I've taken a little time off of this challenge because we have just gone the 2000km home. And, day 26 gives me a chance to tell you about our busy, busy week!!
So, we live in the Northwest Territories, Canada, but are originally from Saskatchewan, Canada. Where??? you say? Well, my hometown is about 2 hours north of the Canada/U.S. border at Montana. So, I have been busy packing myself and our 2 kids to fly home for a month and a half. Hubby has to stay and work for another 2 weeks, but because he's going to be out of town for most of the 2 weeks, we figured we'd go early.
Anyway, my week consisted of packing, cleaning the house, and trying not to forget anything. I spent a few days cleaning the house pretty good, and am just hoping that with the hubster being there by himself in and out for a couple of weeks, it stays that way! We took the first flight to Yellowknife, then another flight to Edmonton, and finally the last flight to Regina. Travelling with a 2 and a 4 year old is trying, but thank goodness we can get there all in one day.
We arrived at about 10 at night, and are now settling in, and getting ready to take the kids to a Wiggles concert. I'm almost ashamed to say I'm probably more excited than the kids, but only because I can't wait to see their faces at the concert. Should be a good time.
Hopefully I can finish this challenge within the next few days, being on holidays keeps me off the computer, but I will be on every now and again.
Cheers!
Thoughts From The Wells
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Day 24 and 25
Dontchya just love how I'm doing this 2 days at a time every few days. I'm getting this done, just kind of my way, right?!
Day 24 is where I live. I live in a very remote, very tiny town in the very north of Canada. The town is called Norman Wells, and it is pretty isolated. There are no roads out in the summer, and only ice roads in the winter. If you catch a show called "Ice Pilots NWT" you will see our town quite a bit, as they fly food and supplies to us several times a week. We moved up here for my husband's work (he is with the RCMP) and have been here for a little over a year. Having lived in the same city or very close to both of our families for our whole lives, this was a big move. Especially with a 3 year old and a 1 year old. We do miss home, but we're finding that being away from everything is also nice, we have a lot more time for our own little family, and life up here is very laid back. I love living in the north, and can see why "they" say once people move north, a lot of times, they never move back home.
Here are some pics of where I live, it's quite beautiful!
Day 24 is where I live. I live in a very remote, very tiny town in the very north of Canada. The town is called Norman Wells, and it is pretty isolated. There are no roads out in the summer, and only ice roads in the winter. If you catch a show called "Ice Pilots NWT" you will see our town quite a bit, as they fly food and supplies to us several times a week. We moved up here for my husband's work (he is with the RCMP) and have been here for a little over a year. Having lived in the same city or very close to both of our families for our whole lives, this was a big move. Especially with a 3 year old and a 1 year old. We do miss home, but we're finding that being away from everything is also nice, we have a lot more time for our own little family, and life up here is very laid back. I love living in the north, and can see why "they" say once people move north, a lot of times, they never move back home.
Here are some pics of where I live, it's quite beautiful!
 |
The barge that brings food and supplies via the Mackenzie River in the summer Up in the foothills overlooking our town and the other mountain range on the other side of the river.  Fog over one of the lakes that float planes use. |
So, that is the town I live in and on to day 25....
my day in detail. Hmmmm, as I said before, it's pretty laid back here, and the weekend days are our family days, as hubby works weekend nights. So, today we got up around 8, watched a little tv, and had breakfast. It was really cold and windy out, so playing in the yard was pretty much out. We played some games, colored some pictures and basically just hung out in our jammies all morning. I made lunch, put some laundry away and settled in to watch some tv - our PVR is my very best friend these days! At 3, our beloved Saskatchewan Roughrider football team played. If you're a Rider fan, you know that the world gets put on hold for a few hours during their games - unfortunately they lost today, so that was kind of a bummer. I made pizza buns for supper and sent hubby off to work. After giving the kids their baths and hanging out with them for a bit, they had their snack, and off to bed for them. I did some cleaning up and am now writing this post, while watching my Saturday night Sex and The City marathon.
I know, I know, it's riveting stuff, isn't it? I do miss living in a place that has more going on, but at the same time, I love not having to have a schedule, and pretty much do what we want. I keep telling myself that once the kids are old enough to be involved in 27 things when they are older, I'm really going to miss these days.
