Thursday 29 January 2015

Scary Weather Weekend

It was time for Manisha to go back to Curacao so we all set off for Ottawa. The weather was unbelievable, icy roads and short distance vision. Even in four wheel drive we crept along and could feel the occasional "wiggle" of the truck. We arrived safely and went to Lyndsay's sister for the night. Poor Lyndsay was completely worn out by the time we arrived. About four in the morning we set out for the airport. Ice and snow had to be scraped off the truck before we could even get in. The driveway was covered in snow and was I glad we had a big vehicle! Off we went crawling along and even at that hour there was a fair amount of traffic on the road. We saw two cars in the ditch one going out and one on the way back. At one crossroad there was a really funny sight, a man could not see through his windshield and had the door open to try and see where he was going! We got Manisha off safely and went back to our warm beds for a while. After breakfast we decided to do some shopping, bad decision for me. Everywhere was icy and getting from the truck to the shop was a nightmare. I was so afraid of falling I tiptoed along like an old lady! There was a car trying to get out and was very patient waiting for me to inch across.     Unlike Curacao they did not beep at me or shout some obscenity at me! Gale has promised to get me a stick with a spike so I can really become an old lady! The journey back was not as bad as the journey in but it was so icy there were
icicle on the windows of the truck, I was fascinated as I had never seen anything like that before. Winter is bringing a lot of new experiences. Even as a passenger it was not a lot of fun, by the time we reached home Lyndsay was out for the count. That was one of my scariest journeys. I am hoping desperately that I will get used to this weather and just stride about like everyone else.

Sunday 11 January 2015

First Christmas in Canada





   I was looking forward to my first Christmas in Canada and desperately hoping for a white one. I just about made it as there was still a little snow left on the ground. The weather had changed over, it was freezing and we had rain as well. We had set up our tree, and decorated outside It was lovely to see how many houses had lights and decorations outside for the season. On Christmas Day we had a private time with just the five of us. In the late morning Stacey was Santa and handed out the gifts that were all under the tree. We took turns
opening gifts and meanwhile were enjoying our eggnog (non alcoholic!) and eating chocolates. I do not think I have ever eaten so many chocolates in one day! It was a busy day as well, as we were laying the table and preparing some of the food for Boxing Day. I made our traditional trifle (alcoholic!) and Lyndsay made a different one. The next day Lyndsay's parents and her sister Heather came over for the day. We had a repeat of the previous morning
and even the cats and dogs received gifts! Lunch was delicious and as usual at this time everyone ate far to much. The good trifle (alcoholic!) was a great success and I had a few wines. This year Christmas was celebrated three times as we later in the week went over to Rob's parents for another dinner. More gift giving and eating! I had a wonderful first Christmas in Canada and was so happy to spend it surrounded by my new family.