In 24 hours from now I will be in Utah. I have not been back since we moved in 2003. I am so excited to return I can hardly believe it. I am thrilled to be with my family and thrilled to see my friends - friends I have missed DESPERATELY.
My stay is extremely short and really the only purpose of this trip is to attend my sisters wedding. I am still going to try and fit as much into the three days I am there as I possibly can.
I am equally as excited that after this weekend I will be away from home only one more time for school and then my trips are OVER. At the beginning of September when I was looking forward and considering all of the travelling I was about to embark on it made me a little sick to my stomach - not because I have a problem with travelling, but because I HATE being away from my family so much.
My kids have suffered, my puppy training has suffered, my spouse has suffered, and basically all of our life has been on "hold" for the past few months and I have focused on school. So while I am excited to go to Utah, I am excited to get home. I am excited for life to resume "as normal".
I am excited to settle in and hibernate with my brood for the winter.
But before I can focus on that I have to get through the next two weeks. I have to find my passport, pack a suitcase, and shave my legs...... and it all brings me closer to home.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Three Beautiful Things
The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return. - Eden Ahbez
1. The love our children have for us.
So happy to be picked up when I get home.
2. The love our pets have for us.
Monday, November 8, 2010
So far ... so good.
When I registered for the stats course this semester I spoke to the professor prior to classes starting and we discussed how many classes I would attend.
I had tried to do the course by correspondence and it just didn't work for me and so I knew I needed to be in class as often as possible.
Driving from my home to where the class was offered meant driving through the Pine Pass. In September and early October we knew that this would not be a problem, but from mid October the potential existed that driving through the pass would not be a good idea. We left it "open" to discuss as the weather permitted, how many classes I would attend and what accommodations we would make down the line if needed.
Well the weather has been really good. This past weekend was the second last time I had to make the drive and for my final exam I will stay at home and use a proctor for the exam.
I drove to class in fantastic weather, the sky was clear, it was sunny and the roads were great.
A day and a half later I started home. I started home in the rain and the weather got worse and worse and worse every kilometer that passed. I drove at about 40 km an hour for at least four hours. Once I get into the mountains there is no cell phone service and of course - I was wearing my Birkenstocks and a sweatshirt. I had NO desire to end up in the ditch - or worse. 
I had tried to do the course by correspondence and it just didn't work for me and so I knew I needed to be in class as often as possible.
Driving from my home to where the class was offered meant driving through the Pine Pass. In September and early October we knew that this would not be a problem, but from mid October the potential existed that driving through the pass would not be a good idea. We left it "open" to discuss as the weather permitted, how many classes I would attend and what accommodations we would make down the line if needed.
Well the weather has been really good. This past weekend was the second last time I had to make the drive and for my final exam I will stay at home and use a proctor for the exam.
I drove to class in fantastic weather, the sky was clear, it was sunny and the roads were great.
A day and a half later I started home. I started home in the rain and the weather got worse and worse and worse every kilometer that passed. I drove at about 40 km an hour for at least four hours. Once I get into the mountains there is no cell phone service and of course - I was wearing my Birkenstocks and a sweatshirt. I had NO desire to end up in the ditch - or worse. 
The drive was horrendous, but I made it home safe and sound - and I only have one more trip to make! I will keep a close eye on the weather, if it like that again there's no way I'm driving it!
The plows hadn't had a chance to get to it and the traffic was making the snow pack as hard as ice. It was warm enough that it was "kind of" melting, but cold enough that it would freeze hard in spots. What a nightmare!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
hot feet
One thing I actually LIKE about travelling is showering in hotel rooms. The shower in our house basically sucks, and showers in hotel rooms are USUALLY powerful, hot and clean. I like them.
This morning I wanted to grab a quick shower before I hit the road. I put the water on as hot as I could and then added just a smooge of cold water - just the way I like it. When I pulled the knob to get the shower head activated the water didn't ALL come out of the shower head, some water still gushed into the tub. The water pressure from the shower head still seemed ok and I couldn't get any more water to come out so I jumped in.
Well it seems as though the COLD water was coming through the shower head just fine but the HOT water was all running into the tub. Running into the tub faster than it was draining so I was in the water up to my ankles.
That water was FREAKING hot. I still wanted to shower, I didn't want to mess about with trying to get hotter water through the shower head, so I tried to wash myself and my hair as fast a s I could, all the time standing on one leg and then the next, on tippy toes - because my feet were burning, burning, burning, in the hot water. The water was getting deeper and hotter every second that passed. I would lift one foot onto the side of the tub for a second then turn around and lift the other foot out of the scalding water while I tried to get clean.
I managed to perform my ablutions as quickly as possible, JUMPED out of the tub and dressed. I left the hotel, drove through Tim Hortons and got on the road home. About an hour later I stopped at a small gas station to fill up before I headed into the mountains. As I stepped out of the vehicle to pump the gas I laughed out loud. I was wearing my Birkenstocks and my poor feet were RED as cherries - right up to my ankles.
Oh the silly things I do to myself.
This morning I wanted to grab a quick shower before I hit the road. I put the water on as hot as I could and then added just a smooge of cold water - just the way I like it. When I pulled the knob to get the shower head activated the water didn't ALL come out of the shower head, some water still gushed into the tub. The water pressure from the shower head still seemed ok and I couldn't get any more water to come out so I jumped in.
Well it seems as though the COLD water was coming through the shower head just fine but the HOT water was all running into the tub. Running into the tub faster than it was draining so I was in the water up to my ankles.
That water was FREAKING hot. I still wanted to shower, I didn't want to mess about with trying to get hotter water through the shower head, so I tried to wash myself and my hair as fast a s I could, all the time standing on one leg and then the next, on tippy toes - because my feet were burning, burning, burning, in the hot water. The water was getting deeper and hotter every second that passed. I would lift one foot onto the side of the tub for a second then turn around and lift the other foot out of the scalding water while I tried to get clean.
I managed to perform my ablutions as quickly as possible, JUMPED out of the tub and dressed. I left the hotel, drove through Tim Hortons and got on the road home. About an hour later I stopped at a small gas station to fill up before I headed into the mountains. As I stepped out of the vehicle to pump the gas I laughed out loud. I was wearing my Birkenstocks and my poor feet were RED as cherries - right up to my ankles.
