more from Kitimat

Good Day!
I hadn't written  for awhile, been busy with life in the apartment with Mike, work, and watching the snow. I also have been working on projects for my grandchildren as well. So if you don't mind I will update the events from the past week or so.
  My second Sunday day off, Mike and I we ventured to Terrace the big city. Mike need living supplies at the apartment. The drive...roads were compact and the snow piles on the side of the road in most places were as high as the truck doors....white white and more white. There were 2 lanes, and if you took a turn, curve, and another bigger truck was in your lane...well there was alot of tire tracks in the snow along the curb....
    In Terrace I found this gift shop that has a treasure trove of goodies...and I just may do my Christmas and Birthday shopping early there....From the TV ads that I have seen there are a few more stores to explore....hopefully on a Wednesday on my day off....
   When we got home from our shopping trip, there was a foot of snow on my car...and so we removed the snow....the next morning there was another foot...and after work another....good thing I traded in my little blue car because she would of been lost in the snow bank like a co-worker of Mikes who had his car picked up and dumped on a snow pile... :(
   The last few days we have been having rain, if it is not snowing it is raining...and so the crews are snow-blowing the snow piles on the curbs and boulevards onto ??not sure where...front yards, any space that could hold it... it is fascinating to watch the piece of equipment. I am sure it has not stopped working since I have been here....
   Work is going fine... trying to walk in the past managers shoes...could be a big fit. I have started to think about the store, ideas, worries and concerns at night when I should be sleeping...Not sure I like that. And I feel like I don't know what I am doing...and faking most of my Manager skills  My motto is one day at a time...one project...one box... I find that everyone knows everyone...interesting being the new kid in town. It reminds me why I had left the small town of Greenwood.
   On my venture about Kitimat I found a spa..I had my first facial in ages, and my nails done....and today getting eyelashes tinted....I plan on doing a bit of pampering..... I regret that I hadn't taken my camera out and about town, maybe tomorrow, being my day off....I feel like I have alot to do in a short period of time.
  So until next time
Stay well, stay healthy, and have some fun.
 
 

Here in Kitimat, BC

I have been here in Kitimat,BC just over a week. And I think that I am settling into a routine, here in Mike's apartment and at work.
   Bob, the Frog and I, we left Prince George, on Sunday the 8th, it was a slushy ride  west. The trip was uneventful and I didn't take pictures, even though the snowy mountains are beautiful.
  Now, the first day on the job, I was nervous, and a part of me wanted to go home, back to the safety of Mike's apartment  and then to home, my house. I feel as though I have abandoned  the responsibilities of caring for my home, my job in Prince George, and my family and yes I feel like I have ran away from home....So, I spent the week putting things into perspective....and I am okay now. All anyone can do is one day at a time. So, now I am focused on getting to know the staff, and getting to know my duties as a store manager...and getting my "To Do" list done.
  The Mall where I work is small, and there are several empty stores...and I could see in its booming years how busy it was....and I can almost see the ghosts of the past....and I can see the future, and how is could and should be.....
It is a very small town, everyone knows everyone, their kids by name.... and now the locals are curious about me and are starting to ask me questions, who I am, where I am from and why I am here...I tell them I ran away from home.....lol..
  Next to the Dollar Store is one of my favourite stores, a Book store...and I know I will find good reading material there. :) esp. my novels, knitting and photo magazines. Everything is a walk away...the bank, a grocery store, the drug store...  There is one store, I thought it was abandoned, or a hardware store, or hmm.....junk store, it is called Trigo's...it is sided with Aluminium, what you would see in the industrial parts of town, it is 3 levels, men's wear and hardware, ladies and children's, and household, that is where I found embroidery floss, and yarn, and other craft items... :) I also found a store, that contains not only health food items, there is unique clothing, and toys, Melissa & Doug, and other toys that I think my grandchildren would love. And yes, I have a small shopping list come payday. But, my first goal on my personal "To Do" list is to go to the local Day spa and treat myself to a hmmm facial, manicure...the list go one....each Wednesday day off that is where you will find me. I know there are more places to explore, not just the "shopping" but the sights and sounds of Kitimat. My Drive to work each morning greets me with the view of the mountains...It is winter here, and cold, and so with the cold comes the sun..the locals all told me about the beautiful view, and I found it....It takes my breath away....and yes I will photograph it...and share the pictures. And so it is Wednesday, my day off, it is sunny and windy out and minus 21celcius out side, and so it will be Tea, book, knitting, blanket and movie day....This is where I shall be.....

Not sure what to call this Blogg, but here it is.....

