Ground Hog Day

Cold again today.  -38C with the windchill.  A good day for shopping though as it seems the majority of people in Whitehorse are now wimps and won't go out in the cold.  Good thing for me as the stores are empty and no line ups when paying.  As it was -31 without counting the windchill, we didn't quite have total ice fog but the exhaust from trucks sometimes made it a little hazy to see through.

Had my camera out going up the Two Mile Hill as per the news " A cow moose and her two calves are still roaming the area of Two Mile Hill in Whitehorse.  The moose was seen crossing the road, several times, on the weekend. The animals caused some traffic confusion on Friday afternoon when they first appeared in the area."  It is now Monday and they are still in the area so I was ready, but saw no moose.  

Notice the absence of traffic, and this was during the lunch hour.  (Wimps??)

Had a couple of lottery tickets to cash in.  One purchased in Edmonton and although Brent's lucky Dime did me no good, I did find his lucky Loonie and scratched my way to $10.00!!!  Decided to cash in at the Gas Station at the edge of the Indian Village (don't tell them I called it that please).  I had to take a picture as it is the only place in Whitehorse that I know of that has metal doors and metal mesh over all the windows.  I felt like I was in Chicago.  Anyway, traded in my two tickets - the second was a Black Jack ticket on which I won a FREE one.  The very friendly person helping me inside (he was so friendly, I may start using this as my regular haunt) told me that two $21,000.00 Black Jack tickets have been sold at this location.  That's top prize!!  And although it was over about a 10 year period, I'm still impressed.  So I went home, scratched my new ticket and WON $23.00.  Looks like I'm on a roll!!!!

Home Again

Gas in Edmonton was 69.9 per litre.  Ours is 94.9 but I'm not complaining.  In fact, I filled up!

Temperature in Edmonton was 10 degrees Celcius.  In Whitehorse it was hovering around the 0 degree mark until I arrived home.  Then it dropped.  Was around -33 C with the wind chill but we did have beautiful blue skies and should stay at around -20 C for the next week (not counting wind chill).  Oh well, we do have warm houses and warm clothes.  That's what the north is about.

While I was gone it did snow and snow and snow.  Thanks to Seven (my neighbour) my driveway was cleared of snow when I returned.  The roads were full of snow though.  A few days after my arrival the snow ploughs came to clear the road.  They started before 8 AM to move the snow.

By 10 AM the piles were getting pretty high and continued through the day to pile up.  By the next day, all that snow was trucked away.  Good job City!

Edmonton

Then it was off to Edmonton to visit little Jenny and her family.  Even though she was in the midst of packing in order to quickly move to a new house once they found one that suited them, she opened her doors for her old aunt and welcomed me for a few days.

           

We  visited a few shops (including Costco ... yeah) crossed a few bridges - what would Edmonton be without crossing a few bridges?? - and made it as close as Whyte Ave to the actual downtown.

As I was not in need of anything in particular, the downtown was not a necessity.  I just wanted to spend time with Jenn and her family, which I did, had excellent meals, a comfy bed and good company.  Exactly what I desired.

Daws, who is now in Grade 9, actually had the Friday (my last day there) off.  It was great to see them and I am so glad I stopped along my way home.

Visit with Merv

We left Ancaster, SR dropped me off at an airport hotel, then they drove to the airport, boarded a plane and flew west.  I stayed in Toronto and met up with another 'ol bud, Merv!   She picked me up and off we drove.  We visited her mother at her new (new to me anyway) apartment.

Me and Merv's mom.

Merv and her mom.

We drove and visited 10 Spencely Court, my home from 1960 to 1971 and my parents' home to 2000!  It still looks the same today as it did when I lived there.

Then on to Westmount Park Road.  Dear Andrea's house.  Oh the parties we had there!

Our first school when I moved to Weston (now Etobicoke) - Valleyfield Junior School.  I was there for Grade 3, one year only then moved to Green Meadows Public School which was a bit closer to our house.  Merv and I both had Miss Carroll.  She was so nice and pretty.

Then we drove on to 30 Feltham Avenue.  I lived there from 2-1/2 years of age to 9 years of age.  A garage has been added as had awnings and the houses on both sides have been torn down and much bigger houses build, but the old abode looks much the same.

We then broke bread together (in a manner of speaking as I am wheat free and therefore bread free) then said our good byes for the time being.  It was great to visit with my high school friend.  Thanks Merv!

