I'll expand this post later on the road.
I love music and songs that make you think, or that tell a story. Here's a good example of a Canadian song writer named James Keelaghan who I think is fantastic. I need a handkerchief every time I listen. Hats off to anyone who can tell a story and make you care about the characters in just the few minutes it takes to perform a song.
We had a dream, like so many others before us, to live a simple and sustainable life on our own organic farm... so we drove from Vancouver Island, British Columbia to the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia, and we've been here nearly 6 years. We love life, learning, and sharing with others. Follow our adventures as we build a vibrant small family farm and work towards self-sufficiency using a combination of traditional methods, permaculture and original ideas.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Leaving today. Hopefully.
We worked until 2:30am and now we're getting an early start on the packing and sorting. We have lots to do but are still optimistic we can be on the ferry by supper time. Wish us luck!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Well this about adequately describe my life today. I very much doubt that I'll have time do do anything more than work eat and use the bathroom. Even sleep might be optional tonight. I'm getting everything sorted out here slowly but surely. We have a full day today, the goat and van are going this evening. It looks like we'll be later leaving tomorrow than we hoped but should still be do-able.
I won't bore you with the details but it's going to be a VERY LONG DAY!!
One thing I'd like YOU to do to day is write a letter or an e-mail to a family member or friend you haven't spoken to recently and just catch up. It should take about the same time as reading my blog does, and it's always good to stay in touch.
Keep us in your thoughts and prayers! Maybe my next post will be from the road!
Going Crazy!
We spent all day in court and we're not done yet, but mostly. I typed up the order and now I have to wait to get my signed copy from Stephen's ex in the morning, then I'll file it with the court to get it signed and finalized. I'll tell you some court stories tomorrow or the next day, tonight I'm physically and emotionally drained.
Tomorrow will be the day when I lose the precious little mind I have left after today and you'll be able to watch my descent into madness. We're getting haircuts in the morning and then having Stephen's sisters for lunch. Then picking up our goat and carpet cleaner. And having our red
van towed. And after all that we have to still empty the storage lockers, finish the trailer wheels and body, make the canvas, sort out and re-pack all our belongings, donate anything that won't fit, do a couple of runs to the dump, de-flea all the animals and set up their kennels into the box we have yet to build, and then on top of all that, we have to do some mechanical repairs on the white van like the timing belt. I believe that tomorrow is going to need 36 hours, not the usual 24. It's looking like we'll be here later on Wednesday than we planned but hopefully still leaving that day.
So I'm going to do dishes and sort out some of the stuff in the motorhome. Maybe I'll work until 11 and then get some sleep to see if I can avoid going crazy before lunchtime tomorrow. Steve was working on something outside but has been chatting to our daughter Lynne and it's since gotten dark. That's ok. We can start earlier in the morning if the Court is open.
Good Night All!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
3 More Days
Boy it was cool again overnight. Even inside the motorhome it's only 13 degrees celcius and it's the end of July! It should be much hotter. While the rest of the country is baking under a cloud of mosquitoes we're wrapped up in our fleece most of the time. Still, we had good weather for the BBQ yesterday so I guess I can't complain.
The BBQ was fun and we'd like to extend a huge 'thank you' to everyone who made it out to say goodbye. Meghan got lots of nice gifts for her birthday and $55 spending money for the road so she was thrilled. And everyone got a lot to eat and drink. Lots of salads were shared and we appreciate all the time people took to make them. We have enough chili left to feed a small army so it's a good thing people are tenting outside and the gas can easily escape ;) because we'll be eating it for the next 2 days.
People trickled in and out from noon until 6. After the final tally was done we probably had 50 people come out. Plus Steve's sisters are coming for a picnic on Tuesday (I think we'll be having chili). At the BBQ we served 25 cups of chili, 30 cups of dessert made by my step-mom Janet, and drank 7 bottles of soda and 3 litres of water. All in all we ate 2 dozen weiners and approx. 10 lbs of sausage, 5 dozen buns, 3 huge bowls of salad, 6 bags of chips and cheesies and 1 litre of condiments. Wow! No wonder we were kept so busy on the grill.
Hans and Christine Stussi were very apologetic that they had an emergency and had to call Christopher in to work during the party. He got to hang out with us for a few hours and then he was working at the Cone Zone so we got to see him each time we went over for ice cream. He made $60 in wages and $23 in tips though, so he was happy. And he got to spend some time with Janet and Grandad figuring out his new laptop. He got a new laptop for his upcoming birthday, he paid the first $400 and then Grandad took care of the rest and got him all the software he needs. Now he's got something portable to use during the trip.
