The time has finally arrived. Our closing date is tomorrow. We have our pre-inspection walk through scheduled, all the papers are signed, the payments made … all we need are the keys

Most of our gear is stuffed in boxes, except what we need to survive. I totally, unequivalently hate living out of boxes. Thankfully this is the last time in a very very long time we will be moving.

The children have been amazingly well behaved during the chaos. I have a wicked bad cold and most of the time absolutely miserable. Blowing out snot while packing is not fun.

On a whim we went to a couple furniture stores this afternoon. All of us needing a well deserved break from packing. We spotted and fell in loved with the most awesome dining room set. It is a great size and gorgeous … sits eight … totally want it. We have the cash, but that would serve to reduce our debt.

I find it extremely hard to make decisive decisions concerning the house. For so long I have dreamed of owning our own house, now making choices about drapes, dining room tables, lighting fixtures and Christmas lights (led or traditional? AHHHHH), it has me freezing up, unable to decide. It all seems so huge. What if I hate the drapes I choose? LED Christmas lights look funky. Do we really need new lighting fixtures? Ooo that dining room table was so wonderful. AHHHHHHH. I do not even have the keys yet.

Does it get easier? Do you love to decorate or loathe it?

I spent last night wrapping, preparing and packaging presents, in my first wave of Christmas mailing. My hope is to have everything shipped before we move. The entire time I was consumed with thoughts about Christmas.

A few weeks ago Amy at Crunchy Domestic Goddess challenged her readers to a No Plastic Holiday Challenge. The concept intrigues me, however I have failed miserably at the challenge. In fact I left her a comment saying that I believed in the challenge but alas I failed already.

Yet, for my friends and family I totally was plastic free. Almost all the gifts are hand stitched by me, sharing a piece of my families beliefs, my creativity and love. I plan on sharing my grand idea for gifts this year after Christmas (I would like to surprise the recipients that all read my blog).

However for children I totally bought plastic. Really children should have been included in my quest, right? Yet somehow, I failed. Why? They are not receiving as much as previous years, as our ideals as a family have changed and we just bought a house for everyone

We could have excluded the plastic gifts. Yet we didn’t. I am at a loss as to why.

Consumerism was something that I have fallen pry to in the past. While we were living in the US it was insane. People often ask me what the differences are between Canada and the US. One of the biggest differences is the intensity in which we consume. Now, that is not to say that Canadians do not over consume, over spend, and have credit card debt. Yet somehow the mentality is different, not quite so intense.

Upon returning to Canada, I was a little annoyed. Stores where not open, things were not as convienent, as readily available, I had to …. wait for what I wanted. Now that we are close to our year anniversary of returning to Canada, I am grateful that my life has slowed down, that I have time to think a purchase over and I have spent a lot less.

Have you changed your spending this year? It has been a rough year for a lot of people. We are a little strapped buying the house, but it was more about not going overboard and enjoying Christmas for more than just stuff.

Speaking of spending and stuff … hehe … Happy Thanksgiving to all you south of the border! Tomorrow is Black Friday, a Boxing Day before Christmas for Americans. When we were in California we headed out just for fun. There are a ton of places online having sales if you want to avoid the crowds. Ambajam is have a 25% off sale for Black Friday weekend.  You can get 25% off the entire Ambajam collection (sale items excluded) Friday-Sunday, 11/28-11/30. (Promo Code:  BF25) They have the cutest stuff for babies and kids, and always have an awesome Wordless Wednesday photo!

In just a few days I can start decorating my NEW HOUSE for Christmas!!!! Have you started decorating?

Have fun with more Wordless Wednesday.

arg! One more week till our closing date! Time is standing still (and I have so much to do I know I should be grateful but still arg!)

We have had a snowy, blissful weekend. The kids love the snow! We did have to go out and replenish some of our winter gear. We had received a couple snow suits however Ethan was having issues getting back on his feet with them on. Becca needed bigger boots and water proof mittens. Now we are set

As you may have noticed I have changed the theme once again :”> I was going to wait for Wordpress 2.7 to be released as there will be some core changes, however I want to complete as much as I can before the move.

I have a couple new posts up at Being Savvy Halifax. I have so been enjoying the book month over there.

We have a busy week filled with friends, appointments with doctors and lawyers and of course packing, preparing gifts and trying to enjoy it all. Ethan, Becca and I are heading to the doctor tomorrow. Ethan is a little behind on his vaccinations, being that he seemed under the weather constantly these past few weeks.

I am so ready to just move already, get settled and relax. Oh how I crave lazy days by the fire, sipping hot chocolate and reading a book to the children.

How was your weekend?

We have had our first snow fall of the season. The snow is blanketing the ground, all white and crisp. We lost power last night, the kids all tucked into their beds, while I waited for J to arrive home. He was out of town again for a university talk. The storm including wind, rain and snow was nasty to drive through but he made it home safely.

Now I am going to brag a little. J applied for a research grant and has been all edgy and nervous waiting to hear news. Last night he got the email that he was granted the research funds! W00t J you rock! Being that he is just getting started these funds will help with much needed equipment!

Becca, Ethan and I are still sick. This cold just does not want to go away. Just when we think it is clearing up the swollen, achey sore throat returns, then the coughing. yuck.

Both the children are loving the snow. We head out every day to play in it. I believe they will need more mittens and toques to keep up once we have a backyard … TEN days … it still feels like a life time away.

There is a new post up on Being Savvy Halifax AND look out things are going to change around here in preparation for the holidays!