A family affair, Misty and her daughter enjoying the music
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Games People Play
On Friday I was invited to play the $10,000 Radio Bingo at Monique & Doris' home but I bowed out as I am not much of a Bingo player. So instead Craig and I headed over to Jim & Sheila's home to shave their little Pomeranian down to...well nothing. With the help of Sheila holding Boo I did my best to shave her into a little lion. I must say she is really cute and very tiny and I thought she was little before I shaved her. She is a wiggly little girl so there are some touch ups to do but we will do them another day.
On Saturday it was Craig's dart league wind-up, a potluck dinner held at the Elk's. So Craig was busy making homemade buns in the morning and then after lunch we headed to the Northern Store to pick up a few groceries and a dessert for the night. I must say it was the most expensive grocery bill as a new 46" Sony Bravia TV ended up in our grocery cart. Every time we go to the Northern I have my eye on this TV so finally today I talked Craig into it, trust me there wasn't that much effort. We had just enough time to bring everything home before Craig had to head over to Gary's home to set up his instruments for the evening and then back home to get ready for the dinner.
The dinner at the dart windup was yummy and I had the opportunity to have caribou for the first time. I must say it was quite good and Craig's buns were a success, even if they were a little on the small side. Craig's team did not win any trophies but in the end every dart member received a small token of appreciation. We had to cut the evening short at the Elks as Craig had to practice one last time for their gig next weekend for a Cancer Society fundraiser here in town. It is on Saturday May 7th at 7pm held at the community hall. It's only a toonie to get in so if you are in Cambridge Bay this weekend come on down it will be a hoot.
Today while I was in the shower Michelle came over, she is the lady that I helped with her dog last weekend. She had a armfull of home baked goodies and a hand beaded pin for a thank you gift. I wished I wasn't in the shower when she came over. Her dog's leg was saved in Calgary, re-attaching part of her pad but unfortuantely the whole foot could not be saved. She is expected to be home on Thursday of this week. She is one lucky dog as it could of been alot worse.
Craig and I also headed to Lyle and Eva Greenley's home for a visit today and to clip their dog's nails. Lyle and Eva play darts with Craig on Tuesday nights. Their dog is a cute little Jack Russell who wasn't that bad for his nails. From their home we seen some excitment happening on the ice so after our visit we took the scenic route home by the ice. There were snowmachine races going on today. I dropped Craig at home as Jim was coming over to help set up the new TV and I headed onto the ice with my camera in hand. I remember when we were kids going to Beausejour Manitoba to watch the races so this brought back some fond memories for me.
This Wednesday I have another doctor appointment for my wrist. I think they are injecting some cortisone into it, not looking forward to that but if it will help I guess I will do it. This is when I wish I had my mommy, well maybe not as she has fainted on me before when I received needles and Craig is no better. Anyone want to come and hold my hand?
I am hoping to have the spare bedroom finished this week with Craig's help. I am trying to talk my friend Judy to come up here this summer for a visit so I have to get this room done just in case. Plus I was getting tired of the princess room. Don't worry once it is completed I will share before and after pics.
I am heading back to Manitoba on June 7th to the 23rd to visit with family and friends. So far Hannah will join me for the trip as her granny (my mom) would really like to see her. We have a stop over in Edmonton for the night and then leave early in the morning on the 8th to arrive in Winnipeg around 9am. Maybe just maybe Judy will join me on the trip back here. I hope the pointers behave for Craig and that Craig will make sure that Molly gets all of her meds while I am gone.
FYI: Temperature tonight is -37'c with the windchill, -25'c without. Sun rose today at 3:45am and sunset was at 10:14pm and still alot of snow hanging around.
Check out the pics tonight, there is a whack of them.
FYI: Temperature tonight is -37'c with the windchill, -25'c without. Sun rose today at 3:45am and sunset was at 10:14pm and still alot of snow hanging around.
Check out the pics tonight, there is a whack of them.
Talk soon!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Easter 2011
I think Craig loves working for the Government of Nunavut as he is on his 4th day off in a row. When we was working at the North Warning site they worked 6 days a week, never had a holiday off, not even Christmas. We made the most of this weekend.
As I said in my last post on Friday we were just getting ready to head over to Jim and Sheila's home for oil changes on the ATVs but a phone call stopped that in it's tracks. It was a lady calling on behalf of her brother who's dog got her leg caught in the rope of the qamutik. Not much that I could do but stabilize the leg by making a homemade splint and wrap it up. The leg was in really bad shape, severed almost completely at the carpus (wrist). First Air was leaving in a few minutes for Yellowknife and that 7 month old puppy needed to be on that flight. So off we went, I in the back of the crew cab with the dog and with the help from the owner's son wrapped and taped it more. The two nurses that were also there were great, they gave the pup some gravol to make her sleepy for the flight so that she wouldn't injure it more. They also stocked up some of my supplies before I left. First Air was great as they waited for us to get there, making the flight late. The dog made it to Yellowknife where the vet assessed her and then flew her off to Calgary to see if the leg could be saved. I haven't heard anything after that so I am hoping for the best for this sweet girl and her owners.