Oh the silly things I do to myself.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
On the home stretch!
I have ONE more stats class and my final exam and I AM FINISHED!
I cannot even believe it. It is wild.
I had class yesterday and today and I have a boat load of homework and some frustration with SPSS and Microsoft to work out but I don't even care. I'm on the home stretch and it will be DONE.
Hip hip hooray!
I cannot even believe it. It is wild.
I had class yesterday and today and I have a boat load of homework and some frustration with SPSS and Microsoft to work out but I don't even care. I'm on the home stretch and it will be DONE.
Hip hip hooray!
Friday, November 5, 2010
soggy noodles
I am back in Burns Lake for class this weekend. I stay in a hotel overnight because class is on Friday night and all day Saturday. I stay in a room with a microwave and a mini-fridge which I like a lot because I can bring something with me to eat and save money by not having to eat out so much.
Today as I was in a gas station to pay for my gas I notices microwaveable Kraft dinner on sale. I picked one up and thought I was set for supper. I am not a huge fan of Kraft Dinner. I think I probably eat it less than once a year, but for travel and to save money I figured it was good enough for supper tonight.
Class gets over after nine pm and even if I wanted to go and get something to eat out my choices are limited, but I am happy to microwave something. I came back to the room and read the directions on the container. Fill with water and microwave for 3.5 minutes and then add the cheese mix and let it set. I followed the instructions.
I mixed the cheese and let it set. I took a big spoonful and ...... GAG O RAMA. 3.5 minutes of microwave time was WAYYYYY too much for the noodles. They were complete mush. I have no idea how they didn't disintegrate while I was stirring in the cheese mix. There are very few things in the world I like less in my mouth than soggy noodles. OK I can think of one or two other things I like less in my mouth - but as far as FOOD goes. Soggy Noodles top the list. No Kraft Dinner for me tonight. It works out ok anyway - my mouth is sore from all the sunflower seeds I ate on the drive over!
Today as I was in a gas station to pay for my gas I notices microwaveable Kraft dinner on sale. I picked one up and thought I was set for supper. I am not a huge fan of Kraft Dinner. I think I probably eat it less than once a year, but for travel and to save money I figured it was good enough for supper tonight.
Class gets over after nine pm and even if I wanted to go and get something to eat out my choices are limited, but I am happy to microwave something. I came back to the room and read the directions on the container. Fill with water and microwave for 3.5 minutes and then add the cheese mix and let it set. I followed the instructions.
I mixed the cheese and let it set. I took a big spoonful and ...... GAG O RAMA. 3.5 minutes of microwave time was WAYYYYY too much for the noodles. They were complete mush. I have no idea how they didn't disintegrate while I was stirring in the cheese mix. There are very few things in the world I like less in my mouth than soggy noodles. OK I can think of one or two other things I like less in my mouth - but as far as FOOD goes. Soggy Noodles top the list. No Kraft Dinner for me tonight. It works out ok anyway - my mouth is sore from all the sunflower seeds I ate on the drive over!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Audio Books
I have listened to audio books in the past but only on rare occasions. In the back of my mind I thought audio books were really for people who had limited vision and couldn't read themselves, but not for anyone who could actually pick up a book and read. The times I have listened to audio books - the two times I recall - were both on road trips when my spouse and I checked out tapes in the library and took them with us on our journey "just in case" we were ever without music or a good radio signal.
Then when I started this semester having to drive for lengthy periods on a consistent basis I got excited about audio books really for the first time. I made a commitment to myself at the beginning of my class that I would focus exclusively on this course and not procrastinate my school work by reading books for pleasure. Realizing I would be captive in the vehicle for up to 20 hours every other weekend I got excited about the idea of checking out audio books from the library and still being able to "read" while I was taking this course.
Off to the library I went. Our library is small but they still have a decent selection of books and of audio books. So far I have listened to:
The Street of a Thousand Blossoms, Gail Tsukiyama
A Week in December, Sebastain Faulks
Life Sentences, Laura Lippman
While My Sister Sleeps, Barbara Delinsky
Souvenir, Therese Fowler
Home Safe, Elizabeth Berg
The Last Time I Saw You, Elizabeth Berg
The Choice, Nicholas Sparks
Now I am excited about audio books in a way I haven't ever been! I am having a ball listening to stories as they are being read to me and I am sad that I only have two more trips to school where I have ten hours of uninterrupted listening each way. Then for my birthday I get a Sirius Portable Radio and I JUST discovered that my library online service includes audio books that can be downloaded. Oh the possibilities! I have downloaded two books already and I have two more on order. I will get a notification in my email when they are ready to be downloaded. Who knew! I thought for some reason that an audio book would always be available, that I wouldn't have to wait at all to "sign it out". Little did I know that the world on online audio books is thriving and there are wait lists. I have been checking my email constantly to see if they have come in yet, but no such luck. I am still hopeful that they will come in before I travel this weekend.
Then when I started this semester having to drive for lengthy periods on a consistent basis I got excited about audio books really for the first time. I made a commitment to myself at the beginning of my class that I would focus exclusively on this course and not procrastinate my school work by reading books for pleasure. Realizing I would be captive in the vehicle for up to 20 hours every other weekend I got excited about the idea of checking out audio books from the library and still being able to "read" while I was taking this course.
Off to the library I went. Our library is small but they still have a decent selection of books and of audio books. So far I have listened to:
The Street of a Thousand Blossoms, Gail Tsukiyama
A Week in December, Sebastain Faulks
Life Sentences, Laura Lippman
While My Sister Sleeps, Barbara Delinsky
Souvenir, Therese Fowler
Home Safe, Elizabeth Berg
The Last Time I Saw You, Elizabeth Berg
The Choice, Nicholas Sparks
Now I am excited about audio books in a way I haven't ever been! I am having a ball listening to stories as they are being read to me and I am sad that I only have two more trips to school where I have ten hours of uninterrupted listening each way. Then for my birthday I get a Sirius Portable Radio and I JUST discovered that my library online service includes audio books that can be downloaded. Oh the possibilities! I have downloaded two books already and I have two more on order. I will get a notification in my email when they are ready to be downloaded. Who knew! I thought for some reason that an audio book would always be available, that I wouldn't have to wait at all to "sign it out". Little did I know that the world on online audio books is thriving and there are wait lists. I have been checking my email constantly to see if they have come in yet, but no such luck. I am still hopeful that they will come in before I travel this weekend.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
My awesome birthday present
For my birthday this year I got a Portable Satellite Radio.
