Ho, ho, ho!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Merry Collage
Ho, ho, ho!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Poised for festivities
Well today arrived with the first SERIOUS dump of snow. I left the kitchen table to do something and when I came back, Peter had Dexter staring out the window looking for a REALLY big flake to count. So far they had only seen one. :)
While it is picturesque, the snow of course creates havoc on the highway. Sister Karen and nephew Andrew were scheduled to arrive today, but have put off departure until tomorrow morning to let the roads clear. Hopefully they will arrive for the perogie-fest of Christmas eve. Fingers crossed and weather cooperating.
What else?... I went into town to work at the gift wrapping booth sister Lisa operates to raise funds for work operation. Oddly, the mall was very quiet, so I got to wrap all of our own presents. I enjoyed the quiet creative time and only occasionally flashed back to the panicked look on Chris' face as I waved good bye as sat next to Cabin Fever Kid.
Last night I had a flash of Creative Craft Domesticity. I googled a play dough recipe and Dexter and I whipped up some purple and pink dough. In viewing the volume resulting from this undertaking, I realized that this recipe was likely aimed at teachers with 20 kids to occupy. "Note to self: quarter the recipe next time." I emptied the house of salt (not a grain left in any shaker) and cream of tartar.
Did you know that CofT runs at about $1/tablespoon?!? Mom bought some replacements and a tiny box is $8. Lisa confirms that around Christmas the price goes up because the local shops know the teachers will be stocking up for Christmas crafts. Well bah-humbug to you too, for chrissake (she says ironically).
That was a very long way of saying "Yay Mom!" as apparently the Easter-themed play dough kept Dexter occupied all afternoon. Especially when I found the Christmas shaped cookie cutters for him to go nuts with.
I came home and in another Martha Stewart moment added water to an angel food cake mix to help Santa produce the cake that Dexter wants for Christmas.
Mom: What do you want from Santa?
Dexter: Cake
Mom: What kind of cake?
Dexter: I don't know
This is what we have to go on.
So great hilarity ensued as the kitchen filled with supportive relatives to observe my sunken cakes re-emerge from the oven (you can put them back in, right?). Whatever.
I'm sure I can trim them down to salvage the edible sections. They only have to be Dexter-size. And he will love them. So there.
I'm going to go see if I can pry them out of the tins.
Photos tomorrow if you're really lucky.
Happy holidays!
While it is picturesque, the snow of course creates havoc on the highway. Sister Karen and nephew Andrew were scheduled to arrive today, but have put off departure until tomorrow morning to let the roads clear. Hopefully they will arrive for the perogie-fest of Christmas eve. Fingers crossed and weather cooperating.
What else?... I went into town to work at the gift wrapping booth sister Lisa operates to raise funds for work operation. Oddly, the mall was very quiet, so I got to wrap all of our own presents. I enjoyed the quiet creative time and only occasionally flashed back to the panicked look on Chris' face as I waved good bye as sat next to Cabin Fever Kid.
Last night I had a flash of Creative Craft Domesticity. I googled a play dough recipe and Dexter and I whipped up some purple and pink dough. In viewing the volume resulting from this undertaking, I realized that this recipe was likely aimed at teachers with 20 kids to occupy. "Note to self: quarter the recipe next time." I emptied the house of salt (not a grain left in any shaker) and cream of tartar.
Did you know that CofT runs at about $1/tablespoon?!? Mom bought some replacements and a tiny box is $8. Lisa confirms that around Christmas the price goes up because the local shops know the teachers will be stocking up for Christmas crafts. Well bah-humbug to you too, for chrissake (she says ironically).
That was a very long way of saying "Yay Mom!" as apparently the Easter-themed play dough kept Dexter occupied all afternoon. Especially when I found the Christmas shaped cookie cutters for him to go nuts with.
I came home and in another Martha Stewart moment added water to an angel food cake mix to help Santa produce the cake that Dexter wants for Christmas.
Mom: What do you want from Santa?
Dexter: Cake
Mom: What kind of cake?
Dexter: I don't know
This is what we have to go on.
So great hilarity ensued as the kitchen filled with supportive relatives to observe my sunken cakes re-emerge from the oven (you can put them back in, right?). Whatever.
I'm sure I can trim them down to salvage the edible sections. They only have to be Dexter-size. And he will love them. So there.
I'm going to go see if I can pry them out of the tins.
Photos tomorrow if you're really lucky.
Happy holidays!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Carnage on the prairies
Sister-out-law Alex is joining us for the first time for a Wiwchar family Christmas.
She and Nicole have inadvertently set a new goal for this festive season - experience carnage on a daily basis.
Day 1: Mowed down prairie chicken on the way into town. Feathers everywhere.
Day 2: Witnessed a mighty battle between Sam the dog and a three-legged coyote. Apparently very noisy and dramatic. Sam gained the upper hand on the already injured beast with a missing paw. Uncle Peter ended things with the 22.
Day 3: Apparently there is a bounty for coyotes (who knew?). Nicole and Alex's outing was to go chop the legs off the deceased. Gross.
Chris wondered how it was that Alex is repelled by rare steak, yet has no problems with liberating limbs from carcasses. "It's completely different" apparently.
I reiterate....ewww.
Day 4 - stay tuned...
