I Wonder as I Wander...

It is official. Edward and I and our staff are yet again moving. This past week has been frantic to say the least and only now have I found a few moments of quiet to settle at Edward's desk to put my thoughts on paper.

I am sorry to leave Edison. It seems like we arrived here not that long ago and were just getting rather comfortable and settled in. We had finally gotten the house to the point that we were both quite satisfied with it and now we have to pack up and move again. While this move has been a strain on Edward and myself, I do sympathize with our staff as well.

For the time being, we have decided to take up residence in some of the rooms in the Rookery, located in Clockhaven, New Babbage. While they are not quite what we are used to, I believe that they will be comfortable enough for a temporary solution, until something more suitable is found. We have decided not to go through with the bother and expense of refurbishing the rooms, but will make them habitable with draperies, carpets and of course plenty of hot, soapy water and elbow grease!

Mrs. Clowes has been complaining incessantly that she is certain that fresh milk, eggs, butter and other produce will not be able to be had in New Babbage. I have assured her that New Babbage is quite a bustling city and I'm sure that she will find all of this plus much more at the markets. In fact, I think it will be quite exciting to be living in the midst of the ebb and flow of humanity. My only main concern is that our gardener, Giles Earnshaw, might find the lure of the public houses and other pursuits to be very much to his liking. I must ask Edward to have a word with the male staff about expected conduct and behaviour while we are at the Rookery.

Anyhow, I should get back to the packing. Since many of our belongings are going into storage for the time being, supervising the packing to make sure the correct items are packed is necessary. I'm sure the next time I can write we will be comfortable settled in Clockhaven.

The Only Certain Thing in Life is Death and Taxes

Nell and I were in the linen cupboard taking an inventory of the manor's linen supply as well as determining what needed to be laundered and repaired before the holiday season when we heard Mrs. Clowes, the cook, verbally lambast one of our manservants. By the tone and volume of her voice, she was quite upset, so I hurried down to the kitchen to see what had upset her so.

The stockpot was on the stove, simmering away with visible signs of lunch preparations on the large kitchen table. Beyond the table stood Mrs. Clowes, her face flushed, brandishing a large wooden spoon as Giles Earnshaw assisted men with bringing in many large packing crates with the state seal of Caledon stamped on the side.

"What is the meaning of this?" I asked.

"Ah, good morning ma'am," one of the workmen said, "we are bringing in the crates the Guv'nah is giving to all of those who are being unsettled with the new Linden Laws. Since the weather outside is rather rotten, we thought we'd bring them in to the kitchen."

"You oafs are tracking mud all over my kitchen floor as well as letting in vermin and heaven knows what else!" Mrs. Clowes fumed.

I looked at the floor at the mud and the water that the workmen had brought in with them. Giles was looking rather sheepish when he too looked down at the mess.

"Sorry Mrs. Clowes, I just didn't want the crates to get rained or snowed on. The weather's been so bad lately that leaving them outside would be the end of them for sure."

I sighed deeply.

"It's all right Giles, you meant well. However, you're going to have to help with this clean up. Now, while we have the extra hands here, would you be able to move these to the Mooring Tower? Mr. Gears is out there seeing to the vehicles, he can direct you where to put them. Cook will hardly be able to do her job with all of these crates about."

Some of the workmen gave me a less than friendly look at my suggestion, but I was in no mood to tolerate their nonsense and looked them down with a steely eye. I considered fixing CHED upon them, but I decided it might be prudent to save that should things go for worse.

"Sure thing ma'am, we'll get them over there in a jiffy!" Giles said, happy to escape the fury that Mrs. Clowes would love to lash him with.

The workmen managed to get the crates out to the Mooring Tower, and I relieved Nell with the linens so she could help Mrs. Clowes and Giles tidy up.

An hour later I heard Edward arrive home from the meeting with the Guv'nah. Mr. Gears must have told him where to find me as he came directly to his study, where I had been arranging the recipes for the Steelhead Community Cookbook. He gave me a kiss on the cheek and poured himself something from one of the decanters on the sideboard.

"The weather is still showing us it's worst" he said "It will be a grand day when it decides to get over this fit of ill temper it's having". He went and had a seat on the sofa.

"I agree. It's been a trial to do anything, and usually it's so nice this time of year. I hope it improves before Christmas, or at least for when we move."

"Ahh, so you've heard the news then?" Edward asked.

"Oh indeed! A group of workmen arrived with crates in tow and proceeded to dirty the kitchen floor and annoy Cook to no end. I'd not be surprised if lunch is a bit off today...she probably is still flustered and upset."

Edward chuckled softly. "I can see her reaction now. I'm glad I was not the one bringing in the crates! The Guv'nah has graciously granted those of us moving with packing crates, which is helpful seeing as we destroyed the ones we had after the move from Winterfell."

