Almost There

As we head into the New Year and I watch the snow falling again, covering the driveway that I just cleared yesterday of a foot of snow, I wonder if all winters in NB are going to be like this. At least it gets me out of the house. Makes it harder to feed the birds and squirrels, the snow is almost up to the bottom of the hanging bird feeder and the wishing well is almost covered. One thing we don't have to worry about is getting up early to shovel before we head off to work and that's a great relief. I see that Edmonton is going to enter the New Year with a smoking ban around all public buildings and doorways, it should make smoking at work a real treat, again, something that I am not going to miss. Traded emails with Debbie today, it looks like things are going well with her and Graham seems to be doing well too. I do miss the daily kibitzing and the camaraderie that I enjoyed in my last years at work, although I still get up for work at the same time 0500hrs and still have my morning coffees at 0800hrs, we only have each other for company now but Lynn is a pretty good kibitzer if ever there was one and between us we can find enough to take shots at what with the Liberals, anti-smoking groups and Quebecers to keep us occupied. I think we'll be doing just fine in the future year ahead of us. Our first year of retirement lies ahead and I am happily anticipating it. To all of our friends and family all the best to all of you in the coming year!

Another Wave

I froze my hands to get these, I hope someone appreciates them!

Catch A Wave

Waves are hard to catch, but I'll keep trying

Boxing Day!

Well, we survived our first Christmas in NB. We had dinner at the in-laws, a wonderful turkey, and lots of taters n stuff, even fresh cranberries! We spent a wonderful day and then came home by suppertime to feed the hounds and crash. We opened our presents, and everything worked except for a game I bought for Lynn. She got a wicked chainsaw and a rotary cutting tool kit. I got the external flash for the new camera and now I've got another manual to read, boy does it ever stop? We then watched a football game (we've become addicted to the realism of high def) and even I am enjoying watching the games, Lynn is still teaching me everything there is to know about football but I am getting better.

Boxing day here is much different than in Edmonton, nothing is open here, ok, some things were open but I didn't want to go to those places. We got the truck washed, picked up some milk and came home. Good enough, no crowds, no traffic so it wasn't all bad and we were even second in line at the car wash! Hope Christmas went well for everyone, and hopefully our Christmas cards made it in time.

Let it Snow....

It started snowing yesterday and hasn't stopped, the wind is howling out there and our Christmas bows are constantly blowing away. There is so much snow the squirrel has decided to build a tunnel around the feeder to keep himself out of the wind and to further harass the doves. We finished up our Christmas cards and Lynn bless her soul ventured out and walked down to the mail to drop them off. Hopefully the kids (you know who you are) will get them in time for Christmas. It has become painfully apparent that I am no longer able to write like a normal person anymore, so I printed my greetings and sheesh, that wasn't much neater either but at least they're legible. I've been typing for so long, my whole career and since I discovered computers so long ago, so writing has become somewhat of a lost art for me. I think I'll look for a nice handwritten font and use that for my letters from now on, a little impersonal perhaps but a whole lot easier on my hands and what little brain I have left :) The snow is supposed to end by this afternoon so I'll be snowblowing to beat the band around 4 so I've got five hours to play..so I'm off!

Preparations

We filled up the gas cans, the snowblower is full, so is the car. We charged all the flashlights, brought in wood, stocked up on vittles (oh wait, I always do that) and battened down the hatches to prepare for the big storm that all the weather services are saying is coming. As I typed this the snow has been coming down for about two football games already, apparently there could be up to 40 cms before it is all done...woo hoo...well at least I don’t have to drive in it. The wind is supposed to get gusty too up to 90 kmh but that seems about the norm lately. Odo and Loki are already enjoying the snow and playing king of the snow mound regularly. We’ve got candles galore but then we always did so we didn’t have to do any extra work in that regard. The gas station was quite busy today, I guess everyone was making sure they had enough gas for their machines, and the church was packed but since it was Sunday, I’m guessing that it wasn’t too unusual. As you can see from the photos, it was getting quite dark when I went to get gas so we’ll see how it plays out. It should be fun to watch everyone going to work but I don’t wish any accidents on anyone, everyone should get to stay home, other than emergency people, on days like this.