She and Nicole have inadvertently set a new goal for this festive season - experience carnage on a daily basis.
Day 1: Mowed down prairie chicken on the way into town. Feathers everywhere.
Day 2: Witnessed a mighty battle between Sam the dog and a three-legged coyote. Apparently very noisy and dramatic. Sam gained the upper hand on the already injured beast with a missing paw. Uncle Peter ended things with the 22.
Day 3: Apparently there is a bounty for coyotes (who knew?). Nicole and Alex's outing was to go chop the legs off the deceased. Gross.
Chris wondered how it was that Alex is repelled by rare steak, yet has no problems with liberating limbs from carcasses. "It's completely different" apparently.
I reiterate....ewww.
Day 4 - stay tuned...
Frazzled Grandma
Last weekend the cousins came over for the afternoon. We set up the tree and the kids ran riot around the house.
As Aunt Julia was organizing another round of hide and seek, the kids careened past grandma in the living room.
Grandma: Why do they have to do this in the house?
Me: Because it's minus 30 out.
Grandma: Hmmph... (heads back into the kitchen)
Fa la la la la...la la la la...
As Aunt Julia was organizing another round of hide and seek, the kids careened past grandma in the living room.
Grandma: Why do they have to do this in the house?
Me: Because it's minus 30 out.
Grandma: Hmmph... (heads back into the kitchen)
Fa la la la la...la la la la...
60 YEARS of haircuts
Went on big excursion into Canora the other day. Dexter had been going on and on about a haircut, so off we went.
"The north end of Main Street near Tony's Pizza" we were told. We pulled into the angle parking in front of the combination ladies fashions/health food store and walked from there. We managed to make it the three or four doors down the street to find Marvin the barber tucked in his 70 square foot shop.
He had a client in the chair, so we wiggled around the edges to sit in with waiting area. Chris staggered off to find coffee at the Co-Op cafeteria and Marvin and his client casually inquired if we were new to town (ya think?).
After connected ourselves to Peter and Eugene Wiwchar down on the 229 highway, conversation veered back to the pros and cons of the H1N1 vaccination and holiday plans. Strangers categorized...move on.
As we waited, I pondered the mulitude of plaques on the wall celebrating Marvin's SIXTY years of cutting hair this a past May. He must be at least 80 years old. Oh. My. God. I need a break after 60 days on a job. That is insane.
Mom figures he owns the entire commercial block and just cuts to keep an eye on everything and stay out of the retirement home.
I didn't experience it, but apparently, when there is a lull Marvin will pull out the violin for a song or two. Maybe next time.
It was our turn, Dexter sat on my lap and Marvin began snipping. 10 minutes later we were done.
Not the greatest cut ever, not the worse.
Oh ya....it was five bucks. Did I mention that?
Wow.
"The north end of Main Street near Tony's Pizza" we were told. We pulled into the angle parking in front of the combination ladies fashions/health food store and walked from there. We managed to make it the three or four doors down the street to find Marvin the barber tucked in his 70 square foot shop.
He had a client in the chair, so we wiggled around the edges to sit in with waiting area. Chris staggered off to find coffee at the Co-Op cafeteria and Marvin and his client casually inquired if we were new to town (ya think?).
After connected ourselves to Peter and Eugene Wiwchar down on the 229 highway, conversation veered back to the pros and cons of the H1N1 vaccination and holiday plans. Strangers categorized...move on.
As we waited, I pondered the mulitude of plaques on the wall celebrating Marvin's SIXTY years of cutting hair this a past May. He must be at least 80 years old. Oh. My. God. I need a break after 60 days on a job. That is insane.
Mom figures he owns the entire commercial block and just cuts to keep an eye on everything and stay out of the retirement home.
I didn't experience it, but apparently, when there is a lull Marvin will pull out the violin for a song or two. Maybe next time.
It was our turn, Dexter sat on my lap and Marvin began snipping. 10 minutes later we were done.
Not the greatest cut ever, not the worse.
Oh ya....it was five bucks. Did I mention that?
Wow.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Household communication
The farmhouse is not a typical place. It's BIG...built to accommodate the merging of four households about 25 years ago. The residents have changed over the years, but obviously, the size has not.
Like many 80's homes, it incorporated the latest gadgetry of the time...trash compactor, a jacuzzi tub...a household intercom. Truly state of the art.
Over time, we've come to the inevitable realization that the household intercom is annoying. Like all public announcement systems, you never really HEAR what has just been broadcast, just experience the burst of static that leaves you knowing that something was announced and standing at the bottom of the stairs hollering to each other to figure out exactly what it was.
Happily an ancient technology has solved our communication problem for us. It's called "the telephone". Yes, we are that lazy, that hollering has finally moved us to pick up our respective phones (there are four lines in the house) to reach out and touch each other.
It works and it's one of the few local calls we make! :)
Like many 80's homes, it incorporated the latest gadgetry of the time...trash compactor, a jacuzzi tub...a household intercom. Truly state of the art.
Over time, we've come to the inevitable realization that the household intercom is annoying. Like all public announcement systems, you never really HEAR what has just been broadcast, just experience the burst of static that leaves you knowing that something was announced and standing at the bottom of the stairs hollering to each other to figure out exactly what it was.
