Glimpses of Life – Page 99

The Highway of Tears

In British Columbia, Canada, a section of Highway 16 is called the Highway of Tears.

Since 1969, many unsolved murders and disappearances of young women have occurred giving the highway it’s nickname. Eighteen of these show enough similarities that lead authorities to believe there is a link to tie the case together.

In a PBS Frontline article, Amnesty International is quoted as estimating that as many as 32 aboriginal Canadian women have gone missing in the last 3 decades.

I’m not sure how much coverage has been given to these murders and disappearances as I only heard about it recently and only because someone told me about it.

How tragic that all these lives have been lost and so many families have suffered the loss of their loved one.

To read the Wikipedia article click here.

House Hunting in Minnesota

A home we went to view, built in 2004, boasts this fantastic kitchen with top of the line appliances.

Kitchen in a Minnesota Home

The house is on one level with a lower level walkout. (A walkout means that there is a door that you can walk out of to leave the lower level.)

Very nice house. Have not decided yet if we will make an offer as it does not meet two of our requirements — a sun porch (they are common in Minnesota) and the property in the back views the backs of other homes in the neighborhood instead of being private.

Other than that — a very nice house. Oh — I said that already didn’t I?

House Hunting in Minnesota

Having lived in the Fremont neighborhood in Seattle, Washington, I’ve seen many odd things.

And what a surprise to see a Fremont-like atmosphere in Stillwater, Minnesota. This is the two-door gate to the house we entered.

Stillwater, Minnesota

The ceiling was white and had a strange half-moon texture.

Stillwater, Minnesota

Are you kidding me? A telephone booth in the living room.

Telephone booth in living room, Stillwater, Minnesota

These owners are very “differented” thinking. In the summer, you can sit outside on one of these two chairs and enjoy the chandelier lighting. Unique indeed.

Stillwater, Minnesota

This is not a home we’re considering purchasing as it needs a lot of work. But the sellers are doing their best to get it ready for the right buyer.

House Hunting in Minnesota

Stillwater, Minnesota

We were scheduled to view a home on 10 acres in Stillwater, Minnesota today.

The driveway was very long, snowy, and the area was treed. Very beautiful.

Stillwater, Minnesota

When we first pulled up to the property, the first thing I noticed was the beautiful wood garage doors.

When our realtor unlocked the front door, we were greeted by a man — the owner? Although our realtor had the security code that was given to her by the owner, the man told her he had canceled the appointment.

We were able to sneak a peek at the living room and saw floor to ceiling windows which had a beautiful view.

Not sure why the seller wouldn’t let us walk through the house. Perhaps they were distracted by the pregame events of the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears game.

House Hunting in Hudson, Wisconsin

This home is not far from downtown Hudson.

Hudson, Wisconsin Home

It sits on 3 acres of beautiful land and has many evergreens surrounding it.

Hudson, Wisconsin Home

We are considering buying this house however, in doing some research, we found that there was contamination in the well water a few years ago. The house has a special filter and the company that was responsible for the contamination pays yearly to have the water checked.

Since I am sensitive to chemicals, fragrances, etc. I am a little hesitant about making an offer without having more information on the water situation.

It’s very cozy inside. The livingroom is not very large but will fit a loveseat and 2 chairs. The dining room has ample space for our dining set. There is a beautiful sun room that overlooks the property.

The kitchen does not have oak cabinets. Thankfully! Not sure what the cabinets are made out of, maybe cherry?

There are 3 bedrooms upstairs along with 2 full baths and a half bath on the main floor. Not sure where any of our elderly friends might sleep unless they go upstairs.

The floor planks on the main level are 3 inch or so wide. Very pretty.

The basement is not completed yet but is framed for a bedroom, bathroom and family room.

Very nice home on a very beautiful lot.

House Hunting

A house that has an indoor hockey rink.

I thought I had seen it all. Moving to Minnesota has certainly opened my eyes to the value that people put on certain things.

Click here to see the listing.

Minnesota Weather

Too cold in Minnesota. Our squirrels are freezing to death.

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/weather/frozen-squirrel-minnesota-jan-20-2011

Minnesota Living

Moving to Minnesota from Seattle, Washington comes with a few challenges.

Since all of our possessions are in storage in Seattle until we buy a house, we are renting an apartment including the furniture, linens and kitchenware.

Sounds simple enough.

Everything looked so pretty when we entered the apartment the first day. Furniture in place, kitchen items in place, towels in the bathroom. Yes, pretty simple.

Coming from a large house to a 2 bedroom apartment, we received 4 of everything. Four plates, four bowls, four glasses, four spoons, four forks, etc. (We bought the 4 mugs to match.) laughs

We go through 4 things pretty quickly.

Then there’s the quality of the things that we rent. The sharpest knife doesn’t cut very well, the bowls are too small (or perhaps we eat too much?), the cheese grater doesn’t grate very well unless you count the grating it does on my nerves.

I long for my possessions in the land of Seattle much like the Israelites longed for the things they left behind in the land of Egypt when they were called by God to leave it.

I’m sometimes tempted to go out and buy a blender, a sharp knife, more dishes, etc. But then, we’d have double everything when our possessions from Seattle arrive in HOPEFULLY the next month.

No — leading a simple life is not too bad. I am really blessed just to have food on our table and clothes on our back.

So for now – I am thankful. Even if a little agitated.

Minnesota Weather

It’s -14 degrees here in Woodbury, Minnesota.

New Minnesotans, such as myself, were reminded that it only takes 10 minutes to get hypothermia in this weather. It’s enough to make one stay inside. Yet even inside, my bones feel chilled. I can’t seem to get warm this morning even with a long sleeve thermal shirt and a sweater.

Touching the cold computer makes me colder.

We expect a high of 6 degrees today.

Time to make some soup.

Minnesota Weather

We’re supposed to wake up to -11 degrees tomorrow morning with a possible windchill of -20 to -30 degrees.

A wee bit cold. It’s kind’ve funny how the body adjusts to the weather. I walk outside and it’s 7 degrees, sunny and it feels good. Of course, I don’t stay out for hours at a time, or even very many minutes. (laughs)

I do wonder if my frozen face (the only thing not covered when I go outside) will have permanent wrinkles or if they will slowly fade away once spring arrives. I can only hope for the fading.