My Interview

Mary from Mary's Writing Nook wanted some people to interview for a meme. I said I would be interviewed. To read Mary's interview click here.

Here is my interview and the 5 questions that Mary asked me.

1. How many provinces have you lived in and where in those provinces have you lived? Tell about the places you have lived....your favorite place etc.

Well I have been lucky enough to have lived in 3 provinces. I was born in Vancouver, British Columbia and lived there for the first three and a half years of my life. I do remember a few things from my time there. We used to go to Stanley Park often, where I got to feed the geese every time we went. Mom and Dad bought a house just blocks from the PNE and I can remember sitting on the front steps in my Mom's lap listening to Elvis sing one night. Mom was crying, she loved to listen to him sing. One day I decided to go with my best friend to catch frogs, little did I realize how far we had travelled. Dad said I was almost at the main highway which was about 3 miles away. I was sopping wet (who cared about dresses and looking pretty, like a little girl should) from being in the middle of what seemed to be a huge pond catching frogs and tadpoles. Dad came screaming to a stop in the car, called me out of the water, wrapped an arm around me on the outside of the car (after all I was wet) and made me ride the running board all the way home. I remember him driving very, very slowly and holding on very tightly.

We moved to Scarborough, Ontario. I spent most of my school years here. I attended Glen Ravine Public School for kindergarden, grades one and two. Just before I started grade three, the board changed the boundaries for the schools and I attended Knob Hill Public School. I had such a crush on my grade 8 teacher. Don't ask me why, I just did. I spent grades 9 to 11 at Midland Avenue Collegiate Institute, MACI for short. Oh how I loved highschool! I joined every sport that I could and made lots of friends. Parties started in about grade 10, we would drink pop, eat munchies and dance the night away. I always had to be home by 12 and I am sure some of my friends thought I would turn into a pumpkin if I did not get home on time.

During the summer before I started grade 12, Dad packed us up and we moved again. This time to Yorkton, Saskatchewan. I took my grade 12 here and was bored out of my head. MACI had been a test school when I attended and so much of what I took in grade 12 at Yorkton Regional Highschool I had already taken. I worked just hard enough to graduate and get into University.

Mom, Dad and my brothers and sister moved to the village of Torquay. Our parents bought the bar there, but I headed off to Regina to attend the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus. After one year there we became a University in our own right. Here I was introduced to microbiology, biochemistry, more Shakespear, the Bloomsbury group and Calculus (shudder). I loved my University experience and graduated with a degree in Microbiology and Biochemistry. I would go back to Torquay during breaks and work for my parents in the bar. This is where I met the man who would become my husband (but that is another question).

After I married we lived in Torquay for 3 years, and then Harvey was transferred to Shaunavon, Saskatchewan. So we packed up our home (just like turtles we took it with us as we lived in a mobile home) and made the journey. Harvey was already working there when I drove with the two oldest children to stay. He told me to follow the highway straight and it would lead me right to Shaunavon. What he forgot to tell me was that there was a mean curve at Hodgeville and to follow the curve all the way, not to go straight through (it was another highway). I was lost! I did tell Kurt not to tell his Dad that we were wondering down roads not marked on any map, but as soon as we drove into the yard you can imagine what came out of his mouth. I have never lived that escapade down. We lived in Shaunavon for 5 years and our youngest son was born there.

Our next move was here to Estevan. Close to family, but far enough away that we did not get on eachothers nerves. After living here for a year in the mobile home park, our daughter was hit and killed while riding her bike. The trailer park rallied around us as well as Harvey's company and our families. It was a dark period in our lives, but we have emerged a lot stronger as a family. We have lived most of our married life here and have put down roots in the community. Harvey is well known in the oil patch and I keep busy with my job in one of the Catholic schools and volunteering in our church community.

My favorite place would be here, this is where I live now and I wouldn't trade Estevan even with its shortcomings for any place else.

2 If you knew that your time on earth was limited, what is the one thing that you would do that you've always dreamed of?

I have always dreamed of taking a Mediterranian Cruise. I think that would be the most romatic and restful thing in the world. Relaxing on a ship, seeing water all around and knowing the vastness of the ocean.

3. If you could go back in time and have dinner with any person in history, who would it be and why?

I think I would love to have dinner with Ghandi. He had such a sense of peace about him that I envy. I would like to find out how he cultivated that peace.

