Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Well, 2010 certainly was an interesting year.

Way back in January, I was busy trying to find work... and managed to land a part time job with a local fellow who makes signs and does computer repair and web designing. That particular job has dropped down to just a couple of hours a month for me to keep his books up to date.

Then in February, the local newspaper office asked if I was interested in being their office manager as their (then) current office manager would be retiring at the end of March. That job has worked out wonderfully for me, especially as the office is right across the street from our house!!! Yay! It is Monday through Friday, from 9-5, except Fridays when sometimes we close early.

I thoroughly enjoy the work and my boss and co-workers have expressed their appreciation and approval of my work.

In early June I took part in the Celebration of the Arts Festival here in Barriere and sold many of my handmade cards (which was a lot of fun).

My garden thrived for the most part, although my tomatoes were so late in coming that I ended up picking them while they were still green, as otherwise the fall frost would have gotten them. The sweet peas were very prolific and supplemented our meals many times.

Dad was given a scooter in the Spring by the Barriere Lion's Club. He has enjoyed riding it to town and back on the warm summer days and even partly into the fall - it was fun to see Wim trotting along beside him. Once it got cold, he parked it in the garage, where it will stay till the weather warms up again in the spring.

For Father’s Day we went to Sylvia’s in Merritt and had a great afternoon of fun.  The only ones who didn’t make it were Robert and Loretta, but they did call.

At the beginning of September Barriere always holds their North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo on Labour Day weekend.  The week prior to the Fair they invite all the residents and local businesses to “get into the spirit” of the Fair by dressing up their yards, shops and also themselves! 

Here I am in my home-made Scarecrow outfit.  I made the skirt, and Sylvia helped me finish the top.  It is made entirely (except the hat) of discarded men’s ties.  I won first prize for the best ladies outfit!

October wasn't a great month for us at home though - too many things going expensively wrong. Four times, virtually in a row, the furnace broke down and the last of those times they said it wasn't worth repairing & would have to be replaced. That was the same day they were in replacing our hot water tank which had sprung a leak about 5 days earlier. Unfortunately, in order to turn off water to the hot water tank (so that we wouldn't get a basement full of water), we had to turn off the water to the whole house, except for the outside taps. What a pain! For 5 days we had to bring in buckets of water to flush the toilets! Needless to say, we ate out a lot.
It's amazing what we Canadians take for granted.

For the furnace, replacing it was going to cost over $5000, which, after all the repairs we had just paid for, we didn't have! Dad applied for a grant from the Home Owners Association, and on December 8th we received the reply that it was approved! Hooray! They are coming on December 13th to put it in for us.

Luckily, so far this winter has been fairly mild, and our space heaters have been able to keep the house warm enough. (Not counting 2 days in November when it was about -20, the house did get a little cool then.)

In November, Dad, Wim and I drove up to Merritt where the rest of the family (except for Robert & Loretta who couldn't make it) were waiting to have a lovely Thanksgiving dinner.

Dad is doing great for the most part. Every once in a while his stump develops a sore and then heals, and the one toe on his left foot is still slowly healing (from the original amputation), but as we check it every night we are able to make sure it doesn't get infected.

The doctor has lowered his insulin again, as his count periodically dips into the 2's and 3's. He doesn't mind too much having a low count once in a while, as it means he can indulge in some treats - like chocolate!

So, how are YOU doing? Anything exciting happening in your neck-of-the-woods?

For those of you with internet connections, feel free to check out my site - houtep.blogspot.com - I try to write in there when interesting things happen... and will try to write even more often in 2011!

Best wishes to all for a lovely Christmas, and a healthy and happy 2011.

Love,
Margaret