TWO more sleeps

It's hard to believe that we have only two nights left in Canada.

The last couple of days have been incredibly busy. We have been cleaning, giving things away and throwing out things like a couple of mad men. We have had lots of last minute visits (thank you Brenda and Ken for the treats), Scott and Donna, Dianne and Terry, and Dayna and Kevin. We sincerely want to say a thousand thank you's to everyone who helped with everything - it would have been very difficult to do everything ourselves. Thank you Mark and Carol for letting us use your trailer for the last month and letting us store our baby with you. Thank you to Rick for your help too!

Hailey was here for a visit this weekend from Airdrie and although we didn't get to see her very much, it was really nice to see her before we left.

So, I think all the Christmas gifts are distributed although no stockings will be hung by the fire this year. They will have to be hung from the banana tree by the pool. Hopefully Santa will "think" we have been nice and will find us sipping cocktails by the pool.

So, tomorrow our adventure begins by us turning over the keys to the landlord and we make our way to a hotel with all our worldly possesions hung over our shoulders...well, actually six very large suitcases and two dogs in kennels. We head for the Kelowna airport at 8 am on Wednesday and we are on our way......

I write this this entry with very mixed emotions and no humour this time. I am so excited I could scream but I have to admit I have shed a tear or two for everything I am leaving behind in friendships and family. All the friendships we have made we dearly treasure and hope that our family and friends do find the time to visit us in our new home.

Esperamos oír de usted pronto y el amor a todo el mundo.

(We hope to hear from you soon and love to everyone!)

Watching Ross

So, today is disconnection day. I'm drinking coffee, blogging and watching Ross unhook a snake pit of cables and wires from his beloved electronics. This is one of those "things" that couples simply do not do together. Same with "some assembly required". Us girls just know when to walk away even if we are being beckoned to assist. There is a small litany of profanity occuring just under his breath and it is all I can do to hold in my hysterical laughter.

So, Ross is officially retired yesterday after 48 at years of work. He had his "retirement luncheon" and a good time was had by all that didn't have to drive to get home. Which basically means that Ross could drink and no one else could. He was the only one with a ride. But the conversation was appropriate and when we left, I could swear I saw Ross skip once or twice...LOL

Now, today is four more sleeps till we leave. We have told everyone to pick up their stuff out of the house today and tomorrow. We have to get some idea of how much stuff there is to stuff in the garbage can today and prowl the neighbourhood at night looking for empty garbage cans. I made the last official trip to the dump yesterday.

The week of lasts continue....

the week of 'lasts'

Well, this is it - the FINAL week.

Totay is -13C (I drove Ross to meet his ride to work this morning.) It is snowing lightly. When it snows lightly in the Okanagan, a shovel isn't required, just a broom. This just means that you can sweep about every 1/2 hour to keep up with the white stuff. We won't discuss moderate or heavy snow.

Shelby has been SO cold he wears his little sweater all day long. He looks incredibly cute but Ross thinks he looks stupid. I think Jack agrees with Ross. What self-respecting dog wears a sweater? Shelby is just smart enough to keep himself fashionable and warm. Nothing wrong with a nice plaid this time of year.

This is going to be the week of lasts...

I have my last meeting with my shrink today. I'm going to tell her that the cold is depressing. My dogs are depressed. The only thing that will cheer my moods is sunshine and palm trees. I don't think that is unreasonable. I will make her agree with me.....LOL

I think I will go and buy the last loaf of bread today, the last bunch of bananas, the last small bag of dog food.

I think today I will dispose of most of our dishes and cooking things...Ross can take me out for dinner for the last week. Well this seems reasonable to me but I don't know how he will feel about that. I have made a special note to eat lots of McDonalds this week. There is something worrying about not having access to the 'special sauce' in the DR. I have heard that you need to go to Santo Domingo to find a McDonalds so I would be having any 'special sauce' soon as SD is about a six hour drive, absolute insantity (3 million people in cars and on motorcyles with out regard to traffic laws...NO THANKS).

We have our last doctor appointment this week, the dogs have their last vet appointment this week, Monday will see the last time I have to drag the garbage can up our horrible driveway.

So, this week I am going to ponder all the things I am going to miss about Canada.

1. kids - of course we are going to miss ALL our kids, and grandkids
2. family - our extended families
3. friends - there are some very special people that we will miss tons - no, we won't miss the friends that are like slinkies
4. special sauce - enough said on this topic

So, I've babbled enough for today....maybe I'll have something exciting to report later in the last week................

11 more sleeps

Well, we now have 11 more sleeps before we leave. Mother Nature decided that she was a sick and twisted force. We sit, trying to keep warm, in the last of our winter clothes. I feel like I have been sitting on ice cubes and can't get warm. Truthfully, I feel sorry for my friends and family who will be sitting on ice cubes for the next four months (okay six if you are in Saskatchewan). The worst...I had to shovel three times already...WTH???

I had to venture out into the BC Blizzard (not to be confused with an Alberta or Saskatchewan blizzard). Shelby was freezing so I bought him a sweater jacket. He looks quite cute in it. Jack is looking at him like there is something seriously wrong with him. I didn't judge the toilet paper rationing properly so had to get a small supply.

So, I checked the Weather Network this morning...sunny skies in Sosua. Just thought I would point that out to piss everyone off.

We are almost done packing and getting rid of everything. The larder is almost bare so that may mean going out for dinner a few times. Anyone want a cookie sheet or measuring cup?

Ross has five days of work left (well actually four cause he needs a day off).

13 more sleeps

Well, I'm an official blogger.  I swore up and down I would never "blog" but I figured I would give it a shot and give everyone an update of our adventures.

We have 13 more sleeps before we leave for Sosua, Dominican Republic.  While we consider ourselves "seasoned" when it comes to living in Sosua, we have no preconceived notions about there being a few bumps along the way.

Stay tuned for our adventures!