Good grief! Ever since last Thursday… A week ago today, this bloody volcano has been the bane of my existence.

And, to think it’s located where my ancestors came from! Too bad I can’t go over to Iceland and kick it in it’s nether regions. Maybe one day.

Because of the volcano and flight upheavals, the skirt that is a part of my wedding dress has been MIA. Let me explain… The skirt needed to be altered, because when I tried it on over a month ago in Vancouver, it was too big. The designer sent it back to Vancouver, from London, last week. Sounds perfect, right?

Wrong.
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Our Vancouver wedding is coming up in two weeks, so I thought I’d talk about our wedding venue. We chose a dinner cruise with Accent Cruises on the Vancouver waterfront over a traditional hall, or restaurant — Mostly because we wanted an intimate setting, and one unique to the Vancouver area.

What better, then, than a dinner cruise? After much calling around, and harrassing the local options, I found Accent Cruises. They were able to provide a private vessel that would accommodate our 65 guests, with a buffet dinner, a dance floor, and the perfect environment for Barry and I to tie the knot in style.

Was it inexpensive? Not exactly — but, when you factor in all the costs you don’t initially consider when planning an event like this: the table linens, plates, ability to bring your own wine (for a small fee per bottle), and other odd rentals including the venue hall itself, not to mention the food… It becomes a good value. And, let’s face it, where else would give us the view that we’re going to have for four hours all to ourselves?

We were initially booked on the M.V. Eloquent, but because our numbers were a little larger than initially planned (doesn’t that always happen with weddings?), we’ve been moved to the M.V. Carousel II — A larger boat that can accommodate up to 100 for dinner, with a separate dance floor. It looks like a fabulous boat, but once again, I’m a little nervous as I’ve not yet seen the boat first hand. Talk about flying by the seat of our pants, hey? I’m sure it’s beautiful.

If all goes according to plan, we’ll be live video streaming and blogging the wedding (or, more precisely, Raul has kindly said he’d live blog the evening here) — I’m going to do some test runs in the next week or so with my laptop and iPhone… Keep your fingers crossed!

YOUR TURN: Have you ever experienced wedding dinner cruise?

I’m getting married in two and a half weeks. We’re moving into our new house in two and a half days. The logistics of it all are simply a little overwhelming.

I have to say, the stress of trying to plan the finer details of this wedding from a distance is starting to add up. Quite frankly, had I known how hard this would be (or how expensive the bills at the end of the day would be) I might have happily taken Barry up on his idea to elope. Those little curve balls that happen with every wedding, are certainly keeping me on my toes… I was firmly against running away to get married, because look where that got me, the first time? I wanted this day to be special and shared with those in our lives that we care deeply about.
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Hello, my name is Tanya, and I love poker.

I love the social aspect of playing it in person, and I definitely enjoy the psychology of the game. I love it so much, that we are putting a custom table into our new basement! It’s all Barry’s fault, really. I barely knew how to play the game before he came along.

Tonight, we’re heading out to play poker at the Big Slick Tour in Calgary (we used to play the Vancouver league) — I’m really looking forward to playing a tournament and meeting some new people! The best part of the Big Slick league, is that there is no buy-in involved. I don’t mind playing for a little cash in a home game (just to make it interesting) but I am not a fan of putting in $60 plus dollars in at a casino if I can help it.

Unless, of course, we’re playing in Vegas… Or, on a cruise ship. Heh.

So… confess… Do you love the game of poker as much as I do? How’s your game?

Barry and I have been incredibly busy since we got here with furniture shopping, weekend road trips to Banff and Edmonton (and Radium next weekend), and getting used to the new city.

So… What are my first impressions of my new home city? Allow me to put them into point-form:
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First off… I just have to say, I’m super happy! Things are starting to calm down, finally, today — And, although work was extraordinarily busy today, everything else feels much more relaxed. Phew.

Things on the honeymoon front have been “upgraded” you might say! As I’ve mentioned in the past, Barry and I have booked a cruise for a little over two weeks on Celebrity’s new ship, the Eclipse — It’s first sailing is just before we get aboard, to Cork, Ireland for five days. Our cruise itinerary brings us to Northern Europe (I’ll update the exact itinerary in a later blog post) and Russia on the 7th of May. We’re super stoked about that…

But! While we were deciding on what to do in London area from the 3rd til we board the ship, we happened onto the info about the short sailing to Cork, which suited our flight in perfectly… So, we’re booked for that, too! It actually saves us money, as we’ve decided for those few days, just to book one of the cheaper veranda cabins, rather than the higher end one we’ve got for the remainder of the back-to-back. Hell, I don’t mind changing to a better cabin when the next leg starts!

So, not only will this be my 13th cruise, but it’ll also be my 14th cruise, and the longest time yet, that I’ve been aboard a cruise ship… three weeks! Woohoo! Now, that’s a honeymoon

The only part of the trip yet to be booked at this point, is the post-cruise, that we’ll be spending in London before flying to Vancouver on Sunday, May 23rd. We plan on spending a day in Vancouver on the way back, and then we’re booked to fly home to Calgary on May 24th. (and hey, you burglars reading this… We have a house sitter for that time, so pick another house to rob while we’re away! )

We’re super excited! Now, if only I can get those wedding invites out…

Are you planning any upcoming, exciting trips? Do tell!

Sorry for the radio silence, folks! I had hoped to be able to have many more updates for you, but… Here’s why:

We just removed conditions on our new home earlier today! We move in THREE WEEKS!

In just one short week, we’ve accomplished the following:

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Our condo sold right after the open house on Saturday, just as we’d hoped it would! No subjects… It’s a done deal. And, yes, we are pleased with the final price. The only compromise was the closing date (later than I’d hoped), and they wanted some of the furniture included in the deal. No big deal. We’ll buy new stuff.

