Another PG Listing today!  December is turning out to be amazing - 300% better than September, when we had no listings at all!  I'm ok with doing a Listing up until mid-week next week, but not much point after that unless someone contacts us directly.  But we are gearing up to hit January full-force!


The house is all decorated now and is looking very nice - as usual will likely put a few more things up as days go by.  I love having a White Christmas, but most definitely don't like driving in snow / ice - so I will enjoy looking at lovely Christmas pictures like this one!


Mailed Ian & Corrie's Christmas package yesterday - it was made very heavy by a textbook Heather sent them!  Environmental Ethics.


We had a Snowfall Warning yesterday, but it was cancelled and only amounted to maybe an hour of sleety rain mid-day.  It was also supposed to snow in the Malahat area overnight and this morning but from what I can see on the webcams I am very lucky - bare and wet and 2deg. 


Grant was off this Tuesday, and I think plans on working thru the weekend so others can have the weekend off.  I think the plan is to take Tuesday off, and maybe do a couple of partial days.

This will be a different Christmas this year - first one that Ian will not be home for Christmas.  He and Corrie are having Christmas with Corrie's family in Aurora, ON.  So glad we saw them when we were back east for the PG Conference in October!


Its cool this morning - still minus 2 - but luckily so far its quite sunny.  Getting cloudier, and tomorrow is supposed to be rainy with possible white stuff. Yuck - I'd prefer just sun!


We will be having a change in International Students after Christmas.  The Homestay Coordinator has found Ji won a new Host Family closer to the school - actually across the street from the school.  So I'm guessing he is pleased about that.  She will be moving him on the 28th.  And on Jan. 1st we get a girl from China who is also moving Host Families to be closer to the school - Sherry is currently with a family up on Lost Lake Rd, so her move does make more sense to me.  I will be picking her up at the airport when she returns from Christmas break at home in China.  Not sure where she is from, as all I know is her flights are to/from Shanghai.  

Finally - the Home Office Press Release for our purchase of the PropertyGuys.com Cowichan Valley Franchise:

Check out the Press Release ONLINE here!

Camping up Island




Kasia and Grant - all on one lounge chair!



 Last week - Monday August 22nd to Friday August 26th - Grant, Ji won and I managed to escape for a four night camping trip at Morton Lake Provincial Park, about an hour northwest of Campbell River. I went ahead with the truck and boat - and Kasia in the back of the truck.  All the way up she barked!  Short stop in Campbell River for a late lunch, then on to the logging road to the lake.  It was in generally good condition for the first 10k - tho very rocky.  It had rained earlier in the week, and on the sideroad into the lake the road's many potholes were full of water - which meant we did not know how deep they were.  Luckily we only passed one vehicle on the way in, as we had do dodge all over the road.  Once in the park, we parked and walked to the campsites to pick our site.  Found #18 at the end - which in hindsight was probably our best choice considering it was Kasia's first time camping!  She only had to be on the chain a few times, and mostly if she and I were staying in camp and Grant and Ji-won were leaving in the truck. 





Everything worked well in the motorhome, and other than having forgotten a few minor things in the 'kitchen department' everything worked well.  We bought fire-wood twice, and had nice campfires. 



I had hoped to have internet access - but not even cellphone service there.  So - I had to drive into Campbell River on Wednesday.  Checked my phone messages as soon as I got service.  That trip took a few hours - almost two hours travelling, plus 'errands':  few groceries, new water can, boat gas, and time in Tim Horton's to answer a few emails.  Definitely mixing rustic & modern-world!  Never thought I'd be looking at campsites to see what sort of internet reception I would have!

I enjoyed taking pictures - especially on Thursday when Kasia and I went for a walk on a trail beside Mohun Lake while Grant and Ji-won were out fishing. It was quite hot - except in the shade - and almost felt more like being up in the Interior.  Even though I think I got some good shots, they do not do the scenery justice!  The snowy mountains off in the distance don't show up that well - maybe I was using the wrong setting?  Once they came back in I headed over to the beach by the boat launch.  I had my swimsuit on - and had brought shampoo with me.  It was very refreshing to get wet - and felt really good to get my hair washed.  Unfortunately Grant did not want to go and get his swimsuit on so he stayed dirty!