I am SO in love with it! I have been having a complete blast learning all of it's cool features and listening to Internet radio at work.
I love music. Living way in the far North my options for radio stations is limited. I also spend such a short amount of time in my vehicle each day commuting that I get limited opportunities to listen to music as much as I would like. I don't have a radio in my office or at home. (The reason we don't have one at home is because of my dearest son Max who is obsessed with electronics and takes everything to pieces) but regardless of the reasons, I miss music in my life immensely. My spouse knows this about me. She also knows how much I have wanted to listen to Rosie O'Donnell's radio program since it came on the air one year ago.
My portable satellite radio gives me music and so much more. As I type this blog entry I am listening to an e-book I downloaded to my portable radio from the library.
I can program the receiver to record radio programs and store them for me for whenever I chose to tune in.I am figuring out how to do this now so I can program Rosie's broadcast and save it each day. I can upload my own music files onto it also, and I have already mentioned it's ability to store audio books.
Such an awesome gift. I am still learning about it's cool features, but I will be enjoying this gift for a while.
I LOVE birthdays!
random meme
1. You can travel anywhere in the world; one destination per day from Friday through Monday. Where do you go and why?
Friday - The Great Wall of China (it's the only man made structure visible from outserspace)
Saturday - Venice - (Before it disappears into the Ocean)
Sunday - Stonehenge (It's still a mystery)
Monday - Egypt (To see the Sphynx - before it crumbles completely)
2. Would you keep a secret from the closest person to you if you thought it was in their best interest? it would have to be a pretty powerful secret, I cannot imagine anything I would keep from my spouse.
3. Tell me one odd/interesting fact about you that you have not revealed in some other crazy meme.
I wish I had a washing line outside - to dry clothes on.
4. You can have three wishes (all must be for yourself, so forget all the ‘world peace etc’ garbage) – what are they?
1. I wish I could get pregnant and have a child.
2. I wish my sons would never get sick again.
3. I wish my family all lived closer to one another.
5. If you could change anything about your living situation, would you?
I would turn my home into a ranch - all on one level, no stairs anywhere and larger rooms.
6. Who is your favorite character from a comic strip? Please post one strip.
Calvin - from Calvin and Hobbes.
7. Now we have found you dead. What five people do you want to MEET in Heaven?
I am assuming this means I will not already know these people - so they will be people that have not already passed from my life since I have already "met" those people.
1. My great grandmother Maud. She died at sea before I was born.
2. Jon Benet Ramsay - I'd like to know who really killed her.
3. Amelia Earhart
4. Rosa Parks
5. Fanny Wright
8. So since you are dead, what will the title of your life story be?
Ruby Slippers - A Life Spent Looking for Home.
9. Word association time! What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you see the word pleasure?
Family
10.You are by the ocean. You find a message in a bottle. What does it say?
Don't Litter
Friday - The Great Wall of China (it's the only man made structure visible from outserspace)
Saturday - Venice - (Before it disappears into the Ocean)
Sunday - Stonehenge (It's still a mystery)
Monday - Egypt (To see the Sphynx - before it crumbles completely)
2. Would you keep a secret from the closest person to you if you thought it was in their best interest? it would have to be a pretty powerful secret, I cannot imagine anything I would keep from my spouse.
3. Tell me one odd/interesting fact about you that you have not revealed in some other crazy meme.
I wish I had a washing line outside - to dry clothes on.
4. You can have three wishes (all must be for yourself, so forget all the ‘world peace etc’ garbage) – what are they?
1. I wish I could get pregnant and have a child.
2. I wish my sons would never get sick again.
3. I wish my family all lived closer to one another.
5. If you could change anything about your living situation, would you?
I would turn my home into a ranch - all on one level, no stairs anywhere and larger rooms.
6. Who is your favorite character from a comic strip? Please post one strip.
Calvin - from Calvin and Hobbes.
7. Now we have found you dead. What five people do you want to MEET in Heaven?
I am assuming this means I will not already know these people - so they will be people that have not already passed from my life since I have already "met" those people.
1. My great grandmother Maud. She died at sea before I was born.
2. Jon Benet Ramsay - I'd like to know who really killed her.
3. Amelia Earhart
4. Rosa Parks
5. Fanny Wright
8. So since you are dead, what will the title of your life story be?
Ruby Slippers - A Life Spent Looking for Home.
9. Word association time! What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you see the word pleasure?
Family
10.You are by the ocean. You find a message in a bottle. What does it say?
Don't Litter
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Tinkey Winkey
15 years ago Tunkey Winkey was built.
14 years ago I bought Tinkey from a used car dealership in Salt Lake City Utah. I was the second owner and have been the proud owner ever since.
Today Tinkey drove it's 150 thousandth mile.
Yup. The odometer turned to 150 000.
It was hard to get a good picture of it. I pulled over to the side of the road to take the shot. The flash kept wrecking the shot but when I turned off the flash the photos were coming out blurry. I must have tried about 15 times. My son, who was with me, said,"what you doing?" I told him I was trying to get a picture but it wasn't coming out how I wanted to which he replied " Do you need to go home and get other mommy to do it?" I explained I couldn't drive back because the number would change and I wanted the number right there - that was why I stopped. He then suggested "may I help you?" I asked how he could help me and he said " I take picture with my DI" - his Nintendo DSI which DOES take pictures. I said ok, that he could help me, he took a picture on his DSI and then said "We go now mommy, my friends at school already."
Well PARDON ME!
I am just loving how much he is growing and he makes me laugh everyday with the things he thinks of.
But back to Tinkey.
14 years ago I bought Tinkey from a used car dealership in Salt Lake City Utah. I was the second owner and have been the proud owner ever since.
Today Tinkey drove it's 150 thousandth mile.
Yup. The odometer turned to 150 000.
Well PARDON ME!
I am just loving how much he is growing and he makes me laugh everyday with the things he thinks of.
But back to Tinkey.
