Shalom:
This is our new home, the living room. And of course, Monti enjoying his afternoon nap.
We placed the Ark in the living room, because there really no other place to put it and I really didn't like the idea if being in store-age.
The fireplace. We are looking forward to getting it clean and using it this year. Since the fireplace is in the living room, really the centerpiece, I am looking forward to greeting friends and family with a warm welcome.
And this is Chris, who opened his home to us and little buddy Jose. More about Jose later. While we are room-mates, the house feels more like a family. Mark, Monti and me with brother Chris.
I sit back in amazement in what G-d has done.
A new home. A new friend.
A new beginning.
Shalom:
I have so much to share with you, my friends. And yet my days remain busy, it cuts into my writing.
I like busy days. I like seeing things come together, to see a room I am decorating become a work of art and I can stand back and go, "ahhhh!"
Yesterday, we took a break from unpacking and went to see my mother. She was so happy to see us and of course little Monti.
Monti loves to go and visit his 'grandmother." She even allows Monti to kiss her on the nose. It's so cute. He gets to sit on the pillow she has set out just for him and after they catch up on their news, Monti lays down on his pillow and goes to sleep.
Mark shared about his job, I updated about how the house was coming along, and mummie share about how her week was.
She is so excited about coming to share Thanksgiving with us this year. Because there are only two steps that lead into the house, mummie can manage that, so she will be coming over a lot to visit.
Thanksgiving in Williamsburge is out this year. But we might be able to go in December, if only for one day.
I am happy to report that I was able to unpack two big boxes in the bedroom, leaving about six more to go. I am hopeful to get knock those last six down in a day or two.
As I look back on things, I am truly thankful for this new, fresh start. The street we live on is a quiet one, even though there is a mini-mall right across the street. No trucks running back and forth. The air in the house is so much cleaner, fresher. No film of dust coating everything and everywhere. We even sleep through the night. Even Monti is happy; he has a huge backyard to play in.
Mark is happy as well. He loves his job; he now comes home tired, but happy. His boss is pleased with his work and he likes the people he works for. The stress lines that were upon his face are now gone. He sleeps so much better. Monti and I even get to see him at lunch time, since Mark comes home to share the noon meal with us.
It is a new week. It has been chilly these past several days, so I need to make Monti a sweater for our daily walks. Both Monti and I are ready to explore our neighbourhood, see what new adventures we will we shall encounter.
That is of course, after I have my coffee.
Shalom:
Well, two week ago tomorrow, the Reels have moved into their new home.
While it looks small, it is rather large inside. But most important, this is now our home for at least the next six months. I should have pictures up in a few days.
It has been a busy few weeks since we've moved.
First, the day we were suppose to move was cancelled because one of the mover's had thrown his back out. So, it the move was set for the next day. This gave me an extra day to pack, which was needed because we still had half a house to pack.
The next morning, a friend came, the plan to help me clean the apartment. However, we ended up packing up until the movers came later in the afternoon. Mark and another friend who had a truck, had been going back and forth with some things.
Around one that afternoon, four guys from the church to move the big stuff. However, due to another commitment, the movers could give us only an hour and a half. Which left us still with half of an apartment filled with our things.
Thankfully, one of the deacon's came back with his truck and a trailer attached to it, so we were back in business.
So with the stops and starts, we were finally moved in our new home around 1 am.
While our things are still on the trailer, the past two weeks have been trying to get everything setup.
The living room, dinning room and bathroom are pretty much finished and now onto the bedroom. Because we had eight days to pack AND move, many of the boxes weren't well labelled and in some cases, some things just got thrown into boxes. We are pretty much down to maybe ten boxes. All in our bedroom.
I am really hoping to get it in order this week.
And in the mist of all of this of course, we had Hurricane Sandy blow through and I developed an abscess tooth that turned into a raging infection, with me looking like I should be seeing with Alvin.
And little Monti? He is having a blast. A huge backyard that he loves to explore, two news friends; our room-mate Chris and a four legged buddy by the name of Jose.
We are now going into three week of our new home. I feel like I can now take more time to sit, truly enjoy a cup of coffee and once I find Monti's sweater, we can return to our morning walks.
That sweater has got to be in one of those boxes.
Shalom:
Hey boys and girls, we are half way through packing the Reel Tent.
