2 sleeps till VACAY!!!!

We are counting the hours till our vacation begins and it can't come soon enough. I actually shouldn't say that because I have a list as long as my arm with things that need to get done. Not only do I have to finish packing but I have to leave the house in decent order because the Member coming in to replace Nick while we're out is staying here. We're thankful for this because he will be taking care of our pets but it does add another level of stress to an already stressful time. I think my new list strategy is helping with my state of mind and so far, there haven't been any panicked moments.

If the usual vacation preparations weren't stressful enough, we have had to deal with several problems in the planning stages. Even though we started the process months ago, we have to spend a night in Ottawa on the way down just to pick up our passports. We have to do it in person because they weren't going to be done in time to get them by mail. Why? It's a very long story but the short version is because nothing moves quickly in the north. Then there was the 2 court sessions Nick was subpoenaed for in Cape Dorset and back in Shelburne NS. He was lucky to get out of the Dorset one but is still in limbo on whether he was to be back in NS for a week in the middle of our vacation. We're hoping that'll work itself out too but we'll have see.

As for our destination, we've decided to spend our month out in sunny Florida. We have rented a house just outside of Orlando for 25 days, with it's own pool and hot tub. It's 15 minutes from Disney and sleeps 8 and we're happy to be getting a few babysitters visitors while we're there. It's going to be so nice to have a vacation where people come to us rather than spending the whole month madly trying to fit visits in with all the people who expect to see you. And since Mother Nature had decided to finally bless us with extremely cold temperatures, the warm weather is going to feel great. 

Posting may be sporadic over the next month since I hope to be too busy doing things. Wow, what a change that will be. I can't wait.

PS: Yes. I did say new list strategy.... and Yes, I am that much of a geek.

Building Towers

Who needs blocks when you have cat food?

 

 

And it all comes tumbling down....

The Winners

The results of the voting have been tabulated and Clare has announced the winners.

Best Blog goes to Townie Bastard.

Best New Blog goes to M&T in Nunavut

Best Post goes to ME for the post To My Dad.

I was thrilled to be nominated in the best blog category and am not surprised I didn't win. No disappointment on this end. I thought Townie was a shoo-in and am glad that The Arctic Post gave him a run for his money. I was neck in neck with both for most of the week so I am very pleased with my showing.

As for best post... Yay me! Unfortunately, it wasn't much of a race because there was only two posts in the running so I was guaranteed a 50% chance. But still, I'm very proud of that post and am glad that people thought it was worthy. I'd like to congratulate my opponent, No Fixed Address on an equally great read.

In the end, the point of the Nunies isn't the winners, it's the opportunity to get to know more of the Nunavut Blogs out there. Just for good measure, here are links to the rest of the nominated blogs so you can check them out if you haven't already. I've discovered a couple that I didn't know existed and am happy to have found. Hope you do too.

Others for Best Post
The Blog Bog of the Tundra
The M of Cape Dorset

Best New Blog
52 Words for Snow
Daily Muise
The Spirited Educators
A Slice of Deep Fried Awesome


Thanks again to Clare, and congrats to all.

If you haven't already....

If you haven't already placed your vote for this year's Nunies, this is your last chance. The voting closes tomorrow (Tuesday) at 5pm EST. While I don't think I'm in any danger of winning, I am nominated in the Best Blog category. I'm also in the running for Best Post. 

So if you're going to, vote HERE. 

 

No More Plastic

This will be old news for my northern readers but Monday this week the Northern has moved into the 21st century. Just like Sobey's, Superstore and everyone else down south, they have started charging for bags. Honestly, it's about time. It's a small thing that can make a big impact in our little community since of course they end up at the dump. When the wind blows, the lighter contents of the dump end up all over town. Plastic bags are light so they tend to make up a huge part of our litter. And they burn the dump here and we all know burning plastic is nasty environmentally so less of it is a good thing.

Between the litter and environmental positives this new initiative is a great idea. My only issue is that when you forget your bags (and I do often) they charge you 25 cents per bag! I know there is the 'northern prices' thing and all but really? A quarter? Then again, maybe this high price will ensure that people (me included) make more of an effort to remember their reusable bags.

A view from a northerner's backyard

This is the current view from my living room window. They are seal skin for anyone who doesn't regularly see animal parts drying in their back yards. There are 8 in total and I can't help but wonder what they are going to be used for. I know they are starting a Kamik making class so perhaps they may become some fabulous boots.



Beautiful sealskin kamiks.
Just a random stock photo, I don't know who owns them.

 
Side note: I love how the black and white makes them look like a picture from a Canadian history textbook. The real reason for the B&W is that I'm sick of taking pictures that are blue tinged and washed out in the 'I haven't seen that sun in months' kind of way. If I was a better photographer I could probably avoid that but I'm not. B&W looks everything look lovely.

Hello Seasonal Temperatures!

