February 28, 2017

A little post with big news!


Hello, my sweet, wonderful friends! How are each of you as February wraps up? It's hard to believe that more than a month has whipped past since my last blog post here (for which I really cannot thank you all enough for your incredibly caring, supportive comments on). And - at the risk of veering into broken record territory - though this site remains very much on hiatus, I simply had to share some excellent news here with all of you.

As many of you know, Tony and I have been searching, ceaselessly, high and low for the past two months trying to find longer term housing (as our current digs were only temporary - especially since the lovely homeowners may convert it to an AirBnb soon and major renos on both floors have been underway for the last two months, whilst we were living here, to make the house even lovelier and more contemporary looking).

To say that this was one of the hardest and most stressful tasks of our entire lives would not be a stretch. The housing (especially rental) market around these parts is abysmal at best and laughable at worst. Think staggering high prices (even for shared accommodations; which was not something we were looking for at all), tons of competition for the few places that surface, homes that were/are often in deplorable condition, and a serious shortage of properties that accept pets.

Around the clock throughout all of January and very nearly the entire month of February, we searched, contacted listings, viewed homes, applied, and continually expanded our search radius as far as nine hours away from Penticton. With each passing day, our stress level rose and our already taxed nerves grew more frayed.

In the end though, mercifully, we didn't have to go anywhere near that far afield. As February started to draw to a close, we were elated and beyond thankful to have been approved and selected by the owners of a beautiful two-story home in the nearby community of Okanagan Falls and couldn't say "yes" quickly enough to their rentership offer.

This house was our favourite of all those we saw and the one we most hoped to be selected for. It checks off our major needs (including having a fenced backyard for our dog, Annie, to utilize), is in a safe, quiet neighbourhood, and is owned by really nice people who live right here in the Southern Okanagan, too.

Our new little community, Okanagan Falls (aka, OK Falls), is a spot that has appeared here in some of my outfit shoots over the years (such as this one from 2013), and which I've always enjoyed spending time in.

We're both delighted to be so close (just twenty minutes away) to Penticton (where we were living at the time of the fire) still and moreover to have a great new roof over our heads. As well as, we hope and pray, the ability to finally stop feeling like we're in a state of topsy-turvy flux and uncertainty (regarding housing) after what happened to us last October.



{Our boxes are packed, we've got a small team of friends and family to help, and tomorrow we'll be hopping from one side of Skaha Lake to the other when we move into our terrific new abode in Okanagan Falls. I truly cannon wait! Mid-century moving day photo image source.}


I've had to move houses really quickly a few other times in my life, but less than a week to pack, switch over services (utilities, internet, etc), get a new PO box, and scads of related things is definitely a new record for the fastest I've ever changed homes and we've not had a moment to even stop and catch our breath since signing our new lease.

I'm certainly not complaining though - far from it! This house (I don't have a photo of it yet, but will try to post one on my social media in the near future) is just perfect for us and we can't begin to convey how incredibly grateful we are for it (just as we were to have our temporary home in Kaleden over the winter months).

It is my sincere hope that once we're settled in and unpacked, I can finally allow myself some time to properly rest, recoup, recover, grieve (further), and get a better handle on where my health, life and very future itself are at this stage.

On the exact same day that we signed our new lease, our old house (the one that was destroyed by the fire) was finally demolished (they'd needed milder temps in order to safely do so). Some might see that simply as a coincidence, but to me it much more than just that and stands as the absolute perfect symbol of one chapter in our lives ending and another beginning.

None of knows what the future holds in store for us, but quite literally tomorrow, I know that we'll be moving into our new house and - even though my health is in shambles right now and I've rarely been more exhausted on every level than I presently am - I simply can't stop smiling and thinking positive thoughts about the life that we'll create and live in Okanagan Falls.

69 comments:

  1. Such wonderful, wonderful news! I'm so pleased to hear you've found a place you're so happy with!

    -Kate

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  2. I am glad to hear you have a permanent rental all lined up. I may be moving across the country so life has been rather unsettled for the last few months, but nothing like what you have been going through. I am really glad you will be able to settle in and feel a little more like normal again knowing you won't have to move in a few months.

    Sarah

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  3. Bravo! Congrats, I hope you love your new home!

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  4. Wonderful news! I'm so happy to hear that you're moving forward with your housing and, hopefully, the rest of your lives. I know you've dealt with some terrible hardship, but your brave spirit has shown through throughout. Good luck with the new digs, and best wishes for your future!

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  5. What a blessing!!! So, so happy for you. May it all work out the way you need it to.

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  6. I'm so glad for you and Tony and Annie!!! You deserve all the best! ❤

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  7. I wish you a swift move and blissful nesting! May you and your husband be well and happy!

