Pre-New Years Eve!

So, tonight I'm going at 6 for drinks & beer for a Pre New years drink thing.

Also, I just found out that we will be having guests New Years eve. AH! The house isn't ready yet! Ah! What are we going to do when the guests are there!

Roch and Julie (Jay and Roch worked together at the same plant for a while) and Julie is his wife. We have hung out with them before, but never at each others houses. Just dinner & drinks, or drinks etc. out.

It is exciting yet stressful thinking of having new people over. What will they like to do? etc.

I will be posting a post New Years post to say how it went, and how drunk i did or didn't get this year.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Christmas in Richmond Hill!

Saturday Afternoon, ( a week after leaving home) we arrived in Richmond Hill at Jay's dad's for our last Christmas before heading home.

We hung out and visited with his dad, step mom, sister and what we later found out was her boyfriend. Last time we visited they were just friends and she never told us it had changed...

Jay's dad & step mom got us a gift card for the Brick for towards our new bedroom set, and a IKEA footstool like the one we bought for the movie room so we have 2 now. And a bunch of small gifts inside the footstool. It is the ektorp bromma footstool. We now have a white (her's) and a black (his) ones.

Jay's sister gave us each a shirt she bought us in Australia and a gift card for dinner at either Swiss Chalet/Montana's/Kelseys.

We left Jay's dad's house to head home Sunday at 1pm and got home at 4:30pm.

Christmas Day & Boxing Day!

First thing Christmas morning we get to do Stockings. Both Jay's siblings were there this year as well as his brother in law.

In my stocking Jay got me: Cat Book (a treasury of cat related stories by different authors), Crime Beat: A Decade of Covering Cops and Killers by Michael Connelly, chocolate, Potpurri set, Kitten Calendar.

Jay's stepsister & boyfriend arrived around 11am and then we got to open gifts. From Jay I got My J.D. Robb book that I asked for (Suite 606 Anthology), the Cranium Game I asked for (Cranium Wow), Rummoli (a card game), Bourne Ultimatum DVD, Hannibal Rising Unrated DVD, Superbad Unrated Extended Edition DVD, Crosswords books. Jay's mom & stepdad gave me a wooden stool they made for me so I can reach stuff in the kitchen and his mom crocheted me dish cloths. They made us an end table that matches the coffee table they made for us last year for xmas. From our secret santa (Jay's sister) we got something to hang in our foyer. Jay's step dad took an old Wndow pane, stained it, put mirror where there used to be glass, and hooks. It matches the bench he made us for the foyer.

Boxing day was Jay's siblings as well as extended family. Jay's Nana & Grandpa got us some baking pans and $ to put towards our new bedroom set. Our secret santa (his aunt) got me a musical snowman guy, him an Engineer ornament, and a windchine that his grandpa made that has a wooden top with a flower & a hummingbird on it.

Both days we had turkey dinner.

Christmas Eve

We have a yearly tradition for Christmas eve. There is a family dinner at a restuarant in Barrie with Extended family (Jay's Mom, Step dad, Siblings, Nana, Grandpa, Great Nan, Great Aunts & Uncles etc.)

The past 3 years or so it has been at the Croc & Block @ 5pm. We left my mom's, stopped in Brantford to get Jay's Brother Chris, and then headed to Barrie for dinner.

After dinner we go to his Great Aunt's House/Great nan's house for a visit & drinks.

Then it's to Jay's moms and straight to be shortly after so Santa can come!

Christmas @ my Mom's! (and visits with my dad & Grandpa's)

So, Monday afternoon we arrived in Vanessa (near Brantford) for Christmas with my mom, step dad, and siblings Joanna & Jorden.

It was really busy and went by way too quick! Doing Christmas in one week sucked! We opened Christmas presents monday night while we were there. We don't usually get to open our first gifts of the year till Christmas Morning. It made waiting for Christmas less hard.

From my mom I got Lips game for XBOX 360, Sound of Music 40th Anniversary Edition DVD, Entourage Season 4 DVD Box Set, Mamma Mia DVD and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 DVD.

