We also eat lobster a lot, really. We go on a lobster diet or bender. I never get enough. We discovered last year that buying the lobster already chucked, picked, unshelled (what's the word - anyway, all fixed up and ready to eat) was less expensive than in the shell! Go figure! Since I hurt my arm, almost 10 years ago, Dave has been fixing it for me, so he is delighted -less work for him and more lobster in my tummy.
Apart from eating, we play in the waves, body surf or with a boogie board, read on the beach, build sandcastles, play with the kids on the beach and just relax and have a good time. The air is so pure and fresh. We fall asleep listening to the waves. We spend a lot of time on the beach, it's huge and wonderful.

And we came back to the craziness of building a house. Especially when it's in the first batch of a brand-new development and we bought on plans only, it is quite daunting at times, and frustrating and exciting too. It's coming along, today, the tiles were laid in the front hallway and bathroom (and probably in the master bath-we did not see, we could not go in because of the freshly laid tiles), the walls were painted and the kitchen was installed (less the counter top). Yeah! The kitchen seems to looks like I had imagined - that's so great - well, we sneaked a look through the back French doors and had to go up some kind of scaffolding - I am being very careful - klutzy me wants to be able to move.)

We are supposed to move next Tuesday. The packing is coming along, mostly thanks to the Tasmanian devil of packing (or the Pacmanian devil as I started to say - it's quicker!!!!) I have done my share, but he is the KING of packing. That's very nice.

I will try to figure out what I am doing wrong about the pictures, Stechie please help!
Good night

Sorry, I have been MIA!

So so sorry... I have been MIA. Just too busy with the move and the construction of the new house. Also, we went on holidays for 2 weeks in Maine. Will try to post pics tomorrow. Have a good week my friends...

I have been “TWILIGHTED”!

What is it about those books and that movie?
Being curious, I rented the movie and I liked it. Then Bella (aka Stepahnie) told me she was reading the books and that it was WAY better than the movie and that’s why she was MIA. But she wanted to read them again in English... Mmmmm... When I visited Kathy in New York State April, I noticed the entire collection in her daughter’s bedroom that we were using. So we called Kelly at college to ask if I could borrow them. "Yes as long as you don’t leave any boogers in them!". Don’t worry Kelly, I have no plans to do that! And the rest is history. I am hooked. I am now an addict. I read the 4 books within a month (only at night before falling asleep). When I closed the last one, I just started reading the series again. OK What is the matter with me? I don’t read romance novels. I don’t read vampire novels. It takes me years to re-read a book. Isn’t 52 a bit old for teenager literature? Well, I don’t have to wonder about my immaturity level anymore!
And I am not the only one. I spoke to friends who were as or more addicted than me : watching the movie three times in a row, buying the kind of magazine you guiltily read from the corner of your eye while waiting at the cash at the grocery store, roaming the Internet to catch a glimpse of the trailer of the next instalment, or find out if the author is planning a fifth book.... What has happened to us? It is quite a phenomenom....
I can’t wait for the new movie : November 20th. Normally, I never know when a new movie is coming out. I guess I have simply been "Twilighted"!
I am thinking of getting a bunch of addicts together to go see the new movie... Would be fun... What do you think Stechie?
Anyone else has been Twilighted?

Shhhh! Don't tell Suzan! It's a surprise!

Multi Media from Stéphanie's Class for my friend Suzan

My dear friend Suzan was operated for a tumour in her head last Thursday. Fortunately, it was attached to her bone, rather than her brain. Everything went well, but it was very serious. She is recuperating well and we are waiting for the results of the tests to confirm it is benign. She has been my friend since we were 6 and she is more than a sister to me. She lives in Quebec city. I have been extremerly worried. I try to phone her everyday to cheer her up.

I enjoyed doing the mixed media so much and I realized I kept thinking of Suzan throughout the class. So I decided to stay during the afternoon at the Scrapbox to make her another piece with a picture from the wonderful cruise we took together in February, to remind her that we still have a lot of cruises and trips to take together. I hope she enjoys it and it helps keeping her positive while she recuperates.
I will take it to Purolator at noon tomorrow so that she receives it as soon as possible.
Suzan, I love you.

Calendar for my Girls - December

Ok, I guess I still have a lot to learn. I don't seem to be able to put those pictures in order. Sorry about that. So that was the calendar...

August, Sept., Oct. November