4. What was your dream as a child and was it realized?

My dream as a child was to become a research scientist and discover a cure for cancer. I did get about half way there with my degree and the chance to go for my Master's, however other dreams became more important to me as I grew older. Now I do the Relay for Life, and volunteer canvass for the Cancer Society and dream that some day soon there will be a cure.

5. How did you meet your husband? Tell us the love story. After all, it's getting close to Valentine's Day.

I met my husband while working in the bar for my parents during the summer months. He came in one night and during one of my breaks we started to talk. I didn't see him for a long time after that, but one night at a bonfire we met once again. My sister kind of set it up that we would be in the same place at the same time. We talked and talked all night and became really good friends before we had our first date. The rest is history, after dating for about 10 months we got married 5 months later.

Now, if you would like to take part in this fun interview, just leave the words "Interview Me" in the comments on this post and I will send you your questions. I will email you your questions and they won't be hard ones. You also have to link to my interview.

Well enough about me, it is time to sign off.

Everybody have a wonderful evening. God bless.

A Fun Meme and What I Have Been Up To

Well my headache disappeared in a couple of days and I got to work sewing on the costumes for the school musical. Here is a picture of some of the finished projects that are going to be worn during the disco number. The hardest part after splitting the side seam was getting the girls to bring in thier jeans. I have done 6 and have 3 more to do tomorrow after my meeting.

The weather has gotten so cold again that Harvey does not want me to go by myself out into the country for this meeting, so I am hoping it is cancelled. If not, I will phone the chairperson and tell them I will not be able to attend. I don't want to get stuck anywhere when it is -49 C all by myself.

Now on to the fun meme from Mary's Writing Nook. It is an alphabet meme and I was given the letter "B". I have to name my favorite things starting with this letter. Here we go!

I love bikes, not that I am any good at riding them. I do love the freedom that they give to a person. You can go places that a car can not reach.

The next is bells. I love the sound of a bell, especially at Christmas, Easter and weddings. Clear and carrying they let me know everything is just fine in the world.

Bluebells, peeking out of unexpected places in my garden. I love the bluish, purple colour against the green of the leaves or grass.

Bright, sunny days even in the middle of winter.

Baskets, filled with balls of yarn. Enough to make many scarves for the children at school or perhaps a dish cloth or two.

Bracelets and brooches. Fancy gewgaws to wear and to make an outfit shine.

Books, something I would fill my home with if I could. All kinds of books, it really does not matter to me whether they are fiction or nonfiction. Books fill my life everyday.

And lastly but perhaps the most important "B" word in my life.

The Bible that I carried the day I married the man I loved 33 years ago.

Well I hope you enjoyed all my favorite "B" words. There are so many more, but I thought that I would share these few with all of you.

Now I am off to pay you all a visit. Have a wonderful evening. God bless.

Fun Meme

I was tagged by Linda at Somewhere In Time for this meme and it looks like fun.

Now here are the directions: Open a document or photo folder, choose the fifth folder and then the fifth photo in that folder. Do a post describing the photo. Tag five friends to do the Meme. Here's mine....

This picture was taken at the wedding we attended this summer in Nova Scotia. This is a picture of our niece Laura (the bride) and our great niece Mackensie as the flower girl. What is really neat is that this was the first time Harvey and I had the chance to meet Mackensie. You see our nephew and his girlfriend at the time gave her up for adoption. It isn't the regular type of adoption, but one that is open. She gets to see her birth father all the time as well as the rest of the immediate family. Her adoptive parents are absolutely wonderful, and after meeting them this past summer Harvey and I both feel like we have even more family then before.

Now I would like to tag

Mary at Mary's Writing Nook

Mary at Daisy Bouquet

Pea at Pea's Corner

Hope you have as much fun with this as I did. I have to think of another two blogging friends to share this with.

I have to thank Linda for one more thing. I received this lovely award from her today. Now here are the rules:

These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbon's of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these kind writers. When you pass the award along please include these guidelines. I am to choose eight friends to share this with.

I would like to share this with Maggie, Ginger, BJ, Brenda, Deb, DW, Sheri,and Barb. Hope you will pass it on.

I plan on visiting you all tomorrow. I have a real bad headache right now and am going to crawl into bed after a cup of tea.

Have a wonderful evening. God bless.

I'm So Excited

Well I found out a few days ago that a good blogging friend lives about 8 hours out of Vegas, and when Ginger found out we were going to be that close the wheels started turning. Her and her husband are going to take a day off work, drive to Vegas and meet us.

I finally get to meet someone that I have gotten to know and care about through this medium. I never thought in a million years that this kind of opportunity could ever take place. I just hope that I don't disappoint her.

