Guest Blogger : Sir Tally Bear Von Slimer

Well, my inferior monkey species, the tide has turned and now I'm the one telling the story. While my Mommy is feeling under the weather, we can discuss more important issues such as licking, sniffing, chewing, climbing, howling and cat chasing. All important topics, but today I am going to marvel you with tales of WALKING! Or rather EXTREME iceberg hurtling.
First I needed Mommy to take me out to the park, where under rather uncomfortably hot weather conditions (10 degrees), the ice was breaking up and melting. This created a play zone for me to run, dash, hide and jump along the breaking ice. It almost gave Mommy a heart attack, but I paid no attention to her human screamings and continued on erratic sniffing and running.

I stopped momentarily for a refreshing beverage, even though the monkey's were yelling something about it being salty and that I should stop, I continued on.
Yes, I am the King. Thank you for noticing, however sometimes I feel unappreciated for my super Malamute walking skills. The monkeys didn't even notice how high I climbed or how far I ran. Even though they kept yelling out some word, I believe it was "Tallinn" and then followed by "Get your puppy butt back here", I had no idea what they were eluding to because I only respond to "Your Highness" or "The King".
I can't believe she wore those glasses, how embarrassing. I really had to be forced into this photo. I would have much rather been sniffing something, possibly that mystery item I found on the beach and that my mommy caught me eating, but not in time.Life has been good recently, there has been lots of sunny days and a cool breeze. The ice is all gone and I can hear the ocean rushing up onto the beach. The monkeys are outside occasionally, but only when the weather is scorching. The other day they did the most distasteful thing and spent an hour brushing me. I was quite thrown off, but somehow everything seemed cooler and a little more tolerable once they took out all that extra hair. The monkey kept saying "it's like we took an entire dog out of you". Well that's just silly, stupid monkey, clearly I am only one dog.
Well I'm off to chase the cats and maybe sniff out the garbage can, sometimes they forget to put the lid back on and then I'm always in for a good treat.

Adventures in Pregnancy

First of all I just want to thank all of you for your tips and congratulatory salutations!!

I know it's all worth it, and I'm so excited to be a mommy. I have a little onesie hanging up in the laundry room that my friend Christina gave me and I smile and get all tingly inside every time I pass it!!

That being said...this sucks!!! It's been a battle, maybe not a monstrous battle, I've heard some horror stories, but it's still been a battle. One I'm willing to fight, but... The hormones are doing awful things to me like growing my eyebrows so out of control I look like a caveman and giving me the worst acne I have ever had. This morning I woke up not feeling fantastic and ended up loosing breakfast number one. I then immediately felt better and started on breakfast number two, the unlucky lucky charms. Meanwhile Nathan came home for lunch and realized I hadn't put away the food mail yet and became irritated that he had to do it himself. He noticed I was on the couch, but unaware that the lucky charms had sent me to the dark place. All I could hear was the annoyed thumping of this feet as the groceries where randomly and without thought process shoved into the fridge. I promptly sat up and lost my lucky charms into a bowl beside the couch. I think a point was made here. After he made the obvious suggestion that I should visit the washroom, his mood changed. "Can I get you anything? It's ok you didn't put the food mail away. Would you like some of my lunch?" Apparently the man needs visual assistance to remember that I feel sick most of the time. I tend to say I'm tired a lot and Nathan always replies "why?"and then gives me a "well, that's not an excuse". He is either not sympathetic, I'm too sensitive, or needs to see a big belly before I'm deemed officially pregnant and thusly considered having hardship on my body.

I thought the day was lost until I remembered what my mom used to give me when I had an upset tummy, an iced cold Coca Cola. Caffeine must really be a wonder drug because within 10 minutes I went from the dark place to eating a delicious curry my friend brought over as some eating rations (thanks Naomi!). Apparently that was all I needed because I was back on track after that.

The other night Christina and I found the babe's heart beat with her Doppler. I had myself tried a few times without and luck, usually ending the session with clear Doppler goo everywhere. I decided it was much better if I got Christina to do it for me as I had no idea what I was doing. So off I went over to her place. She had me lay on the floor and she sat next to me scanning my belly for signs of life, while her 2 year old daughter played around us. Me laying on the floor was thrilling for her, as Christina put it "you're a sitting duck to her". She started playing with my hair and then my watch. Then she brought me blocks and put them in my hands. It was pretty funny, we had to take Doppler breaks because I would burst out laughing and horrible belly made noises would come from the Doppler speakers.

