Grace's Year In Review

Tuesday

Everyday is so filled with new experiences. It's exciting and tiring. John and I went to the Government of Canada Building to get my SIN number (Social Insurance Number) like a Social Security Number. On the way up, we found the cutest hats which I hope to show later. Again, I was shocked by all the people in short sleeves, no coats at all. . .at one point I just said outloud, "What would your mother say if she knew you were not wearing a coat!" It was about 19 F/-7 C. (Aren't I so metric!)

Then we went to the AMA (Alberta Motorist Association). It's the AAA of Alberta. I was supposed to trade in my coveted Texas license for an Alberta one, however we were missing a form stating my new address. At the same place, we applied for the Government health program. My number is coming in the mail. I feel like I am alot of numbers now.

One hard thing about moving is that I don't know things. They kept asking me what my phone number is. . .I don't know it. We have a lot of garbage and I don't know our new garbage day.

In the evening, John, Grace and I went to another grocery store called Sobeys in search of better prices and so many comfort foods. ..if I hear one more time that we have no mayonaise. . . Grocery thoughts: They had a lot of Weight Watchers food and no skim milk. .. one product they had was called mock chicken, at least they are honest! I'm sure we were the loudest people in there!

Canadian people seem very friendly, right? Everywhere we have gone, they are efficient and friendly.
The prices were worse at Sobeys and I think Dorothy we are not in Kansas anymore. . ..

Our first trip to Safeway

I wanted to document the differences between shopping here and in America. We went to a Safeway about 5 minutes away. The first thing I noticed is that the people are not all wearing parkas as we supposed, but some were in short sleeves with no coat or just a sweater. . . I don't think I saw one person wearing boots even though the streets are very sloshy.
The store was like a Randalls (owned by Safeway), but smaller. The good news is that they had a Starbucks with ice green tea! The bad news was that the prices were more expensive. Some things reminded us of the European stores such as putting the quarter in the slot to get a cart. The butter is also in the big rectangle as they did in Holland instead of individual sticks.
I think we will look for other grocery stores, but wanted to start with the familiar.
While we were gone, our neighbor brought by two gift baskets from Shell Expat Services. One basket was filled with poinsettias and the other was a fruit basket.

Playing in the Snow

We spent the day cleaning the house, unpacking suitcases and playing in the snow. John got out the snowblower and worked on our driveway. Our house is still a mess, but a little better.

I'm turning a page in my life

Today is the day I have been dreading for months. Christmas Day 2009 and my 47th birthday. .. We ate breakfast at the hotel and then we got the call that the driver came. I was very proud of my husband who witnessed to the Muslim driver and we all prayed and blessed him at the airport.
We checked in to a not- so- crowded airport, but it was still a mess with 8 pieces of luggage and numberous carry ons, including a violin, 3 pillows and my new red backpack. At check in, John was asked if he wanted first class and to my surprise he gave me his first class seat as a birthday present. I daresay that I can get accustomed to this first class flying idea. I ate chicken salad with soup, fresh fruit and a brownie. . .the riff raff/my family had a turkey dog. Also, I did not miss the crying baby or the toddler that kept saying that he had to throw up.
My friend, Molly called me in the airport about one minute before boarding to say, "Happy birthday." I had all my emotional composure until that time.
The take off was one of the smoothest I have ever experienced and there was very little turbulence. I was thankful.
I spent the time on the plane reading the Sarah Palin book, Going Rogue. They played the movie G Force which I thought was boring.
Here is a funny quote from Sarah Palin: I always remind people outside our state that there is plenty of room for all of Alaska's animals-right next to the mashed potatoes.
We arrived in Calgary to see snow, about 25 degrees F, but I can see that I'm going to have to learn Celsius soon.
We had to go through customs, immigration, get our luggage and then through some exit interview. We were pretty tired and the workers didn't want to be there on Christmas Day.
We got a taxi home. It was dark, so we couldn't see the city, but it was very hilly.. . .and the roads were not that cleared. The taxi driver couldn't even get out of our driveway, so John had to help him. Hmmmm
In the house, John had set up a Christmas tree and had already cooked an entire turkey that he had cut up and frozen. He also set our new kitchen table with my Christmas china. It was a nice surprise.
We went through each room of the house to learn all its nuances. The owner of the house has alot of gadgets and funny things. ..like a built in spice cabinet, lots of light dimmers, 2 ovens and a warmer. We also have our first refrigerator with water in the door!!!!
Even though I'm happy to see our new house, there is some sadness in the permanence of leaving our old house/city/friends.
We opened one present each tonight: Joshua got a huge box of Axe deodorant, the girls got books on braiding hair, Noah got a Hank the Cowdog CD, John got some undershirts.
Claire said that it was just Anne of Green Gables says, I'm turning a page in my life.

Special Thanks

On the eve of our move, I wanted to remember some of the special things people have done that have meant so much to me.

To Beth for coming into town to help organize and clean, and for asking if I was spinning our of control.

To Holly and Debbie, for a beautiful Farewell for Now party. I will display the chest of notes prominently in our new house.

To Euromom, for almost getting in a car accident when hearing we were about to leave, for crying at the swimming pool with Grace, for the special meals, gifts

To Molly, for the privilege of coming to your chemo, for the flower of hope, and Pappasitos

To Luann and Jim, thank you for beds when we didn't know where we would sleep, taco soup, and errands that Jim ran for us which proved to be invaluable.

To Mary L. , for inspiration, and the rice maker, which made me cry.

To Elma, thank you for lively conversation at Starbucks.

To all the ladies who gave us gifts.

And I am thankful to Jesus, who teaches me that he will never fail me.

Love Never Fails

Two Boys' Roadtrip

They made it! John and Joshua started out on a three day journey to Calgary from Houston. Here are some pictures from their adventure.

Snow on the road in Wyoming.

Rockies are present in the distance, I've been told.

Oklahoma border with Joshua

Joshua in Wyoming.

All my bags are packed

. . . but I'm not ready to go. The movers came in October to take most of our things to Calgary, Alberta. We are living with most of our things gone. Our actual date of departure is Christmas Day.