Oh, and I took my turkey out to thaw for Monday - Happy Thanksgiving my fellow Canadians!!
Gobble Gobble!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Day 22 and 23
These two days call for a website and a youtube video. Could I just cheat and use youtube as my website? No? Okay, here is another great website:
http://www.wikipedia.org/
I know what you're thinking, everybody knows about that site. The reason I'm posting that site is I have a big beef about my wiki addiction. I will admit I go to wiki everytime I want to know something about anything (mostly who died today - so the morbid side of me, and mostly about a tv show or movie I'm watching). Anyway, I jump to this site for the written in stone, God's honest truth about absolutely factual information about everything in the world. I had heard the rumors about information being false on this site, and I refused to believe that my "go-to" had flaws.
That is until Jack Nicholson died.
Or so it said.
As I was viewing the obits one morning on wiki, I was shocked to see Jack Nicholson was dead. The actor, not the golfer. (Hubby always gets them mixed up). A few minutes later, his name was taken off of the dead list, apparently giving him a second chance on this earth.
Apparently, anyone can go on wikipedia and enter information about anyone or anything. It is only taken off if it's discovered to be false. So, information on pages that are widely visited are probably pretty acurate, as I would think false info would be reported by the readers. However, if I wanted to know something about, let's say, the long-horned beetle, the information could very well be wrong and no one would know (or, let's face it, even care). I still have a love for this site, and while everyone mocks it, I still use it with a little more than a grain of salt.
And now for a youtube video:
This is the best video I've seen in a long time, it was between this and a dancing dog, and hopefully you haven't seen this because I think it's freakin' hilarious! Maybe you should get your substance of choice out first, because I can't figure out if I have a really stupid, twisted sense of humor, but both my hubby and I laughed so hard at this:
So, there you have it, hopefully that was your laugh for the weekend!
Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving to all of my Canadian people!
http://www.wikipedia.org/
I know what you're thinking, everybody knows about that site. The reason I'm posting that site is I have a big beef about my wiki addiction. I will admit I go to wiki everytime I want to know something about anything (mostly who died today - so the morbid side of me, and mostly about a tv show or movie I'm watching). Anyway, I jump to this site for the written in stone, God's honest truth about absolutely factual information about everything in the world. I had heard the rumors about information being false on this site, and I refused to believe that my "go-to" had flaws.
That is until Jack Nicholson died.
Or so it said.
As I was viewing the obits one morning on wiki, I was shocked to see Jack Nicholson was dead. The actor, not the golfer. (Hubby always gets them mixed up). A few minutes later, his name was taken off of the dead list, apparently giving him a second chance on this earth.
Apparently, anyone can go on wikipedia and enter information about anyone or anything. It is only taken off if it's discovered to be false. So, information on pages that are widely visited are probably pretty acurate, as I would think false info would be reported by the readers. However, if I wanted to know something about, let's say, the long-horned beetle, the information could very well be wrong and no one would know (or, let's face it, even care). I still have a love for this site, and while everyone mocks it, I still use it with a little more than a grain of salt.
And now for a youtube video:
This is the best video I've seen in a long time, it was between this and a dancing dog, and hopefully you haven't seen this because I think it's freakin' hilarious! Maybe you should get your substance of choice out first, because I can't figure out if I have a really stupid, twisted sense of humor, but both my hubby and I laughed so hard at this:
So, there you have it, hopefully that was your laugh for the weekend!
Cheers and Happy Thanksgiving to all of my Canadian people!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
This is making me hungry!!
Well, these two days (20 and 21!) really tie into each other. Cooking and baking are hobbies of mine, I love doing them on a cold, house bound day, and Lord knows there are enough of those up here! These two days are asking for a hobby and a recipe. Here is one of my favorite recipes:
Buckets O' Bacon Potato Soup - Mamabear Style
Cook 2 - 3 lbs of diced bacon (really depends on how much you love bacon, and how much soup you want to make!) - drain most of the fat
Saute 2 chopped onions in remaining bacon fat
Add diced potatoes, usually 10 or so, depending on how much soup you want and how thick you want it. Cover with water and cook until potatoes are tender but still firm (not mushy!!) Heat 2 cans of cream of chicken soup in microwave on low until creamy. Blend with the soup, add salt to taste. Heat soup (don't boil).