No pictures to share with you all tonight.

I am still digging my way out of the snow banks every morning to get to work, and driving over terrible roads to get home after work. Tonight the temperature is dipping quickly and with the wind chill factored in will be -45C before too very long. The deep freeze is not supposed to last very long thank heavens, the children at school really need to get out in the fresh air, race around and lose some of that excess energy.

Well off to visit all of you. Have a great evening. God bless.

Passing This Along

I would like to thank Mary once again for this lovely award. After reading the criteria for the award I was honored to have received it.
The Blogger manifests

• exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervades amongst different cultures and beliefs.
  
• The Blog contents inspire; strives to encourage and offers solutions.
  
• There is a clear purpose at the Blog; one that fosters a better understanding on Social,
  Political, Economic, the Arts, Culture and Sciences and Beliefs.
  
• The Blog is refreshing and creative.
  
• The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking.

The Blogger who receives this award will need to perform the following steps:

1. Create a Post with a mention and link to the person who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award.

2. The Award Conditions must be displayed at the Post.

3. Write a short article about what the Blog has thus far achieved – preferably citing one or older Post to support.

4. The Blogger must present the Noblesse Oblige Award in concurrence with the Award conditions.

5. The Blogger must display the Award at any location at the Blog.

So without further adieu and in the hopes that these bloggers will pass the award on to others, I present this award in alphabetical order to

Deb at Homespun Living

Mary at Isabellas Closet

Merdith at Like Merchant Ships

Kelli at There's No Place Like Home

I hope you ladies enjoy the award and please pass it on to others who fit the criteria.

Thirty-third Anniversary and A Whole Lot of Snow

On Friday I woke up to a great deal of snow. We received about 20 cm or close to 10 inches in less than 24 hours. It made going to work an exercise in stamina and following ruts a must. I will say going to work was easier than coming home after work as I could not see what I was driving through in the morning.

Harvey and I shovelled snow this morning so at least I can get in and out of my driveway, and to the major roads. Our road is still pretty bad, covered in ruts and the end of the street is pretty soft, and hard to plow through. I took this picture just before our epic shovelling session. Really think we need a snow blower. According to the weather forecasters, we are supposed to get another 20 cm over the next few days.

Today Harvey and I celebrated our 33rd Wedding Anniversary. He wanted to take me out for supper, but I (being the chicken I am) did not want to travel down the horrible roads. I made a very nice supper of Bacon Wrapped Fillets, Baked Potatoes (with all the trimmings), Caesar Salad and Chocolate Mousse for a fraction of the price we would have paid for the same meal in a restaurant.

Harvey did come home with a surprise, a dozen red roses and a card to say that he loves me more now than when we first married. Good thing, cause I don't know who else would put up with me when I get in one of my grouchy moods.

I want to thank Mary from Mary's Writing Nook for the award. I will post it tomorrow, I promise. I am so honored to have received it.

Well off to visit you all. Have a wonderful evening. God bless.

Catching Up

Well the New Year arrived without fan fare, but lots of cold Arctic air. We ended up with a snow storm on the 2nd during which Kurt decided to drive from Regina to Drumheller. He ended up taking almost 10 hours to reach his home. Silly boy.

After that though the temperatures plummeted to a balmy -53 C with the wind chill factored in. Not fit for man or beast. We hunkered down in the warmth of our home and cleaned up all the Christmas decorations.

We did venture out once to set up our trip to Las Vegas in February, but that was the only thing we left the house for.

Today was my first day back at work after a two week break. Oh my, am I tired. The little fellow I work with was not a happy camper for the first couple of hours, but after I took him for a break and played a game in the gym with him he was a bit easier to handle.

Thought I would share the sweater I knit over the past few days (actually I finished it a day or so ago). I used the same pattern as the other one I made over the holidays, but made it a touch longer in the body. This time I used a fuzzy blue wool by Patons.

The next thing I want to share is one of my Christmas presents. Awhile back I happened to mention within earshot of Kurt that some day I would really like a body pillow. He took me at my word and special ordered this.......... Look how big it is! Takes up all the room in the bed, but it is comfortable and comes with its own pillow case. Both Harvey and I have decided that we are going to have to watch what we say in front of Kurt as he takes us at our word.

He did buy me a bit more practical gift to go along with the pillow. A rice cooker, and I love it! Now I can make fluffy light rice all the time.

Well I guess that is all for tonight. Off to visit you all.

Have a wonderful evening. God bless.