Thursday, April 23, 2015

Went to Bean North for coffee this morning.  Listened to the problems they had with the government and the huge septic field they had to install as the government said they needed enough water disposal for 500 people per hour.  500 people per hour!!!????!!!!  There is no way even half that amount of people would visit that small facility but if they didn't do it they would have to close.  Honestly!  Anyway, we had a lovely coffee and Birds House special Rice Krispie type dessert, watched a local knitting club gather and took in the art work of Lise Merchant hanging in the facility.  All in all, a lovely coffee experience.  We then went to the Hot Springs (pictured above), took a walk around the area and talked to one of the owners.  Big changes happening there too.  Again, one of the problems they were having had to do with the Government!!  As there is no Hot Springs legislation in Yukon, they are considered a public pool and have to follow rules that don't really apply to Hot Springs.  Anyway, they are planning a total re-vamp which includes closing the current pool and developing 3 different pools, a family pool, an adult only pool and a private pool, all holding only about 20 people and all containing no chlorine at all so you will have to shower with soap prior to entering any of the three pools.

As Joan had never been down the Takhini River Road (and I had been down it only once) we took a drive.

This is where you will find a sign for the Dawson Overland Trail.  Before the roads in the territory this is the route the stagecoach took to Dawson City.

As you can see, we are at the bottom of the (red) road.

There is apparently also Buffalo hunting in this area (in season only of course).  So they have signs for the Bison hunters explaining the difference between a male and female buffalo (although you would think a hunter would know that before going out to shoot one??).   There is only one difference I think I would notice as comparing horns or forelocks of hair would only be possible if a male and female were standing next to one another, which probably wouldn't happen.

  

Above, just thought a photo of my car would be a worthy one.  And below a bit of scenery while we drove back along the Takhini River Road, with a still frozen Takhini River in the picture.

Happy Birthday ... to me!

Having technical problems with my flip phone and Bell Canada just took 5 days to get back to me, dismissed the problem and I had to restart the whole thing again today with no guarantee (which I tried to get them to give me) as to how long it would take them to address my problem.  Sooooo..... Brooke gave me an early Birthday present today.  Yeahhhhh.  Thanks Brooke and SR.  I've already received my first phone call (from Brooke) and sent my first text message with the help of Siri (to SR).  So easy.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

Easter Sunday 2015

Easer dinner with the family.  I may make the meal but SR is alway the carver.  A good turkey and especially good for me as I received it free.

The first Easter for the little ones and our first family photo which includes me (I think).  And the first time I saw both Emerson and Alanna wearing shoes.  They went swimming at the hot springs today and were in an especially good mood tonight.

Just a few photos taken while we enjoy our first glass of Prosecco before dinner.

Most of their toys at my house are new but some are from SR baby days.  Brooke is reading a story from a book SR received for his first Christmas and it is inscribed from my dear friend Andrea.  I know it is only a part of a book as SR used it so much the first page or two are gone, but it is still special.  I wish she was still here to see my new Grand Kids!

Easter Weekend

Judy made this wonderful Xmas table decoration out of small alphabet blocks and decorated it with small interesting figurines, trees, Christmas things, trains ...  One can just look at it for hours and still discover new things - and apparently the children do just that.  Thanks to Deb she pulled it out so I could take a photo of it and attempt one of these myself.  It is now officially on my to-do list.

Thursday is knitting day.  I don't really knit - maybe once every five years - but I do attend the occasional knitting day to catch up on the latest news and drink a glass of wine, which is just what I did last Thursday.  I learnt about bras, income tax, allergies along with a handful of other things.

God made babies cute so you don't throw them out with the bath water.  Apparently Emerson sleeps for one to maybe two hours each night and wakes up inconsolably screaming which wakes Alanna.  As you can see from the above photo last night was such a night.  Dad came over with the kids, Mom stayed home to catch 40 winks (hopefully) and the two young-uns were as good as gold while they were here.  Hopefully tonight is better.

April 1, 2015

Line Dancing Day.  It was cancelled today, as Nancy told us.  Debbie had already quit and I have not attended since my foot operation, but no matter what, we still meet for our "after dancing" beer.  Nancy held up the paper to prove the date!!  P.S.  We are not in trouble ... or are we???

 
It was ANOTHER beautiful day.  We have had the best weather this winter.  Better than I (we) can ever remember although apparently not the warmest on record.  The roads are pretty dry and our temperatures are around 6 to 8 degrees during the days.  Love it!

Although it looks like all the snow stayed at my house - it may have.  I alway live in a place where the snow is the last to disappear, but it will go.  I just know it.

Twinsitting Tuesday

Tuesday mornings are mine with the wee ones.  Each week they seem to develop immensely.  Today Emerson backed right into Alanna.  Since they were so close together, I thought it a good opportunity to take a picture.

Whitehorse General Hospital

Yukon Hospital Foundation has done up a wall to honour their donors.  This wall is located in the atrium between the Admissions Desk and the Emergency Ward.  Above, on the right you can see the wall and looking down the hall you can see people waiting in chairs in the Emergency Ward.

I took Helen to the hospital for a pre-op appointment so I had a chance to view this wall.

This is the wall with photos and a description of various wards, equipment and sponsors.  Look in the middle of the second row of this collage.

In case you can't make it out, I have enlarged it here.  It's Brooke !!  with a nurse taking the heartbeat of one of the two babies in her tummy!

Easter is coming

This is especially for mjt.  Every Easter I bring out my little chicks.  These are just like the ones I used to buy when I was little.  My Grandparents (on my dad's side) lived on Lambton Avenue.  Across the street from them was a corner store and for about 1 or 2 cents you could buy one chick.  I always had a collection of them - they were so soft.  Ahhhh the memories.

