Toe in the Water......

So, now it seems that things are underway. I have unpacked the very last box. All boxes and paper have officially gone to recycling. I am done with them...Yahoo!!

Once again, thanks to everyone for hanging in there with us. I know that we aren't exactly "running away" at this present time, however, we will be eventually. Here is the new routine, as we can tell so far.

January, February & March will be our new "warm" travel months. Whether that means packing up good ol' Euri for some easy, West Coast Mexico time or it may mean something different. Time and my R&D Department (a.k.a. Doug) will tell. The entire month of September will be our "Canada exploring" time. Looking forward to that for sure. I see some good camping trips coming then.

In between, we will, as I have affectionately termed it "pay to play". We will be (both) working part-time in the Lower Mainland. Doug has his gig sorted out and mine is as well now. Approximately 3 to 4 days per week for each of us. We decided that we would try just 3 days per week and see if things worked out okay for us. We will keep you posted! It will be nice to know that we have that holiday time upcoming. We are still planning on getting out in Euri for some weekend camps (we hope) around here. Stay tuned for that! Otherwise, we will start, once again, our explorations around White Rock and the general Vancouver area. We will post those fun times too.

Here is a little sneak preview of the homestead, so far. Ceiling is a little low and for a tall person like me, it is noticeable for the first little bit that you are in here then it's all okay. The landlord has a small kitchen reno planned already! Yahoo!! 

 

 

 

 

White door goes right out into the garage. There is another

entrance down the side of our deck.

 

....and here is the outside courtyard, up above us, that we are free to use. Just needs a bit of sunshine and a bottle of wine!! Nice that our landlord is kind enough to do all the hard work and then let us sit up there! We are on the level down in the house, with a lane access. Not to mention a half garage to park Felix in too!! Doug is stoked!!!

...and this is what this lovely place is called.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

...and down below on our deck. I think we should be called

"Toe in the Water, too"

 

 

 

Our area is coming along too. A bit more tweaking.....

 

Doug has a little bbq area.

 

Remember those floats that we dug out of the trees

on the side of that Nova Scotia highway in May?

Well here they are, looking out at a West Coast ocean now!! 

So, caught up with us, you are. Hope you enjoyed the smallish tour. I will get to work next week and get into my new routine. Thanks again, everyone, for stopping by. Hope you keep on visiting. We will have lots to show you around here!!

 

Peace....

 

Thought for the Day: Be careful when you follow the masses. Sometimes, the "m" is silent.

We've Moved!!

Sorry for the absence. This moving thing is pretty all encompassing!!

 

First and most important, is our blog Happy Birthday wishes for our son, Josh on his 30th birthday on Sunday. We did celebrate but things were pretty much in an upside down state so I couldn't even find my white board for the proper sign!! Sheesh!!!

 

Anyway Josh....We are immensely proud of you and love you!! You are a wonderful husband, friend and dad now to not one, but two beautiful boys, Gus & Jasper. What a gig you have going (right, Kathy??!!) 

 

Yup, even packing paper can be used for multiple things!!

We love you!!!

It has been a very busy month for us!!

Packing was done, moving truck and helpers hired and we have now arrived in White Rock. We have rented a nice suite 3 blocks above the beach. It is on a very hilly section of this part of White Rock but we will get used to it. Our move out of Nanaimo was done in the sunshine so we really appreciated that. We, perhaps, should have known that meant we were in for the monsoon on the mainland side and Mother Nature did not disappoint!! It didn't just rain, it poured all day long!!

White Rock arrival! Notice the slope??

Also, see the HUGE excavation hole across the lane!!!

....but you can see the beach out there.

Yes, it poured...all day!!

 

Nice to have special company at our place!!

....and our beautiful little Jasper too!!

I have mislaid my camera so we have to go with any pictures on my phone for now!! Hopefully, I will find it soon but I am now down to only 8-9 boxes left and I haven't seen it yet!!

Anyway, we are still stitching things together. But right now, the sun is pouring in the living room window and it feels good!!

Peace....

Thought for the Day:  Thanks to our blogger friend, Chris Bauer.....The fact that there’s a highway to hell and only a stairway to heaven says a lot about anticipated traffic numbers. Just sayin’.....

It's getting busy!!

So here is our update. Not much for travel, as I have mentioned.

We spent some great time with our grandsons this past week. Between that fun time, we managed to land ourselves a great basement suite in White Rock, about 4 blocks above the famous White Rock pier. We are pretty stoked. Should take a little "inventive" furniture arranging both inside and outside but we are up for the challenge.

We are hoping to be in the new place before the end of this month. Great area, great new landlord and awesome to be back in the lower Mainland again. It's been a while!! So, this week it's packing, packing, packing!! I will surface later in the week and check in with everyone.

For now, here is the latest installment on our beautiful little boys!!

