View Full Version : I'm moving north for a man.
Hello, all internet friends. It's been a while since I've posted as I'm on an indefinite break from internet forums. But major life developments have occurred and I wanted to share my personal blog again, in case you are interested in my new life changes. I'm going to confine my life stories to that one location: http://www.livelikeyou.ca/
Short story of the last three weeks is: In August I made an online dating profile on a whim, as I felt like maybe going on a date, not having a relationship.
On Sept 9 a man sent me a "wink".
***Intense, long distance/technology-laden romance ensues.***
Sept 19 - I fly from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories to meet him. In-person visit goes even better than expected. Wildly good compatibility in the important ways, plus the more trivial stuff that makes day to day life fun.
Sept 29 - Official decision made for me to move to Yellowknife to live with him (this has been discussed with each other already in significant detail).
I will be leaving Winnipeg for Yellowknife on Oct 29.
Going to Yellowknife right at the beginning of a long, dark, cold winter will be an adventure in itself. Then there's also the very new relationship that has become very serious, very quickly, but holds great promise. I hope to keep writing on both topics, so check out the blog if you are interested.
Ultralight
9-30-15, 2:10pm
Hello, all internet friends. It's been a while since I've posted as I'm on an indefinite break from internet forums. But major life developments have occurred and I wanted to share my personal blog again, in case you are interested in my new life changes. I'm going to confine my life stories to that one location: http://www.livelikeyou.ca/
Short story of the last three weeks is: In August I made an online dating profile on a whim, as I felt like maybe going on a date, not having a relationship.
On Sept 9 a man sent me a "wink".
***Intense, long distance/technology-laden romance ensues.***
Sept 19 - I fly from Winnipeg, Manitoba to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories to meet him. In-person visit goes even better than expected. Wildly good compatibility in the important ways, plus the more trivial stuff that makes day to day life fun.
Sept 29 - Official decision made for me to move to Yellowknife to live with him (this has been discussed with each other already in significant detail).
I will be leaving Winnipeg for Yellowknife on Oct 29.
Going to Yellowknife right at the beginning of a long, dark, cold winter will be an adventure in itself. Then there's also the very new relationship that has become very serious, very quickly, but holds great promise. I hope to keep writing on both topics, so check out the blog if you are interested.
Congrats! Enjoy the adventure and the romance. :)
Best wishes and good luck! I love the NWT, how epic and romantic to settle there for love!
iris lilies
9-30-15, 2:21pm
Well, you are footloose and fancy free with no encumbrances, so why not?
organictex
9-30-15, 2:24pm
I would love to visit YN but not sure i'd want to live there. Good luck!
I think I caught a glimpse of Yellowknife once whilst watching an episode of Ice Road Truckers (insert ROFL smiley here)--you're a brave adventurer, Kestra! Best of luck.
iris lilies
9-30-15, 2:35pm
There is a major hybridizedr of lilies from the NW Territories, can't remember his name, but apparently it gets warm enough to grow lilies. I think it's martagons that thrive up there.
Ultralight
9-30-15, 2:39pm
There is a major hybridizedr of lilies from the NW Territories, can't remember his name, but apparently it gets warm enough to grow lilies. I think it's martagons that thrive up there.
Maybe Kestra will take a pic and post it.
Thanks everyone! I'm very excited and a little apprehensive, but so is he. We're going to deal with that together. I've always been fascinated with the north, but hadn't actually been there. Then I was watching Arctic Air (now-cancelled Canadian TV show on CBC set in Yellowknife - you should check it out) and the draw to Yellowknife was even stronger. It is incredibly beautiful - at least in the summer. I didn't take that many pictures during my first visit, but will get more eventually. Winnipeg is so incredibly flat and just prairies. YK has hills, lakes, rocks, actual elevation differences, interesting buildings, and a landscape unlike anything I've seen before.
Here's one pic:
https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/12028761_895760733836298_1016973183060955270_o.jpg
iris lilies
9-30-15, 2:49pm
So, ya got reliable internet service up there, yo?
