Moving Day

For the last month or so, I have been slowly packing up our belongings. A little bit everyday, just to lessen the stress level. John was at work, and when he was home, he organized his tools, took down the Christmas lights, and whatever manly jobs that I couldn't do. His last trip back to Dawson before moving day, he took along a truck full of tools, and the camping trailer loaded with large home décor stuff and other big items.   

    So, when we decided to move to Dawson, the search for a house began. Everyone we talked to wished us well with the search. "House rentals are hard to find" they would tell us, also promising us that they would talk to someone they knew up there. Well, I found a lady on a Facebook group that was looking to rent in Quesnel.  So I contacted her, to see if she wanted to do a "house swap". She agreed, and after talking to both landlords, they decision was made. John was working in camp at this time, so when he got back to town, he went to look at the house. He was not convinced with this house, as it was  not in the best neighborhood, and was on a steep road, which would be hard to get up in the winter. So, he posted a paper on the bulletin board at the Alliance church. We got 2 phone calls through that ad. One was a 1000 sq ft house.. newly renovated. The other was slightly bigger, but older. So, I left the decision up to John (eeek!) and he chose the house we live in now, the bigger but older one!

   Along came moving day. We had reserved a Uhaul truck about a month in advance, hoping that by doing so, the truck would be ready in Quesnel. When you reserve a truck, the receipt tells you the pick up location, but in small letters (of course) it says: "NOTE: this location is preference only!" So after talking to a few people who knew of somebody who had used Uhaul, I was getting a little worried. The stories weren't good. People had to travel distances to pickup the truck, and had to fight to get one on the day they needed it. So I got the phone call, early morning of the day before moving (Wednesday). The truck was ready for pick up..... in PRINCE GEORGE.. an hour north of us. Yes, JOhn had to travel through Prince George to get home, but usually he is in PG about 8:00 at night, and Uhaul was closed at 6:00. He didn't think it was a wise decision to leave DC too early in the morning, pack all day, and drive back to DC, so he still left Wednesday night with his buddy Danny, and stayed in a hotel in PG. He picked up the Uhaul at 7:00 on Thursday (moving day).  He arrived in Quesnel at 9:00. The girls were in school, finishing off their last day. So, we had 3 amazing people show up to help us load, and by noon, we had the majority of it loaded.

    I had prepared for this day, thinking that we would load everything except the mattresses, spend the night in Quesnel, and then head for DC in the morning. But while I was in town, doing some lsat minute errands, John loaded the mattresses! They weren't at the back of the truck either.. nope.. they were about 7 feet in. So 4:30 came along, and we were all tired. There was no way I was driving 6 hours to DC yet that night. So our amazing Pastor and his wife, took us in, fed us supper and provided a bed for us all. Friday morning, we were up by 5:30, and heading back to the house, to finish off loading, did some sweeping, and we were off! I took no pictures, but now thinking back, I should have at least taken one of the back of the truck. Picture the bbq and a BUNCH of crates stacked up. Now, laying on top of the bbq and crates is a door, frame included, laying horizontal.. like a shelf! Now on top of this door is everything and anything that could fit.. blankets, more crates, garbage cans, coolers... etc. This truck was packed full.  But we fit everything in.. except for the piano (WE WILL NOT TALK ABOUT THAT!) When we got to DC, all 3 of us girls had to use the bathroom. So where were the house keys? In John's work bag that was packed behind the bbq and everthing stacked on top of the door! After about 20 minutes of unloading, we found the bag, and ran in. Good thing there are 3 bathrooms in this house. So, a week later, and we have mostly settled in. Upstairs is completely done, just adjusting a few things. I haven't started on downstairs, as I didn't want to get too worried about it when John was on his days off. Now he is in camp, so I will have lots of time. Plus it is supposed to be hot this weekend, so it's a good excuse to be downstairs. I took some pictures anyhow, just so you could see what the house looks like. Enjoy!

The living room.. take from the top of the stairs.  The bear and deer have found their place. Think I might have to name them. They are kinda like part of our family. 

 

 

The dining room, taken from the kitchen. From the location of the deer on the wall, you can see where the living room is

 

 

Kitchen, taken from the dining room. Note the upright (included in the house) in the middle of the picture? That's the little "room" in the next picture.

 

 

Sorry for the dark picture, but that upright is on the right.  There is a large pantry on the right, and a portable pantry on the left. The patio door leads out to a large deck. This deck does not have stairs, so the only way to get to the back yard, is through the front door. John hopes to build a deck on one of his days off, when we are actually home :)

 

 

 

The main bath.. a nice tub, that is VERY comfy! Sorry Ev, now your tub will no longer be a luxury for me!

 

 

McKenna's bedroom. It is much larger than the one she had in Quesnel. My plan is to store their toys in their bedroom, as they won't be having a playroom in this house. 

 

 

Emmy's room. Also quite a bit larger than her other room. Notice the blankets on all the windows??!! The curtains are quite see through, so by 5:00 in the morning it is as bright as day in there. OUr nights are quite short here. 

 

 

Our room. The bedframes are not put together yet, so that's why the bedframe is leaning against the wall. John put cardboard in our window to darken the room. 

 

 

 the front entrance, taken at the bottom of the stairs.

 

this is our bullet making/scrapbook/potential homeschool room. See the arch in the back? That's the spare room..  

 

 

spare room seen here..the bed's there somewhere, and we already had a guest use it ;)

 

archway to the bathroom on the right, and laundry room on left. 

 

downstairs bath 

 

large laundry room, with room for the extra upright freezer!  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the washing machine! 

 

front of house 

 

 the backyard

 

 

the mini veggie garden that the landlord planted for me: peas, beans, carrots and beets. Plus there is rhubarb, green onions from last year, and strawberries in the front yard 

 

 

Kids are begging me to take them to the playground that's just around the corner so I better cut it short and leave some good stuff for next time ;)

 

Thanks for visiting. Feel free to leave me some love!