We love the Stussi's and their resort so we highly recommend Qualicum Bay Resort as a place to stay. Hans took Kate on a pony ride, the other girls and granddaughters got a cart ride and after we were done with the BBQ Hans opened up the water slide for us and the kids got to ride until nearly 8pm. Kate couldn't find her bathing suit so we let her slide in her clothes, and as soon as I opened the side door of the van to get something later in the evening...there was the bathing suit and towel. Still, Jordan, Meghan, Autumn her friend, and Kate all had lots of fun and were quickly joined by more than a dozen other kids.
We left the resort around 8pm and came home. We unloaded the vans, took Autumn home, and then the kids and I went to pick up Chris from work at 9 and went over to my Dad and Janet's hotel room for a visit (and to get a gift of some spending money for the trip) while Steve did some more work on the water tank. We won't see Janet for almost a year now until they stop by on their way to Mexico next Spring. And we'll miss her. Thank goodness for Skype!
It's still pretty early but I have to get going now. I have to clean over the church building so while I'm there I'll use the big tables to lay out and cut the trailer canvas. Steve got his grey water tank soldered so that there are no leaks and he's also doing really well with the new roof. Today he's talking in church but I don't know about what and then we'll be working late again with our various projects. John and Nicole are moving the bus over this evening so we'll have a couple of days to visit. We are in court tomorrow and then finishing up the electrical work for Deanna and Todd so tomorrow is a write off. Tuesday is the final day to get stuff donated and the trailer packed and we still hope to leave on Wednesday.
Ok before I worry myself to death, I'm going to get going and clean the church right now.
Pics from the BBQ to follow.
The BBQ was fun and we'd like to extend a huge 'thank you' to everyone who made it out to say goodbye. Meghan got lots of nice gifts for her birthday and $55 spending money for the road so she was thrilled. And everyone got a lot to eat and drink. Lots of salads were shared and we appreciate all the time people took to make them. We have enough chili left to feed a small army so it's a good thing people are tenting outside and the gas can easily escape ;) because we'll be eating it for the next 2 days.
People trickled in and out from noon until 6. After the final tally was done we probably had 50 people come out. Plus Steve's sisters are coming for a picnic on Tuesday (I think we'll be having chili). At the BBQ we served 25 cups of chili, 30 cups of dessert made by my step-mom Janet, and drank 7 bottles of soda and 3 litres of water. All in all we ate 2 dozen weiners and approx. 10 lbs of sausage, 5 dozen buns, 3 huge bowls of salad, 6 bags of chips and cheesies and 1 litre of condiments. Wow! No wonder we were kept so busy on the grill.
Hans and Christine Stussi were very apologetic that they had an emergency and had to call Christopher in to work during the party. He got to hang out with us for a few hours and then he was working at the Cone Zone so we got to see him each time we went over for ice cream. He made $60 in wages and $23 in tips though, so he was happy. And he got to spend some time with Janet and Grandad figuring out his new laptop. He got a new laptop for his upcoming birthday, he paid the first $400 and then Grandad took care of the rest and got him all the software he needs. Now he's got something portable to use during the trip.
We love the Stussi's and their resort so we highly recommend Qualicum Bay Resort as a place to stay. Hans took Kate on a pony ride, the other girls and granddaughters got a cart ride and after we were done with the BBQ Hans opened up the water slide for us and the kids got to ride until nearly 8pm. Kate couldn't find her bathing suit so we let her slide in her clothes, and as soon as I opened the side door of the van to get something later in the evening...there was the bathing suit and towel. Still, Jordan, Meghan, Autumn her friend, and Kate all had lots of fun and were quickly joined by more than a dozen other kids.
We left the resort around 8pm and came home. We unloaded the vans, took Autumn home, and then the kids and I went to pick up Chris from work at 9 and went over to my Dad and Janet's hotel room for a visit (and to get a gift of some spending money for the trip) while Steve did some more work on the water tank. We won't see Janet for almost a year now until they stop by on their way to Mexico next Spring. And we'll miss her. Thank goodness for Skype!
It's still pretty early but I have to get going now. I have to clean over the church building so while I'm there I'll use the big tables to lay out and cut the trailer canvas. Steve got his grey water tank soldered so that there are no leaks and he's also doing really well with the new roof. Today he's talking in church but I don't know about what and then we'll be working late again with our various projects. John and Nicole are moving the bus over this evening so we'll have a couple of days to visit. We are in court tomorrow and then finishing up the electrical work for Deanna and Todd so tomorrow is a write off. Tuesday is the final day to get stuff donated and the trailer packed and we still hope to leave on Wednesday.
