Some fun pictures of Winter in Alberta

Sunday, January 09, 2011

Looking out onto our street...it was just cleared a couple of days ago!



Our outdoor Christmas tree




I took this one of our back deck and Garry's buried BBQ about 8am this morning...still dark out!

These are all of our snowbanks from shoveling the driveway the past couple of days.


My partner in shoveling the one and only Master Shoveler himself!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

GALSAL59 1/10/2011 6:13AM

The one of the Christmas tree is lovely! Report Inappropriate Comment

WANDA68 1/9/2011 7:22PM

more snow than here in Brooks! crazy winter weekend still! Report Inappropriate Comment

SHER2BE8 1/9/2011 2:01PM

yup, you win, you got more snow than us here in Blackfalds. It does look pretty though doesn't it? I'm gonna brave the elements and go to a park with my dog and hubby for a walk today, going in threw the forest to get protected from the wind. I actually couldn't wait to get out in the snow yesterday so I went out during the storm and shoveled, I really must be sick because it's so not like me to love winter and want to be out in it Have a fantastic day, you probably dropped 5 pounds this weekend with all that shoveling. sherry Report Inappropriate Comment

CIVIAV 1/9/2011 1:25PM

I had heard about your Alberta storms from my in-laws who live in Calgary and faced quite a load of snow. We've had our official start with the need to begin piling it up around here. We are always lacking in snow here in TO but it's nice to feel the winter! Report Inappropriate Comment

GINA7249 1/9/2011 12:42PM

So pretty but so much... looks like it normally is here in new Hampshire but were heaving an off yr Report Inappropriate Comment

RUNBAREFOOTMAMA 1/9/2011 12:33PM

Looks a lot like my street! Report Inappropriate Comment

Snow...snow...snow...and yet more snow!

Sunday, January 09, 2011

By suppertime last night we had received 30 cm of snow in a 24 hour period and they were predicting another 10 cm over night before it begins to taper off today.
The amount of snow is not so bad, its the wind that is accompanying it that makes for white out conditions and huge snowdrifts!
I got lots of calorie burning opportunities yesterday. I shoveled in the morning with Garry, then three more times during the day on my own. Garry shoveled last night before going to bed and looking out the window this morning...we'll be shoveling again this morning when Garry gets up.

We need to get out in the back yard and shovel off the deck, but we'll have to go through the house and carefully open the door as the snow is about 18 inches up the door. The cat has to sit on a chair now to see out the window on the door. *grin* She is not impressed! We can't open the gate into the backyard as it opens inward and the snow is blocking it. Garry's bbq is partially buried in the snow. It's a good thing that he has a good cover on it. He likes to bbq even during the winter, but can't until we get the deck all cleared off. With all the snow that is on the deck, we'll be able to build walls all around the deck as we clear the snow...we'll have a fort *grin*

Temperatures have dropped considerable and will remain in the -25 to -30 range all this next week. Factor in the wind chill and we are in the -35 to -40 range. In other words...COLD!

My Positives:
I'm getting some much needed moving with shoveling snow. Not my favorite activity, but moving none the less.
I have Garry to help me today with the shoveling. Bless his heart.
I don't have to drive anywhere today.
Thankfully the county cleaned our street last week...now they'll hopefully be back within a couple weeks to clear it again! I can't imagine trying to get through if it hadn't already been done.
I'm excited about getting to travel at the end of this month.
Yay for having a laptop now, it means that I can take it with me and stay in touch.
We are blessed with good health and Garry is beginning to adopt many of the healthy lifestyle changes that I've been adopting. YAY!
My family, my friends, my yet to meet friends...God blesses us in so many ways.

Have a wonderful Serenity Sunday, keep your focus and continue to move foreward.

Hugs,
Wanda

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

GINA7249 1/9/2011 12:43PM

Love ur blog Report Inappropriate Comment

NJMATTICE 1/9/2011 10:57AM

Good Morning Wanda! I'm enjoying the white stuff tales from a distance. I like snow, but I like hearing about it better than dealing with it at right now. There is real beauty in it though. And great lessons. I know that you are taking advantage of those. My favorite thing about snow is that it helps you get in touch with your priorities. I think I'll blog today so that I can start getting caught up. I say that because I was going to get caught up right here and then I'd find myself doing the same writing twice! Enjoy the quiet of the snow and the cozy warmth of your house. I'm enjoying being there in spirit. Love to you all. Nancy Report Inappropriate Comment

I'm ready to go back to bed!