Tinkey is an important part of the family. We have had Tinkey a long time and had a lot of memories in her. Mukiwa was just a baby and went in Tinkey EVERYWHERE for her entire life. I taught my little sister Jill how to drive a stick shift in the parking lot at Weber State in Tinkey.
Shel and I have camped in Tinkey, gone to drive in's in Tinkey and travelled ALL over in Tinkey.
Max and I drive to school in her every day and one of Maxie's first words was "winkey". Now it is one of CJ's first words.
We love you tink! And we hope to drive you for another 15 year and another 150 000 miles!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Always Drama
Deciding wether or not to take the boys out to trick or treat is drama. Max is incapable of thinking ahead and only wants to do what he is doing at the moment. To come inside and get dressed to go out is not at ALL what he is interested in. He just wants to keep playing on his bike and with his "wheelbarra".We finally got him in and dressed and then he would NOT stand and smile for a picture in his cowboy gear. Cj of course is always a willing participant and he stood close by and grinned.....
He did NOT want it on...
AH...Nope. Max wants to bike ride.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Halloween
Halloween is a holiday I like the "idea" of, but I haven't really grasped the whole thing yet - not to the fullest anyway. Where I grew up there was no recognition of this holiday and so I didn't grow up with the idea of celebrating Halloween. I love the idea of carving pumpkins, but so far I have not successfully carved any with my kids. I like the IDEA of trick or treating, but so far we haven't taken the boys every year (this is in part due to their disabilities and not my lack of interest though!)
I want to decorate, but haven't done it yet. I want to hang little ghosts in the trees - haven't done it yet.
Thankfully my boys are young and I have many years ahead of me to get my desires for this holiday translated into reality.
One of the other things that I don't "get" about the holiday is how it is celebrated on different days depending on where you are... In some places, like Utah, there is no trick or treating on Sunday. I don't think it's a law - but maybe it is? And if it is a law how can you legislate a holiday? If it isn't legislated then it is the culture of the communities that dictate that there is no trick or treating on Sunday - which is also weird to me.
Tonight I am driving home from school and I am in Prince George. I stopped at a red light as I drove into town and walking across the street in front of me were two adults, one dressed as a vampire and the other as a frog. Strange. Isn't Halloween tomorrow? Is it like Christmas - where it is "ok" to decorate early and walk around dressed up? I stopped to get gas and a guy was in the station dressed as a zombie with full mask on. Even though I KNOW it is Halloween tomorrow it still made me feel a bit weird. I thought he was about to rob the place. I still have some acclimating to do.
Today when I was sitting in class the lady sitting next to me was looking through magazines to find some easy appetizers she could make for a Halloween party she is having tonight at her house. She decided on a seven layer dip with the sour cream on the top layer in the pattern of a spider web and some shrimp arranged on a tray to look like a brain. Easy, quick and fun ideas, but do I need to have a party to make them myself? She said every year she buys one magazine with Halloween ideas and then keeps them all and goes back through them for different ideas. Apparently the Martha Steward Halloween volume is now recycling ideas they used 7 or 8 years ago. FOR SHAME Martha, FOR SHAME!
She saw this CUTE idea for a Halloween breakfast with fried eggs and bacon made to look like a skull and crossbones. I won't be home in the morning, but my boys LOVE when we cook bacon and eggs, so it's something I will try even if my timing is a bit off!
I want to decorate, but haven't done it yet. I want to hang little ghosts in the trees - haven't done it yet.
Thankfully my boys are young and I have many years ahead of me to get my desires for this holiday translated into reality.
One of the other things that I don't "get" about the holiday is how it is celebrated on different days depending on where you are... In some places, like Utah, there is no trick or treating on Sunday. I don't think it's a law - but maybe it is? And if it is a law how can you legislate a holiday? If it isn't legislated then it is the culture of the communities that dictate that there is no trick or treating on Sunday - which is also weird to me.
Tonight I am driving home from school and I am in Prince George. I stopped at a red light as I drove into town and walking across the street in front of me were two adults, one dressed as a vampire and the other as a frog. Strange. Isn't Halloween tomorrow? Is it like Christmas - where it is "ok" to decorate early and walk around dressed up? I stopped to get gas and a guy was in the station dressed as a zombie with full mask on. Even though I KNOW it is Halloween tomorrow it still made me feel a bit weird. I thought he was about to rob the place. I still have some acclimating to do.
Today when I was sitting in class the lady sitting next to me was looking through magazines to find some easy appetizers she could make for a Halloween party she is having tonight at her house. She decided on a seven layer dip with the sour cream on the top layer in the pattern of a spider web and some shrimp arranged on a tray to look like a brain. Easy, quick and fun ideas, but do I need to have a party to make them myself? She said every year she buys one magazine with Halloween ideas and then keeps them all and goes back through them for different ideas. Apparently the Martha Steward Halloween volume is now recycling ideas they used 7 or 8 years ago. FOR SHAME Martha, FOR SHAME!
She saw this CUTE idea for a Halloween breakfast with fried eggs and bacon made to look like a skull and crossbones. I won't be home in the morning, but my boys LOVE when we cook bacon and eggs, so it's something I will try even if my timing is a bit off!
Friday, October 29, 2010
missing blogging
I have been missing blogging recently. There are a couple of reasons things seem to have been impeding me.
I was on a good run and then I was away from a decent internet connection and it all just slipped away. I can't WAIT until we get a decent connection at home again. Shel and I have decided we want to get a Mac and so now we just need to work out the timing. I have never had a Mac but Shel has and loved it.
Since not having the connection I have gone through some personal things and I have wanted to write about them but I still need to process them a bit.
I made a decision long ago not to write anything seriously about work here. Right now there is a lot of work stuff occupying my mind. Trying to balance what I "should" and "shouldn't" write about when it comes to work has also been in the back of my mind. I have some things to say that are important to me, but I need to find a way to post without causing myself any potential troubles.
It isn't for lack of ideas, but just lack of organization I guess that I haven't posted as much as I have wanted to recently. I WANT to get back to it, now I need to decide where to start.
This post is just an exercise in getting my fingers moving, like the exercise I used to do in writing class - stream of consciousness writing - just open the computer and start typing and maybe I will get out of my head and onto the "page". It might be easier to get my thoughts worked out if they are coming out of my head, the way it worked when I wrote faithfully in my journal.
