Memories

Saturday morning the sun was shining, it looked like it was going to 

be a beautiful day so I packed up my car and down the highway I went. 

The roads were dry, the sun was shining, the iPod
was charged and the music was blasting me down
the highway. I was heading back home, back to where
my life journey began; the old home town of High Prairie, AB. 

As I was driving memories flooded my mind, I thought
of people who have passed, I wondered who was 
still here. Would I even recognize anyone? Did it even 
matter if I did? I set out with a goal in mind, I was coming
to help a very dear childhood friend and reconnect. 

I am staying with my friend, we're reminiscing about days
gone by over cups of coffee that is way too strong. 
 I don't even like coffee to begin with
but I personally think some things we just do because we once did. 
We laugh, we share and it's like the conversation never ended. 

There is no internet access where I'm staying, I say good. I'm not only 
reconnecting in real life, I'm relearning the art of conversation face to face. 
Today I'm sitting in the old home town library, I can get the internet here
and as I look up I see backdated copies of the town newspaper, 
they go back to 1996. I recall Wednesday nights when the paper
would come out, a group of us kids would be down at the printers 
eagerly awaiting the latest edition of the South Peace News to come 
hot off the press. We would take as many copies as our arms could hold
and run, literally run, down the main streets trying to sell
the paper for 10 cents, we would get to keep 5 cents for every
paper we sold. The trick was to be faster than the next kid and see who
could make the most money. 

Selling this newspaper was my first experience with entrepreneurship, 
and here I thought it was my first job working in the drive in restaurant
at the mere age of 12. 
I smile as I think back to those days, there's nothing like revisiting 
where one grew up and revisiting the memories of days gone by. 

Not Going Anywhere Just Yet

I knew I should have went with my instinct and left yesterday,

today we've received a minimum of a foot of snow, roads are 

closed all over the place and this isn't good at all. 

This photo is taken from Global News

"A spring blizzard that has been blasting through the Prairies is being
blamed for a chaotic series of crashes south of Edmonton
involving at least 100 vehicles. About 22 people went to area hospitals, 
including one adult with serious injuries." 

One of our freeways in the city was closed today,

this is the first time I've ever heard of this happening.  I

pray that everyone makes it home to their loved ones

tonight safe and sound. 

Back on the home front; I went out to shovel around 10am, it

was still snowing hard but the walks had to be done. 

This snow best start disappearing soon, or my arms best grow 

to be able to shovel onto the pile in the backyard, the pile is almost

 as high as I am... I was going to say tall but then I 

thought wait a second, I'm not tall! 

At 4pm my nephew went out and shoveled again and now

(8:30pm) it looks like it's my turn. This is one heck of a way

to welcome Spring. I know I won't be going anywhere

just yet, not until this snow stops and highways are cleared. 

Mind you I might have another option... hmmm. 

Spring

Welcome Spring. It's hard to believe it's officially Spring!

You can tell by the flag blowing that 

it was an extremely windy day, hopefully

the snow clouds were blown into next winter

Other than cleaning and getting packed for a road

trip this is how I welcomed Spring.

I washed the car, without a doubt it's going 

to be dirty again before I hit the highway, 

ah but such is life. 

And what's Spring without getting out in the 

world and doing a bit of shopping? I picked up a  

 new Spring dress for my beautiful granddaughter. 

I love the colors in this dress! 

I may leave tomorrow for a week or so, but it might 

not be until Friday and I'm not sure if I'll be able to post.

If I don't have access to the internet (GASP!) I'll see 

you all when I return.

 Have a wonderful week and try not to do anything I 

wouldn't do k?  If you follow my blog you'll know 

that almost anything goes! lol 

It's Done!

I've finally finished painting, cleaning and can sleep in my own bed

 tonight. The ceiling which looked like this...

 Now looks like this, thanks to a very 

good friend! 

This is the before and after, I love it! 

Now that my bedroom is done, I've decided to paint a few other

doors as well as the trim seeings I have the paint out anyways. I also still 

have a few minor things to do, but tomorrow is another day.

 I'm totally looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight, think

that I'll go crawl in right about now! 

Spring

I was on facebook and 'borrowed' this from there, this is about sums it up 

what it's currently like in our neck of the woods...

... now back to painting! 

Welcomed Sights

This relentless snow let up today, it's amazing how much we've had

 lately and hopefully this is the end of it.  Today the blue sky 

was a welcomed sight...

There's hope, one day these shrubs will turn color and beautiful

flowers will bud again... here's to hoping it's soon. 

Non Productive Productivity

After being told to take it easy by the doctor yesterday I mostly listened today; 

however, things are still getting done. A good friend of mine showed

up bright and early this morning to continue working on patch ins in my 

bedroom. It's finally getting done and this makes me so happy! 

The day I moved into this house I took out one of the walls which 

separated two small bedrooms and I made one huge master bedroom.

Since then I've been patiently waiting for this friend to come over

and patch in the ceiling and one wall so I can finish this room off. I

am so impressed with the work he's doing I don't even mind getting up

at 7am. While he worked, I relaxed. So even though I had a non productive 

day, there was productivity transpiring in my home. 

I'm also thinking of taking out this door, just a thought for now. 

Next week I'll paint out this corner and as they say in the movies, that's 

a wrap in this room! 

Time Well Wasted

Today I went to see the doctor finally, it took just over 7 hours

 from start to finish, most of this time was spent waiting to get in but 

at least I found a few things to occupy my time. 

