Yay December!

Happy December everyone :)

Things to look forward to this month...

1. FINALLY seeing the orthopaedic surgeon (tomorrow)
2. Tubal Ligation Reversal Surgery (11 more sleeps)
3. Christmas! (well, Presents!) (24 more sleeps)
4. Boxing Day Sales!
5. Getting Pregnant! (on or around Dec. 31, according to MY calendar)

So, okay, there are a lot of "fingers crossed" items on that list....

Wish me luck.

Oh my freakin' gawd. Gimme a break!

This is a rant. Please don't have ANY misconceptions going in.

The first thing I would like to say is that I have never NEVER had ANY problems with unnamed cable/phone/internet company in my history with them. They've been fantastic to and for me.

As you know, I moved over here June 7th, less than 1 week after studying for and writing an extremely involved examination. Great, right? Well... only kinda. I moved into the basement of my parent's new home, that they were remodelling and had not yet moved into. That part's pretty good. Then they began,slowly but surely, moving in. I had ordered separate internet service after my sister, who STILL, at 38, lives with my parents, moved MY internet modem into what would be my mum's office - leaving me without the internet that I needed for studying for my second, even more involved examination - as well as work. Push came to shove after I returned from a very intense training session in Winnipeg... I HAD to find a place to live... and NOW. They were moving in. Knowing my Mom and Sister as I do... I could not - let me emphasize this COULD NOT continue to live in that house if they were going to be there. Enter Hugh & McKinnon, my fabulous property managers... they found a house for me that I could move into almost immediately - so I began to make arrangements to have phone/internet/cable hooked up through aforesaid company. Yay me!

Not so much.

On the day that my internet/phone/cable were hooked up, my parent's phone was somehow disconnected. Sheesh. Okay - minor fuck-up, right? Easily fixed, right? Well, yes - but that didn't stop my Mom calling and yelling at me even though the company said they could come out the next day and re-connect their service. So - here we are - nearly a month later, and I'm STILL getting blamed for this. Mom was on the phone with them for (she claims) 3 hours today - and called me to ask to have their number from my account.

"???" I said

then, giving up on rational thought, agreed to call them.

I just got off the phone with them - explained the situation as I understood it, and asked them to remove their number from my account.

"???" they said.

The number in question was never, let me emphasize this NEVER on my account!

So. I called my mother to let her know. My sister answered. I just got yelled at by HER and blamed some more for their woes.

I think it's time for me to step back, yet again, from contact.

I officially give up. Not EVERYTHING can be my fault, m'dears. Somehow, at some point, you are all going to have to find another scapegoat... and for me, that time is now.

Winding down.... ?

Coming up on yet another big week...

Writing my Insurance Licensing Exam on Wednesday morning at 8am, moving on Thursday morning at 8am.

Oh yeah - didn't I meantion? I found a house! Ridiculously expensive, but a house nonetheless... the girls are going to LOVE it (and so am I... and for the same reasons). It has 3 big bedrooms (the master is ENORMOUS), a bonus room over the garage (read girl's BIG playroom that they don't have to clean every time someone comes over!!!), an office, 2 fireplaces and an beautiful big back yard! It's in an okay area - the property backs onto a park with a swimming pool! and water park! and playground!... photos will follow... promise :)

And the LLQP exam... the last in a long series of hoops through which I'm jumping. It's a good thing, actually - I really never had any idea what insurance can do! I mean really - think about it in its most base terms: extended medical, extended dental - important, right? What about Critical Illness? Ever known anyone that had a heart attack? Diabetes? Cancer? Aaaaaanyway... I digress.

Got appointed this week - and made my first big sale. Yay me!

That's it for now. XO

Consult!

So... here's what I do...

I help people save/build/make money. I help them take what they have/don't have and create a plan with them to help them retire/go on vacation/buy a house/spend less money on their house/write off portions of interest/save on taxes/make sure they and their loved ones are protected when they die ('cause it happens, people, and we need to prepare for it)... and lots and lots of other things too!

I really like what I do... helping people... now I just need people to help!

So, if you're out there... contact me! Leave a comment and I PROMISE I'll get back to you...

My planning services are all done at no cost and no obligation to you... so really? What do you have to lose?

TGIF

REALLY... thank goodness it's Friday.

I've been in Winnipeg now since July 9th... you know? I've done my fair share of travelling in my short years, but never felt homesick - until this trip, only 2 1/2 hours' flight from home.

I've missed you; the other half of my heart, I've missed my babies, I've missed my bed, I've missed real food, I've missed the mountains and the people... but not just "gee I wish I was there" missed - not being able to sleep and crying at the thought of you missed.

I woke up early this morning (some may say very late last night... but the sun was trying to come up, nonetheless), and without the aid of the alarm... I board my plane at 1:45 this afternoon and leave the ground at 2:15. I'll arrive at 3:16 and be in your arms shortly thereafter. And I will sleep tonight.

