An Update from LA....

Hey All!
Just wanted to give a quick update on our moving adventure. It was a veryyyy busy week. I worked in the city this week and Thursday was my last day. :) We were so swamped with trying to wrap everything up and visit family and friends. The weekend was very hectic.

My dad flew in from the NWT on Thursday night. He took the old Neon home to Nova Scotia. Duane and his gang were in to visit....dinner out and a sad good bye. Tracy and her gang with also in to visit and say a sad good bye. It was tough to leave everyone but we were finally starting to get excited!! It has been such a rushed move that we haven't really been able to get too excited about it. So, we're getting there!

We stayed with Joe and Preetha last night. Thanks very much guys!!! We really appreciate you helping us out. And then we left Montreal at 9am this morning for Los Angeles. The flight was about 6hours. The kids were totally amazing. They were perfect. We couldn't of asked for better. (I really hope they stay like that for the longgggg flight!!) We arrived at 12pm, headed to the hotel, got cleaned up, and then went out to see some sights. We got to see the Manhatten Beach area. It was really nice with some great shops. We haven't decided what we are doing tomorrow...a few thoughts are up in the air. And then we fly out tomorrow night at 1155pm. Yeah, late flight! We get into Brisbane at 745am on Friday. It's about 14hours. So, I hope we all survive!

Sorry if we didn't get to call to say Goodbye...or email to say Goodbye...it was a very rushed week so sorry!!!!!

We'll update again once we make it to Brisbane!

Busy Days....

Just wanted to give you an update on the family move. We're pretty swamped with trying to get everything done. Some things have finally been confirmed - like our date of travel, tickets booked, hotel in LA, apartment when we arrive...so it's now a lot of last minute stuff.

We're flying out of Montreal on January 29 and we're all going together. I went for my 2nd opinion last Friday for my eye and the doctor said that he thinks that I should wait. So, that's the plan. I'll give my left eye time to heal and do the surgery in Brisbane. Shitty to be going with only one eye done, but not the end of the world. At least we all get to travel together now so that's a bonus.

We'll be arriving in LA around noon on Jan 29 and we're going to stay the night. Thought this would help break up the trip and give the kids time to burn off some energy!! We fly out of LA on Jan 30 at 23:55 and it's a 14hour flight to Brisbane. Pretty long but we're hoping the kids will sleep a bit..and I hope I sleep too! I'm not a great sleeper so I'm realllllly hoping that I'll get a couple of hours of sleep.

We haven't sold the car yet but Duane has been kind enough to offer his assistance. He's going to take the car back to Ottawa and try and sell it for us.

We got another offer on the house this week (first offer fell thru...they didn't get the $$$ from the bank) and I think we're taking it. It's a nice feeling to see some progress.

And most importantly - we found a home for Indo!! One of my coworkers is going to take him so I'm soooo happy. Very sad that we will be losing him but glad that he has a new home.

My last day of work is tomorrow. That will be nice!! I'll be sad to say Good bye to my friends at work but maybe a couple of them will come visit!

I went out last Friday to have food/drinks with my "Mom" gang. And then Darryl and I went out on Saturday to have drinks with some coworkers.

Tonight was dinner at Preetha and Joe's and as usual, every night has been - pack, clean, throw out, give away, pack, throw away...pack...clean...you get the picture.

So, it's now 23:55 and time to get back to work! I work in the city this week so I have to get up early so better Bust A Move!

A Bit of An Update...

I wanted to give you an update on what has been going on these days in the MacPurdy Home. Sorry if this gets too long but lots of weird news to tell!! It's been quite hectic as I'm sure everyone has heard by now that we are moving to Brisbane, Australia. Yeah, we've been wanting to move for a while now and decided to go for it. But, it's happening quite fast so I hope we get everything done on time!!

Darryl will be flying out on January 30 but the kids and I may not get to go until February 10ish...give or take a day. I don't know where to even start with the story but I'll give it a try.

We went home for Christmas and after talking with family and friends, I got the whole laser eye surgery thing stuck in my head again. I've been wanting to get this done for years now and if we're moving to Australia, I should do it before we go. I already went for the consultation last year so had a good idea of the process/cost...etc.

When we got back from holidays I made an appointment for another consultation and booked the surgery. In the middle of all this, we've been packing, started selling some stuff, met with our real estate agent to get the house on the market, doctors appts/dentist appts, started selling the car process...and still working and trying to do stuff with the kids! And plan Shamus' 3rd Birthday Party!

My surgery was last Friday/Jan11. My right eye is great but they couldn't do my left eye. Yeah. I've never heard of this happen to anyone...but of course it happens to me! : )

They said that my left cornea was thinner than they thought so now I have to let it heal for about 3 weeks before they'll cut it again. Yeah. So, now I can't fly out with Darryl on January 30.