Saturday Sheila and Jim hosted Easter dinner and all I can say is OMG!!! Jim is a great cook or should I say chef and the turkey dinner was nothing less than spectacular. Marg and Cat were also there to help us with the turkey and fixings. After dinner there was a game of Cranium with Sheila and Marg taking home the prize, which is...hmmm nothing but boasting rights. After that we decided to put in our $20.00 each for a game of Texas Holdem. I was the first one out but Craig was the winner in the end, taking home $100.00 and Jim coming in a close second with a winnings of $40.00. I don't mind playing poker as we do not play it often and we only put in $20.00 each. Another great evening with friends.
I must say I did miss the LeBleu tradition of Easter Brunch on Sunday morning. We tried to call Craig's sister's place as she was hosting it this year but the line was busy busy busy. We were thinking that the phone must of been off the hook. We couldn't keep trying all day as we had made plans with Doris and friends to head to their cabin to clean it. Their cabin was broken into last year and now it is up for sale so the clean up had to be done. All I can say is what a mess and why some people would do such a thing to someone else's property is beyond me. But with the help of some good friends we got it cleaned enough for someone to come and look at it.
Their cabin is about 15 minutes away from town on Grenier Lake by snow machine. But how did we get there as we do not have a snow machine you ask. Well Doris made up a nice comfy spot on her qamutik with foam and caribou hide for us. It wasn't as bad as I thought until we got close to the cabin and hit some bumpy spots, slow down Doris! Yeah you could say we went flying, not off the sled but thank goodness for the foam and caribou hides. I think that may be my first and only ride on a qamutik. We arrived back at Monique and Doris' to find a feast of finger food, hot tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
My wrist was sore yesterday as I was holding onto the rope so tight so that I wouldn't fall off the qamutik. To top it all off Blitz looked like he was going to vomit in the house so I headed outside with him with my slippers on. Yes I went ass over tea kettle onto the snow and of course landed on my sore wrist. Can you say ouch?!
Today was a day of staying home and starting to work on the spare bedroom taking off the pink and purple wallpaper...finally. I received a phone call from Darlene, one of the nurses here, regarding a puppy that was bit by another dog so that stopped the wallpaper. She asked me to come to the Health Centre as that was where the young owner brought the dog. She was about an eight week old puppy with a couple of puncture wounds by her hip. Poor little thing. So I shaved the area, cleaned her up and the nurse gave the owner some antibiotic cream to apply to the wounds twice a day. Again the nurses gave me some more supplies for my bag.
To all of my vet friends out there...WE NEED YOU UP HERE! Just in case anyone is looking for a new adventure, we could open up a clinic here. I can tell you one thing it would keep you busy. Call me!
I hope everyone had a Happy Easter I know we did.
Talk soon!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Time Flies When You're Having Fun
Don't know where the time went, can't believe that it has been nearly 2 1/2 weeks since my last blog post. Can't really tell you where the time went, we have been visiting friends, working, playing, all in all a great time in Cambridge Bay. The sun is staying up longer and longer. Today the sun rose at 4:30am, thank God for black out drapes, and will set at 9:27pm unlike back home where it rose at 6:22am and will set at 8:33pm. The sun will rise for about an hour more every couple of weeks until May 21st then it will stay up 24 hours until the end of July. The sun is extremely bright these days but the temperature is still cold with a windchill of -39'c today. Yes folks that is still a minus in front of those numbers.
Last week Thursday I had a follow up appointment for my wrist, it is still painful at times and it still swells up when I work it too hard. The nurse examined it again and then said she will talk to the doctor and will call me later that day. I headed back to the Health Centre on Friday to get fitted for this huge brace, it goes to the end of my fingers and up near my elbow. I do not wear it all of the time, mostly at night and when sleeping as I can not do anything with it on. I return in one month to see if this helps if not a cortisone shot is in order and from there we will see. The nurse contacted WCB as it happened while I was working during the muskox harvest, they just want to make sure if surgery is in the future that I get paid while off work. I hate making a claim but I guess it is for the best.
Last Friday night our friend Monique asked us to go to the Elks for a couple of drinks. I have never been to the Elks so off we went. Monique's sisters are in town, Simone from Yellowknife and Nicole from New Brunswick, their home town. So there were the three sisters, Doris, Jim, Millie, Craig and I, a fine group of friends sharing, laughing and meeting new people (at least I was). The Elks is only open on Friday nights, usually at 5:00pm for dinner or just come for drinks. It is a small place that only holds 60 people so you must be there early or you may have to stand in line.
