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Vancouver(ish) Tribe: October... the season of mists and mellow fruitfulnes. - Page 9  

post #161 of 245
10/20/08 at 4:21am
Oh, I forgot the Apple Festival was today. We went last year and thought it was great. We took this kids to a pumpkin patch in Richmond this morning with friends and they had a wonderful time - what a nice Fall day it turned out to be! Now we have about 8 pumpkins, so we are ready for Halloween!

Re the world economic crisis, we are trying to stay cool by not looking at our mutual fund statements (not that I did before anyway. . . DH, on the other hand, is obsessed with the stock market and our mortgage in the same way that I'm addicted to MDC!). We figure that it's still years before we retire and the market will correct itself by then. . .
post #162 of 245
10/20/08 at 1:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alison's Mom View Post
Re the world economic crisis, we are trying to stay cool by not looking at our mutual fund statements (not that I did before anyway. . . DH, on the other hand, is obsessed with the stock market and our mortgage in the same way that I'm addicted to MDC!). We figure that it's still years before we retire and the market will correct itself by then. . .
It'll probably take another significant dive before we all retire as well... just hopefully not RIGHT before we retire! But you're right, best thing is to simply bury your head in the sand if you have mutual funds, especially if they are Canadian based ones, because they probably aren't doing TOO badly, in comparison, and if they are US ones, well, it's just not a good idea to sell low. However, if you happen to have some spare cash floating around, it might be a good time to buy in.

I've been watching the bank rates and even went as fr as calling my banker to see if it would make sense for us to re-do our mortgage. Apparently the mortgage rates haven't dropped yet, not significantly at least, so we're holding firm to our 2012 plan. I hope we make it that far... I need a job.
post #163 of 245
10/20/08 at 2:49pm
We loved the Apple Fest :-) We went at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday and got to enjoy everything without lineups. We even went on the canopy walk, which was VERY cool and DS loved. We bought two little apple tree seedlings even though we don't have a yard. We are hoping to have success with potted trees on our balcony.

We have no investments and no house, so we are okay with respect to the economy. If I had money to invest, I'd be investing it now, as Warren Buffet (investing guru) recommends, but that's not an option for us. Sigh. We are watching the real estate market and hoping that the housing prices will fall a bit more so that in the next few years we can afford a small house in Vancouver instead of just a condo.
post #164 of 245
10/20/08 at 2:54pm
Thread Starter 
We're kind of hoping to be able to buy in a few years too...

The Canadian dollar is really bumming us out though, as we have lots of debts in the States and were so excited when it was high! Overnight it's costing us WAAAY more to pay those off...
post #165 of 245
10/20/08 at 2:57pm
Hello all! So, first deal fell through on the house. We were bummed for a few hours, then started negotiating a couple of other deals. Subjects to be removed tomorrow, and I'm feeling VERY optimistic - and so so so good about these neighbours who will buy it (who came to our door soooooooooo emotional about how thrilled they are). But don't even get me started about this crappy economy and picking the worst time ever to sell our house. I'm just trying to keep in mind that a)we bought it before the market started going up so we're still doing really well b) we'll be thankful for the depressed economy when we go to buy our property in Ontario and c) perhaps we'll invest a bit of the money. We're HORRIBLE with money, as in we don't do research and we don't plan out our future, etc. But we don't spend lots, are fairly dedicated to making environmental choices which tend to help the budget too, and we make decisions based on what's best for us, not what's best for our money. However, so far it seems to be kind of working in our favour so I guess I can't be too hard on us. KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED FOR TOMORROW THOUGH!

DH took the kids to the apple festival and they had a BLAST. I started my doula training, which I'm very excited about - part of our moving forward and planning for the next decade when we'll both be raising the kids and both working a bit to bring in some money. Anyways, we're all consumed with house stuff for now, but hopefully soon I"ll be more relaxed and able to plan our big going-away shin-dig!

xoxoxo

P.S. Erin, still holding you in my thoughts these days.
post #166 of 245
10/20/08 at 3:27pm
I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you! Thats so nice that neighbours will be getting your house and loving it. What doula training are you doing?