Still Ancaster

Just had to add the Kate photos.  First she received new moccasins, which she apparently loved.  (They did look great on her)

Then she focussed on the babies.  And especially Alanna.  She followed Alanna all over the house and Alanna was enthralled with Kate.  She smiled at Kate all night long.  In fact, Kate asked if the twins could sleep overnight at her house when they were 5 or 6 years old.

Four Generations

And finally, I think it was my friend Michele who suggested this photo.  FOUR GENERATIONS:
Mom, me, SR, Twins.  Thanks Michele!

Ancaster - once more

A few more group photos.  Sister Deb took holidays so she could spend time with us as did Sister Teri.  It is always great to spend time with them, just like the old days.  Will thought he was going to shock me with nose and ear piercings but I liked them, then he took them off - they were fake!

Little Shaun grew up and is now bigger than Aunt Debbie.  

And we usually get a photo of a couch full of people.  Age range in this one:  15 to 91!!

Ancaster

Ancaster

We flew into Toronto but our final destination was Ancaster, an hour away.  This trip was really to meet the twins.  So first,  baby photos.  

Sister Teri, being the excellent host she was, Kijiji'd two saucers which turned out to be a godsend!  The twins loved loved loved them and the adults loved loved loved putting the twins someplace they were happy.  It was so great for all.  Thanks Sis-Ter!

A big meet 'n greet was arranged and Aunt Liz meets Emerson (above).  The old and the new together was great to see.

Above is Alanna, all happy in her saucer as is Emerson, below.

I thought the babies would be spoiled forever as they always had arms to pick them up as soon as they squawked!  Oh, they deserve to be spoiled sometimes and it WAS a busy bustling environment for them, something they are not quite accustomed to.

Kristin came home from Ottawa to meet the twins, so we put her to work - a lot.

To January 15, 2015

Hi, 'n HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  I'm finally back.  Here's the scoop.  As you may or may not know I was sort of crippled after my foot surgery.  I could not drive with a huge air cast on my right foot, but after about a month I thought my foot felt good enough to attempt to drive.  I couldn't do it with a huge cast on my right foot so I had to figure out how to drive - wear air cast to driver's seat in car, take off air cast and put on a moccasin {I know you cannot drive in bare feet in Canada but haven't seen any ruling for a moccasin}, drive carefully as my foot is still quite sore, arrive at destination, take off moccasin and put on air cast, walk to wherever I am going and back to car, take off my air cast, put on my moccasin, drive carefully ..... -  it was all very tiring and very disillusioning.  Consequently, I did as little as possible.  Then SR talked me into travelling to Toronto with his family, departing on the 15th of January.  The paperwork I had from the hospital re recuperation stated the air cast could be removed on the 15th of January.  All right!!!!  Then my surgeon said to keep it on till the 15th of February.  In any case, my foot was feeling pretty good, I could walk quite well with the cast on so off I went.  And, wearing an air cast at the airport is a good thing.  People help you, move out of your way, give you lots of room etc etc.  (I may keep it for future travel).  

So down to YVR to connect to the flight SR and family were taking (the red-eye!!).  As I had time between flights I contacted my 'ol friend Bev.  She met me and we dined at the White Spot in the airport - yes all you White Spot lovers, there is now one in Vancouver Airport!!  We had an excellent meal and a good chat to catch up with one another.  

Then it was off to wait for SR.  Bev stayed to see SR and to meet the twins and Brooke.  I lost SR et al when passing through Security at the airport.  They went into the fast lane with the babies and all their paraphernalia and I was in the slow line with all the other people trying to get through to their gates.  I met up with them on the way to our gate.  

SR had a chat with another man who also had twins while Emerson was relaxing in his new stroller.

The flight went well, both babies slept for most of the flight and we arrived in Toronto at 6AM the next morning.

December 29

Glanced out the window yesterday and saw the sky turning blood red.  I remember watching the sunrise in December from my bedroom window on the second floor of my old house.  I had a wonderful view of the sky and mountains from that viewpoint.  Now, although I love my new house, my view is restricted and not so spectacular.  But the colour still shows, even if it is above a fence and the rooftop of houses.  I love the Yukon skies in December!