My sitting room is no more.
But Mark promises one day, when we have a home of our own, I will once again have my lady's chamber.
But in the mean time, we push forward with the move.
I awoke this morning around four with a will. After morning prayers, I got busy packing up the Shabbath table, the place where I set up for Shabbath each week.
I got the idea from a friend who set a small table with all the holy objects for Shabbath. It is my special holy place, where I am the woman of the house ushers in Shabbath.
It was hard taking it apart, for my precious treasures have rested here in this same place, this same space for seven year.
That's 364 Shabbaths! Not counting the Feast of the L-rd.
As I break down the Dinning room. I cannot help but think that we left a little of the Holy in this place, that His sweet Presence shall be felt by those who live here next, that they shall be blessed by the sweet memories and by the Divine that dwelled here.
We were blessed two friends come over and help us move some boxes this afternoon. This will make more room for the workers tomorrow. I hate moving on Shabbath, but it can't be helped. The church that is helping us move is only free tomorrow and we are blessed to have their aid. I know the Holy One will bless their kindness.
Monti is slowly beginning to adjust to the move. As you can see, Monti is sitting in my chair, watching the work taking place. He will be going to stay with another family tomorrow so that the little guy doesn't get in the way.
Well, back to packing.
Until next time,
Laini
Shalom:
Well after taking the day off, it is back to packing.
As we pack up the Reel Tent, I find myself often asking the question, "do I really need this?" And often the answer is no. Either Mark and/or I have out grown it or don't need it.
So we have a box set aside for thing to go to Good Will. Not junk, but loving second hand treasures.
We have been blessed boxes; Hope Haven where mummie Jordan lives, saved a brunch of boxes and new friend Jerry, saved boxes for us as well from a recent shipment of comic books (Jerry owns the Comic Book Store where my brother David use to work.)
Our neighours have been dropping off boxes for us well, sorry to see us leave, but vowing to keep in touch. Already we have the phone numbers of seven of our neighours and when we have the house dedicated, we will invite them over.
We are really having fun as we pack up. Memories of the first weeks we moved in, having to dig out long johns because the heat wasn't on yet, creating the sun room into a breakfast nook, only to find the sun didn't shine into the room until four in the afternoon. And Monti running through the apartment with our undergarments.
A few days ago, I had gone into the kitchen to turn off the tea kettle and returned to the living room, to continue packing. From the corner of my eye, I noticed a large box moving slightly.
Knowing we don't have ghosts, nor were any trucks driving by, I figured there was another reason.
And I didn't see Monti any where....
"Monti?"
Just as I thought. Since the box top is the same level as the sofa, it would be logical for Monti to check it out....
I think he looks rather comfortable.....
Shalom;
On Tuesday, 1:00 pm, Operation New Beginnings sprang into action.
Tuesday evening, with boxes in hand, I began the task of packing the Reel Tent for our new base of operation, trying to figure where to begin.
After all, we are talking seven years of living in this apartment.
Seven years.
We moved into this apartment three months after we were married. I remember that afternoon, after looking at several apartments, saw this one and we both knew this was it.
We had myold livingroom set from my former apartment. Mark has his bedroom set.Over time we would replace it all with new things, creating our home together.
Seven years later, here we are, with twice as much as we came here with. And a Monti. Where do I begin?
This is where our marriage grew and matured. Where I would welcome Mark home from two deployments. Where we mourn the lost of our unborn baby. Where we welcomed friends and family for Holy Days, Shabbath and just fun get togethers.
Now, we are leaving this place. This apartment bathed with the love of two people who dearly loved each other and the G-d that brought them together.
Our engagement picture. Once sitting on a mantle, now in a packing box.
But soon, this picture will sit upon the mantle of our fireplace.
A new place. A new beginning. As I let go of the past, I am so ready for what the Holy One, Blessed be He has for us.
Now if only we can keep Monti out of the boxes.
This is our new home, the living room. And of course, Monti enjoying his afternoon nap.
We placed the Ark in the living room, because there really no other place to put it and I really didn't like the idea if being in store-age.
And this is Chris, who opened his home to us and little buddy Jose. More about Jose later. While we are room-mates, the house feels more like a family. Mark, Monti and me with brother Chris. 
