Happy New Year!!!! 2008!

Well, another year is coming to a close, and we are approaching our first year anniversary in Quesnel in a few weeks. I can't believe where the time has gone. It has been a very fast year for us. Molly is 18 1/2 months old, and it is hard to believe in a few short months that she will be 2!!! Life really does pass you by in a huge hurry if you don't watch out, so live it to the fullest!

The year started off with Greg's job coming to a close, and our decision to make the move to Quesnel, BC where we purchased 5 acres of land in 2004. We packed up, and headed north on the 27th of February. Greg started work with West Fraser Mills near the end of March. He is quite happy with his job, and is doing very well. His job is going to be taking him to the southern U.S. in the coming days. West Fraser owns 13 mills in the states, and the majority being in the South. He will spend time in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Texas for the next few weeks.

There was still plenty of snow on the ground when we moved here, and it was a couple of months before we could really begin any work on the land. We got a culvert and drive put onto the land so we could access the property by vehicle. We got some clearing, and burning done on the property this summer, and we had the idea of building a shed before winter, but that didn't come to be . We had an area dug for the foundation, and that is far as we got. The cold weather came much to quickly, and we had our first snow fall on November 1st. We have to keep in mind that the warm season is much too short in these parts. As for our building plans, they are still in the planning stages, as we change our plans so often. WE are hoping to break ground this year, and start to build, but with Greg' s travel schedule we are not so sure what we are going to do just yet. So we will see.

On June 11, Molly turned a year old, and soon began to walk within a few days after her birthday. She is going full force now, and won't have it any other way. She is always on the move.....ALWAYS! She keeps Greg, and I pretty busy, and plenty tired. :)
She is really doing well, and is growing like crazy. She is already 32inches + tall, and nearly 29lbs! She is not a fat kid by no means, she is all muscle, and healthy.
She is starting to really develop her vocabulary, and can say quite a few words. Though she is still selective as to when she says them. She even will come up to you , and say what's that? That is a new thing. She is also trying to say her abc's, and count to 10. She is really doing well with that, and though she can't pronounce everything clearly, you can tell what she is trying to say, and she knows the order in which the letters, and numbers come. It is really amazing to see her grow, and develop. She is really smart, and such a joy.

I have been working on several crafts the last several weeks, and I am enjoying that very much. I am crocheting, and knitting both with a loom, and I with the help of my friend Melissa have finally taught myself to knit the old fashioned way. I am just beginning with that, and I have a whole lot to learn yet. I am very interested in quilting, and hope to start doing that too... Another friend of mine says where do I find the time?? I don't really find time, other things will, and do fall behind in the process. :) My friend Melissa, and I are going to do a whole bunch of crafting , and go to some of the local craft fairs later this coming year, and I am very much looking forward to that.

I have also been working on a couple of web projects, and we are still doing web hosting, and some computer contracting through our home business Webwise Network Services.

I hope to officially launch my free ecard website in the coming weeks. This is a project that we have stopped, and started a few times, but have not completed. I decided that the photos I have taken over the years would be much better served if they were in use. I am not a professional photographer by no means, but I enjoy it, and we both have taken some nice pictures.

I hope to get Molly involved in some recreational activities this coming year as well. I definitely want to take her to swim classes, which we have not done yet. She is still not quite old enough to do a lot of activities , but we do have some friends, and we are trying to get together some play dates more frequently. She loves to be outside!

I am still trying to get used to the colder temperatures, and the snow. We have had snow on the ground pretty much since the first part of November, and continuously since November 14th. We got Molly a toddler sled, and she really loves being pulled around on it. She however, does not like the fact that she has to wear a snow suit, or big heavy coats, and hats, or shoes, and socks for that matter. I think I am going to have to put extra strength Velcro on her feet!!

Molly, and I went to Alabama in mid November, and stayed until the end of the month. We had a very nice visit with friends, and family. Unfortunately, despite being there for nearly two weeks, we still didn't manage to see, and do everything we wanted, or visit with everyone. The trip down, as most of you heard was pretty hellish, and the fact I was traveling alone with a toddler made it even harder. A trip that should have taken about 12-14 hours turned into 48 hrs of frustrations, headaches, and stress. We made it through without me killing anyone, though I think I could have a few times! We had a nice time once we got to our destination though. Molly is a well traveled toddler already with a stamp in her passport. I didn't even get a passport until I was 31!