This little squirrel harassed Kasia after she chased the squirrel up the tree!



Friday morning we packed up - and were on the road before 1130 - not bad since we got up about 9.  A short stop for gas for the motorhome for gas, and then HOME - arriving back around 2:30.  Heather's main comment was 'thought I'd have another day of peace'!





Pathway along one part of Mohun Lake - very serene in the dappled light



Grasses and lily-pad leaves in lake water - rather Monet-like!



Mohun Lake - fairly large, snowcapped mountains in the background

AUGUST now - how time flies!!!

Where oh where did July go? 

• I just updated out Homestay website so it is current with where we are and what we are doing now.
• Last night I had an Info/Listing appt in Duncan, and tomorrow I will be doing photos/details = hopefully getting the listing uploaded tomorrow evening or Thursday.
• Thursday I have an appt to go doorknocking with Christina = our new contract 'helper'
• Our Swiss guest, Martin, left on Saturday after a great two weeks - I even saw some new places!
• On July 25th I was at our BC Regional PropertyGuys.com meeting at Harrison Hot Springs Resort - a few km away from where Heather was at SOAR!
• Ian turned 24 on this past Saturday!!! (makes us feel old!)
• I'm finally into the 'new' Den/Office this past weekend = gone are the days (since the beginning of June) of working at the dining room table.  There is finally an end in sight to the renos!
• We now have a lovely (adult) guest from Japan until August 10th - she is the Escort for the student group = her name is Nao and she has been to Nanaimo 9 times before

Piper's Lagoon Park - a very special place in Nanaimo!

Monday, July 18th - showing our Swiss Homestay Guest one of Nanaimo's treasures...This photo was a Blue Heron we watched for a while as it appeared to be 'fishing.  First thing we saw it catch and eat was a crab.  Then after a bit we saw it pick up and start trying to eat a very surprising animal = a SNAKE!  I was not terribly close, but still got a good photo with zoom.  I'm not sure if it is a regular diet item, or if this bird thought he was catching a very long, skinny fish!

BUSY!

now a PRIVATE SALE PROFESSIONAL (PSP)!

Arrived back from PGU (PropertyGuys University) - Moncton late Monday night.  Very tired even on the next day which was long - with a Client appointment in the afternoon and the Guide yearend family Potluck at 6pm!

I'm starting this posting now - and will continue it over the next bit as I want to add photos - I took a lot in Monction.

PGU finished Friday afternoon (the 10th of June) then I rented a car to get to the B&B I had already reserved.

We are now 'PropertyGuys.com Cowichan Valley' Franchise Owners!!!

Today - June 1st - we are officially the new owners of the Cowichan Valley PropertyGuys.com franchise!  Lots of work left to do with the transition - and it would be so much easier if I wasn't trying to do it amid the seemingly-everywhere construction...there's stuff everywhere!
TODAY - I have a bit of 'running around' to do today, including CIBC at 2pm to open the business account, AND I just made an appointment at Newcastle Nissan to get another key cut for the Versa...it makes me very nervous only having one key - but approx $100 for that!  After that I plan to come back home and do whatever tidying I can/kitchen cleaning etc.  Heather is doing broom-cutting this week, still keeping her fingers crossed for a paying job!!
We have a Helper - via Workaway - from New Zealand - arriving on Saturday just a few hours before I leave.  I'm hoping her being here will help with the worst of the mess and meals, and then she can help me when I come back. She should be here til about the 24th of June or so before going to a summer job.  We will have to do a quick cleanup in the motorhome as that is where she will be.
Tomorrow I will be meeting Beverley at 10 to pick up the Franchise Transfer papers so Grant and I can sign and I then take to HO with me.
Must run now....I will try to use this blog to keep up-to-date when I am away!

