I am still reeling a bit from the news about my furnace, but will manage, as I always do, to find a solution. On the brighter, micromovement forward side I have set up my water and electricity accounts for the house.

Water was easy. One quick call and boom, all done. Electricity proved to be a bit more challenging. (Not as challenging as GAS thank goodness, but challenging).

In order to set up an account for electricity use in Oshawa you must either have a credit check done or put a $250.00 deposit down that remains for two years. After that, if your account remains in good standing they credit it to your account.

Now, in my opinion, if the bank has just seen fit to give me a six figure mortgage this should indicate to the electricity board that I should be able to pay my bill each month. I opted for the credit check - by the way it costs $11.00 and is non refundable.

I also don't realize why each utility charges a set up fee when they don't actually have to do anything except change the name in the computer. Nothing changes with my taps or plugs. Nobody has to come in and turn a switch. I believe this is all a big scam. Not as big a scam as the GAS company is running, but a scam nontheless.

As I near the end of this journey into home ownership I find myself thinking and wondering  - if I had known about the stress and difficulty involved in the mere purchase and moving to a house, if I had known what was ahead, would I have done it?

I believe the answer is yes. A shakey, not so convincing one.  The frightning thing is that I know full well that once I move it isn't going to end there. Just the opposite, it is just going to begin.

Ladders, lawn mowers, sprinklers, buckets, mops, sponges...... One million six hundred and fifty four items are going to be required, not to mention the forty seven that I will have forgotten about!

If I actually manage to live through all this - the purchase, the move, the renovations - then I am going to .........well, I don't know what I'm going to do, but I'm going to do something big!!

OHNO!!

Get Connected

Getting your home connected to natural gas may be easier than you think. It does however require a little bit of planning and co-ordination. Here are the steps to follow:

1. 
   

   Get a gas main on your street

   
   

   Find out if you have natural gas on your street. One easy way is to ask your neighbours if they're connected to gas. Otherwise, call us at one of the numbers listed on the right.





• Gas Is Available On Your Street
  
• Gas Is Not Available On Your Street

Apparantly getting my home connected to natural gas is NOT as easy as I thought. Obviously I took the fact that I live in an advanced civilization for granted and assumed that     Gas Is Available On My Street     when the fact of the matter is :

GAS IS NOT AVAILABLE ON MY STREET!!!!!!

The very nice people at Enbridge informed me that for about 6,000 dollars gas COULD be available on my street.  That's my six thousand dollars, not theirs folks! Of course of anyone else on the street converted in the next two years I would get a rebate. ARRGGH!

This is not good. My house insurance is based on the fact that I was converting to GAS. I have never lived in a house heated by oil. I don't know anything about oil, oil tanks, oil heat. I don't know how to get it, I don't know what to do with it once I have it. I don't have time to learn the history of oil, it took me long enough to figure out gas!! 

Should I have anticipated this problem? Should I have known that these gas lines aren't readily available outside of Toronto? It honestly never occured to me.

Now, I just have to figure out a way to deal with it. I could be all bubbly and positive and say "these things are just sent to try us, but I shall overcome" or I could be all miserable and grumpy and say "these things are just sent to try us, but I shall overcome". Something inbetween is probably appropriate. These thing are just sent to try us, but I shall overcome. (Damn you, Gas Co.)  

That damn rogue coffee cup from Harvey's hadn't finished with me yet!! I had left it in big blue's cup holder with about 1/4 cup of coffee left untouched. Now, it isn't like I don't know better. I am well aware of my propensity to trip, drop, bump into and spill things in a misslill "oops" kind of way. There it sat, innocently (or so I thought) waiting for me to do the right thing and keep my car neat and tidy.

Those who know me are also aware of my propensity to let assorted bits of debris collect in my car until getting doors open and closed can become a problem. Water bottles, coffee cups (empty!), newspapers, odd mittens, you name it.

OnMyWay2Paradise has made a hobby of collecting spare change from my car and living room floor and is planning to retire on the takings any day now!

I have however been much better with this car. It has remained fairly pristine except for the odd water bottle (well, 7 or 8) lurking around. This coffee cup managed to deftly elude my newfound neatness and remained steadfastly ensconsed in the cup holder. It remained there that is until yesterday.

