Friday, February 27, 2009

....and then there was 2

I can't get my head around that this time next week I'll actually be in Vancouver sitting back drinking copious amounts of "Winter Beer" (If the Speakeasy still has it on tap) and realizing when the phone rings it isn't a call from telecoms! I think that final statement will be the hardest thing to put out of my head, not just for me but more so for Hughie who despises the phone especially when it rings during "The Dark Knight"

I've been trying to keep the house clean on a daily basis..well for all that know me I'm a compulsive tidier so the house is "usually" clean on a daily basis but in order to pass the time I've been doubling up on the vacuuming and dusting. Today I'm doing 3 huge loads of wash just so I don't have any (or very little) to come back to in APRIL! I guess the big thing is, is that I don't mind leaving a mess but coming back home to a mess just puts me in a foul mood. Hopefully though by the time we get back at the end of March that the weather would have warmed up just a tad...

Speaking of which, I've been neurotic about checking the weather to the point I think the webmaster for Environment Canada may withdraw my access! I've been checking the weathernetwork.com and Environment Canada on a daily basis since ..oh.. about 3 weeks ago (14 day forecast...etc etc..) I'm a bit crazy I know but there is something about seeing a little sunshine picture that just makes the day go a bit smoother. I can basically tell you from memory the weather for Yellowknife, Edmonton, Winnipeg & Vancouver for the next 14 days!

Chakotay & Sekaya have finished packing their bags. Sekaya picked out the toys that she wanted to come with her (her little green frog, mouse and of course her pink & blue rubber bones). They definitely know what is going on, we have the kennels out and I'm washing her blankie today (It is the only blankie she hasn't destroyed a red plaid flannel blanket that she has had since she was just a little pup). We are keeping a pretty close watch on our dogs, since the last time we went and did something major (aka Wedding) they destroyed a wall in a matter of minutes. I'm hoping that Hughie and I are channelling good happy non-stressed thoughts so they will be passed on to the dogs. I'm sure when we were leaving for the wedding I was definitely channelling stressed thoughts, hence the wall hole!

There really isn't much left to do, a few more things to pack for both Hughie and I, but what it comes down too is if we don't bring it (or forget it) we will just purchase it when we get down south. We are actually packing minimally because of that reason. Just someone remind me to take my toothbrush - for some reason I always forget it! I'm glad we don't leave until 1:40 on Sunday though, that gives us the whole morning to get things organized and finalized! The other big bonus is that I can practically see the airport from my house; so we don't have to arrive 2 hours before. We can head down a bit early and drop off our bags then come home and keep the dogs company and wear them out for their flight.

I'm not sure how much I'll be updating over the next month. We will have our laptop with us, and I'm sure there could be some drunken posts...but be warned I'm not sure how much sense they will make.

Monday, February 23, 2009

1..2..3..4..5...........

6 MORE DAYS TO PACK
6 MORE DAYS TIL VACATION
6 MORE DAYS UNTIL TIM HORTON'S
6 MORE DAYS ......


How am I ever going to finish packing in only 6 days. I've started 3 days ago, just taking the odd little shirt or skirt and putting it in my suitcase, and now the more I pack the more I want to pack and the more I want to pack, I draw a blank on what I really need to pack. It is a vicious circle.

We got about 75% of our vacation planned out, we are still up in the air about the final 2 weeks and police curling. They still don't have an official team for the Nu/Yk/NWT. There are 4 people however, I'm leaning towards a big No considering there is less than a month to get leave approved and money for the plane/hotel/food. Although, you never know; we could be in Newfoundland for 9 days at the end of March. I wouldn't mind too much, I have yet to party it up on George Street.

Not much else to report in Kugaaruk; things have been relatively _____ lately. I think the big reason why is that there isn't a lot of money floating around the town as there was before Christmas. Things are starting to dry up..HOPEFULLY...but I may have just cursed it...or I suppose everyone could be just saving it up for the big hockey tournament that is going to be here sometime in March, teams from all around the region are flying it (18 & over). Would have been great to watch; but I prefer to watch my Vancouver Canucks! Hughie played in a poker tournament on Saturday; he came 16th out of 30th. Half the proceeds going towards the hockey tournament - he was quite happy with his placing considering until we moved up here he never played poker seriously before.

I think these will be the longest 6 days! Like the final 6 days til Christmas......

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Photos of still life.