I cried in class this week (yes, I'm a silly girl) - we were learning to paint word pictures of other's goals and dreams, and in doing so, were asked to paint our own... it involved the house we've talked about, and the trip of a lifetime... sailing down the west coast to the Panama Canal, across the Atlantic and into the Mediterranean... things I didn't know meant so much to me until they were on paper and I tried to read them aloud.

Can't wait to see you... so happy Friday's finally here XO

*blushing*

Hello. I know it's been awhile... a lot has happened in the past 3 months. I ALSO am painfully aware that I never did complete my ClubMed blog - I only ever got to day 2... enh.

I'm in Winnipeg. Yes, Winnipeg. I'm here completing my training for my new position in my new life... oh yeah - I moved... didn't I mention?

Here's a brief overview, for those of you that haven't heard it:

- Got back from Vacation April 12, landed without job.
- Got back from Vacation to a sold house!
- Decided to try and figure out exactly what it was that I DID want to do - needed to have something/anything in place before moving: talked to a lot of people about a lot of options and came out where I am - in Winnipeg, completing my training as a Consultant with Investors Group Financial. Finally! A job where I can help people help themselves. It's a good thing.
- Took the IFIC (Investment Funds in Canada) course, and passed with quite high marks (yeah, it's a brag)on June 1st :)
- Started packing for my move (which was happening June 7th!)... my guy came over to help on the last night, which was SO appreciated - you have no idea. Also? Apparently I hired the best moving company in the universe... the guys were just fantastic - and done well ahead of their expected schedule.
- Moved
- Started new position 3 days after moving - and also began studying for the LLQP (Life License Qualification Program) - which is required by IG... we ARE a FULL SERVICE company.
- Loved the learning curve - so much... SO MUCH to learn (still... don't know if that bit will ever be done... another HUGE perk, for me)
- Wrote the LLQP on July 6th (and passed! again, with above-average marks :)... yay me) and left for Winnipeg on the 8th.

Yeah, it's been a bit whirlwind, but that's a good thing. If I stopped and thought about it all as I went along, I might've talked myself into intimidation and not finished my walk down this very exciting road.

Moral of this story? I love my new life, although I still need to find a house in which to live that does NOT belong to my parents. I get to help people plan for their future and watch over the next 20 years as the work we do together helps them fulfill all their hopes and dreams.

I'm a very lucky girl.

Update time!

Man, when I asks for change, apparently I gets it!!! Like last year, but on a whole new level.

I've now sold my house (completes July 10th)... we've made it past the "removal of subject clauses" phase and into the "hopefully it'll all go smoothly" phase of existence.

I'm no longer at my well-hated job... I'm now training to be a Financial Advisor - pretty cool, actually. One of the exercises that I undertook prior to beginning was asking many friends and family members their objective opinions about how they think this career would suit me. Resounding (very nearly deafening) YESs followed, which certainly made the choice easier for me. Interesting process though... I am currently working on completing my IFIC Certification, which will allow me to apprentice with a firm, likely Investor's Group Financial. The process doesn't stop there though... 5 weeks of training with them, including insurance certifications and other requirements, then I'll be off to Winnipeg for 9 days to complete testing and certification. Once that's all done and I'm official, I can start helping people! I think it will prove to be fun, interesting and challenging with a big element of getting to meet and know new people - really looking forward to it. Of course, there's the scary aspect too - self-employment and building my clientele while trying to make enough money for us to live on. Weeeeeee!

Which brings me to the next step. Finding a place to live. Looking at the buying v. renting option... we shall see, we shall see. And of course there's the "where". Somewhere near skytrain would be preferable, I think... possibly New West. Won't know 'till I find it, I suppose.

PS - still working on the Club Med Turquoise post... SO much to share :)

Weeee!

Oh yeah... and THIS happened the night we were in (yes, IN!) the trapeze show

Oh yeah... most DEFINITELY happy :)

Kinda like this...


and this...


this too...


and most CERTAINLY this...


What an amazing time we had. Working on a full report, but for now? The photos will do the talking XO

Happy!

This is how happy I will be in approximately 14 days, 20 hours

Things, good and enh

Hmmm. The house still hasn't sold... been close a few times this week, with people requesting multiple viewings, but ultimately writing offers elsewhere. Enh. I imagine when the right person comes along, things will go along as they should - hopefully it will happen BEFORE the start date of the new job that I'll get soon :)... also? before Doc and I head out for a week of BLISS on Turks & Caicos!

This week is spring break for the girls. They're going over to their Granny's house for a visit, as neither their Dad nor I have the week off... I'm in training for work and Leon's a prof - reading week and spring break do not coincide. I'm a little upset about this. The boss (aka pointy hair) planned this training week AFTER I told him that it was spring break for the kids. I'm going to miss my girls; partly because they're away for over a week, but also because they will only be back for a little while before I'm on a plane and gone for 10 days too.