They May Have Been Right

Something is definitely on the way…

They may have been right

It would appear that I may have been just a little hasty J

American Justice vs Canadian Justice

A US court has sentenced a suspected serial killer to 438 years in jail for sexual assaults of two sisters in 2005.

Justice James Williams threw the book at serial killer Robert Pickton, condemning him to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.

Their healthcare may suck but they seem to have a handle on sentencing!

Yes, another prediction!

Special weather statement for New Brunswick issued by Environment
Canada at 3:55 PM AST Friday 14 December 2007.

..Major winter storm poised to affect province late on Sunday and
Monday..

A winter storm brewing over Texas this morning will continue to
develop as it tracks northeastward over the weekend. The storm
system is expected to lie over Massachusetts Sunday evening before
moving through New Brunswick on Monday. Southern regions of the
province are already under a heavy snowfall warning for Sunday.
It is anticipated that these warnings will be extended over the
remainder of province for Sunday night. Strong winds and local
blowing snow will accompany the heavy snowfall. Precipitation will
change through ice pellets and to rain overnight Sunday over southern
regions as milder air is pushed ahead of the storm system.

The travelling public is advised that they should make plans
accordingly. Driving conditions could deteriorate quickly as the
storm approaches. Follow your local forecast closely and monitor for
updates as the weather situation develops.

Too funny, or not, we'll see what transpires

Who to Believe?

Bathurst: Issued 5.00 AM AST Saturday 15 December 2007

Today
Sunny with cloudy periods. 40 percent chance of flurries this morning. Wind northwest 30 km/h gusting to 50. Temperature steady near minus 11.
Tonight
A few clouds. Wind northwest 20 km/h becoming light this evening. Low minus 15.
Sunday
Increasing cloudiness. Snow at times heavy beginning late in the day. Amount 5 cm. High minus 9.
Monday
Snow and blowing snow. Windy. Low minus 8. High minus 2.
Tuesday
Sunny. Low minus 12. High minus 8.
Wednesday
A mix of sun and cloud. Low minus 18. High minus 8.

It does make you wonder who you are supposed to believe, the weathercaster the night before or the weather office. I don't know about you, but I've never been in a job where you can be so wrong so much of the time and still have a job :) We'll stock up on gas n candles anyway just to be on the safe side. We'll probably end up with a Chinook or something!

Big Storm Coming

The ever efficient weather services of Canada tell us that there is a big storm coming. They have even gone so far as to offer suggestions for emergency kits. NB Power is bringing all of their staff back to work to be ready for it and are suggesting that we be prepared for power outages for as long as three days. Yippee!! Today I have to blow the 4 inches of snow we got yesterday off of the driveway to make room for the blizzard to come. Then it's off to the gas station to fill up our gas cans. My old work flashlights and my cell phone are being charged as I type and we already have candles. Heat isn't a problem since we heat with firewood anyway. Loki and Odo are looking forward to the new snow since they have burrowed their way through the last snowfall already. They love the snow! I don't mind it as much now since I don't have to drive to work or anywhere for that matter. We are well stocked for food and we just have to fill the bathtub with water for the toilet and we are good to go. I'll let you know how we make out.

It's Christmas

 

It would appear that the dogs don't really want to pose for Christmas pictures, but the tree does look nice :)

What do we think of retirement?

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!

This is too much fun

Ah, the good old days

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!
Kinda reminds me of my Beat days, only Ed had the sword :)

Things to do in Retirement

It's funny, the things you find time to do when you are retired. You can read as many newspapers as you like online, take the time to smell the roses and of course write as many letters to the editor as you like without worrying about violating any rules. It's very enjoyable venting to the editor, not that it really has any affect but it sure makes you feel better :) I often wonder why the pollsters never call me or Lynn but given the results of most of these polls I can see why. If you're curious about what I have to say, see the following link