So tomorrow I must start my day off with some caffeine and a butter chicken. I'm off to see a lady about an amounti. I hear it's best to get fitted before the belly comes along. Here is a photo, the baby is the hunch back part .

An Explanation of sorts...

You may have wondered why I have recently been failing as a blogger, some of you already know. I have been sick and lazy for a while now, not feeling like blogging or even taking photos. There was a period where I probably spent 2 weeks straight on the couch. Why? Because I have a mini freeloader riding the Jen train, who we have been affectionately calling "The Babe".

Well I'm just one week off my second trimester and thought Friday the 13th was a nice day to announce it to everyone. The last weeks have been a ride, and I can't say it's been a good ride. There has been a crazy lack in energy and a steady nausea that has taken me off my feet. Things taste weird and smell even worse. I haven't touched a cup of coffee because I can't stand the smell, and the funny thing is that the aroma of coffee used to be one of my favourites. It's been a ride, starting from weirdness at the health centre to throwing up in the health centre parking lot. To waking up at all hours to pee to sleeping at all hours randomly. This tiny little creature that I know nothing about has completely taken over my body.

Living in the north has posed all sorts of issues, problems and concerns of a baby. Who knew something so small could be such a a life changing force. So the questions start to arise. Can Nathan be there for the birth? Can I get baby furniture in the mail? How many diapers do I need on the sealift? Diapers cost how MUCH? Should I use cloth diapers (I don't think so, as my brother put it, he does not want to spatula out the "pamps")?

Anyways more to come later. If there are any northern mommies that want to leave tips or links that would be fantastic! :) And so starts this new adventure, or at least I can blog about it now.

Some Like it Hot, Some Like Snow in June (just not me!)

It's been snowing all day.....in June!

And some also like to roll around and eat snow...
There is just no escaping it!

That really puts a bee in my bonnet!!! My weather bonnet!!

My sister in law is down south swimming in her pool because it's "Oh, so hot", roughly 35 degrees. Ok, I get that I'm living in the arctic, BUT it's 9 degrees in Iqaluit!!!! So why am I getting snowed on? Hello, it's JUNE!! The forecast for me for the next few days, maybe if I am a really really good person, it will get up to a whole whopping 4 degrees on Sunday like it says. Honestly it doesn't matter how cold it is, I would just like a little sunshine. It really bugs me that everything I watch on TV is about summer drinks, summer fashion, summer BBQs, summer blah blah blah. DID I MENTION MY SISTER IS SWIMMING IN THE POOL, as we speak! I think I forgot what it feels like to be outside at room temperature. It's just really going to mess me up when we head down south at the end of July. DID I MENTION THAT IT IS SNOWING RIGHT NOW?

This dude that I live with...

Here is to 2 years of marriage today and 6.5 years together. Sometimes you had hair, and sometimes you didn't. Sometimes my hair was blond, sometimes it wasn't. I can't think of anyone else that I could stand to live with, or anyone else that I would willingly accept money advice from. There is no one else who can sarcastically mock my womanly mood swings and get away with it. So I guess it had to be you. Just don't let it go to your head. Love you.
P.S I will start posting more frequently I promise :)

All by myself.....don't wanna be all by myself.....ANYMORE

Well I guess I still have Nathan. Jen left a few days ago and the house has been pretty quiet. Even though we spent most of our time couch lounging, we did do a few things such as shooting at the gravel pit, shooting at the dump and shooting on the wii. We also spent a large amount of time coming up with different ways to get rid of some grease stains on Jen's Maui hoodie. None of them worked, so we ended up trying to grease up the whole shirt, like one giant grease stain. It kind of worked, until I ended up splashing new grease stains on to the shirt she was wearing.Even though we had a pretty ghetto week, we always say we would have fun doing anything.

Always Fresh

Always Fresh, Always Tim Hortons. Even if it did take 2 plane rides and 8 hours to get here. I ate two promptly and then felt sick.Jen (my sista' in law) arrived without any fog problems and we have been having a blast. I haven't been feeling too well so we have been spending a lot of time lounging on the couch and laughing about sisterly things.