Franchise Purchase - almost! also Bits & Pieces

DEER ALERT:  As I write this I just glanced out the window of the Den and am now watching two very wet deer nibbling the grass on the front lawn.  Can't see any spots on them, but they are definitely very young.  Both my phone and my camera are upstairs, otherwise I'd take a picture of them!

I think the hardest part of this whole franchise purchase has been finding a lawyer to work with us!  After spending what seems like forever on Wednesday trying to get a lawyer to take this (seemingly simple) on, Grant suggested I call Robson O'Connor in Ladysmith, as we have dealt with them in the past - a few years back with the 'Agreement' between Mom and us.  I hit gold when I spoke to Paul Nettleton, who has been extremely helpful in expediting this, when everyone else said it 'could not be done'!  Gratitude is also due to Beverley and Buffy's lawyer in Vancouver, who at our request drafted the agreement - staying late and putting this ahead of other work - and forwarded it by email to Paul.  With a few hiccups which we overcame this shows that sellers and buyers can successfully negotiate a sale - whether it be of a physical property or a small business - without using a broker.  I do agree that if what is being sold is a more complicated property - private or commercial - then often an experienced broker is needed.  But those are not nearly as common as 'normal' residential properties and small businesses.

I also just phoned HO using the 1-888 phone number, and luckily Nadia answered the phone.  She is the one who coordinates the training.  She said I was on her list to contact today.  I gave her my tentative flight arrangements, and she will make the hotel booking for me today.  She will forward me a full email with all needed info on Monday.  I think it is safe for me to start getting more excited!

Grant and I have an appt at the Lawyers at 2pm, and I have just set up a time with at the bank to get a Money Order.  Next week will be busy now that this is a 'done deal' - Some things we can wait til the week I'm back from training to do, but others I want to get prepared next week.

Heather is off to Pre-SOAR Camp at Creina this afternoon, and will be back Sunday morning.  Her car is full, and will be fuller when she comes back from Morrell where she is doing an Interpretive session, and puts her personal gear/packs in the car.  At least on Sunday she will only have her gear!

Ian called yesterday- actually on Amanda's phone, but as we were out, she handed it to me.  He wanted me to check his email last night in case there was anything urgent work-wise.  He then called again around 8:30pm while he was driving to Kimberley - using hands free??? - to pick up his rain jacket which he left there last week.  Because he is working this afternoon, he was planning on staying overnight in the van then possibly calling me in the morning.  He said 9:30 - tho I'm not sure if he meant our time or his time!

Even tho the day is supposed to be as wet and dreary as today, I'm planning for Grant and I do go down to Victoria for the day tomorow.  I have the Museum membership which I bought while I was still working, and I'm sure we can find a few other interesting things to look at.  Once I am back from training Grant and I should try to take at least one day each weekend to go down to 'our area' and do pr.  Eventually when we 'wrap' the car just doing normal activities will also work!

Earlier this week I set aside my travel pack etc - but did not start acually packing anything for fear of 'jinxing' the deal.  Once we've signed etc this afternoon I will feel free to start packing for real...!

BUSINESS plans/ideas

WOW - LOTS TO DO, excitement, trepidation!  Last night I booked my flights to/from Moncton, leaving Victoria 1130am on Saturday June 4th, and leaving Moncton at 7am on Sunday June 12th.  I'm making up TO DO lists, and am slowly ticking items off. 

• Yesterday I checked with both the City of Nanaimo and Duncan about Business Licenses and found that the municipalities in the Cowichan Reg. Dist. have an 'Inter Municipal Business License' for businesses working in all or several areas.  $100/yr available from any of the 'halls'.
• Next week I will work on getting our Business Insurance
• Banking:  I will get the Merchant Accounts set up for VISA/MC; open up a separate Business Account...
• We need to decide if we will just work under 'pg cowichan valley' or CedarHill Consulting or a variation of that.  I think the CedarHill is best, as we can vary what we are doing and stay with one name

• I will do some research and decide whether we need Simply Accounting or Quick Books.  I think I will see if I can get Grant to look at the companies' two websites and make some decisions before I buy software.

