Three weeks ago, Julia and I had a busy week working with our banker Carla Lo of TD Canada Trust, insuring our soon-to-be-ours property also with TD, collecting our coins, and handing the coins over to our property lawyer Eric Kerr of Johns, Southward.

Then Saturday May 5th, we received the keys from our realtor Lynn Couvelier of Tony Joe & Associates – RE/MAX Camosun.

We spent some of the day trying to track down the colors of the inside of the house; No luck finding a source or match for this discontinued Martha Stewart paint without samples. In the end we decided that we will paint; enough touch ups were needed and we wanted to go with a lighter, brighter ambiance.

The amazing cleaner Ann Wilson and her associate came and cleaned the whole house top to bottom, removing five years of dog and filth.

Friends are busy too: Mark Jaquith marries Sarah in Florida. (They are also recent first time home owners).

Sunday, May 6th, move part 2, thank you: Landon Cunningham (brother) Ryan Emperingham (cousin), Kenny Doskotch (cousin), Jeremy Watts, Chris Reid, Chris Robb, Andrew D’estrube, Dylan (brother), Donna Cunningham (mother), Lois Budd (mother), and everyone else who offered to help! The moms provided a tasty lunch and I provided the Lucky. Like move part 1, this move was done quickly and without injury. We slept at Mystic Place that night.

Monday, May 7th, I work from Mystic House (with Landon working in the next room). At our house, Julia receives our long awaited new Sleep Country bed. No more bruises on Julia from the springs nor her being caught in my gravity. First sleep at home!

It is our anniversary! We get away from the unpacking with a tasty meal at Cafe Brio

Tuesday, May 8th, post our basement suite on Victoria craigslist. Surprised by the quantity and the quality of the applicants.

Wednesday, May 9th, still working from Mystic House. New Sears’ fridge delivered on time) — retired the noise maker.

Meet our basement suite “top applicant” at Timmies to get to know her better and ensure that we like her and she likes us. Decide that she is the one. Pam becomes our tenant.

Thursday, May 9th, Shaw internet connected first thing in the morning — very nice installation guy had a cancellation and called me. Walk with Ment.

Friday, walk with Ment. Pam comes over and signs the paper work.

Saturday and Sunday, paint all weekend with the awesome help of Landon and Donna! Front hall, 2 coats in the living room and dining room, and one coat on the stairs to the basement. One coat on the dining room cabinet.

Monday, May 14th, old fridge is picked up by BC Hydro. Another coat for the basement floor by Julia and I. Another coat on the dining room cabinet.

Tuesday, extra tasty dinner at Korean Garden — Arnold was working the sushi bar. Move things back into the basement, reconnect washer and dryer.

Wedesday, second coat on the stair case. Putting covers back on sockets and light switches. Julia continues on the dining room cabinets and silicon caulking was needed a lot in the living room.

Thursday, move things back into the basement. Reclaiming the kitchen.

Friday, during the day my mom Lois helped me make a lasagna for Julia and I to enjoy that night. I also mowed Lois’ front lawn. Excellent dinner with Julia and some Thrifty Food desserts to celebrate her birthday privately.

Saturday through Monday, at Forbidden Plateau cabin with Julia, Chris, and Becky. Enjoying tasty eats and drinks, folk and eights records, board games, a short hike and cloudless night sky free of light polution.

On Saturday it was Julia’s birthday! The time away was fantastic.

Monday, May 21, Bernie, Ali, Cassidy, Carrie, Carissa come over for cheese, crackers, cookies and chocolate to wish Julia a happy birthday.