-40

Well as I write this at 1 am, it has now reached -40 outside my kitchen window. Even my brave little cat refuses to go out to pee. She refuses to leave her cat carrier in the warm kitchen. The dog chickened out at about -25. If you think this is startling and horrible my terrific husband is in Fort McMurray right now living in our 19 foot travel trailer. As you can see from the pictures there is not much insulation outside and inside he has only a propane furnace and a small electric heater. I know that if it is -40 here it is at least 5 to 10 degrees colder there. Last week I went for a little visit and at -15 I found it unbareable with all the plumbing and fridge frozen solid. I think that he is an exceptional man to make these sacrifices for his family. We all love you honey. Keep warm.

Well Back To the Norm.

Well Shawn is back to work the kids are back to school and I am back to my never ending to do list.I thought I'd be able to relax after Christmas was over but now Miss Bailey informs me that she would like to have a Chinese birthday this year. The kids only get to have a party with kids from school every other year to cut down on cost so this year it's Chinese. Every year we have a party with family and usually one extra family but the last time Bailey had a party with school kids she wanted bowling. We picked a day that would be good for Shawn and of course that was a friday when all the kids where out of school. She invited 11 classmates but because everyone was out of school I recieved 11 calls at the last minute asking if they could bring thier other kids too. It's a darn good thing that I over back for everything because all toll including parents we had 35 people eating lunch. Well this year we are going with 4 girls from school for the party and the 6 accompaning brothers will just have to settle for Xbox in the basement with Jesse and Mike. Well I have started the planning and can't wait for an afternoon in China Town picking up the odds and ends.

For those who are patiently waiting for Mike to graduate he is right on schedule. He takes his exams next week for English and Social Studies. He should be finished his Math by the end of the month (semester break) but might be to late to take the final exam, so he'll need to take it at a later date. I'll be so pleased when it's finished he is dieing to go back to work so he can afford to go snow boarding.