when in doubt, pearls are always a good decision.

i realise i haven't properly introduced my new digs. earlier in the week the weather forecast predicted a misty and frosty sunrise. so, i hauled my butt outta my warm bed, threw on some clothes and grabbed my camera and off i went to wander the estate. i can do that...because, i like...live here. whoa.

this photo is off the hook. i am so proud of this one. although i should probably straighten it.

i feel safe here. i feel as though this is the safest place for me to be. mom and dad? you needn't worry about your daughter for the next six months or so. she couldn't be any safer. she could leave her door unlocked (which she doesn't). she hasn't worried about the neighbours, the parking or the noise. there are no distractions here. none. it's quiet. it's peaceful. it's still. the world is out there...beyond the estate grounds, but you wouldn't know if you lived here. i like my little nest. its cozy.

i walk the grounds, past the sheep and cattle in pasture, the llamas (who i've named, walter and ethel and yes, i say hello when i drive past them...it's the polite thing to do) to the chickens and then down to the fishing pond. i am crazy and i'm in love with this place. there used to be pigs, but i haven't seen them in their pen since i moved in. they were there when rachel and i viewed the cottage in october. i have pictures to prove their existence somewhere. on yeah...geez...i blogged that outing...didn't i? i'm beginning to think sad thoughts regarding said pigs.

i'm still not working. i spoke to my employer and they confirmed that because i'm canadian, this check is taking longer. they have to check records...wait for it...wait for it...in canada. of course, i say. i admit defeat and give it over to God. there's nothing i can do, but wait. i seem to be doing a lot that these days. it's a humbling and might i add, painful experience knowing you can't do something and that it's out of your control. i told my manager i wished there was something i could do. she reassured me that my position is safe and waiting for me. i relaxed when she said that. i relaxed.

this photo's not half-bad either.

after that conversation, i started taking day trips around the area. the weather's been lovely these past few days. i've tried to spend every moment outside with the sun. i've done so much walking. my legs hurt. my ass hurts. aha. but, i've seen some beautiful landscapes, which you'll have to wait for another post some day. i'm currently dealing with camera-picture-taking-uploading-downloading-overload. my poor mac. time to dig out the external hard drive.

i'm turning into such a sentimental sap these days. i blame rachel for subjecting me to elton, whitney, phil, celine, and mariah. oh yeah, simply red too. those were the days, hey rachel? i miss being a passenger in your beamer. i miss sixth gear. maybe because i'm giving myself permission to feel things. and, i'm trying to be nicer to myself too. the other day i was thinking how moving here has been the best thing regarding my relationship with my parents. i haven't felt this close to them in years. it's taken me moving here to feel that closeness. i am so thankful for you guys. i hope you know that.

so, now we're onto my cottage. you still with me? such a trooper you are.

i collected leaves, branches and pine combs to decorate for christmas. i love that i've brought a little bit of the outdoors in. but, really...i'm just trying to decorate on a budget. the jig is up people. and, yes...the christmas music has been playing non-stop too. i even listened to sting's album this afternoon. thanks to the literary genius for the recommendation. i love the anticipation of christmas. i love autumn and what comes after, christmas. geez, i seem to be loving a lot of things lately. pretty soon, i'm going to be on the same sappy level as rod stewart if i keep this up. **shudders** that's enough to put me in my place.

so, this is my tree. it's a work in progress. the popcorn/cranberry garland hasn't made it on yet.

yes, that is a domino. four of them can be found on my tree. i was desperate.

i've never made a popcorn/cranberry garland. i googled it. turns out, not as complicated as i thought. over-researcher alert. story of my life.

i skyped with this little guy and his momma while i garlanded. yeah, that's right. i just made that a verb. with those beautiful blue eight-month-old eyes, he can pierce your soul. and, i like it.

the cranberries stained my fingers. goodness i have long fingers. and that ring? had to move it from the wedding band finger to the index finger. it kept falling off. weight loss, it's your fault.

five stab wounds later in my left thumb, (sorry becky, you had to witness some of that) i was done with the garland. i was garlanded out. okay, not so cool the second time round. i took the left over popcorn, melted some butter with hot sauce and mixed it in the popcorn with salt. i ate it while i watched law and order. hmmm....vincent d'onofrio. sign me up.

tada! i think i need some greenery though. sigh. the work of an unemployed social worker is never done.