Life with "The Big Elf"

I'm asked all the time what its like to live with Santa?  One woman actually asked if we "mess around"...to which I didn't skip a beat and answered "where do you think all those elves come from eh?"  nudge nudge, wink wink!

Over the years, I've learned to embrace, adore and love Christmas.  

Look what a coat hanger and some tinsel can become!

When  I was a little girl one of my biggest fondest memories is of the Christmas  Pageant, and the play that we students performed for the audience of parents, teachers, neighbors and friends.  One year I played the Angel.  (or Herald Angel as they say in Charlie Brown's Christmas!)  Mom made
my costume, complete with garland sparkling halo.  I think I even had wings.  Nervous, and a bit unsure of my lines, I will never forget coming onto the stage and delivering this most famous and glorious of messages to the tea-towel and flannel sheet bedecked shepherds there with me:

Fear not, for behold, I bring you tidings of great joy.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
                                                                               
 As the years pass I continue to look to the skies for the star in the east and my heart fills with joy and I know that no matter what idiocy is going on in my life or in the world ... we have this amazing gift!  So I continue to have faith!

Now on to the St Nicholas connection - there is a lot of history to the Jolly Old Elf, The Big Man in Red, SANTA!  And I happen to be married to one of the best Santa's helper of all! What's it like you ask Oh it's not for the faint of heart.  No there's always something to be done when the Big Day approaches!

Gotta keep Rudolph the Red Nosed Kia ready to fly at any given moment. 
Set the alarm clock, cause morning's don't mean sleeping in on weekends during this crazy season. 
Then let's talk "the look".  Yes, the wife o Claus means having a plethora of Christmas earrings, which will be worn all December of course.  And plenty of red, green, and white combo outfits to choose from.  Todays Mrs Claus also keeps a couple of "insta-costumes" in the back of her closet for those days when Santa doesn't want to go stag.  A white or grey wig completes the "ensemble" and warm boots for those outdoorsy gigs are a must!

To date I haven't been in the spotlight a lot as "First Lady o the North" too much, but enough to see how amazing it is! Kids eyes are starry, grownups revert to kids and  can't stop smiling - and it helps to have an amazing St Nick to travel with! After all he's the star of the show, and the reason they are flocking around.

One winter (this is one of a zillion such tales) we went into Walmart around 9:30 p.m. for some last minute thing in full regalia.  The looks were hilarious - from little kids running up and hugging Santa, to adults doing double takes then saying "I didn't know you shopped here?" and when we started singing carols in the check out line, we got others to join in and the energy was outstanding!

Ok - hope that one made you smile...watch for more.  Maybe I'll start another blog just about Mr & Mrs Claus...Adventures in Red!

Mackerel Run Down, Festival and Callaloo... eating my way through a week in Jamaica!

When I travel I always try the local grub.  In Scotland it was haggis, tatties and neeps; black pudding and mix grill.  In the USA I go for chicken fried steak, biscuits and gravy and once shrimp and grits.  In Europe it was wurst of all shapes and sizes, and amazing mustards.  And being blessed enough to be in Jamaica, it's jerk, fish of all descriptions, and Red Stripe beer!


Breakfast in the Caribbean has been the biggest adventure of all! From Callaloo (steamed chopped greens) to ackee and salt fish (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ackee_and_saltfish) which is typically served with breadfruit and grilled plantain and fish Run Down... mackerel mixed with Callaloo and coconut milk.  And of course never forget a smattering of scotch bonnet peppers, some onions...and more peppers.  It's delicious!  Forgive my misspelling of this in previous blogs.



Run Down..yummy!

My newly friended Jamaicans and of course hotel staff are happy that I am adventurous! Embracing the sweet crisp coated fried plantain..delish! Not quite so crazy about the dumplings when boiled (a little bland but not bad with the Run Down) but fried? Delightful little balls of golden dough! "Festival" was a pleasant surprise - again fried dough but reminded me of Rollkuchen. 

The trip to the Jerk Shack was fun - very authentic, street food prepared on a wood fire, popular with the locals, scary hot pepper sauce!  I also had sliced stewed kidney, brown stewed fish, fried shredded cabbage, curried chicken and of course banana bread at breakfast.  A total detour from my Canadian toast and raspberry jelly!

