Christmas Season

I don't know about you but I just love the Christmas season. Now for me that involves carolling at Christmas kettles and other locations, concerts, plays, parties and travel.

Christmas carolling is something I've been doing with the band for several years and I enjoy it every year. This year I did the Toy Mountain kick off which is done in the building I work in downtown so I was able to play for some people I work with. I did several other events and came out with my usual assortment of stories. Carolling outdoors is quite chilly, but this year my instrument didn't freeze until the last block or so and I didn't need to play anymore regardless. I donated blood and carolled on the same day and I do not recommend that as I had to sit down for most of the session. I do recommend donating blood and carolling but please watch out for scheduling conflicts.

The band Christmas concert was great and it was very nice to have someone from work and their family come to it this year. I hope they enjoyed the experience as I know I enjoyed playing in it.

Not too many parties for me this year. The band and choir one at which we watched the Flames win their first shoot out of the year - Go Flames Go!!! It was a nice change after they had lost a few shoot outs. The youth group party was going to see A Christmas Carol and I enjoyed that as I go see it every year. There were a few more fireworks and explosions this year which made it more exciting.

This year I spent Christmas with Dad and Glenda for the first time in a few years and that was very nice. Glenda's daughter just had her baby, and it was great to meet him. The whole lot came over for gift opening and then most of us stayed for Christmas dinner which - as my Dad is a great cook - was very tasty. I then got to see the Simpsons movie which was very funny and finally crashed near midnight.

I hope your Christmas season was as enjoyable as mine and it gives you a good laugh or smile throughout the year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Party

Christmas parties...excuse me holidy parties seem to be happening earlier and earlier each year. This year ours was the third weekend of November and what a great time.

I decided to get a new dress to go with all this weight I've lost and go all out this year. Work gave us one service at the spa the day of the party and I got my hair done as well. My schedule for the day got completely messed around so I ended up running all over the place and being remarkably late for everything but in the end I made it downtown at a reasonable time.

The theme was classic hollywood and we got to see Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin and James Dean as we walked down the red carpet. There was a martini luge, martini glases with chocolates to take home and screens playing classic movies.

This year I was able to sit with people I knew and was comfortable with so I had a great time and looked reasonably good. However, I am glad to have it over with.

Nothing Exciting...

Well, I have a once a month blog policy so here it is for October. Unfortunately nothing much really happened in October.

I'm still cleaning up stuff from the retreat...you know bills, contractual obligations etc...I had a four day weekend this past weekend and absolutely loved it. I cleaned my apartment, relaxed, met with the corps officers (pastors) and did some volunteer time. Plus of course the usual church, oh and Linds and I had an old lady party which involved movies and knitting. When her mother laughs at it you know you're old before your time ;).

I'm dealing with some not so good stuff at work but we are all trying to fix it as a team which is nice to see. I really like watching a group of independant people come together and put their diverse skills to work in a solution oriented fashion.

That about sums it up for me...

Retreat

I am told that work retreats are supposed to combine team building, learning about the company, fun and getting to know your co-workers. Well, based on the most recent retreat I was on I can say in fact it just involves work.

Every year the company that I work for does a two day retreat. This year without thinking I agreed to help organise the retreat and I have now learned my lesson. However, to be fair I did get to know the members of the retreat committee very well indeed, and we had a great time organising it.

This years retreat was in Banff (as the past three years have been) at the Banff Centre. The Banff Centre is a great location in a lot of ways. Loads of space, a variety of food options, stores, bars etc...and it suited our purposes nicely. Our theme was Hollywood North and the team building activity involved them filming a pre-assigned movie in some fashion that was no longer than 5 minutes. We screend them that evening and what a hoot. I was very impressed with the creativity shown in the making of these movies. Kudos to my co-workers. The committee did not film a movie but was available for questions, took pictures of them filming the movies and worked on some things for the evenings entertainments. That evening we had dinner, watched the movies and had an awards ceremony for everyone. Then we socialised for awhile (or a very long time depending on when you left) and everyone drifted off to bed. The next morning involved a speaker and some mental exercises - again I was busy for a chunk of it - and then everyone got to go home.

So, I guess even I accomplished the requirements for the retreat. Just at a different timeline than most of them. I did get to know the committee, in planning I learned the office plan, and I had a load of fun. That still doesn't mean I will be planning next years though.