    Katie

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  8. Fantastic news, Jessica, so happy that you and Tony have found a great new place! Yay!

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  9. Congratulations. Wish I could have helped you but my donation was rejected.
    Best of luck in your new home.

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  10. Yay! That's so awesome that you not only finally found a place, but it's a place that you like and suits your needs! I'm excited about seeing pictures soon! Wishing you and Tony all the best!

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  11. Oh this is delightful news, Jessica! I am so very happy for you and Tony, and dear Annie! <3

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  12. Oh I am so so happy to hear this news! Now you can truly begin to rest up and heal without all of that extra stress added on top of everything. Wishing you the best with this latest move!

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  13. That is wonderful news! I truly hope that now the housing situation is stable, everything else flows into place.

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  14. What a relief! I'm so pleased that you've got somewhere to settle into and start recovering in earnest. I couldn't be happier to hear this news.

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  15. Such wonderful news, Jessica! Hope you'll be settled in soon, so that you can finally allow yourself some rest. Things can only go better from now on. Big hug from Belgium xxx

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  16. Wow! Sometimes you just seem to have to wait a little bit longer to get the very best! So glad to hear you have found a new home, and especially that you found the home you hoped for. Finally some rest for you both. Hope you will be very happy in your new home! Love and hugs.
    Liz

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  17. Happy moving day! Wonderful news that you've found a new home, and it's particularly good that you don't have to move too far. Best of luck with beginning this new chapter xx

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  18. Hope you get settled soon and make it home sweet home 🏡

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  19. I'm so pleased for you all and hope you settle in swiftly to your new home xxx

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  20. That is such wonderful news Jessica...I'm so happy for you! xo

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  21. :) So good to hear this! Congrats! I know how difficult housing is to find these days, my bro is moving out and if the competition wasn't bad enough the rental prices these days are atrocious!

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  22. Oh Jessica, I'm so happy to hear your news! It sounds as if you and Tony have found a really special house there. I hope all goes smoothly with the move and that you begin to feel more settled really soon. xx

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  23. Congratulations! Once you're settled-ish, take a big deep breath, and relax a while.

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  24. That's really great news! I'm so happy for you! Good luck with the move! :)

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  25. So happy for you, sweet friend! I've missed seeing you and it's so inspiring to see how positive you are. I've been so busy that I completely dropped the ball on donating to your cause and keeping up-to-date with everything that was going on, but please know that if you need anything, I'm here <3

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  26. Oh, Jessica, I'm so pleased for you! I hope your new home is a place of rest, safety, and joy!

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  27. Hi Jessica,

    I am really glad both of you found a house to settle in.
    I just can imagine the relieve you've got when the owners approved your application.

    Happy moving and yes, rest after the move, sleep a lot and take care of your health.

    A big hug from Luxembourg/Germany,

    Eva

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  28. That is such wonderful news!! I'm so happy for you and Tony!
    -Emily

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  29. I'm so happy for you, that's fantastic news! Having the security of your own home makes the entire world of difference. Best of luck to you both, I hope the move goes smoothly, which I'm sure it will! ♥

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  30. Congrats, Jessica! Happy to hear. And glad to see you checking in with us.

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  31. Such wonderful news Jessica! I am so happy to hear you and Tony will be moving into your new place and finally be able to start to feel like you have a home again. <3 I'm so glad it is for a place that you and Tony were hoping for. It sounds like a wonderful place to live <3 Good luck with the move, with settling in, and with the fresh new start! So happy for you!!!!

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  32. Oh, dear Jessica, I am sooooo happy for you 3! You will have a great life full of happiness in this house in OK Falls (Okanagan, right, but OK sounds so positive!) I am so glad that you managed to do everything in a record time, I admire you - I don't know whether I would be able to do all you have done so far! And it is only 20 min away from where you used to live! By the way, demolishing the house where you lived on the day you got the new one is symbolic, yes. It's definitely a new chapter in your lives and you said, a place to grieve too - yes, it will happen, but the more time passes and you feel happy in your new place, the more the grieving moments will be just a memory. I am really happy for you, dear Jessica, and eager to know that you are finally settled and happy! Many hugs and regards!
    DenisesPlanet.com

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  33. Wow, congratulations on your new home! What a relief it must be. Don't over-extend yourself with moving. Take it slow and easy.

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  34. I am so happy that you have found a new home. Wishing you and Tony a life of happiness and blessings in your new home. Hope you are feeling better.
    Marilyn

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  35. Hoorah! Best wishes on your moving day!

    Anna

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  36. I am so happy for you and Tony. Wishing you improved health. Xxx

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  37. So happy for you Jessica! You've been through so much and it will feel so good to be in your new home!! Onwards and upwards! Sarah:)

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  38. So happy to hear your news, Jessica and Tony. Here's to a wonderful new home. xxx

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  39. Wonderful news, Jessica. Wishing you and Tony much happiness in your new home. xx

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  40. Wahoo! I'm so excited for you both! I'm so glad your lovely trio has found a lovely place to land—and so nearby, too. Hooray!