I had a doctor's appointment as my bladder infection was not getting any better on the amoxicillin. Traffic was quite heavy and I was on a tight schedule. It was also quite mild and I decided to take off my jacket while sitting at a red light. I could insert a dig at the department of motor vehicles here stating that I do actually sit at red lights and not go through them as they accused me of doing, but I won't.

A maneuver like removing my jacket while behind the wheel requires grace, dexterity and finesse - attributes I simply do not posses in this lifetime. The coffee cup flew through the air and deposited its cold sticky contents all over my car seat and even more importantly, all over me!

This situation required quick thinking. I wouldn't have time to drive home and change, so I did the next best thing. I pulled into Value Villiage (the charity shop) and rushed in, praying that they would have a pair of not too odd looking jeans in my size. I grabbed a pair of size 12 Manager jeans and dashed into the fitting room. Success! A bit tight, but if I remembered to keep sucking in my gut I could just about get away with it.

Time was of the essence so I kept them on, and clutching my coffee soaked jeans headed to the checkout. I explained my situation and tore the price tag off in her presence as I really didn't want to get busted for shoplifting. Could you imagine the headline? Busted for shoplifting used jeans at a charity shop!! I still smelled vaguely of coffee as my jacket sleeve had also been involved in the debacle, but I didn't have time to shop for a coat.

I couldn't find any paper towels, so I used two odd mittens to mop up the coffee on the car seat. Physics was never a strong subject for me, but I cannot comprehend for the life of me how 1/4 cup of coffee in a paper cup and somehow become 6 cups spread across a car seat.

I also don't know how I always manage to lose only one glove or mitten when I always have two with me when I leave the apartment. But then, that's another blog entry.

The story does have a happy ending of sorts as I did make it to my appointment on time. Actually, I could have been late as she is always behind schedule by about 40 minutes. I ended up with a pair of jeans that might actually be comfortable if I lose 5 pounds. I also managed to pilfer (!! ) a copy of Century Home magazine from the doctors waiting room. I don't feel too guilty because it is dated December 1998!! but it had some ideas for window treatments that I wanted to keep. I have a new antibiotic which seems to be doing the trick. Any passengers in my car will be convinced that I have purchased a coffee scented air freshner.

 As for the rogue Harvey's coffee cup? I am ashamed to say that it is sitting on the floor on the passenger side still waiting to be disposed of. I promise, I solemnly promise to do it today before any other disaster occurs.

Something Different.......

In my new persona of interior decorator  I have stumbled on an interesting site. It combines colour and astrology and is appropriately called:  www.colorstrology.com 

You can click first on your birth month and then specifically onto your actual birth date to find out your personal colour and its meaning and effect on your personality.

Great Minds Think Alike??

The old hound and I have done it again. For the second time we have given each other the same card. Last time was at Christmas, this time it was for our first year "anniversary". We met one year ago last St. Patrick's day.

Strangely enough, the card is not even assigned to a specific occasion. I wonder what the odds are of that happening once, let alone twice.

It has been an exciting year and I feel blessed to have met such a handsome and charming fellow!  His talent always amazes me and his sense of honour and dignity always shines through..

Thanks to T. and T. for their imprompteau visit yesterday. It was just what I needed to boost my spirits. Just a few minutes with their sparkle and energy and I am raring to go again!

Just a few more days of antibiotics and I should be back to "normal".  Those things are hard on the system. Sometimes I think the cure can be as bad as the disease!

I am easily amused, and I often amuse myself!!

This morning I decided to kick start my appetite and treat myself to breakfast at Harvey's. Probably a good idea since I had no coffee cream or sugar (ye gods!) and very little in the way of food in the apartment.

My coffee came in the usual paper cup, but this time with a difference. There was a little cardboard cuff attached. Now this is where I show my stunning ability to be stumped by the simplist of things. (I shouldn't really admit to these foibles!).

For the life of me I couldn't figure out why they would stick this cuff around my cup when it just wobbled around and made it harder to hold. I thought it was silly of them to put a large cuff around a small cup and that it was a sure recipe for me to spill on myself.

Then it hit me in a blinding flash of brilliance, I am sure anyone watching would have seen a light bulb suspended over my head! ........   