Things are finally 'normal' here in Pang. It's -25 right now which means it's the first day that we've hit seasonal norms this winter. What's the date again? January 19th... it was a good run. The balmy temps where great while they lasted. The good news with the dropping temperatures is that the fiord is finally covered with ice.I haven't seen anybody out on it yet but since it's only been frozen over a few days, I'm glad.

Anyway, O and I got out while Isaac was sleeping and daddy was lounging in the house. Turns out despite the temperature it was a really nice day because there wasn't a gust of wind.

On another note......

The Nunies voting round has begun and it seems I've been nominated for Best Blog. If I can quote Carly from The Arctic Post I say, "Huh? Really?". I was very surprised to see B and B up there but I am proud of the mention and I'd like to thank whoever nominated me. Carly's is also one of the five blogs in the running so check it out, it's worth your time. Just for good measure, I've also got a post in the best Blog Post category. The authors put those forward themselves so I chose what I thought was my best work of the year. I'm not lobbying for votes in either category but I will say that I wouldn't be disappointed to get yours. If you're feeling it, I'll take 'em. You can vote here.

Have a great day.

Nunies

It's time to recognise the best of Nunavut blogging for the past year by nominating your favorite blogs. The categories are the same, Best Blog, Best New Blog and Best Blog Post. Send your nominations to nunavutblogs AT yahoo DOT ca before 5pm Monday the 17th and Clare will add them to the list.

The category of Best Blog Post is done by the author of the blog who chooses what they think is their best work. It's a great way to have new people discover your blog so if nothing else, toot your own horn!

Voting round will start next week sometime so GET ON IT!

The Neglected Child

If you were new to my blog the last couple of months I doubt you would even know that I had a second child. It kind of dawned on me that I barely mention him other than the odd picture. But lets be honest... he's a baby. He doesn't do anything! Sleeping, pooping and eating doesn't make for very interesting blog posts. But I thought you might like an update on how he's doing so this post is about him.

Isaac is doing great and has turned out to be another very easy baby (lucky me!). At three and half month he's a big boy tipping the scales at almost 15 and half pounds. He eats well (obviously) and he has just started sleeping through the night. Well 4 days and counting so I hope it lasts. Just like his older brother, Isaac is in love with his Jolly Jumper. He'll stay in there for an hour sometimes just bouncing happily. He's actually a better bouncer than Oliver was and is quite fluid in his motions.

Isaac is also a very smiley baby and loves attention. He'll often get whiny just long enough to have someone pay attention to him and he's all smiles again. If you look away, the whining returns. I think he's going to be a much more high maintenance kid than Oliver was and is. That will have it's challenges I'm sure. We haven't hit the milestone of rolling over yet but he's very close. He's doing a good job of travelling around his crib however and I'm never sure which direction he'll be facing in the morning.

So that's my Isaac update. Now I feel like a better mom having spoken of him. I'm sure in the near future I'll be bombarding you all with his latest accomplishment or cute moment so I'm sure I'll make up for the lack of posts in his first few months.

A polar bear in town

Lefty

At this stage I think it's a sure thing. O's a lefty. 

He's in good company. Albert Einstein, Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Julius Caesar and so many more historical 'Greats'. Nick feels that bodes well for our son. However, I know it would make him the most happy if he put that left arm to work as a major league baseball pitcher.

Little Moments

It's the little things in life that can change your life. Ok, that may be overstating it. Maybe I'll just say they can make you VERY happy.

-The classic finding $20 in an old jacket or pants.
-Getting a new, great fitting bra. (Girls, you KNOW that can change your life)
-An unexpected moment of sheer beauty.
-That moment when your house is really clean, just before the kids come back inside to mess it up again.
-Finding a bargain basement price on an item you needed no matter what it cost.
-A newly sharpened knife.
-Hearing that song, when you haven't heard it in forever.
-That first restaurant meal after months in the north, having nobody to cook but you.
-A fantastic night's sleep.
-Finding one last box of Cherry Pomegranate Crystal Light at the back of the cupboard when you thought you had drank them all weeks ago. (Maybe that's just me but wow did it make me happy!)

Feel free to share the moments that make you happy or change your life.

And may you all have a moment of your own very, very soon!

Goodby 2010!

Happy New Year everyone!

We decided to partake in some of the hamlet's new years eve festivities last night so we went to the Alookie School to check out the children's games. Oliver saw all the kids and heard the music and we had to hold him back just to get his hat and coat off. And like a shot, he was off. He ran around the kids playing a hot potato like game, he jumped along to the group dance the kids did and just had a really good time.

Girls hot potato round

Jump!

Isaac got some attention from Lynn

The rest of new years was pretty uneventful. Nick and I watched the ball drop, said happy new year and went promptly to bed. I guess we're getting old. Or we have to get up early with kids. Both I guess. My resolution this year: To keep a positive attitude when I'm feeling like I've had enough. 

I wish every one of my readers a happy, healthy and prosperous 2011.