No hot water = cranky old nurse

For any healthcare workers reading this post I'm going to open with "must've been something in the air this week" and you'll know exactly what I'm going to describe. Not as serious as "full moon" or someone carelessly using the Q word but….silly season. There was so much ridiculous going on Friday morning that I phoned my job share partner (who is moon lighting on a home care gig in the other territory) and said "get on the plane, I'm not giving two weeks notice, I am out of here" and for a moment she took me seriously. When I described the shenanigans she agreed that it was tempting for me. Apparently there had been lots of 'sarsaparilla' shipped in on the flight Thursday night and the repercussions were ongoing. The verbal abuse from repeated inebriated phone calls that morning had tipped the scales. She agreed that today was not a great day but suggested I should sleep on my decision, I got the answers to a couple of end of month reporting bureaucracy questions and we signed off. You know you're struggling when…The clerk made an apple crisp for Fibre Friday (which is how we're presenting the Cancer Prevention information - high fibre low fat foods) and headed over to the COOP with it. If they won't come to you, then we deliver. It took a bit of persuading as folks were sceptical of the ingredients and their effects….but free food is free food and so it was consumed. 

Not sure if any of you have watched the animated movie Home which I saw last week, but it is a cute story of space creatures who come to earth. The main BOOV voice is Sheldon on Big Bang Theory as well as Rhianna, Jennifer Lopez and Steve Martin. There was an email from the territorial Minister of Health (he doesn't usually invade my inbox) to all of us in health centres across NWT admonishing us to check for inappropriate stickers seen here on the right. There was an accompanying media story of a sticker handed out by a Dr in NB (who clearly hadn't looked at it) to an aboriginal child. Needless to say, the chief of the reserve was quite unimpressed. I was relieved to find we had nothing of the kind and sort of puzzled as to who thought these were a good idea. I don't remember the quote from the movie….

And speaking of ridiculous….last week as I was readying to head upstairs (after negotiating the leaving of cotton balls for a dog's ear treatment in the front entryway but that's another story) at 5 pm, my coworker appeared leading someone (not from the community) who introduced himself as a Census Canada employee. I had a great deal of trouble following the conversation and it wasn't due to his mild French Canadian accent, it was because he was wearing a crocheted horses head hat complete with mane!!! The theme from The Godfather was playing so loudly in my head that I couldn't concentrate. When we finally established that I would be at home in May and likely no one at my house would deal with census forms without my urging, reassured I would not be counted twice, he took his leave. Not sure why my colleague let him in after we locked the door but she seemed as gobsmacked as me with him. Apparently there is no dress code for census workers. 

We (described as my coworker, myself and the DPW maintenance dude) have been struggling with the hot water boiler. Three days of the last week there have been cold showers in the morning. Yes, I realize that large portions of the developing world would be grateful for running water, even cold but….this is Canada, no matter how far north, and it sure makes this old nurse cranky to start her day out that way! Apparently this is an ongoing issue but I made it clear to the hapless DPW employee that ongoing was coming to an end as my patience was wearing thin. He looked suitably worried so hopefully that will result in a solution. Clearly end of year DPW budget cautions were not on my list of concerns. 

I finished up a Future Learn course I was doing on Strategies for Healthy Aging. Overall it was quite good, not a lot of new information but interesting, and some of the participant comments were funny. Someone in the group posted a nice article on emotional retirement planning (vs financial) which I insert for your reading pleasure here:

http://drkathleenmccoy.blogspot.ca/2016/02/emotional-retirement-planning.html

There was an amusing story in one of the videos about 'crystallized intelligence' which apparently us older folks have in abundance. Described as putting together information gathered from various sources to solve a puzzle even though you've not been in this exact situation. The anecdote was from a researcher who said his in-laws arrived in Washington for a visit as a blizzard raged, emerging from the train station the roads were terrible so they couldn't find a taxi. The father in law decided they would cross the street to the take out pizza shop with delivery, ordered a pizza to their daughter/son in law's address and convinced the driver to take them along. I loved it! One of my resolutions is to write more, thus attempting to get my act together with this post. 

Since today was a -41c day I spent it inside on the sofa crocheting and watching a movie…Mud, any opportunity to see Matthew McConaughey with his shirt off is a good movie and Reese Witherspoon is always fun. I also watched a video on mindfulness (living in the present moment) where the lecturer (who unpretentiously described himself as a card carrying human being) advised the audience to "check your watch, it's now again". The intent was to remind us not to rush from one thing to another thinking the future will be better as now is the future of a few moments ago. Ahhhh if only. Both screenings were better than viewing folks tropical photos on FaceBook. 

I shuffled the few steps over to the school one afternoon muttering to myself into the fur of my parka "never lose an opportunity to immunize". Usually vaccines require an ice pack to ensure maintenance of the cold chain (2-8 c) but in this case I put the medication in my inner jacket pocket so it wouldn't freeze with the wind chill. Adaptation to the conditions. 

Mind you, Nova Scotia received a dumping of snow today with gusty winds, so a bit of winter left there. The shore captain headed over with some like minded businessmen to the Seafood Show in Boston who this year opted for a direct charter flight out of Yarmouth. Travel is usually longer than their stay as it takes three days return when you factor in the winter roads, ferry and two nights hotels enroute with only two days at the expo. Those travelling on regular flights out of Halifax were delayed, routed through Montreal and not arriving until late tonight. Just think I'm missing out on all that schmoozing and industry talk. 

One of the positives of this week was to be offered the bread pans from the coworkers apartment. She had attempted to bake brownies in them which (as might be expected) didn't work out well. The red river cereal bread turned out wonderfully, but I sure missed the Kitchen Aide mixer when kneading - haven't done that for a while. As well I found a recipe for molasses cookies which were just like my mother used to make….ahh a taste from my past. Made a large batch and I took them to sewing class and gifted the departing RCMP family with them. Baking is therapy but sharing the results is a better idea without a roommate to consume them.

Back to another winter…...

Settled in to the north of 60 home and life is good. It's a clear, sunny day with temperature of -34c, skidoos out on the sea ice and the usual activities of a northern community. Sunrise is officially just before 10 am and sunset at 5:30 pm but there's a lot of light on the horizon both before and after. A week down already and it never ceases to amaze me how quickly the time flies in my working life. 

The six days at home were as expected, full of tasks and then complicated by a snow storm. Since I hadn't opted to put snow tires on my little car for just a week, I headed down to the city on Friday, stored the car with my classmate and overnighted twice. Had a nice supper with two daughters and a son in law on the final night which is a great send off and snuck away for an early flight the following morning. 

