American Protectionism Sends Chill Through Canadian Politicians

Am I surprised that the American President inserted a protectionist clause into the bail out package? Nope, not in the least. I've sensed that this could happen for some time and maybe it's time for Canada to become protectionist as well. It has been said that protectionism caused America to go from a recession to the depression in the 30's. Is it a good thing...maybe, maybe not, read and decide.

Guess he was serious after all when he said he wanted to reopen NAFTA. Or maybe, just maybe, he's going to try to use this as a bargaining chip to get us to stay in Afghanistan beyond our official end date, you think?

Will be very interesting to watch how that will affect his popularity with the Canadian public once they realize that this could really cost them jobs. Remember, 95 percent of Canadians would have voted for him if they could. Canada is America's largest trading partner, I hope he remembers it goes both ways.

He's coming to Canada mid February, should be interesting.

Was He Or Wasn't He?

...The President of The United States for the last 24 hours?

Appears that due to the flub at yesterdays Inauguration with the wording of the Oath of Office, it was repeated just moments ago, CNN reports.

With all the money that this thing cost you'd think they'd have a teleprompter or something for the Judge to make sure he got the words right?

One Word - Weird

I don't think I've ever seen anything this weird before. The snow actually extends more than a foot out from the roof and then about two feet down. What's holding it in place? Beats the heck out of me but I sure don't want to be standing under it when it decides to crash down.

On the eye front, scored an appointment with a retinal surgeon, mid February...grrr
Until then I'm still half blind.

It's Only Just Begun

I'm dreaming of winter being over but really I know it's only just really begun. Overnight we were blessed with 15 cm of snow (6 inches) and that in and of itself isn't a lot. But when you combine it with what's already on the ground and hasn't been cleaned by our wonderful city fathers, it's a lot.
We have now had 100 cm (39 inches) since this winter began and I'm sure we have a long way to go. We thought last year was bad but this one is shaping up to be even worse.

Pretty though...

Meanwhile in Calgary where we spent two weeks at -25 praying for a Chinook, they now have one. It's +14 C there today and I'm certain my offspring is walking around in shorts and t-shirt.

And I'm still half blind in one eye and waiting patiently for my Tuesday appointment with the eye doc. I wake up every morning hoping it was just a bad dream and I can see, but it's not and I cant.

A Quick Update

As much as I want to visit my favourite blogs, I find myself unable to focus on reading or even my favourite pastime, knitting.

I saw an Optometrist today who diagnosed my eye problem as a pseudo hole in the Macular with peripheral retina breaks. In plain English I have lost vision in my right eye right in the center and it causes the vision to be blurry.

For the moment there is no retinal detachment, although the danger exists. There is a follow up appointment next week plus some eye photos in the future to determine how big the hole and if repair is a possibility.

The thought that I will not be able to see well sends shivers down my spine and almost makes life unbearable.

Just as I was about to push the publish button, my husband yelled from the basement that there was a flood. The hot water tank broke and we've just spent the last hour mopping up and picking up carpet tiles. It doesn't end...

Another Quiet Sunday

I've been having some problems of late with my right eye, floaters I'm told which will either go away or I will get used to.

Last night I noticed that it was becoming difficult to read and knit and realized that I'd lost half the vision in my right eye. I went to bed hoping it was just a case of over tiredness but by this morning it had only gotten worse. On top of that I was loosing my balance and was slightly nauseous.

A trip to the ER was in order thinking that maybe I was having a small stroke or some such nonsense. A thorough examination followed including a brain scan to make certain nothing strange was growing there, a stroke test and then I was sent home without resolution. I didn't have a stroke and I don't have a brain tumour so what the heck is causing my vision problem.

In spite of the problems with our health care system and the long waits in the ER, the moment I said I was having vision problems and I felt dizzy I was put to the front of the line.

Tomorrow I hope to score an appointment with the eye guy who hopefully can solve this problem. After spending six hours in the hospital we came out to our car to discover it wouldn't start. The battery was dead, dead and more dead. We eventually got rescued by CAA but only after repeated phone calls...they went to the wrong hospital. So tired, cold and hungry and still can't see, bummer. I hope your Sunday was better...

We're Home

We've left the deep freeze of Calgary behind only to arrive to mountains of snow in our driveway and on the cars with a snow storm heading our way tomorrow.

Initially we were meant to leave yesterday but bad weather in Vancouver delayed our flight. Making a decision that we really didn't want to arrive in Toronto after midnight only to come home to a cold house with no food, WestJet was kind enough to change our flight to this morning without any charges. Aren't they kind...actually I love WestJet. It's a cut rate airline that doesn't feed you but you can buy food on board or bring your own. Drinks are provided any time you want them and they actually do two trolley runs on a 4 hour flight. Maybe Olympic Airlines could learn a thing or two from them.

The flight crew are friendly and helpful and a wheelchair was waiting for me at both ends without even having to ask. Now that's service.

I now have four suitcases of stuff to unpack and put away, groceries to buy, and Steve has to shovel out the cars.

And we miss this little girl terribly...and yes, she's wearing the right shirt.

Okay, okay...we miss her parents too. And now I'm going to sleep for a couple of days.

Do I Really Have To?

Wear this shirt...

A little male bonding between the offspring and the hubby. They went to a hockey game between the Calgary Flames and the San Jose Sharks and the Flames rewarded their attendance by winning 5-2. Steve's really a Toronto Maple Leaf fan but since they're in the dumpster these days he gladly cheered for the Flames.

Ti and me stayed home and did our own little bonding by knitting...

Tomorrow we leave Calgary and head back to Toronto with much sadness, well except for the weather. Can't say I'll miss that.

Just Imagine... This Your Backyard

The friendly elk...

And this your town...

Or maybe spending a couple of nights at the Banff Springs Hotel...

Priceless...

A New Year Has Begun...

With bright sunshine and some nice temperatures. It's about 0 C, which is definitely more manageable than the -25 C or so we've had most of this vacation. It is meant to last the whole week.

New Year's eve found us playing a neat board game struggling to stay awake to midnight. My new favourite game, Carcassonne..

You pick up tiles and build a world. So far I haven't won yet but I'll keep trying. My color is gray and there is nothing gray on that board.

On New Years Day Steve got the flu and we just kind of chilled waiting for him to recover. The plan was to go to Banff on Saturday, finally...but best laid plans an all that.

Sunday morning I woke with a migraine but decided that we were going no matter what. Popped some drugs and away we went. It was a beautiful day to drive to the mountains but cold. I think the high for the day was -11 and there was a real strong wind blowing.

It was a beautiful drive. More tomorrow...