Snow Day

Today I awoke to the sound of tires spinning and shovelling in our complex. I could not believe all the vehicles that were stuck, I could go from window to window and see stranded cars. As the day progressed, I enjoyed watching my neighbors come out of their houses to help everyone out. I even helped my neighbor when Karter was sleeping. In return, he helped me shovel out my empty parking stall that was buried in snow. I really felt a sense of community today as everyone was helping each other. Then the bobcats came out and all the commotion subsided.

Until ... I looked out the window and noticed the bobcat was piling all snow on my recently shovelled parking stall. I was livid. By this point my stall had snow packed higher than my vehicle. I went out and told the bobcat man that he was putting all the snow in my stall. Which I do not understand bc it was the only shovelled stall in the complex. He said that he was just putting it where he could and did not know when it would be removed. So ... I will be phoning the condo board tomorrow. It just ticks me off that we pay these guys in our condo fees to remove it and that I also paid for my parking stall. Also, if Mark was home one of us would have no where to park.

So ... for now I will watch the neighbor kids use my parking stall as a tobogganing hill. On the flip side, maybe tomorrow Karter and I will go tobogganing. Lol.

I have included two pictures. The top one is of everyone helping each other out. Notice in the bottom left corner my shovelled parking stall. And now the tobogganing hill.

It's a Girl

Mark and I are pleased to announce the newest addition to our family. We have decided to sponsor a child through Plan Canada. Her name is Rubiela and I think she is beautiful. She is two years old and lives in Yalaguina, Madriz. Some interesting facts about her family/community: Her father is a street hawker (travels around selling items) and her mother is a housewife. They live in an adobe (brick) house with a metal roof. Their family obtains water from an open community well ONE km away from their home!! Most wells are not hygenic. They share toilet facilities with their neighbors and relatives and the nearest health facility is two hours away.

Mark has always wanted to sponsor a child. I like the fact that we can help a child live a life where her basic needs can be met, including food, water, health care, and an education. I also like the impact this could have on Karter, growing up and exchanging letters with her. I think this is a good life lesson. I was a bit skeptical at first, wondering how much of our donation will really reach her. But, being the accountant that I am, I reviewed their audited financial statements and annual report. Approximately 80% of our contributions go to the children. Oh, and it is a tax write off. Lol. I am such a dorky accountant.

In deciding what child to sponsor, I chose a community where it was needed most. In Madriz, child sexual exploitation among girls is very common and there is a high degree of poverty and malnutrition.

On a person note, I really wanted to sponsor a girl. Just because if Mark and I are not blessed with a girl of our own, we still have Rubiela. I am very excited to start writing her letters and sending her pictures. I want to send pics of our family, the snow, maybe Mark will slip in a picture of the Roughriders. Lol.