The new owners take possession mid-April.

So, we’re moving with piece of mind, this week! Next up… house hunting in Calgary!

Thanks so much MJ, for doing such a great job with the condo sale! We’re so happy with the results!

Your turn: How was your weekend?

Sorry guys… I know I should practice what I preach to my clients — and when it comes to blogging, that means having at least somewhat of a posting schedule that people can rely on. Frequency and decent content is everything, after all.

I’ve been completely overwhelmed with everything going on (see the previous post for some of the things I’m so very thankful for), and these past two weeks feels like a farewell tour of sorts. It hasn’t left me a lot of time to check in here.

But, that’s all about to change. I promise! I’m actually going to schedule in time with my blog at least three times a week, after I’ve moved to Calgary. It’s my only way to update all my friends that are back in Vancouver with all my adventures, and tribulations!

One of my blog readers dropped me an email the other day asking about how I could have the faith to move, and the courage to know I’m going to be okay when I get there, despite everything in my world changing.

I guess, the easy answer is… Because if I don’t take any risk, the rewards don’t come, either. And, I love the rewards that come when I follow my passion, and my dreams. For me, the risk is not taking that leap of faith and finding out what happens! I’d be losing out on some fantastic opportunities for growth, and for life experiences, after all… and that’s not a risk I’m willing to take. I’m going with what I know… And what I know is that I love Barry, my career and our money will always be available if we work for it as a team, and my home is where Barry and I share, no matter where that may be.

And, that’s enough deep thought for today…

Next up, something fun for a change! Check back tomorrow! (And, hey, maybe we might have some good news about our place? Check in and find out… Want to see our MLS listing? Click here!)

It seems that I’ve been talking a lot about changes and personal growth lately — and consequently Jennifer Priest who has helped facilitate many of these changes, while working with me — but I can’t help it. I’m on the precipice of my whole world changing. But, I’m learning (albeit very slowly) how to find the cool, and great stuff, while going through all this upheaval.

So, this blog post is dedicated to the letter “G” for Gratitude… Because I’m grateful for many things in my life! Thanks Jen, for reminding me to enjoy the ride!

Here’s just a few things:
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So, how about I give you four, for now? Thanks to Reilly and Blue Olive Photography for the stunning photos. You guys outdid yourself, once again!

More photos to come… But, in the meantime, we have showings to get ready for!

I have no idea why, really, but I’m frustrated and angry today.

There’s a ton of little things pissing me off. And, it’s probably mostly due to “too much change going on in Tanya’s world” — Let’s face it, I’m ms. freakin’ grumpy pants when I’m dealing with too much.

And, lately, the amount of change happening in my life is clearly over the top. Because, I don’t do change half-assed. Ever.

Oh, and. Nothing is going quite like I hoped. I know it’ll all turn out the way it should, and is supposed to, but, it’s so f’n frustrating in the meantime.

Let’s discuss:
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Welcome, everyone! Continuing where the lovely Michele left off… Here’s your Weekend Meet n’ Greet!

Thank you to the wonderful people who play multiple times, each of you are guilty of spreading lots of comment cheer – hugs from me.

Spread the Comment Cheer!

How to play:

1. Leave a comment here that says hello.
2. Now, visit the person who commented above you, leave a comment on their site that includes the oft-repeated tagline: “Hello, NetChick sent me”.

Please play along.

Note to the first person commenting: simply say hello to me.

And YES, of course you are invited to play often. As you know, Michele always encouraged this, and so do I!

~ Tanya

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Help spread the word: Please ReTweet the game by clicking on this link, or let your own blog community know about it… Always fun to get new faces in the mix! Thanks guys!

This chick is moving… to Calgary!

I gave my notice at work this morning, although the exact end date is still undetermined… it’s about a month off. Barry got a job offer with his previous employer, and it was a position that suited him perfectly. How could we not go? Calgary is a city that has always intrigued me, and although isn’t filled with the green and the forests, nor the ocean right down the road, it does have a ton more sunshine, a vibrant cultural community, and seems to be a great place to start our lives as a newly married couple.

When I told my boss this morning, he was in shock. I think he asked me at least five times if I was sure I wanted to leave all this in Vancouver, for Calgary. I unequivocally said I was.

And, I am.

I am going to miss my friends and family dearly, but as I said to my step-mom last night on the phone, Calgary is an hour away by plane, which is actually less time than it takes to drive to deep dark Langley in rush hour traffic. (Sorry, guys, but Langley is pretty far away… I used to live there, so I’d know)

Barry came by my office to take me to lunch, and as I was walking him back to his truck, reality hit me. I almost couldn’t breath. Tears streamed down my face. And, for those of you who know me, this is completely out-of-character for me. It’s not the first time I’ve made a move like this — I literally dropped everything here, and moved to Los Angeles back in 2000. It was a tough time, but that time, I was just getting out of a 13 year marriage, and needed to re-invent myself. This time, I’m embarking on an adventure with my supportive and loving significant other by my side… I’m far more vulnerable this time, because Barry has a job, and I do not, but I know that is only temporary.

Everything will work out, and this is going to be the most incredible change and adventure I’ve ever had.

Bring it on!

We were over at the always-entertaining-and-fun-Bart’s place last night for a movie night… And we all agreed on The Brothers Bloom – the cast looked great… Rachel Weisz, Adrien Brody, Mark Ruffalo, and a one legged cat! Not to mention, one of my favourite narrators, Ricky Jay, (who also narrated Magnolia) started off the narration of this movie.

It looked very promising for the first 2 minutes. How can you go wrong with a one legged cat, and Ricky Jay’s commentary?

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