Such Beautiful Weather

It's such a lovely day today. Clear blue sky, a little wind but the sun is pouring down and it's 16 degrees. I just want to be out soaking up each little bit of heat I can before the cold weather comes and I get my bright white complexion again. It's glorious!

I went out to do some visiting this morning and had a nice time. Also made some cookies but saved some of the dough so I can make some fresh baked cookies for the kids for tonight. The boys are going out to their activity, Kate is taking the babysitting course and she's SO excited! So I think Meghan and I will try and make a pair of slippers from beginning to end so that we can cross someone off our list. We are planning to make 30 pairs in 6 weeks so that's 5 pairs per week. But they should be good gifts because of these reasons:
1. They are made by us :)
2. They are useful
3. They are light and cheap to mail.
4. The girls have learned a practical skill and that's always a good gift.

I'm going to go out again now and rake a few leaves but mostly I just want to enjoy the warm sunshine. Oh and I can start writing on the book again because Apple sent my new power supply and it came today! Thank you UPS man!

Friendship

Good morning! I trust your weekend was good. We had a nice one all things considered. Now it's back into the usual Mum routine of wash sheets, make beds, laundry, dishes, cooking etc. I'm trying to finish unpacking too but I'm not feeling overly motivated so instead here I am writing on the blog. I'm going to go with my friend Camille to Home Depot for some tiles needed to complete her tiling project at home and then back here, but it'll be nice to have a chat. We're both busy so we don't get to really hang out much.

Having friends is important but it's the quality of friends and not the quantity that counts. Facebook is a good example of that. Some people have 12 friends who they know, love, and want to stay in touch with. Others have literally hundreds or thousands of friends, family, occasional acquaintances and even people they don't know. If you had a really serious problem though...how many would still be your friend? How many people would drop what they're doing and come to your rescue? How many people would stand by your side if you got into trouble with the law or were falsely accused? It's the friends that are there in the sunshine and the rain who are really your true friends. That doesn't mean you have to stay in close contact or see each other regularly. It just means that there's an unspoken acknowledgement that you love and care about each other and that if you even need me, I'm there for you.

So what kind of a friend are you? Are you uplifting, relaxing, draining, dependent, calming, uplifting? Think about it for a minute will you? What characteristics do you have that make you a good friend to others? And what are some of the things you'd like to change? Where can you make improvements?

It's sort of like everything else in life, you have to make changes within yourself first. I hate to quote song lyrics but here are some from Michael Jackson that seem appropriate:

I'm Starting With The Man In The Mirror
I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways
And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
Take A Look At Yourself And Then Make A Change

Don't Look Back - Sunday Message for Nov 5th, 2011

Dwelling on the past and the mistakes we've made doesn't allow us to fully live in the present and limits our ability to be truly happy. While we can and should, learn from our mistakes, dwelling on them just drags us down and is incredibly counter productive. Let's face the facts...everyone screws up. Call it sin, a mistake, whatever...do what you need to do so that you're not dragging around any more emotional baggage than necessary. We human beings are here on the planet to learn, grow and experience joy. There's not a vengeful God just waiting to get us, there's a loving one who gives us our free agency so that we can make our own choices and experience both the good and bad that comes from that. Sometimes that means we have to live with the consequences of somebody else's actions but that's part of the whole 'freedom to choose' plan and sometimes it's not fair. But dwelling on the negative all the time doesn't allow us to see all the good in the world around us. The beauty in nature, a smile from a stranger, the birds singing in the trees, somebody doing a favour for you. No matter how bad you think your life may be...I guarantee there are lots of blessings you've got and more to come. So cheer up. Work at recognizing and counting your blessings. If you have a bad day...well there's always tomorrow to start over again.

And don't look back...there's nothing you need there anyways.



This applies to moving. We miss some things from BC, and the temptation to compare the old with the new is strong. But we are choosing to embrace the future with open arms and to open ourselves to the opportunities that lie ahead of us and live for the future...it's full of wondrous possibilities.

There's a cold wind blowing.