I should be nearly packed and ready to go...but procrastinated all day...all week, with excuse of work, Managers Meetings, Caitlin in Town, babyshowers, work, and family coming over and playing because it was a snowy day today....
Some times its hard to let go or say good-bye, or see you later. But that's okay because that is life, filled with hello's and good-byes. I always hope I leave a good  thought and impression behind when I leave...and when I say hello that will be the first time you meet and you hope it will be a  good first  and a lasting impression..because soon, On Monday, I will be saying hello....
  I remember leaving for College...and saying good-bye to my friends who were left behind and all the pages of letters I wrote the first few months of moving to Prince George. I remember the stories of how after packing up my room for College, my brothers  Martin and Ernie ditched classes to finish cleaning out my room and moving Martin into my bedroom...and how crushed I felt....with leaving, there are changes....esp. when you come back...
  

So, with my distraction, and my procrastiations, I am nearly packed and ready to go....Checking the lists 2x ....writing up my "to do" lists and reviewing the Weather Channel....

 It was hard saying Good-bye, see you soon,  at work...we hugged , we cried, we laughed...and we move on....but leaving this behind even for a short time is hard....So different when you go on a course, workshop, vacation...you come back in 10 days, 3 to 4 weeks...but this is different....I do not like saying Good -bye that was something Don never said, or even his Grandpa and Grandma Toop, they said 'See you soon" Good-bye is final...how can you say Good-bye to this... So, I will say to you all...."SEE YOU SOON"  and yes in the morning I leave, I am ready....for a Journey, an adventure....and I will be back....I will see  you soon......

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve's as a child, we were  excited... the wonder, the mystery...the waiting! For me it was the traditional Christmas Eve Feast, candles lite...and wonderful food...dressing up, hair curled, best dress. The Christmas lights on the tree, music in the background and mom looking amazing. As we grew older, Ernie and Martin practising to  sneak down stairs to check out what Santa brought us...making sure they didn't step on that creaky squeaky step...but dad had sharp ears and sent us back to our beds.

  As I had my children it was always new pj's that I purchased or made, it was opening that one gift before bed time, milk and cookies for Santa and reading T'was the Night Before Christmas.
(Kimberly the blonde, Caitlin  3yrs old.)
  And then the midnight wrap job...because no matter I did I was still wrapping in the wee hrs. of the night. And when all is done, the house tidy, children all snug in their beds, I have my rum and egg nog, and I sit with candles lite, music, and my tree, taking a few Christmas photos, relaxing wondering,remembering.
Now in 1995 I mentioned earlier that I took the kids to Disneyland, and you know the one thing I forgot to pack was the book, T'was the night Before Christmas! And thank goodness mom remembered every word...and we all recited the story before bed, in our Hotel Room...and yes Santa came to Disneyland and had a small gift for each one of us there.

And while we were in Disney land, we  rewrote a Song to fit the Occasion, I would like to Share this with you now.
Twelve Days of Christmas
Revised 1995 Disneyland

On the first day of Christmas, my true love (mom) gave to us,
A ticket to Disneyland
On the Second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,
Two hour line ups!!
On the Third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,
3 bottles of pop!
On the Fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,
Four Hot Dogs!
On the Fifth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,
Five Buckets of Popcorn!
On the Sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,
6 goofy Peddes!!!
On the Seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,
7 dwarfs a sleeping!
On the Eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,
8 Grumpy people!
On the Nineth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,
9 orders at McDonald's!
On the Tenth Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,
10 Dancing Indians!
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,
11 bumper cars!
On the Twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me,
12 pounds of Ribs!!

Written and sung by:
The Pedde Fleet, Julie,Andrew,Nathan,Caitlin,Kimberly and Tracey
Martin and Donna Hennig, and Kathy Pedde


So, Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good night!!! xoxoox

Today is Dec. 23rd. And every year since 1975 I remember. Some of the memories are clear, and some now are fading, into a mist. But, I still take time to remember...I do not want to forget.
  I am not going to explain the who what when and why's of how I got into this situation. It happened and my parents taught me to deal and solve my problems..and deal with my responsibilities...and I did.
  The days leading up to the 23rd, I was working as a preschool teacher with a  DayCare Society. And I saw alot of single moms, struggling...and missing out on so much, as their child was in our care. I was young at the time, and I decided that the child inside of me would have a better life than the one I could give. I was pretty lucky, I didn't show until the 8th month...I worked until then. the end of November...and managed to take some time off...to do....well, I decorated my apartment with decorations I bought at Kresge's...I bought a tree at Overwaitea, swim club who was doing a tree sale in those days..and I dragged that tree all the way up 15th ave to my apartment...and set it up...and filled the tree with my little paper folded stars. I wrapped my gifts to my parents, and my brothers...and sent them off and I had my friends around me. And I also spent some time at the Social Workers Office...finding the right parents for the child I  was carrying. And then to wait.....
 About 10 days before Christmas,  I did a road trip to  Burns lake by Greyhound. To see a girlfriend from College, she was setting up a Local Day Care there, and we were spending some time together...a change of scenery from Prince George. People I had met there, treated me great, pregnant  single lady and giving your baby up for adoption...they looked at me like I was bearing gifts, Madonna like, in awe..they were silent in their thoughts and opionions. It was a good visit. I had an uncomfortable trip back to PG from Burns lake...when the next morning I realize I was in labour...alone. A co-worker drove me to the hospital, and a nurse stayed with me even after she was done her shift...and I gave birth to a girl...I heard her cry, I saw her arms and legs....and then she was gone....and when they were finished with me...I recovered onthe Maturnity floor, the farthest room away from everyone else...and at night I could here babies cry and wonder if it was mine. The social worker said I should name my child...and as I lay in the hospital looking out at St. Giles Church...and the Christmas lights and decorations around the hospital...it was Christmas Eve evening all was quiet I woke from my nap and I had a name...Christa Joy...Because I knew that these Parents just recieved the best Christmas present ever...this baby girl is their Christmas Joy.... my only wish was that they would know  her name at birth, and that as I carried her inside me I took such great care of their precious gift...and I would want her to know that I want the best the world can offer her... Life..... Happy Birthday Christa, Merry Christmas......