And I'd be remiss if I didn't talk about the coffee.  Blue Mountain coffee, served with hot milk (never cream here) and lots of it! Really nice full deep flavour, I have to bring some home.

Jamaican's take their vittles seriously - they take pride in the freshness and generosity.    Portions are large, smiles are abundant.  And in the p.m. try a coconut water - island style out of a fresh coconut.  When you've finished, have them chop it - a small wedge is left for you to scrape out the soft sweet inside flesh or "gel".  And at the end - I recommend a Red Stripe - a locally produced and exported lager beer that is as good as what we get in the land of ice and snow. 

One more tip - bring clothes that allow for many great food experiences! Diet when you get home! And don't get jerk sauce on your keyboard. 

Bridging the No Man's Land Between Planners and Economic Developers....It's all in the Delivery!

Dec 12, 2015: My new office?

Ah yes I'm home sick today.  Do I miss ice and snow and cold? No but I miss my home, my husband and my friends. Even the cat.  And yes I miss my VBDS crew!!

But I'm pulling up the big EDO panties and soldiering onward....from my new temp office location poolside. 

A patio table does not make the ideal desk and the chairs make my shoulders sore. But I will take one for the team! So with water bottle in hand I decided to start my final report. Dang fountain is a bit loud from the pool, competing with Christmas carols.... someone has to do it! :-)

Delivering the LEDO 101 message yesterday turned out to be one of the most satisfying experiences of my professional life.  Little did I know that becoming involved in the FCM CARILED initiative would do so much for my sense of "sharing knowledge" and the satisfaction it brings!

The participants were less than we planned for - but 7 eager municipal staff were there, a local Municipal Government Representative  (Clive it's always great to see you!) and the wonderful FCM & CARILED crew.  I'm humbled by the experience and knowledge surrounding me!

Unfortunately due to the horrific flash flooding in Portland area this week and subsequent arrival of the Governor, most senior administration were unable to attend as planned.  We did have the Minister of Local Government and Community Development Hon. Noel Ascott attend the opening of our day which was an honour.  The flood in Alberta still is front of mind with me, so I could empathize with the sense of worry and concern that came from their staff.

I was so heartened by the attention the participants paid and their participation in the discussions when I presented.  A good laugh was had when I said I had always been a bit scared of planners - and my session was delivered to ALL planners - at all levels.  And some of these poor folks had been "voluntold" they would be embracing local economic development in their jobs.  They chuckled at my reference to "The Big Book of No" and how it could be the Big Book of Yes...it's all in the delivery!  My mission - to reassure them Local Economic Development was not a foreign territory strewn with mines, but much more familiar and in step with the work they were used to.  It all comes down to perspective and delivery of the message.

And apparently I was successful, for the next day I received an email from one of the attendees, Christina, who thanked me for the practical examples and shared that she now felt motivated that the LEDO position was one she wanted to pursue! I hope I hear from her in the future and can offer practical advice and information.  It made the entire week worth while!

I've worked with many people over the years, and do really love my profession.  Its so satisfying to know that what you do, how you interact with others can make a difference.  Is it a way to fulfill my need to teach ? (since that is what I always envisioned I'd do when I was younger)  Am I subconsciously "leaving my legacy"?  I'm not sure.  What I am sure of, is that I, a kid from a small prairie town, have now left my mark on up and coming professionals in this amazing Caribbean country.  And that, my friends, is a feeling I hope I never lose.

Y'all have a great day and stay warm.  I'm goin' to the pool to catch some rays!

Cool job - HOT food!

So its tough to explain to people how working in this paradise like setting can be work - even for one as expressive and enthusiastic as me.  But it is! 

First let me back up and tell you all dear readers that Jamaica is a wonderful, tropical, welcoming, blue sky destination.  It's also very expensive - and the currency defies my understanding. When my dinner bill comes to $2780 I have to quietly sneak my phone out, try to remember the conversion rate, then figure out just how much that braised oxtail deliciousness cost me.  Let's not even start down the road of tipping - the hotels already work them into the bill, my husbands little voice comes to my head saying - TIP dangit, don't be so cheap, "you know the difference between Mennonites and canoes? Canoes tip!"  LOL ...and then the conversion hell starts all over. 

