I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! We flew back on Christmas Day after several days spent in our Alberta home with the kids visiting friends and family. It was nice, but very exhausting. Today we are taking a day to do whatever we want and tomorrow we go back to work as Hubby got an extra contract signed in December that we were not expecting and there is much to be done.
The weather was very cold in Alberta, with temperatures on average being -24 degrees celcius and lots of snow. We flew home to a little snow on the ground that was slushy and melting with a temperature of 1 degree celcius. A difference of 23 degrees and we shall take that anyday! Green grass is still peeking out from under the snow and THAT IS WHY WE MOVED HERE - way less winter and the ocean.
This Christmas was on budget. We spent 1/3 less on gifts, and to be honest nobody noticed. We used the money saved on a lower gift budget to help defray the costs on the airfare (we used 1/2 points and 1/2 cash) and car rental. This Christmas still was very expensive but hopefully the sealed pot will help our 2013 Christmas budget. The grocery budget was blown as expected, not because I went overboard but because a lot of groceries had to be bought for the Alberta home for meals with leftovers that were left behind for my stepson who lives there. This will definitely be our last Christmas in that house as we have made a decision to put it back on the market in March, and this time with a realtor as we now live out of Province. Even if we have to lose money we will sell it as cannot see carrying two homes through another year. It is way more expensive than anticipated and we are just fortunate that we had saved so much money for this year of transition and are debt free with exception of a small mortgage from carrying the 2nd home. The other thing that saved us is that hubby's company took off and we have actually been staying afloat on that income since October. We had initially kept the Alberta house as expected an increase in the market as Alberta seems to be booming again due to the Oil Sands - but it will still take several years that we don't have. This is our priority in 2013. Our new Island home costs 1/2 of what the Alberta home does to maintain and is just perfect for the two of us.
Mom is coming to visit for two days for New Years and that is when I am cooking a Turkey with all the trimmings as Christmas Eve we had the traditional Ukrainian food (I even cooked two Ukrainian dishes to my Mother-in-laws approval) and Christmas day was spent travelling. Five alarm Chili waiting to be re-heated was in the freezer and that was our dinner last night with a Christmas drink and the opening of our gifts to each other.
Today is a jammie day with lots of tea drinking and reading. Have a great day!
We had a lovely Christmas, our family get together was on the 23rd, it was 40 degrees C here, VERY hot! But it was still a lovely day, daughter flew in from interstate, my 96 year old ma in law was here, and the newest addition to the family, 7 month old great niece, plus various other family members, a truly lovely day! I hope you are successful with your house sale in 2013! Have a happy new year.
ReplyDeleteCheers Judy xx
Your area of the world is very hot right now! I only experienced 40 degrees celcius when I was in Egypt in June about fifteen years ago - frighteningly hot! Happy Holidays!
DeleteWe lived on VI about seven years ago. Husband was transferred there, when they came and asked for volunteers to take a posting back to Alberta we jumped on it.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is warmer there but there was no future for our children. Employment was hard to come by for me and the dog got fleas!
Yes, it's cold here but I've found the people warmer than islanders who were not welcoming to outsiders. House prices were ridiculous, it cost us and extra $75K to find a similar house out there as to what we had left in AB. Gas prices for the car were high, electric heat was more expensive than we'd realized.
I'm glad you found a nice spot to settle but we'd never go back.
Unfortunately the lack of work on the Island drives many away - we knew and planned for it with hubby starting his company before we came. Most of his work right now is out of Province. Hoping Alberta works out for you (and keep warm!)
DeleteSounds like a great holiday with family & friends. I love reading your blog - you are so positive & inspiring with your move & overall lifestyle change. We're considering a move when we retire (to Hawaii, so an island, but not quite the same :-)) & I love reading about how you're handling & appreciating the changes.
ReplyDeleteWelcome! It does take sacrifice to fulfill the dream but totally worth it!
DeleteI've been up for an adventure every so often and at end of each month I like to read other blogs then my regular coffee pals...I came over from Gil and her blog”That British Woman”...I like being frugal actual which might sound strange. This holiday was one I spend less on and it was less stress a win win situation all the way around.
ReplyDeleteI didn't do a groceries budget for December but I'm doing one in January...So we have a little over 2 feet of snow in a yard....So if you have time stop on in for some coffee.
Welcome! I don't miss two feet of snow - that is how much is in our front yard in Alberta. Hubby's asthma kicked up while we were there too - every time he goes outside it takes his breath away. The island is much better for his Asthma.
DeleteI've been living in the Comox Valley since 1988 having moved from the interior. I haven't looked back, best thing I have ever done. Welcome and glad your staying. I enjoy reading your blog very much and hope to start a blog in the future. I have the name what I want to blog about, I just need to get started and not be so chicken!
ReplyDeleteSo you know exactly what I mean then - yesterday I saw seven bald eagles sitting on a tree on the road that leads from Comox to Courtenay - extreme natural beauty every single day!
DeleteGlad you enjoyed your Christmas and good luck with selling your Alberta home in the Spring. I thought properties would be flying off the market in Alberta as that province is booming?
ReplyDeleteGill
They are in Calgary but not so much in Edmonton and Sherwood Park. We just have to hope for the best. Thankfully we don't have negative equity. We did very well on our last property and sold at the peak of the boom so anthing we lose on this one we probably gained on the last one. It just hurts to go backwards though.
DeleteHi CC!
ReplyDeleteHope you had a lovely Jammie Day!
Sounds like a well planned out Christmas, and time for you to make a few important decisions about the future. So glad your business took off!
I'm sure the sealed pot will help Christmas 2013 go smoothly too.
Why Ukrainian food? Am I missing something?
Sft x
Hubby and his family are Ukrainian. They usually have a traditional no-meat Christmas Eve as their primary celebration for the First Christmas. Their Second Christmas is in January. Hubby's Grandparents were straight from Ukraine and in Alberta, there are thousands of second and third generation Ukrainian people who settled Canada in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Hubby's brother still owns the family farm from back then.
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