The commute is becoming fairly routine and thankfully there were no glitches. One of these days the positive influences I travel under will rebel but heading for four years and no major hiccups yet with connections. This time I took a page from my job share partner's book and stored two nonperishable filled bags at the Edmonton airport. Well worth the $7 each to not have to drag them to the shuttle, into hotel and reverse the process in the early hours again, especially as they're never opened. Did my grocery procurement in Edmonton as those six days post vacation at home were fun filled with snowy roads, plus who wants to schlep an extra box 3/4 of the way across Canada? Canadian Tire for a new action packer and duct tape and then Walmart for groceries. No scale so jammed the food into the tote, fastened it and sent it off to the hotel cooler. Supper, phone catch up with a Cuban Edmonton friend and an early night - miss the sleepovers of the western daughters who are now eastern daughters though, made the stopover funner. The 5:20 am shuttle to the airport and travelling as far as Yellowknife with an agency nurse heading to Kitikmeot…the north is large geographically but small people wise. Retrieval of bags, check in at Canadian North with a very accommodating clerk as in…the scale for my grocery action packer read 72 lb, we both looked at the number and she said "that says 70 lb doesn't it?" and I quickly agreed because that is the maximum allowable and she wrote 70 lb on the tag. It really did average out with the other bags but could've been a pain to shuffle at that point. Seat selection and she said "you need a nice perk today, how about row 3?" so I nodded (row 3 was leg room so deep you couldn't reach the chair back table and the row all to myself :) Quick flight to Yellowknife, picked up 60+ student athletes there and on to Inuvik directly (no station stop in Norman Wells) so in early, very painless. Aklak Air however only guarantees 60 lb (including carryon) will be delivered with you on the flight so the action packer had to be opened, reshuffled and resealed. And of course…..everything came with me anyway. The only calamity of that being a sugar puncture in the duffle resulting in vacuuming. Warmly greeted at the airport by my job share partner as she exited and various community members who said "welcome home". 

Sorting through the emails and discovered one from the clerk in housing who insisted that in order to receive a rent rebate the nurse in charge had to confirm the job share partner and I were sharing the apartment last fall. My counterpart had left that for me to deal with being that for either of us to sign was clearly a conflict of interest but….hey who am I to question? I duly acknowledged that we shared and hit send. Bureaucracy never ceases to amaze me, even at my age! Spent a couple of hours getting stuff put away. Not much of a job to retransition to the apartment as it's very cozy now. Put the food away, found my pyjamas, ate a lobster sandwich and crawled into bed. 

The work week was one of catching up on various paperwork issues, helping the casual CHN understand northern nursing and greeting community members. The manager was away for the week so good timing as for extra tasks etc. being on hold. Easier when you start to know the players and processes. 

A few personal technology glitches including a two hour phone call with Apple support to get my FaceTime working again and a test with a nite owl in the home time zone. Treated myself to Bushnell instavision binoculars at the fishing supply store as the shore captain has a nice pair which we used on the cruise. Discovered when I looked for polar bears and saw two flags at the RCMP detachment that the prism must be out of line as there is double vision when looking through both lenses. Was relieved to find that I wasn't having a stroke, it was truly the 'noclars' as my kids used to say, but annoyed as I'll now have to return them at home. Googled and noted "unfortunately double vision is common with these binoculars". arggh My heating pad power supply had a broken wire so will have to search online for a replacement - it is so cozy for the sofa in the winter. sigh. And the discovery that I brought whole wheat flour and red river cereal (birdseed as the kids used to call it) to make bread, having not checked there were bread pans here….on the list for next time. And yes I fully realize, all first world problems. I shall console myself by eating the dark chocolate covered mangoes I was gifted for Christmas. 

Invited to supper last evening with the RCMP family who will be posted March 3rd so trying to eat up their freezer of food. Lovely ribs and I took cranberry pudding for dessert - walked carefully and didn't have any mishaps. Over to sewing after supper and the on call phone rang as soon as I settled myself. Winter gear and up over the hill in the sharp cold for a  quick, routine call but not worth heading back down afterwards so crocheted and headed to bed with a book. Reading Pierre Berton's The Arctic Grail which is (as expected) well written and certainly apt in my present setting. 

Awaiting a FaceTime chat with the home folks so will sign off. Technology is my umbilical cord. 

To the bottom of the earth and back

Wow! Exciting times….I am updating the blog! Yes, I have thought of doing so multiple times over the past six weeks but…..life got in the way. And now, grab a cup of tea as I'm going to fill you in. And, no I am not going to fix the alignment on several of the gaps, it's late and you're interested in content not formatting. 

As was obvious from the posting of last year, I was heading out of my northern home for my southern abode to celebrate a belated Christmas holiday at New Years. The three day commute went very smoothly considering the holiday volume of travellers, weather and age of this writer. Social time at the airport where I was introduced to one of the newest community members returning from Inuvik. A quick flight via Ulukhaktuk to Inuvik accompanied by the relief RCMP and his wife who were returning to Fort Good Hope and through their kindness I was dropped off at the hotel (circumventing the $30 taxi fee). Catch up online, sleep in, hotel breakfast and readying to the return to the airport. Discovered the desk clerk was from Florenceville NB, the small town a friend inhabits, another of those 'small world' moments. Deposited at the airport by a Sudanese cab driver (told him of the Sudanese family being sponsored locally) and he provided his contact info for them "the first days are tough" he said. Uneventful commute from Inuvik, through Norman Wells, only deplaning in Yellowknife as mandatory to go through security at that point, back on the plane to Edmonton. Check in, supper and bed, sleep in and over to the airport for brunch and a bit of Christmas shopping. 

Only crisis of the day was when I looked at the check in gate and realized the flight was not direct to Halifax but through Toronto. Sigh. Uneventful flight, watched The Intern (good flick) and then into Pearson. The usual dog and pony show there, late departure as the flight continued to pick up connecting passengers (many cancelled flights the previous day). The flight attendant suggested that the station stop would be brief and passengers should remain on board, myself and perhaps four others complied. As I sat wearily waiting a (in my nurse opinion) freaked out passenger with wild eyes stopped in the aisle and said anxiously "where are we?" I replied calmly "in Toronto" followed by "why did we stop?" as I've worked a LOT of Emerg another calm reply "to let passengers off the plane" a frantic "why are we still here?" avoidance of eye contact and calmer reply "so passengers can get on" followed by "where are we going?" reply "Halifax" and "when are we leaving?" reply "no idea" and turning back to my book. I felt his intense stare for several minutes (not seconds) and he finally moved forward up the aisle. When the flight attendant strolled by I casually inquired as the mental status of my visitor who was clearly disorientated to person, place and time. She assured me that he was "different and not dangerous" and I said "well I've worked a lot of ER and I think he's stoned or psychotic and her smile faltered. Clearly she was used to dealing with the inebriated traveller not more exotic situations. I considered how little I wished to be enclosed in a flying metal tube with a deranged individual and sighed. She watched the front of the plane where a male flight attendant and the copilot were now interacting with my visitor (I could clearly hear the passenger shouting) and said "oh there's pushing and shoving and security is here". A ha! We took off a short while later and I assume minus one passenger as he did not return up the aisle. Lots of turbulence, into Halifax late and met by my faithful Pakistani airport taxi driver. Pick up of the car, stop for tea and clear roads home, arriving by 4 am. 

