Packing and Sorting

Our daughter received one week's notice for a new job in Northern Quebec - eek! We are packing her apartment in Ottawa, trying to organize a sublet from a distance, and now we are in the midst of figuring out what to put into 2 med. and 1 small suitcase that will cover her until June! Mass confusion! It seems that subletting is not that simple either. As Christine is leaving tomorrow morning, we need to pick a day to be in Ottawa to show the apartment to people. And we are learning that there is a fee for everything. Before we can even hand out an application to a possible tenant, the property manager requires $250 for an application fee! Crazy stuff but all for a great cause. She will be teaching Cree First Nations high school students, and assisting them in earning marks high enough to get them a graduation diploma. It will be a wonderful experience for her to see another culture, another area of Canada, and to meet new people. Very exciting! The organization she will be working for is a charitable organization that assists First Nations students and students in Africa with education. Check it out at www.elephantthoughts.com - a fabulous concept, and everything I have heard is very positive. The work they do is top quality and very needed. Their main office is out of Collingwood and they have a store there for fundraising - if you are in Collingwood, check it out! Well, off to pack some more.......

Hmmmm......

Once again I have been tardy in my blogging. Experts say that you should blog regularly or people will not read what you have to say. Well, I haven't had anything to say! My real estate blog goes steady - it's easy! But my personal life has been incredibly quiet, so family and friends - I apologize!

As empty nesters I thought we would have lots on the go, but it seems my first love is work - is that sad? Our daughters are grown and making their own mark on the world. Shannon will be starting an internship with Amnesty International in Australia on January 16. She is very excited and gets to work with Burmese (or Myanmar - depending on your political stance) refugees, as a processor and case worker. It is exactly what she wants to do as a career - it is too bad internships aren't paid, but that will come.

Christine has spent her first months out of university, in Ottawa on the Ottawa West School District's supply list - but she has not had more than 8 or 9 days work since September! This is not a good scenario and she has been to several interviews for temporary positions, with no success so far. The only thing that has gotten her as many days as she has had is that she is certified to teach French! She has an interview in Huntsville in a few days - so fingers crossed! If she gets that position, she will move back home for a while. If she does, I will have more to blog about again, as we will continue our quest of exploring different areas of the County - she is my partner in crime! We are both explorers at heart so I miss her being away from home! We are still patiently waiting for snow in the Highlands - snowmobilers, cross-country skiiers and snowshoers are getting anxious. We have a bit - but not near enough! At least Sir Sam's Ski Area is open! Ahhh, life in the Highlands - we are always waiting - waiting for snow, then waiting for warmth!