2013 was a year like any other with amazing highs and heartbreaking lows, and while I tend to face the road ahead without a backward glance, this past year deserves a little recap. We began the year in the Florida panhandle. Compared to today's high of -25 Celsuis, I can't believe I actually complained of the cool temperatures!
The beginning of March we returned to Canada to farmsat for friends who live near Peterborough. Taking care of Julie and Brynn is always a treat.
This being our eleventh or perhaps twelfth time to farmsit, John and I realized how much we enjoyed it. And how much we're suited to the housesitting lifestyle.
By the end of April TLC International Housesitters became a reality. We joined Housecarers and Trustedhousesitters, ordered business cards, set up a website and even have our own Facebook page. If you have the insatiable urge to 'like' us, please do! Click HERE.
In May John learned a valuable lesson why the mosquito is such a deadly and dangerous creature. A few bites put him out of commission for more than three weeks, and believe me, NOTHING slows Paddle Boy down.
My mother's death at the end of June (she was a week shy of her 90th birthday) is naturally the low point of 2013. It's difficult to find closure without attending a funeral and saying goodbye. I've always maintained funerals are for the living, and now I'm more convinced than ever, but life does go on...
A phone call in July from Keegan's 'mom' and 'dad' was a turning point for us as housesitters. This wasn't just a case of us doing a favour for friends. This was about people we didn't know, their trusting us--ie. total strangers--to take care of their home and their beloved pup, Keegan, while they're out of the country.
They had a list of questions that made us think, made us grow, made us BETTER. And for that we're very, very grateful. They even suggested a trial run in August. It made perfect sense. It gave the homeowners an opportunity to evaluate our performance, and gave us time to decide if this 'gig' was a good fit for us.
It was, and is, and I'm thrilled to announce we've been asked to return in April 2014. Talk about perfect timing because we're well aware how much we're going to miss Keegan when we leave early next week.
Also in August we stayed with close friends at a cottage in the Parry Sound area. Thanks again, Dave and Flo. We had a blast. Toward the end of the month we applied for and got a housesitting assignment in the USA for two weeks in February, but more about that in the new year.
September 2013 will always be in our hearts because our wonderful daughter married the love of her life in a civil ceremony in Boston. We couldn't be happier for her, and are thrilled and honoured to welcome our son-in-law into our lives.
Near the end of our month we spent a few days with Kevin and Ruth whose globetrotting adventures have inspired us to do more NOW and check off a few of those items on our bucket list.
October took back us to the Peterborough area, Alice the donkey explained a few of the dos and don'ts of farmsitting. Plus, during our stay we signed up for another housesitting assignment near Havelock, Ontario for mid January. (That's where we're heading next!)
Since the beginning of November we've enjoyed everything North Bay has to offer, and Christmas with Keegan was an absolute treat.
There were so many more incredible moments that deserve being mentioned, but suffice to I could write a book if I tried to include every one! You know who you are. THANK YOU for making 2013 so memorable.
John and I wish you and yours all the best in 2014. Happy New Year!
* * *
