I'm back from Edmonton and Albany. Had a really nice stay in both locations, got to hang out with my family, Martin, and a few others. I'm currently enjoying not living out of a bag, and sleeping in my own bed, although I miss everyone already. So what are my goals in this post? To make a blog post so long that it will daunt people from reading it, so they will no longer be thinking "boy, she never updates" but rather "huh, I'll have to block out a half an hour for that one" which we all know never happens. :D We'll see if I make it, as my blogging urges are much like the driven slush, here and there and everywhere. Now that I'm done with my mandatory excuses on the with post.
For my trip to Albany I must have been sleeping half the time while walking around the airports as I remember very little of what took place. I do remember that my intention at the Edmonton airport was to find coffee once I got through customs, but my plan was foiled when the only coffee place I saw had a huge line-up and coffee that didn't look worth the effort. I also remember experiencing the usual almost-impossible-to-find-food-when-you-need-it deal when I got to Minneapolis. After seeking out the closest Starbucks, grabbing a coffee, and rushing to locate my gate I doubled back in search of half edible food, for a half agreeable price, with a half endurable line-up. I think I finally found a sub place, which did the job. Finding the gate is usually first priority in my books if I have a delay lasting any less than an hour in a strange airport. Amazing how long it can take just getting from a gate A to a gate F. Likely part of my slowness is a result due to my usual habit of staying up later than I should before traveling, and having to wake up earlier than is humane. So comprehending the signs, maps, and monitors with the great big bustle around you, accompanied by eyes that are weighted with lead can be a slow process. One of the bright points in my flight to Albany was that I never once took a train, although I did have occasion to use a tram that took me to the assigned gate without incident. The biggest bright points would have to be that I arrived without any delays, with my sanity, and both of my uninjured bags, with a Tammy to pick me up.
Tam and I managed to get a fair deal of work done while I was there, albeit the shirts took a lot longer, and were a lot more complex than we thought they would be. We've decided that after this batch we will relocate our efforts to a more worthy (easy) design. We also managed to sew a few pairs of pants which were by far the easier half of the ensemble. The hats are done, the suspenders await, but there's still the completion of all the pants and shirts, and then the photos to be taken. Yeah, it feels like slow progress, but progress is progress. Now I'm working on the girls clothing, so that we have something to offer that is a little warmer than our sleeveless summer dresses. Finished the first design for them, so hopefully perfecting it, and creating the rest of the sizes won't take too much longer. We just have to remind ourselves on a regular basis that sewing isn't the only thing in our lives, and thus it isn't the only thing that requires our time. :)
Got to go out to Manda's a few times while I was there, and came into town a few times as well. So that resulted in being able to talk, drink tea, baby sit, and play with Joshy (aka Batman/Cowboy) and Em. Nothin' like trying to construct a house out of blocks with a boy who wants a driveway through the middle of the house, and a girl who is young enough to be oblivious to knocking half of the house down while looking proudly at her newly placed block. Pretty cute how Em tries to identify everyone she sees, how all the blondes turn into Auntie Annies, and older gentlemen into papas. Similar to Amos who has everyone he recognizes in the photo album pegged as mum ma, cept for Grandma Ginny who is distinctly mamamamamah. :) After the first week or two I managed to pick up a cold, but after catching one on the majority of my visits there I've learned to expect it. :D The cough hung on for quite a long time, but I think I've finally got the better of it, and I've had worse.
As for events, a lot of things occurred while I was there, both good and bad. Got to go out here and there, took walks on the Plaza, as well as underneath, Looked around in the Museum etc. Also went ten pin bowling for the first time in my life. I didn't realize a person could be so sore from bowling. I think Tam and I were still aching on the second or third day after, enough to express an "owie" every time we'd step on the sewing machine pedal or simply move around. It was pretty amazing (as amazing as bowling can be) watching the members of a bowling club play in the lane next to us. One of the guys had all strikes, and could make the ball spin, so that it would be heading for the gutter but would then spin into making a curve and hit the pins from the side. Hm, I don't think standing outside for an hour after the game helped my cold any.
In my last few days there Tam and I wrapped up what we could, and then it was back to the airport, only this time I had to be at the airport at 4:00 am in order to make my flight at 6:00 am. I don't think I got to bed until 2, so it was another of those trips. With some doubts as to the correct line to wait in, I stood there half an hour as the counters didn't open up until 4:30. Once there was someone capable of answering my question I was redirected to the correct line and commenced my wait. Gotta love computerized check-ins, although it's a bit confusing when they ask for things like your passport number, when you're traveling the old fashioned way (birth certificate and drivers). I again had to flag someone down, and she was able to tell me to try entering my drivers number instead of my passport number, and it worked, who knew? I made it through the checks once more and took a place near the gate. For my first flight I sat near a young girl who was clearly afraid of flying. I assured her that it was actually quite an enjoyable experience. After our take off she overcame her fears and tried to crane over me in order to see out the window. I figured as a first time flyer she would enjoy the view more, so I gave up my customary seat by the window, and attempted to sleep. I think for the most part I failed the attempt, but for 10 or 15 minutes. In Chicago it was time to find food again, and once again it was not easy. I managed first to find a Starbucks, (yeah, I'm nearly an addict) and ordered a pumpkin spice latte. I sadly forgot the undrank portion at my table when I left the place I ate breakfast.
