Fall already?

So what's with the weather?

Recently we've been experiencing some hot and really steamy days of weather -- in between rain and tornados. Did I mention that we lost part of a Black Walnut tree during that particular storm?

This morning, lakeside, it was 5 degrees Celsius! 5 degrees.

Really?

What the heck is going on out there?

Personally, I would much rather have the cooler temperatures. TLATO? Not so much. Complaint after complaint this morning. Noises were being made about going down to Florida...

Chia chest... a sight for sore eyes

Almost six years ago we moved from the city, Toronto to the quieter, sedate region of Ontario known as the Kawarthas.

After stumbling through more than 60 houses in person, TLATO found our home.

We have done much work to it over the years and yes, it is our castle.

However, as many of you are now aware, we are moving the end of September to a different part of Ontario, Barrie – or as DJ put it, ‘the gateway to Muskoka’.

That as may be.

Finding a family doctor was mission impossible. Late last year, Carolyn Brown returned from a long stint in Saudi Arabia to continue practicing here. (Why is it so called professionals, such as lawyers, doctors, dentists and the like practice? Will they ever get it right?)

I digress.

Our names came up in the doctor lottery and we finally had a family doctor.

This spring, for the first time in years, I had a full physical. Dr. Brown, being new to the region, thought that at ‘my age’ I should be baseline tested for practically anything and everything known to man and medicine.

And so began batteries of tests, needles, blood work, prodding and probing that no person over the age of consent should have to go through without at least one witness/chaperone. Eventually dignity is cast aside like those stupid smocks provided in hospitals and the like. Americans have the right to bear arms; me, I bared my bum on more than one occasion.

I have had chronic sinus problems since I was a kid; off to an ENT guy and an allergist. Sinuses scraped and washed and needles stuck into me and they discovered I was allergic to cats. Big surprise. I could have told them that and saved our beleaguered system mucho dollars in tests. We have five cats at home. I live with it.

Although I like to work out at least five times a week, it was determined that I needed to have my heart checked out. So, I had an echocardiogram. I’m going for a stress test next week.

This brings me too yesterday. I was to be fitted with a Holter monitor. This device would be checking my heart rate for about 36 hours or so. “Remove your shirt and sit in that chair,” demanded a smooth talking (except for the clicking) tongue-studded female technician. I did as I was told. I swear I never saw this next part coming. I was ‘attacked’ with a razor and parts of my chest; abdomen and sides were dry-shaved with Bic’s finest. All the better to attach electrodes to my skin, I was told.

Lovely.

My upper body now resembles a Chia Pet with a severe case of Alopecia.

Some women pay a small fortune for a ‘Brazilian’. I received a hospital special – for free.

I can’t wait to remove this thing at 7.00am Wednesday. The comments in the locker room should be fun later that evening.

You will note that this is one post that will not have a photographic reference…

Mea culpa...

It was TLATO who reminded me earlier this morning that it had been some time since I had posted anything to this blog.

She is absolutely correct. (There, proof for the record that I do give credit, where credit is due.)

To say that things have been more than a little hectic these past weeks would truly be an understatement...

OK, here are some of the details...

For some time now, we've been looking to downsize our home. As much as we both love it, there is truly an amazing amount of work required to keep it in 'shape', inside and out on an ongoing basis. We were even considering moving into town (Peterborough).

A few months back, a business opportunity presented itself. It was of great interest to both of us, especially Sheryl. It would mean, however, we would need to move to a different part of the province - Barrie, Ontario.

Nerves have been fraught and tensions running high. Commuting to Barrie from our place is four hours per day - assuming the traffic and weather co-operates. We knew we would have to move. However, we were not going to buy or even look at another house until we knew what was happening here in our mini, country estate.

A couple of months back we changed realtors. Things started to happen. More showings. Greater interest. Finally, one day, three women came through the house with their real estate agent. If they spent 10 minutes going through everything, I may be exaggerating. Our agent called to see how it went. I replied that I did not think it had gone too well. Our ever-optimistic agent said “You never know…”

The next day we received a call. “They want to present an offer tomorrow at 9.00am.”

Long story short, a good, clean offer was presented. Couple of small conditions, nothing that could not be dealt with by both sides with a little effort.

Interesting fact; the buyers had/have yet to physically see the property. You see, their daughters and daughter-in-law had been charged with finding Mum and Dad a home. They had moved to Canada’s left coast 15 or so years before and they were now ready to return. Their family lives in and round this region.

So, for them, there’ll be a homecoming at the end of September – September 30, to be precise.

Now, we were free to look for ourselves. TLATO had already been scouring listings for weeks beforehand and did have a short list of possible prospects. An agent was recommended. Sheryl met with them a couple of weeks ago. Pretty much the first house she went into that day was the one we ended up putting an offer on.

Those conditions were waived last week. We take possession September 22.

Does this mean the end of an era? Will this blog fold? Will OmemeeOzzie be just another fond memory?

How does BarrieBen sound?