Temp: +3
Showers
Sunrise: 7:28 a.m.
Sunset: 7:01 p.m.

I'm not sure what was in the air today but the energy at school today was pretty high; I left feeling pretty exhausted and worn out from rambunctious kids and noise. And it's not even a full moon! :-) Man, it sure felt like a Monday today...

Tonight was pretty quiet but at one point I went outside with the pooch and someone was shooting off fireworks. It was a very cool surprise actually. Other than that, spent the evening having tea with Tania, dyeing my hair, watching NCIS and getting ready for my ASL classes tomorrow. Good times. Oh that and I tried to get Oliver to walk on the treadmill today. It started out not too bad but as soon as he got off he went a bit haywire. Sigh... I am certainly no Dog Whisperer but, if you're out there Cesar Millan, I am sure givin' this training thing the ole college try!

As for community news, there were a couple break-ins this weekend; one at the Co-op where several rifles were stolen and one at the NPS (a convenience store) where a whack load of cash was lifted. It's too bad. Seems like it's happening more often lately.

Other than that, tomorrow off to ASL and then home to finish editing a good friends course paper that I didn't quite get done on the weekend (sorry Cher!!!).

Temp: +1
Sunrise: 7:25 a.m.
Sunset: 7:04 p.m.

Well things have been pretty busy here the last couple of weeks; I just don't know where the time is going!

Last weekend we had a surprise birthday party for one of the teachers and had a scavenger hunt to start it off. It was a lot of fun to plan and think up the clues but I have to say I made one rather significant flub when placing the clues. I hid the clues in black garbage bags with a big pink duct tape 'X' on each one (I know, who has pink duct tape?!). This might have been a good idea if not for the fact that it was pushing dusk when we got started. So, finding a black garbage bag at dusk when you don't really know where you're going is a wee bit of a challenge. Also, when hiding the black garbage bag at the dump (sigh... yes, I know, a garbage bag at the dump?!) we placed it on a patch of snow with rocks on it and the 'x' up. However, the rocks slid off and it ended up just being another bag at the dump which, apparently, was difficult to find. Who knew?? But, all in all a good time was had by everyone and it was something different to do on a Friday night which was good. It's nice to shake things up once in a while.

Then the week came and went pretty quickly and last night we had a gathering at the 12 plex between a couple of apartments. It was rather 'dorm style' with cards being played in one and dominos and music in the other. It was great actually. Lots of people came out for it and there were a lot of laughs. It was such a success I think we'll maybe try it again for Christmas.

And so this coming week not too much is going on. It's getting chillier outside now and I ended up breaking out my parka on Wednesday so winter she is a comin'. I'm a bit disappointed though because I'd been hoping to go to Winnipeg or AB for Thanksgiving but with Aeroplan not being accepted by Calm Air now it's not going to happen. The good news is that Canadian North accepts Airmiles and they fly from Rankin to Edm a few days a week so for Christmas that may be what I end up doing. At least on the way back up.

And today I'm ordering an English course from Athabasca University to work on while I'm up here. Should be interesting. Will be nice to keep me busy over the winter at any rate.

And, again a post with no pictures. I'm having a real problem loading photos onto the blog since I got back in August. Not sure what the problem is but once it's sorted I'll start posting some.

Temp: -1
Wind chill: -9
Winds: 42 km/hr
Snowin' and a blowin!
Sunrise: 6:50 a.m.
Sunset: 7:47 p.m.

Well, all I can say is BRRRRRRRRRR!!

Last week I was so excited to see the first snow and yesterday we had our first real dump of the white stuff. It was still pretty and festive but a bit daunting coming so early. It is some kinda cold outside today. The wind is really strong and blows right through my fall jacket. Hard to believe I'll be pulling out my parka tomorrow to go to work. Man, I sure hope this doesn't mean an early freeze for the lake because I have yet to receive my barge order and am not expecting it for a couple of weeks. Fingers crossed!

Other than that, things have been going really well. Tonight I had my ASL class and still had a great turn out so that's good. Off to do a workout tonight and then tomorrow badminton at the gym. And then we are darn near at the weekend again. Time is just flying by this year; I can't believe it's already the middle of September. Wonder if I'll still be saying time goes fast in a couple of months once winter is full on here?!
:-)

Temp: -1
Sunrise: 6:44 a.m.
Sunset: 7:54 p.m.