Yesterday was a balmy 12 degrees so we didn't have the fire on at all but now I'm thinking it's time to light up! It's not bad, November 5th and still intermittent heating. Only because it was sunny so we absorbed some solar radiation into our well insulated little home. It definitely makes me think about what I want in a home I buy, build or renovate. In this house the ground insulating benefits are very evident. The basement is always warmer than the main floor. Why? The floor of the basement is 5 feet below grade and has few windows to lose heat and no roof to lose heat either. Upstairs is exposed to blowing wind and there are large windows in every room. Our house along it's long sides faces east/west so in the colder weather we still get some warming sun in the morning and afternoon but if we build I'd do it north/south so that the main windows would face south for more solar gain.

I know it's been a while since I posted about the 'Tiny House' movement but I'm going to give you a quick update.

What are tiny houses? Well, the basic principle is to have a comfortable and functional house but on a much smaller scale. It would therefore be vastly more affordable than all these mansions we live in today. And no, they're not just for poor people or gypsies. Small, efficient homes are the norm in the world's largest cities, places like Tokyo or Europe where practically all houses are smaller and a premium is places on good planning, storage and simplicity. Todays trend is towards larger and larger open concept housing but some people are bucking the trend in favour of smaller and more efficient because it's cheaper all around and better for the environment. The use of renewable resources for interior design elements like bamboo floors and wood cabinets adds to the overall beauty too.

The first company to popularize these homes made them so that they could be built on a trailer frame and moved if necessary and then branched out into larger homes 300-500 sq. feet. They're Tumbleweed Homes and there's lots of info on their site, just follow the link. Another company in Nanaimo, BC just got started and won some awards for their initiative. Their designs are based upon the local planning rules that now allow small carriage homes to be added to certain larger lots to create affordable housing. The size is 12 feet by 12 feet by 12 feet and they're called Twelve Cubed. If you do a little research you'll find testimonials and videos about building your own home, life in a tiny home and lots of other neat stuff.



Christopher and Jordan have plans of building one each for themselves (and we'll be happy to help them) so they can take it to University. Here's video of another guy with the same idea.



It may sound like a bizarre concept but it's really no different than living in a RV except these can be better insulated and make to be all season homes that are on a trailer or traditional foundation. You can customize then how you want and have exactly the things that make you happy. If we do build one then it's going to be quite conservative, we don't want to draw too much attention to ourselves. If we did, here's a website with some crazy small home ideas.

We don't have any concrete plans but this is always an idea to keep in the back of our minds for later...after all, the kids aren't going to be living at home forever. Maybe a small home will be nice, like living in the motorhome all over again (but I'll build a bigger bathroom this time!) Sometimes the best things really do come in small packages!

The Salk Lake Tribune just ran a story along these lines so if you're interested then here's the link.

Reduce reliance on imported produce, report urges

Reduce reliance on imported produce, report urges

Go read this article if you live in BC and are wondering where your food comes from and where it's going to come from in 10 years.

Places To Visit in The Annapolis Valley

It's hard to describe the town/village system of Nova Scotia except to say that it's like England prior to WWII. For example. If you come down the #1 Hwy into the valley you'll go through lots of towns and villages but they're fairly small and there aren't large open spaces between them. They're fairly close together, evidence of a time when the train and horse and buggy were the long distance transportation methods. In between are lots of smaller farms with homes close to the road so it can be difficult to tell when you've gone from say Wilmot to Middleton. The thing that usually distinguished the town from rural is that the houses are closer together and there are shops and the post office or banks. It's best described as quaint.