Ultralight
9-30-15, 2:49pm
.
https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/12028761_895760733836298_1016973183060955270_o.jpg
I wonder how the fishing in there is...
There is a major hybridizedr of lilies from the NW Territories, can't remember his name, but apparently it gets warm enough to grow lilies. I think it's martagons that thrive up there.
Well, the growing season is short, but in the summer there is tons of light. Apparently 20 hours of daylight on the summer solstice (as I just looked up). So that probably helps with growing things. There were definitely some plants/flowers around when I was there recently. I'm not enough of a flower expert to notice different types but now I'll be on the lookout for lilies.
So, ya got reliable internet service up there, yo?
Yes, it's good. Barring the occasional power outages. Good internet is a necessity for the man and I.
I wonder how the fishing in there is...
I intend to find out. He doesn't currently fish, but a good new hobby to learn together.
Ultralight
9-30-15, 2:55pm
I intend to find out. He doesn't currently fish, but a good new hobby to learn together.
Trout and pike in there for sure.
Trout and pike in there for sure.
And fish is one of the few foods we both eat. Plus the fish we bought at the grocery store was insanely expensive (in my extremely-inexperienced opinion), so I'd like to save money there. $8 for 1 piece (though I did manage to split that into two meals at least).
Ultralight
9-30-15, 3:04pm
And fish is one of the few foods we both eat. Plus the fish we bought at the grocery store was insanely expensive (in my extremely-inexperienced opinion), so I'd like to save money there. $8 for 1 piece (though I did manage to split that into two meals at least).
Catching your own can cost too, depending on your situation. Though I'd bet you could make it cost effective in that little city.
I am jealous. I bet you can ice fish those pike! Looks like such a beautiful, remote, and in some ways otherworldly area.
Catching your own can cost too, depending on your situation. Though I'd bet you could make it cost effective in that little city.
I am jealous. I bet you can ice fish those pike! Looks like such a beautiful, remote, and in some ways otherworldly area.
Perfect way to describe it. I'm looking forward to some northern lights viewing dates, after living in big cities all my life.
Wow! I just Google-mapped Yellowknife--you are up there! I'm fascinated with the Alaskan reality TV shows--there are a number of them and DH and I always watch them, and that way-northern lifestyle looks really adventurous for sure! Great story, great news!
We'll definitely want the story as it unfolds, so stay in touch!
What a wonderful life adventure! Be safe, be happy! I hope we hear from you occasionally!
Tussiemussies
9-30-15, 5:24pm
So wonderful that you found such a great man for you. Wishing you both all the best together!
Congratulations! I met my current husband online and within 24 hours we had out first date, and within two weeks he'd moved in with me. We've been together since 2006, so I'm the last one to rain on your parade! Loved the picture..thanks for posting!
What a lovely adventure! Best of luck!
Wow, what a lot of changes! Enjoy yourself.
Wow! Congrats on the romance and the move! That photo is beautiful....off to google more images from the area.
All the best! I hope it works out for both of you!
best of luck. 3 weeks and moving for a man, gosh we are all so different. I can't even imagine that .
Throughout the days
Our true love ways
Will bring us joys to share
With those who really care
Sometimes we'll sigh
Sometimes we'll cry
And we'll know why
Just you and I
Know true love ways
ApatheticNoMore
10-1-15, 7:01pm
best of luck. 3 weeks and moving for a man, gosh we are all so different. I can't even imagine that .
:) yea. When UltraliteAngler described dating a different person (or more) from personals every week for 2 years, I thought: that's probably what it takes. I admired the persistence (I guess it is a trait I get), quite impressive to keep at it that way, that much, for that long, but did think resigning oneself to (ok more positively phrased as accepting) that sort of persistence is probably necessary if one ever wanted to find someone.
3 weeks and moving for a man, gosh we are all so different. I can't even imagine that .
That was my first thought too. Although I got engaged after 3 weeks-I didn't have to move. I don't think I would have.
