Not a Great Start to the Day ....

With the - 82 million degrees outside, we've worked hard all week to make sure that all our systems are functioning just fine. Feeling good about it last night after reading that some community members have had issues with their furnaces or pipes freezing. So it was a bit of a shock this morning to wake up to our daughter quietly but firmly knocking on our door to tell is that they were hearing a banging noise coming from the furnace in the lower level. Ugh! Out of bed we shot and within minutes, we were on the phone to our local heating company. Thankfully, they could come out today. BUT because it's a weekend, the fee will be a bit higher. In the long run, I'd pay anything to make sure the furnace is working and we don't end up with frozen pipes, which would be a bigger issue. It's mystery to us why in 8 years, with a brand new build, that we'd have any issues with the system. When we were in Disneyland in November 2022, our neighbor came in to check on the cottage each day, and one day, found it cooler than it should have been. He discovered our blower fan had died and he was able to replace it for us, warming up the cottage again, and all was well. Different furnace and different issue but still frustrating. 

Liam was our hero today. He arrived about 20 minutes ahead of the predicted time and within a very short time, he had diagnosed the issue. And then a fix, more checking of the system, a hot chocolate while he worked and then he did a walk around outside as well. Reassured us that we've done everything right, we're safe and the system is now just fine. Relieved and thankful for his time.

Tonight, we received alerts on our phones that the power grid across our Province cannot handle the load as everyone tries to stay warm. So we're all being asked to shut off anything that is not essential, gather blankets and candles, and settle down for a night that may include rolling power outages in order to ensure everyone has some power. We've got one lamp on and are currently charging up our phones for the night. Not looking forward to a night of uncertainty but we'll do our best and keep all of us warm. 

Hope wherever you are, you are safe, warm and together.

~ Chy

Almost Done.

Our cold snap, this Polar Vortex, has

been keeping us inside for more than

a week now. By next Tuesday, we will

be engulfed with a bit of a warming

trend ~ a very balmy ~ 8 C. I do truly

can't wait to feel outside again. And

to see our gardening sprout to life. I

hope this cold is the last of Winter!!

~ Chy

Polar Vortex.

After months of pretty good Winter weather,

starting today, we're heading into a Polar Vortex.

Not much snow is predicted. But very low

and dangerous temperatures are on the way.

By Monday, we could be as long as - 40 C

and with the windchill, it could hit in the

low - 50's. This is rare and the last time we

are told it hit was in 1972. I'm hopeful that

we'll be just fine in our cozy little cottage.

But I worry about others who have no home

or have limited resources. Lots of posts on

FB today with offers of help. Kindess reigns.

Stay warm this weekend! We'll be cozied up

to our fireplace and some long awaited Netflix!

~ Chy