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Friday, 13 November 2009

  • Posted by bonnieupnorth

    Not a love affair but practical....

    as I have finally purchased a vehicle before the snow flies, my insurance expires next month and room for the dogs!

    It has been an interesting process and one I probably do not want to repeat for a while.

    Did I learn some new things?
    • Yes, the internet in an invaluable tool for checking out different models, years such as AMA info on liens and history check e.g. reports from Car Fax, to Google images of each ( I am very visual and discovered hatch back and wagon are very different ) and Auto Trader and Kijiji ads in my area. However it was humorous as one ad got misplaced and discovered it was a lady from NFLD who was willing to pay shipping if I bought her late 90s used vehicle!
    • Also learned the wholesale and retail prices are important to know when dealing privately....what the seller would get on a trade in vs. the price a dealer would sell the car for.....
    • That as a single middle aged woman I can hold my own in asking intelligent questions on used cars
    • What ABS stands for and the repeated flashing light on the dash is likely a computer or fuse glitch.
    • That as much as I did alright test driving 5 speed manual such as a 2008 Hyundai and 1995 honda civic hatch back or 1998 VW Passat, not the best choice in the long run....consideration stopped on a hill in the middle of winter with 2 active dogs in the back would I be distracted???? YES...choose an automatic!

    Is this a stressful emotional process?
    • Yes if pressed for time and with too many choices
    • Yes I have met a number of private sellers and usually get  their own personal stories and history of the vehicles...sometimes I can trust my intuition and sometimes I may be gullible.
    • I really loved the Volvo 850 T 1995 ( see last blog ) and all the features, especially heated seats and well maintained but pushing my upper limits on the budget, a higher mileage and in the long run may have cost me more in repairs.
    • As I wrote in facebook: looking for a good used vehicle is somewhat like pregnancy as it generates everyone else's stories and advice but the end result is still uniquely your own.

    So here is the new addition 2000 Ford Taurus SE wagon with about 181, 000 kms.

    Yesterday I was pretty wound up as I dashed about with the rental car getting insurance renewal and plates, did not get an inspection before purchase  and driving very slowly home from the north end of the city in the dark worried about breaks and power steering. It  has sat in a garage for about 6 months  and needed complete winterizing and coolant flushing from Lubex done this morning and after the insurance inspection and new battery, will need new rear tires and some front break work scheduled for Monday afternoon. 

    But the guys at A-1 tire and battery reassured me it is in good shape and I made a good decision.



    So not a love affair or any pet names or heated seats but practical and basic with room for the dogs and fit into the garage.


Thursday, 12 November 2009

  • Posted by bonnieupnorth

    So many mothers wait in vain today....

     "Canadian casualties in the Second World War topped 40,000 and hundreds more have died in the Boer War, the Korean War, in Afghanistan and in peacekeeping duties.

    Today, we honour their memory. We stand in silence and we remember them.

    Some say the Canadian government should make observation of two minutes of silence on Remembrance Day mandatory, but veterans say that would be against the very ideals for which the soldiers fought. They fought for freedom--whether it be freedom to stand silent or freedom to protest."

    From November 11 editorial Edmonton Journal

Wednesday, 11 November 2009

  • Posted by bonnieupnorth

    Another camera addict....

    Birthdays can be fun and especially with the younger teen set...we older folk stopped counting a while ago!

    Such was the situation last night with the grand daughter. Doing her usual overnight at my place for yoga also coincided with a birthday celebration.....the "Scorpio" Teddy was fun but reaching further in the bag brought out a new digital RED Canon camera complete with RED carrying case and much excitement! So another camera addict in the family is on her way....

    On my way heading out the door made some apple pear sauce from pickings this summer for the Potluck dinner of our OFRE group ( Operation Fruit Rescue Group Edmonton ) at the Strathcona library. Stories and good food was shared with someplanning for next season. Frozen apple sauce, pear juice and cherry, apple, gooseberry jams also for the take home.