While there, I went and seen my dad as he lives 5 minutes away. He live with my grandpa so we went and visited them after supper Tuesday Night. My dad had already bought us a new Lexmark all in one printer/copier/scanner/fax and got us a walmart & canadian tire gift card to share. During the day on Tuesday, we went and visitied my other grandpa who also live only 5 minutes from my mom.
We left my moms at 1pm on Wednesday...

Birthdays at Christmas Celebration Weekend in Whitby!

So, we began our Christmas visiting Marathon in Whitby this year, with Sarah & Lucas in their new home.
This is also the first year that we started our visiting before Christmas Eve and with someone other than Jay's mom.

Since we are both new homeowners and on tighter budgets this year, we decided to not buy each other Christmas gifts. But, we had not seen each other since before Sarah & Jay's Birthday's, and mine & Lucas's are coming up in January & February.

So Sarah came up with Birthdays at Christmas Celebration Weekend! Yeah! So, we had our Christmas visit and still had stuff to open. This is only the second year of 7 New Years Eve's that won't be spent with Sarah & Lucas. Jay & I are not off this week, so we can't travel down south, and Lucas is not off either so they can't travel up North.

But, we celebrated like we usally do with drinks and one of Sarah's nice dinners. We got treated to a super yummy dinner of pulled pork sandwiches!

For my birthday, I got sheep slippers (which was extra cool because I forgot to pack some), a new purple scarf crocheted by Sarah herself, purple mittens, Penguin & Snowmen serving dishes. (Which will come in handy for my housewarming on January 10th)

I also got my first housewarming gift which was a wrouhgt iron and glass sun to hang on the wall which also holds candles.

Post Christmas Update

Hey All,

Christmas is over now & as you can see I was too busy to blog!

Christmas was great this year! And unevntful except for the drive from hell to Whitby! Stupid highway closeure doubled our trip time! But once we got there all was good again...

We left Saturday December 20th and didn't get back home till yesterday. Boy was it nice to be home again, except for the fact that we have to finish setting up house now...

Christmas Shopping is Finished!

So, last night I went & finished my christmas shopping. As Jay hadn't even started he had gone too! It was so funny because he was paranoid about running into me in teh mall so he wouldn't go to the mall until I called and said I was done.

When I was done, we met for dinner at Swiss Chalet. So festive! I told him I want to do that every year now! He said I was 'weird'.

If I'm honest with myself I probably couldn't wait that long to do/finish my shopping anyway...

So, now I have to wrap everything! The only good thing about shopping on a smaller budget means wrapping won't take as long...

A rant about the Economy! Boo Economy!

So, as I'm sure everyone has heard the "Economy" is struggling.

And since the Economy is struggling, companies are struggling & cutting back etc. Including the mining industry.

Mining Industry = Vale Inco = Cutbacks = Laying off Contractors = Jessica has no job

There you go, as of December 31st I'm unemployed! So, I have to begin job hunting again and such. I just wish I had more time to do everything...

And why did the Economy have to go and do this after we bought our houses? We could've all got our houses cheaper....

Boo Economy!

So much to do, so little time...

So, most years I'm counting down the days to Christmas as of Dec 1st!

This year is turning out to be alot different however...

First of all, I just realized this weekend how cloase Christmas is and haven't even begun to countdown. And, brace your self... I still have Xmas shopping to do!

I can't believe I'm actually too busy! I haven't had time to count down, watch any Xmas movies, Wrap presents or finish decorating! I can't believe this is happening!

Needless to say I'm going Xmas shopping tonight and will spend Wednesday & Thursday packing & wrapping.

Why don't I have time, you ask? Because I've been trying to get the house finished. It's taking forever! Jay wanted it done by Friday and it still isn't finished. So, I have to try and do that this week too...

So much to do, so little time...

Mid Week House Update

So, it's wednesday and the three of them have been at it for a couple days now. It's beginning to look like a home...

The kitchen is almost done...