Of course I went home on Friday feeling pretty disgusted with the results. Now, our moving dates are all messed up and I'll have to fly alone with the kids and finishing packing the house/us and sell the car. Darryl gets home on Friday, we have people come to see the house (it went on the market last Tuesday) and my brother and his gang arrived Friday night for the party Saturday morning. (Shamus' birthday)

On Friday night, around 10:30pm, we see flashing lights on our curtains in the living room. Take a peek to see the excitement and there are a bunch of cop cars outside. No idea what is happening but by the end of it, there are about 12 cop cars and 3 ambulances. Not a good sign. And then the cops start putting "crime scene" tape across our front yard! We're suppose to have a Mini Open house on Saturday morning and an Open House on Sunday! Not good timing for trying to sell your home!

We later find out that there was a stabbing 2 houses down from us. Nice, eh? Crazy. We live on a nice street, pretty quiet, and I know the family pretty well. Cari - you know the Mom - Anna, from daycare.

By this point Darryl and I are getting down. My eye surgery went horribly wrong and now this. Of course we hope everyone is ok but how do we have our open house?

Saturday morning the cops are back. Darryl and/or Duane go out to talk to them. We find out about the stabbings and of course they find the weapon...at the end of our driveway! So, we can't leave the house! And Shamus' party is staring in 15minutes (at a play gym we go to). Evenutally they let us leave but by this point we're late for the party and of course I forget half the food in the house because we're rushing out the door!

Not a good last 24hours!!

Final results - I am going for a 2nd opinion on my eye this Friday. I'm having another doctor look at it to make sure the 1st doctor didn't screw up and damage my eye. I don't want to take any chances. If he says that I can do the surgery on Feb1, then I'll stick around. If not, then we're all going to try and fly out with Darryl. I don't really have time for all this but I'll find the time! Thanks to Amanda for finding out some info on my eye surgery...luckily this is her field of work. I hope my eye is ok!

And the stabbings - the kids are all ok. Apparently their Mom, Anna, was on vacation last week and the boys (twins, about 16) were staying with their dad. They told their dad that they were going to a house party on Friday night but didn't mention that it was at their Mom's house! So, I'm sure they are in huuuuuge trouble but at least everyone is ok.

We did have someone put an offer on the house so we're crossing our fingers that they don't watch the english news (they're spanish) and didn't hear about the stabbings! We'll know for sure next week.

And in the middle of all this...Darryl gave his notice at work on Monday. Yeah, so they tried to fire him that day. Nice company. Not only are their pay cheques bouncing all over town, they're so awful to work for. Anyone that tries to quit, gets "let go" early and no pay. Not that they're getting paid now anyway. All the cheques are bouncing! So, we don't know if Darryl will ever get some money out of them but it sure hurts the bank account! I don't think RBC is too happy with us right now. So, that's adding a bit of stress too.

Oveall, it's pretty busy and I hope everything works out!! I'll know about my eye on Friday...crossing my fingers.

And that's the latest. We'll keep you posted!!

I know, I know...Christmas is Over!

So, it's taken me a while to post our whole Christmas vacation! It's been tough to find some free time lately but we are finally on

Christmas - Part 3!!!

I just like this picture of the guys. Darryl took the picture and I think he did a great job.

A visit to Cape Breton isn't complete until we see Gramma Sadie!! Everyone knows Gramma Sadie! Well, she's doing excellent. She's 92 years old and still very sharp and strong. She's a rock and is definitely the glue to the MacInnis Clan! We all love her!!

We went to Halifax on Dec 31 and stayed with Bill and Missy. Thanks again for putting us up! They're always so great to us when we go home. Everyone is!! We have wonderful friends in Halifax and I'm always sad when I leave. We promise - we will move back to Halifax someday. I love it there.

Mike, Megan, and Breagha having a bite to eat.

And the kids trying out a new game that Megan got for Christmas. It was pretty cool. I may have to look for it for Shamus....and Breagha when she gets a bit older.

Bill treated the kids to Fireworks on New Years Eve. It was perfect for them. Shamus thought a couple of them were a bit loud, but overall, he really liked it.

And then we had the whole gang land over for brunch on New Years Day. Bill and Michelle did all the cooking...yummy! It was a great way to spend the day. Thanks again guys!

David and Baby Jack.

I thought this was a really cute picture of Bill and Mich!!

Marc pondering life? Wondering where he put his beer? Probably! Sorry Marc! I do love the picture though. Darryl was testing out the new camera. I hope you guys don't mind us posting your pics! Too late now!

And Jack. Too cute.

Jason and I thought something was pretty funny but no idea what it was. The cheesy?

And Darc and Erin got a kick out of something too....

What are you lookin' at?

We headed over to Jen and Aaron's after hangin' with the old BTI Gang. Their new house is beautiful. And then off to the airport to fly back to Montreal!

