Spring 2010

For those who are living south of Nunavut, I’m sure you are all shocked to find out that YES we still have snow on our ground, and on occasion we do get the odd flurry in June.  However, to us Great White Northerners this is as much Spring as we will get– with Summer looming just around the corner.  However, with that said the amount of snow still lingering around – I will not be surprised if there is still snow on the ground as we leave in July. 

 

(June 8th, 2010 – approximately 4:00pm)

 

(June 8th, 2010 – approximately 4:01pm)

(Taken at 12:19am June 12th, 2010)

Things have been definitely warming up, when I can go for a walk with just my cap on my head and my gloves stored in my pockets not my hands – I realize that Spring is definitely here to stay.  I look forward to warmer weather over the next couple of weeks – but I rather not have to deal with all the Mud – thankfully though, we have laminate floors throughout the house (minus the bedrooms, but those each have doors that can be shut). When I venture out this afternoon for a walk to the office to jump on the Elliptical – I will take photos to show how much difference a week of sun-like weather can do to really kill the snow piles up here. 

I can’t wait for Summer weather, where I can sit on my deck with a grape popsicle in each hand (for the dogs of course) and bask in the warmth. [18-more days]

**Addendum – the better-half (or other-half) took the camera with him when he came home for Lunch; so there will be no “can you see the difference” photo’s taken today.

I’ve been Meme’d!

 

I usually don’t do these things when asked – but considering Lindsay is within a snowball-throwing distance from my house, I better do as she asks of me. 

1. Favorite age you have been so far?

I wish I could say that there was specific age that I keep in my memory recall so I can pull out random images when I need a little uplifting in my life, however, there is not.  However, if I could turn back the hands of time I would love to be jetted back to a random age in the 20 bracket.  I loved that inner-psyche battle of misguided youth vs young adult.

2. If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be?

I would love to be fluent in Gaelic.  I’m a huge Scottish-folklore history buff so to be able to speak the language of Morrigan, Dagda and Cúchulainn would be a great privilege.  I’m hoping that now that I will be living in Nova Scotia that the opportunity may unveil itself and I’ll be able to take classes.

3. If you could have something right now, anything, what would it be?

A Grande Non-fat Latte from Starbucks and/or the same thing from Caribou Coffee.  There are just some mornings my perked Tim Horton’s just doesnt’ cut it. 

4. What is one aisle you always have to walk down when you go to Wal-Mart?

It has been so long since I’ve been in a Wal-Mart for pure enjoyment.  Usually they are a hustle/bustle in and out – got to catch my plane in 45 minutes kind of visits.  Although, now that I think about it the one aisle I always walk down would be the candle aisle – I hardly, if ever, purchase candles from Wal-Mart but there is just something that draws me to that aisle. 

5. What is one thing your spouse/partner does that drives you crazy (don’t worry, we won’t tell:)?

There are a million little things that bother me, and he is quite aware of them, so I know he does them pretty much on purpose now just to see if he gets my goat.  Although the two major things (I know you only asked for one) is…

1.  Leaves the cover off the toothpaste 2.  Fidler-Time

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There ya have it, 5 answers that I’m sure I’ve mentioned a time or two or complained about in random blogs – but now I have just saved you some past-blog entry reading.  I’m not going to continue this Meme – as I’ve only had one cup of coffee today and I can’t really think of 5 more questions to ask.

Home Owner

It is hard to believe that in just under a week the snow has went from high and mighty to low and slushy; but with that said, I find it also hard to believe that in only a week I went from a home renter to a home/truck owner. (Although my husband would say that he is the official owner of HIS truck, I just get visiting rights..and I’m okay with that logic too)

We left last Sunday for the long trek to Nova Scotia – one that was made longer by the fact that we ran into some mechanical issues with our Air Canada flight leaving Yellowknife.  We were pretty organized this vacation making sure we had plenty of time between layovers but a malfunctioning gas regulator on the plane had us scrambling just to get to Edmonton.  I was very impressed with the Stewardess and the pilot for keeping us informed.  The only negative aspect of the whole situation was that we were required to remain sitting on the plane for well over an hour without air conditioning.  Normally that wouldn’t been an issue – it is Yellowknife, but the temperature was a sunny warm 23 degrees!  After meeting up with Security three different times.. (The third time they were just making it “look good”..) we made it to Edmonton.  Since it was mechanical Air Canada took care of our food vouchers (Mmmm party platter with way to many calories to even count) and our Hotel (Nisku Inn).  So with all that trouble behind us; we left Edmonton early the next morning (Tuesday June 1st and made our way to NS)

