From us to you!

Have a wonderful Christmas

Better than Christmas!

Last week our boxes turned up from the UK - 37 of them, 6 cubic metres and 1039kg of stuff! It really was the best Christmas present ever! To have all our belongings in one place, unpacked for the first time in....ah....um.....a LONG time! (about 6 years!) I was beside myself with excitement. As soon as I got word that it was in the city in the bonded warehouse we then had to visit customs to 'clear' it all and get a release note. Then Chris and Gord packed it into a trailer and brought it back to the house where I was waiting with baited breathe and eager unpacking hands!!

I am amazed at how well everything travelled - all things considered (and given a couple of nasty looking snags in the packaging from the fork lift). My parents really are the greatest international packers ever - my painting was perfectly wrapped and intact and I wasted no time positioning it on the mantle - the first time it's ever been hung in our own home since Chris bought it for my 30th Birthday!

By the time Chris got home from work that evening around 1/2 the boxes were unpacked and flattened ready for recycling (I'm feeling reckless - we're throwing away packaging supplies - these same supplies have survived us 3 international moves! - but I really do like it HERE) After enlisting his help pretty much all the others were done by bedtime! (I LOVE unpacking!!, sorting, putting away! - I sent Chris out for take-out so I didn't have to waste time cooking!)

I didn't say I was a tidy unpacker...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

I have been humming this all day! There are worse songs to have on the brain, and it was quite the soundtrack to doing a few more bits of decorating for the season!

Today I broke out the vinyl for my Silhouette machine and made snowflakes for the windows - I think they look great! A few other bits of handmade goodness for the house are the lovely pine cone-like balls I made last weekend - actually at a class at the local scrapbook store. The Christmas tree was made with strips of Basic Grey's Eskimo Kisses paper - I actually finished that off when we were still in the RV but it has found it's new home on the mantle.

And my 'piece de resistance' (even if I do say so myself) is the wall hanging. I'm so happy with it. I'd actually already made a similar version for my Secret Santa gift partner and struggled to part with it so I had to do one for us too!

And of course it's advent! Yay! Advent calendar chocolates for breakfast for the next 24 days!

Home Sweet Home

Finally things are settling down for now. The novelty of the light in the tumble dryer, walk in closets and his and hers sinks are beginning to wear off - though I'm still not sure about the dish-washer (ok I am sure - I still dislike them but admit they are convienient if a little stinky) It's not like you've all been badgering for photos so without further ado I would like to introduce you to 'our home'...

(and this one probably isn't going to have a cutesy name - that was reserved exclusivly for Harvey (the RV for anyone left out there that didn't know!)

And speaking of Harvey, glad to know some of you still care for his well-being - he's tucked up for the winter, looking a little forlorn and empty it has to be said. But we're planning on keeping him and trundling off for little weekend get-aways come summer! Honestly after 5 years hard labour it's the least he deserves - our mini-retirement is over, but Harvey's is just beginning!

Kinda busy round here...

Took possession of the new house on Saturday and needless to say we've been somewhat busy ever since!! We are thrilled to be home!

Empty wallets...

This....

Leads to this....

And ends up looking like this.....

Which is why I am very much looking forward to moving into the new house....

About 43 hours, 22 mins and 17 seconds to go!

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(not that I'm counting or anything!)

(blogged from bed because I can't find anywhere else to sit)