My dad provided me with the perfect word to describe the last few weeks, bittersweet.    It seems no matter how good something is, there is almost always something bad that goes along with it. It also depends on if you choose to see it, or just focus on the positive.  When things in your life have been really good and people have been great to you, you can’t help but get sad when you say goodbye.

IMG_1060IMG_1682

Almost Nine years ago, I was fortunate enough to be able to purchase the second home I’ve owned in my lifetime. I truly love my house and one of the hardest things about this move is saying goodbye to it. Many people say a house is just where you hang your hat, but this house has always been a home. I’ve put my own blood and sweat into renovating it and making it exactly what I want it to be. It’s absolutely perfect and I love it dearly. I truly wish I could just pick it up and take it with me because it’s the perfect house for me, but the problem is it’s in the wrong location. At this point, I can only hope that I find an even better house in a more beautiful location!

IMG_1072 (1)backyard

IMG_1598

The end of April marked the end of one of my favourite jobs I’ve ever ever had.  Leaving my job at VDC to move north was definitely not an easy thing for me to do.   I had the best boss in the world, amazing coworkers, a beautiful office, and every day was full of jokes and endless smiles.  I will miss my job and my beautiful office, almost as much as I’ll miss my house.

IMG_4846

IMG_0998IMG_1064

The good wishes, congratulations, and way to go’s I’ve received  from best friends to strangers have been overwhelming! When I published my post about my decision to start this new chapter, I received a lot of comments of people telling me that I’m brave. At first, I thought, “meh, I’m just moving, lots of people do it”.  But as the process continued and I kept having to say goodbye over and over to people and things that I love, I certainly understood why it takes a bit of bravery to follow through on this sort of adventure. I will deeply miss all my dear friends and family and I greatly appreciate all the support and love you’ve shown me.

IMG_1045 IMG_1038

IMG_0779IMG_1017

After a few doubts, a couple of sleepless nights and lots of wondering, am I doing the right thing? I packed up my car and headed to Port Carling, swallowing all of my fears and repeating my Dale Carnegie….   “what’s the worst that can happen”.  Anxiety will not win this battle!  LOL

IMG_1081IMG_0566

I arrived in Port Carling on Tuesday afternoon to settle in before I started my new job.  My job is at an amazing company called Serenity Property Management. They are an elite property management company that takes care of many prestigious cottages in the Muskoka area.  It is an exciting opportunity for me as I will be combining some of my office and bookkeeping experience with my passion for the outdoors and social media! Plus, look at the gorgeous view I get to look at everyday!

IMG_1084

When I arrived at my new office, which is also my temporary home, I was greeted by the company icon, a swan.

IMG_1083

… and also this patch of snow in front of my bedroom window.  May 1st and there it is…. snow… LOL. I guess I’d best get used to it… cause I’m an up north girl now!!!

IMG_1467

So…. after all the sad goodbyes, and all the incredibly long hours of work that got me here, I am now ready to say a HUGE EXCITED HELLO!  Hello to going camping and driving an hour or two, instead of four or five!  Hello to the beautiful Muskoka rocks that make me feel like I’m where I belong!  Hello to a brand new career full of exciting opportunities. Hello to chapter one of my new book of life!

IMG_16430IMG_1317IMG_1153

I hope you continue on this journey with me and check out all the new incredible places I get to explore, starting with Hardy Lake Provincial Park!  It’s an amazingly beautiful place and I can’t wait to share it with you next week! And the week after that I’ll be at …..  and the weekend after that….. and that…..I’m sensing a theme here!!! Lots of good stuff coming your way!  CHEERS!

IMG_1559

If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to leave me a message! Thanks so much for checking out my blog!

Happy Camping!

Camper Christina