Happily an ancient technology has solved our communication problem for us. It's called "the telephone". Yes, we are that lazy, that hollering has finally moved us to pick up our respective phones (there are four lines in the house) to reach out and touch each other.
It works and it's one of the few local calls we make! :)
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Perogie pinching 2009
Every year, Mom puts on a traditional Ukrainian feast on Christmas eve - the cornerstone of which is, of course, perogies!Apparently, and amazingly, some of us as kids did not enjoy perogies (unimaginable to me now, as I'm sure Dexter would eat them every meal if given the opportunity).
We did, however, enjoy jam. Yup, strawberry, raspberry, cranberry, whatever berry jam.
So...the two were combined.
Now, every year, special order Wiwchar jam perogies are on the menu. Yum!
When it just doesn't matter anymore...
This morning in the kitchen, Uncle Peter wandered near the window with the view to the thermometer...
Dad: What is it...about minus 27?
Peter (not bothering to look out the window): Well, it's below zero...
'nuff said.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
"What's the cut off temperature?"
We took Dexter to check out a daycare in town. "So what's the cutoff temperature for taking the kids outside?" I ask.
Memories of daycare in Toronto, snow is flying and there's a stiff breeze...let's cordon off the hallway and break out the inside toys...it's playtime! Who wants to go out when it's cold and nasty?
"Oh, about minus 30", Rhonda replies. Yup. MINUS 30...degrees...Celcius.
She went on to explain that the majority of this outside time was getting ready, followed by a brief time outside, confirming that indeed it was stupid cold out, then turning around and peeling off all the layers they had just applied. Fun!
And if that's not enough, when they can't do that, they bring the outside in. When we were there, one of the staff hauled in a paddling pool full of snow. The kids pounced on it.
We had to carry Dexter out of there. He wanted to move right in. Soon...they'll have space for us in February. Yay!
Memories of daycare in Toronto, snow is flying and there's a stiff breeze...let's cordon off the hallway and break out the inside toys...it's playtime! Who wants to go out when it's cold and nasty?
"Oh, about minus 30", Rhonda replies. Yup. MINUS 30...degrees...Celcius.
She went on to explain that the majority of this outside time was getting ready, followed by a brief time outside, confirming that indeed it was stupid cold out, then turning around and peeling off all the layers they had just applied. Fun!
And if that's not enough, when they can't do that, they bring the outside in. When we were there, one of the staff hauled in a paddling pool full of snow. The kids pounced on it.
We had to carry Dexter out of there. He wanted to move right in. Soon...they'll have space for us in February. Yay!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Memories of the city...
Finally got around to posting our family photos taken shortly before we left Toronto.
Thank you, thank you to our friend Mary for taking them. Leslieville - we miss you!
Singing in the tub
One of the perks we have moved into here is a HUGE bathtub we refer to as the pool. Dexter has gone from reviling a bath to revelling in it. So much so, he has insisted on a late afternoon swim. Chris has indulged him and is maximizing efficiency by combining bath time with his guitar practice.
Thus I am here at my desk listening to a combination of guitar strums, toddler chatter, squeaking ducks and splashes coming from the bathroom. :)
Thus I am here at my desk listening to a combination of guitar strums, toddler chatter, squeaking ducks and splashes coming from the bathroom. :)
Yee-hah!!!
Good news,
Chris survived the ice-chopping assignment. The only feedback I heard was "It was hard!"
We crossed paths long enough for him to let me know he and Peter were heading to town to pick up the ski-doo...then there was the flurry of a giggly departure. Okay it was actually the thud, thud, thud of big boots heading back outside...with giggles.
My 70 year old Uncle Peter has seemingly very quickly jumped upon the excuse of more helping hands around to rationalize the purchase of a new ski doo. Clearly, another conveyence is needed on top of the quad and the AMT to move people around the farm!
The last ski doo seen around here was several decades ago, driven by Uncle Orest, the handlebars of which came off when taken for a spin as they were only held on by vice grips - he hadn't gotten around for welding them on. :)
I conclude with a photo of my husband whirling around the field outside the window with Uncle Peter cheering him on.
I'm pretty sure he really wants HIS turn...
Happy Monday everyone.
Chris survived the ice-chopping assignment. The only feedback I heard was "It was hard!"
We crossed paths long enough for him to let me know he and Peter were heading to town to pick up the ski-doo...then there was the flurry of a giggly departure. Okay it was actually the thud, thud, thud of big boots heading back outside...with giggles.
My 70 year old Uncle Peter has seemingly very quickly jumped upon the excuse of more helping hands around to rationalize the purchase of a new ski doo. Clearly, another conveyence is needed on top of the quad and the AMT to move people around the farm!
The last ski doo seen around here was several decades ago, driven by Uncle Orest, the handlebars of which came off when taken for a spin as they were only held on by vice grips - he hadn't gotten around for welding them on. :)
I conclude with a photo of my husband whirling around the field outside the window with Uncle Peter cheering him on.I'm pretty sure he really wants HIS turn...
Happy Monday everyone.
First solo assignment
It's -22C on this balmy farm morning. Chris has been given his first solo assignment - go chop a hole in the ice for the cattle.
As we lounged in bed this morning with Dexter demanding alternate book readings from us, I pointed out the time - we were late for the 8 am daily planning meeting at the breakfast table.