But I've been delightfully married for 30+ years, so it does happen that you just KNOW pretty quickly.
freshstart
10-1-15, 8:21pm
this is wonderful! Much love and happiness to you both! Funny how life can change so fast, isn't it?
I've never even heard of Yellow Knife, off to google.
Ultralight
10-1-15, 9:57pm
:) yea. When UltraliteAngler described dating a different person (or more) from personals every week for 2 years, I thought: that's probably what it takes. I admired the persistence (I guess it is a trait I get), quite impressive to keep at it that way, that much, for that long, but did think resigning oneself to (ok more positively phrased as accepting) that sort of persistence is probably necessary if one ever wanted to find someone.
Kestra rolled the dice and got really lucky! Good for her! :)
Yep, it's quick and a risk for sure, but everything is a risk. There's just no way to date normally and I don't have a job right now. The sooner I pick a location the sooner I can look for work. I could move and not live with him but it's insanely expensive there, and what are the chances of me going back to my own place when we've already lived together (albeit briefly) in a much more intimate and relaxed way than when I was married.
Way way back in the stone ages of 1956, Dad and Mom met through a common friend. She drove from Flint to the East side to meet at 18 years old. 6 weeks later married, then Dad off to the service for two years. Lasted a life time. I do understand it can happen. Again good luck!
Ultralight
10-2-15, 7:38am
Yep, it's quick and a risk for sure, but everything is a risk. There's just no way to date normally and I don't have a job right now. The sooner I pick a location the sooner I can look for work. I could move and not live with him but it's insanely expensive there, and what are the chances of me going back to my own place when we've already lived together (albeit briefly) in a much more intimate and relaxed way than when I was married.
Yeah! Just go for it. :)
Way way back in the stone ages of 1956, Dad and Mom met through a common friend. She drove from Flint to the East side to meet at 18 years old. 6 weeks later married, then Dad off to the service for two years. Lasted a life time. I do understand it can happen. Again good luck!
My family love at first sight story is my DS who met his future wife in April and was married by August and became a father the following March. I look at them and have no concerns about their future--their instincts seem to have served them well. So, run with yours!
Loved your blog post and the list of items you are taking.
After having to frantically dig through my fall/winter boxes for socks yesterday (serious temperature drop).....you might need more than 3 pair where you are going.
Loved your blog post and the list of items you are taking.
After having to frantically dig through my fall/winter boxes for socks yesterday (serious temperature drop).....you might need more than 3 pair where you are going.
Ah yes. That's on a second list that I haven't posted: things to buy once I'm in Yellowknife. My socks are mostly old (and cheap to buy) so I'm going to throw them out and start over. Doing similar with a few items that are either large/hard to ship and/or near the end of their useful life anyhow.
freshstart
10-2-15, 1:52pm
off topic, but I haven't spent any time reading the blogs as there is so much on here. In general, are they at the bottom of a post in a link like Kestra's?
off topic, but I haven't spent any time reading the blogs as there is so much on here. In general, are they at the bottom of a post in a link like Kestra's?
Some people create a signature line that shows up at the bottom of every post they make...like Kestra's and a few others where they have kindly included links to their blogs. Mine and some others just have a statement we like.
My move is now ten days away. My blog post today has a picture of the final results of my decluttering - what I'm taking with me. I'm down to around 160-170 items (many being extremely small) - or a closet-worth pretty much.
I will have to buy a few more things in Yellowknife - another 1-1.5 bins worth.
http://www.livelikeyou.ca/decluttering-moving-prep/
Ultralight
10-19-15, 11:10am
I saw the pic. You're totally a hoarder. ;)
I saw the pic. You're totally a hoarder. ;)
Ha ha. Other quasi-hoarders are making this move so easy for me. Me to my ex and roommate: "Do you want any of this crap I'm just giving away/throwing out?"
Them: "Yes, I'll take everything!"
Okay, works for me; less trips to the thrift store. But kind of depresses me at the same time.