Well, I've finally bitten the bullet and turned up my thermostat. Actually, as I sit here tonight writing this I can barely feel my toes! Mostly my fault though as I tend to keep a window open to get fresh air in the apartment. Well that and the window crank in my bedroom is broken and so the window doesn't quite shut (new parts for it are on order and on their way, hopefully before snow comes to stay). It would seem that fall is on its way out and winter is eagerly peeking around the corner.

But, it's been a pretty good week here in Baker. I started teaching an after school ASL class for those interested and had a huge turnout of 18 people! It's pretty cool to see so many people actively interested in learning the language.

And this week our schools took part in the Terry Fox run which was a lot of fun and as per my past three years here it snowed the day of. Big fluffy snowflakes billowing about on Friday morning for about a half hour. It looked like someone put Baker in a snowglobe and shook it! I'm not sure but I may very well have been the only one truly excited to see the snow. We've had flurries off and on for the past week or two but this one was full-on and beautiful. It even had me humming Christmas carols for a while. :-) But, it was over before we went out in the afternoon so it made for a great walk in the crisp fall air.

And this weekend I attended the wedding of a couple here from town. I helped out with the decorations and then took in the festivities at the hall. Of course the bride looked stunning, as did the bridesmaids, and the groom and groomsmen were very handsome in their suits. We played games after the supper and then the square dance began. I never win at the games but they are so much fun to play. That is unless you get boo'd! The gist of the game is that everyone makes a huge circle and several dice are passed out. A number is chosen and that is the number you need to roll to join in. We had to get a 5 and when we did, we had to race to the centre of the circle where a lady stood with a grocery bag filled with scads of other bags, knotted twice. The goal is to untie the knots before someone else gets a 5 and you keep the bag; the person with the most bags wins obviously. Well it was my turn to go up and I couldn't get the knot so I went to yank at it with my teeth and the crowd boo'd me! Apparently this is against the rules... It was too funny! Hee hee, let me tell ya, I won't be making THAT mistake again. :-)

After that the square dance began and the first song lasted almost 40 minutes! I was exhausted just watching everyone. I wanted to join in but there were already enough people so didn't, and frankly I don't know if I would have been able to! I watched the dancers up there (who have incredible rhythm I have to say) and just when I thought I had it figured out a whole new move would get added. Heh heh, besides the fact that I would have quite possibly needed CPR had I joined in, I also may have hurt myself or someone else by flailing about in what would very likely have been the wrong direction. Next time though I definitely plan to give it a shot.

Temp: +1
Sunrise: 6:21 a.m.
Sunset: 8:23 p.m.
Flurries!

Ladies and gentlemen, we have snow! :-) Not scads and scads of it but I woke up this morning and took Oliver out to do his business and lo and behold we have flurries today. It's not going to stick around but it's nice to see. Funny how living in a place where winter lasts for so long that I still get excited to see the first snow fly. I'm sitting here enjoying a cup of tea and just gazing out the window at the flakes. It makes me think of the Christmas season and all it brings with it. Love it!

Last night Tania and I went to Pam's and hung out there with a few friends and ended up sitting in the hot tub for a while. I have to say it's been a real treat having a friend that has a hot tub up here. It's in a covered shelter to protect it from the elements but the atmosphere is relaxing and fun all the same. Slept like a baby last night - very good times.

Temp: +7
Sunrise: 6:18 a.m.
Sunset: 8:27 p.m.
Showers

Time has really flown by and it's been a pretty good week. School was fun with lots of sewing, crafts and a couple excursions, including berry picking today. The two grade four classes took the bus out to Blueberry Hill and picked berries, ate caribou stew, hot dogs and drank hot chocolate. It was kind of rainy but everybody's spirits were high and it was just a lot of fun. Nice to get out of the classroom for a while.

The high school science fair happened to be camped out in the same area. We had two tents and they had the rest for sleeping, eating and doing their thing in.



Fall colors in the Arctic



And other than that, it looks to be a pretty relaxing weekend. I'm heading over to my friend Pam's this evening to say good-bye as her husband has been transferred in the RCMP to the Whitehorse area. That's definitely one of the hardest things about living up here; meeting such great people and then everyone going their separate ways eventually. But, I suppose we just need to be thankful for the time we all have and enjoy it while we can!