New Years Eve was celebrated with family, games and friends and a toast at midnight. New Years Day brought all our children (and most of their significant others) together for 'Christmas dinner' and it was a wonderfully unexpected event. When those kiddos grow up and move on with their lives it doesn't always translate to large get togethers for the holidays. The usual post holiday busyness and an overnight in the city. A lovely supper invitation to our German chef's place (we supplied the seafood) and good social catch up visit. Last minute packing and it was time to leave on vacation. 

We headed down the night before and stayed over at the airport hotel because a large dumping of snow was predicted (and received) in the city. Our flight was after lunch and by then the runways had been cleared and planes were moving. We had very little extra time built into our itinerary and were lucky to avoid glitches. Halifax to Philadelphia, on to Miami via American then transfer to LAN (Chile) for the overnight flight to Santiago. I sat next to a young fellow who either had ADHD or was on amphetamines! Scratching, jumping up and down, talking to himself and at one point he was conducting the music on the entertainment system. I slept perhaps 20 minutes. Not impressed. Dawn landing in Santiago de Chile, through baggage, customs and out to find a cab to the bus station. The express to Valpairsao was boarding and we stowed luggage and climbed into the air conditioned bus. Lovely view of the valley, wineries and villages along the way. Deposited in the very authentic city centre and a cab over to the Fauna Hotel. Cute boutique hotel where we were offered coffee/tea as the room was unavailable for a few hours. Wandered the streets of this artistic port city with markets, shops, cafes, and multiple photo ops, found some queso y camerones (shrimp and cheese) empanadas for lunch with a glass of Chilean wine so after check in a nap was in order. Opted for the roof top terrace for supper and that was a great choice we repeated the next evening as well - why mess with a good thing? Wandered the streets, visited the

Valparaiso funicular

markets and harbour took the funicular to the

Wine tasting

top of a hill to see the port and generally enjoyed being tourists. In the afternoon we hired the hotel recommended Kristian to drive us out to winery country and enjoyed a tour and two tastings. Saturday we spent relaxing and headed over to meet the ship at lunchtime. The embarkation process was chaos, no system at all and it took a looonnnggg time to fill out the health questionnaire, have our passports, documents for Chile and Argentina examined, be issued a sticker and finally called to join a lengthy line for the bus. Yes, you heard me correctly…the bus to the ship as the terminal and port are quite a distance apart. Another long line up on the Norwegian Sun and we were finally checked in and our passports surrendered. 

Checked out our digs - balcony on the port side was a good choice for the various ports of call - found some lunch and a drink, met the cabin steward Emerson and our bags were shortly delivered so we unpacked. The obligatory muster drill and a late sail away out of Valparisao on our eastbound journey. We visited the Brazilian steak house which was wonderful and very uncrowded - we've learned that if you arrive a day or two early and unwind you are not toast on embarkation day and have the speciality restaurants mostly to ourselves. 

The next day was a sea day which is always a good way to start the relaxing so we ordered room service breakfast, enjoyed the balcony, visited the library, self toured the ship and generally chilled out. We visited one of the dining rooms for supper and it was (as expected) great! Puerto Montt was the first stop and although new to me, the shore captain had visited in 1994 when we were l in South America on an industry / trade mission. We shopped the 

Puerto Montt, Chile

 markets, visited the port and saw the local supply boats readying for a run down the coast, checked out the fish markets and picked up some local crafts. A good day. The next port of call was Puerto Chachabuco which was a picturesque coastal town. We hired a local taxi who took us on a tour through Aysen over to Coyhaique stopping at Virgin falls, past valley farms, mountain peaks, wonderful spots for photos. With my rudimentary Spanish we managed to find out the answers to questions such as "how much snow here in the mountains in the winter" which was measured in feet in June, July and August she explained. We stopped for a sandwich and wonderful hot chocolate at a very nice cafe before heading back. Great way to discover the countryside. Two days of cruising the Patagonian Channel

Beagle channel glaciers

and Straits of Magellan - very scenic fiords and coast, followed by a stop in Puntas Arenas which is the most southerly city in Chile, very windswept and scruffy but interesting. We visited the maritime museum there and shopped the markets, found a cafe for wi-fi and made our way back fairly early to the ship. Although it was their summer….it was chilly. Had the winter jacket, gloves, and hat out for the balcony viewing of the glaciers in the Beagle Channel - stunning. The views reminded us of the Norwegian fiords. We crossed over the boundary to Argentina and the following day found us in Ushuaia, the most southerly city in the world. Some flurries, windy and a really touristy dusty spot where lots of Antarctic cruises leave from. We wandered the shops, visited the End of the World Museum (not post apocalyptic but rather most southern and headed back to the ship. The following day we rounded Cape Horn in "best weather possible" as described by our Swedish captain. It was just a rock and rather anti climactic as we'd heard horror stories about the perilous weather there. The next 

Cape Horn

day took us in to the Falkland Islands (Las Malvinas for our Argentine friends) and it was a wonderful day. We'd booked an excursion to see the rockhopper penguins and we were not disappointed. We were met at the port, driven through the very British capital of Stanley and taken to Murrell Farm where we transferred to Land Rovers and bounced out across the peat moors to the cliffs. The drivers were very knowledgeable and chatty so we learned a lot about 'the conflict' in 1982 (still lots of land mines) the British way of life there and the penguins. The colony was feeding chicks and were great fun to watch - an item ticked off the

Rockhopper penguins

bucket list! A small building housed home made treats and a local lady to serve the tea. After bouncing back to town we explored the shops a bit, purchased an internet card and finally joined the line for the tender back to the ship. Wonderful day, needed the next day to be a sea day to recover from the Land Rovers. Getting warmer, the next port of call was Puerto Madryn which was quite a developed city with lots of tourist amenities. We took a shuttle to the Eco Centre which had lots of information on the southern right whales and visited the maritime museum in a beautifully restored classic home. Did not swim in the algae covered beaches. A sea day where we made our way past Mar Del Plata (more on that city later) and the final port of call was Punte del Este in Uruguay which is the playground of the rich and famous. Not really our style with expensive power boats, overpriced restaurants and shops but we did visit the fish market and the fishing boats rigging gear. It was warm and a large sea lion lazed on the haul out. We made our way back to the ship in a timely manner. The next morning saw us docked in Buenos Aires and we were efficiently disembarked from the ship and onto a tour we'd arranged to avoid wandering the streets with luggage

Gaucho dance

until our 8:30 pm flight to Mar del Plata to visit our friend. A city tour with lots of history, a stop in La Boca for some shopping, photos and off to a gaucho ranch in the pampas. A great display of horsemanship, dancing and a  wonderful meal. Deposited at the terminal, found our luggage and had it x-rayed, located a cab (rip off artists who double charged for the fare) to the airport and checked in for our flight. 