Saturday, January 08, 2011

Up early this morning to help Garry get the driveway and sidewalk cleared. It's been snowing all night and still coming down. Our snow banks are so high that I'm having trouble putting the snow on top now! I figure once they get to be over my head, it definitely needs to quit snowing! Did you hear that Mother Nature????

It took both of us working at clearing the snow 30 minutes, now I'm ready to head back to bed! Probably won't though as I've got lots to do today and now that I'm up, well the mind is running and my list of chores is calling my name. Seems like a great day for making a crockpot meal though...I think a nice hot vegetarian chili sounds about right!

My positives:
Having Garry to help me shovel snow this morning, I know I will need to do it on my own part way through the day again. I'm burning calories...yep ...that's the attitude and positive spin Wanda.
I'm thrilled to see so many teammates have joined in the 2011 word post. That is awesome.
My first load of laundry is on the go.
Garry's surprise birthday gift is all confirmed and paid for now. We have another couple that will be hopefully joining us. Carol and Terry, winter down in Arizona and they've been contacted to see if they can join us. Sure hope so. Even if I end up having to tell Garry where we are going, he won't know about the friends joining us!

It's Silly Saturday and I'm off to check out the sillies. How about joining me and sharing a laugh or two.

Hugs,
Wanda

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

NJMATTICE 1/8/2011 1:02PM

You have certainly burned some calories today. I need to follow suit, but no snow to help me out. I can rake some leaves though. We got back home last night after an interesting trip that included sitting in a automotive repair shop in the middle of a cornfield. Perhaps I'll put that story in my blog. Now it's time to put illness and grief in the past and get this year underway! Not sure how long it will take me to get back into my normal routine, but I'm working at it. Have a great Saturday. Love to you and yours, Nancy Report Inappropriate Comment

WANDA68 1/8/2011 10:22AM

so far in Brooks we got some snow but alot of strong winds! I was planning on Shopping in Medicine hat but that might not happen! Have a great day! Report Inappropriate Comment

REDCHICK5 1/8/2011 10:05AM

Woah, way to go on the snow shovelling! They keep threatening us with snow over here but it has yet to materialise this year! I'm off to share in the laughs now - see you there! Report Inappropriate Comment

Fabulous Friday has arrived!

Friday, January 07, 2011

I love Fridays. They are an end to a work week and the beginning of a weekend filled with possibilities. Ahhhhhh.

The on going saga of Garry's birthday present....everything is booked, friends are coming, and then Garry drops the bombshell of perhaps he won't take the time off work that he had planned! Arrrgggg. I had to tell him that there was no option as I had already planned something special for his birthday and it requires us going somewhere! And yes, it does mean that we are going out of town!

My neck must be out, because I had a terrible sleep last night. It didn't seem to matter what position I tried to lie in, the pressure on my neck and head made trying to sleep uncomfortable. I know I should see the chiropractor, because it's been a very, very long time since I've been. But I am a chicken! The last time I went, the chiropractor locum that was seeing my regular doctors patients, scared me very badly with his adjustments. Now just the thought of someone manipulating my neck tenses me up. I've been relying on my massage therapist to do cranial massage, but I'm sensing that this might require a bit more work. I'll talk to Wendy next week and see what she can do. In the meantime, heat and cold packs and gentle manipulations on my own will have to do. I'm looking forward to my work day being done so that I can come home for a nap!

We have snow fall warnings out, so I guess that means I'll be doing some shoveling at some point today or tomorrow. We have been told that we can expect up to 30cm of snow! It's supposed to start about noon today. Hopefully this will be one of those times that the weather environment forecast is wrong!

My positives:
Although I didn't have a good sleep last night, it's Friday, so I can sleep in tomorrow.
It's Fabulous Friday!
Even with my neck being out, I'm grateful that I have a body that moves and for the most part obeys my commands!
I'm grateful that there are so many non-medicinal alternatives for health care.
I'm blessed with my family and friends.
I'm still on track with my goals and healthy eating. I'm now into day 7 of creating my new habit as per our weekly challenge.
I'm grateful for the challenges and trials that come my way, they are opportunities to grow, learn and become a better person.

Have a Fabulous Friday...remember "you are worthy".

