Port Coquitlam and Holding
Trip Start
Aug 18, 2008
1
33
35
Trip End
Ongoing
Port Coquitlam,
British Columbia,
Canada
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Sit back, grab a cup of tea or coffee and be prepared for a long read. Let me bring you up to date...
Our first social event at our friend's place (Connie and Terry) in Tsawwassen, BC was fabulous! We had a wonderful dinner with their friends Cathryn (a BC Sculptor - http://www.jenkinssculptor.com/) and Don (who was celebrating his 48th birthday). We had a little more to drink than normal (no driving - we stayed the night) and many laughs, dancing and a great time had by all. Steve caught Cathy doing the "running man" dance and at one point the two were stuck together dancing in sync...too much fun
Connie Looking Elegant
!Don provided a seafood feast and Connie and Terry provided salad and fixings. We had a wonderful eggs benedict breakfast with freshly squeezed orange juice...this is one bed and breakfast we would return to. I only wish that I had experienced the Sauna - next time.
Last Sunday we went out and purchased a 40" Flat Panel LCD TV and surround sound system. We got a great deal. We had shopped around and were able to get price matching at Futureshop as well as getting a TV that was an open box item (meaning that it had been returned - generally due to it being too large or too small) so needless to say we were happy with getting more than $700 in savings off the regular price for the same equipment.
Our first priority was to get the office set up so we are able to work immediately. The office (also the guest bedroom) is now fully functional. Our bedroom was the next - we got a great deal from the Simmons Mattress Gallery. Not only did we get a great deal on a floor model, they gave us free delivery, a free frame, a free mattress cover and two free pillows. A nice welcome to BC package if you ask me.
Next we focused on finding the right furniture for the living room and dining room. We found a great deal for a sectional at the Bay - then found a matching table and chairs. The furniture was delivered on Sunday (on Thanksgiving Weekend) - we could barely believe it being delivered on a Sunday let alone on a long weekend. A bit mind blowing after coming from Nova Scotia where they only just began to allow Sunday shopping.
When we left Halifax we made a commitment to get more physically fit. Our plan was to purchase bicycles. We found a bike shop that was close enough for us to walk to (about a 20 minute walk)
The New Dance Style
. The store is a family run business that has been around for 75 years. The owner (the founder's son) Glen was on hand to educate us about the choices we had to consider - we ended up purchasing comfort bikes (something like a mountain bike but more comfortable). We were really looking forward to getting the bikes (we picked them up the next day) and get riding the trails. The closest one to us is the PoCo Trail that is about 24 KM. We will have to work our way up to going around the full trail.We went to Rachael's place for Thanksgiving dinner - she cooked the turkey with all the fixings for us and several of her friends. We had a great time. Her friends are young and vibrant. Mostly all working in the film industry in one capacity or another. The photo is of all of her friends and her on her sofa...her sofa holds a lot of people!
Also on Saturday, Steve fielded many calls about the trailer - listed on Craigslist and Kijiji. We had planned that once we arrived in Vancouver, we would sell the trailer keeping our costs for the move down. When we left Rachael's place we met up with a guy who wanted to purchase the trailer and gave us a deposit. Steve had only listed the trailer the day before and it took less than 24 hours to sell it. The great thing is that even with the new tires, we sold the trailer at a slight profit.
Steve Playing Air Guitar with the Remote
On Sunday, our furniture arrived and my first thought was, "oh my God" it was so big...I was not sure it was going to be suitable - but it is so comfortable and after living with it for a couple of days, I think we are going to keep it. You can see from the photos that the room is quite large and the furniture looks good. We spent the rest of the weekend getting things in the apartment in order. We had purchased shelving for the laundry room (closet) and hanging pictures. The place was now ready.
We had our first showing of the apartment on the internet...we had the chance to show the apartment to all of Steve's family (who were at his parent's place for Thanksgiving) via the internet using Skype. We were on a video conference call and we took the computer to each room so they could see it. It was wonderful to share the special day with family...even from a distance with technology it was easy for us to feel like we were part of their celebration. Best of all we got to see Steve's Dad who is recovering from his hospital ordeal. It will take him some time still to get back his health and mobility but he looked really good. We also got to see Paul, Mary Ann, Mike, Janet, Maureen, Jim, Marc, Tess, Peter and Steve's Mom.
On Monday I got an email message from one of my friends from Halifax who was in Vancouver on a business trip with her husband - I have known Christine since grade 4 and her husband Barry since I was 13 years old (or there about)
The Hostess with the Mostest
. She and Barry were going to come visit us in the Morning...our very first visitors to the apartment...and they are from home in Halifax - who'd have thought? Not us for sure. We went out and got some groceries (on Thanksgiving Day evening - at a real super market - again, we are so shocked by this fact) so we have something for breakfast with our first company. This morning Christine and Barry arrived early and I prepared breakfast for us all. They were heading into the city to check into a hotel for her business trip and had to be there by noon, so although the visit was short, it was great to see them and catch up on some of what is going on in their life. We felt really privileged to be able to share our new space with them. Such a pleasant surprise for us.
After Christine and Barry left, we decided to head out for a bike ride. I had my first little spill as well. I was trying to cycle up a hill and my legs just gave out - talk about being out of shape - and the bike just tipped over...I did not get hurt or anything, but it sure was an eye-opener as too how much work I have to do to get into shape again. So that is going to be the next part of the adventure...finding ways to challenge ourselves to get in better shape.
Comments
great to see you
it was great to catch up on you guys. am working hard at school. carol's mom has taken a turn for the worst. we're all praying for a miracle.
all our love- bro pat.