Quickly, quickly

For some reason I can't seem to load a picture.

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I move out today.

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Orthoman comes late tomorrow afternoon.

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I feel a bit overwhelmed - 

I don't know if my twin bed is going to be picked up

like promised.

Or when.

I need to clean today and pack everything;

most things are packed but trying to get 

as much to others as possible.

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Wedding stuff seems a bit overwhelming right now.

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I have had a good week -

have managed to see a lot of my friends,

made the wedding program 

and it is getting printed by next Tuesday.

Still working on the seating chart.

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Getting married is one type of stress.

Moving is another type.

I am doing both at once and 

sometimes I am really happy and sometimes

more overwhelmed.

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At least my Orthoman will be here soon

and we will no longer have to do everything by 

long distance.

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If you could pray that I can maintain health and

stamina, that would be most appreciated,

and of course for my Orthoman too...

and for all our family and friends traveling to Ottawa

for our wedding.

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It is now 9 days to the wedding.

Don't know how much I will be able to post before then

and understandably I won't write much until Orthoman and I are 

down South as newlyweds.

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Once my moving day is over it will be a bit better.

I have felt great moments of excitement and happiness 

at what God has given us.

A bit better

 

Blogged here about some fun I have been having.
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Cleo seems a bit better today.
Still need in prayer of course.
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I had a great time with a good friend this morning
and am slowly working on getting stuff done.
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Tomorrow I will God-willing go to liturgy
for the Feast of Dormition.
Then work on finishing things to be
printed for the wedding...
and dinner with a great friend!
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Today an old friend came for my two
bookshelves.
My wall is bare now, but a beautiful blue.
She commented how calm I am.
I told her that many people are praying and
we talked about how that makes a real
difference.
I was overwhelmed yesterday and
let me tell you, my head is spinning
with all the new transitions that we are in
but God is also very merciful
and the prayers of His people
effective...
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Thank you all for your prayers!
Truly I do not know what I would do without them!

Two weeks

 

Two weeks and my wedding reception
will be over.
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Cleo is missing me and is anxious.
If you pray for cats, mine could
use your prayers.
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Of course Orthoman and I
could use prayers for sure.
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We still have a lot to do
and life keeps going on quickly
and friends have happy and sad
and stressful things
happening.
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I slept horribly last night.
Hoping tonight will be better.
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One thing and one day at a time.
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God is with us!

Less than one week before my beloved arrives (DV)

 

Only a few days left of the
Dormition Fast.
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I have made the wedding program.
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I am working on the guest book
(am making it myself)
and on reception hall decorations and
finalizing plans.

August is slipping quickly away

 

My new buffet
waiting for me down South.
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I am still tired but
am able to rest.
I am so thankful that I am
not working now.
It gives me time to rest.
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I find that I rest in the morning
and in the afternoon I do errands
for the wedding.
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I am now working on the wedding
program and the guest book.
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I also was able to print some pictures
of my Grandma's wedding
with her in the dress.
I am hoping DV to have
a table with some cool
vintage relative wedding photos
at the reception.
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God has given me some
peace in the last
day or so
and that has been wonderful.
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Lots of changes and in many ways
my mind is swimming...
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God is with us
and He loves us...

Tired Tuesday

 

I am missing my new home down South!
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Today was a busy day.
I am still surprised
at how tired I am.
But I forget how tiring moving is
not to mention major life transitions,
even the happiest of ones.
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I am having various dinners with friends;
sometimes it just seems like
goodbye after goodbye...
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I was given a beautiful icon card
of the Holy Family today.
Being a bride
and saying goodbye
is a very involved things
but the love and tangible signs
of this love is
well,
wonderful and always a bit
surprising to me.
I think all of us
or most of us
are surprised to be loved.
*
Found out today that my current apartment
here in Ottawa
is needing to be shown again
as the person who was going to rent it
decided not to do so.
This means that my privacy
is at least at times invaded
and I do rather dislike that. 
But I am trying to look on the
bright side of it
and that it will inspire me to keep
this little place tidy.
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I am praying that I can rest
more this week
and regain strength so that I am not
totally burnt out on my wedding day.
I am gathering that this
exhaustion factor is a common
problem surrounding weddings.
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One day a time...

Monday in Late August

 

Noah made it though surgery.
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I am still recovering from the move and
have been weary.
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My Orthoman is taking good care of my Cleo.
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I had dinner with an old friend tonight.
I really miss having a home with
all my icons and dishes.
Camping out at my apartment for the time being
is necessary but not what I would want to do
long term.
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I just want to feel settled and at home again.
Wedding in 20 days.
Soon I will be in my new home
with my beloved Orthoman.

Beautiful Sunday

Today was the Feast of the Transfiguration.
It was wonderful to be back with
my church family.
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A good friend and I worked on my make up for the wedding
and had a nice dinner at a near by Indian restaurant. 
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I have not been sleeping that well
and my throat is threateningly scratchy.
I have a lot to do
leaving Ottawa prep
wedding prep
seeing friends, etc.
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My Orthoman comes in less than 2 weeks to Ottawa.
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We will be married in 21 days.
 

Back in Ottawa

 

Cleo stayed down South.
I miss her.
That I miss my Orthoman
is going without saying.
I am really tired and
hope to get a good night's sleep...
23 days to the wedding.

One more time to Ottawa

Please pray for Noah
he is battling infections again.

My flight is tomorrow around noon.
I will not see Cleo until later September.
My poor Cleo.
She will be with Orthoman and then here
with a cat sitter visiting daily.