March

The other day went to Antoinette's for dinner and what an EXCELLENT dinner it was.  We all cleaned our plates and had to hold back from licking the plates clean.  There is no rushing you out at this establishment.  When we finally asked for the cheque it took so long in coming I decided to start taking photographs.  So here we are.
This past week our temperatures have taken a dive.  After weeks and weeks of 0 degrees or above, -15 with a wind chill to -30 is pretty cold.  And now we are getting snow too.  Can't complain though as we have had the mildest winter that I can remember.  Shovelled the driveway once again today and as soon as I finished the skies clouded over, became black, and down came the snow.  Oh well ...

March 3

Here is my series on Moving Life in High Chair

Grand Opening

Attended the Grand Opening of the new location for YA@W - Yukon Artists At Work.  They have now moved from the industrial area of town to downtown.  Parked right around the corner and in case you know Whitehorse, right around the corner from their new location is Yukon Cinema, which,  you can see in the background.  As well, Debbie is walking beside Kutters.  If you don't know Whitehorse, this will all mean nothing to you!

PS:  It is still warm warm warm.  See how the sidewalk had melted down to the pavement and our cars are a mucky mess.  It is Spring and it is still February.  Yeah!

And here is their new location.  It was once Pot of Gold.  A cute little house on 4th Avenue.  And they have new pieces of art work inside and it is absolutely fabulous.  I could have spent a small fortune.

February 24-27

And these are the little ones I am sharing my mornings with this week.

February 22 - The Academy Awards

The wreath on the door welcomes friends to Oscar Night.  

This year we had a pot luck.  Tons of food came through the door and lots and lots of Prosecco.  Yes you need bubbly for Oscar night.  All were kept busy in the evening with Oscar Bingo (Debbie won the Bingo!!!), Guess that Smile, Name That Movie not to mention we also had to predict winners of awards.

Of course, we had swag bags to begin with.  This year everyone contributed so no one knew what the contents were ...  and the contents ranged from blingy nail polish, a priceless spa (hot tub night), a movie, lip balm, a quartz heart, chocolate, popcorn, facial scrub, a wee perfume and a pink sharpie ... did I forget anything??  There was so much!

Best Picture:  Birdman (heard mixed reviews)

Best Actor in Leading Role:  Eddie Redmayne (YEAHHHHHHH)

Best Actress in Leading Role:  Julianne Moore

Great friends, great food, great program (even though it went 45 minutes over time), great evening.

Rendezvous 2015

Rendezvous Weekend.  Friday was our Rendezvous Day, or perhaps Heritage Day or is it now Family Day??  Anyway it was the start of the big weekend.  Yesterday was so warm apparently you could snowshoe without a coat (right Gail?) .  Today I met SR and family down at Shipyards Park.  It was only -1C but THAT WIND!!  Last year I almost froze off my fingers.  This year, thinking -1C was quite warm was a wrong thing to think.  That wind cut right through me and my fingers.  Yes, I was cold once again.  Next year, even if it is +10C I will wear down clothing!!!

  

So the first thing I saw were the Snow Sculptures.  I love looking at those. My Favourite this year was a NAFTA one (Canada, USA & Mexico).  I loved how they even had the ice flows around the boat.  The top one was SR's fave this year.  Tomorrow we'll see who wins.

Although I didn't watch the one-dog-pull, I did see a few of the dogs lining up to see if they could pull the most weight on a sled.

Did push the wee ones around only for a bit though.  Mom and Dad did most of the pushing.

Mom and Dad looked more in the Rendezvous spirit than I was.  And the stroller was perfect for the snow.  

I wasn't until we were in the warming tent that the cover was lifted and we saw what what inside.  Two cute little ones!

And I arrived inside the tent just in time to see the Snow Shoe Cancan Dancers.  They are a staple of Rendezvous.  Gillian Campbell arrived just after them, another staple.  

Happy Valentine's Day

The day began with the Giant Garage Sale hosted by my old neighbour who now owns North Star Mini Storage.  It was held in the Canada Games Centre.  Debbie and I did buy stuff - kids toys but got a very good garage sale price on them.   Then, downtown for a coffee with Nancy who was pooped from delivering Valentine's Day flowers yesterday.  She had her coffee then had to return to her house to rest.
I was invited to spend dinner with the "Kids" - little and big.  It was a lovely meal made by SR with the little ones joining us at the table.  (Emerson had his first taste of roast beef - a wee wee piece which he chewed and chewed and chewed and chewed - like all men, he loved it!).  It was a lovely evening.
Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

Sunday Dinner

Brooke's Mom was in town this week - a very cold week to be here.  But, having said that, they went to see the dogs take off at the start of the Yukon Quest and went swimming at the Tahini Hot Springs where your hair freezes on your heat - both good experiences for one who has not yet had the pleasures.  She also worked while here, painting the guest suite downstairs in their house.

Sunday dinner was at my house.  It was a pleasure to have the company.  And it was also the first time that Emerson and Alanna ate with us in high chairs at the table.  Emerson is in SR's high chair and Alanna in one thanks so much to Cody-Anne.  They were both so good.  I couldn't wait for them to be able to join us during a meal and I was truly thrilled.  

Sorry, the pics of the kids not the greatest (no flash) but wanted to include them anyway (proud Gramma!).

And cannot forget the Grand-dogs who came along as well.  Lily, as usual, grabbed the fluffiest dog cushion but Timber was not too hard done by as he had the memory foam one.  They relaxed as we ate.

Still cold

Still cold this morning. Only -29 but -41 with the wind chill. It will begin to warm next week though. The Yukon Quest begins in Whitehorse on Saturday. Cold weather good for them.  My air cast is off now so when it warms a bit I'm looking forward to walking outdoors. 

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!!!!