We arrived in NS – I was nearly in tears with happiness; there is just something about the deep salt air combined with lush green trees and grass. We grabbed our rental and off we went driving off into a Monsoon.  After a long wet trip (with a few hydroplaning incidents – I’m so glad that Hughie loves to drive) we made it to the Best Western Aurora.  (Not a bad little place).  With nothing left to do when we arrived we took a tour of the area as well as stopping long enough to hit up the local NSLC.  I toasted with a bottle of Boones (I couldn’t believe they still made it…and it is still delish!) and Hughie was very happy to see Keith’s light – he basically did his version of the “Dance of Joy”.

We only had a few must haves with our houses that we were looking at: 1.  2-bathrooms; after getting the stomach flu (or food poisoning we are not sure) together back in January – 1 bathroom just isn’t enough. 2. 3-bedrooms – a must for all our friends that will be visiting us. 3. A completed basement – for Hughie’s Man-Cave. 4.  Privacy.

The next couple of days are a blur, we saw 12 different houses on Wednesday and while some of the houses were a complete shock others were not so.  I find it hard to look past all the fluff – thankfully Hughie is just the opposite so I’m thinking we complimented each other well during the day of house hunting.  After much discussion (over DQ…yes another healthy lunch..mmm Calories).  We cut our list of 12 houses down to two.  We looked over my notes that I had took during our initial walk through and decided to take another run through our 2nd choice house (Our first house that we were really excited to see fell flat…quickly).  After our 2nd walk through we were sold!  Now we just had to finalize all the paperwork….and holy crap there was enough of it.  Luckily they all seemed to take pity on the property virgins..and we got walked through it all nice and slowly. 

The only one of the four must-haves that we faulted on with our future home was the privacy – we have a few neighbours and were are in a subdivision (a older generation).  The final decision factor was the resale value.  If we were planning on staying in the area for the rest of our life, then I could actually see us purchasing somewhere out in the country…but for now this will be the perfect little starter home for Hughie and I.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The house is officially ours – the SOLD sign should be gracing the sign sometime this afternoon/ tomorrow.  I can’t wait until July 6th – when I can walk into my house and get to work decorating.

I would never recommend purchasing a house and a truck within a 72-hour period but it can be done with a little bit of luck and not giving into the growing frustration and hunger.  I’m hoping that the next time we have to purchase a house, we have a least a full week to play with.

Oh, would you believe when we were flying back up to Kugaaruk after our exciting/stressful week we ran into Electrical mechanical failure on yet another Air Canada flight coming out of Toronto – luckily we didn’t have to spend the night, yet again, in Edmonton…. …..

Now that we are back I can relax and catch up with the laundry, because I know there is still so much more that needs to be done.

 

Lack of ranting and raving.

There seems  so much left to do and accomplish and when you put it in perspective of  our remaining Northern time; we really don’t have all that much.  I only realized yesterday while I was reading Newbies-in-Nunavut's Blog (Everyone give a big ‘hello’ to one of Nunavut’s newest bloggers, Lori – who will be taking over my little niche here in Kugaaruk).  She has her countdown listed at ~38 days, which means considering that she wrote her blog yesterday and we are only staying a day or two after they arrive – it only gives us ~40 days to get everything packed, bought and organized….Why am I not freaking out!  I was laying in bed last night,  going over our t0-do list and it is extensive.  The last time I had a list this large was my Northern-shopping list.  Somehow I’ve developed some kind of weird mechanical-calming affect over this huge task ahead of us.  I like to be prepared and organized, and while we are to a point – I should be pulling out my hair, ranting and raving about purchasing a house, truck, furniture, appliances and….well everything else; but I’m not.

Oh well, maybe I should stop ranting and raving over something I’m not ranting and raving about.

May 2-4 weekend has come and gone; and while the rest of Canada seemingly spent the last three days basking in sun and the water from nearby pools and beaches – I was bundled up against the chill that has been prominent in our air lately.  This weather almost reminds me of early winter in the East – damp and cold. ( I guess I better not complain to loud then)

I have officially finished packing for our HHT – it is easy to pack for warmth and sunshine when you have neither here in Kug.         Should be a whirlwind couple of days – lucky for us, pending on our decision – one of the hotels (lol pretty much the only hotel) in the area we are staying at has a Tim Horton’s directly across the street….  I somewhat doubt they have the Coldstone Creamery attached yet; but for now Coffee that I don’t make myself is all I need.

