Milestone moments

My DD passed a milestone tonight. She has a favorite song and it isn't a Barney song. Very strange. I still remember having to sing I've been working on the railroad to get through the grocery store. Good news though. she still joins in when I sing Head and Shoulders to amuse her brother. I don't think I'm up to a complete metamorphasis just yet.

Oh Canada!

I remember now how much I love about Canada. It's not enough that it's beautiful. Or that Canadian's have a lyrical way of speaking that really does end with "eh." There's the fact that donuts are a national treasure. Ok, I may be exaggerating, but they do take their donuts very seriously here. I respect that. donuts have to be my number one child hood comfort food. Forget all my fancy fitness knowledge while I go on for a minute here. There's no dunkin donuts here. tim Horton is the chain name and there are plenty of those. But there are also many others who advertise their freshly made wares. My head turns backwards at every sign and my voice says with satisfaction, "oh." And yet, I still haven't had a single one on this trip. because I know that once I start, there may be no return :)

That aside, I love how friendly people are here. Of couse, not everybody is. I'm not a dope. But realy, I find that people are far more polite and friendly here. And funny. It may that this is British Columbia and sarcasm is a fine art here.

The dinge on the buildings takes me aback though. Weather can be harsh here and the buildings take a beating. Paint is grey and chipped. The air is kind of grey. But there is a briskness that helps to compensate and a greenery that seduces. I went to walk around Home Depot this morning just to fantasize about garden possibilities on my patio back home. Yes folks, Home Depot is here too.

I'm also not sure what to think about the fact that the Canadian Lunie (dollar) has caught up with America's George. I think I rather liked being the wealthy tourist. Now, the Canadian economy is doing jsut fine without us. I guess the rest of the world isn't having much confidence in America these days. Of course, I had a clue from various world articles, but there is nothing like seeing it all up close, with your wallet.

It's good to be back here. It'll be good to go back too. Sure, I'll miss the mountain range view from the ocean. Eventually, I'll quit wondering where I lost the disposable camera full of great pictures. I'll be conent without knowing that Ikea is only 20 minutes away. After all, I'm supposed to be in purge mode still. And finally, once I go home, I can stop salivating at the thought of all these donuts!

Vancouver

After a bit of whirlwind, we find ourselves in Langley, BC, outside of Vancouver. It's beautiful here. Mountains, forests, streams and one very, very nice downtown area. Being the northwest, it also has an encouraging number of holistic health practitioners and alternative lifestyles. While, I haven't seen any slings yet, I have seen an impressive amount of health food stores, martial arts and fair trade stores. There will be atleas half a dozen farmers markets over the course of a week. This weekend, there will be a no car party in Vancouver proper. It all makes me feel as if I live in the wrong place. None of these things are really an easy thing to pursue in the south. although, my old town, Marietta now has a couple of locally grown farmers markets going. YAY!!

Any way. So we are here in beautiful British Columbia. We'll be here for about two weeks. Then we are scheduled to fly home. DH will hopefully know his next assignment by then. I find myself hoping it is on the west coast and that we can just stay out here. Unlike Dorothy, I do not want to go home just yet. I'd rather do laundry and dishes here, with stock piled quarters and in a dinky mini sink. Go figure.

Kids are set to wake up soon. We have black out curtains on the wondow. I love those. People can sleep really well when you mess with the lighting :) Of course, out here, it still is 630AM. That all being said, my DD just woke up and it's time to get breakfast ans get started on the day.
Signing off.