I was on a good run and then I was away from a decent internet connection and it all just slipped away. I can't WAIT until we get a decent connection at home again. Shel and I have decided we want to get a Mac and so now we just need to work out the timing. I have never had a Mac but Shel has and loved it.
Since not having the connection I have gone through some personal things and I have wanted to write about them but I still need to process them a bit.
I made a decision long ago not to write anything seriously about work here. Right now there is a lot of work stuff occupying my mind. Trying to balance what I "should" and "shouldn't" write about when it comes to work has also been in the back of my mind. I have some things to say that are important to me, but I need to find a way to post without causing myself any potential troubles.
It isn't for lack of ideas, but just lack of organization I guess that I haven't posted as much as I have wanted to recently. I WANT to get back to it, now I need to decide where to start.
This post is just an exercise in getting my fingers moving, like the exercise I used to do in writing class - stream of consciousness writing - just open the computer and start typing and maybe I will get out of my head and onto the "page". It might be easier to get my thoughts worked out if they are coming out of my head, the way it worked when I wrote faithfully in my journal.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
I just want a fridge, not a remodel of the whole house.
I live in the North. North of what you say?
Far North. 56.10788 N to be exact.
Without any frame of reference you might think. Hmn. That's not THAT far north.
Well here are some of the other locations that share a latitude of 56 degrees north.
Places you may have heard of before and thought, "DANG, those are cold places!"
The North Sea,
The Baltic Sea,
The Bering Sea,
NORTH of Moscow in Russia,
The Sea of Okhotsk
56°0′N 155°40′E / 56°N 155.667°E / 56; 155.667 (Russia) Russia Kamchatka Peninsula
56°0′N 160°34′W / 56°N 160.567°W / 56; -160.567 (United States) United States Alaska - the Alaska Peninsula
56°0′N 79°53′W / 56°N 79.883°W / 56; -79.883 (Canada) Canada Nunavut - Flaherty Island and Innetalling Island
56°0′N 78°59′W / 56°N 78.983°W / 56; -78.983 (Hudson Bay) Hudson Bay
56°0′N 6°0′W / 56°N 6°W / 56; -6 (United Kingdom) United Kingdom Scotland - Island of Jura
and .....
56°0′N 3°21′W / 56°N 3.35°W / 56; -3.35 (Firth of Forth) Firth of Forth
So as far as refrigeration goes, one might think I don't need it. One might think that I could cool my food with ice and snow, which lasts in my neck of the woods something in the neighbourhood of NINE months of the year.
You would think - she can just bury her food in a hole in the ground and keep it cool all year round. You might be right, but the ground is too frozen to dig a hole in. I've tried.
So I rely on a fridge. That is, until our fridge died a few months ago. I thought we would get a fridge quickly to replace the one that died, but life happened (translation - we never got enough money to buy a new fridge) and we have been living without a fridge for a while now. TOO long.
So it is time to replace that which has been lost to us, and that which we have realized is of IMMENSE value to us. We started looking on the internet. Our tastes are simple. White. Maybe we will splurge on a "side by side". Who knew fridges today came with so many bells and whistles. I am not looking for any Cadillac version. As much as I want a fridge, no, NEED a fridge, I am not about to spend 4 grand on one. HOLY COW there are some expensive models out there.
And here's the rub..... Our house is so old that the doors are only 30 inches wide. Do you think there is a fridge out there that I can buy that will fit through my front door? Nope. Not a chance Charlie. I mean, sure, a beer fridge would fit. Somehow that does not seat my nudes. I mean, suit my needs.
I guess it's no luxury ice making, water dispensing, side by side fridge for us. Shoot. I'm just not ready to pull apart the walls in the house to get a fridge through the door. Though the sound of tearing out walls is appealing, it's too cold to start that now. 56 degrees north remember.
Far North. 56.10788 N to be exact.
Without any frame of reference you might think. Hmn. That's not THAT far north.
Well here are some of the other locations that share a latitude of 56 degrees north.
Places you may have heard of before and thought, "DANG, those are cold places!"
The North Sea,
The Baltic Sea,
The Bering Sea,
NORTH of Moscow in Russia,
The Sea of Okhotsk
56°0′N 155°40′E / 56°N 155.667°E / 56; 155.667 (Russia) Russia Kamchatka Peninsula
56°0′N 160°34′W / 56°N 160.567°W / 56; -160.567 (United States) United States Alaska - the Alaska Peninsula
56°0′N 79°53′W / 56°N 79.883°W / 56; -79.883 (Canada) Canada Nunavut - Flaherty Island and Innetalling Island
56°0′N 78°59′W / 56°N 78.983°W / 56; -78.983 (Hudson Bay) Hudson Bay
56°0′N 6°0′W / 56°N 6°W / 56; -6 (United Kingdom) United Kingdom Scotland - Island of Jura
and .....
56°0′N 3°21′W / 56°N 3.35°W / 56; -3.35 (Firth of Forth) Firth of Forth
So as far as refrigeration goes, one might think I don't need it. One might think that I could cool my food with ice and snow, which lasts in my neck of the woods something in the neighbourhood of NINE months of the year.
You would think - she can just bury her food in a hole in the ground and keep it cool all year round. You might be right, but the ground is too frozen to dig a hole in. I've tried.
So I rely on a fridge. That is, until our fridge died a few months ago. I thought we would get a fridge quickly to replace the one that died, but life happened (translation - we never got enough money to buy a new fridge) and we have been living without a fridge for a while now. TOO long.
So it is time to replace that which has been lost to us, and that which we have realized is of IMMENSE value to us. We started looking on the internet. Our tastes are simple. White. Maybe we will splurge on a "side by side". Who knew fridges today came with so many bells and whistles. I am not looking for any Cadillac version. As much as I want a fridge, no, NEED a fridge, I am not about to spend 4 grand on one. HOLY COW there are some expensive models out there.
And here's the rub..... Our house is so old that the doors are only 30 inches wide. Do you think there is a fridge out there that I can buy that will fit through my front door? Nope. Not a chance Charlie. I mean, sure, a beer fridge would fit. Somehow that does not seat my nudes. I mean, suit my needs.