Apparently there is no such thing as a direct flight to Turks & Caicos. Who knew? We're flying first to Dallas, then to Miami (where we'll spend the night) - then we get on a plane and less than an hour later, we'll be sunning in the beautiful Caribbean. I've never been there before - nor has Doc. We're going to swim with the dolphins, sail, play some tennis and mostly just relax and have lots of time together - without ferries, or planning, or real life getting in the way. Maybe I will even be able to convince him to go diving with me ('course, according to our months-old bargain, that will mean me jumping out of a plane with him at some point... *insert appropriate squeaky noise here*).

And that's it... for now.

Damn! NOT sold :(

Just like the title says... buyer backed out :(

Any volunteers to keep the place clean for me?

SOLD! (?)

I have an accepted offer on the house... now we just have to get through the (singular) subject.

Subject removal: March 14th
Closing: April 24th

Anyone got a job for me? Oh. And a place to live could prove handy as well.

(yay me!)

Wow. 2 in 2

So. Big stuff STILL happening. Gawd, my life's going to be boring when things finally settle down!

My house is now FOR SALE. The proof is in the papers I signed last night, the Realtors and Photographers that are touring my house today to examine and photograph... and the sign that will be on my front lawn when I return from my weekend of bliss. Wow.

It's an enormous step... but somehow it's not freaking me out. A Good Thing. I thought that I would be worried, or scared, or emotional; but those things have escaped me as I face the drudgery of cleaning and preparing the house for viewing each morning. Perhaps it will sell quickly at asking... perhaps it will be on the market for awhile. Regardless, I am on my way home.

Update: this is it: http://www.charlieparker.ca/real-estate/listing.php?iwebdatabase=8964&panelnum=0

Um, WOW

I surprise even myself. Sometimes more often than I'd like to admit.

I've been back and forth with the doc over irregular (atypical) smear results. Went in this morning for yet ANOTHER follow up exam and got a BIG surprise.

Ready?

Since September, I've known I was losing weight. My estimates have ranged from about 25 pounds to MAYbe 40 at the absolute outside. Today my doc couldn't keep it to herself (I've previously been disinclined to actually know the NUMBER associated with the scale)... but that number isn't 25... not even 40. Since September, I've lost 58 pounds. 58!!!!

Yay me :)

Love 'n junk

So... wow. Lots happening, I suppose :)

First of many: The house is going to be for sale at the end of the week. Must hurt friend to do so. Unfortunately just don't think friend should be seller because of lack of experience.

Second of many: I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT ITEM 1... but scared too

Third of many: Moving, moving, moving. What a horrible thought! Too much work for one. While I'm very much looking forward to moving back to the mainland, the actual slog of keeping the house clean and presentable during the selling and packing process is slightly more than daunting.

Fourth of many: Job hunt continues... I *may* end up living over there prior to finding the j.o.b., which means temporary digs (ich) and not being able to write the move off on my taxes next year (ouch), but job-finding will likely be easier when I don't have "Nanaimo" in my contact box.

Fifth of many... and this is a show-stopper: I'm an idiot. I really am. I've fallen completely head-over-heels-make-an-ass-of-myself in love with the most wonderful, kind, caring, intelligent, funny man. I'm afraid that my dream will end and I'll find myself sitting bolt upright in bed if I tell him. Assvice, anyone?

Last of these few: I'm a happy, happy girl. Yay me :)

Is personal the same as important?

Terry Pratchett is my hero - I think I may have mentioned this once or twice before. I was re-reading one of his stories the other day and came across a sentiment that struck a chord - "Personal is not always the same as important".

My heart hurts. My head hurts. I need to get a job. I need to be back on the mainland. I very much need to see you more often than a few weekends here and there. Personal? Yes. Important? Yes - to me.

I was reminded the other night, as I moaned about my job and how much I'd like to just LEAVE that I am, in fact, a monkey. I need to have the other branch in sight before letting go of the one I'm holding onto. PLEASE, other branch, hurry up - I'm losing my grip!

So what to do? Trust the universe, let go of this job, put my house on the market and just hope? Or be sensible, find employment, then hope everything else falls into place when I need it to? Any advice? Even ass-vice will do :)

I know I'm angst-wanking. That's where I am right now. So - I put it to you... is personal the same as important? Sometimes, I think.

More changes!

My life has taken on a tone. That tone is of change. It's a good thing.

I'm trying to move back to the mainland. THAT means new job, selling house, buying house, disappointing Dad ('cause he REALLY wants to live here) and an amazing side-effect of being closer to those I Love.

It's a good thing.

This year will be happy and new. Last year is gone now... and I am happy to see it go. Last year was a very difficult one - probably depression (undiagnosed... adn it lead to better things that I'll talk about in a minute) deaths in my close family, separation and tossing myself into a job that I will (hmm, how to put it?)not miss.

The great things that came out of all of that are a better understanding of myself through hypnosis (chortle, if you must), a connection with a special someone that seems to be leading my heart in places it hasn't been before and an eagerness for what's ahead. I'm excited. I'm excited about my life and where circumstances are leading me.