Gilles enjoys Potton/ Sutton

Gilles left on Friday to go to Sutton and submit the permits. Much as expected, he is in love with Sutton. He doesn't want to come home. That place gets under your skin and sucks you in with its beautiful luscious nature.

On Saturday, he saw the place where we will call home for a year and met the owner. All is good. He is quite pleased with the location and the home.

Gilles and the rest of the gang woke up late or as you would say in Sutton, "Ils ont fait la grasse matiné."  Gilles made crepes with maple syrup for the Barbeau/Lépin gang. It doesn't get more typically Quebecois than that.  Oh! How I wish I were there!! All good things come to those who wait. So, I guess I have to be patient.

Yesterday, Gilles and Marc spent time on the land trying to decide where the house and shed will be situated. They drove some stakes in the ground, like old time in the wild west.

Then, while channeling a bit of Paul Bunyan, they got to work clearing a bit of the land. Basically, 2 men in the woods with a chainsaw. It doesn't get better than that.

Well, the boys flexed a few muscles and had a great time in the woods. As of Sunday night, they knew where the house would go. Tonight, they were not quite so sure. They really want the best location but they want to minimize the number of mature trees that they cut down.

Tonight, they were having dinner in Montreal at Richard's place. Gilles' mom was there and happy to have her prodigal son back, even if only temporarily. They were having a grand time as a family. Perhaps they were drinking more than they should, but you can definitely count on them debating where the house should go. I can imagine that they were debating the difference of a foot or  a few inches, exactly the kind of detail that will make a difference a few years from now.

I'm thankful to have Sara and Marc to help us. Although, I have known and loved Gilles' family for 15 years. It feels very different now. Sara no longer feels like a sister-in-law but more like an older sister with a great closet and great advice. I suspect we will become closer as our husbands spend more and more time in the woods chopping down trees.







I welcome this change. I am excited about this change. I can't wait..

The Prodigal Son returns to Quebec, Wife and dog in tow

After 15 glorious years in Vancouver, Gilles and I have decided that the time has come to move to Quebec and be closer to our families. Last fall, we bought 5 acres of land in Sutton, Quebec which is located in the Eastern Townships. We plan on building our dream home. Gilles has been working feverishly on the design, the thickness of the walls for maximum insulation, etc.

From a professional point of view, I had a hard time with our decision because I love my job and the company I work for. I spoke with them of our plans a few weeks ago and they were terrific. While they are saddened that I am leaving Vancouver, they decided to work with me to see if we could keep working together. So, I am now pleased to say that I will be opening the new Quebec office. I will mostly work from home but travel to Montreal to meet with clients as needed.

Gilles will be heading to Quebec the first week of June to work on getting the permits approved and decide where the house will actually go. I was just there and had a chance to rent the house where we will live and get the phone and internet booked.

For all the Chulita fans out there, you will be happy to know that we have been taking her on the trails to get used to her new country life. She loves the trails and goes wild. My sister in law, Sara, has a Westie that is eager to teach her how to chase squirrels and how to play in the creeks. She will of course need a dose of city life from time to time so that people can tell her how cute she is.

Feel free to follow our adventures as we move back East, build our house, and become “Des Paysans” on our new blog www.oursuttonlife.blogspot

.com More posts will come now that we prepare for our adventure.

We feel very blessed to have so much support from friends, family and the whole gang at Offsetters.

Things are falling into place

Yesterday, I had a good BD meeting for work here in Montreal. It felt very good. Most of the meeting was in French and it felt as if I had been doing this for years. Truth be told, I have always wanted to speak more French at home. Unfortunately, life gets in the way and we tend do what comes natural and is easiest. Soon enough, I will get to speak all the French I want.  Who knows? Maybe one day I might end up with a little french accent when I speak English. Now that would be funny.
So far, we have rented a house, booked the phone and internet, and now a second car. Its fun and exciting working on all the details that have to get done. It is also nerve wracking making sure it will all gets done. Little by little we will tick things off the list, but in the meantime we will enjoy the moment of getting ready.

A house is rented.....

It is really going to happen. I was lucky to be able to go to Sutton this weekend and got to see the house we want to rent. Up until now, I had only seen it on the internet. I signed the paper so it is official. It is quite large compared to the 650 sq ft  condo we are used  to living. I am looking forward to having friends and family visit during the construction of the new house. I want it to be a place of laughter, of music flowing and great food. Gilles and Chulita are going to like life here. New beginnings are both exciting and nerve racking. However, this feels like it is truly meant to be.



View Larger Map