Our friend (who we met on our first trip to Argentina when she was young and single) and her husband met us at the airport and dropped us at the Hotel Iruna and we were tired so just flopped. As we explored the next day it turned out to be a good choice in location, staff and food. We had a fantastic week of visiting, eating, beach going, and generally being spoiled. A good time was had by all. Our final afternoon was the only one with rain and we visited till late with our friends. And I mean late by our standards as when our friends retrieved their five and ten year old from the playroom at 1 am they were still going strong. What do you expect from a country with supper at 11 pm? Ahh to be Latin. 

On the last morning we grabbed an early breakfast and caught a cab to the airport for the 40 minute flight to Buenos Aires. We managed to store our luggage, discover there was a free shuttle for Aerolineas Argentina passengers between airports so booked the 6:30 pm run and called a cab to explore the city. Our friend had advised Recoleta which had lots of shops, cafes and the artist market. We weren't disappointed. Had a great lunch at Las Ramblas cafe and the people watching was supreme, not to mention the Jack Russell terrier who thought he was a pit bull! Shopped the market which has some pretty amazing talent and picked up a great leather journal cover and a glass fish

Buenos Aires tango

plate. Enjoyed the shade of another cafe and an impromptu tango display before wandering off to hail a cab. Avoided pick pockets completely. Over to the international airport, shuttle across the city past cathedrals, slums, mansions and motor vehicle accidents. Made our way through parking lots and into the terminal to negotiate an extensive check in and bag drop process. Time for some final empanadas and wine then through security, customs and to the gate where our carry on luggage was hand searched taking an hour in total as the 777 is a big plane full of passengers. Lots of families going to Miami and on to Disney World which is a BIG attraction from Argentina. The eight hour flight was a great sleep and then we landed in Miami for a four hour layover, flight to Toronto (another nap) and then the dog and pony show at Pearson which is completely embarrassing - could someone please show those people how to organize themselves? Thank goodness for Nexus so we did make our connection but really NO NEED! Turbulent flight to Halifax and in a few minutes late but greeted by children and soon on the road. Arrived at 1 am to find that no one had stolen the cats and all was well. 

This week is the usual frantic of appointments, shopping, packing and wrapping up of last minute details because ….I head back to work with an early morning flight on Sunday. Not sure of the travel agenda due to a predicted snowstorm for Saturday and Sunday. I am thinking I will get my little car to the city and in to storage even if it means an extra night in transit. The joys of winter travel. Surely I won't have this problem from Toronto onwards in April! The next update from north of north. 

Cranberry Pudding Crash

The eggnog has arrived via the COOP and so we were able to celebrate the holidays. No eggnog, no Christmas… that was the rule. We distributed some to the elders in the hampers we made up and had some for a Christmas tea we hosted but the leftover cartons came to stay in our fridge. Ahhhh. Well, not to stay for too long. My roommate couldn't believe how much eggnog I could drink. "A big glass?" she asked, eyeing the tumbler I filled, as if there was a fluid allowance for eggnog consumption.  

I had been waging an ongoing battle with IT to reset the password on the NIC (nurse in charge) email account. For two days the local (as in Inuvik an hour flight away) tech with a thick African colonial accent, knocked himself out trying to solve the problem. The Yellowknife techs kept assuring him (and me) that the problem was resolved and it was not. Finally, the local tech provided a workaround in the form of their administrative password so that I could actually access the emails - not a permanent solution as hardly secure - at least I was able to see if the boss had sent any last minute instructions before 'mandatory days' defined as paid time off and all the offices shut down over the holidays. When I found the 'ticket' to report the problem to IT and another message from Yellowknife IT stating the problem was resolved, you can imagine I was not exactly pleased. I hit reply on the 'resolved' message and said "do NOT close this ticket, the problem is NOT resolved, I am NOT able to change the password" and muttered to myself. Later that afternoon I received a phone call from IT in Yellowknife who said and I quote "I am calling to ask how you could say the problem isn't fixed if you can send a reply from that email account?" Sort of like wearing a really catchy costume to get picked as a contestant from the audience of The Price is Right - you have to do something to get IT attention if you want help. I explained the 'this account isn't secure if I can't change the password' and after quite a bit of fiddling the tech managed to reset the password. Surprise - it hadn't been correctly rest as the poor local tech had been saying for days. I think it takes a certain kind of arrogance to be in IT and my most recent contact didn't disprove my theory. 

Wednesday the ingredients for the hampers arrived and we assembled the boxes - sugar, coffee, tea, coffee mate, butter, cheese, crackers, eggnog and oranges, adding pork chops and chicken so kindly donated by the RCMP officer who had won them at the meat pack bingo. About $150 each in total when filled so a nice gift. My coworker dragged the heavy boxes to the vehicle, picked up the clerk as navigator and dragged the boxes to each of those over age 60 who we'd listed. I managed to escape the grocery delivery with visits but had to listen to the snarling from the colleague about sore ankles from all the up and down stairs. 

Pere Noel and his elf

We enjoyed the Christmas feast (for which I cooked a ham - becoming known as the ham nurse) in the school gym which was nicely decorated as the North Pole (clearly the closest I've been to Santa over the holidays yet) . The children were wearing their dressiest finery and Santa (Pere Noel Pierre) and his elf Mikey (RCMP filling in) patiently held babies for photo ops and handed out gifts. Apparently a young fellow said to Mike "you're a pretty big elf on the shelf". There were lovely presents from the Community Corp (which incidentally gives every beneficiary a ham, turkey and all the fixins for Christmas dinner) some gift examples were a tea set and an easy bake oven, cat onesies, Elsa dolls, hot wheels set. And a large shipment of gifts from Fort Providence Secret Santa who sent over jewelry, makeup, trinkets and more to each child in the community. 