Ok before I worry myself to death, I'm going to get going and clean the church right now.
Pics from the BBQ to follow.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Farewell / Birthday BBQ
Today is our farewell BBQ. I'm re-posting the original invite for you and a map at the bottom of the page. Hope you can make it. Stay as long as you like and come have fun!We're having a BBQ and you're invited! We've rented the clubhouse at Qualicum Bay Resort and so we'll have swimming available, the play park, tons of good food and if you just want to come and hang out we'd love to see you! Bring your swim suit, a guitar and lawn chair if you like play us a tune or two.
The BBQ is scheduled for today,
Saturday 23rd July from 12-6pm.
You don't need to bring anything but donations are welcome to our fundraising campaign (see left margin) or in person.
Oh, the water slide at the resort will probably be open but you'll have to pay for that (regular swimming is free) and you'll need to supervise your children.
We made all the sausages ourselves out of our own meat so you'll be in for a treat! We got professional help making them and they are delicious! We'll provide all the chips, drinks etc. It's going to be great. So bring the kids for a fun afternoon out and wish us a bon voyage and Meghan a Happy 8th Birthday.
Here is the Map. Take the Old Island Hwy north past the Horne Lake Rd turn off for 2km. Once you get to Qualicum Bay you'll see Kone Zone and Henry's kitchen on your left and the ocean immediately on your right. Turn left into the resort just past Henry's, continue straight in to the resort between the cabins towards the gate and you'll see a sign for Parking, just before the gate. If you get totally lost, the phone number for the resort is 757-2003.
View Larger Map
Friday, July 22, 2011
Friday Already. 5 more days to go
Yes, the time has flown by! It's 5 more days until we're heading out for parts unknown. Things are getting wrapped up here. We sold the Prowler trailer. We didn't get much but we didn't pay a lot either and it didn't cost us much to get it fixed up for the kids to live in for 4 months. Either way, I'm happy with that. It's nice to have one more big thing gone. We've now sold pretty well all our food storage and the rest is being picked up on Saturday morning. There is still some stuff in the storage locker to sort out but we're getting through it. And I'll do more today once the Prowler is picked up.
Next things to do are to re-pack the freezer as soon as I bleach it and plug it back in and then to defrost the big one, clean it, and sell it. I've got to still sell the carpet cleaner from the business and my washing machine and that's about it for big stuff apart from the Aerostar van that we may rob for parts and then sell for scrap for $150. We can use the wheels for spares for the trailer and white van and the rims for the new tires on the trailer. They all take the same size conveniently.
I have decided to make a big pot of chili with some of my dried beans and take it to the BBQ so I'm going to have to start soaking the beans right away. I can use a can of dried onions up too. Waste not, want not. We've made the sausage already and bought 7 dozen buns at the store with more available today. Plus some condiments, sauerkraut and also pop from WalMart, so we're all set. It will be so nice to see all our family and friends for a reunion sort of party not involving a funeral or wedding. We have such a great family and our friends are practically family too and we're going to miss them.
The roof top carrier/pop up tent on the utility trailer is coming along nicely and will be finished today if we're lucky. Then the kids can start painting the trailer to match the motorhome :)
It's 7:30 so time to hit the road running. We've a lot to do and only 5 days to do it in.
Elizabeth
Next things to do are to re-pack the freezer as soon as I bleach it and plug it back in and then to defrost the big one, clean it, and sell it. I've got to still sell the carpet cleaner from the business and my washing machine and that's about it for big stuff apart from the Aerostar van that we may rob for parts and then sell for scrap for $150. We can use the wheels for spares for the trailer and white van and the rims for the new tires on the trailer. They all take the same size conveniently.
I have decided to make a big pot of chili with some of my dried beans and take it to the BBQ so I'm going to have to start soaking the beans right away. I can use a can of dried onions up too. Waste not, want not. We've made the sausage already and bought 7 dozen buns at the store with more available today. Plus some condiments, sauerkraut and also pop from WalMart, so we're all set. It will be so nice to see all our family and friends for a reunion sort of party not involving a funeral or wedding. We have such a great family and our friends are practically family too and we're going to miss them.
The roof top carrier/pop up tent on the utility trailer is coming along nicely and will be finished today if we're lucky. Then the kids can start painting the trailer to match the motorhome :)
It's 7:30 so time to hit the road running. We've a lot to do and only 5 days to do it in.
Elizabeth
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