Wednesday, January 2, 2019

New Year’s Resolutions


I wonder how many people make New Year’s resolutions any more?  I don’t usually but I’ve been thinking a lot about 2019 these last two weeks.  I wasn’t happy for most of 2018 so I need to make changes.

My bipolar disorder was worse and every day has been a struggle.  I have developed coping mechanisms that work for me but I haven’t been using them.  I need to get back to the habit of being proactive, not reactive.

I had two knuckles on my right hand replaced and that led to months of being incapable of doing a lot of things.  That was very depressing but it was worth it.  No arthritis pain left in those knuckles now.  My surgeon is a genius and I see him in April again for the other hand.  It would be easier having my left hand out of commission.

Anyways, I’m not going to bore you with the other mundane things.  The usual...exercise, lose weight, be healthier schtick.  That’s all on the list too.




But after a lot of thinking it really all boils down to being mindful, doing things with intention and taking care.

That will be my watchword this year....TAKE CARE.

Of me, and the things that are important to me...friendships, family, my pets, my home, my finances and this year, my new business.



I wish you all a happy healthy and successful 2019.

XO
Julie

Sunday, August 21, 2016

Country Corner No. 1

On Sundays, I'm going to share some photos of the countryside that I see on a daily basis.  This first series is a farmstand I haven't visited yet but I will soon.




Wouldn't you love those egg signs in your kitchen?

Have a nice evening,
Julie

Saturday, August 20, 2016

The Tragically Hip

Tonight, our national television station, the CBC will be broadcasting what will most likely be the last concert performed by The Tragically Hip.  If you don't know who the Hip are, then, you are obviously not Canadian.  They are our best kept secret.  They are the most amazing band which is fronted by the most amazing poet of our times, Gord Downie.





The reason this may be their last concert is that Gord has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.   This deadly cancer will kill this amazing man and the whole of Canada is grieving as well as celebrating with him while we still can.

It seems everyone has a favourite Hip song, mine is Bobcaygeon.  This band is the very essence of Canada and we seem to have their words and music woven into the very fabric of our lives as though by magic.  If you haven't experienced The Tragically Hip, it's not too late.  Click on this link to find out how.

Check out their music...



Sunday, April 24, 2016

Hip Replacement Surgery

My hip replacement surgery is on Wednesday so I've been preoccupied with that.  Getting some meals in the freezer, paying the bills, getting the animals to the vet, shopping for staples, trying to get the house clean as much as possible within the limitations of my hip and organizing medical equipment for my recovery.  It's all so overwhelming and I don't feel like I can possibly get every done in time.  The worst and best part has been finding out that I'm anaemic.  The treatment sure wasn't pretty but I lived through the allergic reaction and I'm feeling like I have so much more energy.  I knew I was sick and tired.  I just didn't know I was really sick and therefore tired.  Soon I shall have a functioning hip and be able to clean and organize and decorate my new house the way I wish.


I was speaking to Joe's Mom on the phone today.  She reminded me of the old days when you went into hospital the day before the surgery and you were prepared by a nurse.  Now I have to be there at 6 am and have a disinfecting shower the night before and the morning of.  I remember when I was little and went in to have my tonsils out.  My Dad snuck in a little box of chocolates.  He was always doing that for me..."Don't tell your Mother."  That one really backfired for both of us.  I couldn't sleep during the night.  I got up and ate them all.  The surgeon said I threw up chocolate all during the surgery which made it really difficult.  My throat was a lot more sore and Mom gave him hell.  I was probably too young to understand I shouldn't eat anything, even if I had been told and Dad obviously didn't think it through.  Ahhh, he was a great Dad though.


Hopefully, everything with this surgery will go smoothly.  Wish me luck!

Monday, February 15, 2016

A Belated Valentine's Day


I hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day.  It was eventful here at the Vicarage.  Nothing is ever easy but it's certainly never boring.

We woke up yesterday to a house that was a couple degrees above freezing.  Yep, we let the propane run out again.  Again?  Yes, again.   I will fix that tomorrow.  Pay my extra large bill for an emergency delivery on a Sunday and set up a delivery schedule.  Lesson learned.

So my morning was spent snuggling under the covers keeping warm. Then it was time to exchange Valentine's presents.  I got Joe a card from the puppies and the kitties.  I could tell he really liked it.  His gift to me was taped up and my poor arthritic hands just couldn't do it.  Of course, I was using a pen to try to cut the tape.  Joe took it to open and slipped.  He stabbed the pen between his thumb and first finger.  The cut was deep so we ended up at the ER.  Five stitches and some shots later; his hand is wrapped up like a mummy and doesn't hurt very much because he's a man!