Ultralight
10-19-15, 11:16am
Ha ha. Other quasi-hoarders are making this move so easy for me. Me to my ex and roommate: "Do you want any of this crap I'm just giving away/throwing out?"
Them: "Yes, I'll take everything!"
Okay, works for me; less trips to the thrift store. But kind of depresses me at the same time.
You and your ex must be on great terms!
Ultralight
10-19-15, 11:17am
Whenever I have downsized some stuff I offer it to my sis and BIL. The BIL wants everything! It just sits in the garage. haha
My sis is like: "Don't offer to give him any more stuff!" haha
You and your ex must be on great terms!
Yes, we're friends/friendly. There's less contact now to be respectful of my new man, though he is very good at the non-jealousy, past-doesn't-matter thing. But we aren't trying to screw each other over at all. Since most of the household stuff I took with me during the separation was "our stuff" it only made sense to see if he wanted any of it back. Though I am going to try to get some money out of him for the sellable items, since we didn't take household stuff into consideration when he paid me out for the house/car. And it's not really fair that he keeps virtually EVERYTHING that I paid 50% for, with no compensation to me. But yeah, negotiation isn't the easiest thing to do when you just want out.
You seem to be doing an awesome job of this, Kestra! I don't know if I could even imagine what it would be like to get my life that compact, it looks so incredibly freeing. I left my family of origin at age 20 with four times that much stuff!
I'm going to bookmark your blog, I hope you keep it up and keep in touch. I'm always fascinated by stories of Big Change. Best of luck to you. :)
Ultralight
10-19-15, 11:31am
Yes, we're friends/friendly. There's less contact now to be respectful of my new man, though he is very good at the non-jealousy, past-doesn't-matter thing. But we aren't trying to screw each other over at all. Since most of the household stuff I took with me during the separation was "our stuff" it only made sense to see if he wanted any of it back. Though I am going to try to get some money out of him for the sellable items, since we didn't take household stuff into consideration when he paid me out for the house/car. And it's not really fair that he keeps virtually EVERYTHING that I paid 50% for, with no compensation to me. But yeah, negotiation isn't the easiest thing to do when you just want out.
I often think I should not have been such a softy with my ex.
After she left I let her store all her stuff at my place for several months. I also let her take anything she wanted.
If I had kept some of that stuff I could have sold it!
Sometimes I think I should have legally grappled with her for my other dog, Lilith. But I dunno... mixed feelings...
Lil was "her" dog. They had that special connection most dogs only have with one person. If we both called her from across the room, Lil would go to her every time. The opposite was true of Harlan.
Float On
10-19-15, 11:36am
Wow Kestra...completely impressed!
Ultralight
10-19-15, 11:39am
Oh yeah, truth be told I am envious of your downsizing! :)
New blog post today with lots of Winnipeg pictures if you are interested.
http://www.livelikeyou.ca/farewell-winnipeg/
I have visited Winnipeg but really enjoyed your photos. Thanks. Any change causes some twinges but then you add in the excitement of the new.
I'm enjoying reading your blog! Good food for thought for me on a lot of things, as I am feeling overwhelmed and blocked regarding my artistic life vs. having to work. This feeling of being blocked in many areas makes me want to down-size drastically and run away with very little possessions to call my own and start all over again...
I'm enjoying reading your blog! Good food for thought for me on a lot of things, as I am feeling overwhelmed and blocked regarding my artistic life vs. having to work. This feeling of being blocked in many areas makes me want to down-size drastically and run away with very little possessions to call my own and start all over again...
I feel you! I wanted to get rid of everything and run away so many times. Finally the separation gave me the ability to do so (as my ex wasn't willing to down-size and run away with me) so even if I didn't have the new man and the big move, this was something I was headed towards anyhow. Unfortunately I know it's not as easy as all that. Soon you'll be reading my blog posts about trying to find a job and worrying about money, as this not-making-money period can only last for so long.