The canadian dollar is bumming me out a little too, because I want to buy some items from the USA and they are getting more expensive again.
post #167 of 245
10/20/08 at 7:37pm
Fingers crossed for you Beaners! And good luck with your doula training! It's so rewarding.
post #168 of 245
10/20/08 at 7:39pm
fingers crossed, erica! sounds like the right folks may get the place now, that's wonderful. i heard you wishing for that, months ago, i love wishes coming true.

ee, going to look at the canadian dollar!

*
post #169 of 245
10/20/08 at 11:20pm
Beaner, I saw your dh and 3 kids at the Apple Fest but I was too shy to say hello 'cos I thought he probably wouldn't recognize me! The sweater Ryland was wearing is the same one Mary lived in last year! I was all nostalgic! Where are you doing your doula training? Congrats on your house!

BTW I found a great 'Alice' dress at Value Village and an real pinafore - so great. All I need to do is shorten them - Rosy is thrilled! Thanks to those of you who offered help!

As for the economy, my dh is a stock broker - things have been pretty grim around her We are definitely on the Austerity plan for the forseeable future!

On another note, I want to pick your collective brains for recommendations for an apple farm/corn maze/pumpkin patch (preferably in one site or close by!) near Langley. We are hoping to do the whole "perfect autumn day shebang" next weekend before we arrive at my Dad's for dinner!
Any ideas?
post #170 of 245
10/20/08 at 11:30pm
The two corn mazes that I know about in the Langley area are both closed. One never opened this year and the other closed Oct 13th this year. You might try Rondriso Farms in Cloverdale though... they have a pumpkin patch for sure and maybe a Corn Maze... I'll see if I can read the whole sign when I go by on Thurs morning. They may have an internet ad somewhere too, try Google.

ETA: They're listed on this neat site, near the bottom.
post #171 of 245
10/20/08 at 11:39pm
Thread Starter 
I don't know my Vancouver geography as well as I should, but we had a lot of fun at the Laity Pumpkin Patch last last weekend.

Website is here: http://www.laitypumpkinpatch.com/

It's in Maple Ridge.

There are lots of activities for children, especially young ones (2-5 or so) and the corn maze is pretty tricky (although you can see through the rows to other paths).
post #172 of 245
10/21/08 at 1:30am
Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, our real estate agent just called us. There's currently over 2100 houses for sale on the market right now, and in the past month, 70 of them have sold. And ours just made 71! ::: :::::

I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO relieved to have this part over - and although it was for less than we wanted, it's still close to three times what we paid so I really can't complain at all, and again, I'm so thrilled about who is buying it (yes, Elisa, J and I have talked a lot about what we put out there in the first place re: who we wanted to buy it, and how it has manifested into reality. Funny how life works - and the journey J and I needed to go on to really accept this reality!!!!!!!) We're moving out Nov. 20th, and then we're hitting the road. Wow!!!!!!!! I'm TOTALLY going to miss Vancouver and all of you, but I think fighting so hard to sell the house, and being kind of uncertain over the past weeks, has worked to make us more than ready to leave it now!

As for doula stuff - right now I'm taking Gloria Lemay's class as I think she's an important voice in modern birth and I'm really impressed with how open and giving she is. And then I'm seriously thinking about taking a 4 day course from Nov. 1-4 in Twisp, WA with a woman highly recommended from Sarah Juliusson. Her training is more Birthing From Within based, and is certified by Dona, whereas Gloria Lemay is not - I'm not sure how many actual births I want to be attending, but I'd love to do some, do some post-natal doula stuff, early parenting support groups, pregnancy and baby photography, herb work and also create ceremonies/ritual around pregnancy/birthing/childhood - finding a way to incorporate so many of my passions together!!!!!! Yes, I love being at births, but it's hard to do too many with such young kids!!!!

