It’s a lot too big, but it was purchased to allow me to do an impression of an ogre – and stay warm by layering!

Flashbacks from this summer…

Start the celebration. Tonight is my first Oiler’s game at Rexall since we moved to Edmonton. We arrived in Winnipeg too late to see a Jets game. My first live NHL game was an exhibition game between the Canucks and the Wild. They share a farm team, the Manitoba Moose, and held a game in the old Jets arena.

Growing up in the Maritimes, I didn’t have an opportunity to watch NHL hockey. At university, my dorm was a stone’s throw away from Aiken Center in Fredericton and I often attended the baby Habs (AHL) games – especially if they were playing the baby Leafs. Like many other Maritimers, growing up I was a huge Habs fan. It seems most of us followed the Habs or the Leafs… The Oiler’s dynasty was in full swing but we were loyal to the eastern teams. Sure, I’m dating myself here. This was back in the day when the Nordiques were still in Quebec, the Jet’s were still in Winnipeg, and Hartford still had the Whaler’s. The Ottawa Sentators didn’t exist yet and no one imagined that hockey would fly in Florida or Tennesee…

The hubby has been to many games over the years, but I’ve usually been out of town when he’s managed to get his hands on Oilers tickets. Being from the Golden Horseshoe, he had quick and easy access to the Leafs and Sabres.

We have great friends who purchase season tickets each year and who were unable to attend tonight’s game against the Florida Panthers. So, they did what all amazing friends do – they passed their Club Access seats on to us.

Of course, I’ll be wearing the new Oiler’s jersey that the hubby gave me for Christmas. I should fit right in with this hockey obsessed crowd. I’ll learn lots in time for my second game (against Calgary Flames) on the 20th.

Technorati Tags: hockey, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, AHL

It seemed like such an easy challenge. I read 4 or more books each week and fully expected to continue on this path for the 21 day Read-a-ton challenge. Unfortunately life seemed to intervene. I did manage to slowly wend my way through 10 books and a short story before the clock ran out on New Year’s eve.

On the bright side, based on Zoe’s updates to her own blog, I don’t think I’m the only one whose plans were waylaid by the holidays.

I made it to page 274 in Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child’s Book of the Dead before we headed out to celebrate the New Year with our friends. The hubby was extremely sweet for allowing me to read the book he received for Christmas before he had a chance to read it himself. I’m quite enjoying the book and will be returning to it as soon as I’ve posted this entry.

Technorati Tags: read-a-ton, books, reading, Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child

We had a wonderful new year and gathered together at a small house party with some close friends to ring in the new year. Fondue was on the menu and we all ate way too much. After some DVD music trivia fun and games it was time to head home.

2006 wasn’t a good year for me. I spent the first few months far away from the hubby. While I enjoyed my time in Manila, it would have been nice to be able to bring the hubby with me at least once. Alas, his position in the Canadian Forces ensured that that wasn’t an option this year. In the summer I rushed home to help nurse my dying dad, and on September 26 he passed away. I’ve spent the bulk of the year on an emotional roller coaster and am happy to see the back of 2006.

Despite all the ups and downs this year, I have a number of things to be grateful for. I have a roof over my head, warm clothes in the winter and cool clothes in the summer, food on my plate, and a job that I love (most days). Traditionally, we adopt a needy family to support in December. This year, the need is so great that it seems our efforts hardly make a dent.

There has been a startling rise in homelessness in our city in 2006 (here and here) despite the booming economy. There aren’t enough shelter spaces to provide a warm and safe place where those with no permanent residence can come in from the cold and spend the night.

A warming center (.pdf) has opened a few blocks from our neighbourhood and is hosted by the Crossroads Salvation Army. They don’t have a shelter license, so those in need won’t be able to sleep there, but it does provide a place to come in from the cold, get some coffee and food, and receive counseling if they so desire. The warming center is open from 11pm – 6am each day until the weather begins to warm in late April 2007. Funded by the Salvation Army and donations, and run by volunteers, this center offers something tangible to those in need. It may not be the desperately needed shelter beds, but it’s not empty platitudes and as such needs to be supported and the efforts applauded.

I have decided that rather than making a series of resolutions that I’ll never keep tonight, I’ll make a simple effort to support the warming shelter. It’s not much, but as I don’t know where to begin to solve the problem in our city, it’s the least we can do.

This evening, as we headed home for the evening, we took a short detour and dropped by the warming center with coffee, food and warm socks. In a few short weeks, I’m leaving Edmonton for the warmth of India and the Philippines. I know that hubby will drop in with donations on a weekly basis in my absence.

Welcome to 2007. However you exited 2006, keep in mind that 2007 begins with a clean slate.

Technorati Tags: new year, Manila, homeless, Edmonton, Salvation Army

Just like I adore the passionate ranting and raving of Rex Murphy, I often enjoy watching Rick Mercer at work. He’s a hilarious comedian who can be forgiven his occasional lapses in judgment (One Tonne Challenge anyone?). Rick Mercer spent his Christmas with the troops in Afghanistan (here). Aside from Don Cherry, I can’t think of another Canadian “celebrity” so supportive of our men and women in the Canadian Forces. They prove that you don’t need to agree with the political decisions behind the actions to appreciate the dedication and determination of our military members.

Technorati Tags: Rex Murphy, Rick Mercer, Don Cherry, CBC, support the troops