The Shower

In the last week days have quickly turned to nights and then back into days!

I have come to the conclusion on several things:

1. Lance sucks at killing spiders, but he's pretty good at drying dishes! Sorry Lance ! 

2. Ali makes great dinners and so do I 

3. Marc likes foxes

4. Don't beat Ali and Marc in Monopoly- because they team up on me in the next game

5. I need a dishwasher- the machine not a person 

6. I have no idea how to test the chemicals in a hot tub

7. Going back to work is interesting 

8. Rainbow cakes are awesome 

9. Foxes like cat food

10. Cans of pop at the closest store are still $1 each but Monsters are $4 each 

Since I have moved here other then Boston Pizza (where I'm working) the only place I've had food that was not cooked by Ali or myself was at Fratelli's Kitchen. The best mozzarella sticks I have ever eaten! I had the meatball sub with onion rings- onion rings were yummy, so were the meatballs and cheese; but I wasn't a fan of the multigrain bun it was on. Ali had a panzarotti- it was cheesy but baked. It didn't have the greasy goodness she was looking for. However looking around the pizza looked amazing, and I'm sure I'll go back! 

I have actually started eating leftovers- maybe because dinners have been great! 

So far we have cooked:  (if anyone is interested in recipes let me know and I'll post)

Tofu and Shrimp Peanut Stirfry

Spaghetti and Ali's home made meatballs 

Butter Chicken

Tacos 

Cheeseburgers

Fabulous home made salad dressing 

Stuffed pasta with olive oil, garlic, and chili peppers

Roast beef dinner- including Yorkshire pudding

Ham with scalloped potatoes  

Tofu and Shrimp Stirfry 

Butter Chicken

Ham Dinner 

Since I am on the topic of cooking- rainbow tie die cakes are awesome ! I feel like the pictures explain the awesomeness! For instructions let me know! 

It was DELICIOUS !! 

Marc wants a PET FOX! You know the one that peed on my flowers and trapped Ali and I in the house! Well that fox is Marc's new buddy! Something I can not even imagine! Marc fed the fox roast beef (before any person even got to eat it) and Toby's food! Trust me no matter how much Marc wants a Christmas picture that includes the fox, that fox is not coming in the house! Well no closer then that the fox is in the next few pictures: 

Oh and the reason I called this post "The Shower" guess what!?!? No more hot lava showers!!!! THANKS Marc 😘

Good night everyone! 

Side note this means Ali and I started a wood stove-well kinda 

The Never Ending Boxes

I have been surrounded by boxes for the past week, and I'm finally no longer living out of a million boxes. 

Unpacking and Cleaning- Monday September 22nd 

Seems that all I've done all week is clean, sort, unpack and throw out things! Monday started extremely early because Toby would not stop meowing, we have no idea what his deal was but Marc was ready to put him outside. Marc went into town to do all of his running around, while Ali and I tackled some more boxes. We also discovered one of Toby's new hiding spots- he discovered that if he climbs up thru a cubby under the stairs and then disappears! Well not really but he does get into the hall closet and hangs out with my tool box (yes MY toolbox) and all the cleaning supplies. Monday night Marc fixed the water in the bathroom sink, turns out we just needed to clean out the filter. However there is still no cold water in the shower, now this may not seem like a bad thing but trust me it is! The shower BURNS! Fingers crossed it's only a couple more days of burning lava showers! 

Shopping! Tuesday September 23rd

The day started with shoe shopping- sounds fun right? Well it's definitely a different experience here! I was looking for a pair of black flats for work, I was thinking I'd have a hard time deciding what pair I wanted, but oh was I wrong! There was ONE shoe store at the mall, something I am not used to; and of course the couple pairs that I did like didn't come in my size. So Walmart it was! I actually found a pretty cute pair, however I think it will be online shopping from now on! 

Next stop Dollarama, Starbucks in hand Ali and I cruised up and down the aisles looking for store baskets for the kitchen including one big enough for Marc's Rambo knives, and the laundry room, as well as anything else that we needed. 20 bucks later and a whole bunch of necessary stuff we were finished at the dollar store, and very impressed I must say! 

Then it was off to Canadian Tire and Winners! Canadian Tire was very exciting because I was there to get house keys cut! Winners was also pretty exciting, however Ali was acting as my conscience and wouldn't let me buy anything. I did get away with one new decoration, but I have put it up yet because I need a stud finder, so photos are to come.

Next stop the grocery store! Surprisingly a lot of fun- our cart was over flowing; we weren't sure where all the food was going to go but we made it work once we got home. Still a little strange to call being here home, but I couldn't be happier! 

Our last stop for the day was Walmart for a few more things including a shoe rack, a clothing rolling rack, a file box, and a clothes steamer. All very necessary! Then it was home time!

Once we got home we cleaned out the fridge and freezer. Then we had our first encounter with a wild animal! It was a FOX! We quickly ran back into the house and slammed the door- the fox wondered around and PEED on my flowers. When I called Marc to ask him what to do he told me to feed him, I thought he was nuts! Eventually the fox ran away and we were safe! At least for now. 

The Move

The past few days have been a crazy blur! So I am going to do my best to break it down and not forget any exciting details.

Packing the Truck- Friday September 19th

Friday started off a bit interesting when I had about a two minute freak out thing about how this was the last morning I was going to wake up in this apartment. I definitely considered staying in bed and hiding from the world, but this thought was quickly changed when I looked over at my phone and had a good morning text from Marc. I then remembered how excited I was and it was time to move my butt. At 12 noon I drove over to pick up the Uhaul from a slightly sketchy ethnic grocery store, after a couple bumps the truck made it to my apartment. And then I waited for my for my fabulous helpers to arrive. While I was waiting I took apart my bed and the pink couch- not an easy task! 