Anyways, back to celebrating.....g'night everyone!!!!! :::
post #173 of 245
10/21/08 at 3:28am
: Congratulations, Erica & family :
post #174 of 245
10/21/08 at 4:35am
erica, that's wonderful news!! you pulled off the impossible! i do have to agree, you're going to be buying again not so long from now, and will likely benefit from a further drop. anyway, you're not trying to buy in vancouver, so you're just fine

robug, you sound pretty chilled about the whole thing

*
post #175 of 245
10/21/08 at 6:48am
:::HOORAY MCKAYS!!!!!! :::




....wow, after all that work, my smiley art didn't really come out the way I envisioned, but I'm still really excited for you guys!! you must be so relieved!!

we spent the day comparing the pros and cons of renting vs. buying our furniture, and I think renting wins, so tomorrow we go finalize our rental request. Unfortunately the rental place can't get us beds until next week, and we move into our new house in two more sleeps, so we're going to go ahead and get our camping mats early -- any recommendations for camping beds for car camping? air mattresses? thicker thermarest type mats? what does everyone here use?
post #176 of 245
10/21/08 at 10:53am
Yay Erica and family!! How exciting! Best of luck packing and finalizing everything!

Pumpkin Patch... We were at the Laity one in Maple Ridge this past sunday. It was a blast! Lots of kids, admission is $2/person, and pumpkins ranged from $1-6 depending on size. Lots of wooden figures, and "ecology" section, an "enchanted forest" section, and reasonably priced food (drinks, hotdogs etc.). Highly recommended and about a 10 minute drive from the Fort Langley ferry.

I got to go to the Celine Dion concert last night!!!!
What a blast! Went with my sister for Thai food in Yaletown before the concert and then the concert. My ears are still ringing...

Dh managed to get both kids bathed and in bed last night. Course they didn't get to bed at their regular time, but that might mean they'll sleep in today... One can only hope, eh?
post #177 of 245
10/21/08 at 12:09pm
Quote:
we spent the day comparing the pros and cons of renting vs. buying our furniture, and I think renting wins, so tomorrow we go finalize our rental request. Unfortunately the rental place can't get us beds until next week, and we move into our new house in two more sleeps, so we're going to go ahead and get our camping mats early -- any recommendations for camping beds for car camping? air mattresses? thicker thermarest type mats? what does everyone here use?
I have one of those camping hammocks from MEC instead of a mat... I bet yoru kids would love those! You'd just need to put anchors in a couple of studs in the walls. Of course, you'd also alwaays have to camp where there were at least three trees in close proximity.
post #178 of 245
10/21/08 at 12:36pm
Thread Starter 

Camping Beds:

For car camping we use inflatable beds that we got at Canadian Tire. They have a car adapter so they can be inflated via a built in pump and the lighter socket in your car (WAAAAAY better than blowing up via lung power!!!). We got two queen size ones - one adult and one kid per bed.

I have to admit I feel a bit silly rolling into a campground and blowing up these massive beds, but it's worth it to get a good (er, I mean "better" ) night's sleep...

For backpacking, we use Thermarests. They are light, roll up very small, and are quick to inflate after a long day of hiking!

Erica: CONGRATULATIONS ON SELLING THE HOUSE! YAY!
post #179 of 245
10/21/08 at 12:59pm
Erica, I'm so happy to hear things are rolling along for you! You and your family are so generous, you deserve just the best! I am sad though to see you leaving Vancouver, I will never forget how you came up to me in my darkest hour. I hope to see you before you take off....
post #180 of 245
10/21/08 at 2:23pm
::::::

Yay Erica! :

Sad to see you go though


We have a queen double high air mattress from Canadian tire...I also feel wierd bringing it camping, but I don't care, its worth it
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