The special dinner I was planning was pushed back to 8 pm minus all the frills but excellent nonetheless.  I had bought a whole beef tenderloin a few weeks ago and had taken off a nice sized roast and some lovely steaks.  The roast was delicious and tender as butter.  We really enjoyed it.  I don't mind leftovers tonight at all.

I'll be posting more as we start working on the house.  I've been picking out paint colours, YAY!  I've also been busy working on setting up an Etsy shop but more on that later.

Julie xo

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Moving Day

Well, yesterday was moving day.  We've spent the last few months cleaning, painting and decorating Joe's place in the country.  It was a lot of hard work that I didn't really enjoy.  It's a lot more fun working on a house you plan to live in, instead of one you are selling.  But the hard work was worth it.  His house is sold; it closes on the 15th.  Now we can get on with spending our time feathering our nest here in Havelock.

This morning I woke up to the sound of a horse and buggy, with Christmas bells jingling, trotting down our street.  I love small town living!

Here's some pictures of Joe's place.  I didn't take before pics.  They were pretty horrible....



Here's the front.  We didn't do any gardening.  It was terribly neglected so it was cut down and the front door was painted.






These are living room and dining room pictures.  Everything was painted.  The walls were a darker green which closed off the rooms and made them feel smaller and dark.  All the ceilings were painted white and Joe replaced all the trim from basic builder's trim.  He did such a good job.  It's amazing what a difference it made.

The walls all the way down to to front door were painted creme which takes on a warm glow when the sun shines in the front window.




Here's the kitchen which I'm actually pretty proud of....it had peeling yellowish vinyl and a very worn counter.  The wall paint was a really sickly yellow.  Honestly, with those cupboards, at first glance, I didn't think anything could help it.  We didn't have the money to take it back to the studs,  I started by deep cleaning.  Those cupboards actually changed colour, ha.  Joe had already bought new counter tops and sink.  We got those installed and I picked out a complementary glass tile back splash.  I painted the walls a warm khaki colour and replaced the floor.  We installed a new light fixture in a bathroom at home so the kitchen got the old track lighting.  It really brightened this room up.  Joe had already put up a wall of built in shelves.  I just painted them white and dressed them.  This room became warm and welcoming.



The master was turned into a tranquil retreat.  Joe had installed tongue in groove panelling.  It was partially painted in a Wedgewood blue.  Nice colour but just too 80's country style.  He laid engineered hardwood in all the bedrooms...so nice.  The master is large and features sliding glass doors to a bi-level deck in the back.

The walls were painted a warm sand colour and the black and white bedding added some graphics without being stark.  Its a lovely room to wake up to in the morning.


The bathroom on the main floor was basically gutted.  It was awful.  Everything was worn and dirty from a defective water softener which we replaced.  The beige tile in the tub had been inexpertly fixed.  Basically they had a problem area and just tiled right over it with more tiles.  It was incredibly ugly!

New tub, sink and toilet with clean, beautiful subway tiles.  The same colourway from my bathroom on Morrow Street (reusing my shower curtain, etc).  A new white "marble" floor and paint and trim made this room fresh and clean and spa-like.  It was probably the biggest transformation.

I decorated the other two bedrooms for a girl and a boy.  That was fun!

The violet girl's room had been painted a very dark teal and the boy's room was painted navy or black?!?



I was told one family that viewed the house had trouble leaving.  Their son and daughter loved "their" rooms and didn't want to go.  Unfortunately, they weren't the final buyers.  

Now comes the challenge of integrating most of Joe's furniture into our new house.  Eventually each room will be redecorated but I won't start that until January.

Now we need to get ready for Christmas!  I cannot wait for the first Christmas in our new home.


So now we say goodbye to Fraserville.  This is the lovely pastoral view from the living room.

Julie

PS Sorry for the quality of the photos.  They are from the real estate ad but lost something in translation.

Sunday, August 9, 2015

We're In!

We're finally home.

Certainly not settled yet but definitely HOME.


These are pictures from the first time I saw this house before Christmas.





Welcome home.....front hall and main floor.











Second floor bathroom and two of the bedrooms.









The back of the house.



Join us on our new adventure as we live and love in a 1892 Vicarage.


Thanks,

Julie