What a year!

A year ago today my family and I emigrated from the UK to British Columbia and what a year its been, a complete fresh start, there is something quite exhilarating about that..... we look back at the week before we moved here what utter chaos, removal boxes everywhere, giving our belongings away, the goodbyes and heartache, the worry of whether the pets will survive the plane journey and now......what joy to be here. We have met some amazing people, settled into the Canadian ways and enjoying our jobs. The pets have settled in very well too. We have achieved so much its hard to think how we have managed to do all of that in our first year but we have.

Were going to friends today to watch England play the USA in the world cup..... were not 'footie' fans really but are looking forward to it and meeting new people but just for now I'm going to sit here on my sundeck for a little while longer enjoying the sounds of the birds whilst I sip my coffee

“If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.”



Lewis Carroll

Spring Cleaning...Yuk!

Spring Cleaning is a job I loathe....a strong word I know but I really do hate it......but have to say I find some kind of peace and achievement when its done, this morning was spent bleaching the window frames in our rental, they were a little mouldy but not any more *smiles. Its been a long time I wore bright yellow marigolds and I'm thankful I did because that industrial bleach hurt my eyes and throat....would not have liked in on my skin! It certainly did a good job, I'm pleased with the result.

This afternoon I took a trip back to Best Buy which happens to be my third trip in two days *sighs..... Mr English Rose has been longing for a Digital SLR camera for some time now, he use to enjoy his photography way before we both met and as it was his birthday a few days ago I decided I would treat him, so in between my night shifts I went to Best Buy and managed to get a really good deal on a Canon EOS T2i DSLR 18 Megapixil with Accessory Pack- this included a bag, UV Filter and Battery....after I had bartered and got myself the deal I was told by sales assistant that they didn't have the camera in stock Arghhhhhh, delivery would be that day after 3pm, well I couldn't wait as I was on Nights, so finally got it the day after, hubby was very pleased and shocked....after unpacking the accessory pack my hubby realised that the battery didn't fit his camera it fits the Canon EOS T1i. *huff and after all of that the shop doesn't stock the batteries !!!! not BEST after all. Never mind there is always eBay !!!! so here's me hoping for some amazing photos in the future .

VACATION

Its true I'm officially on vacation ! sigh ...... I've finished my last set of four shifts five days ago but have picked up three overtime shifts in that time ....how insane and boy do I feel it as I type this. We have so many people off sick at work now, its ridiculous and as much as I miss my work mates I want them all to be well so best to stay away from work till your 100%. I am not due back into work until June 19th and I have a job list so long to achieve in that time which mainly includes painting, the usual chores around the house, I find it so frustrating that we are in a rental and we want to do some renovations but cant, we have family coming to visit in the summer and we feel were trapped inside a 1970's tardis ! The owners have agreed to paying for laminate flooring and new floor tiling in the bathroom so that will make the place nicer, my hubby who does house Reno's for his job has already replaced the downstairs powder room toilet and basin, painted, new flooring and crown mouldings, it looks fantabulous...I must post a pic, we also replaced the whole ceiling in the laundry room which was previously in a sad state with a huge water stain from a leak and some of the tiles missing, now its lovely with a sunken light all at no cost ....that's even better. I'm very house proud you see and its driving me insane to the point of obsession but I tell myself everyday its a rental !!!!!! That day of owning our own ohhhhhh what joy and celebration that will be.

This weekend (June 12th) is a busy day for me and Mr English Rose - not only is there a party invite as its the first England soccer match against the USA in the World Cup, but it is also our 1 year Anniversary of emigrating to BC - its been one heck of a year filled with joy, tears, uncertainties, laughter and happiness, but NO REGRETS, we have made some what we hope will be good friends and have tried to embrace the Canadian way of life as much as possible....whilst keeping the British sense of humour and of course the local Boltonian accent :-) .

So having made it as clear as possible to staffing at work NOT TO CALL ME - I am hoping to fulfill most if not all of my job list...here's to a good vacation......

Smiles of the Week

These are what made me smile this week: in the pic top left is the delivery of my new cricut cartridges :) i intend to play with them this week as I'm on vacation. the picture to the right is of one of my favourite stores in Abbotsford. I just love going in their to see whats new or pick up a bargain in the clearance section.... we all love a bargain! And the final picture is of our two dogs sat next to the dinner table on my husbands birthday, I think they look cute in their party hat's - hubby was too shy to come on the photo, the dogs were treated to beef stew for sitting still for the photo !

MMMMMMMMMMMMM YUMMY!!!

Tonight, hubby and I went to the Greek Island's Restaurant on SFW in Abbotsford. We understand what our friends meant by westernised greek experience.... the atmosphere was pleasant,  the food was quite authentic and service at the restaurant was excellent, We LOVE Caesar salad - a simple dish but ohhh sooo tasty, hubby had lamb and I had shrimp, scallop and crab filo pastry wrap.... it was yummy and of course the vino Blanc and Rouge was freely flowing and continued to do so at home. Were both very tired now, I've only just finished night shift and hubster is back at work tomorrow so its time to say good night all :). Thank-you Greek Island's Restaurant for making our tummies content !

Tea for Two

So I asked my cute little friend Miss C to help me customise my blog and adjust my page layout and this is what we came up with ! I like my background very 'English Rose' I must say. Miss C showed me how to add in cute pictures to my blog like my fellow followers and others do, whilst showing me we came across this Tea Cup which reminded me of having tea with my Nana when I was a little girl, she had a Tea Set just like this one - so thanks Miss C for your help earlier :)

Birthday Wishes

Today is my Husband's birthday, unfortunately I'm doing night shifts over the next few days but we hope to try out the Greek restaurant on Sunday night that we have heard so much about 'The Greek Islands' . We use to holiday at least twice a year in 'Zante' we have fond memories of our vacations there, hopping on our moped and seeking out the secluded little beach coves and taking in the lovely warm sun. We both love Greek food and if they have stifado or kleftico on the menu then hubby will be a happy birthday boy. This time last year we were at our leaving /hubby's birthday party in the UK, so much has happened since that day and I am hoping hubby's 1st birthday celebration in Canada provides him with good memories. I have a few surprises, luckily he will be at work when I get home so I plan to decorate the sundeck, I've hidden his cards from the UK so he thinks he hasn't got any and then it will be off to bed for me.
So HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mr English Rose! mwah x