Status: We have a working kitchen!! Turned on the gas stove for the first time since we bought it in June. Fridge is busy cooling, and we expect the freezer to make an appearance within a week.
We celebrated with a fanatastic Thai dinner, and I think that we will all sleep soundly tonight. Cold milk on cereal tomorrow, what a treat!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
The Big Day
Moving day has come and gone, and I know I've been promising pictures for a couple of weeks now, but you're just going to have to wait a bit longer. The card reader for the camera is packed in one of our many boxes, and as we don't really have anywhere to unpack, I can't say when it will surface. But I am taking pictures, and you will see them soon!
Yesterday was the big move. We got started early, picking up the truck at 8am. We found a great parking spot just outside our building, and Erik and I got to work right away, taking the bed apart, and moving the matress into the truck while we waited for our movers (aka strong friends) to arrive. Thomas and Alex arrived, and we quickly started loading up the elevator and sending it down. We had gotten most of the big items out before the elevator jammed and we had to call the 'depanneur'. While we waited for him to arrive we continued to run up and down the six flights of stairs with most of the remaining items. An hour later, the elevator was unstuck, and we loaded the last things into the truck. Then we hit the road en route to the new place.
Parking at the new place was a bit more complicated, and Erik decided that our best bet was to simply park in the entry to the underground parking garage and then move the truck whenever someone needed to get in or out. Lucky for us, a friendly stranger showed us how to pull up two guard rails so we could park the truck on the pedestrian walkway right next to the building. Unloading the truck was pretty quick, being on the ground floor everything went in through the window.
By 1:00 we were amazed that it was all finished. We headed out for a pizza lunch, and then an exhausted Thomas and Alex left, and Erik and I went back to drop off the truck--four hours early!! We should have gone to Ikea or something, but we all know that Ikea and exhaustion are a recipe for disaster. The afternoon consisted of more Leroy Merlin for Erik, and old apartment cleaning for Torie (so dusty!!). I'll go back today to finally empty out the fridge, and collect our deposit. I'm sad to be leaving that place.
Life in the new apartment is rustic. It's a bit like camping. The only difference is that there is no tent, and the toilet is right next door. Also, there's no campfire or smores, which are pretty much the only reason to go camping, right? Anyway, all that to say that there isn't much electricity yet, and aside from two work lights plugged in by extension cords to the one working outlet in the entry, we were in the dark last night. Howard has a handy headlamp, and there is a very powerful LED flashlight/torch that serves as the bathroom light.
At 10:00 we were all crazy from exhaustion and hunger, and headed out in search of food. The first place we passed was a Turkish/Greek restaurant, and in honour of Joan and Karina's trip, and due to the fact that it was open and really close, we stopped in. It was great. Simple, tasty, satisfying and cheap. Three course dinner for 15euros! We'll be back. It was a good way to end a long day.
Yesterday was the big move. We got started early, picking up the truck at 8am. We found a great parking spot just outside our building, and Erik and I got to work right away, taking the bed apart, and moving the matress into the truck while we waited for our movers (aka strong friends) to arrive. Thomas and Alex arrived, and we quickly started loading up the elevator and sending it down. We had gotten most of the big items out before the elevator jammed and we had to call the 'depanneur'. While we waited for him to arrive we continued to run up and down the six flights of stairs with most of the remaining items. An hour later, the elevator was unstuck, and we loaded the last things into the truck. Then we hit the road en route to the new place.
Parking at the new place was a bit more complicated, and Erik decided that our best bet was to simply park in the entry to the underground parking garage and then move the truck whenever someone needed to get in or out. Lucky for us, a friendly stranger showed us how to pull up two guard rails so we could park the truck on the pedestrian walkway right next to the building. Unloading the truck was pretty quick, being on the ground floor everything went in through the window.
By 1:00 we were amazed that it was all finished. We headed out for a pizza lunch, and then an exhausted Thomas and Alex left, and Erik and I went back to drop off the truck--four hours early!! We should have gone to Ikea or something, but we all know that Ikea and exhaustion are a recipe for disaster. The afternoon consisted of more Leroy Merlin for Erik, and old apartment cleaning for Torie (so dusty!!). I'll go back today to finally empty out the fridge, and collect our deposit. I'm sad to be leaving that place.
