Things are looking up.....

What a week it has been! Since this blog is first and foremost about our Huntsville log home, I will give a short update on our project. As shown on the attached picture, Matt and Casey have been busy at the Yard. The first course of logs was put down, and the frame for the turret has been erected. So exciting to actually see part of our house being built. More progress will be done this week.

As for me, well, I am now retired. I am actually realizing it today for the first time. Sunday is typically a day where I get things done in preparation for the week ahead. Today, I did nothing of the sort. I went to the farmers market then we went for a nice Vette ride to take in the fall colours. It is a beautiful day.


As expected, last week was an emotional roller coaster, with the grande finale being last Friday. After an emotional employee meeting, where Michel spoke so nicely about me, and a standing ovation from all employees, I had lunch with my HR colleagues and Russell at a nice restaurant close to the office. We all had a good time, I laughed and cried but it was all good.



So, this is it. I have lots of good memories and I will cherish them forever. Now, Russell and I begin this new chapter together, 24/7/365, and we have lots of plans! My agenda is already quite full for this week, hope I have enough time to do everything.

On this happy note, I wish you all a good week.

This week will be a blast...

...in more ways than one! Lots of progress has been made on our lot, excavation is complete and the bedrock is completely exposed (and there is lots of it). Blasting will take place this week. We finally received our construction permit last Thursday so all is in order. The pads for our house have been positioned and Matt and Casey will start building this week.

This past Thursday was my retirement dinner. It was a very nice evening spent with good friends and colleagues, filled with emotions. I was presented with a beautiful, limited edition ( number 12 of 20), lithograph of Robert Bateman, signed by the man himself, a solitary loon on a peaceful lake. It will have a special place in our new home. Since I wanted to add my own touch to the evening, I had prepared a parody of the Green Acres show in a video format, with slides and lyrics typical of our new Huntsville lifestyle and mimicking Eddy Albert and Eva Gabor. It was very funny, totally unexpected and everyone enjoyed it. Of course, there was also a serious side to the evening, with speeches from Michel, my boss, and myself. Although I had prepared for this, I did not expect to be so emotional. But, in the end, I said what I wanted to say, with the last words being for Russell, who has given me unconditional love, support and encouragement throughout my whole career. A video was also shown with various employees speaking and sending me retirement wishes. There will be a day, soon I hope, where I will be able to watch this video without crying.

So this week marks my last week at the office, with my last day being Friday, September 23, 2011. No doubt it will be another emotional week... but it will be a blast to finally be able to say that I am now a retiree! When I write my next post, that is exactly what I will be.

I attach a video of Huntsville, taken on Saturday. Enjoy and have a good week.

Pondering my upcoming retirement.....

As I am thinking about the upcoming two weeks that I have left before I retire, Russell is slowly getting the pond ready for Fall. We will miss our pond when we move to Huntsville but we will have other things that will bring us as much enjoyment. Yes, two weeks left at work, with my retirement dinner this coming Thursday. I am looking forward to it but no doubt it will be filled with all sorts of emotions. My retirement "speech" is ready. It will be simple and will come from the heart. I will fill you in on that event next weekend.

Nothing to report on the log home front. I hope to have something to talk about next week. As mentioned in last week's blog, Treasure was nesting and she did have her two puppies on Monday, September 6. She had to have a c-section as her pups were too big, a whopping 9.5 ounces each. She had a boy and a gal. Both are doing very well and one of them should be ours to take home in November. Needless to say, we are very excited and we will follow their progress daily on the Talemakers blog.

Today is 9/11, a day for all of us to remember. Ten years ago today, I was checking in at my hotel room in Divonne, France when I found out about 9/11. I was there on business. Being away from home and my loved ones made it all so much worse. It was a terrible time that no one will ever forget.

I wish everyone a good week.

We seem to be on a Roll.....

Our septic system is installed...it is an engineering masterpiece! It looks great, so does the leaching mantel around it. Top soil has been added as well as grass seed. This will be a great spot for the dogs to run around. This week, we chose the well driller, we received a few quotes for the foundation and we will make a final decision on the supplier this week. We're almost there as far as locking down the contractors for the major parts of our construction. The permit is still being reviewed by the Town of Huntsville. Three questions were emailed to us, which were answered. We hope to get the permit approval this week. Matt has installed the pads in his yard, which will be used to construct our home. Time is just flying by and things are moving along.

This is the Labour Day long weekend and we just found out that Treasure is nesting - she is taking labour day to a new level, which means she will likely have her puppies within the next 24 hours. We will be watching the Talemakers blog daily to find out how the new litter is doing and our puppy-to-be.

On the work front, all is good. I have three weeks to go before the big day. Today, I cleaned out my closets and will be giving away my work clothes to the Interval House, a charity which is supported by my work place. This clothing drive will help prepare women re-enter the work force. It felt good to clean out the closets, especially for such a good cause.

I attach a video of our lot taken last Friday. Enjoy! Video link