Arrive Alive

Sunday morning and the lack of food in our cupboards had forced me to head out for a big grocery shopping excursion.

I like to shop locally but am forced by my pocket book to head to the bigger city south of us to partake in this weekly ritual.  One that at this time of year leaves me with the sweats as everyone and their grandmother is also doing the same thing... shopping.
However being a beautiful day,  and the promise of talking to my son a couple thousand miles away on the phone at the same time, made this a not so bad chore to do today.

So off I go heading out on the main hiway which was clear and dry today making it easier for me to take in the views and rejoice in the fact that I call this province my home.
The mountains were beautiful today, looking larger than normal with their snow caps reflecting the bright morning sun.

 

Of course this is not my picture as using my camera would have made it a little dangerous while driving.

 

My pleasant drive was interupted by some woman in an SUV kissing my ass.  She may as well have been, I swear she was so close I could smell her breath.

 

 

Before I could come up with a plan to piss her off she passed me and flew by.  She had to be going at least 20km's over the speed limit, at the very least, as within moments of her passing she was a small dot ahead of me.

 

Where, WHERE, could she be going that she had to go so fast?  

I suppose a family emergency?  Late to pick someone up from the airport?  While I was compiling the list of reasons in my head to make her recklessness okay (which by the way I could not come up with any that made this alright) I noticed that I was a minority in driving the speed limit.

It seemed to me that 90% of every driver out there today had somewhere to be NOW.

 

Seriously people.  You are not just putting yourself at risk.  What about those who are sharing the road with you?

Do you not have family that would like to see you arrive home alive?

I do.

 

Anything can happen. 

Sure you tell me that you are a safe driver and that driving fast is no biggie, your brakes are good, you are experienced... whatever.

 

 

ANYTHING can happen.  

And it all happens in a blink of an eye.

 

I know this from experience as this is a picture of my van after I hit a deer while doing the speed limit.

 

So if you don't mind I would like to visit with my son who is coming home for the holidays.

I also have plans on hanging out with my entire family this Christmas season.

Not being thrown into a situation that YOU put me in because you just had to be somewhere right now!

I sure as hell do not want to end up here as I am sure your family does not want you here as well.

 

SLOW down!!!!!   There is nothing and I mean NOTHING that is so important that you must risk my life (or yours) to be there by driving fast and careless to get there.

 









Perfect Conditions????

I was thinking I should get my butt in gear and work on a blog for our new season of running dogs.
I kept putting it off not sure where to start and what to actually talk about that would interest those who may not have ever stood on runners behind the power of a team of dogs.

It wasn't until today's interesting 'run' and a comment that was sent my way making me chuckle that it was decided this must be shared with others.

The remark was along the lines of...  "too hot, not enough snow, and now too much?  Dog sledding seems to be persnickety!"

Yes, I suppose it is, at least can be.

We do not have our own land to run dogs, unlucky in that we cannot walk out our back door, hook up dogs and just take off for a daily run. 
I wish!!!
Instead we have to load up dogs and drive to various locations in which to let the dogs do what they love to do.

This said we are extremely luck this year in that a friend of mine has opened up her land (at least 3 sections) for us to create our own trails and run whenever we feel like it.  I'm sooo excited about this.
We even  purchased a snow machine in order to groom the trails and have a couple 'musher' friends who will be using the trails and helping us to keep them groomed as well.
However we have two issues that have kept us from our dream training trails.
1. The snow machine is not working at this moment and is waiting for a 'fix'
and .....
2. We just located a trailer in which to move this snow machine.  So up until now it was not even leaving our drive way anyhow.

We do have another piece of land that we have been using as temporary training trails and these are at the race site of the Rosebud Run... it is great that the dogs are used to running here and know the trails very well but the draw back is there is only 3 miles of trail and it can get very boring for the dogs. 
We were running them backwards by the end of last year and will do that again by the end of this week.
Just to keep things interesting.

Keep things interesting???
I just said that?

Who needs to KEEP things interesting when it just happens?