Push The Cuff Up!!

Yes, I managed to figure out all by myself that if you push the cuff up the cup it stops it from wobbling around and makes it less hot to the touch. Welcome misslill to 2005!

Of course I could use my recent illness as an excuse. I could blame it on side effects of the antibiotics, but anyone who knows me knows that isn't the case!! Sometimes I just don't get it, sometimes it just takes me a little longer!!

Along the same vein - I dropped my cel phone in the toilet (don't ask and yes the water was clean!) and it still works!! Isn't technology wonderful!!

Time........     

  It is time for me to start making up for lost time!!

David Norris
How you spend your time is more important than how you spend your money. Money mistakes can be corrected, but time is gone forever. .

Horace Mann
Lost, yesterday, somewhere between sunrise and sunset, two golden hours, each set with sixty diamond minutes. No reward is offered, for they are gone forever.

.

  I lost almost a week while I was feeling under the weather. I was nauseaus, vomiting and felt more tired than I had ever felt in my life and my period was late. Turns out it wasn't the reason I was hoping for.....I have a bladder infection.

For those of you who have been praying it was something else, all I can say is: PRAY HARDER!!   Seriously, thanks to everyone who has been so supportive and understanding and helpful this last week while I dragged my a** at work and did absolutely nothing but lie in bed at home.

I have two days worth of antibiotics in me and feel somewhat more mobile. At least I can travel now and not worry about having access to a washroom or a plastic bag to throw up in! (thanks T.) My appetite is still not where it should be, but yesterday I had some toast for breakfast and cereal for supper.

The one thing I did manage to accomplish was to book Tippit Richardson the movers to come and give me a written estimate. Their going rate is $100/hr for three men and a truck. I know you can get cheaper movers, but I doubt you can get better. I believe there are some things you should scrimp on and some things where you get what you pay for. I have heard many horror stories about movers and would prefer to have an insured, bonded group of professionals. Mr. Tippit is coming on Wednesday to eyeball my belongings.

In my infection addled/antibiotic fueled delerium I did something relatively uncharacteristic. I bought four large (3X2) canvasses of art. They are quite unlike anything I would normally choose, but something about them caught my eye. They are monochromatic in a sepia kind of way and are close ups of a flower in different stages. I would have taken a photo of them and posted it, but the girl wrapped them so nicely I am going to leave them like that until I move. You will have to wait until they are proudly hanging on my walls to see them! I realize it makes little or no sense to buy art before being in the house, measuring the walls,choosing wall colours, chosing furniture etc. but I just had a feeling these would be perfect in the living room. The yellow tones of the brick in the wood burning fireplace will match wonderfully. (I think......I hope!).

I have such a vision of what this house could look like, of what I would like it to be like. I have restrained myself quite remarkably in my opinion and haven't bought any furniture, but I have looked at some living room sets. I believe mine is too big and bulky, so will relagate that set to either the basement or the upstairs 3rd bedroom. (Can you imagine, I have more rooms than furniture, that part is going to be FUN!) My budget is tight, but I will keep my eyes open for bargains.

Despite looking forward to the fun of decorating I am truly starting to panic now. I can feel it rising up inside of me. It is all coming up too quickly and I am not anywhere near ready, physically or emotionally. I am not looking forward to all the packing that is left to do, all the phoning and arranging of things. I hate all things banking and legal and still have to tie up all the loose ends.

How will I feel once I get the key in my hand? How will I feel once I open that door, step inside, close it behind me and finally say "I'm home."?

I lived in residence when I was in college. I've shared a rented house with a roomate. I had three apartments before I got married. Those were all transient and really didn't give me a sense of place, a sense of permenance and belonging. I lived in my marital home for many years, but even that didn't feel like it was really a part of me. Towards the end it became more of a place of fear and unhappiness than a home, someplace to be avoided at all costs. The apartment I am in now was a temporary stopover. It was chosen quickly and without alot of thought. I have been happy here and will miss it if I am honest. I have had some wonderful moments here. Of course there have also been some not -so-wonderful moments thanks to the assorted creatures that share with me!! 