"No problem" said Chris,"until they pick up the new snowmobile (more on that later), I can't go out with them...not enough vehicles." He relaxed back under the covers.
Eventually we surfaced and found that Dad had a meeting and Peter was happy to give Chris his first task.
The exchange was something like:
Peter: Do you remember where to go?
Chris: I've only been to that one place...is that it?
Peter (looking blank): Sure....
Chris (looking nervous): Then I know where it is.
Peter: Remember where the ax is?
Chris: Sure...
Dad: You know how big to chop the hole?
Peter and Dad: (discuss back and forth about size of hole - Dad - 6 feet across, Peter - 'about this big' holding hands apart, whether cattle have been going far out on the ice...etc, etc)
Peter: Take Sam (the dog) with you, he knows where he's going
Chris: Okay....
And off the menfolk went. I heard Chris clumping out of the house in his uber boots, super touque, new mittens about 2 hours ago.
Hang on...it's been 2 hours!?!? I'm sure all is well. What could possibly go wrong?
As we lounged in bed this morning with Dexter demanding alternate book readings from us, I pointed out the time - we were late for the 8 am daily planning meeting at the breakfast table.
"No problem" said Chris,"until they pick up the new snowmobile (more on that later), I can't go out with them...not enough vehicles." He relaxed back under the covers.
Eventually we surfaced and found that Dad had a meeting and Peter was happy to give Chris his first task.
The exchange was something like:
Peter: Do you remember where to go?
Chris: I've only been to that one place...is that it?
Peter (looking blank): Sure....
Chris (looking nervous): Then I know where it is.
Peter: Remember where the ax is?
Chris: Sure...
Dad: You know how big to chop the hole?
Peter and Dad: (discuss back and forth about size of hole - Dad - 6 feet across, Peter - 'about this big' holding hands apart, whether cattle have been going far out on the ice...etc, etc)
Peter: Take Sam (the dog) with you, he knows where he's going
Chris: Okay....
And off the menfolk went. I heard Chris clumping out of the house in his uber boots, super touque, new mittens about 2 hours ago.
Hang on...it's been 2 hours!?!? I'm sure all is well. What could possibly go wrong?
Sunday, December 6, 2009
A Simple Life
It turns out that Peter has farmed this land for over 40 years. He has seen things change from horses to atv's. These days the old John Deere is on a timer so if you need it in the morning it's warmed up and ready to go. Now that's someting I can appreciate being a computer geek from the center of the universe (aka Toronto). IT is all about automation. But, how is this generation managing it's legacy? I don't know.
The business of cattle farming is a simple one. You buy some land, put a fence around it and put cattle inside the fence. You feed and cattle and sell them every now then. Simple. Now Peter does not know anything about computers and I don't know anything about farming. But I'll tell you this, I don't know anyone from back east that has been doing the same job for over 40 years. He might be on to something here. I might be able to tell you why an account was locked out in an active directory domain, on what server, at what time. I could even tell you if this was a recurring event, possiblly indicating a breech in security or maybe it was just a typo. Simple right! What I cannot tell you is the best way to put a post in the gound to build a fence.
The business of cattle farming is a simple one. You buy some land, put a fence around it and put cattle inside the fence. You feed and cattle and sell them every now then. Simple. Now Peter does not know anything about computers and I don't know anything about farming. But I'll tell you this, I don't know anyone from back east that has been doing the same job for over 40 years. He might be on to something here. I might be able to tell you why an account was locked out in an active directory domain, on what server, at what time. I could even tell you if this was a recurring event, possiblly indicating a breech in security or maybe it was just a typo. Simple right! What I cannot tell you is the best way to put a post in the gound to build a fence.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Trudging through the cow patties
Well, winter has arrived...not visciously, just with some glittery, powdery, lovely snow and a crisp -15C. This morning arrived with a glorious display of hoar frost (sounds naughty, looks beautiful :)Dexter passed out for his nap and I headed out to test out MY uber-boots and coveralls (yes, Grandma was with the kid). I trudged out to where I thought the men-folk were working...I was wrong.
So I found myself cruising around a field with a herd of suspicious cattle. Not showing fear...they kept their distance.Being athletically challenged, I consider the snow-boarding jacket I bought in 1999 "new". That being said, I clearly have to revisit the notion of layering and adapting to the idea that my outdoor excursions may be more then shivering in the car.
By the time I hit the skeleton that Sam tucked into for an afternoon nibble, I was overheating - hood off, big mitts stuffed into pocket, zipper lowered.And...that was enough outdoor adventure to me. I headed home, leaving a steam trail behind me.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Saskatchewan motor home
The arrival of our stuff has resulted in the inevitable domino effect...our beds in, a tired old mattress heads to the burn pile.
PS. Dexter LOVES going for rides...
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Inaugurating the Big Screen
In honour of our imminent confinement on a wintery Saskatchewan farm, Chris has finally had one lifetime dream come true...a 50" plasma screen TV, PS3, media centre...and a few other things that rocked our credit card.
Since our shipment arrived four days ago, Chris has been lost in a blur of cabling and hardware. Several frenzied trips into town, a smoking credit card, the heartbreak of the first TV being damaged and the drama of not knowing if we'd get a replacement have all culminated of a newly minted Man Cave aka our living room.
And truthfully...I like it too.