    This group started this summer to help and share some of the local fruit that owners do not pick...1/3 to owner, 1/3 to food bank or other charity and 1/3 to pickers.  More volunteers needed for next summer but at least a beginning....

    and love this outside shot of the library.

Monday, 09 November 2009

  • Posted by bonnieupnorth

    Monday morning musings

    So how has your week begun? Just a few reflections on mine…

    November is never an easy month because of remembrances of losses such as my father’s death and a good friend last year, but also a time to dwell in those times of encounters with others here and be thankful….we all need to be reflective and look beyond selves and Nov.11 is a good reminder….the sacrifices of others and our own charitable giving.

    As the Christmas season approaches, for heaven’s sake, watch the spending….being a consumer is not a patriotic duty!

    As I approach this week I do so with much more calmer perspective than have done so in past free writing. Abit of a difference may have been that I began my day with some meditation and yoga. Hopefully a little bit more calm than angst at other times.

    So this is the rapid writing of things I have to do….

     

    The back porch got cleaned last week and extra dog kennel and accessories up for sale , so must check to see if any responses to the ad on Kijiji…

    I think I have found a vehicle  a 1995 Volvo 850 wagon. Although abit more than I wanted to pay It would be a relief just to know that I have a vehicle at last that meets most of my needs: right size, able to take dogs, older but maintained well, both summer and winter tires, an automatic and hey, even heated seats! So what do I have to do around this….


    get an inspection booked, bill of sale drawn up and/or bank draft, call insurance for costs, change plates and registration, talk to brother-in-law….

    I have a rental car for 2 more days and what do I need to do while I have it? What are the immediate needs?..look at your weekly schedule first before launching off says the cautionary mind. Getting some dog food, major/minor grocery shop ( I really do hate grocery shopping as it probably reminds me of the major ones I have to do before heading north) if home depot or Rona get new screens but get dimensions first, end for soaker hose, tulips, mail packages to K and for baby ( get addresses ), birthday gift for M, take lawnmower in for tuning, drop off stuff at church including invoice but that might wait until tomorrow. Stop in at dentist in NE again maybe tomorrow/

    The temperature is going up to plus 8oC today and so more outside stuff to do including g dog walks…slow down as maybe I can do some of this in early afternoon…again check day timer.

    My office desk is messy…I think I have clients tonight.. check day timer. And should also make a few calls or emails about feedback appointments to set up schedules. Contract for the north…last week’s call felt much too much like just social but it will come together so must make contact again before the end of the week.

    So other projects…would really like to have the front gate fixed so I don’t have to wire it together and looks like some one backed into another section which needs fixing…so the need to contact a carpenter….make another call. The whole roof and insulation thing and what needs and can be done before winter…. again just get estimates.

    Then there is the whole list of friend and family contacts I need to either do or catch up on…don’t know if it is avoidance as much as feeling somewhat peopled out… after a weekend of leading a marriage prep seminar, helping with coffee at church and attending an outreach committee meeting in the middle and then missing the play I wanted to see by arriving at 2:30 PM when it had stated at 2 PM. Did get to my evening meditation group but then beetled off on my own to a discount movie theatre to see “ The Proposal” at 10:50 PM

    Easy to manage the compartments of my life but when they overlap

    So the week has begun and what am I doing. Oh yeah… check day timer!

     

Thursday, 05 November 2009

  • Posted by bonnieupnorth

    Ressurecting the breadmaker...

    To tell you how long it had been since used the breadmaker.... found someone had put packets of curry powder in there for storage as near the spice rack! :)

    My memories of this breadmaker...well don't know if it was a weddings gift...eons ago and a whole other story but I do remember getting a new paddle from " Dorothy's Appliance Store " about 10 years ago. Fascinating place and looking through at least 20 different samples of one that would fit my machine....the original manufactures probably long gone out of business on this model...so why chuck the whole machine for lack of a paddle was my logic! So paid about $20 for a new "used"one. Presently one would probably just get a new breadmaker but that is the philosophy of disposable and not repairable items.