MO FOG, MO PROBLEMS!

It's been foggy, for about 6 days now. To many, fog is just part of the atmosphere of a rainy day. To a fly in community it means total and utter isolation. Planes just don't land when it's foggy, and if the planes don't land, nothing comes and nothing leaves. That means that last weeks food mail is 6 days late, and may arrive with this weeks food mail. This also means that last weeks food mail will be squishy and 50% unusable. And let me assure you my standard of fresh has dropped significantly living north. I will eat a red pepper, even if it's squishy.

Food Mail coming in wouldn't be an issue, but the stores as it is are running low, waiting for the next sealift in July. We just went 2 weeks without a single bag of chips in town, there are also only 3 kinds of pop to choose from now, coke, diet coke and pepsi. I know pop and chips shouldn't be of any culinary concern, but sometimes I just want a bag of chips. The stores will generally fly in fresh produce, but even with my lowered standards, it's less then desirable after spending a few weeks on the shelf. You know you have a problem when every time you see someone eating a piece of fresh fruit or vegetables on T.V. you cry a little. And watching Chef Gordan Ramsey is just INTOLERABLE, all those deliciouses things I can't have. If he says you have to use FRESH produce one more time, I might die. It's a box of Hamburger helper for us tonight. MMMmm Boxed dinner with freezer burnt ground beef. No vegetables.

The other major problem with FOG (Frustrating Obnoxious Gas) is that if you want to get out, your screwed, and if you want to get in, your screwed. My friend Christina just spent a nail biting couple of days trying to get out on her vacation. Every day she would wake up and wonder if today was the day. It wasn't. If it wasn't claustrophobic enough being stuck here, it totally messed up every other connecting flight. One day the plans were flying to Iqaluit, spending the night, flying to Ottawa, spending the night. She would supposedly make it home on the 3rd day. That of course all changed, when once again she was fogged in. By the way don't make reservations with Hotels in Iqaluit! You may think your are smart planning ahead, but as Christina found out, having to cancel a room reservation she made only hours before, that you CAN NOT cancel within 24 hours! She was going to have to pay FULL room charges whilst sleeping at home in her own bed. DO NOT MAKE RESERVATIONS, just show up. Save yourself some money. She ended up however, after many phone calls fixing the situation.

Christina finally made it out Saturday on a tiny passenger plane that snuck in, it must have fooled the fog machine for a couple of hours. However we are back to hard core fog again and my sister is supposed to be coming up next Monday and somebody gonna get hurt if this fog doesn't clear up! Also, oh ultimate universe, I would like my food mail, so if you could be so kind and blow this poopy fog away that would be great, thanks.

Puppy Love

Sometimes to get outside on a beautiful day, my friend Christina brings her 2 year old daughter down to see Tallinn. She calls him "Tally". We'll ask her "who are we going to see?" And she smiles and says "TALLY!"
Of course Tallinn is always happy to see her and usually ends up giving her a big wet one on her face. She just closes her eyes and scrunches up her face, then she laughs "Mommy, Tally Kunee!". Kunee (I'm spelling this phonetically so if you can, feel free to leave the correct spelling in my comments box), in Inuktitut means kiss. Tally loves to give a kunee, especially if your like me and leave a little something left over from dinner on your chin.

How about a nice cup of warm sunshine?

What a perfect morning to want to get up and take some photos. I left for work a whole 10 minutes early so I could leisurely wander around enjoy this fantastic day. Tallinn was also clearly enjoying this beautiful day, he wanted to relax with a belly scratch. When I hit the right spot his eyes close, his breathing slows down and his leg starts to kick. It's like he goes into a trance. If I stop, he smacks his mouth in disapproval and then swats me with his paw. I don't think he was too happy though because I was preoccupied taking photos.

I just wish I could be outside on a day like this. It's perfect dog walking weather. And he knows it!

This guy is probably heading out to the floe edge, it's a perfect day to go out because it's warm and there is no wind.

Spring, Now With MORE Blizzards!

Going to work today felt like I was walking on a treadmill. It it wasn't because I had to lift my legs clear a foot, like I was marching in a band just to make it through the newly fallen snow. I was walking a treadmill because it was so bright and blinding, I couldn't make out any definition in the snow. I knew I was heading towards work and it felt like I was moving, but I couldn't really be sure I was getting any closer to my destination. I felt like I was walking in one spot, it was frustrating, until I actually made it to work. Tallinn even enjoyed coming in from the snow for some indoor play time.