Christmas Eve morning we hosted a Christmas tea for which I baked war cake. Was a real blast from the past for the roommie and me as we remembered our mothers making this for us as kids. We entertained, chatted and saw patients as the morning passed. I suited up and headed to the Post Office as there was a freight plane the morning of the 24th - talk about a Santa delivery. I waited on the bench with others while some sat on the steps leading up the post office while the clerk sorted the packages, cards and letters. I was rewarded with a big box the NIC had sent in to us. My last day of work was the 24th and I was most pleased to answer the phone call from the Regional Director at 2 pm. telling us that if all was quiet we should close up shop. Yes ma'am. Don't have to tell us twice. We headed upstairs, decorated the tree which the roommie had brought in her suitcase and chilled out. After supper the phone rang but no one called the cell as instructed for emergencies, then a few minutes later the videophone rang and my colleague, who was on call. almost ate it off the wall "who is wanting to be seen now that we're closed?" But when she looked in the screen it was filled with Mikey the Elf's face as he and Santa Pierre had heard that we were good girls (apparently the standards are lower nearer the North Pole) and they were delivering a sock to us as well as each child in the community. What a giggle we had. We spent the evening watching half of a recorded Aussie series A Place to Call Home - season 3 and finally stopped ourselves at midnight and crawled into bed. 

Spent a wonderful Christmas Day as I slept in until 11 am (the roommie was going to check to see if I had a pulse) then made us pancakes for breakfast. My roommate (who had most

Santa found me

recently been home) had shopped for me and gifted me with slipper socks, mugs and a great polar bear bag. I gave her a daily calendar with info from the 60s, 70s and 80s which we reminisced with for a great giggle as well as Tide to Go - which is necessary for travel life. Didn't get out of my Christmas pjs and  finished off the series we'd begun by 3:30 pm., just in time to make cranberry pudding which I'd promised the clerk as a NS cultural exchange for Christmas supper. The colleague started the vehicle, I changed my clothes and we dragged the gifts for the clerk and her husband to the car, I sat with the box containing warm from the oven dessert we and made our way to their cozy home. As I climbed from the SUV carefully holding the cardboard box my feet slipped and half of me disappeared under the edge of the vehicle. Flat on the crunchy snow I was trying to figure out if I'd broken anything and my chauffeur was anxiously questioning "are you okay, did you hurt anything?" as she rounded the front of the vehicle. Later she acknowledged that she had in her mind (as any good nurse would) called the RCMP to help get me on a spinal board and was arranging the medevac before she passed the headlights. My main concern was for the dessert which I couldn't see in the dark and I was attempting to see if it had been ejected from the box which was flattened with only one corner intact. "No, just the pan lid flipped" she assured me, "here I'm picking up the cell phone (I was on call) and your camera" When she (we) realized that I was fine, just bruised and shaken up we became quite giddy. When I made it to the door with opaque frosted spectacles and told the clerk's husband "I could've broken my hip at my age" he just shook his head. We had a full traditional supper - turkey, ham and all the trimmings which included smoked char and musk ox pepperoni made by the host. Ahhh

Boxing Day was a sedate stay in the pyjamas kind of day as well. So thankful to have four days off before I travel. My partner was again on call as we alternate every other day when there are two of us. Again the videophone rang and she answered it saying "can I help you?" to be told that the visitor was requesting condoms. "That's not an emergency but I'm going to come down and give you some because I don't want to deal with the results of not giving you any a month from now". Apparently she gave the caller 20 and told him to share. Clearly using her critical thinking skills on that one. 

We were to have attended the Hamlet Ball today having been invited by the SAO but….the prizes for the games didn't arrive (even though they were ordered on November 25th) so the event will be held in early January….after my departure. Apparently it's a dressy affair and I certainly don't have anything with sparkles on it with me this time. Will have to pack appropriately the next time. I took a short walk today - not really much fun at -40c in the dark but got to get the legs working again for walking at home. 

Some FB chats with family members allowed me to learn that the boy captain had gifted his girlfriend a lovely necklace and earrings (and they match she said) of rose and white gold. "I haven't taken it off" she shared, "he had really good taste". I reminded her how fussy he'd been to have the taps match the light fixtures with the reno they did and she agreed that she hadn't cared. Sounded familiar to me. The apple doesn't fall from that tree with him and his father. Apparently a good day was spent by those at home trying not to be too festive until I get there to celebrate Christmas on New Years. 

I have been packing a very few things I'm taking home - fastening two duffle bags together as one is empty and the other only partially full plus an empty action packer - just can't face trying to take both so will gift one to the clerk for storage. Finishing up my laundry and hanging up uniforms in the closet to await my mid February arrival. Putting away a few personal things and for the most part just walking away from the apartment which is the best part of being a jobshare employee and returning to the same community each time. So the trek begins tomorrow and although it's windy tonight the forecast is decent flying weather or as my roommie says "not a blizzard, Aklak Air flies in anything else". Upon discussion we decided that a two day commute is acceptable but when you're on your third day of travel, you just want to be home. I told my Dr. that I could get home from Thailand quicker than from here and he said "you chose this" to which I explained that I'm not whining just illustrating what a huge country we live in that I can travel for three days and not use my passport. Next posting south and east of here…..

Although it's a bit depressing to think of climate change there are major changes which are obvious here in the arctic and in fact this community has been thoroughly studied for some decades by various researches. The following link to National Geographic relates to an article about a Norwegian team but the concept is the same:

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2016/01/arctic-ice-environment-text

Lots of winter left here, don't let the global warning fool you. 

Blizzard Central

Kitchen window as it wanes

Noontime in the blizzard

As I sit cozily inside, an arctic blizzard is raging in the darkness here. It began about 24 hours ago and is forecast to go for a few more hours yet. The walls are being being buffeted with snow blown by 80km winds and the windows are opaque with the white stuff. It's a good day for sleeping and I suspect that for the most part the community is hunkered down…..aside from evidence of a preteen boy's restlessness in a FaceBook photo of him bundled in parka, fur mitts and kamiks playing hockey in almost zero visibility. It is customary to sleep away the day in the 'dark time' of the north even without a storm though. This past week I was reminded of this with two situations…the first at 1:30 pm as a mother with a question on the phone said in an aside to her three year old "no, you can't have that, you're going to eat breakfast" and as I glanced at the clock I thought 'that ship has sailed, it's even getting a bit late to call what you're eating lunch' . And the second when I questioned timing of the appearance of a rash and was told "when we got up at 3pm" and that was not in reference to a nap but arising for the day. I've worked with night shift workers who don't sleep that long. But who am I as a certified nite owl to judge eh?

