Too Much Stuff = Moving Sale

Well, we took the plunge and booked the moving company.  They come between the 19 to 21 of Sept.  That means I have to get busy.  I look around at all the stuff I have accumulated and realize that I need to declutter for a move from one side of Canada to the other. So this weekend was moving sale weekend.  It really feels good to get rid of stuff.  We have too much stuff.  Bright and early Saturday morning we got the tables set up.  Murray is the seller.  He loves chatting with folks and taking their money.....

I just kept packing and bringing more stuff out.  Every time I came out the tables seemed bare and I had more to add.  There was a lot of people who stopped by.  We live along the waterfront walkway, so there is a lot of walking traffic.  Lots of people we know came in to talk and ask questions about our plans.  We had lots of comments but the big one was that folks are sad to hear we are going to leave this community.  We have only been here 4 years, but in that short time have made a lot of friends and have become very involved in the community.  Nakusp is a wonderful town in the Kootenays.  Summer is wonderful.

 When I step out my back door every morning, this is my view.  It is so beautiful.  When the sun is shining on the water, the mountains are majestic and the sky is so blue, it just make me feel great!

I always take the time to appreciate it.  Nakusp is a beautiful village, with so many great people.  It will be hard to leave, but it is a little easier because I know that I will be back on a regular basis.  And for right now, we are only shipping our "Stuff" out.  It is not yet time for us to go out.  So we will get our month holiday in Nova Scotia, then be back at work here for a while. 

Last weekend we went to the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival.  I got to hear my favorite band from Cape Breton.  The Colin Grant Band.  They are awesome.  I got to hear them play this song and was able to cross off "See Colin Grant Band play Mabou Pizza Boy live" off my bucket list.  Thanks guys.  They were great to talk too, and said that they will come and play at Bistro on the Grand when we are open.  I can hardly wait! 

More packing this week, and more selling on the long weekend.  Still following the dream!

Suprise, Suprise!

When I think back, this is where the journey really started four years ago.  This is our farm in Saskatchewan.  One day Murray and I were talking and I said, "Some day I would like to just drive away in the truck and see where we end up!"  Little did I know that would actually happen.  In January of 2007 Murray got a phone call to do a contract that would take us all over the province of B.C.  So we went.  Just like that.  What an adventure that was.  We ended up in Nakusp, B.C. and have been here for 3 years now.  We always knew it was a temporary placement.  When we sold the farm, we decided to do a trip to Nova Scotia, specifically Cape Breton.  Why?  Well we had some friends there, and we really wanted to see the Atlantic Ocean.  We managed to be in Vancouver at the Pacific Ocean one week, and at the Atlantic Ocean two weeks later. The Atlantic won my heart!  The Atlantic Ocean has a mystic quality to it.  Something called out to me the first time I saw it.  Maybe it was the fog bank, maybe the rocks at Peggy's Cove.  I am not sure, but it captured me in a way that I cannot explain.  When I walk along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean I rejuvenate and am at peace.

So what surprised me today was the response I got from my family, friends and folks I do not even know. One very special person, Lucy, took the time to write me a quick note.  That meant so much to me.  Lucy touched my life in a very special way.  Although we have not seen each other for many years, I know I will get to see her when we are in Cape Breton permanently.  She is not to far away, and seeing her will be a priority for me.  Thank you to everyone who took the time to say hello. 

Murray was out taking pictures on Saturday.  It was a beautiful day in the Kootenays.  We live at the waterfront and this is the beautiful view that I wake up to each day. 

Because I love whimsy, I just have to put this picture in.  Murray is a great photographer and I just love this picture. 

They were loving the day!

The Journey Begins

The Grand River.  My front yard.  Ramblings from the Grand....

So my journey has started.  Three years ago we went to Cape Breton Island and found a property that called out to us.  It was love at first sight and we knew we had found home for the next chapter in our lives.  So after three years of  two week vacations that never seemed quite long enough, we are heading out for four weeks next month.  But it is more than just that.  We have decided to ship our belongings from British Columbia to Nova Scotia.  We are having garage sales on weekends and have started to get all our "stuff" packed up.  What a great way to declutter.  The movers charge by weight, so we are really looking at what is important to us and what can go.  Now that we have a date in mind for the movers to come, it seems to be easier to sort things out and let them go. 

It is easy to let go of stuff, but I do not want to let go of my family and friends.  The blog is my way of staying in touch.  I want to share my experiences with you.  I want my family and friends to laugh and cry with me, to shake their heads, while thinking ,"What on earth is she doing now?"  I hope you enjoy the ramblings and comment often.

So, what are my plans for my life in Grand River.....well, we purchased the old country store.  When we went out last October, we held an open house for the community.  After listening to the folks in the community we believe that our plan of opening "Bistro on the Grand." will be a great community gathering place.  Murray and I both strongly believe that the more you are involved in your community the better it is.  We want our Bistro to be a meeting place for the folks in the community. We want it to be a place to relax, enjoy and socialize.  And of course, eat delicious food!  That is the first part of the plan. 

 The second part is to develop my studio. My passion in life is creating art and I am now ready to do that on more of a full time basis.  I also plan to teach classes out of the studio.  The warehouse area of the store, I would like to turn into a gallery.  I am hoping that local artists will want to display their art at the gallery.   

So I will keep you posted as things progress.  The next few weeks will be busy and eventful. 

The next weekend will be at the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival.  Four bands from Celtic Colors will be there.  I am so looking forward to see Colin Grant Band. 

Although I am not at Grand River yet, I am rambling......