This is Tallinn's Baby, he brings it to bed with him and then carries it to the front door in the morning when I let him out. He is careful not to play too hard with this one. Usually a stuffy only lasts a matter of days before I find it shredded and the stuffing all over the living room and in my bed. This one, he loves.

The North Westies (Blog Awards)

If your looking for something to do, go over and check out all the wonderful blogs at Best NWT Blogs, then vote for your favourites. It's your duty to help them win prizes. They are all wonderful blogs, but some of my favourites are:

Just Below 63- by Rob & Tina
Lots of funny, heart warming stories about life in the north with their two sons. This Blog Rocks!

Reflections in the Snow-covered Hills - by Megan
Very witty commentary about current issues, including some very insightful posts on the seal hunt.

Inuvik Photos - by Phil
A photo a day of daily life in Inuvik.

Don't forget to check them all out, some good reading, especially if your procrastinating something, like the dishes.

ravens in real life.

These two ravens were actually "arguing" outside our house, driving Tallinn nuts. Kind of like how we drive him nuts when Nathan and I bicker. He will even howl at us. Oh and if you are reading this Nathan, I am not trying to send you any subliminal messages. We both know the wrapper issue will continue to be an on going battle, and I except that. I'll take you as is. :)

You may wonder why I'm vacuuming my shirt...

Because Tallinn is going through his bi-annual shed.
Sometimes we even vacuum him, but today we used the brush that he so clearly dislikes. My carpet is going to be extra fibery for a little while until his coat thins down.

Just a while ago blogger Trudie From Life After AC wrote a post about dog fur socks. Where the pups sheddings are spun into yarn and then knit into a socks. She had socks made from such doggy yarn. Here is my attempt at dog socks, minus the knitting and spinning skills.

Hugs Galore

Never Leave Your Drink Unattended

Snowmobiling With My Sweetheart

Just another spring day cruising around with my sweety.

Breaking new trail, as the Nathan flies. My back hurts today.
Smashing helmets together.

No, I'm not the Pink Power Ranger.

Boys will be, well CRAZY boys! This cliff may not look hard core, but let me assure you that it was at least a 90 degree cliff. And someone thought it would be a smart idea to drive up it.

Nathan from the top: HEY...HEY....DON'T COME UP HERE!!
Jen from the bottom: THANKS CAPTAIN OBVIOUS!
Nathan (after he came back down): Yeah, that wasn't a good idea.
Jen: Ye think? You almost gave me a heart attack!
Nathan: I started going and realized it was a bad idea and knew there was only one way to go, so I stepped on the gas and gave 'er.
Jen: That's it, I'm taking the lead from now on, you numb nut!

I think Nathan looks like a Yeti in that photo.

This is my backyard...

And First Air & Canadian North fly over my house, twice a day, everyday, except Saturday and Sunday. And everyday, Twice a day, except Saturday and Sunday, it sounds like they are going to land in my kitchen. Tallinn howls, the dishes rattle, the plane zooms by. I don't mind however, because it's the glorious, sweet, sweet sound of fresh mail, making it's way home to me.

Kitties VS Ravens

Dear Mr. Raven,

I admire your persistence and your stately manner. You are such a saucy fellow.

Your conduct today confuses me. Did you, with your undersized brain, truley believe that you could apprehend my precious kittens through the solid pane of glass?

I am displeased with your failed attempts to rob me and must implore you to cease this behavior. If ever you manage to break through the window, I will be waiting with a .22 and thus you will be nevermore.

Your truley,
Mrs. Crazy Cat Lady

Big Pimpin'

I cry a little inside everyday I can't wear my beautiful shoes outside, no heels, no flip flops, no cute runners. Although I absolutely love my green rubber boots and my black moon boots, sometimes I just want something beautiful on. A girl wants to be stylish even in this northern boon-dock. Then my wonderful husband came home with this beauty. Is it wrong that I think I might be in love? I know Tina thinks pink is hideous :) but LOOK, it's sparkley too! AND just like that, snowmobiling is HOT!

Me, My Own Brand

Here is my latest design, I can't wait to get a t-shirt with this one on it! Like I said, soon I will only be wearing my own brand.