So, we threw open the doors to our neighbours to enjoy the Greycup game tonight. A magnificent canvas to watch the sporting drama unfold for a group of the best fans in the world...Roughrider fans.
And they lost.
Because they can't count.
But the TV was great!
Since our shipment arrived four days ago, Chris has been lost in a blur of cabling and hardware. Several frenzied trips into town, a smoking credit card, the heartbreak of the first TV being damaged and the drama of not knowing if we'd get a replacement have all culminated of a newly minted Man Cave aka our living room.
And truthfully...I like it too.
So, we threw open the doors to our neighbours to enjoy the Greycup game tonight. A magnificent canvas to watch the sporting drama unfold for a group of the best fans in the world...Roughrider fans.
And they lost.
Because they can't count.
But the TV was great!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
A REALLY Big Truck!
So began our morning with Dexter running to the front door for the dramatic arrival of the HUGE moving van into the front yard.
Mom sucked in her breath when the truck rolled onto the 'nice' lawn in front of the house to position itself just right, but inspection upon its departure revealed no dramatic craters. Can cross lawn repair off the list of spring must-do activities.
So a lovely few hours was spent checking off tracking numbers and directing placement of boxes and furniture.
At last (okay, it's been barely over a week since we've seen our stuff, but hey, it seems like an eternity...) we are able to fluff our little nest.
We have our bedrooms operational - yay! Our coup for the evening was finally finding the mislabelled 'kitchen' box containing our favourite pillows - or as Dexter, for some mysterious todder-reason calls them, tillows.
It's beginning to feel cosy and familiar in our little part of the house.
Good night!
Mom sucked in her breath when the truck rolled onto the 'nice' lawn in front of the house to position itself just right, but inspection upon its departure revealed no dramatic craters. Can cross lawn repair off the list of spring must-do activities.
So a lovely few hours was spent checking off tracking numbers and directing placement of boxes and furniture.
At last (okay, it's been barely over a week since we've seen our stuff, but hey, it seems like an eternity...) we are able to fluff our little nest.
We have our bedrooms operational - yay! Our coup for the evening was finally finding the mislabelled 'kitchen' box containing our favourite pillows - or as Dexter, for some mysterious todder-reason calls them, tillows.
It's beginning to feel cosy and familiar in our little part of the house.
Good night!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Bureaucracy is alive and well...
Minimal progress to report today...
Sasktel spontaneously changed their service call to tomorrow instead of showing up today and didn't send us the memo...
An attempt to sort out getting the car insured locally resulted in a long list of required documents and DNA testing to prove we are worthy of being included in Saskatchewan bureaucracy...but Dexter got a candy AND a lollipop from the nice lady at the SGI office.
And the cherry on top...a mortgage payment was withdrawn from our bank account yesterday, for a mortgage we no longer have on a house we no longer own. Perfect.
Still, our stuff is arriving tomorrow and the tree in the driveway has been trimmed to allow it to roll up to the house.
Another minor coup was manhandling the golf cart (glamourous estate transportation) into the far, far corner of the garage to make room for our car. Sweet! Indoor parking. Necessary, given that our eastern car doesn't have a block heater.
Tomorrow's goal is to retrieve my sense of humour and find my touque.
Oh...and the snow has arrived! :)
Sasktel spontaneously changed their service call to tomorrow instead of showing up today and didn't send us the memo...
An attempt to sort out getting the car insured locally resulted in a long list of required documents and DNA testing to prove we are worthy of being included in Saskatchewan bureaucracy...but Dexter got a candy AND a lollipop from the nice lady at the SGI office.
And the cherry on top...a mortgage payment was withdrawn from our bank account yesterday, for a mortgage we no longer have on a house we no longer own. Perfect.
Still, our stuff is arriving tomorrow and the tree in the driveway has been trimmed to allow it to roll up to the house.
Another minor coup was manhandling the golf cart (glamourous estate transportation) into the far, far corner of the garage to make room for our car. Sweet! Indoor parking. Necessary, given that our eastern car doesn't have a block heater.
Tomorrow's goal is to retrieve my sense of humour and find my touque.
Oh...and the snow has arrived! :)
Monday, November 23, 2009
Weather report
So our last couple days in Toronto were spent doing various errands, one of the most important of which was buying Chris some serious winter boots.
Having discussed it with me, confirmed it with my sister and having had previous Christmas-visit glimpses, he knew that Saskatchewan farming meant nose-hair-freezing-lung-burning-why-does-anyone-live-here COLD.
He researched and chose his boots in Toronto and then reserved and picked them up in Winnipeg. Take that Centre of the Universe!
They are called Baffin Antarctic, good to -100C...serious cold. Serious trekkers/researches/people-more-accomplished-than-me take them to the South Pole. He's set!
So, what the hell?!?! There is not one flake of snow on the ground here. The biggest 'weather' Chris hit driving over was a bit of rain and fog. Where is winter?!?!
Judging from glimpses on the national news, it's looking pretty sparse all over Canada. We are in serious jeopardy of losing our bragging rights about being SO tough with cold weather.
What is with this? Oh....right...Armageddon approacheth. As Mayans predicted and Hollywood is reminding us (with the last big theatre movie we went to in Toronto - Chris' choice NOT mine), the end is near - winter solstice 2012.
