A Little Archaeology

 

View of Spread Eagle Mountain, Alberta

The more packing and sorting I've done for my trip across Canada, the more I've discovered what an amazing life the kids and I have led so far! For example, I found a book I kept with photos of my art work from when I first moved to Orangeville. I'd never really painted until moving here and found it a great way to get to meet other people. I've been blessed to learn from so many talented people: the late Darlene Hassel, Sharon Wadsworth-Smith, Claudia McCabe, and so many more. While I may not be the world's best artist, I sold a couple paintings and created pieces that live in the homes of friends and family.

The field and mountains picture above has special significance. It was one I started painting the same day my father-in-law had a heart attack - which I only learned the next day! I couldn't touch it for a week. Once it was complete, I sent it to my brother-in-law, Robyn, because it was a story that really touched him. What's the significance of the painting aside from that? At the time, it was nearly the same view my in-laws had out their front window.

Calico Pennant, Orangeville Fall Fair

Mom isn't the only one who has ribbons and has done cool things!

Before moving to Ontario, two of my kids were classical guitarists and performed on stage several times with Sonata Studios in Edmonton. Too bad we moved and couldn't find a teacher who believed in giving kids the courage to put themselves out there. The one classical guitarist we did find was totally against putting so much pressure on kids. The memories of my boys practicing because they loved to play still warms my heart!

They've also done Rowing, Chess Club, interesting jobs in restaurants and manufacturing facilities, camping out in Calgary Zoo and at Tyrell Museum in Drumheller, things I'd long forgotten!

The Swimming Hole, 2005

Another fun story! This image was from a calendar that my mother-in-law sent. I turned it into Grandpa and the two older boys and sent it to him for Father's Day 2005. He was thrilled! The grandparents loved to do all kinds of things with the kids and although this is a fictional painting, we definitely spent time at the beach with them.

It's amazing how much you learn about yourself and your offspring when you go through boxes and boxes and boxes of school photos, school work, and notes from others. I have a whole new appreciation for us all!

Packing the car happens tomorrow. I may have over-estimated how much I can pack, but I definitely have learned a great deal over the past two month.

Including what I can and can't live without!

It's been wonderful spending time with friends and saying things that normally we might not say. Like "I Love You." There has been a lot of that. Even from friends I never expected to hear it from. 

One thing I have not said - and refuse to say - is "goodbye". 

My parting phrase is "I'll see you later."

And I mean it!

I'll let you know how packing the car goes!!

Happy Sunday,

Diane

A Bit of Disruption While I Move

 

ROAD TRIP!

My life has taken a bit of a turn lately and is currently mostly in boxes.

I've decided to return to Alberta where I was born and raised and take my two lovely kitties - aka The Hallellujah Choir - with me. So here I am at the age of 54 getting rid of everything by my cherished possessions, quitting my job (Last day today!) and moving across the country with my cats.

Jazz and Ash aren't too sure what's going on. They know what the boxes mean but have no idea they'll be spending 4 nights in hotels and moving to a new home.

Over the past two months, I've been scurrying to find a place to live and a new car. Why the car? I've been locked out 4 times by a short in the wiring and ended up crawling in through the trunk, setting off the alarm system, and driving across town with the horn blaring. Not fun! The last time, I gave in. I called a friend whose son works for a local dealership and got a great new car!! One I feel safe and comfortable in AND has a bit more space for all the books I'm taking on my move.

Happy to say all the pieces have been falling into place. Even a great new job on the horizon that I will share once I have more information. May need to get a part time gig for a while, but that's nothing I haven't done before. I'll definitely keep writing books. Editing books. All the fun marketing stuff that goes along with being a writer!

So, the blog will be sketchy for the next couple week while I move and get settled. I'll try to keep up and let you all know how things are going!

In the meantime, I have a few more great lunches, dinners, coffees and so on with amazing friends I've made since we moved here in 2005. Orangeville is definitely a fabulous place and I leave knowing that I will come back to visit - and do a book launch for the fantasy novel I'm writing with my dear friend, Gary!!

One thing I have come to enjoy is meeting and spending time with other fantastic writers and I look forward to meeting many more. I've been very blessed during my time here even if it didn't feel that way at the time. Sometimes it takes leaving somewhere to find out how many really good friends and experiencies you have had. 

For today, I'm off to work for my last day at Theatre Orangeville - which has been a huge learning experience!! Then home to do more packing, scanning, and so on. Also a little daydreaming about my new place and where I'll set up my office/writing nook.

Have a fantastic day! Much more to come!!

Diane (and the Hallelujah Choir!)