All generations were present at the school Christmas concert one evening this week. The pageant included A Christmas Carol with the Principal assuming the role of Mr. Scrooge - this because having only 11 students can be a challenge for casting. The play was wonderful and when a three year old from the audience joined the Crachetts (her sisters) for

Inualthuyak School 

the play food in the dishes the crowd chuckled. The highlight for me was the singing of Christmas carols in local dialect - Siglit. Reminded me of a Christmas past when the kids were small and a neighbour initiated the huge project of putting on a pageant in the small local United church which hadn't been open for some time - it came from the era of a church in every community close enough to walk to. Tin ceilings, no electricity, plaques on the walls in memory of local young men sacrificed to war, oil stove hissing, smell of fir boughs, painted pews stuffed with family and community members of all denominations together to celebrate the season and listen to young voices. Magical simplicity. A northern small school with a wonderful local teacher evokes the same feelings. 

There are at least two more flights, maybe three if Aklak Air pilots are up for being Santa on the 24th….And that's a good thing as there are lots of folks still waiting on parcels from the chatter. You'd think this close to the north pole that it wouldn't be a problem! I was pleased to find the area rug that the roommate and I ordered from Bed Bath & Beyond (who likely didn't think they'd have to ship it to this far beyond) had arrived. It really makes the living room cozy and less transient like. Getting the schedules sorted out for the coming year, decorating the nest and comparing routines is a definite benefit of us being here at the same time - happening only this year due to the absence of the nurse in charge. 

In my Acting Nurse in Charge (makes me think of the saying to fake it until you make it) I've been learning the ropes for all the bureaucracy. My job share partner has a leg up on me as she spent a year with this employer in another community. Overall I did a better job this week of keeping under management radar. The past week was (incidentally the last five day week I work until February due to the upcoming holidays) a steady one.It's a nice variety of visits here with albeit reduced numbers - well baby immunization, walk in clinic types of calls, management of various chronic illnesses and phone calls which require some health teaching.  Steady in part because I was holding down the fort alone, lots on the go as we head towards a holiday slow down and folks who will be off are frantic to get things settled and also due to a physician clinic held over two afternoons via tele health. You know the type of physician that has made the north his home? Youngish fellow, beard, plaid shirt, kind of sleep deprived which was the reason for not travelling over as his physician wife had just delivered a third child. I wasn't sure how the 'at a distance' appointments would work out but as I helped an elder with a cane (remember this was someone who was born 'out on the land') down the hall the assessment was positive as in "first time I am meeting a Dr. on the TV, he was kinda nice". What changes in their lifetimes eh?

One lunch hour as I sat at the table gazing out through the window over the Amundsen Gulf, I saw in the twilight a small bright light moving across the white surface just near the horizon, and for a brief moment thought 'at home that would be a lobster boat on the way in' and then with a shake of my head realized 'it's a hunter coming in off the sea ice' . Very similar phenomenon in some ways. Sort of like the storage and inventory of food in the cupboard as I finish up a rotation  relates to the caching of supplies by hunters in various trail cabins vs the eating my way out of the community as a casual nurse who may not be returning to the same spot. At this point I am doing my best to consume perishables. 

Speaking of food I heard a wonderful quote last week describing the realization that some things were not as you had always thought they were "sometimes it's best not to see how hamburger is made". Hard to argue with that one. 

You know you're in a good place when your biggest problem this week is that the humidifier died. The deposits from the water killed it I think. I chipped them away but fear it was too late as it likely overheated and died during the night.  Have been keeping busy by crocheting a bit of Christmas decor for the apartment, watching some movies I brought, Lunch Box was a neat Bollywood film with subtitles and a cute story - Unbroken was excellent if difficult war story to watch and Alive Inside is highly recommended for anyone, especially healthcare workers as it deals with music and dementia. And a buddy suggested YouTubes of Teepa Snow who is an expert on elder care - really good! Especially the one on early signs of dementia, mind you a bit frightening when I applied them to the life partner but I shall mark that down to much cortisol (negative stress hormone) circulating in his bloodstream. 

I was shocked to see that someone had shared a warrant notice by the RCMP in Alberta and the wanted person had a name familiar to me from home. When I read through the description he was tall and thin and spoke with a thick NS accent. That would only identify him in the west, not a home. No worries, everyone would know who he was in NS! Oh dear!

Will welcome the job share partner back and we'll see if she's managed to fit a tree into the luggage as planned. We have plans to distribute Christmas hampers to the elders this week and will be enjoying our own hamper with the clerk and her husband on Christmas Day. A week from now and I'll be throwing stuff into a duffle bag and heading out. Hard to believe how quickly this rotation has gone, even though ti's been extended. 

Holiday hoopla

For most CHNs (community health nurses) on call in a northern community hearing footsteps on the ramp in front of the health centre, the thought would be….oh dear, someone is coming, better turn the heat off on my supper. But in a small hamlet the thumping means that three or four giggling preteens are taking a slight detour up the ramp and down the steps on their way somewhere as they disappear chattering into the dark. The month of December in the arctic is very festive with lots of social events - suppers, games, concerts…We cooked a turkey and two hams for the elders supper on Wednesday and it was a lovely evening with

Elders Supper

great food in the beautifully decorated recreation centre - seen here on the right. Anyone over 50 is deemed an elder so we were both cook and guests it turned out. The school concert scheduled for Tuesday evening is a community anticipated event. I made the executive decision as acting nurse in charge that we loan a small crutch for Tiny Tim to use…even though it required opening the plastic they were sealed in (thankfully have never been used in this community). Not difficult to get into the festive spirit anytime after September if it's cold and snow you require. When your greatest dilemma is whether the COOP will be getting eggnog flown in (the hunt for eggnog continues) ….life is good. I did dispense tylenol for a teething baby this afternoon….

My supper completed - and it was steak from the COOP - I was reminded of a story from a buddy at home yesterday who disclosed that his wife who wears many hats (trainer/fitness instructor / landscape designer / accountant) was enlisted to help out our German chef friend. It was unclear in the chat message how the poor 'button buck' became roadkill as in whether the chef found him on the road or his van did, but Germans being a practical and thrifty lot he was harvesting the meat and enlisted the aid of our fitness friend, who I am assuming was in the area of the carcass for some reason. As I messaged her husband "what I would not have given for photo or video capturing of their performance". It reminds me of the evening the shore captain was coming home from the plant and a partridge flew suicidally into the grill of his truck so he brought it home for supper - that was an expensive meal when the grill cost was factored in. Rednecks r us. 