Hugs,
Wanda

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SHER2BE8 1/8/2011 12:48PM

I just got up, looked outside and went back to bed, now I'm up again and I'm kinda looking forward to going out to shovel and play in the snow a bit, maybe go snow shoeing or cross country skiing, I'll have to see if hubby is feeling better first, he seems to have the flue. I love how you put a list of positives at the end of your posts, that's a great idea. Keep up the good work, I'm sure the shoveling blasted some good pounds off sherry Report Inappropriate Comment

VTORIA3 1/8/2011 9:04AM

Happy Saturday! I hope your night's rest was better last night and that your neck is feeling so much better. Aw, too bad DH had to put a kink in your birthday plans for him. I'm sure it will be a fun event, and very thoughtful of you, too. This is the stuff memories are made of. Enjoy the rest of your fabulous weekend. Report Inappropriate Comment

SHER2BE8 1/8/2011 12:51AM

Sorry to hear that you had to tell your husband part of the plan, but at least he doesn't know what it is. As for your neck, have you tried light stretches a few times a day with heat compresses, it sometimes helps to loosen a stiff neck. I also find that Pressure point massage works wonders as appose to going to a chiropractor. have a fabulous weekend, and we will both be shoveling snow tommorow and getting our exercise for the day by the sounds of the weather report. sherry Report Inappropriate Comment

LEXIE63 1/7/2011 7:42PM

Sorry about your neck, and the up-coming snow shovelling. I hope the latter doesn't aggravate the former. *gulp* Well done Garry for throwing a potential spanner in the works. LOL Hey, at least he doesn't know where or what or who, so that's something. :-) I hope that is the last of the possible problems with the trip. Hope Friday is being well and truly fabulous for you! Hugs, Lex xxx Report Inappropriate Comment

MAURIZIA 1/7/2011 10:02AM

Wanda, hope your neck gets to feeling better...especially if you have to shovel! We are getting sn*w starting later today through Sunday...and depending on which metereologist is speaking it can be anywhere from sn*w showers to a storm...so will just take peeks outside to see who is correct! Oh, men! Bah! Hehehehe...glad he still doesn't know where he is going...or do you think he suspects? Have a FABULOUS Friday!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MSKELLEY 1/7/2011 8:47AM

I appreciate you!! Report Inappropriate Comment

SOPKAMANJU 1/7/2011 7:34AM

about your bad neck I hope it gets better. Report Inappropriate Comment

Jan 06

Thursday, January 06, 2011

Yay, Garry's birthday present is booked! Yesterday our friends confirmed that they will travel with us to Las Vegas at the end of this month. Garry has no idea what is happening and I'm hoping that I can get away without telling him until the last minute. I've been saving for the past two years to be able to do this and finally the goal has been reached.
We leave on Jan 30 and return Feb 03. Because I have a laptop, I'll be able to stay connected...even better.

I almost had to say something yesterday about my plans, when Garry casually announced that while at work, he was looking on the internet at what the cost was to go to Vegas...and did I know that it was cheaper to fly to Vegas than it was to fly to Vancouver, BC??? When I asked, rather casually, why was he looking at trips to Vegas...he announced that we should see about taking a trip on our days off! Go figure... the guy is must be picking up on the energy waves around him right now!
Let's see what today brings.

My positives:
My trip for Garry's birthday surprise is booked...I booked with expedia.ca...was going to book online, but each time I clicked on a page the price kept going up, so I phoned them to book and the price was even "cheaper"! Now I'm anxiously waiting for the email from them so I can print off all the things I need. If it doesn't arrive today, I will phone them again. I just have to believe that all is well.

My holiday times that I've requested have been approved at work. I've only requested for the first half of the year, as I still don't know what I'm doing in the second half.

Being so blessed that I have finally reached a goal that I've had for a couple of years now. YAY.

Life...I love being the creator of what I want! Of course, I can't do it all alone...God does a lot of delivering too!

Have a wonderful day, dream big!

Hugs,
Wanda

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

REDCHICK5 1/7/2011 5:03AM

Hope he doesn't find out! You'll have to find ways to throw him off the scent, before he books a trip himself! whoops! Good luck keeping the secret! Report Inappropriate Comment

LEXIE63 1/6/2011 3:46PM

Superb! Here's hoping Garry doesn't twig before the big day. :-) Hugs, Lex xxx Report Inappropriate Comment

MAURIZIA 1/6/2011 9:08AM

Wanda, woohoo!! Isn't it nice when things come together this way? What a great surprise! When I visit my cousin in California, I usually meet them in Las Vegas because their older son & his family live there...then we drive back to California and I fly home from there. A little bit more money but worth it...since the first time I got off the plane after nearly 4 hours, into their SUV and off for a 4 hour drive! Yikes! Have a great day! Hugs! Report Inappropriate Comment