The past few runs for us have been full of drifting and punchy snow conditions, which have kept us running at a very slow pace.
This is fine in how I panned to train my kids this year.
Slow and steady.

With the possible race of 50 miles per day we need to pick up our distance (yay for new trails) but keep them slow and steady for now.
I do not want the kids tearing ahead like bats out of hell to only run out of steam only 15 minutes down the trail.

Today was like training for a slow motion race.

Blizzard conditions kept the snow from building up in one place, and instead moved it around to find something to lean against and then created walls of snow.

There are many places on this particular trail that are chutes made out of snow fences... or snow fences and brush... or just a rise in the earth and brush.... we found them all.

Even after determining there was lots of snow in the starting chute it was still a shock to all of us when we hit snow so deep we almost lost sight of the dogs.
Hubba looking back at me for confirmation moved toward the fence line looking for firm footing only to be caught by the weight of the sled in the deep snow.
After much pushing we were finally freed from the sinking snow to head off onto clearer trails.... at least for a few feet.

There were many piles of snow that we had to get over.... and ice to deal with on the bridge deckings.
All challenges that we dealt with just fine.

Not wanting to hurt the dogs after watching them swim a few times through a couple deep drifts I made the decision to cut the run short and turn the kids at the two mile gate.
Being a dull day with no sunlight the white of the snow seemed to blend in with the horizon and when we got to our turn Hubba made a sharp haw away and off of the trail.
He has been amazing this year listening to every command I give and taking the turns without hesitation.... so I called him back to turn gee... and instead of hitting the trail he turned back to the longer trail...a sharp right.

I once again called haw and he once again turned a sharp left right off the trail and pulling us around a pole.
Ray at this point got out in front of the team calling them to follow him.... however we were now caught up on the pole.
Not tangled, but unable to go forward.    So Ray trudged his way up to the pole and somehow lifted the line over top.
Freed we went forward in Hubba's direction.... a sharp left away from the main trail.
It wasn't until I was beside the trail that it occurred to me the trail was gone.  Buried under a drift that was easily as high as Ray's hip.
Hubba knew what I was asking, and understood the direction to take to get us around the drift... so I let him.

The next obstical I knew about and where we would encounter it.
Between two snow fences and always with very large drifts in there.
I was not disappointed.
Ray had to walk forward pushing his way through (almost hip deep) in order to create a trail for the kids to get through.

We did it... and we were all sweating by the time we were done... I was wishing at this point that Ray could have been ahead of us with the snow machine.

It will be nice to finally be able to run the trails without all the deep drifts that we've had to trudge through.

I love the snow.... and I don't mind the training we are getting in trail blazing.... but a bit of a smooth ride for my kids would be nice about now.

Oh, and don't get me wrong... I'm NOT complaining.  Not at all.
I've loved being able to get out on the runners again (and so early in the season for us).... what I cannot wait for, is being able to have Ray out on the 'iron dog' trail blazing for us... Mush on lead dog Ray!!!!

newnessness

I am trying something new... Writing from my new phone. So bear with me through this learning curve.

It has been a long while since I have expressed myself in print.  To be honest with you I have been discouraged, disappointed, and not very proud of myself.  I felt as though I had given up and let everyone down.

Eating humble pie is not tasting very good at this juncture of my life.... So I have made the decision to spit it out and take a giant leap of faith.

I will be working towards finding sponsors to help me with the goal of getting to the Percy this year... And dear reader if you are able to help me out and spread the word I would be ever so grateful.

The newnessness (I know, NOT a real word) of using my phone and now asking for help is like taking a walk down a new road for me, and it is scary.

New harnesses are first on my list, these will be ordered this week... I have 3 dogs that are in need and I have no choice. As for myself, clothing to be worn in the frigid temps while skiing is needed along with new skis.

For those who don't know the sad story about how all my saved money was lost you will have to wait for another blog. It is a story perfect for Halloween.... A very scary tale for sure.