Today is the big move. Woke up in Winnipeg, will go to sleep in Yellowknife. I'm tired and excited. And mostly just happy to be safely at the airport as I'm always paranoid that something will go wrong; more this time than usual as it's not just a vacation.
catherine
10-29-15, 6:28am
Today is the big move. Woke up in Winnipeg, will go to sleep in Yellowknife. I'm tired and excited. And mostly just happy to be safely at the airport as I'm always paranoid that something will go wrong; more this time than usual as it's not just a vacation.
Best wishes for a wonderful new life, Kestra!!! Keep us posted! How exciting for you!
Best wishes for a wonderful new life, Kestra!!! Keep us posted! How exciting for you!
Thanks!
Ultralight
10-29-15, 8:41am
Today is the big move. Woke up in Winnipeg, will go to sleep in Yellowknife. I'm tired and excited. And mostly just happy to be safely at the airport as I'm always paranoid that something will go wrong; more this time than usual as it's not just a vacation.
Enjoy the trip and the excitement of the newness!
I think it is perfect to go from Winnipeg to Yellowknife - you won't be shocked by the cold like I would be. Have a wonderful move.
Oh, do keep us informed. Bravo to you for going after a dream.
Ultralight
10-29-15, 1:04pm
Bravo to you for going after a dream.
I second this!
Well it's been an up and down 6 days here in Yellowknife. It's definitely a big adjustment, but overall well worth it. My first blog post on the topic is up:
First Yellowknife Update (http://www.livelikeyou.ca/first-yellowknife-update/)
Ultralight
11-3-15, 3:14pm
Some real revelations in your blog...
Your experience and emotions sound familiar. When I moved to Phoenix from Ohio with my husband 6 years ago - it took several months to feel settled.
Thanks Kestra for sharing your thoughts. I remember how great it felt to have a library card...and seeing someone in the grocery store that I knew. All this was 45 years ago! I can still remember the feelings. Enjoy and I hope your cold improves.
Change is always a challenge to work through. Get oriented first to give yourself some parameters for your life and go from there. Sounds like fun!
New post today about dealing with the change from almost no possessions to a lot of possessions all around me. I'm sure you'll be interested, Ultralite.
http://www.livelikeyou.ca/minimalist-adapts/
Ultralight
11-11-15, 1:03pm
New post today about dealing with the change from almost no possessions to a lot of possessions all around me. I'm sure you'll be interested, Ultralite.
http://www.livelikeyou.ca/minimalist-adapts/
Reading it now!
Ultralight
11-11-15, 1:17pm
Interesting stuff. You are more adaptable than I am. lol
good for you, some very constructive ideas.
Float On
11-12-15, 10:13am
Loved the whole list of helpful tips you came up with and #6 was my favorite!
Loved the whole list of helpful tips you came up with and #6 was my favorite!
:) That generally solves a lot of my problems. Also, hugging. Most of my neurotic thoughts can be dispersed with a good hug from a good partner.
I thought I'd post an update here since I don't really have time or motivation for the blog anymore.
Work: I started a good job, in my field (insurance/financial planning) within 3 weeks of my move. It's been very busy and stressful, but still a lot better than past jobs, and pays decently well, so I'm just dealing with the stressful part. Mostly we're just really short-staffed, but we'll have 3 more people the first week of January, so things will settle out. My prospects are really good there for my long-term career. And luckily people in Yellowknife are extremely friendly and slow-paced, so things that would drive clients crazy in the south, are barely an issue here.
Weather: -40 today for the first time. It makes it hard to get outside and do much. -20C is still generally still pleasant enough, but -30C and lower gets difficult. My main difficulty at this temperature is the fact that I wear glasses and am very, very near-sighted. At these temperatures you have to have your scarf over your nose, but my glasses fog up and I can't see; if I take them off I also can't see. So it's the blindness, rather than the cold that really gets to me. Right now we are at about 5 hours of daylight - I'm looking forward to that improving, as my office doesn't have a window, and during the workweek I don't get to see daylight. Walking outside on the weekends, even when it's really cold, becomes very important. A couple weekends back I just rode the buses around town, in order to view the city in the daylight. Parts of Yellowknife have the most interesting houses and beautiful lakes and scenery; I enjoy that a lot.