Christmas Magic

 In Greenwood, there was  Drug store, they carried everything you needed, almost like our Shoppers Drug Mart. The Drugist owned the store, and they always wrapped the purchases in brown or white paper with string..later years they went to bags...but when we first moved to town....brown paper packages tied up with string.... at Christmas it was white paper and there were wreaths printed on the paper. Down stairs at the drug store he had it set up as "Toyland" and as kids, we thought it was unique and magical...we could see all the toys,out of their boxes in working order. Tea sets set on small table and chairs, train sets going around on their trackes, doll, teddy bears, christmas tree decorated with toys around. You could  walked around and looked at all the delights, with Christmas music playing in the background..and when you were done dreaming and wishing you recieved a candy cane and a Christmas orange.
   Now, this one day I came home from school, and there was no one home...at the time we were renting this small house in Greenwood. Well, I had the house to myself at least for a few minutes.Not really remembering where everyone was....but this was a great time for me to raid the cookie jar...and well, I decided to snoop, cause I was at "That age" and wanted to figure things out for myself....a regular Nancy Drew. ...Mom and dad's bedroom was a logical place and it was always out of bounds...mom and dad had a wardrobe in their room instead of built in closets...and when I opend the closet there was treasure!! ...boxes of all shapes and sizes all wrapped in paper from the drug store stacked neatly ...all white and clean with wreaths...crisp edges..., gone were mom and dads shoes and the stuff we all put in the bottom of our closets...clothes were shifted and squished over..I had a secret..and I wasn't sharing..
   Christmas morning it had dawned on me that somethings were different....so as mom was busy in the kitchen preparing the Christmas feast..and the boys playing with their their toys..and dad doing? dad stuff...I went into mom and dad's room (door was open) and I opened the closet and in the closet was back to normal...clothes, shoes were all put back like they were never moved...and as I watched the boys play with their toys, I was looking at the wrappings and boxes...they were clearly different.....Christmas Magic.....or Christmas Mystery. (in picture is Roland, Ernie, Martin,Gerald and Me....on table is a Marshmellow castle and a Gingerbread house, birthday cakes for Roland and Gerald.)

The Christmas Star:

 As long as I can remember we have always had these  amazing little stars on our Christmas tree....My friends didn't though, and I always thought that OUR Christmas Tree was the most beautiful Tree in Town. Mom and dad would be sitting in the livingroom with these little strips of paper, folding stars, and they sometimes would have these contests to see how many they could make. I think if I dig in mom and dad's box of stars, some are at least, hmmmmm? How old am I? How long have mom and dad been married? Yes, that long ago the first stars..and some even have a bit of wax on them from candles dripping from thier Advent Wreath.

Dad says that his mom, our Oma taught them how to fold these amazing stars. And I clearly remember when I could fold these stars with out any coaching from mom or dad. Traditions handed down from one generation to another. Well......

These amazing stars also got me a detention at school. I was in grade 5, and I was showing my friends how to fold these stars using newspaper..and was suppose to be doing Math??And so I had to do lines.....and lots of lines...and had to memorize a verse from the Bible...I think you may know the verse...I won't quote.....but with the season, you have an idea...

these little stars were part of fundraisers, and gifts. I wonder how many mom and dad gave away to the residents of Greenwood, BC.

And how many I made and gave way here in Prince George? These stars  have helped me when times were sad and blue, like the time I lost our son, I was 7 months pregnant and I went into labour early...and so Don brought me my strips of paper and I sat at the nurses station giving Star making lessons...

My first Christmas here in PG, I went to Speedee printers, bought paper and they cut these strips...they were very confused and so I Quickly made them a star...

My children, can make these stars now too....and teaching their friends, and tonight I held my grandson and granddaughter, looking, touching their hands and fingers, and thinking that in a few years, the Star making tradition will be passed on to another Generation.

(Top picture,Julie's Christmas tree, )
(picture to the left, is mom and dad's last Christmas tree in Greenwood, the tree use to be 9 to 10 ft. tall...yes amazing !)