Speaking of the shore captain…he has been working the long (even longer than usual) hours as expected this time of year. Apparently the catches are up, weather has been fairly good making for lots of hauls and the crustacean shells (at least in the beginning) were a bit soft so this translates to extra work on shore - attempting to grade, ship or store large amounts of perishable product as the holidays they are popular for approach. He took a few minutes last week to text me - shocked I was as he always says "you know I can't do that stuff". It was a completely blurry photo in which the subject could not be made out. I texted back "is this a photo?" and the (fat fingers) reply was "Y" so the next obvious question was "of who?" and the reply was spelled out with a space in between each letter as in for example A P P L E - which I'm informed his 'texting machine' does. I instructed him not to give up his day job for photography, but there is very little fear of that! He has also been known to call it his walkie talkie (he does pace with it I guess) and I sure have seen him put a few miles on in the living room while solving the problems of the world in his conversations. NOT missing that special form of torture this year. Glad to learn that the boy captain has hit his stride after the rocky start and had decent hauls with good quality lobsters. 

It's been a bit milder this weekend with -36c or so. It was -51c with the wind chill one day this week and so according to protocol school was closed. The home care visit that day required parka, ski pants, Pang hat, sealskin mitten and boots just to make it from the SUV to the door. Haven't been out since. I was doing a bit of online reading about the Canadian Arctic Expedition (WWI era) which includes info on the very spot I'm typing from: 

historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/hist/cae/indexe.shtml

The most intriguing part of my research included reference to a book entitled…Trapped in Ice which is a fictionalized account about part of the expedition. Now should you hear my daughters reading this blog, they will shout out at this point. The reason being that this book (in young readers format) was their brother's only book review for several years. We had purchased a hardcover copy of the story (perhaps in a bookstore on vacation travels?) and he thoroughly enjoyed it. So much so that it was the only book report he wrote for multiple years with a new teacher each time - much like the author who manages to lunch in Beverly Hills for weeks on a successful book launch. Wonder where that book is now…..

And speaking of things arctic, the local clerk has a three yr old granddaughter Lillian who is quite an entertainer. She has been recently speaking of wanting a baby sister (someone in preschool has one) and approached her mother holding her six month old brother Hayden this week stating "hey you got the wrong baby!" Good thing her bro does not yet understand that comment. I was unaware that there were squirrels in Inuvik but there are trees, it's quite a bit further south than Banks Island) so….apparently one varmint had been visiting their porch and stealing the dog food, storing it in boots etc. The mother of the house was checking on bread she'd baked and set to cool on the freezer and was 'attacked' by the squirrel which ran up her back, down her arm and bit her finger and thumb when she tried to retrieve the bread. She had made a few requests of her husband (who incidentally works for natural resources so this wasn't really an out of the way errand) to bring home a live trap and was adamant after the incident. Needless to say, the squirrel was captured the first day and so was taken for 'show and tell' to Lillian's preschool. When her father arrived she announced to her class "that's my father" and pointing to the cage "and that's his squirrel". Her Skype visits usually bring some fresh material for the clerk to regale us with. 

I was trolling FaceBook from home and a young mother posted a photo of two toddlers asleep in their carseats with the following script:

Me: come on guys stay awake, you can nap at home in bed. 

Daughter: NO, we like nap van. No nap at home. 

Me: we're almost home! 

Daughter: I said nap van!!!

I remember similar exchanges in the past in a van, which ended the same way…the struggle is real. 

I finished up my Web Science course and was intrigued to learn about a concept called IoT or the Internet of Things. A quote of the week intrigued me where it was stated that webpages traded in the currency of attention. Hmmm

Speaking of moving into the future…the Sudanese family being sponsored at home has arrived from the refugee camp in Kenya they've called home for many years. They first travelled by bus to Nairobi for three days of classes where they were instructed in 'how to be Canadians" and then I watched the progress of their flights from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to Zurich then Toronto and NS - winging their way to a new life. The sponsoring committee chronicles their catapult from rudimentary subsistence to the a developed life of the future in a series of internal posts about seat belts, taps, stoves etc. A huge adjustment for them. Will be looking forward to visiting them when I make my way home.

I had been attempting to keep a low profile with the manager (one of the pieces of advice from the departing on mat leave NIC) reinforced by my job share partner who instructs that emails should be very brief and to the point with just enough info so that a clarification reply is not required as she's very efficient. I've been doing okay, promptly replying, following instructions, not messaging unnecessarily until Thursday when I sent a purchase order for approval (all stock orders must have management approval) for toner for the colour printer. The manager queried why I wasn't ordering from Xerox so I advised that it was the colour printer not the photocopier/fax. She must've taken a second look and asked why I was ordering a toner cartridge from North of 60 Medical Solutions not Moe's Stationary? Good catch I can just see Paul's face at North of 60 wondering what a toner cartridge had to do with medical supplies. I promptly corrected the error with a note that sad "apologies'. So much for not getting noticed. It's not the clinical issues that will get me in trouble….

I have passed a quiet weekend, my roommate having temporarily deserted me for a visit home to celebrate the holidays early. When we exit the apartment we clean it for the incoming partner, but as I was in-house I suggested that wasn't necessary. However, she spent Thursday morning scrubbing and cleaning (my early Christmas present) and as much as I detest housework…a lovely gift it was. She skipped out the door with empty suitcases (to bring back goodies) stashed inside each other. She traveled to Inuvik and overnighted there on Thursday but as a light sleeper (something I cannot claim to be) she complained in a chat message that the gas fireplace kept coming on during the night and she alternately thought there was a fire or someone in the room so didn't sleep well. Friday she travelled Inuvik to

Crafters R Us

Edmonton overnighted and today was winging her way home having arrived this pm. She'll be back December 21st for 'our' holidays. The clerk left on Thursday too headed out for an appointment which will likely take 30 min. but will require a Thurs to Monday trip to Edmonton. She had plans for the malls and was pleased with the timing. I have crocheted some more Christmas decor - some of it seen here on the left including the crocheted forest of which (being treeless) we are most fond, done a minimal amount of housework and only relocated from the couch when absolutely necessary. Sewing was preempted for a mens activity at the recreation centre so I didn't even need to go out.  Ahhh. 

Quote of the day

Resting up as the next week will be my last full five day jaunt until February. There is a tele health clinic scheduled with the physician who looks after our community for Monday and Tuesday afternoon. He is unable to come over as his wife (another Dr) has given birth to their third child and he doesn't want to travel. We discussed what was appropriate for him to handle on tele health (obviously not injections or prenatal exams) and I contracted to send him any information required by Monday am. Friday afternoon was spent sourcing reports, phoning or messaging patients, pulling charts, and drawing up a schedule. Being a one man band while seeing patients means that it's good I can multitask. Now we'll see how many patients show up for their appointments…being held in the afternoon as mornings are a problem for getting up….just sayin

Eggnog season is coming…..

I saw a FaceBook status by one of the shore captain's employee's wives and it read 'welcome to non existent husband season' which pretty much sums up this time of year at home. Mind you, with the life partner there aren't many seasons which I'd describe as existent husband season. When people ask how my husband is managing with me away for eight week rotations I usually state that he likely hasn't noticed I'm gone for a couple of weeks with the usual hours he keeps. 