Since my Internet connection is slow, even on a fast day; posting pictures on my Blog has been pretty much nonexistent. So I will allow my Blog readers to peak into my facebook albums.

Album # 1
These pictures are basically Kugaaruk and surrounding areas. The bright and sunny ones are the most recent; the grey and dull ones are from November when things were not so bright out.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=174693&id=638175005&l=9596f

(I would have linked directly, but for some blogger reason there was an error in doing so.)

As I add photos pertaining to Kugaaruk and my northern lifestyle I will let you all peak in from time to time.

Enjoy!

Monday, February 16, 2009

Another page in the next chapter

It is another crisp beautiful Kugaaruk day. The sun is blaring over the hills at such an intensity you would almost think it was "warm" outside. Alas, it is not. It is still quite cold here; although when you are sitting inside your nice warm house you sort of loose yourself in your imagination, that the sun is truly warm and the air is hot and dry. Then you walk over to the window and see the snow and the ice haze in the distant... It is only then you realize your imagination is definitely working overtime.

I'm counting down the days until our first IPA (12 more) we officially have the first leg of our vacation figured out. I just wish we would get the second half just as organized although that is pretty much out of our hands at the moment and you all know how much I hate when I can't organize things! I didn't realize how close our IPA was officially until Corey got back from his last night.

Chakotay and Sekaya are officially flying with us to Seneka in Winnipeg. Although, we did find them a kennel in Yellowknife but with March break on at the end of the month; they are booked solid and have been solid since last March break. So come August, and every other trip we take (as long as they can be booked in) we will be taking them to Great Slave Lake Animal Hospital - they have a kennel/boarding fascility behind the actual vet clinic that allows for indoor/outdoor kennels. I was impressed by the receptionist and she basically explained everything about the kennels including how and when they open the doors for feedings and the amount of time the dogs are allowed outdoors in the winter. Very impressed I was.

However, like you all know our dogs are our fur-kids; we would do anything necessary to make sure they are well taken care of. We will actually breath a bit easier knowing they are somewhere that treats them extrememly well this vacation, and Seneca provides them with everything they need and more (8pm cookie time..haha)

A sad story I heard today, an (off-duty) Mountie and his two young children have passed away in Oromocto due to a vehicle accident. I definitely feel for his family both immediate and his RCMP family. May they all rest in peace.
At least he got to walk his children into heaven - how many parents get to do that.

Now that I depressed you all, I will leave you with a bit of fun facts about ME!

TEN HOW'S:

How did you get one of your scars?
I have a few little tiny scars on my hands and arms due to my sister and her set of pinchers! She was known for them around the school yard; and she had a mean bite too.

How did you celebrate your last birthday?
With my husband and Chicken Nacho's while drinking beer trying to ease into my 30th year.

How are you feeling at this moment?
Excited that my IPA is in less than two weeks.

How did your night go last night?
Canucks over Montreal and had Corey over for supper.

How did you do in high school?
I was average; did what I had to do - it has been so long I really can't recall many details.

How did you get the shirt you're wearing?
I bought it at Cabella's in Minnesota while in North Dakota.

How often do you see ur best friend?
I see my husband & huskies daily.

How much money did you spend last month?
The usual Visa & student loan payments; and did some online chapter purchases.

How old do you want to be when you get married?
Since I'm already married - I was 29

How old will you be at your next birthday?
31

NINE WHAT'S:

Your Dogs name?
Chakotay
Sekaya
My PEI dog is Kelly.

What did you do last weekend?
Valentines day! Made Hashbrown Casserole and Cheesecake and was on the receiving end of some nice Victoria Secret items and ROSES!!!! (Yes Roses in the great white north)

What is the most important part of your life?
Family, Happiness & Health

What would you rather be doing?
Nothing I'm very content with my life; although I have a sink full of dishes

What did you last cry over?
I blubber over tv shows so often, I really can't tell you the last one.

What always makes you feel better when you’re upset?
Cleaning and I'm the queen at the silent treatment.

What’s the most important thing(s) you look for in a significant other?
Trust, Humour, Communication

What are you worried about?
Our flight(s) to Winnipeg and the possibilty of delays and storms. Stuff that I really have no control over.

