I moved on December 29 of this year. Christmas was over, and New Year was spent in a frenzy of settling into my new home, a condo. Moving took all my attention and energy. I scarcely remember the holiday season. But this year is different. I am settled, much more organized and looking forward to spending Christmas with my family.
I started the season early. On December 6, a friend and I saw the movie, Love Actually, which has a Christmas theme. A week ago, I decorated my home, something I hadn’t done for two years. I even wrote about it in “Decorating for Christmas”, published here on December 9. So that was it. I was obviously “all in”.
Keeping the impetus going, I shopped for gifts for my twelve-year-old granddaughter and seven-year-old niece, who I will be seeing during the holidays. Next, I hosted a small party in my home on December 16. In a few days, I will be joining my family for Christmas Eve and Christmas day.
Somewhere in between, I hope to tour the Christmas lights which are so impressive in this city.
Today, Mother Nature has presented us with a rare treat—snow! I’m ambivalent about snow, however. It’s pretty to watch from our living room windows, remaining snug and warm and dry. But this morning, I had a few anxious hours while planning to drive to my daughter’s house, 20 minutes away. By the time I was ready, the snow had changed to flurries, and I hoped it would become rain later in the day, when my visit would be over.
I’ve been home now for a few hours, and it’s back to a very light snow. I’m tracking the forecast for the next few days, since we are making plans to attend a Christmas family gathering up island. Weather is always tricky on Vancouver Island at Christmas. People who own winter tires and four-wheel drive vehicles take it in stride. Every year at this time I swear I will invest in another, more winter conducive vehicle and this just might be the year!
Now that I’ve been living in this home for almost twelve months, it seems a good time to sit back and take stock. Moving is tough at the best of times but moving at the end of December is the pits. And it was. I took some pictures of the actual move and was reminded of how the movers had to slog through cold rain and snow and how every task, from cleaning the home I was leaving, to supervising the move, was compounded by the weather.
But this dismal tale does have a happy ending. Looking back at the past year, it was a fortuitous move. I can’t take credit for the perfect place that came up for sale just when I was looking for a new home. It was pure luck, or perhaps a guardian angel had touched my shoulder and guided me through the maze of events that led me here.
I knew the moment that I saw it that it would be a good place for me to land. It was in a small building of only six suites, with a spacious living room, and an extra bedroom which was to become my study. It was on a secluded ‘no through’ road across from the sea. It had everything I needed. Before I purchased it, I met the people who owned the other suites, and immediately liked them. They have proven to be wonderful neighbors.
Sometimes I stand back and survey my surroundings and marvel at the way it has all turned out. I love my new home and feel very fortunate to be here. I know I’ll enjoy my first Christmas here, and hope to have many more!
I wish you all a lovely Christmas, and a very happy 2023!
It sounds as though your move has given you everything you could have hoped for. I hope the weather doesn’t spoil your Christmas plans, and that you have a wonderful time 🐖🧑🎄🎁🎉💐
Sorry about the pig – not sure how that got in there 🤣
Hope your Christmas is wonderful! You are forgiven for the pig, BTW!
It’s snowing here and Victoria is known for rolling up the sidewalks when it snows (which is rarely!). But people are out and about shovelings snow. I won’t be doing that though. There are a few eager beavers on our street, who have been waiting for this—shovels at the ready!
You are an inspiration. We are planning a move back home, which is in North Carolina in the spring we have lived in the DC area since 1996. This is going to be huge for us. Of course it also entails downsizing. The great news is that we will be close to our three children and three and perhaps, four, soon to know, grandchildren. We are renovating a home I moved into in 1978. I don’t want to feel like I’m going backwards if that makes any sense the most difficult thing is leaving our church. There will never be a good time to do that but there will never be a better time to move home.
You have been in your current home for a long time so it will be hard. But it’s great that you will be close to your children and great grandchildren. I like your last sentence. It sums us your feelings about this.
Very happy to see you are doing so well Diane. Have a great Christmas and all the best for 2023.
Right back at you, Paul! Hope you have a perfect Christmas, and a great 2023! Give your family my Best Regards.
You’ll be making new traditions and new memories in your new place. All the best, Diane.
Quite true, Anneli. Wishing you a great holiday season!
Sounds really good, Diane. Wishing you the best through the holidays and a bright new year!
All the best to you too, Lynne! I am having a ‘shut in’ evening, unable to get out because of an unusual snow fall we have had over the past two days. I think we will be talking about this for years!
My husband and I moved from BC to our new home in Saskatchewan 10 days ago. We’ve been so busy that it barely feels like Christmas. I take heart in reading about how you’re enjoying this first Christmas in your new home and look forward to our second.
One thing about being in Saskatchewan, Linda—people there know how to handle winter! We have had a rare winter snow fall that has brought everything to a standstill. At this point, we are not sure of what will happen over Christmas. Hopefully we will able to see loved ones, but maybe not.
Happy Holidays back to you Diane.
Of course there is no snow here,, New Zealand is “sunbathing” after weeks of inclement weather – the temperature soared today in my region – I had an end of year event, and it was really nice that all the buses I caught there and back had their aircon full blast. The first thing I did when I opened my door, was rush to my home aircon, then draw all the curtains and now the flat is cooler…
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas too!
Great to hear from you, CM, as always. May your Christmas be wonderful!
Diane, it so nice to read this contented post. May the new year bring you even more contentment and happiness.
Bernadette, your comments are always so positive and encouraging. It makes me want to keep on blogging! Thank you.
Hi Diane,
Your article reminded me of my move from Nelson in the interior to Victoria in a one ton truck on December 29th 2009. It started to snow as soon as I left and I only traveled 100 km before I had to stop. The next day was no better, and made for many anxious moments. I remember being relieved getting off the boat, although it was pouring rain. It was a stressful but necessary trip, and I look back on it fondly now. Happy Holidays.
There is nothing more delightful than celebrating Christmas in a lovely new home! 🙂 Congrats on the new condo, and we hope to be celebrating Christmas in our own new condo next year!
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