There was a delay when we were already on the plane for Edmonton caused by a mix up, I guess the staff forgot to fuel our plane. But like Jordan later said, better to find out the mix up on the ground rather than in the air. After arriving in one piece I went through customs and I picked up my bags. I was surprised to see Martin waiting to pick me up, as I guess Dor had a spur of the moment stomach flu, and Jord had a meeting he couldn't miss. The delays caused me to arrive late, so I caused Martin to miss a meeting as well, but he was really nice about it, and thankfully it wasn't a crucial one. Not much we could do about the cause and effect bit. :)
It was interesting coming from the Albany that didn't have snow yet to stepping off in Edmonton, with their -30 below/beyond winds. My time in Edmonton was mostly spent hanging out with Dor and Amos during the days, and Martin, Dor, Jord, and Amos in the evenings.Talked about current happenings, and other random topics and played lots of card games, pick-up-sticks and the like. Also went out for coffee, dinner (we got to try an alligator kabob, tastes like chewy fishy chicken, in a good way), to play pool, and to visit my mom. Had a nice visit/lunch with mom and John, got the tour of the barn they're renovating into a house (looking good), and the tour of their collection of critters. Dor and I on a few of the days got groceries, went to the library, walked around a couple of malls, visited the pets stores (Amos likes looking at the puppies), got coffee, lunch, tried on glasses (Dor needed a new pair), watched a couple movies, and generally had an enjoyable time in each others company. Amos is currently thrilled by buses, Bob the Builder, and balls. Had a lot of fun playing with him, such a cute kid, and thankfully he's a lot more comfortable around people now than he was a few months ago. Also enjoyed visiting with a few other people there, and I think that's about the sum of my visit.
On Tuesday evening Jord and Dor actually had Sundae and Dave come for the night, as Sundae had an ultrasounds appointment the next morning. Taking that into consideration I had good timing in my departure. So after visiting Sundae and Davey for about an hour, Martin took me to the bus station where I tagged my bags, and we waited for my delayed bus (thanks to snow and roads). Martin left around 11:30 pm, and amazingly enough made it out of the snow covered parking lot without the aid of a shovel, yeah with how deep the snow was it was pretty amazing. So after listening to someone singing while playing their guitar for another 15-30 minutes, my bus arrived and I was on my way home. Had two seats to myself so I managed to catch some shuteye
The next morning I arrived late as usual, thanks to the roads. Mark was there to give me a lift home, I was greeted by the kids, and spent the rest of the day unpacking.
Did I manage to daunt you? Well, if not, sorry to disappoint but I can't keep it going any longer, so it's back to short generalities. Now I'm just getting back into the swing of things. On a happy note Mark has ordered a new computer, and boy am I looking forward to having a computer that reboots when you want it to, rather than when you close an internet application.
Have a blessed Lord's day,
Jode
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 43:5
For my trip to Albany I must have been sleeping half the time while walking around the airports as I remember very little of what took place. I do remember that my intention at the Edmonton airport was to find coffee once I got through customs, but my plan was foiled when the only coffee place I saw had a huge line-up and coffee that didn't look worth the effort. I also remember experiencing the usual almost-impossible-to-find-food
Tam and I managed to get a fair deal of work done while I was there, albeit the shirts took a lot longer, and were a lot more complex than we thought they would be. We've decided that after this batch we will relocate our efforts to a more worthy (easy) design. We also managed to sew a few pairs of pants which were by far the easier half of the ensemble. The hats are done, the suspenders await, but there's still the completion of all the pants and shirts, and then the photos to be taken. Yeah, it feels like slow progress, but progress is progress. Now I'm working on the girls clothing, so that we have something to offer that is a little warmer than our sleeveless summer dresses. Finished the first design for them, so hopefully perfecting it, and creating the rest of the sizes won't take too much longer. We just have to remind ourselves on a regular basis that sewing isn't the only thing in our lives, and thus it isn't the only thing that requires our time. :)
Got to go out to Manda's a few times while I was there, and came into town a few times as well. So that resulted in being able to talk, drink tea, baby sit, and play with Joshy (aka Batman/Cowboy) and Em. Nothin' like trying to construct a house out of blocks with a boy who wants a driveway through the middle of the house, and a girl who is young enough to be oblivious to knocking half of the house down while looking proudly at her newly placed block. Pretty cute how Em tries to identify everyone she sees, how all the blondes turn into Auntie Annies, and older gentlemen into papas. Similar to Amos who has everyone he recognizes in the photo album pegged as mum ma, cept for Grandma Ginny who is distinctly mamamamamah. :) After the first week or two I managed to pick up a cold, but after catching one on the majority of my visits there I've learned to expect it. :D The cough hung on for quite a long time, but I think I've finally got the better of it, and I've had worse.