I guess it's no luxury ice making, water dispensing, side by side fridge for us. Shoot. I'm just not ready to pull apart the walls in the house to get a fridge through the door. Though the sound of tearing out walls is appealing, it's too cold to start that now. 56 degrees north remember.
Friday, October 22, 2010
relaxing this weekend
I am looking forward to this weekend in a way I have not looked forward to a weekend in my recent memory.
I don't have to travel to school. My homework for my stats class has been faxed to my instructor. There is a check in at work on Sunday and I am not doing it! This week was a check out week at work and what we call a "back to back" - which means the kids check out on Friday and new kids arrive Sunday. These weekends are always insanely busy with inspections, cleaning, and getting everything ready for new students, but this was the smoothest checkout I recall in 7 years of back to backs.
I completed the survey of exiting students that I needed to. I submitted the proposal for a contract that I needed to. I took some instructors on a tour which I scheduled poorly, but it turned out well anyway. I can shut the door, turn off the lights, and forget about everything until the craziness starts again on Monday.
Next week I have four events scheduled in four days and then back to school on Friday morning in the winter weather. Starting next weekend I am away for four consecutive weekends, three for school and one to my sisters wedding in Utah where I haven't been since 2003. It will be the craziest 30 days of my life this year.
Maybe we might even get a call that the adoption's are complete? Wouldn't that just be a pip!
Just a stop at the grocery store to get some "supplies" for the weekend and pajamas ..... here I come!
I don't have to travel to school. My homework for my stats class has been faxed to my instructor. There is a check in at work on Sunday and I am not doing it! This week was a check out week at work and what we call a "back to back" - which means the kids check out on Friday and new kids arrive Sunday. These weekends are always insanely busy with inspections, cleaning, and getting everything ready for new students, but this was the smoothest checkout I recall in 7 years of back to backs.
I completed the survey of exiting students that I needed to. I submitted the proposal for a contract that I needed to. I took some instructors on a tour which I scheduled poorly, but it turned out well anyway. I can shut the door, turn off the lights, and forget about everything until the craziness starts again on Monday.
Next week I have four events scheduled in four days and then back to school on Friday morning in the winter weather. Starting next weekend I am away for four consecutive weekends, three for school and one to my sisters wedding in Utah where I haven't been since 2003. It will be the craziest 30 days of my life this year.
Maybe we might even get a call that the adoption's are complete? Wouldn't that just be a pip!
Just a stop at the grocery store to get some "supplies" for the weekend and pajamas ..... here I come!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Thursday Thirteen: memories with my mom
For today's post I am going to share some memories I have of my mom. Other bloggers have already posted their thirteen for the day, you can link to them HERE
I have a wonderful relationship with both my parents, one day I will share some dad memories. My mom was just able to spend some time with us and it will be a long time before she visits again. I wish she and my dad lived closer.
1. I broke my leg playing soccer in high school. My mom would drive me to school and wait as I maneuvered my way into the building with a cast up to my hip. When I was about 3/4 of the way down the path - too far to get into or away from the building very quickly - and she would call out to me " I LOVE YOU HONEY! YOU FORGOT TO KISS ME GOODBYE!" Oh funny lady. FUNNY LADY.
2. On Sunday afternoons when we still lived in Zim we would go to my Nan and Grandad's house for supper. We would play soccer or other games as a family in the front yard. My uncles and their friends all rode bikes - my uncle's friend JJ was a motocross racer. They would all ride bikes around the yard. They would all take turns doing stunts. My mom could do some awesome stunts. I remember her up on the bike seat with one leg up in the air behind her.
3. When I was in high school I was in seminary. For Mormon high school kids this is a daily scripture based study. For kids in Utah or other highly populated Mormon areas this is something you can take during your school day in buildings close to school property. For remote locations this is something you either have at your church building every morning before school or you do it yourself at home. My first year of seminary I was the only student in our area. I had no teacher and no class to go to before school. My mom woke up with me early EVERY morning, made toast and hot chocolate, and studied with me. EVERY DAY.
4. We drove across Canada from Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia when my dad got a job in Sydney. To keep us occupied mom had us memorizing scriptures and nursery rhymes or poems and depending on how long they were she paid us for each one we memorized. I still remember the ones I learned. Do you now how many verses there are to the nursery rhyme "Winken, Blinken and Nod"? I do!
5. My mom sings. All the time. At every task. We would have to do the supper dishes and each of us got to choose a song to sing as we worked. I believe every one of her kids - myself included - still sing all the time. As we were driving home from Edmonton with mom in the car we sang with the boys. Max and CJ are singing more and more every day and I love to listen to them. Singing is an important part of their lives as it was in mine and in my mom's.
6. My mom is wildly creative. She has made all of her kids - five of us - a recipe book with all her recipes in it. in each book she has drawn a little character (mine is a spider, but others have elephants) and the character is featured on every page. All of her letters and correspondence have her little characters throughout, and on the envelopes. It is always a treat to get something in the mail from mom. She makes birthday cards and remembers everyone's birthdays. The cards from Gramma are something special for our boys.
7. Mom can only remember one joke. It is the same joke she knew 20 years ago. She loves jokes and no matter how many times she learns a new one she only remembers one.
"What did one centipede say to the other centipede when a lady centipede walked by...."?
"What a lovely pair of legs, pair of legs, pair of legs, pair of legs..... "
8. She falls asleep the minute she sits down in the day. She is the hardest worker I know and deserves to fall asleep the minute she sits down, but growing up I always wondered why she seemed so tired. HELLO! FIVE CHILDREN! WORKAHOLIC! anyway - she falls asleep in movies notoriously. I want her to watch the movie Princess Bride. She has seen the beginning of it about 400 times, but inevitably falls asleep before the Cliffs of Insanity.
9. Mom stayed at home with us while we were growing up. If I could be one hundredth of the mom to my kids that she was to me then my kids will be lucky, lucky children. I try to be a mother like she was every day.
10. Mom is an athlete. She is a wicked squash player and played basketball in a league when I was young. She held the record for high jump in her school for many years - it was after she was married, had children and we had left Rhodesia for Canada that my grandfather called to tell us her high jump record had finally been broken. By the time it was broken high jumpers had a different "style" of jumping. I wonder if the jumping styles were the same if her record would not still be standing.
