Our New Town

February has sped by quickly as we get to know our new town and enjoy the daily rhythm we have found in our wonderful "transition home" with the family.

Though it's a drive now to see friends, it's manageable, and I find myself acclimating to our new little town very well.  There are several things I already love about it.

At the beginning of the month, Dan’s niece, Breeanna, came for a weekend visit, and we went with her to the indoor pool in town.  It’s not just a pool.  It's a water park!  They have a lap pool with a high dive, a big pool with a wave-maker, a whirl pool, a hot tub, and two big water slides.  We all had a blast.  The biggest event was watching Breeanna take her first dive off the high dive…a painful landing, but quite impressive, as she had just learned to dive that day! Brave girl!  Dan made a game of challenging people to float around the whirlpool hugging a giant blown-up ball - without touching the bottom. Hilarious fun!  Dan and I got set up with passes, so we can go any time at the local rate.  They have a gym there, too, and a sauna. Faaaancy.

  

The Sportsplex

My mum-in-law, Leslie, took me to the community track the other week where we did a few laps to stretch our legs and burn some calories.  Beside keeping up with my prental pilates, it's nice to have somewhere outdoorsy to go that's safe and away from the exhaust and traffic.  It's an awesome track!  We checked out their free outdoor gym, as well.  They have all sorts of contraptions that use your own weight to strengthen every part of your body.  Sweet.  Dan is stoked to work it into his new exercise regime.

A quick note on free stuff...parking everywhere here is free.  That may sound unimpressive, but in the city, you have to pay to park anywhere, even at the hospital!  Absolutely atrocious.  I like this town.

The Town Hall

For Valentines’ Day, Dan took me to a classy restaurant in the downtown, where I had the biggest steak I’ve ever seen in my life.  It was a lovely time!  We were right outside the little town square.  It’s adorable.  Surrounded by art galleries, boutiques, and other random shops of various curiosities and cuisine, the classy old town hall stands next to a cobble stone square with a rounded stage for community events.  In summer, I’m sure it’s absolutely darling for a shopping adventure on a whim.

A picturesque little chapel in town

There are many wonderful churches in town…there is one street in particular that has maybe five or six in the span of a mile.  We’ve learned that churches are all very friendly and interactive with each other, getting together for events and ministries in town.  I think that’s just fabulous.  We have been going to the church that Dan’s parents call home, and have enjoyed it very much.  Though large, with over 700 people coming to worship there on a Sunday, it’s a very serving, warm church, where everyone seems to have found a place to serve and give of themselves.  We heard tell of a Christmas Day meal they served in town for those who wouldn’t otherwise get it, and there were so many volunteers to help that Dan’s parents were put on a waiting list to help!  That’s beautiful.  We look forward to making friends and meeting lovely people to serve with and grow with as the weeks go by.

My mum-in-law has also introduced my to all the best places to shop for groceries in town.  There’s a farmer’s market a bit down the highway that sells as much local produce as possible, and they are quite reasonably priced.  That’s where Leslie buys her fresh produce and deli meats (there’s always one on sale).  You get 10% off at Safeway, every second Tuesday of the month, which is Customer Appreciation Day.  That’s where she stocks up on the nicer, more quality items every month. Then there is Thrifties and Superstore (our local Winco), for all the mundane items.  I’m learning my way around.  Can’t wait to fill our new home with good things! 

Another thing about grocery shopping in Canada…many of the stores require $0.25 to use a cart.  You do get it back when you're done, and I guess it helps carts not to disappear, but it was a shame the first time I encountered the system, as I had forgotten my change purse.

So, the weeks have rolled by, with enjoyable evenings at our parents’ house, sharing meals, chatting by the woodstove with our tea and hot cocoa, or snuggling up for some charming British drama, usually an episode of BBC’s version of Dicken’s Little Dorrit or Downton Abbey.  Those Brits know how to dress up drama with great class.  We all agree.  

It’s been a good month.  What a blessing it is to be where we are right now.