Is the lack of winter a sign of the End of Time? Will Chris' Uber Boots go to waste? Or is this just a pleasant, gentle entry into a regular, cold winter that is a little late to arrive?
I guess time will tell. In fact, just a little over three years to go...
Having discussed it with me, confirmed it with my sister and having had previous Christmas-visit glimpses, he knew that Saskatchewan farming meant nose-hair-freezing-lung-burning-why-does-anyone-live-here COLD.
He researched and chose his boots in Toronto and then reserved and picked them up in Winnipeg. Take that Centre of the Universe!
They are called Baffin Antarctic, good to -100C...serious cold. Serious trekkers/researches/people-more-accomplished-than-me take them to the South Pole. He's set!
So, what the hell?!?! There is not one flake of snow on the ground here. The biggest 'weather' Chris hit driving over was a bit of rain and fog. Where is winter?!?!
Judging from glimpses on the national news, it's looking pretty sparse all over Canada. We are in serious jeopardy of losing our bragging rights about being SO tough with cold weather.
What is with this? Oh....right...Armageddon approacheth. As Mayans predicted and Hollywood is reminding us (with the last big theatre movie we went to in Toronto - Chris' choice NOT mine), the end is near - winter solstice 2012.
Is the lack of winter a sign of the End of Time? Will Chris' Uber Boots go to waste? Or is this just a pleasant, gentle entry into a regular, cold winter that is a little late to arrive?
I guess time will tell. In fact, just a little over three years to go...
Daddyyyyyyyy!!!!
Dexter woke up from his afternoon nap to find a familiar face smiling at him. "Daddy!!!!" had arrived.
Cruising into the yard early in the afternoon with the requisite Tim Horton's debris in the backseat and grid road dust coating the back bumper, Chris emerged, stretched and declared himself good to keep going. Apparently once he found his groove, he was good to make it to Vancouver. :)
Nonetheless he decided to stay here and was treated to a tour of the rooms which have been cleared out to make way for all our stuff which, incidentally, is arriving on Wednesday. Two more sleeps until we can nest.
Dexter then set a blistering pace on his battery-powered ride 'em tractor on an excursion to go see the cows. He has yet to manage to steer and hit the 'gas' pedal simultaneously, but hey, baby steps.
Sadly, the cows had wandered too far into the bush to be viewed and we had to settle for watching Uncle Peter bringing the big tractor in for the day. Again....ooh..aah.
Today's noteworthy moments...ordered a phone line, to be activated tomorrow...set up an appointment to go visit a daycare as we begin the Relentless Pestering step of working our way through the waitlist...and Dexter has entered his I Love to be Naked phase.
Tomorrow...we tackle car insurance. Wish us luck. And...I will attempt to get some pictures posted.
For now, all is well. Daddy's home! :)
Cruising into the yard early in the afternoon with the requisite Tim Horton's debris in the backseat and grid road dust coating the back bumper, Chris emerged, stretched and declared himself good to keep going. Apparently once he found his groove, he was good to make it to Vancouver. :)
Nonetheless he decided to stay here and was treated to a tour of the rooms which have been cleared out to make way for all our stuff which, incidentally, is arriving on Wednesday. Two more sleeps until we can nest.
Dexter then set a blistering pace on his battery-powered ride 'em tractor on an excursion to go see the cows. He has yet to manage to steer and hit the 'gas' pedal simultaneously, but hey, baby steps.
Sadly, the cows had wandered too far into the bush to be viewed and we had to settle for watching Uncle Peter bringing the big tractor in for the day. Again....ooh..aah.
Today's noteworthy moments...ordered a phone line, to be activated tomorrow...set up an appointment to go visit a daycare as we begin the Relentless Pestering step of working our way through the waitlist...and Dexter has entered his I Love to be Naked phase.
Tomorrow...we tackle car insurance. Wish us luck. And...I will attempt to get some pictures posted.
For now, all is well. Daddy's home! :)
Sunday, November 22, 2009
No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle
"Where are you headed?" he asked. I'm going to a farm just outside Yorkton. I'm going to spend a year there I said. It's a cattle farm. "Beef?". "Yes Sir". "So, your going to castrate them, cut their balls off, slaughter em?" As far I know, someone else handles that, I said. "So, your going to herd them" he said. "You know how to lasso?". "No Sir." "Got a horse?" "No Sir, but we have an ATV". "Well, I guess that will do", he said. "Well if you ever need some help son, let me know. Me and my horse would be glad to lend you a hand."
This was the oddest conversation that I have ever had in my life with a man who bore an uncanny resemblance to Larry from Newhart. You know "Hi I'm Larry and this is my brother Darryl and my other brother Darryl" fame. All the while I'm thinking "You've got a horse?" Come on you work in in a Motel. Now what you can't see at 10 o'clock at night with no street lights, but, what is very easy to see in the morning at 8am is that Larry had his horse tied up out back. Huh!
This was the oddest conversation that I have ever had in my life with a man who bore an uncanny resemblance to Larry from Newhart. You know "Hi I'm Larry and this is my brother Darryl and my other brother Darryl" fame. All the while I'm thinking "You've got a horse?" Come on you work in in a Motel. Now what you can't see at 10 o'clock at night with no street lights, but, what is very easy to see in the morning at 8am is that Larry had his horse tied up out back. Huh!