Catch Up

Well, it has certainly been a long time since I've posted. Lets see if I can catch those few people that read this up.

I had a weeks holidays at the end of August and went to Tigh-Na-Mara resort/spa on Vancouver Island with my mother. I highly recommend this as a vacation choice. I received a relaxing massage and manicure/pedicure and felt very pampered. The rooms were very nice, and the atmosphere in general was relaxing. The Cedar dining room had excellent food and I enjoyed my meals there a great deal.

When I came home from Vancouver Island I decided to do a trip to Edmonton for the long weekend. Therby seeing both my parents in one vacation. I had a great time with Dad and Glenda and got to see some friends as well. I went bowling, out for lunch and glow in the dark mini-golf which was a first for me. Then I came home on Labour Day Monday fully prepared to go back to work...

However, somewhere along the line I caught the flu, and bronchitis. So I spent the next week very uncomfortable in my apartment wondering where I had gone wrong. My cat was quite attentive and cuddly which is always a comfort when you're sick and miserable. I finally made it in to the doctor and got some good antibiotics to clear it all up.

I did eventually make it back to work and have been busily trying to catch up and get prepared for the annual tax retreat which I have a small part in organising this year. As always I enjoy a large challenge but I do find that I am wearing down very easily by the end of the day. It gets better as I get healthier though so it won't be long before I'm at full steam.

Events of Summer

Does the sound of the wedding march make you sigh in resignation? Have you figured out using geometry how to avoid catching the bouquet/garter? Does the chicken dance coincide with a trip to the washroom? If you answer yes to any of these questions or even all of them then you have experienced the traditional summer past time....the wedding.

I have been fortunate this year with only one wedding to attend, and as it was for someone I consider family and friend I wasn't bothered at all.

Yesterday I was able to watch as Stefan and Laura got married and celebrated with their friends. I saw people I haven't seen in awhile and my thanks to Joey and Glenda for coming with me to the ceremony. The ceremony was beautiful in its simplicity. The bride was absolutely stunning as brides are supposed to be and the bridal party looked handsome and beautiful accordingly. The piano playing was superb as you expect when Nathan's playing and the Marshall's did a great job. The reception was a lot of fun. Good food, nice desserts and a great DJ. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves to the hilt and I know I did. Even in this heat.

So my congratulations to the happy couple and may they enjoy many years together. Looking back at their wedding and telling their children "but those dresses were fashionable then"

Summer is here

Well I've finally done it. Busy season is done at work, busy season is done at church so now I can relax.

We were fortunate this year to have Rockford band up visiting for Stampede and what a great time. Thursday evening we all gathered at the church to share in dinner and a massed band practice. It was very hot in the sanctuary and having more than double the number of people in there did not help matters.

Friday morning we were up bright and early to march in the Stampede parade and what a bunch of fun that always is. This year the stampede did 30 hours of tough which meant that for 30 hours you were supposed to wear pink in support of breast cancer research so we had pink ribbons on our lapels and the timbrels had pink ribbons on their tambourines. It was great marching and seeing the pink theme reflected in our audience as well. What a fabulous show of support. Friday night we gathered at the grounds for the chuckwagon races and grandstand show. I loved the grandstand show it just seems to get better and better every year and the fireworks were amazing.

Saturday was the BBQ and hoe-down at the church. It was another really hot day but the food was great and the program was really well done. After the program a bunch of us went out and it was a great opportunity to meet several of the Rockford people and get to know them a bit better.

Today was church and then lunch with the two bands afterwards. I really enjoyed the visitors and am sorry to see them go home, but look forward to seeing them again. What a great stampede weekend.

YAHOO!!!

I'm such a Calgarian.

Relaxing

I am sitting here relaxing for the weekend and enjoying it to the hilt. I am getting my reading in, some computer time and yes even some parental time - that last bit I don't do often. I am making a concerted effort to not think of all the things I need to do on Monday and all the things I didn't get done on Friday but of course work is still a big part of my thoughts. So, I turn those thoughts in a different direction. Telling stories of all the crazy stuff that happens and all the fun people I get to deal with. Humour is my best way to unwind. You may notice if you ever meet me face to face that you could tell me the lamest joke but I laugh to the point of tears...this means I likely had a rough week.

Isn't laughter great though? I laugh out loud when I'm reading, watching a movie or talking to a friend, and I do not have a quiet laugh. Well, quiet anything. So, please go find a good comedy (in whatever medium) and laugh it off....now, don't you feel better?

