BRRRRRRRR

The cold is unrelenting. Everyday the temperature is the same...cold! Whether sunny or cloudy, day or night - it always just feels the same. And it isn't even December yet!

Tomorrow I must start carrying my camera again. The ptarmigan have turned white and they look like little snowballs in the trees. The branches are frost covered, as are the ravens. And needless to say, people dress for the cold up here. Fur is everywhere. There are few coats that are not at least fur trimmed on the hood. This is a necessity rather than a luxury. There are many full fur coats out and about too, on both men and women. Fur boots, mitts and hats are everywhere.

Most of you know that July 28th is Annie & Luke's wedding date. We spoke last night and I got some of the details, dreams, and ideas. I am very excited. I am going to sew Annie's dress! She likes simple style and she has sent me something she likes, so hopefully I will not be out of my league. Its been awhile since I have undertaken a complex project. But I can't think of a project I would rather do! Other details will be forth coming, but those are hers to share, not mine. So I will close for now...and hopefully be back soon with some winter pictures.

Happy Thanksgiving one and all!!

I wish I could be with you all today, but you are all in my heartand I will certainly be thinking of you.

One thing you can all be thankful for ( all except for Scott, probably) is that you have nice warm dry weather. You could be here and experiencing this.
Outside our open deck door

The view from our window at about 4 in the afternoon

(I have no idea why the words above are underlined, nor where that brown bar thingy came from - but I decided it looks rather like a pilgrim belt)

I splurged

this past weekend....yes, I did - a lovely pair of moccasins and a 750ml bottle of Windsor - $35.00 - That would be for the Windsor, not the moccasins. It is the first bottle I have bought since I got here - and they don't serve it in the bars ...boy, it tastes good! ( ahem!! - thats the SMALL bottle by the way)

The moccasins were handmade by a woman in Rae Lakes. They are made of caribou hide, and we think the fur is muskrat or beaver - they are lovely - and smell of smoke from the tanning. In most of the schools here we are asked to remove our outdoor shoes so as not to track sand and snow. The buildings are very well kept. Many people wear these moccasins in school.

Tomorrow I am starting to work a longer day - I will be starting at 7am. In this way I can bank hours for summer.
Yippeeeee!

snow

One of the things I was told about YK is that there is not much snow - due to the desert like climate here - cold desert, not hot. It has snowed here for the past three weeks - almost everyday - it is very light and fluffy but everyday brings more and more. Today we are having a regular snowstorm - one that would probably call for school closings back home. But as we are virtually an island, there arent really school buses out collecting children - other than in town.

Thanks to those of you who have responded. Its is nice to know you guys are still out there too! And some of you who I didn't know were reading! What a lovely suprise.

I never did do a follow up to the Presidents Ball we attended - at least to tell you we sat at the head table with the Premier of the NWT and the mayor of YK. Does that sound impressive? Its not really. But it makes for a good story.

This week you will all be celebrating Thanksgiving - well most of you. I will sure miss that. Ours was in October as you may remember. But I will be thinking of all of you. I did start my Christmas shopping over the weekend. I am trying to buy local as much as I can. Otherwise its Walmart.

Ok - I am off to do a discussion/presentation with the special education staff at the Catholic schools. Love Love

yes, I am still alive

Its been a long, dry spell...a long, cold, dry spell...a long, cold, dark, snowy, dry spell...a long, cold.....oh forget it, you get the idea..... anyways... I am back- and in a new spot. One of the reasons I havemt posted ( and believe me it is one of the weaker ones) is the not so user-friendliness of the other blog site - no one ever responded - ( well, hardly anyone) so it seemed like no one was reading it. This one is much easier - you don't have to register etc etc ..

And I am coming out of my duldrums I think...so once again I will be able to post without starting to cry, which seemed to be happening everytime I would try to write or send an email to anyone.

Christmas is coming - and we will be coming home - at least that is the plan weather permitting. The ferry is currently out due top low water levels and ice jams - but leaving is more than a month away yet.

Some of you know our good news - others maybe don't - Luke & Annie are getting married this summer!! Needless to say we are all very happy and excited. I am working on a system whereby I will get more time off this summer - putting in some longer days now in return for 'home-time' this summer. I will keep you posted.

Now - i want to know if anyone is ever reading this! Let me know via comments - and I will post more pics etc too!! Love you all and miss you.....