So that massive storm we had last week led to the largest boil water advisory in Canadian history. My area only had the warning for a day, but it's still ongoing where my parents live. I was up there on the weekend, and it's just nasty looking. Somewhere past tea coloured and heading towards coffee. Blech. I tend to drink a lot of pop when I'm at their place anyway.

My weekend was full of craft fairs again. Three actually, including a 'Swedish Christmas Market' that my dad got a big kick out. Lots of things that reminded him of his childhood apparently. There were definitely quite a few things that are part of our family's Christmas - straw reindeer, winter gnomes, angel candle chimes, rye bread. No hardtack though, but we did share a bowl of rice pudding.

Went to the Canucks game Sunday night with Rodney - the ticket was my birthday present. Great game - 2 to 1 for the Canucks. I wore my 1990-ish Canucks jersey and cheered for the home team. I kinda want a Trevor Linden jersey :) I wonder how conflicted I'll feel at the January game when the Canucks play the Oilers.

Rambleness

Poor Fuzzy, I think he's had a very hard day. I came home to find him huddled on the kitchen counter, in the corner between the knife block and the cutting boards. The Lower Mainland got hit with a massive rain and wind storm and it was crazy loud. On top of that, my building was testing all the fire protection equipment. When I left for work, Fuzz was hiding under the bed where he had been since my apartment alarms were tested. He's currently sleeping next to my office heater.

I had a really nice long weekend. 4 days off! A friend from Edmonton was in town, so we made plans with him. Friday night, we went for drinks at a bar near my place. We were hoping to play pool, but there was only 1 pool cue for 2 tables. We did get to play a few games though. Saturday, my sister and I went to the Circle Craft fair at the Vancouver Convention and Exhibit Hall. There were a lot of amazing things there - it was more of an artisan fair than a traditional craft fair. We bought a teacup shaped clay clock for my parents' as a gift for their anniversary (my mum is a tea junkie) and we each bought another item for Christmas gifts. Saturday night, R/F and Marc (the friend from Edmonton) came over for some board games. Sunday, my sister and I hit the gym together and had tea with my grandmother (what can I say...it runs in the family). That night, we took my parents out for dinner. I have no idea what I did Monday...I think it involved reading, sleeping and being lazy.

Last post, I mentioned a singer named Shawn Hlookoff. Turns out there is also a guy who sells real estate in my area by the same name! Never heard that last name before and now I've heard of two different guys in one week with it.

Ah ha! I finally remembered my reason for posting mid-week. Today is the three month mark for my moving to BC. Three months. It feels longer. But the nice part is... three months! Benefits kick in! Woohoo!

One last thing - I have a date on Saturday :)

Remembrance Day

In Flanders Fields
By Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918), Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.



This poem was written the day after one of McCrae's closest friends, Lieut. Alexis Helmer of Ottawa, was killed.


Today I remember my family: Len G., Eddie J. and Bob D., who all fought in World World II and were fortunate enough to come home.

And today I think of my friends: Alan R. and Todd M., who have chosen to stand up for us now.

And I remember the 42 Canadian soldiers who have given their lives in Afghanistan. The 516 Canadians that died in the Korean War and the 27,000 that served. The 45,615 Canadians that died in WWII and the 1.1 million that served. The 68,260 Canadians that died in WWI and the 620,000 that served. And the 116 Canadians that died on peacekeeping missions and the more than 125,000 that served and still serve.

Thank you.

Lest we forget....


If you would like to hear a modern day tribute to soldiers, check out Shawn Hlookoff and listen to his song titled Soldier.

Great week, although I spent a lot of it in traffic. Glad I decided to live closer to work because I could not do a long commute every day.

I went to up my parents on Hallowe'en and handed out candy to the 45 trick or treaters that came to their door. One little girl really stood out - I was wearing my old witch/vampire/Hades dress from 1995 and she was so excited that we were both dressed as witches. Some of the pumpkins did not survive a weekend of shrinkage but my dad put most of them out in the yard and they looked great. He got a lot of compliments on his decorations.

On Thursday, I went to my parents again for a birthday of chinese food and ice cream cake (sooo yummy). It was great having a birthday dinner with my family and my grandmothers - first time in 11 years. I got lovely presents too, several books and videos and a 19" LCD monitor!! Anyone need a perfectly functional 16" (I think. Is that an actual size?) old style (CRT?) AOC monitor? It would help a lot if you were in BC though... *L* Rod also gave me his old cd drive to replace my broken one so my computer is actually in complete working order for the first time in months. And there is space on my desk!

Saturday, I went to a party at Shivauna's house, met some more new people. Yay, socialness! Much fun was had.

I start my sessions with a personal trainer (decided I needed someone to yell at me, motivation is currently lacking) in the morning so I should go to bed.