What did you have for breakfast?
I had a glass of water, coffee & Craisins

There ya have it folks, another informative blog entry. I promise things will pick up as I detail my vacation; keep tuned into my facebook profile for picture updates.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Mounds and Mounds of CHOCOLATE

FUDGY FUDGE BROWNIES
A chocolate lovers delight!
Brownies:

1 1/4 c. flour
1/4 c. cocoa
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3 eggs
2 c.
sugar
3/4 c. butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. chopped walnuts (optional)

Stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt and walnuts. Mix well. Set aside.
In large bowl, combine eggs, sugar, butter and vanilla. Beat with wooden spoon until smooth. Stir in dry ingredients; mix well. Spread batter evenly in 13 X 9 inch pan.

Bake in 350ºF oven for about 25 minutes. Do not overbake. Brownies are ready when edges are just set and center is still soft.

Cool on wire rack.
(Directions & Ingredients taken from http://www.cooks.com)

I figured I would start out tempting your taste buds, as I type the above mentioned the brownie(s) are cooking along nicely, with a nice chocolate icing in the fridge waiting for the warm brownies to be cooled. However, with the topic being Chocolate, I thought I would tell you about this new crazy idea I read and saw pictures about.

Chocolate Buffett! Apparently it is a true thing, a buffett made with and only items including chocolate, ice cream, cheese cakes and tarts etc etc etc; where is this unknown entity at...VANCOUVER at the SUTTON HOTEL where Hughie and I just so happened to book for three nights while we are away on vacation! Now I'm tempting to try the chocolate buffett but I know I'm going to have to put in at least 5km of walking the day before and day after just to justify it. I wonder if they just let you stare at the items....that could be a possibility.

I can't believe how close we are to being on vacation; it seems like only yesturday we arrived in Kugaaruk and we are off on our first IPA already.
Tonight should be a good evening, we are having Stephen over for supper; where the Brownies will be turned into Brownie Sundaes with the help of pecan/caramel soft serve and cones for dessert, Lasagna will cover the main course then after supper is all said and done, and the dishes are put to soak we are heading over to the Hamlet building where they are having sort of a contest for best product: Sewing, weaving, knitting, carving & painting. I'm hoping there will be stuff to buy or at least know who is good in town to buy from.

Well my timer is about to go off, I wish you all could smell the warm chocolate fumes wafting from my oven.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Girly Girl?

Until yesturday I did not realize what I missed the most about being up North. I didn't realize that I was slowly turning into a Girly Girl while living in Manitoba. I didn't realize I craved pampering...

What? Tammy is a Girly Girl.....

I never felt so much relief as I did yesturday when I booked myself a Wax & Foil and a hour massage. I never was one that craved individual attention from anyone but myself every now and again, you know the average shaving, plucking..self dyeing of the hair - but somehow very slowly I turned to the attention of others. (Note to self: I forgot to book an appointment for a manicure). I'm now counting down the days when I can turn my body over and completely relax. All I need now is a new purse...It is something my mother taught me, when the seasons change, it is time to change the purse!
========================

In other news: It looks like Chakotay & Sekaya are joining us in Winnipeg at Seneca - the dog kennel we were looking at the whole family is taking off for the Idiatrod in March and the other (good) kennel is booked solid apparently. However, we are definitely going to be booking them at Borealis in August - a lot less stress on my huskies is alot less stressful for me. The job that I have for today/tomorrow is to pull out the kennels from the laundry room and put them together, tabs and all to see if they will withstand Sekaya's chomping! If anything we may have to do a rush order on at least one kennel. Chakotay isn't an escaper; he rather yell like bloody murder instead.

I'm still hanging on to my New Years Resolution to loose more weight this year, I'm back on to my 8-10 glasses of water a day (which is hard to get back into, considering I live in a very DRY area) and watching my calorie count. I'm also in love with the Ellipitcal at the Detachment I've been slowly working my way up to 60 minutes. I'm currently between 40-50 minutes ranging between a cross/resist of about 5-13 & 5/6..not sure what those numbers mean but my glutes/calfs & quads sure do feel it. The detachment should have its weightsystem in sometime this week, so that will help with some of the toning aspect.

23 MORE days til vacation!

Monday, February 2, 2009

Trained....

Some would say that the football game was the most important event of February 1st, however in my mind the most important part was that I learned that my husband puts down the seat!

We had Stephen (Relief member) over for our First Annual Kugaaruk Superbowl Party and of course after you've been here for a couple of hours you tend to have to go to the bathroom. While I was walking around tidying things up (Normal thing that I do) I noticed that the toilet seat was UP!, so I placed it down without complaint. Needless to say it went up once more before the end of the night! After Stephen left I had a moment of clarity - I can't remember the last time I put down the toilet seat?