Life in the new apartment is rustic. It's a bit like camping. The only difference is that there is no tent, and the toilet is right next door. Also, there's no campfire or smores, which are pretty much the only reason to go camping, right? Anyway, all that to say that there isn't much electricity yet, and aside from two work lights plugged in by extension cords to the one working outlet in the entry, we were in the dark last night. Howard has a handy headlamp, and there is a very powerful LED flashlight/torch that serves as the bathroom light.
At 10:00 we were all crazy from exhaustion and hunger, and headed out in search of food. The first place we passed was a Turkish/Greek restaurant, and in honour of Joan and Karina's trip, and due to the fact that it was open and really close, we stopped in. It was great. Simple, tasty, satisfying and cheap. Three course dinner for 15euros! We'll be back. It was a good way to end a long day.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Moving
So. We're moving.
Every time anyone mentions our upcoming move, I automatically state how much I hate it. Don't get me wrong. I'm still excited about the potential 'final' destination, but it's all the stress and boxes and dust and WALLPAPER in between the start and finish that make me just want to curl up and stay forever in my bright yellow furnished apartment. (Have I mentioned that I will never ever ever in my life willingly wallpaper a wall? Please remind me of this time if I ever consider putting paper on our walls. Mom how did you deal with all the wallpaper in our house? I can remember at least two different patterns in my room...)
So. I've taken myself off wallpaper duty, and fully invested myself in packing duty. One of the things I hate most about moving is the packing. And the unpacking. I hate living out of boxes. I unpack as soon as I get home from trips because it drives me nuts having clothes in a suitcase for longer than necessary. The best part about this move is that there won't be anything to unpack our lives into. Fun.
Our landlady is coming over tomorrow night to check out the place, so I've brought up all the boxes of her stuff that we stored in the cave, and have spent the afternoon washing the disgusting brown glass dishware that lives here. (Was it ever possible to make food look appetizing on brown glass plates? I can't look at them without being reminded of beer bottles, and I can't think of a less attractive colour for dishware). I've also packed up all our dishes and pans, helpfully packing the baking dish I need to make tonight's dinner at the bottom of a box. The worst part is that because we've been living in a land of boxes for a couple of months now, it doesn't even look like I've accomplished anything.
Apologies for the grumpy post. I'm so far down the box tunnel that I can't see the light at the end. The internet is really slow in here too, which doesn't make things any more fun. However, Erik tested out the new line at the apartment today, and the phone works, same number as before. I don't think they're leaving the phone plugged in, but if you send an email, they could probably organize a phone call.
The latest news from the new apartment is that they've finally started drilling, and Erik got to use his new angle grinder finally. I'll try to remember to send the camera with them tomorrow, although it's unlikely I'll be able to upload photos until we move.
There you go. The happy update in our moving adventure.
:)
Every time anyone mentions our upcoming move, I automatically state how much I hate it. Don't get me wrong. I'm still excited about the potential 'final' destination, but it's all the stress and boxes and dust and WALLPAPER in between the start and finish that make me just want to curl up and stay forever in my bright yellow furnished apartment. (Have I mentioned that I will never ever ever in my life willingly wallpaper a wall? Please remind me of this time if I ever consider putting paper on our walls. Mom how did you deal with all the wallpaper in our house? I can remember at least two different patterns in my room...)
So. I've taken myself off wallpaper duty, and fully invested myself in packing duty. One of the things I hate most about moving is the packing. And the unpacking. I hate living out of boxes. I unpack as soon as I get home from trips because it drives me nuts having clothes in a suitcase for longer than necessary. The best part about this move is that there won't be anything to unpack our lives into. Fun.