Relationship: It's going very well. We've had a few difficulties but they are the types of things that crop up in anyone's life eventually. And it's the how we deal with them, that is the important part, and sets the tone for how we deal with future difficulties. Neither of us have any regrets and still anticipate this being an until-death kind of relationship. I keep learning things about his tastes that I like (and also that were the opposite of my ex - though I try to not overly compare the two) and that makes me happy. For example, he'd rather hire movers than do it himself (my preference and a big point of contention with my ex - we moved several times and I was not happy having to move all that stuff ourselves).
The Future: This will be our last winter in Yellowknife. He got the transfer he wanted to Edmonton, a major city about 14 hours south, where he has friends and I have family. The weather there is less extreme, and there is a lot more to do, and it'll be easier for me to meet new people. (YK has pop of 20,000; Edmonton 800,000.) So I'll get almost a year here, which I am happy about. (There was a chance we'd move this February). I want to spend a summer here as it's just an amazingly beautiful landscape - like nowhere else I've lived.
Downsides in the future - he will likely be going up to Inuvik (a small town north of the arctic circle - they get several weeks of total darkness) to work for about 3 weeks in February and again in April. So we'll be separated again, but I have work now and studying for some upcoming tests, and it's only temporary. I'm not thrilled about spending most of February alone (typically my hardest winter month) but he'll make extra money and work requires such things sometimes. The extra money is handy as he or we will be eventually buying some kind of property in Edmonton or vicinity. Money is always useful for real estate purchasing.
So that's where I'm at - a happy, peaceful life, with an excellent partner, in an interesting city.
Zoe Girl
12-26-15, 11:37am
thank you for the update, It sounds great overall. You reminded me of why I don't miss Michigan in the winter. Scarves and glasses,
Congrats on the job! It sounds like a good one, and short staffed is a common problem. But there is a solution not far away.
I bet it is beautiful there when you don't have to go out places, ..
Teacher Terry
12-26-15, 11:47am
I don't miss Wis for those same reasons. Where we live now is a mild 4 season which I love. It's nice though that you are getting to experience year in such a beautiful place. So glad your relationship is going well.
freshstart
12-26-15, 12:23pm
congrats on all the good things
Kestra, here are some things to try for the glasses:
- a balaclava rather than a scarf around your nose might help. There's less of an opening around the top, so less vapour rises.
- sometimes going outside with your glasses in your hand and just holding them until they and your face are cold helps, or holding them away from your nose for a bit while you're outside.
It sounds like there is warm air rising out the top of the scarf and hitting the cold glasses, so that's what I'd focus on. Maybe even changing the way you tie the scarf so it fits more tightly over the bridge of your nose might help.
Glasses-wearing former prairie resident here! Hope you find a solution for this.
SteveinMN
12-27-15, 11:52am
You know someone is living in a cold climate when they say -20 is "not so bad" :D At -30 or -40, yes, everything just kind of grinds to a halt. It's cold no matter what one is wearing or doing. In fact, it's cold enough that contact lenses will fog up when one moves inside. Not for the meek.
I'm so glad things are working out for you, Kestra!
frugal-one
12-27-15, 2:10pm
OMG... -40... 5 Hours of sunlight.... We have had gloomy weather, albeit warm (considering it is winter) and I have been cold. I simply can't imagine -40! I have seen -20 and thought that was unbelievable! brrr
Kestra, it snowed briefly for the first time in my neighborhood (northwest Washington) this year, and I screamed in agony because I detest snow so very, very much. I can't wait to move to Vegas, in fact--DH and I are noodling about how and when to do that as I write. I take my hat off to you for calling -20 degrees (Celsius, I presume) "not so bad." Glad things are working out for you and your loved one--the move sounds great! Well, not the move itself, but the destination. Thanks for the update--I've been wondering how things were going for you! :)
Weather: -40 today for the first time.
