Flurries in February

The last couple of weeks haven't been very news worthy, so I didn't update my blog last weekend as there wasn't very much to report really. The snow flurries are still hanging in there, with the occasional wild storm keeping the kids home from school and the buses off the roads for safety. Most of us still make our way into work, for me that means greeting the few and far between customers with a friendly smile, some chit chat and offer of a hot cup of tea or coffee on the house :) Just one more week before the Wheaton's cafe re-opens and things get busy again.

St. Valentines day came and went and Craig surprised me with a bottle of my favourite perfume 'Angel', secretly bought on his business trip to Atlanta, he was going to wait until my birthday, but decided it was more appropriate for the 14th instead, very observent of him to notice that there was just a smidgen remaining in my current bottle! We joined our friends Greg and Tina for a lovely lunch while Jemma and Amber spent the afternoon with their boyfriends' and were each presented with dinner, flowers and chocolates. The girls were walking on air when they came home and couldn't stop smiling for the rest of the evening :)

Earlier this week Jemma booked a tour of St Mary's University in Halifax, which is likely to be the University she will attend later this year. It was an in-service day at high school so Amber and Takuto came along too. Takuto is hoping to be accepted at St.Mary's as an International student.

Takuto puts a protective arm around Jemma

I liked that all the buildings on campus are linked by walkways, so there is no need to actually go outside during the winter months except to the gymnasium. We all followed the guide as he almost sprinted through each department, up and down stairs, it was quite exhausting! We ended the tour by having a quick peek at the rooms in residence. 'Compact' is the word that springs to mind, with barely enough space to swing a cat (not that you would want to), but I guess that's all a student needs, a place to sleep and study away from the hustle and bustle of hectic student life. I got ever so slightly choked up at the thought of my little Jem moving into her own place in the big City, but she will soon be 18 and it's time to let loose those apron strings a bit. On exiting the University the predicted snow storm had hit hard and fast with a good 20cm's of snow now covering the ground. It was a very slow and careful drive home on the yet to be ploughed highway. The journey home took almost twice as long as usual but we made it safely and got the fire going in time for dinner.

Hazel x

Thinking of the people in Victoria

I'm sure at the forefront of every ones minds right now are the victims in the State of Victoria, Australia. It's hard to imagine such horror as terrible fires have raged through vast areas taking numerous lives causing awful injuries and leaving many mourning the loss of friends and loved ones. I cannot comprehend that some of these fires have actually been started deliberately! It is unthinkable, cruel and so vicious.

The brave firemen who have risked their own lives in selfless acts of courage, deserve so much praise, they do a great job.

That being said I shall be thankful that we have the cold climate and shan't complain one bit this week.

This is a photo of a 4ft long icicle (you will have to take my word for it) outside our back door, with the sunset in the background, taken by Craig as he came home from work the other day.

Over the weekend Craig was asked to join some guys on an impromptu snow mobile jaunt. The conditions being just perfect for outdoor sporting activities; lots of packed snow, little wind and a clear blue sky. His initial reaction was that he didn't really fancy it, but he decided to go along for the first time, grabbing a few necessary items, including waterproof gloves and a balaclava! Leaving at about 9am and only returning late afternoon, stopping half way for a lunch of fish and chips at a bistro. I believe they clocked up 90 miles in total! He absolutely loved it I am happy to say! Just a little sore the following day from the intense concentration and balancing required, aching muscles not normally used I suspect :)

He will definitely join the gang next time they ask him along. One of the group members was a chap in his mid 80's, fit as a fiddle, belting along at top speed with a sharp sense of humour to boot!

No such excitement in my life! I am still enjoying February though. The girls will be seeing their respective 'friends' on Valentines day and are looking forward to that. Craig and I will most probably join some of our friends for lunch in the village. The orchard looking quite naked in the pristine snow.Footprints 'to' the school bus and 'from' the school bus :)

Til next week

Hazel x

February is here - Yippee!!

It's the month of February and that makes me smile :)
Here are a few reasons why...
1. I'm almost over the flu :)
2. The mornings are going to get significantly lighter :)
3. There will/should be fewer snow falls, slippery roads and frozen fingers and toes :)
4. Valentines Day is in the middle :)
5. My birthday is at the very end :)
6. Archie finally gets to go outside and play :)
7. Exam pressure is over for Jemma and Amber, for a while :)
8. We might just see a groundhog, or perhaps a 'real' chipmunk :)In fact, even though we are still snowed under quite literally, it's not so bad. This morning I had a little rummage through some old photos and came across this one: Little Jemma aged 2, happily playing in the snow, so proud having built her very first snowman!!

And now all these years later, some things never change :)

Also, I am happy because my wonderful hubby Craig came home safely from his trip to Atlanta and I realised just how much I missed him :)

Hazel x