We returned home to -25C/-13F , and lots more snow. We were in the deep freeze for better than a week, the coldest night we had was -28C/-18F. It finally warmed up to -9C/15F for the daytime highs. It has since warmed up a bit more than that, but it is back down to about that again. We still have lots of snow on the ground, and have had new snow as well. It just hasn't warmed up enough to melt it. If I were to guess we have had several feet of snow fall already since November. We still have at least 4 more months of the white stuff, and from what I have heard, it will get much colder than -25C before all is said, and done. We won't see the first signs of spring until mid to late May.

We have been asked a few times when we are going to start on baby #2, and few of our friends are working on, and or awaiting baby #2 already! In the beginning we were telling people no way, no how, but since then we have changed our tune a little bit. This is not too surprising since we went into this marriage with the idea we didn't want children. I had a lot of trouble after Molly was born, and I am not so sure if mentally I could start all over with a new baby... though I think it would be nice for Molly to have a brother or sister. I think about having another baby a lot, and then I think I must be crazy! I think though because of my age,( I just turned 37 on the 26th) and my previous problems that if we do decide to have another child, that we will try to adopt. Nothing is set in stone, and we will see what our future holds for us. Only time will tell. :)

Greg, and I had our 5th wedding anniversary on the 16th of November, however we "celebrated" apart. I was in transit to Alabama, and he was in Alberta for work. It is hard to believe that I have been in Canada 5 years now. It seems only yesterday I hopped on a plane for Vancouver with no idea what was in store for me there. :)
I finally feel at home here, and we are both very happy.

Anyhow, we are really enjoying living in Quesnel, and are looking forward to what the new year has in store for us.
We want to wish you all a Happy New Year, and hope that the year brings you much happiness, and joy!!

You might live in Canada if....

I got this cute email with well known things said about Canadians, and these ones I have experienced first hand. :)


If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you may live in Canada.


If you measure distance in hours, you may live in Canada.


If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' in the same day and back again, you may live in Canada

If you can drive 90 kms/hr through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you may live in Canada.

If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you may live in Canada.

If the speed limit on the highway is 80km -- you're going 90 and everybody is passing you, you may live in Canada.

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow, you may live in Canada.

If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction, you may live in Canada

If you find 2 degrees C 'a little chilly', you may live in Canada!

Happy Holidays!

Well, it looks like we will likely still have snow on the ground Christmas, and likely will get new snow by then as well. We finally went out to get our tree last Sunday, and the snow there was realllly deep. :)

We took Molly around on a sled, but it proved to be a much harder job than expected...so it wasn't much fun.
I just wanted to wish you all a very happy, and safe holiday!
Bets wishes in the New Year!
Cheers!

It's warming up...

Well, the deep freeze we have been having here is finally warming up as of this past week....we are finally above 0C today. Now, the roads will be come really dangerous with all the melting snow, then freezing at night. We have more snow in the forecast as well. It sure is more pleasant to be able to go outside, and not have snotcycles! :)

Well, Christmas is only 9 days away, and we have yet to do any shopping as usual...the weather has been no help there. I can finally get Molly outside for short bits at a time...when it was -19C to - 28C no can do. It is really hard on their lungs, and it is just no fun being outside.

Anyhow, I have lots to do. Hope you have a great weekend!!!
Cheers!

The Hunger Site

All you have to do is click...what can it hurt?

I am on a roll...

The weather has been really cold, so I have been doing a lot of crafting.
I have been doodling around with this project today. I took another craft, and put a different twist on it...I tend to do that, not sure why? :) This is a great craft for older kids as well, and is really, really inexpensive.

You will need a bunch of misc buttons. I picked up a few packs of these at the dollar store for a $1 each...

You will need two different gauges of tin copper wire...the same stuff used in jewelry making. I believe I used 14 & 24 gauge. I used the thinner wire for threading the buttons, and beads, and I used the thicker wire for the hook.

You will need some clamp scissors, or needle nose pliers will do. Also, you will need some beads if you like , this is totally optional, and you can add other items to your liking. This project is all about creativity, and imagination. The sky's the limit!

Here are some pictures: Have fun!

Being Crafty-Spice Scented Fabric Ornaments.

I came up a with this idea yesterday, taking a craft my mom used to do to another level. I had an old factory manufactured quilt that was starting to come apart. It has a lot of holiday colors in it, and looks old timey. So, I decided to use the fabric, and batting to make ornaments. The twist is adding cloves, and bits of whole cinnamon inside to make them smell nice. They will make my tree smell so wonderful! I also can use the fabric to do all sorts of other things, including re quilting the pieces into a new design. I didn't have to buy anything but the spices, and I am making something old into something new. It is always best to reuse if you can.

I cut pattern shapes out of construction paper using some of my cookie cutters, and some old Christmas cookie cutters that were my grandmothers. I made the necessary adjustments to the scale as needed.