And lots more ideas!  I'm 'waiting' for the lawyer to call me this morning so I can set up an appointment - if his schedule is too full I will need to make lots of phone calls to find another one...we must proceed and CLOSE on June 1st or all is for nought..which would be a big shame!

new FRONT ENTRY!

Our new FRONT ENTRY is now really moving along - yesterday Gary got the siding almost completed on the side with the door, and today plans to work on/finish the side with the window.  Tomorrow afternoon the electrician and plumber will both be here, so before that Gary has to remove the existing hall closet and open up the doorway/remove the door to the Den.  In prep for that today I will be emptying the Hall closet..yesterday I took a few photos of the progress...we all agree this is the way the house should have been built in the first place!

We are surrounded by boxes, and in the next week or so it wil get worse, until it is finished.  It is going to make SO MUCH DIFFERENCE in so many rooms:

• the front hallway, obviously, as all the mess will be either gone or at lease in the front entry
• the Den - as there will be more room, more storage, and only one doorway.
• the Living Room - as it will soon be not only bigger, with the closet going, but also more spacious because of that
• the Laundry Room because of the closed-off doorway to the Den, which will make for more storage room
• the under-stair storage area, which will lose lots of its stuff

Business Owners...really close now....!!

Well, we received the final bits of information this morning that we needed for our decision to go ahead with our purchase of the Cowichan Valley PropertyGuys.com franchise!  I hope to meet with the lawyer tomorrow.

Much ado about many things..

This is the long-anticipated Victoria Day May long weekend - with the weather being back to what it was last week. Yesterday the weather was very, very nice - so much so that Heather was complaining about it being too hot.  It rained much of last night, and now is cool and cloudy, with definite threats of rain in the sky to the west.

Grant and I are still working out the kinks on our attempt to purchase the PropertyGuys.com Cowichan Valley franchise - not as easy a feat as it would seem but we are still very hopeful.

Friday Gary was here and framed in the new front closet, along with removing the old front door/frame/glass block.  The door removal made a huge difference!  I'm now trying to get myself to access the Den via the new front entry, but I still find I start in the living room and go 'all around' which is about twice the distance!  Eventually the doorway between the Den and the laundry room will be closed in so that will not be possible.

Grant, H. and Ji-won - our Homestay student from Korea - AND Kasia just headed out with the boat.  They plan to go to Sproat Lake.  Right now the sky towards the west is dark and threatening, so I hope they don't get 'dumped on' with rain! H. grabbed a bit of lunch to take, and I'm sure Grant will stop someplace on the way for drinks/snacks.

My plan for today while they are out is to do some housework, then head out to Costco/Superstore for the food/supplies we need for our 'Mystery Dinner' for Guides on Tuesday.  That reminds me - I need to send out a 'last minute' email to parents giving them a few hours to respond if their daughter is bringing a friend and has not told us yet.

we are now (almost) Business Owners!

Well, definitely a busy, 'happening' weekend!  Saturday noon Grant & I had a meeting with the current owners of the Cowichan Valley Property Guys franchise http://propertyguys.com/search/?k=duncan%2C+BC for almost two hours at the Woodgrove White Spot.  We came home still very interested in buying the business - we can both see much potential and a good fit for us.  I like the possibility of linking up home staging possibly next spring - mentioned that along with training etc to Grant and he agrees it is a good idea. 

After we got home I changed and we headed out to Harewood Plains for a dog-walk...H. took some pictures, I took lots more.  The weather was quite unpredictable - I put my jacket on and off several times!  When I get time in the next time I will upload the photos I took to the computer - and pick a couple for here.

