BRRRRRRR

We are back into the deep freeze today. Although it only got to a high of -13 C yesterday, and snow fell off and on all day long, it was still a LOT warmer than it is this morning. Currently -28 C with a windchill of -40. Brrrrr.

Tomorrow it is more of the same but Thursday it starts to warm up with supposedly a high of -10 and by Saturday they are saying 0 or +2. We are off to the warmer climtes of a tropical island on Thursday so will be happy to say 'bye-bye' to the cold.

Between the cold spells and the warm spells with all the slush and gravel on the roads, I have not been able to wash my car which looks more brown or dark gray than green. Ugh. That's the worst thing about Alberta winter weather fluctuations!! Dirty cars.

Rest in Peace

After a lengthy battle with his adversary cancer, our brother in law, John Shaback passed away yesterday, Friday, January 25, 2013. Our thoughts and prayers now rest with his wife, Nina and their daughter, Sharon and Dan .

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.



John & Nina, taken Dec 26, 2012



Snowing again

Yesterday was an overcast day and although they said it was going to snow...it didn't. It is -13 C and overcast. This morning, looking out the window to see if the sidewalk was covered in snow overnite, I was delighted to see it had not snowed! Now, at 9 am, I glance up to see from my kitchen window, those delightfully big, fluffy white things once more. They did say we would get snow and I guess they were right. How long it will fall and how much is anyone's guess.They predict about 1 cm during the day and up to 5 cm overnite. Looking at the sky, I am sure it will be more than ONE!!!  Well, it is January in Alberta!

Something Different

I tried a new recipe today. Well, new to me. Chili is not something I ever ate. Recently, I started eating kidney beans and brown beans (pork & beans). Costco sells a mixture of beans that are pickled which I quite like. Now I buy them too. So, I thought I would make this chili recipe as it looks quick and easy. Just my style. I guess I will have to wait and see if my husband likes it to know whether it is a success or not.

We are going to a promo evening at the RV location where we bought our trailer. Personal invite to preview some new features before the RV show in February. As we are away during that time, we thought we might just check in to see what is new for trailers this year. Hey, we're new to the trailer game so have lots to learn.

Learn Something Every Day

I was at my ladies group this morning. It was a Sat brunch and as usual, there was too much food. Sweet and sour sausages, quiche, baked hash browns, another quiche, fruit, waffles, coffee & juice. It was our 'January exercise' get together. Some brought new exercises to demonstrate and do. One in particular that I might venture to get was a thing called a Body Blade. (www.bodyblade.com) It is about 40 inches long and has a rubber hold/handle in the middle of it. It vibrates as you shake it and there are 101 different positions to be in to get the best benefit while you shake it! It may look easy but it isn't. It should give a good work out, even if you just do a few reps once or twice a day. I'll see how it goes over the next day or two whether I remember about it or just forget it as another lost cause. I guess I could keep it beside our treadmill! They might like each other's company! haha

We had a devotional by one of our group who shared on being spiritually fit as well as physically fit. The process is pretty much the same (but for the inside). You feel you are out of shape, not spending enough time with it, no real plan, or the plan you have doesn't really fit your lifestyle, and thus loses your commitment to it. I guess like anything else, you have to start with something workable, and increase it. Fit it into your lifestyle, and do as much as you can - not giving up if you can't follow the exact schedule each day. i.e. don't try to read the bible in a year program, if you know you're not going to have time to read 3 chapters a day! You are defeated before you start. Same thing..don't try to do treadmill every day - try to set a 3 days a week schedule to start. Work everything around that schedule.

It's always good to get together with friends. Laughter really is the best medicine. Good relationships, support and encouragement can help you get through pretty much anything life throws at you.

Suffering

I am suffering with this cold which has me coughing and holding my sides now. Thankfully, my nose does not run continuously unless I have a coughing spree (which happens too often)! My sides are killing me to cough and my head feels full which is not helping my disposition much! 

I really do need to take the tree down but there's not a lot of energy in me. I think if I have a shower and get dressed, I might feel better. So far, that is only a distant thought! It is absolutely quiet in the house and my ears are ringing. Guess I will have to put on some music as I am getting tired of this same old tune!

I tried dropping in a few more pictures but it won't let me today. Not sure why and my head won't take the reading needed to check things out. I guess this will have to be enough for today. Hope your January is going good.

A New Year

Well Happy New Year to all of you. I know I have said this in many emails but just in case I missed someone, here it is again!

We had a wonderful Christmas with our kids and grandkids. Immersing ourselves in their busy lives for a week is interesting and exhausting at the same time. It's so much fun though to be there and be a part of it all.

We went over to Vancouver Island for a few days or that was our intention. We went on Dec 26 and left on Jan 1st. Ended up staying for New Years Eve and enjoyed a wonderful meal - steak prepared PERFECT!! As usual. I do have to say I put on a few pounds over the holidays so it is now time to get back to basics as we are headed to Hawaii at the end of the month. That is wonderful in so many ways and not so good in one! You guessed it - weight!

We both came home with a cold. John got his before Christmas and I got his after Christmas. It has been getting worse but I hope today I am on the bottom plateau and starting tomorrow will head UP to health!!



The kids at the Bloedell Conservatory Christmas Eve

As we headed to the Island, we knew our neice had purchased an English bull dog but didn't expect two to greet us at the door when we arrived. They have a guest border who also purchased one so it was quite the housefull. The dogs are adorable (after you get to know them)!!



Dan with Emmett and Sharon with Winnie



Their dog is Emmett but Winnie is with them all the time and thinks she belongs to them also. Both of them love the snow - which the Island did get quite a bit of in the upper regions. Most had melted on this particular trail but they love the puddles just as much!

Oh, of course I need to show you a picture of the grandkids. They are growing up so fast so it's nice to have a younger one around for a bit. She is adorable (as are they all)!



Josh & Ethan in their gift from us



Grace & Alicia in the outfits we got them

Well, surprisingly, I am able to download a few pictures this time. Not sure what I did differently, but don't want to take any chances so will get this blog off for now. Best wishes to everyone for a fabulous 2013!