You may be the bravest person I know :-)
I've been to Inuvik before, it's an interesting place, should be even more interesting in February!
http://offtracktravel.ca/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Public-Safety-Inuvik-polar-bears-1024x575.jpg
Kestra, Thank you for updating on your happy, peaceful life. I checked back to see how you were doing. I found your entire event so interesting and so out of my comfort zone. I am glad it all worked out for you!
You may be the bravest person I know :-)
I've been to Inuvik before, it's an interesting place, should be even more interesting in February!
I think you are one-up on me then, regarding having been there. It's a place I've wanted to visit for years and now that BF is going I thought it might be my opportunity. However I just looked up flights and from Yellowknife to Inuvik is $1,750! Yikes. Only small airlines fly there. I can get to Vegas for $400 from here. And my BF says he doesn't really like it there, so I think Yellowknife will be as far north as I go.
rodeosweetheart
12-28-15, 5:02pm
I think you are one-up on me then, regarding having been there. It's a place I've wanted to visit for years and now that BF is going I thought it might be my opportunity. However I just looked up flights and from Yellowknife to Inuvik is $1,750! Yikes. Only small airlines fly there. I can get to Vegas for $400 from here. And my BF says he doesn't really like it there, so I think Yellowknife will be as far north as I go.
How funny, that the options are Inuvik or Las Vegas in February. I would be in the Las Vegas camp. I once went to Palm Springs in the winter and other than getting sun poisoning from lying out by the pool, it was a fantastic time.
How was the winter?
Not too bad. It was warmer than normal there so minimal -40 days. I found the darkness the hardest part. I've definitely had worse winters for cold and definitely for snow in Winnipeg. That being said it's not over yet. But it's bright now and getting up to -12 this week (and better after I went south), so that feels really warm after a lot of -30. February was hard because my man was in Inuvik the whole month and my work was really stressful plus I was studying for a hard test the whole time. My health and social life suffered.
Actually right now I'm in Edmonton for 10 days enjoying the crazy warm weather here. I wrote my test today so that is done and I'm doing some house hunting in preparation for our fall move. Work has settled down as well. So spring is really looking up for me.
Thanks for asking. I was thinking about posting an update.
I'm glad you posted. I had been wondering about you so am pleased you are pleased.
Another thanks for posting. I wonder also!
My boyfriend just said we'd go through the apartment room by room and look at every item! To keep, sell, or discard. I'm so excited! And so happy that he wants to declutter.
The related update is that we are moving to Edmonton, and go to find a place to live there in August, will be back up briefly to arrange our move, then he starts his new job in September.
Otherwise things are good. I started doing Roller Derby, which is great fun, and great people. It's full-on summer here now - very hot. I work at my job here for 4 more weeks then I'm going to be self-employed once we move.
Great to hear things are progressing well, Kestra. Thanks for the update.
Packratona!
7-17-16, 8:48am
What I did was, decide where I wanted to live first, move there, then only seriously consider locals. I married a local yokel and it worked; 30 years plus now. Though we did end up moving eventually.
Update time, though my SO thinks I will get kicked off the forum, as my life isn't so simple living anymore. I told him that's okay; we are all different, and I could be going way less simple than I am.
A month ago we moved from Yellowknife to Edmonton in anticipation of my SOs work transfer. We were mostly vacationing and house-hunting, and we now have a house. He starts his new job in 2 weeks, we get the house in 6 weeks, then move all our stuff from Yellowknife in about 12 weeks.
It's been a bit trying, staying with friends the last month. But we get our own place again in 2 weeks.
He has a lot of friends here and I have a lot of family, so our socializing has increased a lot. There are also a lot more parks, and shopping of course. I'm not a big shopper but it is nice to have options again. I have to be careful not to eat out too much, for health and money, as gluten-free options are much more abundant here.
Things are going well for us. I'm happy with my choice to move in with him so quickly.
So glad to hear! I was wondering how you were doing.
Sounds wonderful Kestra - you took a chance on love and it's all worked out!
congratulations on all of it!
