One year of waking up to seeing this view from my balcony while sipping my morning latte.
One year of enjoying the freedom and…ahem…adventures that come with renting an apartment. Update: the Stompy McStompersons moved out at the end of February…and though others have since moved in, the noise from above is almost non-existent, in comparison! Heavenly….
Crazy M has been mostly quiet – so quiet that I wondered if perhaps she had finally been committed or incarcerated somewhere. But no…I have seen her driving in and out of the complex recently.
S (“Good Neighbour S”, I have dubbed him) continues to offer assistance and lets me know he is “on guard” and ever watchful of strange goings on in the building as well as Ye Olde Parking Lot. Speaking of…
About the only complaint I have currently is of meeting the same couple of old men in the hallway – enroute to the parking lot where they like to unfold lawn chairs in the shade of the arbutus trees, and take in the fresh air, daily. They continually apologize (4 times now!) for not wearing masks (as they are supposed to) when encountering me in the hallway.
Yes, I love renting. It is so freeing after being responsible for and renovating a large and historically significant building and all of the other shit I went through for the past 7 years.
One year of missing my family, and friends-that-feel-like-family… left behind in Ontario.
One year of being able to spend more time with my daughter and her man.
One year of soaking in the stunning beauty of my new home (too many posts to link – feel free to explore on your own, by looking back at my posts of the last year!)
One year of hosting old friends and meeting new – formerly virtual – friends, in my new home.
One year of walking down to the beach (5 minutes away), and finding treasures like this:
One year of getting used to a much more relaxed vibe amongst my fellow citizens of Vancouver Island.
Two things that stood out for me immediately upon moving here:
- There are SO MANY LIQUOR STORES here. Seriously, there is one a 10 minute walk up the street from me, and another one a 5 minute walk down the street from me. And there is one on just about every shopping plaza on this island! They are open from 9 am to 9 pm, seven days a week. And they offer loyalty programs!
- The pace of life is so much slower and nicer here. It’s like stepping back in time about 50 years. People actually stop to talk to you (yes, even in a pandemic)…from random strangers to clerks in stores. They make eye contact and engage you in genuine, unhurried conversation. Once the shock wears off it’s actually very, very pleasant.
So many things have changed for me since I retired and moved here. Yet despite it all, I have remained the same as ever. Steadfast, unchanging…
I love living here. It was the right move at the right time, for me.
Rock on,
The WB
p.s. next week brings the June edition of the What’s On Your Plate Blog Challenge, on Wednesday June 2nd, hosted by Donna and yours truly. Mark your calendars. Can’t wait to see what what’s on your plate!
“Steadfast, unchanging” …. 🤣
… and yet, at the core, it is also very true ❤️
I miss you like you wouldn’t believe, but at the same time I delight in your island adventures. I raise my coffee to you in celebration of your first year on the Leaf Coast, and my very best wishes for year 2. I predict it will be grand 🙂
Thank you, my friend 💕 I miss you too 🥲
Wow, has it been a year already? I really enjoyed how the positivism and happiness dripped from this page about your move to Vancouver, Deb. Good decision! The pros certainly beat the cons. If I was Canadian, I might move to VI as well. 🙂
Yes, even in a pandemic the time has flown by quickly for me! Thank you, Liesbet 💕
It sounds like you found the perfect place at the perfect time. Liquor store loyalty programs? Damn… I may have to move there myself!
😉
The whole liquor store situation is so different than the province I left, where sales are controlled by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) through their stores, mainly. BC handles it differently, much like many of the American states I have visited. Thanks, Rivergirl 💕
Maine’s are controlled by the state as well. Not nearly as much fun that way..
😉
This is a great, 1st anniversary post and reason to celebrate. So happy for you that your move turned out the way it did.
And I love your pink hair. I wish I had the guts to do that.
The pink hair was a drug store spray-on product. Supposed to wash out with 1 shampoo but it actually took 2 to get it completely out. I put it on to give the gals in my weekly Zoom call a laugh. I kinda like it though, so I ordered some semi-permanent colourful dyes to try out. Supposed to take a couple of weeks to fade out of hair. I think you should show up at your new place with wild hair. To set the tone right out of the gate, ya know 😉. Thank you, Jean 💕
I guess you don’t have many regrets about moving. I’m glad for you. Also, I like your pink hair.
Thank you, TG 💕 You are right, I don’t have many regrets. Also, I like my pink hair too!
An amazing view, Deb, and your presence enhances the view. 🌻You remind about the difference good neighbours make. Another good point is the freedom renting brings.
I am immediately curious about your heading photo and thank you for the explanation. Gorgeous photos! Victoria liquor stores are further apart, although, I manage to find wine. I loved this update/summary Deb. “The Island” is a better place because you are now on it.❤️
Thank you, Erica 💕 How warm and welcoming is your comment! I’m glad to read that your wine-sourcing skills are no match for the lack of liquor stores in your region 😉. Soon this pandemic will be in the rear view, and we can travel and socialize more freely again. And your presence will enhance my view!