Saturday evening we did a lot of talking about the business, but did not do the prerequisite profile - I was too tired to do something like that properly.  So Sunday morning after reading the papers we sat down at the computer and did the profile.  In the afternoon Grant took Kasia for a walk 'out back' and while he was gone I started roughing out an informal 'Letter of Intent to Purchase a Business'...it took a while as I wanted it to have the 'essentials' even tho I know it will be changed when formally/legally done through the lawyer.  Late afternoon I emailed Beverley/Buffy our Offer and we waited for the response. We did not include the car, as I really prefer to use the Nissan. With several emails back and forth, we got an acceptance back about 9pm or so - without the vehicle they are getting very close to what they were initially asking for.    This week is now going to be very busy with needing to meet with Jan, finding and meeting with a lawyer who works with business transactions, etc.  I listed the Motorhome on Kijiji and UsedNanaimo last night, and we will check to see if there is anyplace that buys rv's - though I doubt it.  We need to clean it out.  Now Grant feels the need to tidy/organize the workshop.  I sent an email also last night to Gary saying that we need a properly functioning office by June 13th!  When I am out today I will stop someplace to insure the motorhome - can't really sell it unless someone can take it for a test drive.  I had been reluctant to sell it before - but I now see the need to do that so we can use those funds for several needed payments.

On the weekend we got an email from a fellow from Switzerland looking for two weeks of homestay/tutoring in July - I replied yesterday aft, mentioning we are now in town and not in the country, but also mentioning what would be included.  I told Grant about the email, and we are hoping that we get a still-interested reply.  I think that once we get the Front Entry done - which also includes much related organizing - there should be more room in the sewing/guest room so that we may be able to do Homestay Tutoring more than just through the summer.  As of now we are scheduled to have a Mexican boy for next school year, but maybe we can get back to the Homestay Tutoring as a regular activity the following year.

Ian phoned on Saturday evening - he ended up at Silvertip Ranch in the mountains back of Bull River off the road between Jaffray and Fort Steele.  I had given him the contact info, and also the fact that one of our Helpers also stayed there in 2009.  Ian was accepted as a Helper - only other Helper is a very quiet female Veterinarian from Japan - and will be there until tomorrow when he heads to his summer job at Kikomun Prov Park southwest of Fernie.  It is doubtful he will have internet access, but I think he will have electricity as accommodation is in a 'trailer'.  Guess he will be doing most of his shopping etc in Fernie, or maybe Cranbrook. 

Well, I just went back and checked emails and found out we have now been approved as new franchise owners by PG HO, so time to post this and get moving!

stuff & things

wow - what an imaginative title that is! 

This morning's weather looks much more hopeful for the day, which is supposed to actually be warmer and not rainy at all...maybe even actually sunny. So far it is cloudy, but high cloud that might burn off.

Yesterday 'in between things' I spent time actually organizing my photos on the computer into categories, deleting junk and many duplicates.  Much easier to find what I want to see/use!  Made me feel rather homesick for the house in Cedar...  And photos of cats/kittens and puppies also really pulled at my heart.  Seem to have lost a lot of photos when I had a computer crash - or was that when I upgraded to Windows 7?  The puppy pictures of us out on the front lawn with them - showing them off to prospective new owners - seem to be all missing.  And I do know a lot of my digital photos are missing.  One of the hazards of the digital age...  I do plan on getting a separate hard drive sometime this year...hopefully that will eliminate that problem.

This afternoon I meet with Jan at the bank to discuss finances for us possibly buying the Cowichan PG franchise.  There are pros and cons to it, but Grant seems very much for it.  Tomorrow at noon we have a meeting with the current franchise owners.  And sometime today/this evening I will check out the 'profile' I received the link for - which is the next step in purchasing the franchise.  If we do - and the timing is right - then I will be heading to Moncton NB for training the week of June 6-10.  I'm hopeful that I can manage to get flights and hotel arrangements that are ok prices.  I'd kind of like to go over on the Saturday rather than the Sunday to give myself time to look around...otherwise, arriving in Moncton at the airport at almost midnight Sunday night would make for a very tired day!  But so far I've only checked the flights from Vancouver....I just thought that I could fly from Victoria and have Grant or Amanda drive me down..must check that possibilty out!