Jamaica is a land of smiles and amazing food! The Jerk Shop exploration warranted a Zantac before bed, purely preventative mind you - the hot sauce was HOT.  I must look fridge white to the locals, so when getting the small container of sauce I had three locals warn me it was wicked hot made with scotch bonnet peppers.  And just as an extra heads up the sauce area was surrounded by more peppers.  And finally my eyes watered as I neared it - you can't say I didn't see it coming!  So pepper fans -- you've been warned. 

The chef at the beautiful Pegasus hotel where I've been planted for the week did say that they add some shredded veggie to the chopped peppers, to reduce the jolt from the heat.  And it works! So when I had a fish dish, the sauce, tho infused with peppers was definitely bearable.

My mission here for the week - meet up with my Jamaican project manager, (the lovely but flu bug bitten Ms Stephannie) and her wonderful right hand Hannah, and the other Canadians (Natalie from FCM and Mark from Nfld) to plan and carry out some training and counselling with local groups.  My mission is to "sensitize Parish Mayors, and Admin to the value of a local economic development officer".  Perfect - and then update them on the Strategic Planning Process, etc etc.  It's a thrill to get to present to an audience that I assume wants to hear the message. 

So laptop in hand, I sit poolside and tweak the final slide show I've prepared -last week, and updated for 7 hours on Sunday in preparation for the rest of the week. 

Sprichsten of the pale Frau by the pool - what a great place to sit in the shade and people watch! I was entertained by a group of about 10 Brits two days ago, they were into the drinky's and splashing etc in the pretty blue water.  How surprised was I yesterday to learn they were all a British Airways crew! Fab!

Palm trees, a wee gecko, great big butterflies in blues, lime green, butter yellow and brilliant reds...like flying flowers! And many flowers to attract them and the multitude of song birds.  I don't recognize any of them, but from big blue crested birds, to teeny finches, they are all busy here.

OK back to tweaking the powerpoint, think it's time for an iced coffee to see me through  And more sunscreen! 

Carry on troops!

wee Timorous Cowering Beasties Bedamned!

Twas just over a month before Christmas
And all thru our house
Not a creature was stirring...,
Except a wee mouse!
There's been signs of my potholders degrading, little holes in them, a few specks of fluff....
Tonight I see a lot of fluff.., and mouse poops in the potholder drawer!
Out with the bleach, searched for other signs in all cupboards including bathrooms...
Nope, not a whiff o rodentia. Tomorrow the hunt continues!

and so November arrives....

A long and warm windy autumn submits with a shiver and a sigh.

This morning a slight skiff and promise of snow - that cold linen smell in the air, reminding me of towels coming in after a day in near freezing temperatures.  And now a few hours later, snow flakes falling, the first real promise of winter to come.

All our apples have left the trees - just fell off, and it was a tough season for them.  Yes I had high hopes of bushels of sliced and peeled fruit bagged and labelled, awaiting a baking spree of crumbles, pies and such, now gone.  The harvest didn't stand a chance against several hail storms, high winds, wasps and birds...and the apples I had hoped would stay on the ground to attract and feed deer have been cleared away - likely by well meaning neighbors who don't want those nibbling nuisances in their berry bushes.  Oh well, that will go easier on what's left of my rose bushes - the second favorite food of mule deer!

As a manager, I assume I can take a day off work here and there to become domestic, and finish some chores, have a leisurely cup of tea and catch up on Downton Abbey.  Reality? I get up, realize there are three things I need to do in town.  Once I zip into the office, albeit earlier than staff arrived, I am caught in the vortex.  A few phone calls and tidying my desk soon becomes making appointments, answering emergent emails and setting up an out of town lunch meeting to discuss an incoming $30,000 grant.  Gotta be done.  Can't get away.  So rather than coming home for a 10 a.m. nap with the cat, I wander in at 2:30.  C'est la vie.  At least we had some laughs over lunch while strategizing!

