Hi Meme, nice to see you on CC, I can understand how you feel, I have a friend in Ont. that lost her husband 14 months ago, we talk on the phone a lot, as she is soooooo lonely, I stayed with them for 3 months and he was a wonderful man who did all the outdoor chores at home and the cottages, so she has her hands full, but sadly, too many friends and family, 'forget' she is there and do not ask her along to meals, legion etc., being alone, as I know, seems to leave one out in the cold when it comes to socializing.
I am "hoping" that I can sort things out here and get back to Canada and spend more time with her, it would be "forever" if only I could find a way!
Sorry YF, I should try harder to post, as I said, I can sit here and no words come to mind, well, maybe they would come over as too negative, so I just don't say anything! I am lonely too and winter does not help as you all know.
NO!!!!!
I WISH it would snow where I live, it might get down to around zero and below on some nights, but on the coast we just don't see snow at all, the only places are the alpine areas in Vic. NSW and in Tasmania, we don't have very high or very many... mountains, so those small areas are the only places to see real snow and they are having a great season on the ski fields so far.
When I feel that icy wind here, I know they are getting snow all that far away, we never get told the wind chill, but I can tell you, after almost 50C in summer, that wind is sure cold, BUT!! I LOVE it. haha
Aleida, sorry, I think you had just left on your trip when I finished the Tiger and the Polar Bears, I will post again with the photos, when I can find them! Yes, I will keep coming in, I only wish I can be here same time as you all, I really could do with "real time friends"! 
Hey Cathy, good luck with that baby, I am as excited as everyone else for you, my "baby" will be 30 on 21st!!
Waving to Char, emc, meesh,eva and pat, hope you all had a great day, best wishes to those south of the Canadian border for the 4th!!!
Hugs Lotte