WALK

Should not be a 'big thing' but it will be if I can manage to keep it up.  After H. came home we shared some soup, then I headed out for a walk.  Initially it was going to be just 'around the block' but once I got to the intersection where Opal turns off of Tunnah I turned down there.  I'd driven down Opal - which connects to Rock City - once, but never walked it.  It is a fairly quiet road.  At Rock City I turned left, walking maybe 1/2 km total, going as far as where the Lynley Creek Trail goes off to the left.  I walked the trail a very short distance, stopping at the top of the steps which go down to the trail.  There is a by-pass trail which I'm pretty sure I could manage which goes down to the bottom of the steps.  I was definitely enjoying the walk, but knew it was time to turn around.  Now I am back home my legs are 'feeling it' and hope that I have not overdone it considering we are going to Harewood Plains for Guides tonight.  The photo to the left is what we should be seeing tonight...tho it looks a lot cloudier than that now.
Not sure how far I walked - definitely not a long ways, but not bad..short of driving it with the car I can't figure out how to measure it...but maybe 2+km return..

weight - diet - exercise....

I suspect my family thinks I am not concerned by my weight/fitness level - if so, they are not correct.  I don't know what exactly is keeping me from losing weight and getting fitter - I certainly know I need to!  Somehow it feels that every time I discuss 'the issue' it comes down to my making excuses.  There probably is a lot to my 'excuses' but there comes a time when one has to try very hard to ignore the excuses and just 'get moving'.  The more weight I put on and the less fit I am I know it will be even harder.  It has now been a little over 10 years since I started to gain weight - I can almost pick the time when it happened.  Spring 1998.  It is now Spring 2011 and I HAVE to do something. 

I know that I could always go back and delete what I write here, but I think I will try very hard NOT to do that.  It is said that if one writes down plans (like New Years Resolutions) then it is harder to ignore.  I will try to use a combination of my Blog writings and Journaling and see if I can be at least somewhat more successful.

Anyhow...this is an interesting, and somehwhat similar, blog that I found this morning:  http://everythings-gotta-go.blogspot.com/

keeping my fingers crossed xxxx

Two posts in one day!!

I've spent some today 'tweaking' my Blog - changed my 'logo' and overall the whole design.  Wanted something fresher and hopefully easier to read.  A bit of experimenting and so far this is what I've come up with.  I think I've managed that - and I do like changing the background.  Not sure how to get other 'nature-type' backgrounds but this one is nice to start.  Do like the lighter post-background so I can change the colour of the font and the font itself for different posts...
Anyhow - time to get some 'real work' done!

Spring - but doesn't feel like it yet!

My last post was February 11th 2011 - a little less than three months ago.  But most definitely a lot has happened since then.  I am no longer working with NSVS - At the end of March there were some difficulties between myself and the Board - which I will not go into here! - and on March 24th I gave the Board my resignation, with two weeks notice.  It was agreed that it would not be feasible for my to work out my notice.  Unfortunately when I received my final cheque early in April the Board had chosen to only pay me until approx. March 23rd. 

Since that time I've been looking for work, but wanting to do something that is not only enjoyable and challengng, but also something that will not reproduce the situation which engendered difficulties with NSVS.  Last week I found a posting on CraigsList for a Homestay Coordinator position with Muskoka Language Institure - I applied and am really keeping my fingers crossed.  It 'closed' last Friday, so I should hear something early this week if I have a chance.

AND - Gary finally started work on the new front entry.  He has the front wall/window up, and should get the other (door) wall done this week.  As usual it is going very slowly - but we all know that it will make an incredible difference when it is done.  First Grant wanted to re-use the existing front door, but I convinced him to get a 'new one' - so one day last week Heather and I went out to DEMXX and we found a new acquisition that had been in a 'waterfront mansion' in Victoria.  It was originally marked at $825, down to $575 - Alan gave me a price of $400.  I think Alan likes to think of almost everything they demolish as being a 'mansion'!  Anyhow it is a beautiful solid oak door and wide trim - supposed to be white oak - with a very dark stain.  It will take our existing door handle/deadbolt.  Gary will just need to do a new threshold.  I'm hoping we can still have the glass block though I'm not sure how he will manage taking that out..but keeping security in mind.  Maybe fill in with plywood temporarily?