Now back to the weather - "I hate this" "Oh gawd it's winter" "I'm so frozen....brrrr" this is what I hear as I wander in and out of my office and through a couple of shops.  I smile and give the never fail prairie response of "cold enough for ya?" and "this will get the geese flying south  eh?".... then move along.  Honestly, it's -2C.  That's not cold! We barely have enough snow to make a track - tho I'm sure we'll have lots overnight.  But really peeps? -20C with a 70 km howler from the north, sheets of snow thick enough to  block the view across the street - THAT is cold my friends!  So once home I toddle around the yard, gather up some yard ornaments that I should have put away last week (when it was warmer and dryer) and wish we'd have gotten up the Christmas lights. 

Weather here is different than any other place we've lived.  It's windy - way windier than when we lived in Nanton, less snowy since we are further from the foothills, but lovely non the less.  Incredible sun rise and sun sets entertain us. Our home is warm, draft free, tho she creaks like a sailing ship in a strong north wind.  I'll have a nice fire on the go tonight when hubby returns home...and life will be fine.

It's funny - to put life in perspective, I try to focus on what is, versus what could be.  Yes it's nice to day dream about winning the lottery - is it going to happen to me? Very unlikely.  My luck comes in little crumbs and bites.  Making the gas station when the low fuel lights been on for 20 minutes.  Catching the porridge just as it's about to breach the top of the pan at a rolling boil. Having a friend that I work with to celebrate my small victories and keep me sane when the battle seems unwinnable.  Finding the man who will share my life forever, and support, love, and be my ideal riding partner? 
Would I give up all these little things for "the big one"?  (My inner Marlean just screamed YES YES YOU WOULD IN A HEARTBEAT!)  To be honest, I don't think I could give up all these little wins, these meaningful day to day blessings. Specially the love of my man - he's a keeper!

I know today was supposed to be my at home clean the bathrooms and dust the furniture day.... but hey, that can wait until tomorrow.  A warm dinner with my beloved, a crackling fire and perhaps even a wee dram together is looking better and better.
OK that's my rambling for the day.  Now on to figure out how to pull off that delicious warm dinner. And bring on the snow!

Summer's past? Say it's ain't so!!!

Ah this morning the dew was decidely - solid looking.  Eeep! Can't be, but I turn on the defrost to just defog the windows a little, then head towards the rising sun, and a quick left onward westward to my office.
What ho?? A yellow leaf falling in front of the windscreen - nooo must be a trick of the old  eyeballs, likely a merry butterfly fluttering by....but noooo it's not a butterfly!! ITS SEPTEMBER...oh lordy lordy the last blog entry was December 2014---10 months ago!  A lot has happened since then, a lot of water under the bridge as they say.
Well the new house, the new job (jobs for both of us!) the same old cat and a broken computer - and life goes on!   Still in the realm of the economic developer and in 24 hours - a Special Advisor for a mission to Jamaica.   Yes, Jamaica mon, ire...it's all good!  Who would have guessed?  It's been sort of a dream of mine to work overseas, to be called on to share my enthusiasm, my knowledge, my....wait a minute!  I live in a climate where these mornings are more 5C and will be in a Caribbean country where it's 36C and feels like 40C with the humidity.  I'm Canadian!! We love our Dry Cold!! the other afternoon I took off my sweater, turned on my office fan because it was (gulp) 21C in the building!
I don't wanna be the pleasantly plump white woman puking and passing out as she deplanes in Montego Bay!
But I digress - did I mention this training session that I'm facilitating is taking place in Trelawney (no idea where that is but near Montego Bay) in an all inclusive 5Star Resort??? Yeah baby  another new experience for moi! What does this translate to? Ohhhh how about 5 restaurants, 6 bars, a schwack of pools and the ocean?  I know - it's the rainy season. but it's gonna be beautiful and warm. 
Where here it's getting very "fallish" out.  And the Christmas season is approaching way quicker than I expected! Santa is booking up - November and December are pretty much taken!
So this means what? Well for me it meant being too excited to sleep, and watching Ernest Saves Christmas on my tablet last night.  Yup, this may be a sign that my old friend Wanda is returning, and we've got the luggage out, packed and ready to go!
Feels good to get the old blog fired up - so watch for more, now that the office is inhabitable I may be blogging instead of watching Ernest and the boys!