I read your morning post before I heard the good news – heartfelt 💕
How crazy good is it that we will be “neighbours” this weekend, at Long Beach?!?!? What are those odds? I need to buy me a lottery ticket. 😄
Ha,ha….watch what you wish for!!! ❤️
This is great. You are an inspiration. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog throughout the pandemic and I love your pictures. Rock on, my friend.
PS- I love the pink hair.
Thank you, Kari 💕 I love my pink hair too. Expect to see more wild colours in the future. 😁
Love it!
I’m amazed that it’s been a year since you headed west. [And what a year.] I am happy to know that your days are quieter now, and that you look good with pink hair. I’d be shocked too if people, strangers, actually spoke to me. Still, having a sense of belonging would be nice.
Thank you, Ally 💕 I am still amazed at how quickly I felt like I belonged here. Like I have been here for much longer, already.
A year already — kind of amazing! But so are those views. It seems to me you picked wisely. Liquor stores and liquor laws are an interesting subject. I laughed at the loyalty program and then remembered we are in one.
Oh, that is funny, Donna! 😁 Thank you 💕
Hard to believe that it’s been a year already… yet, you’ve embraced the Island like a native. The whole liquor store thing in some places has me baffled. Although we also have liquor stores, we can bay anything we want at our local grocery stores. I remember the first time I encountered a government-regulated store concept. I was in Colorado and probably spent 20 minutes in a grocery store looking for their liquor section so I could buy a bottle of wine. Finally I asked someone and they told me I’d have to walk three stores down for that. Seems nuts to me.
Well, you can’t find liquor in the grocery stores here (but you already knew that)…luckily there is an abundance of liquor stores to choose from. You still might have to walk 3 stores down though 🤣. Thanks, Janis 💕
Love the purple hair Deb…chuckle…has it been a year already? Wow!
Leslie xoxo
I know! Time flies when you are having fun 🤩 Thank you, Leslie 💕
Were you ever from Ontario? 😀 You are now truly 109% Island Girl.. and I am delighted that you are!
Hehehe! Perhaps not. Thank you, Donna 💕
Thank you my friend 💕
Happy Anniversary! I hope you continue to love living there. I am enjoying your images and the adventures you share through your images and writing.
Thank you, Deborah 💕
You’re welcome, Deb! 💕
It’s been lovely reading about your adventures on the West Coast – has it been a year?! Time seems to have flown, and you’ve done a great job settling in to your new life and taking us along with you. Can’t wait to see what your second year has in store – lots of adventures & yummies, for sure!
Thank you, Del 💕 I hope you’re right!
Wow, a year already! It’s wonderful how well you’ve settled into your new home, Deb, although your posts have reflected how much you are enjoying it. By the way, you look amazing with pink hair!
Thank you, AJ 💕
I can’t believe it’s a year! You rock the pink!
Thank you, Kate 💕
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Hi Deb – amazing … I remember the move across and the ‘anxiety’ whether it’d all happen relatively easily ‘wot wiv that thing that was engulfing us’ … so pleased all was well and now even more so … with the old clompers moving out. Have you all had both jabs … if so – really probably no worries … but I do understand. Old boys will be old boys! And arbutus trees are wonderful to sit around … just carry on enjoying.
Your comments remind me of my time there … I miss it – but not my situation at that stage … I’m happy being back. I’m looking forward to food on Wednesday!! Cheers Hilary
Thank you, Hilary 💕 Still waiting for my 2nd shot. Masks are supposed to be optional by September but for now are still mandated indoors. “See you” on Wednesday! 😁
Isn’t it funny how some towns “specialize” in certain businesses? I always scratched my head at the sheer number of small neighborhood bars in Portland, OR., many of them side-by-side from one another. Where we live now (St. Augustine) it’s car repair places. They’re on every corner!
Glad to see the noisy upstairs neighbor has left. Quiet is good. – Marty
Thank you, Marty 💕 I didn’t realize how much the noise from upstairs was wearing me down…until it stopped. Quiet IS good!
West coast is the best coast.
It sure is! Thanks, Kieran 💕
Okay, first. I LOVE your hair! It’s just cool and so are you! Now, a year??? Has it really been a year? I remember when you were posting about getting ready to move there. Man.. Well, at least it’s been one helluva wonderful year for you despite the pandemic. You have definitely made it work and that is inspiring. YOU are inspiring. Rock on!
Thank you, Mimi 💕 It really has been a helluva wonderful year, despite the pandemic! 😁
This post made me smile from beginning to end–HELLO PINK! I love reading good news and your change has brought on so much goodness. I love it.
Cheers to you my pink friend!
Thank you so very much, Suz 💕
Deb, it sure is easy to settle into Island life. It’s coming up to four years for me.
Jude
Congratulations, Jude 💕