I have met some new people in town as word is out that I can vaccinate their dogs or cut their nails. I did nails for an old girl, a retired sled dog who is 14 years old. A sweet girl but hates her nails done, so I split the time doing her back feet early afternoon and then returning after 5pm to do her front. I think she has forgiven me as I gave her treats in the end. I also met a girl through work who is from Australia, she works at Jago the plumbing and heating place here in town. A couple of weeks ago Michelle was so happy as a puppy came into their lives. Much to her and her husband's surprise their cute little boy dog was actually a cute little girl dog. It was really funny and I felt that I had to explain the birds and the bees to them. haha The puppy was really good for her 1st vaccinations and nail trims. I don't mind helping people with their dogs in the community, a great way to meet new dogs and of course their owners.
We decided to purchase another Honda, actually a Polaris for Craig to use. The guy that we bought the first one from had one more for sale, a 800 ATV that can sit a passenger. It is a monster compared to my 400 but I am happy with my little red one. Today will be the first day that I drive it as we are heading over to Jim and Sheila's for a day of oil changes. Wish me luck as I have never drove one before, can't be much different than a riding lawnmower can it?
Pictures today are of the new Polaris, friends and their dogs, and supplies getting ready to head out of town on the ice road. Oh yeah and one of my favorite things...Thanks Monique and Doris!
Talk soon!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Ice Road Trucking
Well after 3 days of trying to get onto the ice road Craig, Molly & I finally made it out last night. The road heads out of town to West Arm. The ice road is smooth and is probably the best road in Cambridge Bay. It is my first time on any type of ice road and at first I was a bit nervous but then realized that the ice is 7 feet deep or more. Heck if the semi trucks can go on it why can't our little Ford Ranger. We made it there before the sunset, visited the igloo that someone had made and then headed back, taking more pictures along the way. The wind was cold last night and Molly didn't last on the ice so we had to put her back in the truck, Craig and I didn't last too long either. This weekend is suppose to warm up so we may have to visit it again.
This past week had been very stressful for me with Molly. Everytime I left the house she got into something, I was at my wits end. I moved all of the food from the bottom cupboards to the top ones or into our barge room. Even after doing that she managed to open up the corner cupboard doors and pull out what she could. When I first got Molly she had huge separatation issues and I guess with me being off work for 10 months, spending every moment with her and then heading back to work she was upset. So after 7 years she is back on Clomicalm, it was either that or me coming home to a dog in medical danger. It has been three days now and she has not gotten into anything in the house. She is still the same old loving little GSP, just now her brain is in the place where it should be....balanced.
This past week had been very stressful for me with Molly. Everytime I left the house she got into something, I was at my wits end. I moved all of the food from the bottom cupboards to the top ones or into our barge room. Even after doing that she managed to open up the corner cupboard doors and pull out what she could. When I first got Molly she had huge separatation issues and I guess with me being off work for 10 months, spending every moment with her and then heading back to work she was upset. So after 7 years she is back on Clomicalm, it was either that or me coming home to a dog in medical danger. It has been three days now and she has not gotten into anything in the house. She is still the same old loving little GSP, just now her brain is in the place where it should be....balanced.
Saturday was a busy day for me. I headed to work for 8am to get some last minute paperwork done for the audit. At 10:30 I left the office to bring some baked items to the Saturday Market. Angie, our Post Master and a friend, puts on a bake sale once a year for Women's Cancer. Craig and I baked 6 dozen peanut butter cookies, 5 dozen oatmeal raisin cookies, 3 1/2 dozen imperial cookies 48 carrot cupcakes and 23 bags of trail mix for the bake sale. This year was her biggest yet, with 5 tables of donated goodies she raised over $2600.00. Kudos to Angie and to everyone who baked, worked and purchased something at the sale. I was very happy as they were also selling daffodils at the market, as every year I purchase these flowers and was afraid that I couldn't this year. I stayed and helped until noon and then headed back to the plant until 4pm.
When I arrived home there was this cute little puppy hanging outside our door. So you know me, I picked it up and headed inside with it. Craig panicked a little but I assured him that I was not going to keep this puppy, I just wanted to find his home or a new one. So off I went, puppy in tow, and drove around the neighbourhood to see if anyone was looking for this little fellow. No luck. I did run into Millie, her and her husband try to fly out as many dogs they can to the Yellowknife shelter. She had to do some phone calls to arrange for a foster home. I told her I could keep this little guy for one night. So off I go back home, got Craig to get one of the crates from the garage, feed this starving little guy and then headed to Marg's for fabulous ham dinner.
After dinner we headed over to Gary and Kate's for the usual Saturday night jam with the boys. Jim and the ladies visited while the others played and sang. I left early, around 10pm as I had a new addition to look after. Much to my surprise he didn't mess in his kennel. Blitz took a liking to him and played with him until midnight and needless to say the puppy went into the crate without a fight and fell asleep within 5 minutes. He spent the full day with us or should I say with Blitz on Sunday before I brought him to one of the RCMP homes where eventually he found his way back home. I must admit I did vaccinate the little guy, probably the only vaccine he will ever get. Blitz missed the puppy, he moped around the house for a couple of days after the puppy left. He is better now as we spent some time out on the tundra yesterday to get his mind off the puppy.
Lots of pictures today ending with Craig and Molly in the igloo.
Talk soon!
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