***Top with shredded cheddar cheese when serving***
This is the best cold day, comfort food I can think of - it's sooooo good, and reminds me of my Mom's cooking - she is the original soup nazi!!
Another really quick recipe I have is for the easiest appetizer ever - maraschino cherries wrapped with bacon. It's just like it sounds - wrap a cherry with 1/2 piece of bacon, spear with toothpick, lay on cookie sheets and cook until bacon is crispy. I know, I know, the first time I heard of this, I though - GROSS!! But once I tried them, I couldn't stop! Seriously, you must try these!
I'd love to hear if any of you try these recipes - let me know how they work for you!
Cheers!
Buckets O' Bacon Potato Soup - Mamabear Style
Cook 2 - 3 lbs of diced bacon (really depends on how much you love bacon, and how much soup you want to make!) - drain most of the fat
Saute 2 chopped onions in remaining bacon fat
Add diced potatoes, usually 10 or so, depending on how much soup you want and how thick you want it. Cover with water and cook until potatoes are tender but still firm (not mushy!!) Heat 2 cans of cream of chicken soup in microwave on low until creamy. Blend with the soup, add salt to taste. Heat soup (don't boil).
***Top with shredded cheddar cheese when serving***
This is the best cold day, comfort food I can think of - it's sooooo good, and reminds me of my Mom's cooking - she is the original soup nazi!!
Another really quick recipe I have is for the easiest appetizer ever - maraschino cherries wrapped with bacon. It's just like it sounds - wrap a cherry with 1/2 piece of bacon, spear with toothpick, lay on cookie sheets and cook until bacon is crispy. I know, I know, the first time I heard of this, I though - GROSS!! But once I tried them, I couldn't stop! Seriously, you must try these!
I'd love to hear if any of you try these recipes - let me know how they work for you!
Cheers!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Day 18 and 19
Day 18 and 19 are my wedding, and a talent of mine.
Well, first off, our wedding. It was September 28, 1996 (we just celebrated our 14th anniversary!) and it was one of those big weddings where we just couldn't pare down the guest list. There was never any question it wasn't going to be a "small" wedding, and it's not like we had 500 people or anything but I think there was 275ish invited. Anyway, it was a great day! I had my sister as my maid of honor, and 2 best friends and my sister in law stand up for me. Hubby had 2 friends and his brother in law and my brother stand up for him. I was thinking the other day about what time the wedding took place, and for the life of me I can't remember. Isn't that awful?! After the ceremony, we went for pictures. I can remember having to smile so much that my mouth hurt by the time we were done and I was getting a little bitchy. Not good, but really, the photographer was veeeeery thorough.
The reception was a sit down dinner for about 200. The food was awesome and the program afterward was great too. We had a live band, and everyone had a great time. We were one of the last ones to leave (I've never understood the bride and groom leaving at, like, 10 o'clock - we wanted to stay and party with all of our guests!) I have no pictures to post because all of our old pictures are in storage while we live up north (and I'm pretty sure no one had a digital camera there!).
Day 19 - a talent I have. Well, I like to think I'm pretty good cook. I think my talent with cooking is being able to create great dishes without using recipes. I hate using recipes, and I like to just browse my pantry to see what might go good together. When I get in the mood to cook or bake, I love searching the internet for ideas, and then off I go to make something from the ideas I get. Sometimes I combine 2 or 3 different recipes, and most of the time it works out great!
Cheers!
Well, first off, our wedding. It was September 28, 1996 (we just celebrated our 14th anniversary!) and it was one of those big weddings where we just couldn't pare down the guest list. There was never any question it wasn't going to be a "small" wedding, and it's not like we had 500 people or anything but I think there was 275ish invited. Anyway, it was a great day! I had my sister as my maid of honor, and 2 best friends and my sister in law stand up for me. Hubby had 2 friends and his brother in law and my brother stand up for him. I was thinking the other day about what time the wedding took place, and for the life of me I can't remember. Isn't that awful?! After the ceremony, we went for pictures. I can remember having to smile so much that my mouth hurt by the time we were done and I was getting a little bitchy. Not good, but really, the photographer was veeeeery thorough.
