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You know you're from Saskatchewan when... you think everyone from a bigger city is stuck up. Also found on the Calgary Herald Q.I was one of those people who talked smack about Saskatchewan. I never understood what the big draw was to it. I had so many questions about the people who lived there: Why were Riders fans so hardcore? Why were they fans of the Riders? How could people live in such a straight, flat province? Why was the real estate cheaper there? Does everyone drive a honkin’ huge truck? Is everyone a farmer? Are they called Saskatchewanites or Saskatchewanniens?  These were all questions I eagerly wanted to find the answers to as I took my first ever trip east of Calgary and ventured to the 5th largest urban centre in Saskatchewan, Yorkton. All packed up and ready to go, I ventured out to the flat province in hopes for some answers and some gorgeous pictures.Before leaving the big city, I researched the town of Yorkton and the real estate they had available. Since working in the real estate industry, I have a bit of a fascination for what the house prices are, the type of houses, etc. After checking out MLS.ca, I found the house which I refer to as “my cutest little house on the prairie” and was determined to find it. This hidden gem (depending who you ask) is listed for the very reasonable price of $7,650 and comes with a fair chunk of land. I could live in Yorkton happily and debt free… for at least a couple months. The first thing I noticed is that it’s actually kinda pretty. Not only could you see lush rolling hills of farms every way you looked, but there were tons of cows and horses and a never-ending skyline for as far as the eye can see. It was gorgeous. No wonder people are moving there. Calgary has become a difficult city to live in; even the civic, provincial and federal government has said an annual salary of $32,000 (after taxes) is necessary to afford a one-bedroom apartment in the city. It’s also harder to get around with the increasing number of cars and amount of construction around every corner. It’s definitely not hard to find a job, but finding a job which will pay you enough to ensure your monthly bills are paid is a little more of a challenge. On more than one occasion since I have been back in the big city, I have thought about writing a cheque for the little piece of real estate in Yorkton and moving there and living in Saskatchewan. Not only would it be a completely different lifestyle (as I am clearly a city person) but I would be joining the ever growing movement of Albertans who are packing their things and heading east to the land of cheaper living. Posted by Bella at 7:42 AM# Ever have one of those days where you are so sick and tired of hearing about something and someone just keeps bringing it up? Ahh Mika. I know what it's like. It's like my lack of love for the pink movement.Posted by Bella at 7:58 AM# Need something witty and thought-provoking to scroll through? Look no further. Check out PostSecret.
Posted by Bella at 7:25 AM# Looking for some heart-warming-make-you-wanna-hug-your-neighbour type movie? Posted by Bella at 7:20 AM# Diamonds might not be every girls best friend... but they sure are pretty. Meghan O'Rourke breaks down the history of the diamond engagement ring and why it seems like more of a SOLD sign than love.Ok so I don't totally agree with her... but she has a couple points. Nevertheless, I'm still looking forward to the diamond I might end up with on my finger one day. Posted by Bella at 9:46 PM# Dumbest campaign song ever in the history of ever. I was impressed that Hillary went the extra mile to try to relate with the people who are potentially voting for her. But seriously, Celine Dion? What the crap does a French Canadian's song have to do her going for the big seat?I was thinking maybe... Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood. Heh. Posted by Bella at 6:39 AM# Here's to not being normal.  After maybe 2 and a half months of living this gluten / wheat / dairy free life... I think I finally have the hang of it. I mean, it's not fun - but I've become good friends with a rather tasty veggie - cucumbers. Why didn't anyone tell me they were this delish?After losing somewhere in the vicinity of... 30 lbs... I hoofed it into the doctor today thinking he was going to tell me I'm in desperate need of a cheeseburger or something. But he ended up telling me quite the contrary. "Are you feeling better?" "Haven't felt this good in ages. I have tons of energy and was able to fit into a bathing suit nicely which worked well considering it's the summer." He cocked his eyebrow and looked at me. "I would have been concerned with you if you were cutting those foods out of your diet and didn't lose any weight. This is to be expected. You should be evening out now." "Woot woot!" I have these super delish dishes: rice pasta, gluten/wheat/dairy/egg free pizza crusts... rice puffs, all the chicken and tuna and beef imaginable. MMmmm beef. You should come over and I'll make something for you... :) Posted by Bella at 6:13 PM# Late night thought. I have too many clothes, shoes, boxes, necklaces, socks and underwear to fit into a normal size closet. I would like this:  Posted by Bella at 1:07 AM# More snaps of the cutest little place on the prairie. You just have to vision what potential this place could have.  Posted by Bella at 11:14 PM# This will be Monday's song. Posted by Bella at 7:16 AM# Have you ever seen a guy honk at himself for stopping at a green light? Super stoked, piled in the car on Friday and we were off on a 1000km trek across the great prairies of Alberta and Saskatchewan to a little place (which is apparently the 5th largest urban centre in the province of Saskatchewan) called Yorkton, population 15,000. I had never been east so this was going to be wicked exciting for me... everyone else in the car however... thought it was all old hat and not as exciting.  Stopped in Maple Creek for lunch at Carolines Drive Thru, highly recommended by Taryn. Taryn and Ian enjoyed the food... unfortunately there was nothing on the menu that I could eat so I indulged in a little banana.A brief lunch and we were back on the highway for some more exceptional music and even more gorgeous scenery. Again, only I was enjoying it. The others were sleeping or reading. Stopped in Swift Current for gas and then nonstop driving til Regina. Regina til the most gorgeous valley ever... Qu'Appelle Valley. Goddamn it was pretty there.  Another hour or 3 later (after a while - time didn't really matter anymore - ya'll I was in Saskatchewan!) we were in Yorkton and looking for the hotel. As a side note - if you ever have to stop in Yorkton, do yourself a favour and book a hotel in Melville instead. The Best Western really wasn't all it was suppose to be - sure, there was a waterslide, hot tub and pool - but all of the above gave us a rash (which I am still fighting). The room smelt like pool and the bed felt like a pile of rocks. Eugh.
Who would have thunk to have a reception in a greenhouse? Well Karm and Dave did and it was gorgeous - never in a million years would I think to have an event there. (That's definitely going in the scrapbook of great ideas!)
Posted by Bella at 2:53 AM# Stupid Calgary weather... fuck...  Deerfoot Trail & 32 Avenue NE Deerfoot Trail & 32 Avenue NE  Glenmore Trail and Macleod Trail South Glenmore Trail and Macleod Trail South Posted by Bella at 12:18 AM# Boldly going where I have never gone before... This weekend I am off to Yorkton, Saskatchewan to experience the everything Saskatchewan. Now, I have never been to this exciting province so I am getting a little gitty about it. Best part about the trip is the house I'm going to buy. Go ahead and laugh, but it's seriously only $7,650 (which means mortgage payments could be like... $50 a month if I do the 25-year mortgage) of 480 sq ft goodness.Can't forget my chequebook... Anyways, my good friend Dave is getting hitched over the weekend to some cute Saskatchewan belle. They're engagement story - adorable. It's so very Dave. Posted by Bella at 7:23 AM# Goodbye, Penny Lane. About 1 a.m. on Monday night - the wrecking ball and crew were out in full force knocking down this beautiful old building.Sigh.  Posted by Bella at 2:24 AM# |