As for events, a lot of things occurred while I was there, both good and bad. Got to go out here and there, took walks on the Plaza, as well as underneath, Looked around in the Museum etc. Also went ten pin bowling for the first time in my life. I didn't realize a person could be so sore from bowling. I think Tam and I were still aching on the second or third day after, enough to express an "owie" every time we'd step on the sewing machine pedal or simply move around. It was pretty amazing (as amazing as bowling can be) watching the members of a bowling club play in the lane next to us. One of the guys had all strikes, and could make the ball spin, so that it would be heading for the gutter but would then spin into making a curve and hit the pins from the side. Hm, I don't think standing outside for an hour after the game helped my cold any.
In my last few days there Tam and I wrapped up what we could, and then it was back to the airport, only this time I had to be at the airport at 4:00 am in order to make my flight at 6:00 am. I don't think I got to bed until 2, so it was another of those trips. With some doubts as to the correct line to wait in, I stood there half an hour as the counters didn't open up until 4:30. Once there was someone capable of answering my question I was redirected to the correct line and commenced my wait. Gotta love computerized check-ins, although it's a bit confusing when they ask for things like your passport number, when you're traveling the old fashioned way (birth certificate and drivers). I again had to flag someone down, and she was able to tell me to try entering my drivers number instead of my passport number, and it worked, who knew? I made it through the checks once more and took a place near the gate. For my first flight I sat near a young girl who was clearly afraid of flying. I assured her that it was actually quite an enjoyable experience. After our take off she overcame her fears and tried to crane over me in order to see out the window. I figured as a first time flyer she would enjoy the view more, so I gave up my customary seat by the window, and attempted to sleep. I think for the most part I failed the attempt, but for 10 or 15 minutes. In Chicago it was time to find food again, and once again it was not easy. I managed first to find a Starbucks, (yeah, I'm nearly an addict) and ordered a pumpkin spice latte. I sadly forgot the undrank portion at my table when I left the place I ate breakfast.
There was a delay when we were already on the plane for Edmonton caused by a mix up, I guess the staff forgot to fuel our plane. But like Jordan later said, better to find out the mix up on the ground rather than in the air. After arriving in one piece I went through customs and I picked up my bags. I was surprised to see Martin waiting to pick me up, as I guess Dor had a spur of the moment stomach flu, and Jord had a meeting he couldn't miss. The delays caused me to arrive late, so I caused Martin to miss a meeting as well, but he was really nice about it, and thankfully it wasn't a crucial one. Not much we could do about the cause and effect bit. :)
It was interesting coming from the Albany that didn't have snow yet to stepping off in Edmonton, with their -30 below/beyond winds. My time in Edmonton was mostly spent hanging out with Dor and Amos during the days, and Martin, Dor, Jord, and Amos in the evenings.Talked about current happenings, and other random topics and played lots of card games, pick-up-sticks and the like. Also went out for coffee, dinner (we got to try an alligator kabob, tastes like chewy fishy chicken, in a good way), to play pool, and to visit my mom. Had a nice visit/lunch with mom and John, got the tour of the barn they're renovating into a house (looking good), and the tour of their collection of critters. Dor and I on a few of the days got groceries, went to the library, walked around a couple of malls, visited the pets stores (Amos likes looking at the puppies), got coffee, lunch, tried on glasses (Dor needed a new pair), watched a couple movies, and generally had an enjoyable time in each others company. Amos is currently thrilled by buses, Bob the Builder, and balls. Had a lot of fun playing with him, such a cute kid, and thankfully he's a lot more comfortable around people now than he was a few months ago. Also enjoyed visiting with a few other people there, and I think that's about the sum of my visit.
On Tuesday evening Jord and Dor actually had Sundae and Dave come for the night, as Sundae had an ultrasounds appointment the next morning. Taking that into consideration I had good timing in my departure. So after visiting Sundae and Davey for about an hour, Martin took me to the bus station where I tagged my bags, and we waited for my delayed bus (thanks to snow and roads). Martin left around 11:30 pm, and amazingly enough made it out of the snow covered parking lot without the aid of a shovel, yeah with how deep the snow was it was pretty amazing. So after listening to someone singing while playing their guitar for another 15-30 minutes, my bus arrived and I was on my way home. Had two seats to myself so I managed to catch some shuteye
The next morning I arrived late as usual, thanks to the roads. Mark was there to give me a lift home, I was greeted by the kids, and spent the rest of the day unpacking.
Did I manage to daunt you? Well, if not, sorry to disappoint but I can't keep it going any longer, so it's back to short generalities. Now I'm just getting back into the swing of things. On a happy note Mark has ordered a new computer, and boy am I looking forward to having a computer that reboots when you want it to, rather than when you close an internet application.
Have a blessed Lord's day,
Jode
1 comment:
Thanks honey for taking the time to recall your trip.
I loved seeing it all through your eyes..
Yes, have a blessed Lord's day and a big hug to you...
XXOO
~mom~
Post a Comment