11. A harder worker I have never met in this world. Mom is always working on something or the other. We talk to one another about the lists of things we are working on. When mom was here we got a LOT done from my list of things to do. It is a joy to work with mom, the time passes effortlessly when we work side by side.
12. My mother is a woman of faith. She knows what she believes and she lives what she believes. Unfortunately her faith and my sexuality are at odds and we have had some conflict, but no-one in my family doubts my mothers faith. We "joke" about the power of mom's prayers, but there is no doubt or joke in the fact that when she prays, things happen. My sister in law was in labour and my brother asked for mom's prayers. The labour started to proceed with much haste and my SIL said to my brother - "tell your mom to stop praying" !!
13. My mom is my idol. I want to be like her and if my kids love me as much as I love her my life will be complete. A more amazing woman I have never met.
1. I broke my leg playing soccer in high school. My mom would drive me to school and wait as I maneuvered my way into the building with a cast up to my hip. When I was about 3/4 of the way down the path - too far to get into or away from the building very quickly - and she would call out to me " I LOVE YOU HONEY! YOU FORGOT TO KISS ME GOODBYE!" Oh funny lady. FUNNY LADY.
2. On Sunday afternoons when we still lived in Zim we would go to my Nan and Grandad's house for supper. We would play soccer or other games as a family in the front yard. My uncles and their friends all rode bikes - my uncle's friend JJ was a motocross racer. They would all ride bikes around the yard. They would all take turns doing stunts. My mom could do some awesome stunts. I remember her up on the bike seat with one leg up in the air behind her.
3. When I was in high school I was in seminary. For Mormon high school kids this is a daily scripture based study. For kids in Utah or other highly populated Mormon areas this is something you can take during your school day in buildings close to school property. For remote locations this is something you either have at your church building every morning before school or you do it yourself at home. My first year of seminary I was the only student in our area. I had no teacher and no class to go to before school. My mom woke up with me early EVERY morning, made toast and hot chocolate, and studied with me. EVERY DAY.
4. We drove across Canada from Saskatchewan to Nova Scotia when my dad got a job in Sydney. To keep us occupied mom had us memorizing scriptures and nursery rhymes or poems and depending on how long they were she paid us for each one we memorized. I still remember the ones I learned. Do you now how many verses there are to the nursery rhyme "Winken, Blinken and Nod"? I do!
5. My mom sings. All the time. At every task. We would have to do the supper dishes and each of us got to choose a song to sing as we worked. I believe every one of her kids - myself included - still sing all the time. As we were driving home from Edmonton with mom in the car we sang with the boys. Max and CJ are singing more and more every day and I love to listen to them. Singing is an important part of their lives as it was in mine and in my mom's.
6. My mom is wildly creative. She has made all of her kids - five of us - a recipe book with all her recipes in it. in each book she has drawn a little character (mine is a spider, but others have elephants) and the character is featured on every page. All of her letters and correspondence have her little characters throughout, and on the envelopes. It is always a treat to get something in the mail from mom. She makes birthday cards and remembers everyone's birthdays. The cards from Gramma are something special for our boys.
7. Mom can only remember one joke. It is the same joke she knew 20 years ago. She loves jokes and no matter how many times she learns a new one she only remembers one.
"What did one centipede say to the other centipede when a lady centipede walked by...."?
"What a lovely pair of legs, pair of legs, pair of legs, pair of legs..... "
8. She falls asleep the minute she sits down in the day. She is the hardest worker I know and deserves to fall asleep the minute she sits down, but growing up I always wondered why she seemed so tired. HELLO! FIVE CHILDREN! WORKAHOLIC! anyway - she falls asleep in movies notoriously. I want her to watch the movie Princess Bride. She has seen the beginning of it about 400 times, but inevitably falls asleep before the Cliffs of Insanity.
9. Mom stayed at home with us while we were growing up. If I could be one hundredth of the mom to my kids that she was to me then my kids will be lucky, lucky children. I try to be a mother like she was every day.
10. Mom is an athlete. She is a wicked squash player and played basketball in a league when I was young. She held the record for high jump in her school for many years - it was after she was married, had children and we had left Rhodesia for Canada that my grandfather called to tell us her high jump record had finally been broken. By the time it was broken high jumpers had a different "style" of jumping. I wonder if the jumping styles were the same if her record would not still be standing.
11. A harder worker I have never met in this world. Mom is always working on something or the other. We talk to one another about the lists of things we are working on. When mom was here we got a LOT done from my list of things to do. It is a joy to work with mom, the time passes effortlessly when we work side by side.
12. My mother is a woman of faith. She knows what she believes and she lives what she believes. Unfortunately her faith and my sexuality are at odds and we have had some conflict, but no-one in my family doubts my mothers faith. We "joke" about the power of mom's prayers, but there is no doubt or joke in the fact that when she prays, things happen. My sister in law was in labour and my brother asked for mom's prayers. The labour started to proceed with much haste and my SIL said to my brother - "tell your mom to stop praying" !!
13. My mom is my idol. I want to be like her and if my kids love me as much as I love her my life will be complete. A more amazing woman I have never met.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Three Beautiful Things
1. Our great dane puppy. He is 11 months old now and I love him. He is such a baby in so many ways, but he is a great protector of his family. A contractor came to the house today and Hugo didn't leave my side the whole time and made sure the contractor knew who was boss! In our small community in a house with two women and two boys I am happy that we will have a reputation for having a ferocious dog - even if he isn't.
(And by the way - he barks at EVERY person that ever comes into our house or yard and he didn't bark ONCE at my mom!)
2. My sons imagination. I looked after the boys over my lunch hour in my office the other day so Shel could go to the Doctor without them. I have in the office a large size game of Jenga which Max started to play with. I told him he had built a magnificent road, to which he replied - "It's not a road mom, it's a sidewalk." We live way out in the country on an acreage and there are no sidewalks. Where did he learn about sidewalks? In any case, I love him and his imagination.
3. My spouse. My spouse is beautiful for many reasons, but today she is beautiful because she took Max to school and took the baby with her and so I was able to sleep. GLORIOUS SLEEP.
So beautiful.
