Airport...again. I haven’t flown in months and yet the airport is always a familiar place. Screaming children, tired commuters, harassed gate staff and security. Let us not forget security. There must be sign on my forehead that only security personnel can read that tells them to select me for the extra security check.


When I say full, I mean FULL. There was cupage of breasts involved. It wasn’t a palm full, but using the underside she literally moved them up and down. I was starting to get more than a little bit embarrassed and was seconds away from asking to have this done behind a screen. Amazingly enough I passed and was allowed to carry on to my gate and call my therapist. Being molested at the gate in an airport is certainly reason for a therapy session.

I made it to the gate with plenty of time to spare. My preference when flying is to arrive early...about a half hour before the one hour cut off. It gives me peace of mind knowing I am seated in front of my gate and not standing in line waiting to check in. Getting my boarding pass was a breeze and I have no checked luggage on the to Victoria portion of my trip...you never know on the way back—there could be an amazing find. I’m only there for 3 full days which really only requires two change of outfits. One outfit appropriate for a work thing Friday morning and the second for two days of strolling around the city. I am happy to wear the same jeans two days in a row...they just start to get comfy by the end of the second day. Chicken is neatly tucked away in my backpack—he’s never been to Victoria.

No real plans while I am hanging in Victoria, just some walking, picture taking and relaxing. I might even check out the hotel pool.

My check up at the Dr’s went well this morning. He said everything looks good and that the speciality clinic that I had been going to has fully discharged me and with any luck I will never need to go back—ever. The results from this final test will be in while I am on the Island—PEI, but he doesn’t expect anything out of the norm and I am booked for..wait for it...3-6-5 days from now! Whoo hoo. Back to the annual torture.

I know my tiny brush was minor compared to the struggles and journey other people have had to face, but it was my journey. It forced/moved up my departure from the North and has certainly changed my life in a few ways. I am certainly not taking for granted the need for regular check ups or to live life to its fullest because you just never know when you might not be able to enjoy it any longer.

*********
 
Supper at my hotel Thursday night was AMAZING. The view was terrific and the food superb. I had the duck. That sounds so boring when you say it like that. The duck in fact had a pomegranate and something sauce and you know...,it was fancy 4-star restaurant food. I opted for no appetizer and held out for dessert. I had the chai brulee. Terrific.
 
Friday morning work went well and I then had HOURS to wander before the supper I'm getting ready to go to. I grabbed my camera and away I went...pictures will follow once I get to PEI and get a chance to upload...or they may need to wait until I am back in Edmonton in mid-March. On the advice of someone I headed to the Royal Albert Wax Museum. Umm, yeah. I don't need to go back. It is pretty neat...the displays are very life like...almost too life like. I HATE horror movies and this was almost a horror movie come to life. Each mannequin I expected to start talking or moving or something. It was a very weird feeling. The eyes seemed to follow you and it was freaking me out. Combine that with the dark hallways and grotesque section I went into (they had a special section of horror--which I really should have skipped) it was nice to get back outside into the fresh air and light.
 
Next stop an underwater aquarium. It was interesting. Not quite what I was expecting, but still nice. If you are heading to Victoria you can give it a miss though. They we not having their 'live' show today so I got in at a discounted rate..and I really wouldn't pay more than that for the experience.
 
You might think that after those two negatives I would just pack it in but a bottle of wine and head to the hotel. Nope. While the weather is definitely chilly--ok, maybe not chilly but definitely damp my good mood could not be dampened. The whole city is in bloom. Cherry trees covered in blooms. Daffodils. A few tulips. All the flower boxes are full...not fully in bloom yet, but planted and definitely colourful.
 
I spent about 4 hours walking around the downtown area and haven't even come close to covering it all.
 
Now to see if I can find a fabulous restaurant to eat in tonight.

7 days....7 days till I get a holiday. Well, I'm actually counting my upcoming weekend in Victoria,BC as a holiday so I guess technically only 3 days. ;) It is an unexpected trip through work.

Victoria looks like a fantastic walk around and take pictures kind of place. I have been doing some research and checking out the 'things to do' and think wandering the streets and viewing the lovely older buildings might be enough. And maybe high tea!