    Now why did I lose a paddle to my breadmaker.....the loaf left to cool on the counter was much too much a temptation to my husky, Mike, who gobbled the whole thing, paddle included!

    One of the tips I got from my sister in law on this trip was to use the breadmaker for the dough only and do the rest of the loaf/buns in the oven....it seems to rise more.

    Tried and worked well this week... a sesame seed french bread loaf ( white wine included in the recipe ) and cinnamon buns. my only regret on the latter was tried abit of molasses added to brown sugar and cinnamon made removal from pan very difficult.

    Oh yes and some very berry muffins just on their own.

Tuesday, 03 November 2009

  • Posted by bonnieupnorth

    Wonderfully head clearing it was to get out of the city....

    Instead of giving out Halloween candy, took advantage of last few days of car rental last weekend & a good 2-day road trip to sister in law's farm in Calgary and day hike in Grotto Valley Canyon, near Canmore and Ekshaw.

    The dogs, were scrunched in the back, but thought they died and went to heaven running both on the farm rolling in smelly stuff, investigating the ducks and  up the canyon...

    Leased together most of the time I let them go on the narrower trails.

    The canyon comes to a T with waterfall on one branch and dry creek bed on the other, and I liked the 2 PM light that produced this shadow portrait.

    The holds here on the side walls for rock climbing reminded me of the daughter and her many adventures

    Dressing in layers was definitely the order of the day as you can see by the snow on the spruce and juniper berries where I stopped for lunch.

    The valley is noted as a spiritual place and has several places of petrogliffs from the original Indian groups, 10-14,000 years ago. I could only find these rather faint red markings, but there appears to be both a person in the upper one and animal, possibly bison or elk in the lower shape.

    The only down point on Sunday after my hike was an anticipated soak in Banff Hot Springs pool found closed for renovations, so went for beer and pizza at Banff Springs Hotel.

    Monday morning after enjoying a leisurely breakfast and watching the pine siskas in feeder outside the window drive back was given instructions to take a new ring road that one would avoid going into Calgary...

    this was fine until it suddenly ended in construction not yet connected with highway #2 north. Fortunately I was not the only one heading in that direction and ended up via some back roads just north of Calgary via a small town called Balzac.

    These are some of the shots of that detour, including small church and collection of old farm items in one yard near the highway.  


    The day was clear and one could see the Rockies in the distance, and those wonderful open prairie skies.


Friday, 30 October 2009

  • Posted by bonnieupnorth

    Sewing Project Complete....

    and probably got my fix for further handsewing projects well sated as  Tinker Bell and Peter Pan are now set.

    Have to give Makayla and Avery credit  as their choices for the basics of green T-shirt and belt and green and white dress were good starting points. Here are the photos results. Both  dropped in this afternoon about 4:30 PM. Finished my own sewing about 9 PM last night which involved attaching both green and gold plastic leaves to her dress  and waist band and bodice with shiny 2 " ribbon. The extra green was electrical taped to his belt and sleeves slightly shredded. Love some of the effects here next to my old upright piano and among the potted plants in the living room.

    The kids seem pleased with the results as well and each other!

    So with one last look at the front gate:

     

    HAPPY HALLOWEEN ALL!


Wednesday, 28 October 2009

  • Posted by bonnieupnorth

    Life is good but disorganized....

     but sometimes that is just how it has to be!

     

    As I find myself in the middle of several projects and often frustrated because of the seeming “mess” around me I get reminded that it is the process not always the end result that is the most important.

     

    In the midst of yard clean up now being done in less frequent dry weather patches, the frustrations may be the dogs, the mud and why am I stuffing leaves into a long skinny plastic tube that keeps splittingbut that is also the joy to be outside with the dogs, making a 3 legged spider that needs to be put outside the fence so dogs don’t think I have created NEW TOYS for them and alas doing a stir fry on the front yard fire pit with the pruned branches.

     

    Finally a dry day of about 10oC to finish some of the yard work. Lawnmower used to gather leaves, although little lawn left with all areas dug by dogs.  Three legged spider...tedious stuffing of bags and moving so dogs would not think were toys! Sunday night end of yard clean up grilled pork chops and veggies.