Here are some pictures of the first ones I did before, and after. Now they are not perfect in the slightest, considering it has been a while since I have used a sewing machine. I am hoping they get better as time goes along.

p.s. Since posting this, I have adorned the ornaments with buttons I got at the dollar store, that I had picked up for another project . The buttons really added a nice touch. I made the little dress after the first pictures, and made the hanger from jewelry wire. I can't wait to put these on my tree. :)

-26C this morning...

I am enjoying a nice cup of hot tea, and homemade banana bread this morning.
The deep freeze continues here. I finally bundled Molly up on Thursday, and went to Walmart just so I could air out. I don't like being cooped up in the house. I didn't have the camera handy , but Molly reminded me of little Randy on A Christmas Story in his winter bunting. She just laid motionless in her carseat, simply because she couldn't move!

I went out that evening to a party I was invited to...it was an interesting feeling when the moisture in my nose started to freeze almost immediately upon going outside. I thought, oooh yuck snotcycles!

It is suppose to warm up a little bit next week. Instead of -19C for the high, it will be -9C :) Greg is going today to PG to get a block heater installed on the Subaru. I didn't have too much difficulty starting her up this past week, but the weather will get much colder than now, and I don't want to not be without a vehicle in case of an emergency.

Well, enjoy your weekend, and certainly hope it is warmer where you are! :)

The weather outside is frightful, and a fire would be oh so delightful....

We woke up to a sultry -28C/-18F this lovely December morning. It will warm up to a balmy -18C by this afternoon. It is days like this that I wished we had a fireplace. I love the smell of a wood fire. We are plenty warm in our townhouse, but a fire would add some ambiance. :) I think later Molly , and I will have to venture out for some supplies. We need the airing out anyhow...that is if the car will start. :/
Well, I hope it is nice, and warm where you are!!

Cheers!
Jen

I am really in the Great White North!

Well, Quesnel is really living up to the title "The Great White North". It is COLD, and snowing. The temps have been dipping down into the -20's C for a week or more now.
This is my first "real winter" in Canada. We have had really cold weather in Alabama in years past,snow, and at least 3 ice storms in my lifetime. I have not experienced anything below 0 F before though. I have never seen ice crystals inside of a window before. The moisture on the inside of our storm windows is frozen solid, and it is so strange to see that. The locals say it is not usual for it to be this cold this early. Temps like this are more common in January, and February. So, I think we will be in for a long cold Winter. At least I will get plenty of practice with my crocheting, and knitting!!

Our Alabama Trip

Hi There,
Well it is December 2nd, and it is Winter here in Quesnel for absolute certain. Molly, and I returned to -25C temps/-30C with the wind chill on Friday, November 30th.
A far sight colder than the 60 something F we left back in Alabama. The locals say it is very unusual for it to be this cold in November...usually not until January or February.
I think we are in for a very long, and very cold winter. I guess I will get lots of practice on my knitting, and crocheting. :)
Molly, and I had an great visit with friends, and family while we were in Alabama. I am really sorry if we missed some of you, it was really hard to squeeze everything in, and we still had lots we didn't get to do, and for that we sincerely apologize. It is really hard to do much with a toddler with a schedule.

Anyhow, we started our journey November 14th in the afternoon. Our flight out of Prince George was to leave at 8:10pm. We were going to be taking a red-eye to Toronto, arriving in Atlanta on the 15th at 9:40a.m. Well it didn't exactly play out that way. It started to snow on us before we left to go to the airport, and the drive was pretty bad at times with white out conditions. We got to Prince George however, and there was no snow at all...so I was hopeful that things would be just fine. Well, after we got there it started to snow, and it got bad, but not bad enough until Greg left us to go back home that they canceled my flight. I was already dreading this trip, and this was just the beginning of a nightmare that took over 48 hours.

I waited in line to reschedule my flight with Air Canada, and picked to go the next morning at 7:30a.m. They were able to put Molly and I up for the night in a hotel, as I was totally stranded. Greg was to leave the next morning for Alberta for work for the next several days. I didn't sleep well, and got up around 4a.m. I got Molly up, and went downstairs at 5:55a.m to catch my ride to the airport, only to learn my flight had been canceled. Air Canada says Prince George is a difficult place to get in, and out of this time of year, but West Jet seemed to be doing just fine as they landed their planes about 20 minutes after my first flight was canceled. So, I was able to stay at the hotel until I needed to go to my flight that had been automatically re booked for 2:45pm that afternoon.