Here in the valley there are lots of festivals, steer BBQ's, and parades all summer long. It seems every settlement has it's own weekend to party so if you don't mind a little driving then you could keep your weekends full all summer. There's a zoo for the kids, vineyards, livestock exhibitions, fairs, the beach and ocean, lakes, whale watching, fishing, hiking to see the tides on the Bay of Fundy or Balanced Rock in St Mary's Bay, berry picking, an air force museum, apple picking, shopping, beautiful coastal villages and wild open hilltops, historic forts and dining. It depends what you like to do. As you come down the valley you'll find Kentville and New Minas right next to each other. Big stores like WalMart are here. There are several strip Malls and an indoor Mall too. There's a movie theatre here also. I think it's worth the drive to Wolfville too. Acadia University is beautiful and it looks like there are some interesting things to explore though I haven't yet. Kingston/Greenwood have the military base, a mall and a one screen theatre. Middleton has the banks and a small museum, Bridgetown has some nice history and Annapolis is a must visit. This was the original capital of Nova Scotia and it has a lovely fort to explore as well as numerous shops and cafes to explore. If you drive across the causeway (which used to be the long bridge) to Granville Ferry you can drive down to the Habitation at Port Royal and explore the original fort and it's history from British, French and Mik Maq peoples. It's really quite interesting and there are guides who can answer questions for you. Heading down from Annapolis you'll come to 'Little Switzerland' otherwise known as Bear River with it's hills and artisans who are happy to show their galleries. Digby is next and I'll confess I've not been yet but I know it's the local shopping area and more of a blue collar area compared to the retirement/artist area of Bear River. You'll be sheltered by north and south mountain as you come down the valley to Annapolis Royal. While the main road, 101 is fast and twinned in spots, I prefer to tale the more scenic roads and see the country sights. the #1 Hwy is the original road and passes through many towns and villages. It's also called the Evangeline Trail. Driving along the Bay of Fundy is also nice with it's hidden fishing villages and lighthouses. One suggestion though, spend $15 and get a good map or stop in at the local tourist info, they have lots of stuff and free detailed maps of the valley.

Nova Scotia tourism runs most of the info booths which open in May and close in October. A few remain open all year so I'll find out which ones and let you all know. There's lots of stuff listed on their website though so you can see what interests you. The thing is that if you're taking a slow trip then you'll have the time to stop and see what interests you. Plan to check out the many small country inns here and the great B&B's that abound. Your hosts will be happy to tell you what's special about their area including all sorts of hidden treasures that only the locals know about. It's this kind of off the beaten track exploring that I like.

Whether you are coming to relax, explore the history or sample the valley's fruits and wines, there's something for everyone here in the summer.

Moving to Nova Scotia - Pros and Cons

I've been asked so many times to write about our experiences that I've decided to make a start. But this will be written in several drafts and updated as we are here longer. It's a work in progress.

Moving always presents a big list of pros and cons. The positive and negatives are both equally important and writing them down for review is important for several reasons. It helps you get an idea of what you hope to achieve from a move, it makes you face reality and not just see through rose coloured glasses, it helps you make important decisions about the many practical things that come along with making any decision. A Pro-Con list was taught to me by my father at a young age and has helped me be more grounded in making important decisions. It doesn't mean I haven't made choices I later regretted, but by and large they've been few.

Your list will vary depending on your circumstances but here's a sampling of our list:

Money - Can we make a living? It depends on what you do. Skilled workers and people like Doctors and teachers don't have a problem. If you work for yourself then you just need to register and start your business again but it takes time to build up the client base again. Most referrals here are by word of mouth or Yellow Pages. The cities are the easiest places to find work with the smaller towns having a limited or seasonal employment base. Minimum wage is $9.65 per hour and that's what a lot of jobs pay. Lots of people retire here due to cheap housing and because they have retirement income...and it shows when you drive around some little villages where houses are kept up or not.
How much do things cost? About the same overall not including housing. Some things are cheaper and some are more expensive. See the notes on housing below. Personally we find it about 20% cheaper here not including housing. Electricity is double what we paid in BC but hardwood is 60% cheaper for heating, so it balances out.
What about Heating costs? See Comments below. We've been talking about heating oil for the past couple of days since it's fairly common here. We don't use it, wood furnace and elec. back-up so I did some checking. One reader says that you could, under worst circumstances be spending about $4000 for 6 months of heat. Crikey! Insulation seems like a good thing to invest in! I've found the average for a mid-sized home on oil heat is closer to $2000 with using about 2.5 tanks of oil per year at $800 per tank depending on price.
Do we have any savings? I don't know but having a few months worth of living expenses is really important while you get established.
Can we meet all our financial obligations? Do we have enough gas money to get there and have enough to live on for a few months if we don't get work right away? The financials are important to work out so make this a priority. Nobody can really do this for you. My advice though would be to add 20% as a margin of safety to anything you think you need.

