No! We're not being posted. However, I wanted to write a little about what it was like when the Canadian Forces posted us to Ottawa from Edmonton.
It was tough. The Canadian had just come back from tour and we had barely had enough time to reacquaint and rebalance ourselves when we told we were moving. The move is the second most stressful time of my life to date.
We went on our House Hunting Trip (or HHT, as the CF like to call it - so. many. acronyms) and had a week to find a house. No pressure or anything, right? We had the best realtor ever, Kathy Tarbox, who really was the most patient woman I've ever come across. After firing our first realtor before even meeting her, we were really lucky to stumble upon Kathy. In that single week we looked at over 90 houses in and around Ottawa (Russell, Embrun, Ottawa, Kars, Kemptville, Orleans), made two offers that fell through and eventually looked an hour south of where we initially planned to live. Now, that was dedication on her part!
These photos were taken after we'd spent a week looking at houses in Ottawa and we were exhausted. There was one night left before we flew home. We hadn't found a house for us and, actually, we were feeling really -ugh- about moving and trying to find somewhere to live.
The biggest thing I remember of that night was how it pounded with rain and it was just awful, weather wise. We were emotionally and physically exhausted, we'd had two offers fall through and we were filled with anxiety. So, we did what we often do when we need to think, we drove. We hopped in the rental car and drove until we found somewhere to buy pizza.
The Canadian and I are big on 'car dates', whereby we pick up easy to eat foods and sit in the car and chat. That night, the pizza was actually pretty gross (note: do not order 'garlic' topping...ever.) but we ate it anyway. We drove and chatted. When the rain became too heavy, we parked in an empty car park and just listened and watched.
The whole evening helped to wash away a lot of our stresses and we were able to make plans. None of those plans actually worked out because we really couldn't foresee the other few offers falling through or our eventual move to Prescott and hour long commutes north. Still, we made plans, and at the time that helped to really give us a purpose and direction.
When I look over these photographs, I just remember feeling so incredibly naive and young. I remember the excitement of moving and starting a new adventure and the weighty feel of having to learn and deal with money issues and housing regulations in this country, it was all a little overwhelming. Most of all, I remember feeling like I was a part of a team. And feeling deeply relieved that I had a partner who would 'sneak' away with me; away from our lovely realtor, my supportive mother in law, and the rigid institution that is the military. Taking that time to take a break and just remember goals and focus on directions was a life saver.
Thankfully, I am not moving this year, that I foresee. I am staying put. But, if you're moving and tackling HHT and postings then I would recommend taking a break while you're navigating all the crazy. Whether it is stopping at starbucks or hunting down a marble slab at 9pm or finding a swimming pool..., just do it!
I am not looking forward to the stress of moving again, but being able to review these very blurry, colourful and memorable pictures is something I wouldn't exchange. There's something about that incredible stress that made me realize I have a wonderful partner in crime, and that's the best feeling! :)