Silver fox sighting
Outside with the kids and brother-in-law, Brent.
As we pass through a sunbeam, he exclaims "My god, you're grey!"
Finding local hair stylist has now arrived at the top of the To Do list.
As we pass through a sunbeam, he exclaims "My god, you're grey!"
Finding local hair stylist has now arrived at the top of the To Do list.
Memories...misty 80s-coloured memories...
Feeling slightly more prepared for the arrival of the moving van in the next day or two. Cleared out space for our stuff in our zone downstairs - furniture has been reshuffled and the Salvation Army is getting more donations.
The highlight of the afternoon was pulling open a drawer, looking in and finding baby-faced Simon LeBon and Roger Taylor peering back at me...my boys!!!!
Oh the time and money that went into idolizing Duran Duran...worth every second and penny! To this day am in touch with friends who became friends due, in no small part, to our shared passion for D2.
Shout out to Gill, who during the course of a cocktail party revealed that she was actually KISSED on her cheek by Roger Taylor (or was it the other way around?) thus cementing our newly-minted friendship forever. And let's hear it for my pal Summer with whom I spent almost an entire teenaged night shrieking and hitting the rewind/fast forward/pause buttons on the VCR (remember those?) to memorize and forever burn in our minds each gyration and smoldering look dealt out in The Reflex. Rarely was a night so well spent. :)
And of course, to my sister Nicole, who is responsible for keeping the torch alive and ensuring that we have seen six Duran Duran concerts, one of which was chauffeured by Mom driving us from the farm five hours to Winnipeg to let us watch the boys open for David Bowie and who personally endured the event by waiting patiently outside in the parking lot (the bass was too much for her). Ah...good times!
Anyhoo, the dresser containing this power packed flashback has now been moved and the van is welcomed to arrive.
Oh...and Chris has reported in from Portage La Prairie, Manitoba...only 5 hours left tomorrow. Quote of the evening - "It's far!"
The highlight of the afternoon was pulling open a drawer, looking in and finding baby-faced Simon LeBon and Roger Taylor peering back at me...my boys!!!!
Oh the time and money that went into idolizing Duran Duran...worth every second and penny! To this day am in touch with friends who became friends due, in no small part, to our shared passion for D2.
Shout out to Gill, who during the course of a cocktail party revealed that she was actually KISSED on her cheek by Roger Taylor (or was it the other way around?) thus cementing our newly-minted friendship forever. And let's hear it for my pal Summer with whom I spent almost an entire teenaged night shrieking and hitting the rewind/fast forward/pause buttons on the VCR (remember those?) to memorize and forever burn in our minds each gyration and smoldering look dealt out in The Reflex. Rarely was a night so well spent. :)
And of course, to my sister Nicole, who is responsible for keeping the torch alive and ensuring that we have seen six Duran Duran concerts, one of which was chauffeured by Mom driving us from the farm five hours to Winnipeg to let us watch the boys open for David Bowie and who personally endured the event by waiting patiently outside in the parking lot (the bass was too much for her). Ah...good times!
Anyhoo, the dresser containing this power packed flashback has now been moved and the van is welcomed to arrive.
Oh...and Chris has reported in from Portage La Prairie, Manitoba...only 5 hours left tomorrow. Quote of the evening - "It's far!"
Deer Crossing
One thing that you fail to consider during your road trip out west is the large pools of blood on the highway and how normal that is...
Box full of bird nests
Was playing outside yesterday with Dexter and my nephews. Gained some Super Aunt points by daringly weilding a rake to poke, nudge and bludgeon an old nest out of the tree (Grandpa has proclaimed it the former Finch residence).
Dexter was shown how to carefully hold the little nest and was duly impressed. His awe and admiration went through the roof when we were led to Tanner's hidden box of bird nests tucked on the old truck seat in the machine shed to store the newly found treasure. Ooh...aah!
How cool was that?
Dexter was shown how to carefully hold the little nest and was duly impressed. His awe and admiration went through the roof when we were led to Tanner's hidden box of bird nests tucked on the old truck seat in the machine shed to store the newly found treasure. Ooh...aah!
How cool was that?
GPS Rant
By GPS is definitely the way to travel. If I want to find a Tim Horton's (and who doesn't, I mean really...), I just punch it in. Say I don't want to go to that one cause the line is too long, I get a list of the other Timmy's nearby. Beautiful. The amazing thing about these little devices is that it opens up the world to people like me, the direction challenged. Being somewhere you have never been and knowing exactly where you cannot be underestimated. Gone are the days of asking a strangers for directions and nodding politely as if I understood what they said. Meanwhile I'm thinking who else can I ask for the very same directions. Goodbye to the days of never finding you car again. Just save you current location and go! Oh sweet Jesus, my savior, my God, I thank you! We all thank you!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Motel rooms
There is defiantly something strange about motel rooms. Some smell like popuri, others like pine cones. Some have an apple clock on the wall. Some have a just cleaned and sanitary paper wrapped around the toilet bowl, others do not (got to wonder about that). Some have easily accessible power outlets, others have beds bolted to the floor. Some are run by some really nice people. Others make you wish you had a gun under the pillow and hope that there aren't any cameras installed. The point that I am trying to make is lock the door!