Sunshine & Grandma Glasses

On second thought, not summer, but it sure was warm today. I was even outside wearing one of those fancy hats that doesn't cover my ears, I think they call them baseball caps. It's almost time to bust out the flip flops (I can hear Tina in the peanut gallery). Tomorrow it will only be -8C, I think I might go outside for a picnic.

O.K my sunglasses are freakishly senior citizen-ish, but they cover my whole eye like a goggle. And blaring sun and snow cover call for a practical shade. My sister-in-Law and I thought we were cool when we bought them at Walmart, but no one else seems to agree. I guess we are in a club by ourselves. The club for the only two cool people in the world! Cool people with protected eyes.

i hoodie

I found this company online and designed myself a super awesome hoodie. They did a pretty good job with the printing, but I found this company that does it cheaper. The only issue is that they are in the states. I hate paying duty, so I might just stick with the first company that is based in Montreal.
This hoodie has my name on the sleeve, I think from now ond I'm only going to wear clothing with my name on it. I'll be a walking commercial for myself. Don't pretend you don't think that's a fantastic idea!

Behind Bars

"Wait, I need to floss out the tuna between my teeth!"

Polar Eating (*caution* Don't let yourself get offended!)

Let me start by saying that I am here to blog about northern living, so I don't need anyone getting offended (ALEKS!) by these photos (clearly not directed at my northern readers). It's time to learn about the birds and the bees, and guess what, most of us eat meat, this is how you get it. I know a lot of eco-friendly people are into eating locally, the Inuit people have been doing it right the whole time.

This bear was seen hanging around the outskirts of town a few days ago and a few hunters whisked out on snow machines to get it. Let me also remind everyone that there are only a certain amount of bears allowed to be shot a year, and this was all done properly, wild life officer in tow. The hunter that caught this one was only 17 and it was his first bear, his family was very proud. They brought the bear back and I was lucky enough to get to experiance this very natural, human, traditional, cultural act of preparing the bear.

You might remember that I tried Polar Bear back in October with Aleks and didn't like the flavor very much, it was very musty. But regardless it was a good experiance.

A bear is good eating in the north. When an animal is killed, whoever shot it shares the meat with friends, family and other community members. No questions asked, nothing expected in return. It's food and everyone deserves to eat. We all need to learn something from that.

I IS IN AN IGLOO!!!!

Hamlet day (kind of like municipality day, does that exist?) here in Cape Dorset started with a parade around town and then the coolest thing ever (literally), an Igloo making contest. It's taken me 2 long years to finally get into an igloo, and today I got to pick from 5. At first I didn't think I was going to get my rather large figure through that tiny entrance, but the slippery snow aided in the approach. Almost like butter helping grease off a wedding ring. "Lunch Lady Doris, have you got any grease?". I slid right in. No problem.

Bird Watching

I grew up a real girls girl. Not by any influence of my surroundings, in fact my dad never let me use the "but I 'm a girl" card to get out of any strenuous house work. Still I appreciate shopping, gossip and I don't like sports. Well not entirely. When Nathan came along, so did baseball. Some how I was involved in every Jays game that was on. I started out resisting, like most self respecting girly girls, BLAH BASEBALL! But Nathan had the patience to slowly explain the game's inner workings. Game by game, he slowly won me over. Not to the point where I jump up and down with excitement, but to a level where I can slightly tolerate it. It's a 3 HOUR game PEOPLE! I also much prefer seeing it live, where I can acceptably have a beer and yell at people.One way of copping with losing 3 hours of my life almost every day of the season was to find a favourite player, so I did. Reed Johnson you bat funny, your in. Then they cut him off the team this year, don't they realize that I need him so I can handle the dryness of the ballgame? How dare they! Now he is on another team and I need another shirt.

I can go on about how boring the game is, but really spending 3 hours with my favourite person Reed Johnson, I mean my husband can't be too bad. One thing I love is to see everyone wearing short sleeve t-shirts, hearing the birds chirp and seeing how green the field is. That way I know in some small corner of the world, it really is spring. There is also one field where you can hear trains going by the entire game, I like that a lot. It's the soundtrack to my hometown back south.

Word to you Nathan, apparently I am cheering for the Chicago Cubs now, you need to get me a new shirt.