ch-ch-changes

A few weeks back, I wrote about the turbulent ride we've been on in the wake of the decisions the landlord has been faced with. She had repeatedly changed her mind about selling or not selling the house. In the end, she chose to keep the house for one more year and revisit the idea of selling next Spring.
I am a firm believer in the idea that 'things happen for a reason'. It may not be some higher mind that is dictating the reasons for occurrances in our lives, but that we are forced to learn something from every situation we encounter. During all this confusing and stressful upheaval, I have gnashed my teeth wondering, "What the HELL is this supposed to teach me?????" I could not understand for the life of me why and how such craziness could show me anything other than fifty ways to chew my fingersnails to smithereens.
But, unbeknownst to me, I was making decisons, sorting information and finding what felt 'right'. I was exploring options, stepping out of my box, returning to safety when she's decide not to sell and then be forced to check the world out around me when she changed her mind again. I hated it. It was terrifying and chaotic.
But I found that when the landlady finally came to a decision to not sell for a year, I felt almost....stifled and like a large clock counting down to next Spring when she would re-decide whether or not to sell was ticking loudly.
So, I've decided to take change into my own hands. Instead of being at the mercy of other's lives and decisions, I am stepping out of our box and taking life by the pervebial 'balls'. We're moving. Not just houses, but communities. We'll still be on the Island, but two hours away.
I feel good about it. Actually, I feel great. This next month is going to be insane. I have enrolled myself in an intensive Organic Master Gardner course. We'll be packing and moving. And everything will be changing.
The change terrifies me. But it's exhilarating too. This is me. This is me 'growing up' and making choices that are right for us. Making choices based on our needs and wants rather than those of others.
I will miss my friends and my sister horribly....But I will visit as often as I can...And really I'm a FABULOUS phone-talker.....
P.S. I CAN TAKE THE CHICKENS TO THE NEW PLACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WAHOOOOOOO!

would've been wordless wednesday.....

newer happy things....

Hanging with old buddies who live in different towns. One of Liv's all-time best friends, Angus. We miss this little man so.

Mom and the twins (my sister's boys).

Being near the boats. I miss the smells and the people.

Angy Bo Bangie

More boatey stuff...

Goats....I LOVE mini goats. If we had more room....well, we'd have a few of these little guys.

My boy approves of the wish that we will one day have goats.

Feeding the seals from the dock.

Easter egg hunts.

Brother-in-laws who hate crooked pictures.

The happy news that I have another sister! My brother, Adrian, got married!!!! He and Bonnie eloped on the Cook Islands. Good job!!

Being able to provide snuggly time to my girl after taking the laundry out of the dryer and dropping her into the soft coziness.

Even Fuckles and I are getting along better! He hasn't harmed any chicks, he hasn't taken off or chewed any doorknobs. AND he is off his meds!!

Geocaching has become one of the most sought after activities in our house.

A wonderfully fun and silly sister who warms my heart and shares my sense of humour!

'Pokey picnics' and the weather that allows for this to be held outside (a pokey picnic is a picnic where I cut everything up really small and we use toothpicks to pick up the food).

Long walks in the woods in the Spring sunshine.

Wildlife at the side of the trail that is not too spooked to run away thus allowing me to take photos.

The green of Spring. I've even cut the lawn once!
Having my sweet little girl make grocery lists for me without any help with the spelling.
My boy and his buddy, Moe.

New Year, New lists....

Gabe, post-bite from Briar (notice the hidden arm)...
Three little boys out for a walk in Papa's hay barn....
Grandpa and the kids share a dance....
One of Oma's little Dutch treats...
Another one!

Olivia and Maisy in the nighties I made them for Christmas....
My two favourite guys....
Liv holding her newest cousin, Kylon....
Bonnie and Artec....
My brother, Adrian....

I am not one to have resolutions for the New Year usually BUT it seems that this year, I want to have a list. A list of things I want to accomplish. A list of things that I am interested in. And a list of things that I have managed to get done (this one is purely for 'pat on the back reasons').

To accomplish:

- learn some magic breathing technique to improve my skills of patience

- to relax more and enjoy my kids

- to grow a fabulous garden and to make most of our food (I'll have my work cut out for me on the last part of this. I hate cooking.)

- to hold myself back from my very own 'gimmes' (I want to buy less).

- to try to be okay with myself, just the way I am.....If I can just figure out the way I am....(Does that make sense?)

Okay, for someone who doesn't normaly do resolutions, this is becoming a bit long, isn't it?

Interest list:

- felting

- sewing (especially clothes for the kids)

- woodworking (toys)

- basic self-sufficiency

- gardening

Pat on the back list:

Check back.....I'll see what I can do.

P.S. Olivia has a very wiggly tooth. *sigh* She is growing too fast. I just had her, I swear!