This week (old calendar) was the
translation of the relics of St. Stephen
and I have his icon
that I put on the buffet for this reason.
Also a lovely table top lampada
for the Dormition Fast.
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I can't tell you how happy I am to have
this beautiful apartment and finally have my dream of
a good space to celebrate all the fasts and feasts
of the Orthodox church.
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Orthoman and I have been working very hard
at getting this place in order.
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I have not been sleeping well.
God is upholding me but physically
I am weary.
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I will be without my beloved Orthoman for
2 weeks 1 day.
As I go about the apartment
and today when I went grocery shopping for
us to have some organic premade food in the house
for when we return from our honeymoon
I found myself asking God how
I was deemed worthy for such a man
and for such a lovely home.
The only conclusion that I have come to
is that I am not worthy
but it is God's mercy and grace.
Other than this,
it is a mystery.

My new home in pictures

Cleo is doing well.
Cat sitter is being arranged for
the time of the wedding, etc.

I made a beautiful table for the Dormition fast.
I was given many beautiful things as
shower and wedding gifts
and it was a delight to make a table for
the two of us to eat and celebrate the feasts with.

I am loving the new buffet icon corner.

Made this new kitchen small icon corner
and really love it.
Got the candle stand at IKEA in Ottawa
and am using rice to place
the monastery bees wax candle in.
Really love this also.

I am finding the living/dining room to be
very cozy and comforting with
all the soft light and icons.

My Orthoman bought these ground cherries
at a local farmer's market on his way
home yesterday.
They are in neat little shells.

 

Here they are newly peeled.
They are small and sweet.
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I continue to get a lot of
work done on the new place.
I am dreading again going back to Ottawa
as now my Cleo Cat will stay behind
and I am slowly losing a lot of my
furniture...
So much to do...
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I am praying I do not get sick...
Keep waking about 5 or so AM
so am quite tired.
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God is with us.

Down South - last time before wedding God willing!

Cleo made it and is fine!
She is still hiding at times
and is exploring her new surroundings.
She was in one room
(where I was sleeping on a temporary bed
as my family was here helping me unpack)
but we have now let her out into
the living area.
She traveled down here very well
and was on my lap the last third of the trip!

Thank God I paid a professional
to pack my China.
The truck driver promised to fix the
bulk head (wall) before he left but he did not
and the wall moved 4 feet and all my things fell
as you can see.
Thank God all of my China made it in one piece
due to being very well packed.

My family and Orthoman had
a really nice dinner
at our new home -
my first dinner party!

 It was really fun.
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And it was a huge blessing to have my
Aunt, Cousin and Cousin's son
with me for the week.
They did so much to help me unpack.
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Our new home is slowly taking shape.
Of course Orthoman does not stay with me
past decent visiting hours
in our new home.
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It is hard to believe that the wedding
will be in less than 1 month.
I can tell that it will be a lot of adjusting
and I miss familiar things in Ottawa
and the people there who I have known for
seven years.
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It is such a blessing to have such a nice
first home with my Orthoman.
It is going to be really beautiful
and I am enjoying
unpacking and 'nesting'
while my beloved is at work.
I go back this Friday
and hope to have our new home in really good shape.
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I am really tired and have a lot to do in the next few days.
Prayers for mercy and strength are most welcomed.
And that I find a good cat sitter for Cleo...

Prayer Request

I am just digesting the news that the

Ottawa office of the moving company mis-read

a note for the office Down South

that said to hold till August 8 and

due to their error all my belongings

that got packed in 2 days are

Still In Ottawa.

 It is a holiday today so I can't even

call the office to get this fixed.

 I can only hope they will move it ASAP

 so I will have time to unpack everything as planned.

I trust God's mercy in the timing and

 it may be better in the long run,

but I must say I was shocked to

hear that the trailer is still here.

Prayers Requested.

Holiday - Moving Prep and Cleo

I go down South tomorrow!
With Cleo.
My Aunt, Cousin and Cousin's son
and I will drive down
starting tomorrow morning.
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The idea is to get my stuff delivered
and unpacked before the wedding
for a less-stress newlywed landing later.
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Meanwhile,
Cleo found a new bag she wanted to
enjoy.


I am really hoping she does not get
too too stressed about the
car ride she will have tomorrow
and then the new home.
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As my Oma always said...
take it as it comes.
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Welcoming all prayers for our travel!

 

Including Cleo of course... :)

August in Ottawa

 

Had our church picnic
today.
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It is one of the hottest summers yet.
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I drank lots of water.
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Lots of young babies there...
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Talked about my wedding and some people
RSVP'd in person.
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I have secured a videographer.
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I go down South with family
driving long hours
on Tuesday.
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My wedding is in 36 days.

Towards the weekend

 

Cleo is liking her new water dish
and tray set up.
I am glad as it will be another familiar thing for her
with the move.
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We go down DV this week Tuesday.
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I was blessed to have a meal at
a dear friends home tonight.
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I am tired.
Still not sleeping the best but more peaceful.
Lots of errand are being accomplished.
Tomorrow is the church picnic.
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God is with us.

Progress and prayer request

 

I wish I was still at the beach!
Well,
lots done again today.
I finally found and ordered the bridesmaids dresses.
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Went to my friend's church for an
Akathist to St. Seraphim.
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The same good friend gave me a beautiful
scrap book of my Ottawa bridal shower.
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Prayer request:
my Grandma
who is planning on coming to the wedding
fell this week.
THANK GOD she is okay
as in no broken bones
but some dental damage was sustained... so
she needs some dental work done...
Please pray that she can heal and
is able to come to the wedding as planned.
I hope to talk with her tomorrow...