Our flight was suppose to leave at 955pm and didn't go until 1240am. Yeah, nasty but the kids were great. Shamus slept at Jennifer's...thank God...so, he was in perfect cheer at the airport.

...But, they were both wiped by the time we got home!!!....
It was a very long day! Nice to sleep in our own beds!

Thanks to everyone that came to see us over the holidays! We really appreciate it and wish we could see you more often!!

And hope 2008 was been good to you so far!

Christmas - Part 2!

So, here is Part 2 of our holidays!! Sorry it's taking so long.
We left Ottawa on Dec26 and flew to Halifax. We were very lucky to have Bill and Melissa offer their car for the week. I couldn't get a car rental since the trip was so last minute so Bill and Missy lent us their new Mazda 5. Verrrrry nice car! Thanks guys...very kind of you.

Is sure made it easier for us to get around. So, Darryl's Dad drove up from Truro and took us over to the Ellis Home to pick up the car. Then, we headed to The Nish (Antigonish) and stayed there on Dec 26/27. It was great to hang with Darryl's family and just relax. The only time we ventured out was to make a visit to Ray's place. His whole family was home so we lucked out and got to have a visit with everybody.

Here is Aunt Kelly with Moira and Breagha. Doing some colouring!

And here is the new addition to Duncan and Shirley's home!! This is Casey! Very cute!

Grammie reading to the kiddies.

Shamus and Paul relaxing on the couch. Thought this was a cute pic.

On our way to Mabou!

I always get excited when I cross the causeway. Just feels right!

Poor Shamus and Breagha - in the car again!

Now at Mama Rosie's house!! Cheryl and her baby. Jagger is huuuuuge! And he's a big baby.

Ceilidh getting some help from Shamus. He'd open everyones gift if we let him!

Breagha spending some time with Grampie Sandy.

I don't know what Mom and Shamus are doing?

Hangin' with Grampie again....he may be a handy babysitter.

So, we headed out to visit the horses in the morning. Shamus loves them but doesn't like to get too close.

And Molly!! Cute as ever and doesn't like to miss out so she had to come with us.

The horses getting some fresh air. It's really nice to watch them run around.


This brings us to Dec 30....I think. The days kind of blurred together! :)
We headed back to Antigonish on Dec30 and then to Halifax for Dec31.

Pics of the Halifax crew are coming soon!

Time to do a Post? Hmmmm, not Really!!

Yes, I've been feeling the pressure of getting a new Post out there! But, we just haven't had the time since we got back. We're pretty swamped but I managed to fit in some time tonight.

I'll have to do the Christmas posts in groups.

We went to Duane and Cathy's for Christmas Eve and then to Tracy's on Christmas Day.

Calli and Shamus shared a mattess on the floor. It was only about the size of a crib mattress but they wanted to sleep together...and on the floor is more exciting than a bed!! So, their shared the mattress. It was pretty cute.

Christmas Eve was all about food...with some drinks to wash it down with! Cathy is always on the ball and was baking short bread cookies with the kids.

Duane and Cathy's basement has a nice set up for hockey. So, Shamus took full advantage of the goalie gear and tried it all out! It was pretty funny to watch...

And off to church that night. HannaRose was in the choir and the play. It makes going to church a lot more fun!!

And Christmas Eve night....we opened the gifts from each other. The kids had a ball and it didn't take Shamus long to figure out the whole concept.

Shamus "posing" for the camera.

Is that all???

Calli was very excited for Shamus. She has the coolest haircut!!

Our gift from Shamus. It's a little jar that he painted and put a ribbon on. And there's a small tea candle inside. (help from daycare!)

So, Christmas Day...

HannaRose got a very cool kit from Duane and Cathy. It's like a hair straightener but with tubes of hair colour. To colour her hair. She wants to be like Cousin Amanda when she gets bigger!!! I think Duane's a bit concerned about that. :)

Cathy was the hairdresser and did the hair colouring....

Rock On Guys!!!

And Alec got some sort of video/skateboarding game. Not sure how it worked but pretty cool.

Now, everyone would assume that it's Duane grabbing Cathy's ass....but I caught her in the act!

Then we made a trip to the hospital in Ottawa. Yeah, in the middle of Christmas craziness, Darryl's sister Tracy was having a baby!!! She was in the hospital on Dec23 and they let her out on Dec24...that night. So, she could spend the night with the family. And no baby wanted to arrive into the world!! So, we went to see Trac that afternoon and then to her place to hang with John and the kids.

We got to try out the new Monopoly game...Canadian Monopoly...with a Visa card instead of money. Pretty cool! But, I got my butt kicked!

More gifts to open? You didn't have to tell Shamus twice!

Breagha loved her clothes from Grammie Shirley and Gunka.

John and Shamus checking out the new gifts.

So, that brings us to Boxing Day. We drove back to Montreal on Boxing Day and flow home to Nova Scotia. I guess you'll have to stay tuned for the Maritime pics!!!