Keeping Out of Mischief

The temp job this week was much busier, not rocket science, just putting together marketing binders and sales manuals. Lots of photo copying and then on Thursday I stuffed 800 envelopes!! There are still another 500+ to go so I am back there this coming week for a couple of days.  A nice small company with friendly easy going people.  It makes me realise that I do like working in an office environment and having the interaction.  Plus being out of the house for several days meant I actually did stuff when I was at home - amazing!  I am not saying I don't love doing the real estate, I love working with people but it doesn't have the same structure.

It's true what they say about "ask a busy person to do something".  Friday (my day off!) I baked bread, made steak and kidney for pies, and baked some shortbread.  Saturday morning I cleaned my house, did laundry and put together the pies.  So I felt virtuous rather guilty than when I finally sat down to catch up on my blogs.  In fact I spent the afternoon surfing around and finding other interesting blogs, sad I know but I always love the ones about expats in France and their various experiences.

The snow is still with us but I have four good tyres now so I am a bit more relaxed about it.  Next on my to do list is to get the dog to the vets for his shots, and I suppose, start seriously thinking about Christmas.  This week I must buy cards, write them and get them in the mail by the beginning of December.  There are a few other gifts that have to go overseas as well.  

As I get older I find it harder to get excited about the run up to Christmas, don't get me wrong I love the day itself, getting all the family together, having a lovely meal and a few drinks but the commercialism now attached to it is a big turn off.  Although I expect this year it may be a little different.  

What's Wrong With This Picture?

Well for starters, it is too damn early, it's soooo depressing - is this it now for the next six months?!  Getting the hint?  I don't like Canadian winters, especially southern Ontario winters, they are grey, icy and miserable.  I like my snow on the slopes.  When we lived in California, in San Diego to be exact, we could drive up to the slopes, have a wonderful week of skiing, marvel at the beautiful white capped trees etc. etc. and return to the sunny climes of southern Cal.  It was perfect!  I know moan, moan, moan!   But O....M....G....!!  To cap it off, my neighbour two doors down, not only has her Christmas lights up, but has them lit up already!!  My scrooge is showing again.

Anyway on a lighter note, we finally received the photographer's photos of the wedding so I have included a few gratuitous ones, just to cheer myself up.  

It was actually lovely to re-visit the occasion at two months' distance. It surely was a happy and laughter filled day.

And may they live happily ever after!

What was I thinking?

I just couldn't take the endless days, the house is so tidy, here is no laundry in the hamper, and not even any ironing (that must be a first!) and so I bit the bullet and signed on with a temporary agency.  

Monday night they called late and asked if I could fill in as receptionist in the next town, no problem - SITH to the rescue.  OMG it is such a boring job - they maybe get 15 calls a day -  between the hours of 9 and 5 - then it is just a matter of putting them through, no handling any queries, nothing.  Surely someone else could fit this into their work day!  It seems a waste of a good employee - my daughter said 'don't complain Mum it's easy money'.  That's just it - it isn't easy money, I like to be busy, like the hours to pass quickly.  I have read two entire books in the last two days, that and checked on my email, done a little real estate, read everyone's post.....arrrgh.  I am sitting here hoping I don't get the call to go in tomorrow.  Sorry to moan - shouldn't be complaining but .....arrrgh!

Blah Blah Blah!

That's pretty much it.  Not a lot is happening around here.  After the rush, rush of our trip to France where there is loads to be getting on with, I am now sitting here at home going through the real estate motions of open houses, keeping in touch with potential clients (while, of course, trying not to be a nuisance!) and basically achieving bug**r all.  It is frustrating, the market has definitely gone a bit quiet on the buying front, there are lots of properties on the market but some very cautious buyers.  Hoping that now the US election is settled, people can re-focus, especially with interest rates so low.....fingers crossed.

I feel I am back a square one, back where I was a year ago when I launched my new career.  On the plus side, at this point a year ago, I did not even know whether it was possible for me to help anyone buy or sell a house, but after 10 "ends" as we call them (i.e. being on either the buying or selling end of a deal) I now know I can do it.  On the minus side, the real estate market here in Southern Ontario is a whole different ball game to what it was a year ago.  Have I chosen the wrong time to become a real estate agent?  To go out on my own and work for myself?  My old job with a guaranteed salary looks quite tempting at the moment, even though deep down I know I don't want to be back there.  As several people have said to me this week, if you throw enough sh*t against the wall something is bound to stick!  So imagine me, that's what I am doing .....throwing shi*t and plenty of it!!  

Anyway while I have so much time on my hands, I have been very domesticated, taken up knitting again, something I haven't done for quite a few years - making a jumper for my new nephew for Christmas (thrifty as well as crafty), baking bread !! and making all our dinners from scratch.  Homemade soups and pasta dishes.  Kind of morphing from home seller to suzy homemaker.... The house hasn't been this spick and span for a while.

This morning I was full of good intentions, was going to head outside to rake leaves - its quite handy here as you can rake them to the curb and then the City sends round a truck to scoop them all up.  However, it looks miserable and rainy today so that's probably not going to happen.  I will carry on printing off my newsletter which I deliver around my neighbourhood.....you know...more sh*t.  See ya!