One year older

Today I turn a year older, and as I look at the clock I’ve been officially 32 for almost 2-hours.  Do I feel older..look older… ‘No’ on both accounts.   Last year, I felt the need to hide for the day – this year not so much.  I was scared to see/hear what last year held for me – and actually a few bad things did happen that warranted the “bad feelings”.  This year, there are so many changes happened that I’m not sure what I feel at this moment, but at this second I’m feeling hopeful for the unknown. 

Happy 32nd Birthday to ME! 

Trials Tribulations and TREES?

My so-called peaceful life in the North has been rocked into submission.  We are vamping up our Southern mentality hoping to kick start it into gear.  There is so much to do between now and July 3rd *give or take a day*.  The HHT is all but planned; just waiting on the most important aspect – the relief member to even out the odds here in Kugaaruk.  We spoke to our Relocation guys and have everything set in line with them – the best thing is that they do most of the work for us; they have a list of required Realtors, Home Inspectors (MIKE HOLMES PLEASE!) and Lawyers – so not knowing any of them ( luckily we are moving to a very “small” town – where everyone knows everyone and everyone’s business), we will pick the few that other Members have used before in the past.   I love small town chatter (or call it gossip).  Speaking of which, we are very thankful to have let Hughie’s parents know about our impending move prior to letting the cat out of the bag to the rest of the world.  Hughie’s mom ran into two random (old family connections) friends at a conference in Antigonish – who mentioned off handed that they had heard through the grape-line that Hughie' was heading to Bridgetown to work…That could have been an interesting conversation.  So now all we do is wait – wait for the final word to go on our HHT..and then buy a house…Wow, holy crap – I’ m going to be a home owner…Scary concept – I figure if my brother (who is 7 years younger than I) can purchase a house at the snap of his fingers and make a crazy awesome financial decision, that I can too!  Not sure it will be so finger-snapping though. 

On a totally related topic, I still make my bed in Kugaaruk (which, is still not made) so it wouldn’t be a northern blog if I didn’t bring up the fact that spring has arrived.  To the local observer just passing by the town or looking at the photo’s I post you may think I’m a bit crazy – but when the snow starts to melt to the point of falling through where you didn’t fall through a week ago; and the snow melting and forming ice in the evening..you know Spring has arrived – there even is mud in some places. 

A bit of proof: 

Yes, that is both the oil-truck & front end loader stuck in the soft wet snow; a month or even three weeks ago you could walk on top of it like it was pavement.  Needless to say this picture has a happy story, both were removed safely.

I don’t know how much I will blog over the coming weeks – things are going to be moving quite fast once we get the okay to head out on our HHT – but I have decided to keep a blog going even when I move to the land of apple cider and pie, it helps to voice my concerns and it is a easy way for my friends and family from across Canada to keep up with my day to day rambling.  Maybe my new blog will be called “Trials Tribulations and TREES”

Home

"Well I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old,

So I'm going home.
Well I'm going home.

  Excerpt from “Home” by Daughtry

It is OFFICIAL – Hughie and I are moving back to the land of the “Bluenose” and we can’t be more excited about it.  We are moving to Bridgetown/Middleton Nova Scotia also known as Annapolis Valley. (See arrow on Map) I am looking forward to sitting out on my deck (yes my new house has to have a deck ) and drinking my morning coffee and finishing off my day with a glass of white as I watch the sunset on my newest chapter.  We are hoping to purchase a house on a lake or possibly the Bay of Fundy.  We have lots to chose from, as it seems to be a buyers market right now.

There is still lots to do before we are ready to leave; although with our replacement coming in July we best place a fire under our butts. 

I’m sure once I get settled in my new life that I will have time reflect on my last 18 months and realize it wasn’t so bad – don’t get me wrong, I didn’t hate the north – I have some very fond and not so fond memories, I’m just hoping that once I get back down south I’ll be able to recall only the good and let the bad memories float down the Bay of Fundy on a raft.

However, the only thought I have right now is what country will I buy my first bottle of wine from (I’m thinking a Chardonnay from Australia).

*Anyone that wants to attend a Kitchen party, at any time just give me a shout – the beer will be cold and East Coast Music loud.