RIP Joe Cocker

It is with a sad heart that I write this entry.  Joe Cocker passed away on the 22nd and our world is a little bit emptier.  His music takes me back to Andrea, Mary and the old gang.  We had so much fun together - memories to last a lifetime.  First time I saw him was in the Woodstock movie.  Although just a bit too young to have attended Woodstock, I watched that movie I don't know how many times.  I was there in heart if not in person.  The days of Peace, Love and Freedom.  What a time!  Andrea took her mother to see Joe at the CNE stadium many many years ago.  That was in a time before mothers and daughters (or sons) did such things together.  His gravelly voice and unique stage presence will live on.  RIP Joe Cocker.  You sure brightened up our lives!

Winter Solstice - December 21st

Yes it is winter solstice.  A day Yukoners celebrate.  The shortest day ... longest night of the year.  We celebrate it because starting tomorrow, each and every day gets longer and longer and each and every night gets shorter and shorter.  Yeah!!!!

And this year we celebrated Christmas on this very day.  SR and family are travelling south to Vancouver to celebrate Christmas with Brooke's family and will depart tomorrow morning bright and early.  So December 21st is Christmas.

Thanks to Brooke for taking some photos.  I seemed to be busy either opening presents, holding babies (as seen above, sometimes both at the same time), cooking dinner and a number of other things it seems.  

This is the only photo of Brooke.  You can see her nice necklace - a teething necklace for babies.  And they used it too.  Emerson's first tooth broke through yesterday.  His second one isn't too far behind.  And Alanna's were soon to come too.

Alanna was very excited when opening gifts.  Her little legs were bouncing (look at her tights - they are ballet shoes on the bottoms - so cute) and she was grabbing all the paper and bows and immediately eating them.  Who cares what was in the box.  

So, this is my first Christmas with the grand kids.  They looked so cute, Alanna wearing a knit dress and Emerson in his skinny jeans and plaid shirt.  And Lily and curious little Timber were with us as well.  It was great being with a houseful for our celebration.

A Book Club Christmas

Another Book Club Christmas.  Unfortunately Joan was at home with a killer flu - two weeks now and counting.  But the rest of us were healthy, happy and ready for Christmas.  This year we donated children's mittens to Kaushee's Place, the Yukon Women's Transition Home.  Apparently kids lose their mittens all the time in the winter, so it is something that we hope will be appreciated.  Thanks to Nancy for being our elf who delivers this gift.

And we still have one member who is uncomfortable with internet facial recognition, so I am honouring that.

I was trying to life my casted foot in this photo, but did't get it high enough to be in the photo.

Gail n Deb hamming it up.  Yes we did have wine on this night.  

So another Christmas with good friends, good food, great gift exchanges, and fun conversation.  

Merry Christmas to all!

Low Gas Prices

Low gas prices have even hit the Yukon.  Good for me.  Bad for the economy.

Dec 14

Dinner at the Rudolph's tonight.  Babies had just been fed when I arrived.  Alanna was in a very good mood and sat on my lap for a long long time chatting and smiling.

Emerson slept, then woke.  It took him a while to really wake up.

 SR had Emerson while he was waking up.  He is not usually so quiet.  Soon he was awake, put in his jolly jumper and was extremely happy there for quite some time.

But as you can see he is not always happy and when he is not, he shows it.  SR very conveniently snapped a couple of picks with Gramma holding Emerson when he wanted more than being held.

(I'll show these pictures to him when he wants something from me when he has grown!)

P.S.  I did hold them both when they were happy and smiling.  Only I didn't get any picture of that!

Gimpy

December 4th was my Right Foot 1st Proximal Metatarsal Osteotomy and Akin Procedure.  In other words bunion surgery.  I always heard it was a painful surgery (and also heard horror stories, thanks to Dianna) but as mine was performed early I thought it would hurt a little then be OK.  Wrong!  It is now a week and two days and this is the first day I can actually walk on my heel (like the literature says I can do on day 1!) with the aid of my crutches. 

Thanks to my new neighbours Seven, Stacey and their teen age daughters for keeping the snow cleared on my drive and walk way.  They are actually doing a better job than I would do and I really don't know them as I just moved into my new house.  And thanks to all my friends for offering and giving the assistance when I need to get some place or need groceries.  A Great Help!! And thanks to my son and daughter-in-law for providing me with my first real meal last Wednesday, then leaving the leftovers so I could continue to enjoy a real meal all week long.  They are also at my beck and call as need be and never say no.  Hopefully my recovery will progress at a quick pace now.  Of course I have hoped for that since day one and it is not quite as quick as I would like but what will be will be.  

Today SR is picking me up and taking me to the drug store for a few items, then Sears for my new twin beds which are finally in.  Below is a photo of what this day looks like so I am thrilled to be going outside.