This past weekend was Mother's Day weekend -

• Saturday we all had a dreary, grumpy day..  Grant napped a lot.  We needed groceries, and Heather finally agreed to come with me.  We got a few groceries - choosing carefully - at Superstore then came home.  She very nicely drove which helped my headache!
• Yesterday was a much better, more productive day for all of us!  When I went to make coffee I found a wrapped package by the coffeemaker - suspecting it was a Mother's Day gift, I took it to the living room and unwrapped it.  Unlike some gifts, I had not expected an actual gift for Mother's Day, and definitely had no idea what was inside the package!  It turned out to be the mailbox we had looked at and chosen at the 'Dig This' store on Rutherford when we were looking there earlier in the winter.  It is lovely, strong, and very simple in design.  The front has a tile with a dragonfly design.  We have agreed that it is permanently 'ours' and will not stay with the house whenever we sell.  Not long before noon we headed out for a 'dog-walk', choosing to head up to the  'wood lot' area at the end of Biggs Road.  As usual I was well at the end, but it did not rain, and I enjoyed the wide variety of flowers we saw.  Only one mountain biker, otherwise it was 'just us' .  As always Kasia managed to find water - several times.  The truck is most definiely the 'way to go' for dogwalks - she still barks but doesn't damage our hearing like in the van!

Speaking of the Van - which is Ian's now - unless he got lost he should be starting his first day of his two week trial period as Campground Attendant with East Kootenay Parks. Still not sure which park he is working at.  I guess we will hear sometime this week.  He may not have any internet access...  Its to bad that he doesn't have a camera - unless he actually does..???  This summer job he will have more private free time - maybe he might develop an interest in taking pictures during quiet moments.  More on his convoluted path to working in the East Kootenays in another post.

It is almost 10 am and I am very late in waking Heather up (PD Day for schools today so she does not have any kids coming to either Morrell Sanctuary or Bowen Park...)

Back again - my posting felt 'unfinished'!

To continue about post-NSVS jobhunting ~  About two weeks ago I found a posting for the Cowichan franchise of Property Guys on a Business for Sale website.  Obviously since the whole concept behind Property Guys is selling without a realtor it is a 'fsbo' business selling website.  I emailed back & forth a bit with one of the owners of the franchise - she lives in Ladysmith - and last Friday I met with her at her place to get more info.  I arrived with 20+ questions already written down, and along with extra info and a small folder she gave me I came home with plenty of information for Grant and I to discuss.  We both feel it is definitely worth taking the next step - which is approaching the bank to see if we can get a line of credit attached to the house (like a mortgage) - and if the bank says yes - then I will arrange a second meeting with both of the business partners for more info and maybe an offer.  The next 'training' session at Head Office in Moncton is early in June - so to make that training we need to get things going fairly soon.  Otherwise we would not be able to take over until the next training which would likely not be until September.
Blogging:
Last night I spent some time reading a Blog I found called '100 Lakes on Vancouver Island' http://100lakesonvancouverisland.blogspot.com/  I enjoyed the photos and the content - lots of great links also.  This morning I also quickly scrolled/speed-read thru to the beginning of his blog.  Makes me even more interested in Blogging not just for my personal benefit, and possibly the use of an immediate cirlcle of personal or business connections - but to write something of significance in blog form.  I think my small laptop might be useful there...  I can see that I might write the content on my laptop - not even needing to be online - then cut & paste the content and reformat when I have the time next....definitely an idea.


I'll either come back and add to this post or if I don't do that today will start a new one another day..
      

Time flies!!

Last time I wrote it was still 2010, before Christmas! Ian was still working on the fireplace, which is now finished, and he is away at UNBC! It is now mid-February - Valentine's Day on Monday!


We now have an International Student for this semester - Ji won is from South Korea, near Seoul, and he is 16.  He is in Gr 11 at Wellington School.  This morning he slept in - I woke him at 8:20 - a couple of minutes after 8:30 he burst out the front door, running fast, and got to school very close to on time.  That was fast!

An interesting blog I found a while ago while searching for a good photo of a cedar tree for Heather - http://fireweedmeadow.wordpress.com/

more later I hope...