Another update. We bought a house and got possession of it this weekend. We won't move in fully for another couple months. But we did have a house party yesterday, which was really fun. My SO has lots of friends in this city and he was so happy to have most of them at his house playing games and having a good time.
We are very happy with the house - it has room for all the things we want to do, a double-car garage, a pretty big yard for the area (so I can garden - yay!), without being too big.
I'm working on materials for my money coaching business. That's going as well as can be expected. It's a bit of a grind, this first part, but I want to be very prepared for when I have clients (first "beta-clients") so I don't waste their time and they are happy with my services and give me good testimonials. It's not the kind of thing you can just jump into without good prep work. I'll be working out of the new house some of the time, so I'm alone and don't have chores and other distractions around.
Anyhow, we are very happy with the move and the house purchase. It's been almost a year since we first moved in together. It's been quite a wild year, and not over yet.
So glad things are going so well, Kestra!
Thanks for the update. Life is an adventure of trials and joys, I've found, so enjoy!
printslicker
10-23-16, 11:26pm
Must have been a very big decision for you. Good luck!
Oh wow, it's been a long time since I posted an update. I've been busy and a lot has happened.
November - we were staying at a furnished apartment (SO wasn't eligible to get all his stuff moved down until December) and a major pipe burst right above us and ran for 45 minutes. Our apartment was completely flooded. They gutted the floor we were on down to studs. We had to evacuate in a hurry with the bare essentials. Luckily to our house. We were able to go back the next day and get most of our things. SO lost a few thousand in technology, but otherwise things were okay. We were very lucky we had the house to crash at. We did the total minimalist thing for the next month - air mattress, 1 table, 2 chairs, very basic kitchen stuff.
I also did my first business trip, and renting a car in an unfamiliar city by myself when I went to Calgary. Not really exotic, but I felt very successful anyhow.
December - early December we went back to Yellowknife for a couple days to supervise the movers and clean out the apartment. Nothing like -30C to remind you why you left. About two weeks later the movers finally brought our stuff. And then we had exciting things like sofas and our bed and all our kitchen stuff. That was nice. It'd be 5 months without our stuff at that point.
January - we weren't good at putting things away so our basement was a disaster. I wrote all my tests to get my life insurance license.
At the end of January I had an anxiety-crisis, I call it. I've struggled with varying degrees of anxiety for a long time. But it got to the point where I couldn't calm down at all, and was basically non-functional. A couple people recommended a program at the big hospital here where you can get seen right away. So I went to that. I talked to a therapist a bit, especially about my childhood, which was chaotic, to it one way. And I started anti-anxiety meds.
February - the first week was pretty terrible. The meds/my brain were up and down. I was going from pretty severe depression and lethargy, to anxiety. I never knew what the day would bring. It was rough. I didn't do much on my business.
We then celebrated my 40 birthday by doing the Escape Room thing with my two local siblings and their spouses. That was really fun. I recommend it. By the middle of February, my mental state was a lot more stable. And continues to be so. I think the medication is helping.
Near the end of February I went on an awesome trip to Seattle to meet people I'd met on the old SLN and the Mr. Money Mustache forums. It was a great time. We got good weather. I walked a lot. It was a great break and the people were delightful.
We also managed to get our house finally all good so everything is put away and all rooms are usable. That was great. I'm looking forward to some gardening for the first time in over 10 years, except a couple containers.
March - now I've been working on my business quite extensively. It's going well. I started my big marketing push this week. I plan to start advertising some money skills workshops next week, to get in front of more people. I'm networking with several other professionals with similar clientele.
I really wish winter would end, but the end is in sight now.
Here is my FB page (with link to website) if you are interested: https://www.facebook.com/YourLifeMoneyCoaching
I still lurk here often, but I have to use website blockers to minimize how much time I waste, since I use my computer constantly for business stuff.
BikingLady
5-11-17, 6:14pm
Thanks for the update! (ctg492) as I was known by. I always look forward to reading your ongoing story.
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