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Sugar Land Snowman
Today in Mississauga

Snow in Sugar Land, TX Dec. 4, 2009

This may only happen once. Today, it snowed in Houston and it still has not snowed in Toronto yet. My weather obsession is in high gear! Houston high and low today 37 and 26, Toronto high and low 37 and 27. Of course, tomorrow it will be 60 again in Houston and still freezing here, for months......just let me enjoy this moment while it lasts.

Rick Mercer vs. Obama

Tonight we had a choice to watch Obama or MANY other things, namely The Rick Mercer Report. I must admit....Rick Mercer won. What is it about that guy? He is hilarious! I love his sense of humor and cleverness. I have a whole new appreciation for my Canadian friends' senses of humor after watching his show.

He is a political satirist and is willing to do almost anything for a laugh. I've seen him with our mayor of eons, Hazel Mccallion, and on a lobster fishing boat in New Brunswick and doing roller derby in Montreal.

I can read about Obama's speech tomorrow, tonight I need a laugh.

Never say Never

November is over and according to the radio this evening, it is the first time in 160 years that it has not snowed here in November. I imagine we also had record breaking sunshine and warm weather this month.
I know when I have been beat! My dismal prediction for November has been definitively disproved! I think it is a blessing. November has flown by and in the most pleasant way. I hope December is just as "miserable" as November was.

Make pavement while the sun is shining

It appears that November is also the month "they" decide to do road work! As I drive around town, or try to drive around town, I have noticed that there is a huge hurry to get the roads repaired. Surprising to me that "they" had all summer to do this work and now that the threat of snow and ice is looming there are work crews around every corner! I passed 3 on my way to my meeting this afternoon, a 6km drive. Just makes me go "hmmm".

In other news, since my last entry we have had amazing weather....near record highs and probably near record sunshine. Now that I have acknowledged this fact I'm sure we will be in for a week of gray rainy skies. NOOOOO! November is making a liar out of me! Hope it lasts....maybe that is why "they" are working so frantically, the sun is shining!

It's not just me!

So just to let you all know that today someone shared an interesting tidbit with me. As we talked about the lovely (rainy) weather today she said that November has the highest suicide and death rates of any month here. Hmmm, wonder why?
See, I'm not crazy, it really is a lousy month. Don't worry, no thoughts of doing myself in have crossed my mind. Just had to share that ....it's not just me.

November@*!*Whining about weather

November has a whole different meaning to me up here. It used to be that November meant God turned the heater off and finally I had relief and could enjoy the outdoors again. There was Thanksgiving to look forward to and college football was in full swing. November used to be a great month!

November has a whole different meaning up here. Now it is a wet, dark month. I remember last year thinking it was possibly the longest yuckiest month of the year. We are off to the same start this year. Cold and wet and dark is November. Daylight savings time is over and that means it gets dark earlier and earlier this month. To add to the joy, it has rained the first two days so far. I know it sounds pessimistic but we are not off to a great start again this year. I think the darkness only amplifies the coldness and wetness.

I am sure everyone has their favorite time of year and their least favorite time of year. It has all changed for me up here. I used to hate summer and it's heat and humidity. I love summer up here! Long, warm days with lots of outdoor activities. Winter used to be one of my favorite times in the south because for me it was bearable to be outside and I like the fact that I didn't have to run the air conditioner all the time. Now I find myself dreading the frozen ground and icy sidewalks a little. I don't mind the cold as much as I mind the heat and humidity though so that is one advantage.

If only we did not have November to get through before everything freezes. Not a big fan of the cold, wet, dark month. Not even any holidays up here to look forward to in November.....glad we get to fly south for American Thanksgiving! Ahhhhh! And who knows....maybe November will surprise me this year and be beautiful, after all it has only been 2 days. It will still be dark though, November.

Mountains, Rivers and Reality

I got the opportunity to see the Canadian Rockies a few weeks ago. One of my cousins got married in Calgary and it was not only a great wedding but a great chance to go somewhere I have never been and see something I haven't seen. I've always heard how beautiful Calgary is and now I can agree, it is beautiful.

Outdoor weddings are always a risky venture, one thing you can't control is the weather. That being said, you can control your attitude about the weather. I've got to give the attitude award to my cousin and his bride. An early October wedding, outside, in the snow! It was spectacular! Cold, but beautiful. The backdrop of the mountains and snow covered trees made everything surreal. For a day we were all transported to a winter wonderland and the wedding was great fun.

TJ and I did some sightseeing and got to see the Banff Springs Hotel. I'm glad we got out to see the area and I think it may not be my last time in the Canadian Rockies, next time, skiing!

Our next stop is on the Seine River. That's right, Paris! From snow and mountains to sun and the Seine. Our daughter, Kelly, is studying in Paris this semester and what better excuse to visit?

Sidebar......TJ and I have been to Paris 4 times now and here is the progression as I see it.

First time, late 1980's, left 4 kids at home with a sitter, was very sad to be away from my 2 year old "baby", was young and it was my first time in France. Suffered severe jet lag due to the fact that I could not sleep on the plane because I was so excited to be going to France. Somewhat intimidated by the city and the language, probably did not attempt to speak much at all. Pinched myself daily because I had really made it to France, a lifelong goal. Vowed to go back someday.

Second time, 1996, 4 kids in tow, on our mission to take our children to Europe before they flew the nest. It was June, there was a heat wave, we were on a strict budget (read, 6 people in one very small, hot, noisy, room). The heat and the smog and our exhaustion made for a less than perfect visit and we were only there for 2 days (hurry, see all the sights with 4 hot, tired, shellshocked kids) before we had to start our journey through France and Italy.

Third time, April 2003, TJ, Michael, Kelly and I were visiting Katie, who was studying in Angers that spring. When I say it is nice to have a french speaking guide I mean it! Katie was our translator and it made things very nice. This was in the middle of the Iraq crisis and we did not know how welcome Americans would be. We were a little nervous, for no reason as it turned out. The French people were very friendly, I think having Katie as our voice had something to do with that. We did spend a few days in Paris but most of the trip was in the Loire valley.

We have come full circle, back to Paris without any kids. This time to visit that 2 year old "baby" who just celebrated her 21st birthday and is studying in Paris. No real agenda, 2 people in one large, quiet and cool room. We have seen the sights, this time we were there to just be. We still had that translator though, Kelly's french is coming along nicely. It was a true luxury to spend 6 days in Paris, and take it all in at a leisurely pace. I feel like I know so much more about the city now. It only took 20 years to get here!

Reality, the problem with going away is that you have to come home. For a few days it is nice to be back in a routine and settled but there is always that longing to be back at that cafe, or walking along that river or looking at those mountains seeing things you have never seen before. I guess I need to appreciate the routine of home as well as the joys of traveling. But it sure would be nice to walk home every night in the City of Light!