However, the dining room is done and it looks amazing! Jays mom even put all my China and stuff in the new china cabinet and it is impressive.

The master bedroom & guest bedroom are both done too. And the spare room was really close last night & should be finished today.

The office is still only half done and the Theatre room still needs more paint let alone needing to be setup still.

The laundry room is pretty much done and I even did laundry in my new machines last night!

The bathrooms are about 75% done. Still need to buy some towels & bath mats etc. for them.

The living room is getting there, Jay is picking up the Lazy boy today but our love seat still has not arrived! :(

Today is the last day of having extra help. The parents leave tomorrow morning. I can only imagine where we'd be without their help!

Jay's goal is to have the house done by the end of the day Friday so hopefully it will be done and he'll be happy and I can finally take pictures of it.

Oh, and we can relax!

O Christmas Tree! Part 2

So, I come home from work yesterday and it would appear that Jay and his parents went shopping at Costco while I was at work. So, while he was at Costco he bought me lights for my tree!

After dinner, Jay's mom put the lights on my tree and then I proceeded to put some decorations on it. I need to find my package of hooks in order to put the rest!

I also put out some decorations & placemats etc out.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Leader/Crombez residence...

Monday

So, I'm back at work today and the house is being put together while I'm here.

After work, I'm getting groceries and going home.

Tonight after supper we are supposed to be going to Jay's work and going underground & have a tour of where he works.

And then I can only imagine that we'll be back to work again when we get home...

Oh, and we got a Water Cooler for the house. Yeah!

Post-Weekend Update

So, first of all I was not able to blog let alone check my email & facebook all weekend. Even though the internet did get hooked up Friday & I had my laptop at the house, I was not able to get them to work together. I was not impressed. And when Jay was at the house, he was 'too busy' to do it. So, when it finally got done, it was Sunday night after I went to bed.

So, I'm at work and have checked my email (sigh) but have to wait to get home to look at Facebook as it is blocked at work for some reason...

So, our stuff got delivered Friday but our Loveseat did not come with the rest of the stuff! I was so disapointed.

The Living/Dining room and bedroom have been painted. Jay and his stepdad started the Theatre Room apinting last night.

Friday: After lunch Friday, I went to the apartment & got Cali & her things. Fortunately it was uneventful & smooth. So, we got to the house and gave her a tour which ended in the Laundry Room where her litter is (VERY IMPORTANT). The poor baby then proceeded to hide & cower behind the Furnace/Hot Water Heater for hours. And then when she fianlly came out she hid beind some boxes in the rec room.

By the end of the evening we had her going up & down the stairs and out & about. She is in love with the new couch. Saturday morning she was my shadow following me anywhere I went and then would just lay on the floor no matter what room I was in.

Friday night we had a nice girls night just the 2 of us.

Saturday:
Saturday morning I had to run back to the apartment because someone forgot to take the moving/furniture blankets with them. And then I was back at the house puttering around and waiting for the movers & Jay to come.

It took 2 loads to get everything there and was after 7pm when we finished unloading the 2nd load at the house. We only stopped long enough to eat and then Jay had us assembling the table & chairs. We went to bed shortly after midnight.

Sunday:

We went out for breakfeast and then Jay went to do some errands and grab a couple things that were still at the apartment. I went to the house and started to setup the kitchen.

Shortly after 2:30pm re-inforcements arrived! Jay's mom helped me with the kitchen and Jay's stepdad assemlbled our stools, dealt with cardboard etc. Jay didn't arrive back at the house until 6pm and then we all went to Montana's for supper. We got home around 9pm and then I went to be at 10:30 (as I had to work today) while Jay's mom worked a bit more in the kitchen, Jays stepdad painted and Jay assembled the office.

Friday

So, because we are behind schedule, I am going to the house after my work Christmas lunch today so Jay can go to the apartment and get the place ready for the movers tomorrow.

But first, I get to go and get Cali and bring her to her new home! I'm so excited to see her explore and react to her new home.