First to arrive was Ali and we surprisingly got right to work! Well after we took a few truck pictures.

After Ali and I had 75% of the truck filled up, my Mom and Stephane came over to finish the job. It felt like a very long day by the time I climbed into bed but it was nothing compared to what was to come ! 

Moving Day- Saturday September 20th

5 am wake up call! Yuck! This was definetly an emotional morning to say the least. We packed the last few things into the truck and it was time to go. Well almost I had to say my see you soons, first was to Zipper (my 16 year old family cat), then it was Stephane, and then my Mom. This was not an easy morning! Once the tears stopped Ali and I jumped in her vehicle with Toby in his cat box we were on our way, and my dad and Beth were on their way in the truck. 

First stop: Tim Hortons in Barrie- Toby has meowed for 90% of the hour drive and Ali is ready for a nap. Coffee and breakfast in hand it's my turn to drive. 

Second stop: Gas station I thought was in Espanola- Toby is still meowing! But Ali is awake now and the fun begins!

Third stop: Wendy's in Espanola- Two spicy chickens to go, and Ali and I are happy people (however we did forget the fudge). Side note no matter how many articles that you read a cat will NOT use a litter box in a parking lot, seriously don't even try!! 

Fourth stop: Side of the road- Toby was stopped making noises in the back I made Ali pull over to double check he was still there 

Fifth stop: The LCBO in Sault Ste Marie! Because clearly we needed PB's and beers for all our wonderful helpers! 

Sixth stop: Goulais River- My new home 

Along the way there was some fantastic singing, dancing, and some new jams! All fueled by caffeine and candy. Caffeine thanks to Starbucks, Tim Hortons, and Wendy's and candy supplied by Patti and Greg! 

And then we arrived! Within 30 seconds Ali's truck was unloaded and then we waited for the Uhaul to arrive, about 30 minutes later all of my stuff pulled into the driveway. I was thinking everyone would laugh about how much stuff I had but to my surprise the reaction was much different. The truck was unloaded in less than 20 minutes and there were boxes EVERYWHERE! But I was really not any part of me that was ready to deal with any of the boxes, so I supervised Ali and Lance putting together my bed and the pink couch up in the loft aka Ali's bedroom for the next month. I must say it looks fabulous up there- maybe because it reminds me of my old apartment. 

Thank you Steve, Greg, Stacey, Barbie, Lance, Beth, Dad, and Ali for helping me unload oh and for feeding me pizza and lasagna. Bed time happened at about 9:30 pm and I couldn't have been happier! 

Unpacking and Cleaning- Sunday September 21st

Another early morning thanks to my dad deciding that at 6 am the wood stove NEEDED to be cleaned out, but really we all know it could have waited, at least he made coffee. Then we emptied the dirty hot tub, and attempted to refill it. This is when we realized something was wrong with the water, the hose was dribbling, the bathroom sink was at a stand still, and the shower only was HOT! Poor Marc another stressful fly day, I promise there will be a day when your fly days don't involve phone calls from me about smoking trucks or the lack of water in the house. Then it was time to return the truck and do some shopping, Canadian Tire shopping- definetly different then my usual shopping choice but 100% needed! After tearing my dad away from the camo- because he really needs camo in Toronto, poor Beth, it was time for chicken wings! After a great lunch with great company it was time to take my dad and Beth to the airport. 

Ali and I then returned home to CLEAN, and oh boy did we clean. Sorry Marc but it was nasty. First stop on the cleaning train was the bathroom. Rubber gloves on we were ready to go!

Trust me I will spare you the details! But I'll say there was some serious laughs, and maybe a few near gagging experiences but I'll leave it at that !

So here's some bathroom cleaning tips:

Be brave!

Ware gloves!

Buy scrubbing bubbles cleaner! 

Have a brave friend! 

Now the bathroom sparkles and it looks awesome... I almost forget the colour of the walls. 

Bathroom finish! It's never looked so fantastic, now the kitchen. As much cleaning as the bathroom needed the kitchen was a task and a half! 

The kitchen involved cleaning, sorting, removing, and putting away. Trust me not an easy task! Marc wasn't home for this so some hard decisions were made on his behalf, I swear I didn't throw out any of his things, but there is a box that is going to charity. The kitchen finally feels organized however I forget where I've put things, but I'm sure I'll figure it out.

Then it was time to pick up Marc from the airport, time for him to see the changes and the boxes! 

 

The Pink Apartment

Tonight is my last night in my girly pink everywhere apartment and my first blog post! Now the pink couch may be coming for the 800km drive but it will not be the focal point of our new living room.

The Pink Couch

Boxes have overtaken my basement apartment, but I'm ready to go and have been for a couple weeks already. I would 100% recommend that if you can, slowly pack (even a small one bedroom apartment) over a couple nights or even weeks- it will make for way less stress.

Boxes! Stored in the Harry Potter Room

However there is one thing that I have already managed to goof on (trust me there will be many of these moments along the way). I forgot to leave out a bottle opener! But have no fear I have a tool box! Now I can guarantee when my mom gave me this tool box a few years ago when I first moved out of her house that she would have never guessed this would be what I would use it for:

Stop! Wine Time

Step one: find a screw long enough to make it to the bottom of the cork- it's also helpful if you have a screwdriver that matches the screw
Step two: centre the screw in the middle of the cork and screw straight down- should be a little of the screw left on the top and a little bit in to the bottle (hint: pull all the foil off- it will make it easier to see what you are doing)
Step three: use a hammer to wiggle the cork out, adjust the side you pull from so you don't break the cork
Step four: pour yourself a big glass of wine, and enjoy the last night in your own apartment