More Pictures

Pics from Mexico and of my cat.

She may never forgive me for making her put that sweater on
Little B

Here's me and Mom - she's mad cause I wouldn't walk somewhere
Fireworks on the boardwalk
Beach at Sunset
My mom after our fancy dinner and the bldg they've been constructing for 14 years
Me and my duck buddy

Bubba Gump Shrimp Factory
Smile for the camera mom
Flea Market - good bartering practice
Chair statues on the Malecon
Our resort

Some pictures from Mexico

Here are a very few pics from Mexico. More to follow

Tattoo

For those of you that don't know I got a tattoo for my 16th birthday from my mother. Yes, I know how odd that may sound, but when you consider that I had started asking for a tattoo at the age of 10 you'll see how my mother just wanted to put some control on what tattoo I received and where.

So, at 13 I had to tell Mom what I wanted and where I wanted it (cross, right shoulder blade) and if that was what I wanted at 16 she'd get me the tattoo. So, a week before my 16th birthday she mentioned the a tattoo parlour and that was all it took for me to ask for the exact same thing. One Friday afternoon we went and I got my first tattoo. Which I've now had for a few years and still love.

Well, after a few years I started thinking about getting a second one. I decided immediately upon a celtic knot on my left shoulder blade to offset the first one however, actually going to get the tattoo seemed a bit more delayed. It took me five years of debating and hesitating and hemming and hawing but here I am today...with my second tattoo.

Last week I went with friends of mine to watch them get their tattoos and decided enough was enough I needed to stop talking about it and get my tattoo. So I took the design, made an appointment and finally got it. It seems I like getting tattoos for my birthday. There's still a third design I want but it will take awhile for me to get used to this one. So we'll see if it's another five years.

Home Sweet Home

I am very glad to be back however, I'll miss the relaxation that I found in Mexico. I was able to go kayaking on the ocean, and I saw dolphins which were both quite exciting. I really enjoyed shopping there and wandering along the boardwalk. I don't get to haggle here very often so to get to haggle in the flea markets and with all the wandering sellers was fantastic. Even though I've no doubt they always got the better bargain. The people selling were very aggressive and would follow you around asking you to name a price, or what you would like to pay. Well and you can't go to Mexico without beating off timeshare people, but I can get rid of people like no ones business. The food was great and there was loads of it. In fact with the food you had to watch that you didn't eat constantly. The flight home was nice and quiet and all around it was just a great trip.

Mexico

Well I logged on for a little while today just so I could eliminate some of the load of e-mails I knew were waiting for me. I cleared those up and thought I'd do a short blog - mostly to keep my dad from nagging at me when I go too long between posts.

I've been in Mexico a week now and have really enjoyed it. However, I will be glad to get home and relax in my nice apartment with my great cat. I was pleased to here from Kris that she had been very well behaved this trip.

The weather here has been in and around 30 degrees the entire time. Can you believe that? Most days I've been able to handle it but today it hits me like a wall whenever I go outside. I guess I'm back in my climate.

I've had some interesting experiences for sure. Even right now the blogger page is in Spanish while I type in English. Naviagting around the page has sure been interesting. Admittedly though language has been a very small barrier here. Most people speak some English and I speak some Spanish.

I'd best be on my way as my mother's asked three times "are you going to be much longer?" and that's a sure sign she's impatient. More details when I get back.

On my way

Well, it's finally here. I leave for my trip in just a few short days. I planned it well this year and I get a couple of days off before I leave which I am really looking forward to. That means I can finish cleaning and be all ready to go without my normal last minute panic. That's the theory I'm working off of at this point. I'm sure I won't get around to anything in advance and spend the morning of the day I leave running around like crazy. I'm a great planner; too bad about the rest of it.

So, I'll talk to you all when I get back. I hope the weathers at least somewhat bad while I'm gone so I can enjoy my +30 all the more. Don't hate me for thinking that. Just think of all the jokes you'll get out of my sunburn.