This house is different. I chose this house out of many, many others. Like me, it is far from perfect. It has lived a long time and seen many people come and go. It has some wear and tear but remains solid and steadfast. When I first entered it I got the sense that, like me, it was waiting for something. Something not quite tangible, something ephemeral, something just waiting on the tip of tomorrow.

Now that tomorrow is almost here. Exciting times lie ahead. I am sure there will be frustration and catastrophe (knowing neurotic klutzy me!  ), but there will also be laughter and fun and learning. There will be accomplishment and discovery. I want to push myself to the creative limit and stretch my abilities. This is the next phase of my life and I welcome it with open arms!

Are These Your Rabbits??

As is so often the case with me, when I am feeling stressed something bizarre happens to make me stop and laugh. I think this was pretty funny.

My tax man arrived and I answered his knock at my door. The first thing he said to me was "Are these your rabbits?". Sure enough, there were two big bunny rabbits sitting outside my apartment door!! They were politely sitting there wiggling their noses, looking for all the world like they were waiting to be invited in.

Now I have seen mice, rats pigeons and roaches in this building, but never marauding gangs of bunny rabbits.  One was a chestnut brown, the other white with black spots. They looked at me for a moment and then turned and hopped along down the hall. I felt quite like Alice in Wonderland!

The tax man is quite delightful, I am glad to have made contact with him. Soft spoken and confident. When he left with my papers I picked up my camera hoping to catch a shot of the mystery rabbits, but alas, they were gone.

Strange? Whimsical? Quirky? Yes, all the elements I love about life. Maybe it was an early visit from Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny!!

My micromovements are becoming more and more micro......

I am getting mired down in thoughts and fear and becoming stuck. My car is still in the shop and really should not effect anything accept for the annoyance factor. I hate having to keep calling and not knowing exactly what I will be doing, ie picking it up, leaving it until tomorrow, figuring out getting to work etc.

It is the sensor in my gas tank and my battery that were the culprits. Unfortunately neither are covered by my warrenty and it is costing just over a thousand dollars. Not much I can do about it, I will need a working gas gauge for my commute once I move. The money I had allocated to treat myself to a new computer will pay for it and this computer will do me just fine in the meantime. My dependance on a car is purely psychological. I miss it even if I'm not planning to go anyplace.

I could have been phoning places, researching, organizing, packing........but I haven't. I did call my car dealer three times today and had a game of phone tag. I started assembling more damn boxes but gave up after the fourth one. That is a task best accomplished at ones leisure with a bottle of wine, not squished in before getting ready for work.

On the bright side my tax man cometh!! I finally made contact with the gentleman recommended by Rhonda. He used to do the taxes for Honest Ed Mirvish. This will be my first independent tax return in 15 years. He is coming by shortly to pick up all the info.

Confession Time:  My plan to walk as I stated in my comment to Sheila yesterday did not work out as planned. I started with the best of intentions. Got my dinner all packed, all my various paraphenalia that I need for eight hours of work and headed out. I couldn't find a pair of  gloves (they are in my car!) but managed to find one mitten and one glove! My bags were heavy, it was windy, it was raining, whine, whine, whine......I went back upstairs and called a cab!   However, when I got to work I did put my stuff away and go for a nice brisk walk around the hospital. I also took a cab home. It's too cold at midnight and my neighbourhood is not the greatest. (I know, whine, whine, whine!) I figure I have worked hard for over twenty years and if I want to take a cab, I shall take a cab! It would be different if it were summer. I just can't bear the cold. Plus, wouldn't you know it, my winter coat, my hat, my scarf are all in the......trunk of my car! I keep them there in case of emergencies. Oh well, ...sigh.

I also had a rather upsetting email from my ex husband that didn't help matters. He wanted to know when I was going to get started on the process of giving him back his name. This really got to me. I am in the middle of at least one million financial transactions at the moment. I am dealing with mortgages, insurance, gas, water, taxes, electricity, phone, cable, moving companies, lawyers, not to mention all the other day to day financial details. To even consider changing my name in the middle of all this would be an obvious recipe for disaster! I could just imagine trying to pay for, buy, certify, register something with two names in transition. It is hard enough to do when things are normal, but now is not the time. I had it for fifteen years, a little longer is not going to hurt.When things are all settled I will be more than happy to revert back to my "maiden" name!