The reception was a sit down dinner for about 200. The food was awesome and the program afterward was great too. We had a live band, and everyone had a great time. We were one of the last ones to leave (I've never understood the bride and groom leaving at, like, 10 o'clock - we wanted to stay and party with all of our guests!) I have no pictures to post because all of our old pictures are in storage while we live up north (and I'm pretty sure no one had a digital camera there!).
Day 19 - a talent I have. Well, I like to think I'm pretty good cook. I think my talent with cooking is being able to create great dishes without using recipes. I hate using recipes, and I like to just browse my pantry to see what might go good together. When I get in the mood to cook or bake, I love searching the internet for ideas, and then off I go to make something from the ideas I get. Sometimes I combine 2 or 3 different recipes, and most of the time it works out great!
Cheers!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Day 16 and 17!
Bear with me as I play a little catch up! I'm on to days 16 and 17 - a song that makes me cry and a favorite piece of art, sculpture, etc.
Alrighty then....a song that makes me cry is Letter To Me by Brad Paisley. I'm not sure why it makes me cry, but I love getting all sentimental about growing up, the good, the bad, the things I wish I could take back - all of it. Here is the video - if you haven't heard this song, have a listen!
Now, hmmmmm, a favorite piece of art would be.....
Naw, just kidding!! Seriously, here is a great piece of artwork that I really like:
"The Scream" by Edvard Munch. I don't know what it is about this painting, I get a mini shock every time I see it. Every. Single. Time. Weird, right? It's kind of like why people watch horror movies. You don't really want to get scared, but you kind of do. That's what this painting does for me.
Cheers!
Alrighty then....a song that makes me cry is Letter To Me by Brad Paisley. I'm not sure why it makes me cry, but I love getting all sentimental about growing up, the good, the bad, the things I wish I could take back - all of it. Here is the video - if you haven't heard this song, have a listen!
Now, hmmmmm, a favorite piece of art would be.....
Naw, just kidding!! Seriously, here is a great piece of artwork that I really like:
"The Scream" by Edvard Munch. I don't know what it is about this painting, I get a mini shock every time I see it. Every. Single. Time. Weird, right? It's kind of like why people watch horror movies. You don't really want to get scared, but you kind of do. That's what this painting does for me.
Cheers!
Friday, October 1, 2010
Award Winning!
I was given an award!! Seeing as how I have, like, 2.3 people visit my blog every day, this is huge! lol
I'd love to thank Sweet Pea for this lovely award! I think her blog is pretty fabulous, and she is a pretty fabulous gal! Here's how the award works:
- Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award
- List 7 things no one knows about you
- Send the award off to 7 bloggers who you think are fabulous!
Here are my 7 things:
1. I went to university for 3 years to become a teacher, but never finished, and ended up getting my 4 year optician/contact lens licenses.
2. I won $2000 playing bingo a few months ago - the first time ever at the bingo!
3. I am anal about paying off my bills - I pay them even before the bill comes sometimes.
4. I was sad to move our family away from the rest of our families last year, but secretly I'm liking being away from the drama sometimes.
5. I find online arguments on blogs and message boards highly entertaining.
6. I love my Honda Civic that was left behind 2000 kms away at my in laws house. When we go on vacation (ie: back home) I am so happy to see it, it almost brings me to tears.
7. I am amazed that I am still alive after some of the crap I pulled as a teenager. Funny how driving at 14 because all of your friends were drunk seemed like a swell idea at the time.
So, although not riveting, there you have it - 7 things you didn't know about me!
Thanks again to Sweet Pea for the award! I am sending this award to:
Kelly at Blue Frogs Legs
Robin at Lolidots Blog
Mama M. at My Little Life
Tami at 29 and Holding
Nancy at TheNewLifeofNancy
Jen at The Tale of Two Coins
Tina at It May Be a Crazy Life But It's Our Life
Cheers!
