I had an account under the username of Housebug, but for some reason that eludes my techno-challenged brain, I can't get it working again.

No matter. I wanted to change my user name anyway! So here I am, in the Midlands for the past seven, nearly eight years, and looking to emigrate back home to Canada in the new year!

I'm an aromatherapist, mother of two grown children and wife to my lovely Brit hubby, Kevan. I'm happiest away from urban areas, especially if I can be near the ocean. But the countryside is great too! I enjoy one pot cooking, reading, walking, just to mention a few things.

Hello again Ali I've got my niece coming out (with one week's notice) to visit us from Vancouver, this Saturday. I'm looking forward to it very much. As you'll know I'm from Canada and been living here in the UK since 1983. I hope all your plans for emigration back to Canada all come right in the new year...just a tad jealous for home but with our two adult children and 4 grandkids here in the UK this is more "home" to me now. Sure would be nice to go back for a visit though!

I'm with you on the ocean....love it! So why do we live on a busy main road, on the hospital route with sirens and traffic most of the time? Oh yes, we're newsagents and it's a good idea to be on a main road! lol

Blessings. Jacquie x

Welcome back Ali!! You were missed.

Hey Karla! How have you been? I pop by your blog from time to time.

Ali - I saw your comment yesterday - very kind of you.
I'm extremely busy. In order to even think about blogging or popping here at Brocante, I have to get up before the birds even know the day is approaching. I already get up at 5:30 to get ready for work - I have to be there at 7:30am. Most days I work 9-10 hour days. Get home, fix supper, try to relax a little and the day is over! It's ridiculous and sometimes I wonder why I'm doing it, to be honest.

My blog is suffering and in fact I've been thinking about just letting it go, since I don't have time to write on it and when I do it's two or more weeks since the last post. I haven't read a blog of anyone else's in about 6 months and I miss keeping in touch with what's going on in my friends lives, but can't figure out when to fit that into my day.

Such is life, and I must make the best of it, learn to stop complaining and put a smile on my face.

What's up with you?

I figured you were busy with work and family. Don't worry about it. Blogging without obligation is the way to go. You do it if and when you feel like it.

So is it going to slow down with you or is this pace what you have to do?

With us, bracing up for the Winter. Kev will be working for himself as of the 7th of November. Bit scary that. No more assured pay cheque, but we've got contracts (software dev), we're just hoping this damn crash, which couldn't have come at a worse time, doesn't affect things too much.

Looking forward to Christmas and, if that visa of Kevan's ever shows up, picking a date in the New Year to emigrate home!

Unfortunately, it's the normal pace. The printing business is pretty demanding. I don't see it slowing down any time soon - as long as I'm in the job I'm in. I really do like my job, but the pace is sometimes exhausting. Sadly, my home especially has suffered majorly. Things are a mess, cluttered, piled and dirty. Sigh. It's a matter of finding the energy to create a new routine and then getting myself to use the little bit of energy I have left to actually stick to it.

Good luck on the Kev working for himself. It can be freeing, but worrying at the same time. I loved the freedom of Brad working for himself, but then again it was also very restrictive. Yes, you can leave during the day whenever you want, but then when you're out of town, on vacation etc, you're not making money because you are the company. LOL I miss it and don't miss it all at the same time, if that makes any sense at all.

Remind me where home is - where you'll be emigrating to.

I'm from New Brunswick, but we're moving to the next province down the map, so to speak, Nova Scotia. Atlantic Canada which ever way you look at it.

March or April is what we're aiming for, provided the treasury is up to it. That's the biggest worry with Kev being independant. However, nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Regarding your housekeeping dilemma, would it be worth having someone in once a week to clean for you?