Winter is over.....or is it?

Since my last blog, the weather has been akin to raging waves on the sea, comparable to being a passenger on the SS Minnow, being tossed up, down and around.

We had days where we packed up and stored the winter coats, scarves, hats and gloves; then a few weeks later, we're getting it all out again.

We had a few bitterly cold days, where the blustery wind would blow right through to our core, no matter how many layers or how bundled up we were; where it looked as though it were snowing up instead of down. There were days when there wasn't a cloud in the sky and even with the sun, that huge sphere of hot gas, blaring upon our faces, it didn't warm us. 

We've also had days when we walked the city without the need of a jacket, where a slight, warm breeze sweeping between the buildings, wrapping around us, giving a glimpse of what's to come and soon we would have the weather we were accustomed to. 

What we didn't have, was a lot of snow.  The locals seemed surprised and disappointed at the "less than normal" winter. We've heard some say it was the warmest winter in 100 years; others have said 20. Regardless the time span, it was not the brutal, agonizing winter we were expecting or even prepared for.  It was cold, or rather, colder than what we are used to.  I also wouldn't go as far to say we were disappointed.

I was hoping it would have been more like taking off a band-aid....just rip it off and get it over with, the pain won't last long. Fortunately for us, Mother Nature controls which boo-boo's she puts band-aids on, and this winter wasn't one of them.  We may not fare so well next winter!

Maybe we brought some of the Texas heat with us; maybe we didn't. Whatever the reason, we're glad the "winter welcome wagon" lost a wheel, which slowed it's pace.

However, unlike the SS Minnow, we didn't take a 3 hour tour; we didn't end up on an uncharted, warm tropical island, and there aren't five other people with us to help ease the transition.

There's only the two of us.  That is enough to keep warm, when it's so very cold outside.  When Summer comes and it's hot, that's what my trusty hand held, portable misting fan is for.

Packed and Loaded!

The movers arrived Thursday, packed ,loaded and took off with our things.  I am a little nervous, as the semi couldn't make it down our street (cars park on both sides of the street) nor could it fit in the complex.  They had to load everything on to one truck and then transfer it to the "big" truck.  To me, that's a recipe for disaster and loss!  I spoke with the driver as he was leaving on Friday and said he'll be in Montreal by Tuesday.  Once there, he will take it to a warehouse, where it will sit for an undisclosed amount of time.  We've heard it could take a few days to a few weeks to clear customs.

Now the hard part starts; me packing what will be going in the car, so it will all fit and still have room for us and the cats! 

I almost forgot a very important part of this puzzle...calling the US Customs, to inform them we will be exporting our car out of the US and into Canada.  We have to email them 72 hours before we plan to cross the border; take the endless amount of documents we have and the car, for them to approve. Where we have to cross the border, there's only one point of entry, in that area, we are allowed to take the car for this. The recording stated this fact about 4 times and the customs agent I spoke with, also told me this, about 4 times!    That's a whole other issue to deal with, but sounds pretty painless....I hope!  This info was not in any of the books I read, or in any of the info they sent to us.  Once again, found it looking through the Canadian Customs website.

We are hoping the temporary housing is all set in place, just waiting on our arrival.  We'll be there until our place is ready, the 1st week of September. 

Off to pack...

Here are pictures of our Thule cargo box.  Thanks to Carolyn and Jesse for helping with the install!

Starting the move from Texas to Canada!

We have reached the final week before the movers get here to pack us up and off to Montreal! We are very excited to be starting this new adventure in our lives. 

1950 Miles from Austin to Montreal!

We have been thinking about this prospective move since December, when the company approached my husband about working there. The actual moving process started in May, so this gives you an idea of about how long it will take from when the job offer is accepted and the paper work begins, to when the Visa will come through.  We were told 3 months and that's what it turned out to be!

You can check current Visa wait times here.

There are several books about moving to Canada and they will be helpful, but I strongly suggest doing a lot of your own research, especially if you move to Quebec!  They have their own rules and regulations the rest of Canada doesn't have. You will be tired of reading by the time it's all over, but it will be worth it and hopefully, give you some peace of mind.  Be prepared to fill out lots of paper work.

Since our move is job related, once the Visa came through, we had hit the ground running - they wanted us up there ASAP

Some things I've found out through trial and error.

If you plan to take your car and are on a temporary work visa, according to the Canadian Gov website, you will not have to pay the import tax and duty on the car.  If your car still carries a lien (through your bank or credit union), you will have to bring a letter from them saying it's ok to bring the car into Canada, a copy of the title, and a letter saying it is ok to register the car there.  We found out that you must register your car within 6 months after arrival.  You will also have to do a driver's license exchange within this same time frame.

This info was not in any book or website I read.  I had to read through page after page on the Canadian website to find it.  Then I called them to double check.  You will have to call the US Customs 72 hours before arrival to let them know when and where you are crossing the border.

Also, make sure to have the all the required paper work you'll need to cross the border before you leave for your move.  Pack it so it is easily available when you reach the customs check point.  I made a nice package in a bright colored folder!

One other thing that there isn't much info about.  Apparently, whatever you bring in the country, you must also leave with when you return to the US.  We are not completely sure of what happens if something breaks!  I've read we would have to document the date and take a photo and attach it to the inventory list you originally brought in when you crossed the border.

Stay tuned for more!