Guys. Mega problem. I’ve fallen in love with two things – and they can’t co-exist. I’m getting a dog next year. I’m saying this so it happens – because that’s what you’re meant to do with life-long hopes and dreams. Let’s outline how much I’ve wanted one thing and one thing only for my entire life: [...]
(The seventh of assorted moving tips – read #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6) After recent count, this is my 19th home in twenty-something years. That’s a lot of moving moments – enough, probably, to fill a bad book. Here’s another of my past mistakes that you don’t need to make: After a particularly harried move, I owed my [...]
Little secret in the universe: the bathroom’s a lot less… shiny these days. In fact, just a few commemorative swatches of turquoise remain. Custom stamps at Canada Post? (Just another few glasses of wine & it’s a done deal). The bathroom renovation wasn’t even on the crazy plan – never once mentioned or discussed. Except – [...]
Compare, contrast… 2010: Can’t even sit on the couch, it’s at once our linen closet, my desk & half our bed. UGHHHH. Would try to escape but the front door doesn’t open. Have to hurdle a table saw to brush teeth. 2011: Planted remarkable specimens of heirloom vegetables, before pausing to polish the silver. That we [...]
Writing our renovation plan letter for strata approval was actually really helpful. While we have a laundry list of what we have to do to this place, hazy ideas of “what would be nice” and a budget that runs longer than my (very sore) arm – it’s been hard to label which is cart, which is [...]
When renovating a house you can do what you want, when you want. Apartment strata living is a more delicate dance – if I ruin my plumbing, a few dozen or a few hundred people will have my head. In Canada, at least, most apartment buildings have strata councils to keep their structures in working order. [...]
In olden days, battles were fought differently. Armies would arrive weeks and months in advance, and make camp. They’d dig in and get to know the land. Perhaps rape and pillage the locals, while those higher up the chain schemed and formed the battle plan. I’m always up for Fisticuffs Vs the French, but today [...]
So do we start the clock now? Is today Day 1? It would seem so. If last night was celebration, libation, initiation…. that makes today the beginning. Saturday, Day 1. The stress and the mess will follow. We’ll call today getting to know the scenery. Tomorrow? A day of rest? Hell no. Day 2 means business. I’ve [...]
3 days to possession We started a renovation budget, and it’s slowly taking shape. Which is strange – because how can you derive any certain number when you don’t know what’s needed to complete a task? Example: How to budget for installing tile? Right. Ok. Calm down. Focus. Think like a proper grown-up. How much [...]
31 days to possession It’s the nervous laugh that comes when it shouldn’t: in trying times and difficult situations, when your best friend tells you he/she’s been dumped. Your first instinct is to laugh. Since winning the ugly baby, Paolo and I have been grinning like fools and laughing out loud. Oh holy mother of [...]