While I'm at the house, the furniture will be delivered today. Yeah new stuff! And our services will be hooked up too. (Phone, Cable & Internet)

More will follow tonight I'm sure... time to go for Christmas Luncheon! Yum!

Third House Day = Thursday

So, Thursday went a little smoother than Wednesday. Jay ended up getting held up at work till 6pm so he didn't get back to the house with the paint till 7pm.

While I waited for him I washed the bedroom walls before we paint them. I also started washing out the cupboards and put glasses in them. We have stuff in the cupboards now. Until we buy a second bed we are having my old daybed from when I lived at home setup in the Guest Bedroom. My dad set that up for me before he left so me and Cali can sleep there Friday night. Girls sleepover night!

So, we ate dinner together and then I went to the apt because I had jobs to do and Jay stayed and painted. He didn't get home till 4am! And he had got up at work at 4:30am on Thursday. I felt so bad for him but at least he is off today...

Second Day at the House aka Disaster!

So, the day started out pretty good. My dad taped & primed the living room & his friend even taped the bedroom for us! By the time I got there, after driving home in the horrible weather & stopping at the grocery store, Jay was there too and doing the edges.

So, after my dad leaves, Jay uses this new painting tool we got, paint 'n roll plus, to start putting on the first coat. So, its a great idea if you have a lot of paint, but we didn't for this room because we are only doing the 2 walls. So, it ends up wasting half a can of paint and now we are out of paint.

So, Jay drives 45mins to Canadian Tire in really crappy weather, only to find that the paint machine is broken and he can't get any more paint! So we lost like 2 hours with nothing to show for it except the supper he brought home for us. :(

So, now Jay is stressed, we are a day behind and I'm now taking Friday afternoon off. On top of that Jay now has to stay late at work and won't be done until 6 or later.

However, I think I may have found my tru calling in life. A Stripper! Wallpaper stripper that is. LOL. I had to remove the border on the bedroom wall and I was like a pro by the time I was done. Jay was even impressed when he saw I had it down to a fine science (and he doesn't impress easily).

So, hopefully tonight goes smoother...

O Christmas Tree!

Well, it turns out that I will have a Christmas tree right away now.

Jay's Nana bought a new one so she is sending her old one for us with his mom when she comes Sunday.

Yeah! I get to decorate a tree this year!

Now, if only I didn't have to buy stuff for it... It'll be fun but somewhat costly.

House Rant!

So, what is wrong with people?

You don't leave behind junk & garbage when you leave your house. How lazy are you?

And not cleaning? I didn't expect the house to be cleaned top to bottom ( and belive me it wasn't) but to not clean out the fridge when there is visible spills and not clean the micowave plate? EW!

And garbage! They left behind an empty cat litter box and boxes & stuff. I was not impressed.

I wish it was like Ebay and I could leave some sort of negative feedback!

I like (Good) Surprises!

Well,

We had to go kill some time yesterday while the snowplow was cleaning the driveway at the apartment. So, we go to Costco and they had winter rims for my car! No one else in town has any. Yeah! So now i have winter tires installed on my car.

The better surprise is that they left some stuff behind that we weren't expecting. Best of wall was the really cool mirrors on the wall in the front hall. And the odd other thing here and there were pleasant surprises.

So, in short I like surprises as long as they are good surprises!

Clsoing Day!

So, yesterday was closing day... Finally!
So, we go to the lawyers bright & early and get everything signed. But don't get the keys till 4:45pm! Talk about cutting it close as the lawyers close at 5pm. We were starting to worry...

So, by the time we get my car loaded we don't get to our house until after 6pm. We then proceeded to unload both our cars & then Jay went and got us subs for dinner.

While Jay was gone, my dad arrived from Alberta. He is moving back to Ontario this week and we are on his way. So, while we are at work today he is going to unload the stuff he brought for us, setup the bed he brought &... Free labour! He's going to tape & prime the living/dining room wall for us. Thank goodness for parents, eh? Especially since Jay is stressed about getting it done by Friday before the furniture arrives. Not only does he have to stay late at work tomorrow, but who knows what time he'll be done today as he can't alwasy leave right at 3pm. :( The life of a Foreman.