Do I have Hughie trained that well in bathroom ettiquette??

Just like sand thru the hour glass...

These are the days of my life..

I haven't done a massive update in quite sometime, basically because I didn't want to jinx our vacation plans. However, since we have bought our official "we are leaving kugaaruk" tickets I plan on telling you a bit about it. We are approved for our IPA from March 1-30, 2009. We are quite looking forward to hanging out with our friends & family as well as with Mr. and Mrs. Smirnoff & Keiths. We have pretty much planned out our trip except for a few minor details that encompass the last two weeks. I'm not sure what has me more excited, the fact that I'm going to be able to walk thru Chapters with a Grande Non-Fat Latte or the fact that I can add Baileys to that same coffee and walk around Chapters. Hughie and I have been doing a list of items that we want to pick up, lol..CDs, DVDs, BLU RAY....books..I suppose we should start a "necessity" list ontop of the one we already started. I can't get my hopes up to much, as our trip could and may be delayed due to weather, mechanical or because the pilot is feeling a tad bit sleepy... all could be very good reasons to not fly from Yellowknife to Kugaaruk.

We are still on the fence where to put Chakotay & Sekaya, apparently no one returns emails that are sent to them, I suppose they may have dialup speeds and that would be a valid reason why. I'm not extremly concern yet though, we still have the backup plan of Seneca in Winnipeg; I just didn't want them to fly that far, last time it took them days to recoop.

Dyson..no we didn't get a new puppy (Yet..) but we did get a new Dyson Roller Ball Vacuum cleaner that is the most beautiful rusty orange I ever did see. Boy can that machine suck. It whips thru my dog hair like there was none ever evident on my floors, bed, couch and of course under the couch. I'm so impressed I've been vacuuming daily; and unfortunately I will admit that I get just as much hair in my bin as I did the day before, huskies...they shed like crazy!

We had our first power outage the other morning, Saturday. I was laying in bed and being the light sleeper I am I woke at the sound of our firealarm going BEEP...I laid in bed for a few more moments wondering if the place was burning down, and when I didn't hear the sound go off again, I figured it was safe and I cocoon'd back down into the covers....after a few moments I realized how quiet my house was no furnace, hotwater tank and the biggest sound barrier my humidifier was QUIET; apparently this outtage was a planned outtage and they announced it on the radio at noon all week. I really should tune in a little more frequently; but most of the time I don't understand a word they are saying so my lack of participation in the noontime radio channel is just.

Just call me "QUEENIE" I am the Queen (at least this week) of Kugaaruk Poker; I won!! $50.00 (Which is basically a bunch of banana's and a 4 litre of milk) on Saturday evening. I went thru players like Steven, Hughie, Gord, Betty and Mike! I swindled and cheated and played some damn good hands - although I did have some luck on my side; I was getting flushes on the river the whole night!
A little toot to my horn, I made some of the best banana muffins Saturday night along with some (boxed) naniamo squares for Hughie.

There has been some interesting quiz's going on in the facebook world, but I'm not a fan of letting all my friends see my responses so I will leave you with this one on my blog.
==================================
One word responses:

1. Where is your cell phone? Oblivion
2. Your significant other? Crime-fighting
3. Your hair? Multi-colored (BAH!)
4. Your mother? Loving
5. Your father? Supportive
6. Your favorite? Caffine
7. Your dream last night? Concealed
8. Your favorite drink? Coffee
9. Your dream/goal? Animal-Rescuer
10. What room you are in? Kitchen
11. Your hobby? Reading
12. Your fear? Deep-water
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Maritimes
14. Where were you last night? Home
15. Something that you are not? Insane
16. Muffins? Banana
17. Wish list item? Jeep
18. Where you grew up? House
19. Last thing you did? Bathroom
20. What are you wearing? Toque
21. Your TV? Big
22. Your pets? Snoozing
23. Friends? Loyal
24. Your life? Love-It
25. Your mood? Joyful
26. Missing some one? Yep
27. Car? Nameless
28. Something you're not wearing? Watch
29. Your favorite store? Clothes
30. Your favorite color? Brown
31. When is the last time you laughed? Yesturday
32. Last time you cried? Unknown
33. Who will resend this? Unspecified
34. One place that I go to over and over? Co-op
35. One person who texts me regularly? Sad
36. My favorite place to eat? Kitchen
37. My favorite food? Chicken