Greg was coming through PG to pick up a fellow at the airport before their 15+ hour drive to Sundre, AB, and was able to bring me some diapers for Molly. I had only packed enough to get us there on a regular trip. So we got to see him again, and say good bye.
Our flight left on time , and we were to arrive in Toronto at 1a.m. EST. The trip over was not so bad, as the crew on the Vancouver to Toronto leg of the trip took pity on me, and gave me their seats in the back so that I could stretch out with Molly. Otherwise the trip would have been horrible, as it is always a full flight from Vancouver to Toronto.

I get to Toronto at 1a.m., and we had no reservations for a room, and instead of getting a room for a couple of hours, I decided to just stay at the airport. So, Molly, and I attempted to sleep in the Toronto Airport....Molly got about 3 hours....I got 45 minutes. I was so paranoid about falling asleep, and finding her gone when I woke up. I had my hand on her the whole time. We were perfectly safe though, as the head of security that evening helped us out, and took us a too a safe area. She had to retrieve my wallet that I left by the pay phone in the secure area. I left it there after I had called the Sheraton at the airport to only find out they wanted $289 a night. SHEESH!

So, at 5:30a.m. I decided to push my trolley of luggage, car seat, and Molly in the stroller to go check my baggage. I had to retrieve that too when I entered Toronto so I could go through US customs.

Well, if you might have heard about the major computer glitch that caused the reservations network to be down for several hours during peak travel time... I was part of that statistic. (News Story) . When I went to get in line there were easily 300+_ people in front of me, and the line only grew. When people got to where I was, they looked disgusted, only to find out that it just kept going, and going, and going, until they ran out of building, and had to start snaking around, and around . The end of the line passed the beginning very quickly. :(

I was able to get through pretty quickly after the system came back up, but having to deal with customs, and baggage I still managed to miss my flight, as so did half the other passengers. They let that plane leave with 15 people on it! So, they sent us back to where we started with an $8 dollar voucher for breakfast, and a new flight to leave in 2 hours. In the meantime, my mom, and step dad were wondering if I was going to call anymore. :)

There were a group of us that kind of hung together, so it was nice to have someone in the same boat as me. Molly had no trouble at all making friends, and she was so good. She had a meltdown towards the end of our wait in Toronto. The lady that was sorting passengers, said she felt like crying too. All in all I couldn't have asked her to do any better. Also thank the heavens that Greg got her a portable DVD player! That saved me so many times on this trip.

Our flight from Toronto left about 45 minutes late, as they were trying to get all these backed up flights out. After they loaded us on the plane they told us it would be a little longer wait as they were taxiing out another plane, then they had to load our luggage. HEH! yeah, ok....RIGHT!

Molly, poor thing fell asleep before we took off, and didn't wake up until I woke her up after we landed in Atlanta an hour later than originally planned.

I gathered her, and her things,left the plane to go get our luggage, and meet my step dad, and mom at baggage claim. They weren't there, but I soon found out they were circling the airport waiting for us to arrive, instead of parking a million miles away.

Well, you think the story ends here, but it doesn't.... I am soon to learn that our luggage, and Molly's car seat are still in Toronto!!!! I am furious, but not too surprised. It was only fitting. I think everything that could go wrong went wrong except the plane crashing, which is something I am happy, and thankful for.

I had to file a lost luggage claim, and they would deliver it as soon as it came in to Atlanta. I was ok with this, but I told them that I have to go another 2 1/2 hours to our destination by car, and I HAD to have a car seat! I wasn't about to wait until this luggage showed up. So they gave us a loaner car seat. I was so glad to get out of there.
Our luggage showed up the next day, and Molly's car seat showed up on Monday.

Finally, we could rest, and relax, and enjoy ourselves. We had a wonderful time, and had lots of good food. I did lots of shopping, and enjoyed the weak US dollar while I could. :)

Our trip home was without problems, but was extremely long, and tiring,. I wasn't so lucky on the Toronto to Vancouver leg of the trip back as the flight was overbooked, and completely full. I had to hold Molly the whole 5 + hours. I was miserable, and ready to have a meltdown by the time we got to Vancouver. We were late leaving, but go into Vancouver in plenty of time .

We arrived in PG at 7:50pm. and met Greg with tears, and hugs. We were both exhausted.
I had never been so glad to see him in my life.

Anyhow, I have decided that I won't fly with Air Canada again unless I am forced to. It was the worst experience in my traveling life.
We are home now, and glad to be home. It will take us a few days to recover I think.
Here are some pictures from our trip South.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=20851&page=1&id=549365894
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13876223@N00/

We hope that this finds you all well, and in good health.
Peace, and Love!--