Amberism

It was pretty at least

More wind, more snow, more power outages. Its been fun! whheee!

Last night my friend K came over for dinner and by 6:45 pm the snow was coming down with a fury and the wind picked up so we loaded the dog and the kid up, she blazed a trail out of my neighbourhood with her 4x4 and I followed in her tracks. It took us 45 minutes to go a distance that usually takes about 15! The little family camped out at her house for the night since both of our husbands were in Victoria for a course.

I had this idea that I'd do my family christmas picture out amoung the snow covered pine trees of our front yard, and had us all bundled and set up to do just that when the camera died. Of course. And we had no power to charge the battery. Of course. Today is sunny and beautiful and the snow is melting remarkably fast. Of course.

Vegas is going stir crazy because we can't run him in the snow (he loses the ball) and the snow is up to my knees so walking him is even out of the question.

Tomorrow we're going up to Courtenay to stay in a fancy resort for two nights and celebrate Christmas with Steve's company. K and I have a day booked at the spa at the Kingfisher which is suppose to be spectacular so it should be quite the weekend indeed. Callum is coming with us and the rooms have these huge jacuzzi tubs so I am really looking forward to having a big bath with me, Steve and Callum. Callum loves his baths, so it should be fun to see him floating in a huge tub like that!

I have oodles more to say, but I'll save it for another day!

Water, so very special and Random Acts of Kindness

Apparently my watershed has a boil water advisory. I found out last night, several days after the storm. We have been using the water rather freely. Since I'm not sick, I'm just going to keep using the water rather freely. We have a storage tank, so the water is clear as the tank settles out solids. Plus there's a filter on the kitchen sink and so far, there hasn't been any bacteria issues that have cropped up with respect to the water. (eh, or has there? anyone know?)

Steve had two truck books ordered and both were delivered in the last week by the same delivery truck driver. We got to talking on Saturday morning and he was telling me about the differences between Canada and Pakistan (where he was born) and a little bit about his life in general. During this conversation it came up that we haven't had power for several days. After he left, Steve and his siblings were giggling that I spent so much time talking politics/life with the delivery driver. A few minutes later he returned with danishes for all of us! Totally made my day! Now I have to pass on this random act of kindness!

NOW I have something to blog about!

Wednesday morning this storm system came across the island bringing A LOT of rain and high winds. Typical with these sorts of storms our hydro was out of service by 9:00 am Wednesday morning. As I have previously mentioned, when the hydro goes out it means we have no services as we're on electric heat and our water is pumped to the house via an electric pump. The storm also took out our phone so I was literally without any of my usual conveniences!

I was talking to Steve throughout the day on my cell phone and we decided that Callum and I would just hang tough until Steve came home then decide if we'd brave the night out here, or head into town and crash at Grandma's house. He picked up extra batteries for the flashlights, propane and supper after work before heading home. At 6 he calls me from friends of ours in Parksville to tell me he can't get to the house! A huge tree came down across one of the roads into our community, taking the hydro line with it, so a live wire was on the road (and the tree) and a fire truck was also there to stop anyone from attempting to cross the wire. Steve couldn't get home but even worse, Callum and I couldn't get OUT!

I had the forsight to grab the propane camping stove and lantern out of the shop earlier in the day, so Callum and I bunkered down expecting to spend a really long, dark, cold night alone out here. I made myself the worse grilled cheese sandwich EVER on the camp stove(burnt bread, and then the cheese didn't melt!), very grudgingly brought more spider-invested wood into the house and lit the latern. All while Callum screamed his head off. It was fun. No. Really.

Damn it gets dark out here. And keeping a fire lit and a newborn fed is not exactly easy. I was bitter. Very, very bitter.

Thankfully BC Hydro was able get the tree and wire off the road and Steve was able to come home by 8:30 that night to my utter delight! We camped out in the living room in front of the fire.

We had to live without power until SATURDAY AFTERNOON. Callum and I spent Thursday night at Grandma's house because honestly, I can't go that long with no water and a newborn! I am not really built for back-to-nature living with the keeping the fire lit all day and bringing in buckets of rain water to flush my toilet (although, why don't we use rainwater to flush our toilets instead of clean, treated water?!).

Friday afternoon Steve's sister and brother came out for a visit so Friday night we all camped out in the living room in front of the fire. Its interesting trying to entertain your guests when you have absolutely no services!

off-kilter

Our little man is off-kilter this weekend, meaning that I am Tired. I dislike being tired.

I have this strange desire to knit, but knitting is difficult with a newborn. 'spose I could be doing it right this second but well, I'm not.

Tomorrow I'm going to Costco. Exciting times.

We had a couple of friends come for a weekend visit, and that was really fun (for me anyway, pretty low key for them). Sadly the little man was a bit cranky, but it was really nice to see them. They also came bearing gifts, which brought me no end of joy. I enjoy gifts!

yeah, I've got nothing right now. Too tired.

Another year goes by...

"I'm going into town to buy your birthday present tonight so you're on your own with Callum"

"You're taking the car?"

"yeah"

"You can't be getting my present then because a canoe won't fit in the car"

"man, you're going to be really disappointed"

Happy Birthday Steve-o! Sorry I didn't buy you a canoe ;)

Halloween Pics

Here we are!

Winter is a-coming

The breastfeeding drama continues. I'll spare you, but I'm still trying as best I can but am very quickly losing steam, as is Steve.

This weekend my friend K had a little shower for me that was good fun! As per usual, we were spoiled like crazy! Lots of gift certificates to Sears which is what I asked for! It'll be fun to go shopping! I also said that instead of a gift that it would be awesome if people just made (or bought) me convenience food like say soup, or muffins, or quiches, or lasagnas and man, did that idea ever get a negative welcome! I thought it was fantastic, and K actually made me an entire BOX of food that has basically sustained Steve and I for a month, but besides two other friends, everyone else complained and then asked instead if they could buy a gift.

If you're ever wondering what the best gift is, though, its food. Seriously. Ask any new Mama.

Today Sir Callum is all stuff up and we can't seem to get the little guy to sleep for more than about 20 minutes. I'll give him something to eat, he'll fall asleep so I'll put him down and 20 minutes later, he's screaming. I tried steaming up the bathroom and sitting in there to no avail. Poor little babe.

Besides being Callum-focused, I haven't been up to much else. I get out and about for a little shopping here and there, mostly to doctor or nurse appointments, though. Steve and I went out to a Halloween party that was much fun. He went as the headless horseman with Callum as his pumpkin (freaking CUTE) and I was mother nature. Maybe I'll post the pics when I develop them! The weather was awesome here up until this past week, and now the rains have descended on us. Its refreshing though, and I've enjoyed the gray weather so far and have just holed up inside and cuddled Sir Callum.