This little sweetheart decided she was going to keep

me company, that lasted for about 20 minutes...

Red I bought the book you recommended,

"Nonviolent Communication" and I got through nearly

half of the book, it is a good read! 

The rest of my time was filled with meeting more people,

 getting tests done, speaking with the doctor and having 

some fears put to rest; all in all my trip to the doctor was time 

well wasted. Now I'm supposed to take it easy for a while, 

this should be easy enough to do, it's still snowing! 

YUCK

Today when I woke up it was snowing, 

and it snowed 

and snowed 

and snowed some more...

I knew there was a sidewalk somewhere

under all of this, so out I went shovel

in hand and got rid of the snow this morning.

At about 7 this evening my walks were looking like the first

photo again, so back I went with my shovel once again. 

I hope that this is it, enough of this winter already!

Yuck, I've had more than enough!! 

(Red it's a good thing I was paying

some attention to what you were saying,

I was going to take off my snow tires earlier

this week but opted to leave them on. Thank you!)

Greeter

Today we, my two nephews and myself, stopped off

at a Chinese grocers, I love these statues they

have outside of the store greeting each customer

as they enter. 

We purchased a few items, then went to a Chinese

superstore called T&T where we bought a few more items;

dinner tonight was quick, easy and delicious! 

My City

Downtown Edmonton, notice the beautiful blue sky... 

hopefully this is going to last! 

The snow's starting to disappear, mostly on the main streets, 

but I view this as a good thing; hopefully the melting

will continue and we'll have an early spring...

Enough of this winter already!! 

Yup, this is my city... some days I'd love to leave

and see it disappear in my rear view mirror,

other days I love it. 

Happy Birthday Derek

My middle son is 29 tomorrow, this evening we celebrated with a dinner

at my place.  Whomever has a birthday it's their choice

to either go out to dinner or I will prepare whatever they want

and we'll have a birthday celebration at my place. Derek opted

for Santa Fe Chicken, I was even able to BBQ the chicken tonight,

yup, it was that nice out! 

Derek wishing you a very Happy Birthday, here's to hoping

all of your wishes and dreams come true. 

Bug Off

I just may have found something to solve my fruit fly issues, these pesky

flies are enough to drive anyone a bit batty, but thankfully these

strips seem to work. 

I had mentioned this issue I was having to my sister, she said that maybe

the flies were nesting in my plants. I only have two plants and two bamboo

shoots so I never thought of this. Out shopping I went and found these:

After two days of having put one of these in one of my plants:

As you can see, they work! Now these pesky fruit flies

can just bug off for once and for all! 

I'll Drink to That

I've been waiting to find out whether or not I was going

to get accepted into the Masters program before I was 

planning my next move in life; today the email came... I'm in! 

Starting in September I'll be studying for two more years,

 crazy... maybe,

but what the heck, I wasn't planning much for the next

few years anyways! 

And tonight when I stopped off for a cuppa, well

wouldn't you know it, I won a free coffee or latte. 

You bet I'll drink to this awesome news and for free. 

Now to win the Rav 4 on my free cuppa and I'll be set! 

Hope

Today while I was out doing a bit of shopping I noticed the stores are

stocking their shelves with gardening tools, lawn care products and things of 

that nature...

This filled me with hope, hope that this never ending

winter is coming to an end! 

Road Trip

The day before yesterday I got in my car and headed out on a road trip,

 I returned to my old home town, which sure doesn't look the same; 

I went to help out and visit a friend.  While I was there I returned to 

the farmland where I was raised until I was about 6 years old. On the

way there I passed  this one room schoolhouse my Dad attended as a child.

Directly across this one room schoolhouse is a church...

And this is the friend I went to help out, with his horses. I'm going

to have to go back and see if I have the courage to get on one of

his horses, they're such magnificent creatures! 

It's amazing how as I age I'm realizing who my true friends are,

they're the ones, who after knowing for 30+ years, still welcome you with

open arms.  Even though years pass between us we can pick up a cuppa tea 

and restart the conversation right where we left off. The time passes so

quickly and before I know it it's time to hit the road again. 

So after two days and just under 900kms I'm back home again 

wondering where my next adventure will take me. 

Shameless

Shameless is a television series which I have become totally hooked

 on; it's in the 3rd season and within this past week I only have 4

episodes left to watch until I'm up to date. It's not very many shows

which catch my interest like this one has, but it's time well

wasted as far as I'm concerned. 

Here's a bit about the show:

"Oscar®-nominated William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum star in this fiercely 

engaging and fearlessly twisted new series. Chicagoan Frank Gallagher is 

the proud single dad of six smart, industrious, independent kids, who 

without him would be... perhaps better off. When Frank's not at the 

bar spending what little money they have, he's passed out on the floor. 

But the kids have found ways to grow up in spite of him. They may 

not be like any family you know, but they make no apologies for 

being exactly who they are."

Almond Milk

Last week while I was out shopping I noticed Almond Milk, 

up until then I'd never even heard of it so naturally

 I had to pick some up. 

I haven't been quite brave enough to try it straight out of the

carton yet but tonight I wanted rice pudding and this is the only

milk in the fridge. I was pleasantly surprised, this milk added

a nice flavour to the pudding. 

Maybe tomorrow I'll actually try to milk and see what it 

tastes like, or maybe I should do some research on this 

and see what it actually is. In the meantime I'll enjoy my pudding.