Now, if someone would come and tidy my apartment before Thursday night I would most appreciative.

Doctors appointment on Thursday this week...it isn't the appointment I thought it was...but am still anxious to have it over and done with. My appointment is semi-downtown and I have the whole day booked off (sick!) so I might wander a bit downtown while I am in the area...something I don't get to do a lot of. I booked the day off as a sick day because this is really one of those appointments that I will either be in pain after or just mentally not able to head back to the office. If all goes well with this appointment I do not need to do my 3 and 6 months and go back to the annual torture. I'm kidding. For any of you women out there who do not get annual pap smears...GO. It doesn't hurt, it doesn't take much time out of your day and it could save your life. End of lecture.

Note to self: Pack fish and his belongs. Take to office no later than Wednesday morning.
The girls in the office will take care of them for me while I am away. Thank goodness cause I really hate giving them the pellets that feed them for a week or two at a time. Bad experiences with that previously that ended with a rather loud FLUSH!

I'm a Sister in Law--make that Evil Sister in Law--better ring to it

My sister eloped this week. Yep...eloped. I'm still very fuzzy on the details and anxiously awaiting a phone call to fill me in. I don't know yet if it was planned, not planned done by Elvis...no clue. I'm sure all will be revealed once she returns to Canada.

I'm thrilled for her/them. They recently bought a home, own a successful business and have two beautiful kids. It now seems like a very complete set.

My initial reaction beyond the YEAH! was BOOO...now I don't get to play the Maid of Honor...then I thought about it...I could have ended up in one of these dresses...take a peek and tell me you don't think I got off easy

Yep, that could have been me...a vision in pink...or blue...

Or finally...this....

Yep, eloping was a good plan. Thanks sis!

Congratulations to Roger and Kelly.

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Yeah, I've been a little photo shop happy lately. It's fun...it keeps my mind off everything else going on in my life and lets me feel creative. Here's a tulip I bought on the weekend....

Here it is before the photo shop fun.

I cashed in a few Aeroplan points a couple weeks ago for a gift card to one of the drugstores here in Edmonton. I was just going to use it to purchase the usual stuff...toilet paper, shampoo...those kind of items. Then last night I had a light bulb moment. A couple of weeks ago when I was at Value Village I purchased a photo album. It has plain black pages and those great little black corners for holding the photos on the pages. I can only post one photo per page and the pages are seperatted by onion paper. Very chic. So the light bulb moment came and I decided to use the gift card to print off photos to put into the album...then I will take it to the office to show off my pics. I will have it on my desk and if someone wants to look they can...if they don't...they don't.

I hope to pick the photos out over the next few days and upload them in time for pick up on the weekend...oh, the excitement.

T-minus 14 days and counting till my arrival on PEI. I have booked in a couple of things...I'll be in touch with more of you lovely folks to book some other lunches, breakfasts, coffees, suppers and midnight snacks over the next week. I'm still waiting to hear back on a couple of appointments before I book the fun stuff. I know I will not be able to see everyone I want to while I'm home, but I hope to see a ton of you.

This will be the final time I talk about work on my blog. After this the blog is only for photos, trips and extra-curricular.

Those of you who read my blog on a regular basis might know that I have been stressed out lately. I appreciate all the love and support I have been receiving.

Yesterday I did the hardest HR thing I have ever had to do...I had to fire the person who hired me.

It has been in the works for a few weeks, as these things always are and yesterday was T day. The termination went rather well...or as well as these things can go. It has been heart wrenching trying to be discrete while trying to fill a position that is not vacant and acting as though nothing is wrong.

The whole event was over in less than an hour and finished today when we told the rest of the staff. There was a deer in the headlights look around the table as the announcement was made. No one is overly surprised. It happens in every company in every country around the world.

For a number of reasons I was taking the lead up to the event very personally and not being able to discuss it with anyone even more difficult. I will never be able to have an affair, the sneaking around to meet candidates and head hunters was stressing me and trying to remember the lies. How do these people who lie and cheat keep the lies straight in their head?

It is over. I'm glad. Time to move on.

