WINTER IN CANADA

It's Winter here in Mb.. well, not officially - not for a couple more days... but at this point, really... it's here. Like a relative that says she'll be here at 7, but shows up at 5 to "beat the rush."

There's a "Colorado" Low heading into Ontario. You'd think it was a disaster of all time. Pictures are popping up on a local chat sight of the "storm" and all I can do is laugh. It's all over the news, the weather channel. Schools are being cancelled. Schools are being let out early.

You know what? That is our weather here in Manitoba. It sucks, don't get me wrong. But while it's another day for Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and parts of Alberta, it's a complete disaster for Ontario.

Our days like that, never ever make the news. We never have school canceled... never.

Yeah.. I don't envy them. No one wants a storm.. (I'm glad it's not hitting here), but it isn't such a big deal.. it's snow, it's winter. Stay home, watch TV, nothing is worth it to get out and drive in it, and then when it's over, get on your coats and boots and shovel it. Think of it as good exercise, a way to get some much needed family time -- FRESH AIR (whats left of it that Ontario has) and enjoy it. But, do you neighborly duty, and help those that can't as well. Shovel out your elderly neighbors!!!

One lesson I learned -- If you don't get out and play in it, you will turn into a grumpy, whiny old person very quickly.

So, bring on the snow - Summer comes early to you then here... It will be 6 months before we see grass - You all will see it like in March... Hang in there. It's always good to experience how other people live. :)

What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger!!!

NO CAVITIES

Isn't that great! Today my 9 and 2 year old went to the dentist. It was a good visit and both did very well. My 9 year old who has big time anxiety with the dentist did awesome! They made sure to give him the big time heavy duty sun glasses to wear. Ty has a light sensitivity issue, which usually requires sunglasses and a piece of gauze over his eyes. And he's usually just a nervous fellow. This time, he just lay there and took it all in. Emily, she did just wonderful. They even managed xrays for her! She just layed on the table opened her mouth and watched TV. So relaxed she was.

No cavities for both of them. They have both taken great care of their teeth. Emily made sure the dentist gave her a "Ariel" toothbrush... she talked about that all morning. And we got these cute little flossers... of which, I will let my dh handle.. I honestly can not stand/stomach flossing my kid's teeth. I can brush them, but plucking out guck is just not for me. I know, I'm a bad mom. But that is why I got married to a guy who could stomach these kinds of things, and can pick up, where I left off!!!

Tonight is my 11 year olds very first band concert. He seems excited. I have a gut awful feeling that his white dress shirt does not fit... I should have had him try it on this morning first. He needed a white shirt, black pants and black shoes (with black socks). My... band was expensive.

The weather? WEll, it's currently cloudy and ready to snow. It's warm, so everything is just very slushy. I made the mistake of wearing runners outside.. so my feet are just cold and wet. Eventually, I will get around to changing my socks... for some reason, the call of the blog, lured me here instead.

When God comes a knocking...

Mom - I know how God wants kids to be born. (from my 6 year old)

God jumps into mom's belly and knocks very very loud.. and the angels join in and knock harder. And this is why having a baby hurts so much.

*******

Makes the whole childbirth thing, sort of reassuring, knowing that God and the Angels are with you.

Hump Day

I had lots to write about today. But the lack of caffeine this morning, has rendered my mind into a heap of fluff.

It was warm enough yesterday that the sun melted a lot of the ice that built up. Well, except for the back walkway. I spent an hour outside chipping away at it.. and that of my neighbours. It's what we do for each other. Makes snow removal more enjoyable, when you share the chore with someone else! (well, especially when they don't live with you!!!)

The girls spent the whole time outside as well. They tried to make snow angels and because there isn't much snow, but ice, they got distracted quite easily. They then decided to run on the ice.. Our backlane seems to have a section of ice in the middle of the road... the water drains down to a drainage hole, some ways down.. but this patch of ice kept them busy for some time. I was a bit worried, heads hit ice hard. But they seemed fine. My youngest seem to detest falling on her butt.. she prefers the whole body fall. Which could come in handy... you should learn to fall with your whole body, as opposed to just parts of your body. Drop and roll. Drop and roll.

It was a good hour outside. Good, fresh air. Rosy cheeks.

We have ice rain heading our way. It's supposed to mix with "rain" and then some "snow." We don't expect much accumulation, if any. It's warm out too!

I just hope whatever happens, it melts the ice on the walkway in the backyard. Otherwise, I will have to put up guardrails to keep people from falling and breaking a hip or something.

Keep safe.

REMEMBRANCE DAY

IN FLANDERS FIELD

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.
- John McCrae

Grand Forks, North Dakota

Part of what makes some Manitoban's happy, is taking a jaunt over the border to North Dakota. We are fond of Grand Forks. That is where we decided to spend the day. Going down was a fine drive. We got to customs and of course, got the line the moved slower than molasses. I swear, this happens to us every single time. The customs guy talked to us forever. Wanted to know what my husband did for a living, what I did and what could we possibly want with Grand Forks, and for the day at that. We got through 30 minutes later, but only after he (customs dude) lifted the hatch of the minivan. Boy am I glad I cleaned out the mess back there a few weeks back!

We got down to Grand Forks and decided we needed lunch. We stopped at the ever so fabulous "Burger King." I had originally wanted a "sit down and be served" restaurant, but sadly the customs guy really ate into our time.

We then made a made dash to stores like Walmart (which was really a stupid thing to do on a weekend), Target (which is my fav store), Kohls and Hobby Town. I didn't get anything I planned to get, but lots I didn't plan on.

For example - I got a pedi-egg. I've heard great reviews on these. They are here in Winnipeg, I've just never seen them in any of my regular stores. And I got this neat thing that makes Pancake Puffs. Totally an impulse buy!!! I did buy my ever favourite "Kix" cereal. It doesn't sell here in Manitoba. It's one of the few luxuries I demand on every trip south.

We did walk around the Columbia Mall. It was smaller than we thought it would be (we've never been inside before). But my 11 yo picked up a "Texas" hat there.

Back up north we drove. Yes, we had to eat again - this time, it was McDonalds. And I swear I will have to detox my children for two weeks because of the crap we ate yesterday.. ugh!

And we hit the Canadian Border. And once again, pick the line that's moving the slowest. Nothing more aggravating than seeing other cars zoom through. We get through, and of course, we bought too much and have to go and declare it all. We only had to pay like $16 on it all.. not bad.

Next time -- we are spending 24 hours in GF. None of the go down in a day thing. Driving down in the Winter isn't enjoyable. It gets dark pretty early.

AND. We figured after the big storm that South Dakota, North Dakota and Manitoba (same system) there would be more snow in Grand Forks, than here. We were shocked to see that there wasn't any snow!! NONE! But boy, was it bitterly bitterly bitterly cold down there. oye. It's the kind of cold you can feel in your bones. But then again, I was wearing my fall pullover. I wasn't dressed for the weather!

Ice Ice Ice

This is the aftermath of the storm. No, not a lot of snow. But that nice fluffy sticky snow, turned to ice. I was just out there trying to shovel.. impossible. Since everyone has been walking on it, it's packed down nicely. I do hope for some warmer weather to melt it some, and I can go and get the ice up. It's rather slippery out there. Yikes!