So for now I shall end this entry with a plea... Even if it seems more like I am begging... Please help me find some sponsors so that I can get myself and my small team of dogs to the Percy...an adventure we have been working toward the last 2 years... My sad story will come out if that helps.

But for now... Look into my fur kids eyes and tell him we WILL get to the Yukon this March!

Tough Decisions

It’s been a tough week for me.

I’m dealing with some medical issues that we don’t need to go into detail over, but let’s just say that getting old isn’t all fun and games, or all that it is cracked up to be.   Only a number they say?  Try telling that to this body of mine.

Hormones… pshaw… they won’t listen to reason.   I am a 30 year old trapped in this aging and falling apart body.

Well, alright… it’s not really falling apart… just a hitch on this ride called life, nothing I can’t handle…. And will be sorted out once I get the blood work done and they, the medical peoples, figure out how they are going to sort out me.

Worried?  Not at all.

This week, with the rising and falling of hormones (I am just guessing on this now) has to do with the dilemma that befell me… befell?  Is that indeed a word?  Must be as my spell check has not underlined it in red… okay I was befelled this week… alright, I get it, befelled is NOT a word... give me a break okay?  I’ve had a tough week.

The dilemma which has caused this grief was all started with facebook.  Yes, I’m sure there are many of you pumping your fists in the air with the satisfaction of knowing that these social networking sights are the work of the devil, pure evil… wait… none of you self righteous puritans would be reading this as you wouldn’t have even discovered this blog as you don’t actually believe in being on here in the first place… in any case those that feel faceook/twitter and all of those other connecting with loved ones and our millions of friends is a bad place to be it had its negative affect, or is it effect?  Jeeze I can never remember, there is some rule to that isn’t there? Oh, but I digress now, yes back to what ailed me this week.

Yellow, vegetable dyed, Italian leather flats.

Yes you read that correctly, yellow flats that the local business here in town, Ulla la, advertised on their facebook page.   50% off.   Still more money than I have paid for flats before.  But oh so cute.

I fell in love, love at first sight, head over heels (did you see that? Did you get that pun?)  In any case this doesn’t happen with me when it comes to shoes, or articles of clothing (purses maybe, but that is a different story)

I could see myself wearing these shoes on an almost daily basis.  They would be perfect for both my jobs.  And they looked oh, so comfortable.  I felt as if I should own these shoes.  There was even a space of honour under my bedroom dresser for them.

But alas, the practical side of me knew that this was a bad idea.  I have been saving all my money, tips from my part time job, spare change, pennies found on the street etc.  It has built up to a rather impressive number…

This impressive but still rather small sum (for what is needed) that was set aside for my new ski boots, bindings for my skis, new skies eventually, harnesses for the dogs, Mukluks to keep my feet warm while out with the dogs on the sled and special clothing I will need while running the dogs on skis.

Items all needed for this crazy adventure that has been planned for this coming March, only 7 months from now.

Seven months!

Still so much to do, to have purchased for, to train for!!

Oh no, the nervous butterflies are spinning rapidly in my stomach now, but boy they would all look cute if they were sporting yellow Italian leather pumps.

 

 

You know sometimes a woman just has to say hell with it all and go with what is in the best interest of her wardrobe.

 

Sigh, I'm still dreaming of yellow pumps.



Ten Things that Make Me Smile

'What ten things make you smile?'  A question posted on a facebook page I follow Simple Life Celebrations.

A simple question, yet as I ponder my list of 10 I am struck by the fact that I have wayyyy more than 10 things that make me smile.

1.  This is first and foremost on my top 10, and that would be my family.  My kids, hubby, and extended family as well.  They are all in my life no matter how far they live and I'm proud of each one of them, AND they all make me smile.

 

 2. My dogs.  From cuddles and kisses to throwing the ball for Rigby.  Just hanging with my fur dudes in the yard every day makes me smile.

 

3. And speaking of dogs, playing in the snow and dog sledding with them makes me smile.  Just thinking about being on the back of a sled brings out the grin in me.