.....Just waitin' for my pancake!!!

Gus is learning to manage his run bike already,

 under the watchful eye of Dad!! 

 

Grandpa Doug and his boys......

 

Even Jasper is growing fast!!

 

Peace....

 

Thought for the Day: There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up....John Holmes  

Introducing......

.....a new little brother for Gus!!!!!!!

Just another one of the reasons that we had decided to stay put this winter and we think it is a pretty great reason!!

Jasper Zane Beglaw, 7lbs-11oz, made his arrival on Tuesday, Feb 17th at 3:13 pm. Mommy and Jasper are doing great . Daddy and Gus are thrilled!!

We will just let the next few pictures tell the story. More pictures in the upcoming weeks!!

Hey, is THAT little guy my brother?

Good thing I brought a gift for him!! 

There is something you cannot describe,

seeing your son with his sons....

Priceless.

 

A first kiss from big brother Gus.

Just like I said to Gus a few years ago. It's still relevant...

...I have loved you for a thousand years,
I'll love you for a thousand more...

 

Welcome to the world our little Jasper-We Love you!!

 

Peace....

 

I know I used this recently but I think this sums things up quite nicely:

 

Thought for the Day: "How do you spell love" asked Piglet. "You don't spell it, you feel it" said Pooh.

Mainland Time

We have spent this past week helping out at Josh, Kathy & Gus' house. They were redoing some countertops in their kitchen and needed some help. I helped very little with that but Gus and I had fun while the rest were busy!!

Monday: I had a great time at one of the local parks and recreation programs that Gus goes to. Take a look.....

Arts & crafts time......

Sometimes there just aren't enough sparkles in the bowl.

Block building time.....

Just how is it that Grandma wears these things anyway??

Yup, that's about right!!

 

A special storybook from special people in Nova Scotia....

 

Tuesday: While Josh & Doug got started on the countertop job, Gus & I headed off to Great Grandma Nadyne's in North Vancouver for a visit.

  

Showing Grandma Great how to really rock the house!!

 

First half of the kitchen is done!! Good job men!!

 

Wednesday/Thursday: The challenges of installing new laminate over existing laminate are many. Lots of hours were put into making the transition.....  

 

Is he stuck??

 

Thank goodness extra hired help has arrived!!!

Hold it....I see the problem Grandpa!!

 

Thank goodness for break time!!!

 

....and it's looking pretty damn good!! Now, just installing those last

doors and tile the backsplash!! Hey Josh, where are you?

(PS - Thanks to Mary for gently pointing out the "issue" with the taps!! All fixed!!)

Just "who" said again that you couldn't laminate

over an existing laminate countertop?? Great job!!

 

Time to go!!!!

 

Friday: So, with that job done, we were back on the ferry to Nanaimo for a short spell. See you all soon!! 

 

Thanks for checking in with us, even though we aren't travelling afar. We appreciate everyone taking the time for us!!

 

Peace....

 

Thought for the Day: Good people bring out the good in people...

Phoenix AZ to Vcr BC

Well, a little late is better than not at all, right?

We had a great time in Phoenix. The weather "could have" been a bit better but the time spent with Don & Di was so much fun. Even a little rain couldn't dampen our spirits.

Our flights down and back were on Allegiant and they were a good airline. Courteous, informative and organized. We would definitely fly with them again.

Interesting loading the old fashioned way in

both Phoenix and Bellingham.

Bye Phoenix!!

Coming in over the San Juan Islands, Washington.

Hello Bellingham and near home again!! 

 

So, we had a great time in Phoenix. We just wished we could have not had the 2 days of rain!! Still, a great time!!

 

Peace....

 

Thought for the Day: You don't HAVE to do this. You GET to do this.

Phoenix AZ (Day 10)

Day 9 - Let me recap our Day 9.....it rained. A lot. All day in fact!! True enough, it was warmer than at home but did I mention that it rained?? Phoenix and surrounding area doesn't do rain very well either. It is built on a clay base so the rain just accumulates and takes a little while to dissipate.

 

Our donkey mascot wasn't very happy!!!!

 

We managed to busy ourselves (unfortunately) at a mall. Didn't do too much damage but time at the mall wasn't what we thought we would be doing!! However, we seem to while away the time quite easily and visiting amongst ourselves isn't too hard.

Day 10 - today, was just spent here. Finishing up laundry, cleaning the little house up a bit. It rained again, but not quite as bad as yesterday.

Day 11 - Tomorrow is travel day. Our Allegiant flight leaves here at 3:20 pm and arrives in Bellingham at about 5:40 pm (with time change).

Sorry but I have nothing else for you! Not really the way we wanted our holiday to end, but we have had a great and relaxing time. Saw lots of things and enjoyed good food, wine and mostly good company!!

Peace....

Thought for the Day: People may hear your words but they feel your attitude.