     

    Halloween…well we don’t get many kids and I may be away but still it is the journey. The granddaughter was over last night ( we do yoga on Tuesdays & it is getting better but 50’s year old body is not quite as flexible as the teenage one ) and the chore is putting together the Halloween costume. She working on the costume to look like Tinkerbell not milkmaid or Oktoberfest  bar maid ….I got  a few add ons from the dollar store but her uncle spent way too much at Micheals. His idea I think is wood nymph! I have to sew on all the additions! Here are some of the Halloween items to add to costume or outside.

     

    Ah reminders.... IT IS THE JOURNEY!

Sunday, 25 October 2009

  • Posted by bonnieupnorth

    Susan Aglukark in concert

    Yours truly is starting to think north and  enjoyed an excellant Susan Aglukark concert Friday night at Festival Place in Sherwood Park.... a last minute invite from a friend.

     

    Her website is http://www.susanalukark.com

     

    The first time I heard her was at a Christmas concert a number of years ago with ESO. Meaningful for me was in the interim I have had the opportunity to work in Nunavut & know Arviat, Rankin Inlet and Pond Inlet , and understand stories and comments on similarities between family closeness there and in small town Newfoundland, for example.

     

    Susan prefaces all her songs with the stories behind them which brings that intimate connection with her audiences, and Festival Place again was an ideal setting for such, including a Q & A time after intermission.

     

    What however is very noticable is that she is so more polished and at least 5 albums later....( I like her second album the best, This Child, 1995 )

     

    Standing ovation and Amazing Grace in Inuktitut as encore.


    Was in the city as well doing some work with mentoring aboriginal students through UofA.

Friday, 23 October 2009

  • Posted by bonnieupnorth

    BIG BABIES

    Wolves and other wild relatives of the domesticated dog bark only during their adolescence; when they reach adulthood they howl but they do not bark. Dogs, on the other hand, howl and bark throughout their entire lives.... today from my page a day calendar on dogs.

NORTHERN MEANDERINGS..FROM ALBERTA TO NUNAVUT

WHY I BLOG.... A native Edmontonian, my year is split between here & the arctic. Blogging since 2003 and hopefully relieving my friends and family of those group emails, this site is primarily a personal photo blog of these " Northern Meanderings " & at times some other rants. THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED are my own & DO NOT necessarily reflect those of my family, church, other social workers, employers, government, two pet huskies, etc.

To find Nunavut & other northern bloggers...

bonnieupnorth

  • Visit bonnieupnorth's Xanga Site
    • Name: Bonnie
    • Country: Canada
    • Metro: Edmonton
    • Gender: Female
    • Member Since: 4/21/2004
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About Me

  • Canadian and loving life in the north whether home base in Alberta or farther north. Thus mostly a photo blog of some of my meaderings. Since 2002 have had the opportunity to contract work as a " relief " social work in the Nunavut...stints both at Christmas & in the summer, each 3 - 12 weeks - Kugluktuk, the main community of doing this casual coverage, but this past few years have been in the Baffin region, Pangnirtung, Pond Inlet & Arctic Bay, Kimmirut & in the Kivalliq, Arviat and Rankin Inlet. In the city, have both a part time counselling private practise & do social work coverage at one of the local hospitals. Enjoy the flexibility of this work schedule but do not have the pension or other security benefits that many of my other colleagues may have. Enjoy hiking on the tundra, taking photos of the arctic flowers or ice in the bay. Since summer of 2006 discovered the joys & convenience of digital photography. Dogs & bikes in the summer & x-c skis in winter.

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Pulse

  • Foggily surfaced to thinking it was Saturday only to discover it is still Friday & means will really have to hit messy office!
  • it's a long way home but your love is better than ice cream...whose lyrics? great outdoor concert tonight!
  • Went hiking yesterday with Koda &  swimming , lovely to cool off & challenging with a 60 lb goofy lab who thinks you are a playmate!

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