Well, when 4pm comes I'm outta here! Off to the new house to clean cupboards & such! Oh, and maybe I should unload the stuff from my car...

One More Day!

I can't believe I forgot to mention this in one of the other posts....

1 more day! Tomorrow is closing day!

Yeah!

Rant about Winter Tires & Rims!

First of all, damn you Quebec for passing the winter tire regulation!

Confused yet?

Well, we have been on a mission to get winter tires for my car. So far the mission has been unsuccessful and full of setbacks. Part of this is because Qubec passed a law saying that people have to have winter tires now. So to begin with, tires are in extra demand this year. Then add the fact that my tires are not the most common tires.

So, we finally track some down but they are on order but they are reserved for us. Then Friday I get a call saying that they have been discontinued! So, we have to start all over again. So, we finally find a place that has them but they are a more expensive set but beggers can't be choosers... The only cath is that they don't carry rims. So begins the search for the winter rims. After driving store to store on Sunday & being told they are out of stock we go home empty handed. So we hav till tomorrow at 2pm to get rims or else I can only buy my tires but not have them installed. :( Hopefully the other half tracks some down today.

The Final Weekend!

So, the final weekend before we move was a busy one! And expensive! Who knew that paint supplies would cost so much. And we're only painting 3 rooms. So, Saturday we headed to Canadian Tire & bought our paint & paint supplies. And then we went to Walmart & got some more bubblewrap for packing & some cleaning products. Then we spent the rest of the day packing. Boy was i tired and can't remember the last time I went to bed so early on a Saturday night without having to.

Sunday, we slept in a bit, got up & dressed and stuff. And then met some friends for brunch! It was yummy, relaxing & nice to hang out & catch up with people. Then we drove all over looking for winter rims for my car before going back home to do.... More packing! When we went to bed Sunday night we still weren't done. I guess I know what we'll be doing tonight! LOL

Moving Schedule/Plan

So, Tuesday is closing day. We will be at the Lawyers bright & early at 9am. Then we will be cleaning, painting & loading & unloading boxes Tuesday to Thursday night. We hope to have the painting doen by then as Friday is Furniture Delivery Day & New services hookup day. We will not have Bell services at the new place which has really pleased Jay. (I don't think he likes Bell very much)

Friday night will be the first night I sleep in the house & I will be joined by Cali. We're going to have a girls sleepover. Jay will be staying at the apartment as the movers will be coming in the morning. It will also be Cali's first time in the new house.

Saturday Dec 6th is Moving day! Jay & the 2 mover guys will be loading up all our stuff & then unlaoding it at the new place.

Sunday Dec 7th Jay's mom & stepdad are coming to help us setup house. We will be setting up & unpacking.

Monday Dec 8th is our frist day of being Bell Free! Jay is on Holidays for a week but I will be back to work.

Getting Ready

So, I was going on the assumption that I all had to do this weekend was finish the packing & maybe a couple errands. But then Jay shows me this giant to do list he's made! It has everything form buying paint & supplies to cleaning the stove & oven (which I assumed we were waiting to do till after we moved out). But I guess at least I get to look forward to getting our paint.

Choosing the paint colors themselves was quite the job! We decided that we were going to paint the accent wall in the living/dining room Burgandy. However, when we started looking at the paint chips, we both had a different idea of what we thought Burgandy is. He was leaning towards brownish tone & mine was (accoriding to him) too purpleish. So, we took the paint chips to Leons and sat on our new couch and compared the paint chips to it. We met somewhere in the middle with Red Earth. Our bedroom was not so hard, we both agreed on the blueish grey color that we are going with. The home theatre room is a really dark burgundy called Cranberry Something & the ceiling will be a black color.

I'm a Blogger!

Well, after reading my friend Sarah's blog, it looked like a neat way for people to keep up to date if they choose so.