 



 4. A good cup of coffee and good company.  They don't have to be together and some may argue this is two smiles in one.... and you're right they don't HAVE to be together, but they are best as a pair

 

5.  Friends.  I have so many who mean so much to me that they all bring a smile to my face.  

  Friends who live far

 Friends who live close

         

 

6. Cotton Candy, well if you know me you will understand this best.  I think it should be a food group actually

 

 

7. New shoes.  I don't understand how you can't smile with new shoes on your feet!

 

 

8.  Fresh clean sheets on my bed.  I love crawling into bed and pulling the covers over my head when I've put new sheets on the bed.

 

9.  Daisies. They always make me smile.

 

 

10.  Just thinking about my kids.  I know I've mentioned family already... and I have a million simple things that make me smile, such as doing nothing, or a warm summer night, or a cool brisk winter afternoon, or... well you get the idea.   However my kids mean the world to me and just thinking about them makes me smile.

 



What is your list of smiles?



 



Soul Searching

The heart races, stomach flips, and sweat begins to form on the palms of my hands.

Here I go again.
Nerves take over and I feel an almost fear in the deepest darkest and dirtiest part of my soul.... holy jeebers it's dusty down here!

I haven't been down in this alley for awhile, it seems the soul searching part of my life has been left alone for a time.
It's almost a little scary here as I look around at the relics that lay about forgotten, almost.

There!! In that corner is the "come on try it!! Just this once!"   There are a few of those, you know the 16 year old with a cigarette, or bottle of beer/whisky/wine, the rolled joint, and well... you have to see it for yourself.   I'm sure most of you have these ones.

And over there is the "should I marry him"  That was a good one, ending happily but of course.

If you look over in that corner you will see the pile of school searches... Art, then Business and finally Education Assistant.
No, not there, that is the Volunteer stuff... lots of those, most of which were all good searches that have helped me in the long run.

No, if you look over there you will see stuffed beside the Move to Alberta and Start a family is the Buy my own business which is buried under the Sell my business. 
It is here you will see the Do we get a sled dog? searches.

There are many of these in varying degrees with a brand new shiny one sitting right out there in the open.
You can't miss it.
Percy is in large letters on the front.

Go on, open it... here let me do it for you ----> here <---- br=""> *shudders*

Yeah, I know.
What was I thinking?

But hey.  I've been getting in shape myself.
Found 2500 acres of land to do some haw/gee training.
Found a new training buddy.
Possibly the use of other dogs to help in training.
I am excited with the amount of running we are going to get to do this winter.

AND I found me a couple of more sponsors.
Aces High Oilfield Services (I shall call my Gold sponsor)
And Carole and Barry Forhan (my wonderful Ma and Pa)

I can't thank them enough... which also means that I have to DO this.

I have to.

So why am I feeling so scared?

The Pot Hole, now THAT is a Common Weed!!

I love Daisies.

They make me smile giving me a warm happy feeling inside.
Simple yet elegant.
I have, or rather, had a small bunch growing by my front door so that when I came home it would instantly cheer me up.

After a knock on our door one morning which found a 'Weed Inspector' from the county on our front step changed all that in a matter of moments.

Leucanthemum vulgare is what she said we had.  A common weed.
I knew that it was a weed, vulgar it is not.  Dandelions, they to me should be labeled as such, not the pretty little Daisy.
The Daisy that made up the bulk of my wedding boquet those many years ago.

We were told that it had to be removed... our little bunch of daisies that have been growing at the side of our house for the last 15 to 20 years. 
Yes we live in a rural town not far from pasture fields, but far enough that my little bunch of Daisies would not creep there and take over... in fact they hadn't even crept their way into our front garden or the driveway.

So now my little bunch of daisies sit dying in a vase on my dining room table.  The weed inspector saving the day as she keeps our yards safe from these pests.

However it seems a sad strange world when there is someone who drives around making sure that our gardens are free from flowering weeds when the pot holes grow in large numbers along many of the county roads.