Just A Quickie

I'm just popping in to brag:  IT'S SNOWING!!!!!   I know for many this isn't something to be so excited about, but I truly am!  I know I'm not the one who has to shovel it, but still.  It's so beautiful and calming, and besides, it helps to insulate houses from the -20C temps we've been having in these parts.

I'M SO BLISSED OUT RIGHT NOW :D

For Squirrel!

In my last post I mentioned snowshoeing, my beloved winter activity.  Squirrel, over at Feelin' Swell: My Life With RA, questioned me as to what the heck this actually is.  Well, far be it from me to get over-excited and blab on and on about snowshoeing!

For starters, here are a few pics of me snowshoeing over Christmas break:

In the top photo you can see the Franster joining me in a pose while modeling her Christmas bandanna (yes I am a nerd who puts a bandanna on her dog!).  And, the bottom is an action shot.  We don't have much snow, but I was desperate to get out! :)

Basically snowshoeing is the use of snowshoes to be able to walk on snow, distributing weight evenly to avoid sinking into it too deeply.  This is pretty key for places that get many feet/metres of snow.   Snowshoes are traditionally a wooden, ovalish frame with woven rawhide (or rope, or any other long rope-like thing).  Modern snowshoes are metal, no real weaving, and are generally smaller.  I can't really see them working in very deep snow, due to their size.  These are not for me.  I like the wooden/woven ones.

(Here is where I would insert a close-up pic of a more traditional snowshoe, but blogger is being a jerk.  Instead here is a wikipedia link to have a look at one type of snowshoe).

Snowshoeing is my favourite form of exercise, it is my favourite way to burn calories, to socialize, to de-stress, to walk the dog, to re-energize and to enjoy the outdoors.  When I couldn't snowshoe last year, due to my dumb ankle, I cried.  When I tried again this year, and was able to do it, I cried again.  I am in no way an exercise lover (I am in fact, quite lazy), but there is something about it that enthralls me.  It works my muscles like crazy, while simultaneously linking me to nature (I live in Labrador for a reason).

As, I type this I look out the window to see snow softly falling, a promise of snowshoe days to come.  This truly is my bliss.  Thanks for the opportunity to share this, Squirrel!

Boring

Trying to find the energy, or something, to write a proper blog post....and not quite getting there.  I've even been doing terrible at reading other's posts!  I feel neglectful of this sad blog, and the community that I get so much support from.  And, it's not that I don't have anything to write about: intense flare in my right knee, rendering it's resemblance to a watermelon to be a shade too scary; a wonderful, relaxing Christmas; being able to snowshoe again (thank goodness!!!); and my continuing rant about the state of the environment (i.e. the crappy/warm/rainy/snowless weather we've been having.  Which also leads to a rant about being physically able to snowshoe again, but lacking the actual snow to do it).  Other than that, it's all boring around here :)

Merry Christmas!

Wishing a wonderful Christmas to all my bloggy friends!  And, to my RA friends, may this Christmas find you un-swollen, pain-free, well-rested and mobile enough to dance around any tree!  Thank you for all the support this past year.  I hope Santa is good to everyone :)

The Weather Lady Edition

I'd like to think that my blog has not resorted to a weather blog.  I mean, I love the weather, but I don't really want to write about it.  But, sadly, this is not the case.  I am going to write about it.  It's consuming me at the moment!  I have other, more interesting things I could write about.  Like how yesterday was my sweetie's birthday and our dog ate about a quarter of the cake I made for him.  Or how we've started fertility testing.  Or just how much sugar I have been consuming.  But, no folks, I'm going to continue to rant about the weather.

I hate it.  Plain and simple.  Apparently, the other day, it was 7*C here and 4*C in Miami.  Just to give you a better idea of where we are in relation to Miami, have a gander at this:

You can see where Happy Valley - Goose Bay is on the upper right part of North America and where Miami is on the lower right, and just how far away they are from each other.

Yeahhhh.

Having no snow blows.

All I Want For Christmas....

...(aside from a baby, that is) is some freakin' snow.  Even just a light dusting.  I live in northeastern Canada and it was sunny and 10*C yesterday.  Seriously.  December 6th and it was significantly above zero.  Last year we were out on ski-doo getting our christmas tree around this time.  Looks like this year we'll have to borrow my mom's truck to get one.  I'm somewhat getting into the mood of the season, but still get confused seeing all the houses lit up with no snow.  At first glance I think, "why are they decorated so early??"  And then I have to remind myself that it's not early.  Christmas is just around the bend.

I don't want a green christmas, not in Labrador!  If you see someone moving funny and flailing her arms, dont' worry, that's just me doing a snow dance.  Please send all your good snow vibes my way!

What IF: A Portrait of Infertility

This has helped me beyond words today....