On Growth
I have always been the type of person that absorbs like a sponge, the things I find interesting. It's now time to broaden those things... The point that I am trying to make is that I get tired of absorbing to the point that nothing gets in. I need to rest for awhile. Only to fill up again and pass whatever limit I had before.
It's all seems circular. Before you know it you are right back where you started only now able to take things on in a new way that wasn't even possible just moments ago.
It's all seems circular. Before you know it you are right back where you started only now able to take things on in a new way that wasn't even possible just moments ago.
Lake Superior
The drive from Sault Ste Marie into Thuderbay was absolutely spectacular. It was like being in a painting. Awesome, calming but the word that I am looking for is Tranquil. If I ever do this again, I must spend the night in Terrance Bay. It's a quite little town on the edge of Lake Superior. A definite must see for any Canadian.
Scenic tour of the Shield
Turns out Chris is taking a scenic tour to get from Toronto to the farm (around 2800 km journey according to Google). Third night out and he reported in from Thunder Bay. Night 1 - Port Parry - barely into cottage country, Night 2 - The Sault (that it is pronounced 'Soo' is up there with Quay being 'key', but I digress).
This is when I am reminded of one of many sometimes subtle differences between westerners and 'easterners' (and yes, after nearly two decades away, I realize it is Central Canada, but am reverting back to The Old Ways). While I did leave a long time ago, my formative years were in Alberta and Saskatchwan, training me for long haul driving.
A long weekend meant an 11 hour drive to the farm for a two night visit. This was pre any car safety concerns, so road trips meant lying in the back of the station wagon with a supply of Harlequin Romances (damaged me for life) with mom periodically tossing bolognie sandwiches our way and passing a cooler of stale water with a shared straw. Ah...magical times.
In my day (I HATE that I am old enough for that phrase to be applicable to my life) western urban sprawl was in its infancy It meant that there was actually country/space between population centres. You left Calgary to get to Cochrane. It wasn't a continuous suburb.
I was in my teens and taking my first big trip with the school band to St. Catharines, Ontario before I knew distance driving could be any different. We were crammed onto a school bus to go visit the big city of Toronto and it was the first time I found out that towns were allowed to touch. We seamlessly passed through one municipality to the next...no space in between. Bizarre...
(This trip was also notable in that the planned trip to the CN Tower was thwarted due to cloud cover -I still, to this day, have not been up - AND our little motley crew of 13 year olds had our first encounter with a cross-dresser in the Eaton Centre. Let's hear it for broadening horizons.)
All this to say that by Night 3 any average prairie driver would be pulling into the farm yard running on Tim Hortons and a numb bum. We also would have very vague notions of scenic outlooks, descriptive roadside plaques or healthful, circulation-restoring rest stops.
Chris may be taking his own sweet time getting here, but he's also the one trying to show me how to slow down and enjoy the scenery.
This is when I am reminded of one of many sometimes subtle differences between westerners and 'easterners' (and yes, after nearly two decades away, I realize it is Central Canada, but am reverting back to The Old Ways). While I did leave a long time ago, my formative years were in Alberta and Saskatchwan, training me for long haul driving.
A long weekend meant an 11 hour drive to the farm for a two night visit. This was pre any car safety concerns, so road trips meant lying in the back of the station wagon with a supply of Harlequin Romances (damaged me for life) with mom periodically tossing bolognie sandwiches our way and passing a cooler of stale water with a shared straw. Ah...magical times.
In my day (I HATE that I am old enough for that phrase to be applicable to my life) western urban sprawl was in its infancy It meant that there was actually country/space between population centres. You left Calgary to get to Cochrane. It wasn't a continuous suburb.
I was in my teens and taking my first big trip with the school band to St. Catharines, Ontario before I knew distance driving could be any different. We were crammed onto a school bus to go visit the big city of Toronto and it was the first time I found out that towns were allowed to touch. We seamlessly passed through one municipality to the next...no space in between. Bizarre...
(This trip was also notable in that the planned trip to the CN Tower was thwarted due to cloud cover -I still, to this day, have not been up - AND our little motley crew of 13 year olds had our first encounter with a cross-dresser in the Eaton Centre. Let's hear it for broadening horizons.)
All this to say that by Night 3 any average prairie driver would be pulling into the farm yard running on Tim Hortons and a numb bum. We also would have very vague notions of scenic outlooks, descriptive roadside plaques or healthful, circulation-restoring rest stops.
Chris may be taking his own sweet time getting here, but he's also the one trying to show me how to slow down and enjoy the scenery.
Friday, November 20, 2009
The corner store
I woke up in Parry Sound today. The rain has stopped. It's a bit grey, the clouds are low and moving fast.
There was a nice lady at the MAC's corner store. I just asked for a pad and pen and she told me her life history of working at MAC's. She had been working at MAC's for nine years and was just transferred to this store. She has only been at this store for 4 months but everything is different! She's still trying to find her way around. The only reason she could find the paper and pens was that she put them there yesterday. She was hilarious and a sweetie in coke bottle glasses.
There was a nice lady at the MAC's corner store. I just asked for a pad and pen and she told me her life history of working at MAC's. She had been working at MAC's for nine years and was just transferred to this store. She has only been at this store for 4 months but everything is different! She's still trying to find her way around. The only reason she could find the paper and pens was that she put them there yesterday. She was hilarious and a sweetie in coke bottle glasses.
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