Family - How will this affect our relationships? Don't think it won't because it absolutely does.
Can we stay in touch? Phone, e-mail and Skype are all fast and cheap now so it's easier than ever. But nothing replaces a personal visit.
How will we visit the kids and grandkids? This needs to be included in your budget so that you can go visit. It's a long drive...consider looking for a seat sale and flying.
What affects will this have on our marriage? The stress of moving is legendary. Decide now on a way of staying close to each other and not letting stress overwhelm you both.
How will it affect the younger kids to move far away? That depends a lot on your kids. Talking to a counselor or therapist might give you some tips for handling the transition to a new home, school and neighbourhood. We were very happy at how easily the kids settled and are still settling. It helps that we moved during the school holidays so they weren't the only new kids and we already had made contact with our church so they knew to expect the kids and welcomed them with open arms.

Education - Do I need more education, job certification or training? If you're a Red Seal certified tradesman then you're ok to work here too. For some other certificates and licenses you should check with the dept of labour or google it and see what you discover.
What are the opportunities for the kids to attend school and university? Public schools are free and fees for supplies and programs are lower than BC. Bus transportation is usually free. There are some top notch Canadian Universities in NS including Dalhousie, Acadia, St. Francis Xavier, St. Mary's, Mt Saint Vincent etc. There's a load more and that allows for the possibility of living at home and studying full time for some students on a budget.

Community - Are the people friendly? YES
Are there activities for kids and adults alike? Yes, you'll have to look around.
How will we make new friends? Join clubs, be a good neighbour, talk to people.
Are there the same social clubs and churches I enjoy now? Probably and you can contact them to see what they're like and if they are what you're used to.

Long-term goals - How will this move positively and negatively affect reaching my goals?

Transportation - Can I get around? Is there public transit? The valley is connected by a public bus system from Digby to Halifax but buses are intermittent and it's best used for local transport only or you'd be on the bus for hours each way.
Is car insurance expensive? No. Cheaper than BC but you have to shop around.
How do I get it? Call local insurance agents. It's private here.
Will my car pass inspection? They're not checking emissions here, just basic safety items like brakes, shocks, windshield, gauges etc. Cost is $35 and it's good for 2 years.

Home Ownership / Housing - Can I rent or buy a home I like for a price I can afford? Most likely. Even people here on Government income programs own their own homes. The rental rate is quite low.
How do you find a home? Connect with a realtor, read online ads, check out viewpoint.ca or the MLS. There's lot of searching you can do online from the comfort of your home.
Can I sell the home I have now? That's a question only you can answer.

Security - Will I feel safe in my new community? Can my kids play outside? While I would say heartily yes, it depends on the area you're in and the type of person you are.

Farming - Are farms reasonably priced? In Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI, mostly YES. Is agriculture supported by the community and local government? Generally yes with local and regional markets, small produce stands and ads online for produce for sale.
What are the regulations? They vary by county so check them out as much as you can.
What is the soil and weather like? Here in the valley it's generally very good for growing but some properties face south, some are rocky, you have to check them out and see if they offer what you're looking for.
Can I work with this? Can I be self-reliant? Are other farmers willing to offer help and advice to a newcommer? The answers to these are YES if you're willing to actually work at it and get to know your neighbours. Don't bring a big city attitude, just go with the local flow.

Household Goods - Do I need everything I currently have? Probably not. It's not worth moving lots of heavy items most of the time if they can be easily replaced at your new destination. Heirlooms are different of course but just your everyday used furniture...sell it before leaving and buy again when you get where you're going.
Can I get rid of lots? Undoubtedly. Check out websites for de-junking and get inspired to pass along what you no longer need. Sell some, give it away, help out someone else.
How much will it cost to move it? Should we drive, rent a truck or hire movers? Having an accurate size and weight for all your stuff really helps when checking around. Some moving companies will come in and give you a quote based on looking at your stuff. Just because we drove doesn't mean you won't go with the moving company/airline option. Do your homework. There are lots of options.

These are some of the big ones right off the top of my head. There are of course a hundred others. I'll get more writing done later about this part of Nova Scotia and how it shapes up in light of those questions. If you have specific things you want to know please leave a comment or e-mail me. I'll see you all later!