Our landlady is coming over tomorrow night to check out the place, so I've brought up all the boxes of her stuff that we stored in the cave, and have spent the afternoon washing the disgusting brown glass dishware that lives here. (Was it ever possible to make food look appetizing on brown glass plates? I can't look at them without being reminded of beer bottles, and I can't think of a less attractive colour for dishware). I've also packed up all our dishes and pans, helpfully packing the baking dish I need to make tonight's dinner at the bottom of a box. The worst part is that because we've been living in a land of boxes for a couple of months now, it doesn't even look like I've accomplished anything.
Apologies for the grumpy post. I'm so far down the box tunnel that I can't see the light at the end. The internet is really slow in here too, which doesn't make things any more fun. However, Erik tested out the new line at the apartment today, and the phone works, same number as before. I don't think they're leaving the phone plugged in, but if you send an email, they could probably organize a phone call.
The latest news from the new apartment is that they've finally started drilling, and Erik got to use his new angle grinder finally. I'll try to remember to send the camera with them tomorrow, although it's unlikely I'll be able to upload photos until we move.
There you go. The happy update in our moving adventure.
:)
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
So, looks like we no longer have a phone. Apparently our tv/phone/internet provider has already moved our service, but our internet is still going strong, for some reason (knock on wood). If you need to get a hold of us, email is best, cell phones if it's an emergency. Or maybe it's a good time to start Skyping :)
Saturday, September 12, 2009
The Countdown is On!!
This will be our last weekend as renters.
Money has been wired to the notary, certified cheques have been printed, new bank accounts opened, insurance bought and fingers have been crossed, many times. Everything seems to be in order (knock on wood). The owner should have moved out yesterday, and is hopefully now spending a delightful weekend cleaning.
On Tuesday afternoon we will sign the final agreement of sale, and receive our keys. We will then trek directly over to the new place with a bottle of Champagne and a screwdriver. While I celebrate with a glass of bubbly, Erik will be anxiously pulling out outlets to get an idea of what to expect for the Great Electrical Adventure that he and Howard are undertaking, where our new apartment will be electrified to meet all and any possible electrical needs for the next 2000 years. Which might be the cause of our most recent stress: aesthetics vs. electrical code. I'll let you guess which side I'm on. I'm also pretty certain that my side is not going to win. But hopefully any resistance from my camp will prevent the installation of light switches in the middle of walls.
Two more days....I've been looking out of our window at the Eiffel Tower a lot lately, and I'm sure going to miss the view! I'm also going to miss our Monoprix, and the Indian restaurant downstairs. And the really good Korean place that we found too recently (why hadn't we gone there sooner??). I'm going to miss being on the sixth floor, and being so close to the metro. I know that there will be lots of things to love about our new location, but now that we're into our last couple of weeks here, it's hard to imagine living anywhere else.
Money has been wired to the notary, certified cheques have been printed, new bank accounts opened, insurance bought and fingers have been crossed, many times. Everything seems to be in order (knock on wood). The owner should have moved out yesterday, and is hopefully now spending a delightful weekend cleaning.
On Tuesday afternoon we will sign the final agreement of sale, and receive our keys. We will then trek directly over to the new place with a bottle of Champagne and a screwdriver. While I celebrate with a glass of bubbly, Erik will be anxiously pulling out outlets to get an idea of what to expect for the Great Electrical Adventure that he and Howard are undertaking, where our new apartment will be electrified to meet all and any possible electrical needs for the next 2000 years. Which might be the cause of our most recent stress: aesthetics vs. electrical code. I'll let you guess which side I'm on. I'm also pretty certain that my side is not going to win. But hopefully any resistance from my camp will prevent the installation of light switches in the middle of walls.
Two more days....I've been looking out of our window at the Eiffel Tower a lot lately, and I'm sure going to miss the view! I'm also going to miss our Monoprix, and the Indian restaurant downstairs. And the really good Korean place that we found too recently (why hadn't we gone there sooner??). I'm going to miss being on the sixth floor, and being so close to the metro. I know that there will be lots of things to love about our new location, but now that we're into our last couple of weeks here, it's hard to imagine living anywhere else.
Sunday, September 06, 2009
When we were kids....
And, funnily, Erik was actually wearing that same sweater the other day.
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