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