(And by the way - he barks at EVERY person that ever comes into our house or yard and he didn't bark ONCE at my mom!)
2. My sons imagination. I looked after the boys over my lunch hour in my office the other day so Shel could go to the Doctor without them. I have in the office a large size game of Jenga which Max started to play with. I told him he had built a magnificent road, to which he replied - "It's not a road mom, it's a sidewalk." We live way out in the country on an acreage and there are no sidewalks. Where did he learn about sidewalks? In any case, I love him and his imagination.
3. My spouse. My spouse is beautiful for many reasons, but today she is beautiful because she took Max to school and took the baby with her and so I was able to sleep. GLORIOUS SLEEP.
So beautiful.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
99 things to do.. Number 43
So I have this list of 99 things to do during the year of 2010. On my list, Number 43 is the following:
43. Cook a dutch oven meal!(COMPLETE OCTOBER 2010) Cooked with my mom on her visit and it was YUMMY!
Though I can't pin down where or when, I know I have eaten a meal cooked in a dutch oven and the memory I have of the experience has lasted even though nothing else about the experience did!
So I have wanted a dutch oven for as long as I can remember. We have looked and looked for one - including looking online - and had no luck finding anything we could afford to get. Dutch ovens are very heavy and so to order one online is impossible because the shipping and handling costs are redonkulous.
This summer Shel found one and brought it home for me as a gift and I was thrilled beyond words. I got some dutch oven cook books and cooking a meal for the family jumped to the top of my list of things to do. Unfortunately soon after getting the dutch oven, a fire ban was imposed in our municipal district. No fire = no food. So we waited.
My mom was here with us for just three days. The time flew by so fast but we managed to fit a lot of stuff into the short time she was here and we managed to get a meal cooked in the dutch oven! The recipe book makes me laugh because in my mind dutch oven cooking is something you do out while you are camping and not when you have access to all the amenities of "home". This cookbook we have gives instructions to do things like use your food processor, refrigerator and other things that to me would not be available while camping. Thankfully our fire pit is 20 feet from the back door of the house so I DO have access to everything I need.
We used the food processor and blended bread, garlic, salt and pepper, egg yolk, and lemon juice.
Then we pounded the chicken to 1/2 and inch think and covered both sides of the chicken with the mixture. The recipe didn't call for it but we put potatoes and carrots in the pot also and put it on the fire. The whole thing took about an hour to cook.
It was DELICIOUS!
I am thrilled that we were able to use the dutch oven even if it was only "once" this whole season. My mom and I had fun cooking together and the meal was awesome.
According to the recipe book you can cook it in the oven just as easily and we liked the recipe enough we might try it. Here is a picture before it was quite finished:
43. Cook a dutch oven meal!(COMPLETE OCTOBER 2010) Cooked with my mom on her visit and it was YUMMY!
Though I can't pin down where or when, I know I have eaten a meal cooked in a dutch oven and the memory I have of the experience has lasted even though nothing else about the experience did!
So I have wanted a dutch oven for as long as I can remember. We have looked and looked for one - including looking online - and had no luck finding anything we could afford to get. Dutch ovens are very heavy and so to order one online is impossible because the shipping and handling costs are redonkulous.
This summer Shel found one and brought it home for me as a gift and I was thrilled beyond words. I got some dutch oven cook books and cooking a meal for the family jumped to the top of my list of things to do. Unfortunately soon after getting the dutch oven, a fire ban was imposed in our municipal district. No fire = no food. So we waited.
My mom was here with us for just three days. The time flew by so fast but we managed to fit a lot of stuff into the short time she was here and we managed to get a meal cooked in the dutch oven! The recipe book makes me laugh because in my mind dutch oven cooking is something you do out while you are camping and not when you have access to all the amenities of "home". This cookbook we have gives instructions to do things like use your food processor, refrigerator and other things that to me would not be available while camping. Thankfully our fire pit is 20 feet from the back door of the house so I DO have access to everything I need.
We used the food processor and blended bread, garlic, salt and pepper, egg yolk, and lemon juice.
Then we pounded the chicken to 1/2 and inch think and covered both sides of the chicken with the mixture. The recipe didn't call for it but we put potatoes and carrots in the pot also and put it on the fire. The whole thing took about an hour to cook.
I am thrilled that we were able to use the dutch oven even if it was only "once" this whole season. My mom and I had fun cooking together and the meal was awesome.
According to the recipe book you can cook it in the oven just as easily and we liked the recipe enough we might try it. Here is a picture before it was quite finished:
Monday, October 18, 2010
Studying for Stats
I can't believe it is already time for my stats midterm. I have made study cards and my mom has been quizzing me on them while she was here. I have done quite well in memorizing and preparing for the exam... or so I thought.
I arrived in Burns Lake and busted out the study cards and text books for some review before class.
The teacher gave us a homework assignment last week and said that although we don't need to hand it in it is directly related to the exam and so we need to have the homework done if we want further prep for the exam. I have done the homework.
When I checked my school email there was a study guide sent out to the class with some ideas of practise questions from the text that we could do for test prep. I did all the questions on the study guide. I honestly felt as though I had done all I could, I felt I could understand concepts and was ready for the in class review and the exam in the morning. Then I got to class.....
HOLY COW is all I can say. I had my mind completely blown in what I thought was going to be a review session. First we covered completely new material which will NOT be on the exam. Then the prof handed out some articles which had been published so that we could "practise" writing out hypothesis testing formulas.... I was so lost I thought I had gone to the wrong class by mistake. I have been to every class. I have taken notes. I have done the homework and all of a sudden it was as if my brain was not computing a single solitary thing. I was hearing words that people were speaking and I recognized the individual words, but it was as though I was looking at a box of jumbled puzzle pieces. I had NO idea what was being said and what it was supposed to be or where to begin to comprehend.
With the exception of two people in the class, everyone is from one community. They were talking about their study groups and the things they had reviewed and studied together. If I am completely honest I will have to say that study groups never did anything for me and even if I HAD been close enough to participate I likely would not have, but I felt as though they were light years ahead of me in terms of preparation. Some of them had old study guides from other people who have taken this course. Others had copies of exams from other stats courses they were using as study guides. I managed to make it through the class and back to the hotel room. What a lousy night.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)