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  41. Oh congratulations! That is such good news. I'm so glad you've found a place that you are happy with and in a lovely community close by as well. What a fabulous new chapter can properly begin now!

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  42. Congrats! I am so happy for you and Tony!

    xoxo
    -Janey

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  43. This is such wonderful news, Jessica! I'm so pleased for you all - and it was about time the fates aligned for you after such a bad deal last year. I hope you'll be extremely happy in your new home. I'm very sorry to hear your health isn't good, although I guess that was an inevitability of such a stressful situation. I really hope you can start to recover now and will feel better soon. I'm very sorry not to have been in touch yet this year - my own problems this year have been not even on the scale of yours and that makes me feel worse that I can't find the time to sit down for an hour and write! But it does seem to be that way right now. Please know that I'm thinking of you however quiet I might be and am always sending you love xxx

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  44. Dearest Jessica, I am so pleased for you both as you settle into your home. May having a permanent home make things a little easier. Take care my dear. All my best wishes, Jill. xxx

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  45. I'm so happy for you, that you've been able to find your perfect new home! I can only imagine what a relief that will be after all these months of turmoil since the fire.

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  46. Fantastic news! Wishing you a quick and easy move and hope you are soon able to relax again xx

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  47. This is the best news ever! :) Thank you so much for sharing with us. I've been thinking so much about you two, and even yesterday I send wishes that you would soon find a lovely home. And you did, and a very lovely one and the one you wished for! That's marvelous! And you truly deserve it. Now everything will be better, and you can start all over again. Sending you lots of love and luck for the future. big hugs from Denmark XOXO :)

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  48. Oh, that's such good news! Congrats to you and Tony for finding a new home. I hope it is every bit as happy as you deserve - which is to say, entirely.

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  49. This is wonderful news I am so happy for you!

    retro rover

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  50. I'm so happy to hear this!!! You are never far from my thoughts and I am glad you will finally be able to begin to move forward ♥♥♥

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  51. Yay! I'm so thrilled for you and Tony! Your photos in that area always were so beautiful. How lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful nature and to find this place just in time. Good luck with the move! xo

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  52. Congratulations and best of luck! It's never easy to move and start all over again, but as the Hebrew saying goes, when we change our place, we change our fortune. One door closes, and another opens.

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  53. OK.
    Now I can exhale in peace -you have (almost) settled in.
    Now, as soon as you get around reading this, send me your new address, because a new home needs a housewarming present :)

    Many, many hugs
    Marija

    P.S.
    I do hope my V.S present came your way.

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  54. So happy for you! You so deserve good things, and I hope this is the beginning of many good things in your life. Your positive attitude, in spite of many difficulties is inspiring to me. Thanks for being you and taking time to share yourself with the rest of us!

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  55. I'm so so glad to hear you have found somewhere. Here's to many happy days. x

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  56. House hunting is the worst. I can only imagine the amount of stress you both were under, I'm so glad to hear there's been a positive outcome!

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  57. I'm so glad to hear that you and Tony have found a home! I hope the move goes smoothly and good things continue to happen :)

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  58. Such exciting news to read today!!! I hope that you and Tony and Annie are settling in well to your new home. Lots of love :)

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  59. Congratulations, I'm so pleased to hear some good news xx

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  60. Dear Jessica I was soooo happy to read this and sense the joy in your post. May your new home bring you joy and help you create new and wonderful memories. Hugs.

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  61. Gosh, October seems like ages ago, and it's difficult to imagine going through what you have experienced since then. I think they called that "a long haul" in the old days. I hope your 'new life' begins now in this new nest of yours. Best wishes for a cozy, happy and healthy home!

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  62. Dear Jessica, this is just fantastic news! And to live in OK that you have loved for so long is beyond wonderful. I am so happy for all of you and very relieved that now you can make your new house your new home! I hope that this means you can slow down a bit and continue your recuperation of the trauma you endured. It is just incredible what you have had to do in the past few months. You are amazing and strong beyond imagination. Wishing you the very best always! I'm encouraged and optimistic about your future, of course. Thanks so much for your post.

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  63. Sounds like God has a lovely plan in store for you and your family. Enjoy!

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  64. Congratulations Jessica! I'm so excited for you guys!

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  65. That's wonderful news! May your new home bring you peace!

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  66. I can't reflect what everyone else is saying quickly enough! Well done on finding your housing, you deserve it and so much more, and rest up a little now that this stress, at least, is done! We look forward to more blog posts from you soon, beautiful <3<3<3

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