I sighed. "Yes, yet another move. This has been the year of motion and moving. The next move I make will be inside one of those packing crates and it will be a one way trip to the graveyard! I suppose there's really no point in getting the Christmas decorations in order for here until we are moved.....providing we are moving before Christmas. When are we slated to move?"

"That's not been decided yet, I'll be receiving a cablegram as soon as the Guv'nah knows. However, it will be sooner than later, so I'd not be worrying about the decorations just yet....besides, it's too early for that just yet."

I grinned at Edward "It's never too early for Christmas! I suppose I will content myself with getting the shops ready as well as Rosehaven. I really must go there soon to attend to the bakery as well as see the new land Lunar was telling me about in his last letter. Rosehaven will need to be cleaned will for the holidays too. Perhaps now that we know for certain we will be moving we can take a little vacation to Steelhead for a change of scenery?"

Edward thought about this for a moment. "I suppose we could, I can leave a forwarding address at the Guv'nah's mansion so they can send any messages there. Perhaps we can go in a few days, once we get the packing details sorted?"

I smiled "That would be good. A change is as good as a rest they say, and I'm sure the weather in Steelhead has got to be a little less volatile than in Caledon right now. I shall write Lunar and ask him to make sure there's plenty of firewood at Rosehaven, and if he wouldn't mind lighting the fires....I'd ask Tensai but asking her to play with fire on purpose is always a risky decision."

After sharing a laugh, we both sat in companiable silence, mulling over our own thoughts. I started to do a mental inventory of all that needed to be packed and what supplies we might need. I was very sorry to be leaving Argylle and would miss it, but I was certain that we would weather this nasty storm and eventually the sun would shine again in Caledon for us.

Oooh...The Post Office is *Really* Going to Hate Us!

Please pardon the lack of pictures for this journal entry, but I cannot for the life of me find my camera in all this mess. To make a long story short (which I'll go into depth with later), Edward and I have moved yet again...but this time back to Caledon, to our very own Duchy! I'm sure by this point the post office will have given up and just sent everything to Rosehaven in Steelhead to be on the safe side. You can find us at Caledon Argylle, just north of Penzance and East of Brigadoon. There's plenty of room to sail or fly and hopefully soon I'll have a rest area ready for those who are looking for a place to picnic during their outings.

As soon as we are unpacked and settled, I'm sure there will be a celebration of some sort. Personally, I thinking of having a "Burning of the Trunks and Packing Crates" party, just so we don't have to do this again! Now where on earth did I put the teapot???

Don't Unpack Your Trunks....We're Moving Again!

I don't think the dust had even settled at our Highlands home when my dear Edward received notice that a substantial tract of land had become available, not in our beloved Caledon as we had hoped but in our good neighbour of Winterfell. I know I had not even unpacked a single thing from the many crates that stood about in the house and we were making arrangements to get everything shipped to Winterfell Harbour.

Since I was away for this, I kept in touch with what was happening through telegrams and letters from my beloved. He had mentioned a few issues with our land in the Highlands, namely a person who thought it was his God-given right to traipse through people's homes (even with locked doors) and then be rude to the land owner. Hello to Banville my dear sir! As well, Edward had been wanting a large tract of land to be creative with and this opportunity was too good to pass up. So we are on the move again.

On the land was a very large manor house, which is quite a bit larger than Davaar. It's been fun sorting out what to do with all the space and what should go where. Of course, there's a lot of possibilities for gardening too, and plenty of space for flying or sailing. Hopefully soon we will have things set to rights and will be able to have a housewarming function. Until then, please feel free to stop by on your travels. We look forward to seeing you!

Because I Know How the Rumour Mill Works....

My typist knew that when she went on her trip to the United Kingdom that she would have to contend with the malicious tongues of those who have nothing better to do than to meddle in the lives of others. She forgot (ever so briefly) that there was a good chance of gossip occuring in SL as well.

Today I received a telegram message from a friend who was concerned that he did not see my mailbox standing with Edward's at Davaar in the Cay. As it happens, Edward and I will be moving houses to the Highlands, which is an area in Caledon we both favour and have harboured hopes of living there for some time. We will miss our friends and neighbours in the Cay. but this was an opportunity too good to pass up.

Since I will not be in world for an interval of time, Edward and I thought it would be prudent for me to pack all my belongings ahead of time, in case the land transfer took effect when I was unavailable. That way, my lost and found folder would not become cluttered (something like the rest of my inventory) as Edward cleared away our things for Sir Tele, who is the next caretaker of the corner plot. This is why my mailbox is not in it's customary place as well as why the land is not in bloom like it was.

I look forward to my return and will miss my friends and neighbours. Once we are settled in the Highlands, I'm sure we will open our home to guests with a housewarming party. Until then, rest assured all is well between Edward and I. Bon Voyage!