Okay. It gets worse. When D said hello to The matriach, she was sitting in the exact spot where she and her husband set up a tent while they were building the cottage. She asked him when we were planning to fly up. He reassured her that he fully understood the memories and history of the island and that we were very grateful for the opportunity to purchase it and that we would treat it with the utmost respect. The family reassured D that the dad's ashes would be relocated....this is when I said WTF...yup, the patriach had probably never envisioned the property ever leaving the family and wanted to be laid to rest in his piece of heaven. Am torn..should we have offered them the opportunity to leave him in peace? But the idea of having someone else's ashes on the island is just way too creepy..

D called from his dad's water tower. He told me one of the soon to be ex owners gave him the final walkthrough and a set of instructions for opening and closing the cottage. This is of course crucial when we will be leaving the cottage and its mechanics to the elements for 9 months of the year...most of them at under -20. Those experienced with this lifestyle know that certain items can be left behind while anything containing water (canned food, toiletries, medicines, etc) must be taken offsite. So anyway, the whole family was there for their "last" weekend at their cottage. The 90 year old matriach, her 2 sons, their children and spouses..D tells me you could cut through the tension and sadness in the air. The tension because one brother did not want to sell, the sadness..well, thats totally understandable. The matriach would have spent every May to end August on the island with her kids from the day they built the cottage. I am sure somewhere in that cottage there is a height chart charting their growth..and those of the grandkids. The family is closing a chapter of a 50 year book. From what I understand, the cottage for Canadians isnt just about a waterfront cabin and swimming all day..its about family togetherness across generations..its about building memories, reconvening and reconnecting. Its about frugal living within nature. Its about fun. I am a firm believer that its all about a state of mind, so you can have fun anywhere. I found it difficult to comprehend why these feelings of family togetherness have to be associated with a piece of real estate. Until I spent a few weeks at D's dad's place with random family reconvening and reconnecting. Nothing like sitting on the dock at 5pm with G&Ts while waiting for the steak to cook..life is simple and life is good. While I feel terribly for the previous owners I cant wait to make our own memories and our own height chart.

Busy ....but all good

These are cottage centric days for us. D is at his dad's cottage this weekend. He is meeting one of the soon to be ex-owners this morning for a final walk through. Questions on list 1) How are propane fridges ventilated? 2) How is water from water tank purified? 3)Where is the water pump located in the lake? 4)Where do they hide liquor in winter? D took with him one suitcase filled with solar lamps from Ikea and another suitcase filled with bedding. I was planning to just stock up on bedding when we get there but D is quite fussy about bedding..I must say he can be quite gay about it..sheets must at least be 600 thread count and duvets must be down. I am more style over substance...so you can appreciate why bedding decisions must be made jointly and carefully. We also threw in a train set for Dylan and I am getting books and toys shipped to my sister in law's place. She has kindly offered to take anything we send to her to the lake.

I am finding stocking up a second home that is so far away and so remote to be a bit of a challenge. First, the fact that anything purchased here has to either be shipped to family or brought over when D flies there or when we all fly out in July is a serious consideration. Second, anything brought onto the island can only be disposed off at a cost. So for example, the packaging of the bedding was a serious consideration as they had to fit into a suitcase. I also had to get rid of any superfluous packaging as any trash from our cottage would need to be taken by boat to the marina (cost of time and gas) and a fee paid for the disposal of each bag of trash. Made me realise how overly packaged some items are..such a waste. Because of this disposal cost, every purchase has to be thought off in long term. So the duvet covers we had to absolutely love as they will be there for many many years. Cost was also an issue..as usual..but it is surprising how bedding for 4 beds (2 Doubles and 2 twins) can seriously add up. We also have to think about the impending necessary capital expenditures..electricity, boat, and dock ..so my thoughts on decor style over the next few years..very very cheap and chic. Think repainting old furniture with a mix of Scandi chic (Ikea-fy the sucker of a shack). So of course I head to the book store to get inspiration..why are books on cheap and chic decor so expensive??!! Seriously...