I'd love to thank Sweet Pea for this lovely award! I think her blog is pretty fabulous, and she is a pretty fabulous gal! Here's how the award works:
- Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award
- List 7 things no one knows about you
- Send the award off to 7 bloggers who you think are fabulous!
Here are my 7 things:
1. I went to university for 3 years to become a teacher, but never finished, and ended up getting my 4 year optician/contact lens licenses.
2. I won $2000 playing bingo a few months ago - the first time ever at the bingo!
3. I am anal about paying off my bills - I pay them even before the bill comes sometimes.
4. I was sad to move our family away from the rest of our families last year, but secretly I'm liking being away from the drama sometimes.
5. I find online arguments on blogs and message boards highly entertaining.
6. I love my Honda Civic that was left behind 2000 kms away at my in laws house. When we go on vacation (ie: back home) I am so happy to see it, it almost brings me to tears.
7. I am amazed that I am still alive after some of the crap I pulled as a teenager. Funny how driving at 14 because all of your friends were drunk seemed like a swell idea at the time.
So, although not riveting, there you have it - 7 things you didn't know about me!
Thanks again to Sweet Pea for the award! I am sending this award to:
Kelly at Blue Frogs Legs
Robin at Lolidots Blog
Mama M. at My Little Life
Tami at 29 and Holding
Nancy at TheNewLifeofNancy
Jen at The Tale of Two Coins
Tina at It May Be a Crazy Life But It's Our Life
Cheers!
Whoops - Yes, I Slacked
Wow, I leave for a couple of days and it turns into a week? Okay, focus, Claire, focus.
I'll do a couple of days per day from now on, as we leave for holidays on October 15th, and I'll never get to the end if I don't! Time off is dangerous for me! Thanks for lighting the fire Sweet Pea!
Day 14 and 15 - a non-fiction book and my dream home.
Non-fiction book - I don't know if I have a favorite other than Into Thin Air, which I've already used for day 3 or 4, and that would just be cheating to use it again, wouldn't it? I am reading the autobiography of Slash, the guitarist from Guns N' Roses right now, and it's a really great book. In fact, I'm reading it for the second time, and it's every bit as good as the first. What a life this guy has led, what a life they lead in this industry. Pretty amazing most of them are still alive!
Dream home - one with a maid, a butler and a chef. Kidding. Our dream is to eventually buy an acreage somewhere close to where we grew up. We will be on the move every few years or so for the next 15 years with hubby's job, so buying one right now is not really an option, but it gives us more time to save up, right? The actual house would be spacious, bright, colorful (no browns and taupes for this girl!) and would have a porch and a great fire pit area for campfires. I haven't thought too far ahead about the real specifics of the house, although I do know that I loved the brand new house we bought a couple of years ago, so I do know I want the latest innovations in pretty much everything! Not asking a lot, right?
Have a great weekend, I sure hope to be back tomorrow! ha
Cheers!
I'll do a couple of days per day from now on, as we leave for holidays on October 15th, and I'll never get to the end if I don't! Time off is dangerous for me! Thanks for lighting the fire Sweet Pea!
Day 14 and 15 - a non-fiction book and my dream home.
Non-fiction book - I don't know if I have a favorite other than Into Thin Air, which I've already used for day 3 or 4, and that would just be cheating to use it again, wouldn't it? I am reading the autobiography of Slash, the guitarist from Guns N' Roses right now, and it's a really great book. In fact, I'm reading it for the second time, and it's every bit as good as the first. What a life this guy has led, what a life they lead in this industry. Pretty amazing most of them are still alive!
Dream home - one with a maid, a butler and a chef. Kidding. Our dream is to eventually buy an acreage somewhere close to where we grew up. We will be on the move every few years or so for the next 15 years with hubby's job, so buying one right now is not really an option, but it gives us more time to save up, right? The actual house would be spacious, bright, colorful (no browns and taupes for this girl!) and would have a porch and a great fire pit area for campfires. I haven't thought too far ahead about the real specifics of the house, although I do know that I loved the brand new house we bought a couple of years ago, so I do know I want the latest innovations in pretty much everything! Not asking a lot, right?
Have a great weekend, I sure hope to be back tomorrow! ha
Cheers!
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