Originally Posted by Ruby Murray

Ah Tableland!! I never thought my beginnings of B.E. would come round and bite me in the butt!! You have a very good memory - even though I changed my user name since then!!

Oh the Winters are BRUTAL here.....evil! We've had cold, so cold it's been deadly. Our journey down to Calgary airport for our flight back to Manchester in January almost ended in an accident for us as our truck hit a patch of black ice and visibility was shocking due to blowing snow. I've seen it, lived it, and don't like it! You're exactly right about the first 3 winters....bang on!! Our first winter, we bought ice-skates and sleds and were out at every opportunity. The second winter, we were both working hard and were too bloody knackered to bother with the winter activities, and well by this winter, we've moved into a new house in a rural location and I am the one that has to drive into the city for my job and I have been a nervous wreck. By the time I reach work, I've drained myself of that much energy by the sheer concentration and anxiety of the conditions of the road!!! Every Canadian I know detests this time of year, but they're used to it because it's all they've known. And as we all know, due to global warming, winters of years ago were even harsher so today's winter periods aren't that bad for these hardened Canucks!! I'm a wimpy Brit, used to rain and the odd couple of hours of snow that becomes rain again by lunchtime!! My skin has become so irritated by "winter-itch" it's cracked and raw...believe me, winters here can do allsorts to you!! I feel I've just reached a point where I've had enough of 5/6 months of cold (amongst many other reasons).

Originally Posted by Tableland

I hear what you're saying. I had to drive into St Johns NFLD one night on icy roads and with the snow blowing hard and after an hour or so I was totally knackered with the effort. I can't imagine having to do this every day for half the year. Also, anyone that knows St Johns will know there are lots of nice steep hills and these babies were covered with ice and snow as the ploughs hadn't yet gone round and the whole thing was a nightmare. Why, I ask myself, does one attempt to apply brakes when one's car is sliding down an icy hill towards a junction?

And the global warming thing is interesting because (I know, I know it's controversial) there is some new evidence filtering in that the earth might actually be cooling and that if so places like prairie Canada will become even colder and for longer.

Originally Posted by manghams

Hi Ruby
Just read this, and I had no idea of your history. I am going back with my hubby because of his deepening depression. You took your hubby home for the same reason, but it didnt help him; and now does he not understand how you feel? Having gone back once for his own reasons, can he not understand your needs, or does is depression continue, thus making him unable to see your point of view. I know when my husband is depressed he is unable to look at anything from any perspective than his own.
I really hope things work out for you
Michal

Originally Posted by Ruby Murray

Hi, my OH has totally recovered from his depression...so much so, that he can't remember exactly how he was back then! Therefore, no, he doesn't sympathise with me, nor understand my need to make a compromise on anything. I have proudly reminded him of the 10 months in total, that I supported him through those horrible days...and that if he can't even begin to show any understanding on how I feel, then I think he's an utter pig and I don't think I can respect him anymore. I know what your hubby is going through too....that's how I feel....it's like it's my way or not at all! Depression IS a selfish illness....I admit....I'm primarily thinking of myself in all this first, then the kids, then my OH! I have it all planned out (in my head) how life back in the UK will be, what my kids will do and then how my OH will easily slot into all those plans! I'm sure your OH is going through the same emotions....I just hope that going back will be "the cure" for him after all what you're going through. I really hope that you will be at the end of your nightmare when you get back to the UK.

My best wishes are with you.
Ruby xx