I cannot pretend that I am missing the drama and gnashing of teeth that go with the lobster season though. As a former co-worker commented "no sleep, washing stinky clothes and making lunches…I'm packing to come with you". And this year was a particularly nerve wracking one on several fronts with several men overboard on the first day - one was a fatality, another two fell in when the boat railing with gear collapsed into the water entangling them in rope and buoys but they managed to extricate themselves, one being airlifted to hospital. A local young fellow got a cold dunking but was quickly retrieved and back out on the boat to set the second load of traps. 

The boy captain was ready early, the boat is only two years old and he had been running the boat recently when halibut fishing (as opposed to those lying at the wharf since last May),  and was all excited last weekend when I called to wish him well. On the way in from setting his first load of traps he heard an engine noise and then the games began. Major mechanical trouble, unable to get the remainder of his gear set as there was no replacement boat to be found and no one with enough time to take them out. Tied to the what for two days as everyone came and went landing record catches and he and the diesel mechanic scrambled to find second hand parts to fix the problem (new parts would not have arrived for a week). His girlfriend described him as 'devastated' and I am sure he was, especially after being so excited on Monday. The most lucrative 48 hrs of the richest lobster season in the world and... Apparently the secretary at the plant told him to "sit down you're making me nervous" because of his pacing so he didn't go to the office on the second day.  Finally with four hour return trips in two different directions, parts were sourced and the repairs completed. They left Wednesday night with relief and stayed until the gale force winds forced them in 24 hrs later. Apparently there have been no more crises and the only issue was a verbal altercation on the wharf with another fisherman who accused him of 'setting gear over top of him' which would be a physical impossibility as the boy captain was two days behind everyone else getting his outside gear in the water. Lack of sleep and frayed nerves likely contributed to his response. He does well, so hopefully will catch up and has halibut quota still remaining. As I said to his girlfriend "it's only money, what would we do if he didn't come home?" and she gets it, but still a bitter pill for someone who is smart, a hard worker, careful and maintains his gear and equipment. Hard for his father to watch as well I'm sure, especially when there is nothing anyone can do to help. 

We've been entertained here by the two relief RCMP in for a couple of weeks - an older guy (was Navy first career) now in Inuvik, the other posted to Tuktoyaktuk. They came to the flulapalooza we had on Thursday - muffins and cookies with tea/coffee. In fact, they and the social worker over from Ulu for two days were our only guests. While they were visiting a call came from dispatch over their radio and they were momentarily excited (one call per month is busy for here) but it was notification that a pair of locally crafted slippers had been marked down. The negotiation was getting serious. Since they had been posted to various communities in the Sahtu region they educated us on 'hand games' which is an activity the Dene play - bluffing. It involves two teams, a trinket held in the hand, drumming, singing, yelling and lots of gestures. Community, regional and territorial tournaments and $30,000 pots to be won. We watched a Youtube of it in wonderment. Who knew? They regaled us with stories of inappropriate comments being made by someone and the younger fellow stated he was concerned enough to think "stop, you're going to say something I can't unhear  and I'm going to have to do something about it because of the uniform I'm wearing". Yup, I hear ya buddy - nurses think the same thing at times. 

Indian Swap

I haven't been doing much coursework on Web Science the past few days as last evening we went to meat pack bingo (two free cards sponsored by the hamlet) and yes…I won a ham. On my door prize ticket as I am not good at bingo or not lucky or both. The two new RCMP friends came along and one of them was extremely lucky winning several games (including sides or more completely described as 

Bingo ham

side games where you contribute money). By the time he won the third game we were discussing if he should put his flak jacket on and how fast he could run to the RCMP truck should he win the jackpot. His partner assured me that he was pretty speedy having given the school kids a run for it during their daily gym sessions. Thankfully, he was only set for the big game. What lucky cards he had! There was something called Indian Swap (not my politically incorrect name - the local one) which is a like a Yankee Swap where you bring a present. It involved bringing a present to exchange, dice and standing around a big table - not our thing, we babysat a very cute baby while his family competed. In the first bingo game my roommate won a box of pork chops (which we'll donate to the elders Christmas hampers) as well. As we walked home with our prizes we were discussing whether polar bears like ham or pork chops best….

Christmas hamper

We had pork chops and broccoli for supper actually as we ordered from Stanton's this week. First our groceries arrived - a wheelchair full and then on Thursday our Christmas hamper came. This is from our employer and contained a 7kg turkey, potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mandarin oranges and gourmet chocolates. This from our employer is the equivalent to the free Christmas dinner nurses get 'down south' when working the holiday. Think the clerk has convinced her husband to cook the staff dinner for all of us - we shall not go hungry, that is for sure. We have plans for the elders hampers to be packed and delivered and a Christmas tea at the health centre for the community on Christmas Eve. 

We've been crocheting some Christmas decorations for our apartment and it's beginning to look somewhat festive.  There is a little collection of trees (we are after all above the tree line) and the local teacher asked about how our 'forest' was coming along. We took a break from those crafts to attend sewing class for a while tonight - need to find some motivation to finish up those sealskin slippers. Lots of talk about the various holiday activities here in the community this month - feasts, Inuit games, craft sale - all sorts of possibilities to amuse oneself. 

Work continues at its sedate pace and that suits two 'mature' nurses just fine. We ordered off the email flyer from North of 60 Medical Supplies advertising a 'road closure sale' . This even though we don't know what road is closed…the Dempster Highway maybe? It's the time of year the ice roads are just beginning to open…My partner had a bit of 'moment' last weekend where she stated at bedtime that she " didn't dare go to bed just yet, might get a call"…..I inquired as to if she'd had aTIA or her meds worn off? You're on call in a community of 100 not 1000+  people, the phone doesn't ring. Oh yeah…."forgot where I was" she said. Medical travel continues to fill our time - especially at this time of year when an appointment also offers the opportunity of shopping in either Inuvik, Yellowknife or even Edmonton. Located this close to Santaland you wouldn't think shopping should be such an issue. I was having a discussion with the COOP manager about whether eggnog was going to be stocked and he indicated that he was trying but….I indicated to him the seriousness of the situation and threatened to order via food mail - the only card I have to play. We shall see. There will be eggnog! Actually, my roommate is going home to Moncton and her list is long so that is the Plan B. We do not plan to be eggnog less here. 

         

The plan for tomorrow includes baking  cranberry scones and lemon pie. Hopefully starting at 4 am means the shore captain will have a few minutes for FaceTime by evening, been keeping some pretty long hours…..