I survived it....barely

This last week at work was a week I'd been dreading for quite awhile. I had three social events I was organising for various groups and a breakfast seminar. Monday started fine. I was busy of course but managed to juggle everything and get it set. I went out Monday night to the first of the social events and had a great time. We were doing Bowl for Kids and I really enjoyed it. First was a game of regular bowling and then we did wacky bowling which involved hand holding, back scratching and other "interesting" ways to bowl. Then I went home and woke up Tuesday morning convinced I was dieing. Somewhere along the way I had managed to catch the flu. Unfortunately I could not stay home Tuesday due to a breakfast seminar the following day. At any rate I was in all day that day, but I got to go home in the morning on Wednesday. The advantage to a breakfast seminar is that it's over nice and early. I finally felt better on Friday which was a good thing cause it was time for the second social event. That one went off without a hitch. The usual entertainment of people who didn't say they would come showing up and people who said they would be there but not showing up. In the end the numbers evened out and we were able to get on with it. Saturday was the last event and hardly any work at all. I just had to show up and make sure everything was running smoothly.

So here I sit almost healthy which isn't quite as good as almost famous but it works for me. I'm glad last week is over. Now to make it through 11 more days and last week will be a faded memory.

The Ballet

I went to go see Alberta ballet's Cinderella last night. It was fantastic. I really enjoyed it. The stepmother and stepsisters were hilarious. The stepmother was played by a guy and he did a very good job of acting the matron. The prince was a beautiful dancer as was Cinderella and the fairy godmother and her fairies were very graceful. Although, the pinnacle of the performance had to be the sprites. They were little girls no more than 6 years old who came out and did a little routine. The sprites stole the show.

I don't go the ballet very often as it's not my favourite form of entertainment however, I do like to go every once in awhile and last night was worth it. At some point next season they will be performing Mozart's Requiem and that will be a must see. As well, they are putting on Giselle so next year I may be going to the opera more often than usual.

It is now 3 weeks until I leave for Mexico and I am counting down the days. More importantly this next week coming up will be extremely busy so I'm holding onto the idea of Mexico as though it was a lifeboat. I will need every day dream when I'm out with work until 11pm and in to work at 6am the following morning. I will be reminding myself constantly that in April I will be able to go to bed when I want and get up when I want. I love vacation.

Home Sweet Home

Well, I took the bus home last night from Edmonton and boy is it good to be back. Miracle of miracles I actually got two seats to myself from Calgary to Red Deer. It was great to have all that space. The movie on the way home was Stranger Than Fiction and it wasn't bad. I like having movies that I haven't seen before on the bus. It makes the time go that much faster.

When I got home my cat was in a state. As revenge for my not being around she decided to wake me up at 3:30am. After the enjoyable interlude at that hour of the morning she proceeded to sit by my ear and purr very loudly. So at 4:30 this morning I started to seriously wonder how much of a mess she would make if she hit the ground.

So coming back into work (aka chaos) this morning was not as good as I thought it would be. In a very short span my cat completely negated the rest I received over the weekend. However, I got in and made it through the morning which was the challenging portion of my day. Now if I can get everything done I had to put off til the afternoon I'll be laughin', and I'll be laughin' without a hysterical note in my voice.

Not Working

Hello Eunice!!! Hope you're having a good day!

I love this whole not working thing. Even though I have so much on the go right now I am going out of my mind and actually working for a little while because I just have to, but I still like doing that in my sweats. So now to finish the presentation for Tuesday, work on the presentation for next Wednesday, check to see who has RSVP'd and then back to TV and maybe a nap. Well, probably not a nap cause I do have to pack in there sometime, but on the upside I will be home later tonight.

While I have time

Today was the memorial service for Helen Peterson at Edmonton Temple and it was very nicely done. Glenda will be going to Fuel tonight while Dad and I hang out here. Hopefully we'll watch Casino Royale when Glenda gets backed as we picked that up. I think it's a great Bond if a bit slow from time to time. I mean really we all knew where it was going didn't we?

Well, I think that's about it. I'll be blogging this weekend a lot as I have time and am experimenting with all the different features but after I get home it's liable to be less often, and probably longer.

My Trip & My Blog

Well I finally got around to starting a blog. I doubt I will post often but hey the option's there. Anyway, on to the important thing in my life. I'm going to Mexico on April 13th, and yes it is a Friday. I go for a week and I am so excited to be going somewhere that it's okay to sleep most of the day away. So, for the next 4 weeks all I will be talking about is going to Mexico. I think that about sums it up for now and probably not for awhile as this is still new but you never know; I could get bored with this faster than most things I deal with.

Test Post

This is the first post at Kyla's new blog. Happy Phil???