5 Days To Go

Well, it's been an interesting week, trying to get everything ready to go.

The house renovations were ongoing all week. I put in new flooring in most of the house - quite the adventure. The lino went in a few weeks ago, but they couldn't finish the bathroom because a previous "handyman" had botched the job putting the toilet in and I had to get my guy - an amazingly skilled handyman named Dick - to replace the rotted boards and fix the plumbing properly. So, the flooring installers couldn't finish the bathroom at the time and they didn't make it back in until yesterday - finally!! I also put laminate in my main room, and they didn't sell me enough - we were short about 3 or 4 pieces. So I called my guy at the flooring store, and wouldn't you know it, it was discountined and he couldn't even find a few pieces anywhere. He even called the manufacturer!! So now he is trying to source something that is a similar color with the same interlocking mechanism. Friday was a very frustrating day!! But, everything else got done on the weekend - back door, basement stairs, mouldings, etc., so the house is looking great!! I almost don't want to leave!

The packing up is getting close to completion - just a bit more. I think I have too much stuff, so I'm probably going to have to take some stuff out! I refuse to take any more luggage than I had planned. I already have three large suitcases, a small suitcase and a garment bag!

And, in a classic example of timing - I've met a man that I really, really like! I had actually met him at Halloween at a party I went to, but due to circumstances, we couldn't get together until Friday afternoon. The chemistry was there and we've been spending a lot of time together since. We don't really know what's going to happen when I leave, but we figured we'll just see how it goes. If it's meant to be, it will work out. His name is Mike Shepherd and he's an actor. Seriously - he makes a living at it! He does murder mysteries and some movies and commercials. He also plays Santa for the month before Christmas at Chinook Centre. He's been doing that for many years and apparently is pretty good at it (I asked around!). Anyway, what timing!!

Well, I'll close this now. I'll try to write again just before I leave. If you want my address and phone number in London, drop me a line and I'll send it to you. I ordered my phone service on Friday, so I have a phone number now!