The project is complete.
It may not be the best handy man job ever but it seems sturdy and I left it hanging on the wall for one full day before I even thought about hanging my precious jewels in it...and I haven't finished that part yet. I actually just put a few things in so I could take the photos for you!

Here's the breakdown by cost...
3-ring binder--free. It was a toss out from the office
drawer from Ikea--$5 it was in the as is section
hinges--$2 from Habitat for Humanity ReStore
picture frame--I already owned
print--already owned
plastic sleeves--$1.99 from Salvation Army
hooks for necklaces-$1.99 from Value Village
screws, nails, small hooks--already on hand from previous projects

Total cost of project=$10.98*

The drawer I purchased at Ikea and my faithful Chicken helper.

My awesome purchased from Value Village and the free binder from work.

The binder was cut apart and screwed to one side of the drawer.

The insides of the jewelry case. Hangers for necklaces and bracelets. The plastic holders on the right side are for earrings, rings, braclets, etc. The pages can be removed or flipped.

From the side. Hanging on the wall in my bedroom. I used picture hooks onthe back of the 'drawer' and picture hooks are temporarily holding the frame and print on the front.

The front of the display case. A wonderful beautiful print. Glare from the window.

Example of how it will eventually work.

*Total cost of project was increased on the final day I put it together. I flipped the framed print over to put the hangers on it and the glass cracked. I will need to either purchase a new frame or just get a piece of glass to fit it...so the cost of the project will go up in the end.

So far I'm very happy with my project. It looks good....it does what it was designed to do. A minor modification will be to find a new hinge for it. The one I purchased at the ReStore will not work and I will need to reconsider my options for this. It works in the meantime, but I will appreciate having the hinge eventually.

I've decided on a new career...blogger and world traveller. Now I just need to figure out how to financially support that. Any thoughts?

I don't want to be selfish about it...I will travel the world and donate my time to helping worthy causes...Habitat for Humanity, the Red Cross, any number of different charities. I can blog about my experiences and post pictures for you and the thousands of other readers I will need to support the project.

The only problem of course is money. Funny how the world revolves around it.

I had thought about donating blood, but you don't get paid for that here in Canada. I have no hobbies that produce money--just absorb it. My luck with Bingo is not so great...and if I had saved all the money I've spent in lottery tickets over the years I'd probably have a good down payment on a trip but not much more than that.

I'm looking into selling some of my photos to stock photography websites, but it takes a lot of time, money and patience not to mention the 'right' photos. That is something that might get me a couple hundred bucks over the course of a year--IF I'm lucky. Most aren't that lucky.

A garage sale would not net enough money to go anywhere let alone fund myself for years to come...so I'm at a loss as to how to quit my day job and devote myself full time to blogging and travelling the world. But I'll continue to work on it.

Two years ago I was in India.  Ah, India. It still feels like yesterday. I'd love to do another Habitat trip to India or almost any other destination.

Here's a couple of pics that I think I had posted before from my trip...enjoy, I know I did.

Isn't it funny how when you let go of one little area of your life...it makes other things easier to handle. On Friday I allowed myself to let go of a couple things and by Sunday evening I was feeling much more relaxed..sort of. I didn't sleep well, but you know it happens. Today at work was much easier than last week. The mood was different...which was good. It is a tentative, hesitant type of good...but you could feel it. You could also feel the under current of tension, but I focused on the positive. My mantra for the day was "I will survive. And only 5 more days."

It helped.

It's Monday night. I have survived one full fifth of this week.

I have almost finished my jewelry case. I am 90% of the way to completion. I had a small problem with the hinge on Sunday and was feeling to lazy to head to the hardware store. I came up with plan B late Sunday evening and if I had of been home before 7pm tonight would have considered trying plan B...maybe tomorrow night. I took a few pictures as I went along and will post when I reach 100%!

Hope your week has started out as well as mine.

Wine and Cheesecake. Yep, wine and cheesecake for supper tonight. Mmmmm. How can you go wrong with a combination like that? Sure, it doesn't necessarily cover the 4 food groups, but life should be about enjoyment....shouldn't it?


The wine is made of grapes--1 fruits and vegetable

There are nuts on top of the cheesecake--1 meat and meat alternatives

The cheesecake is made with cream cheese--1 milk and milk products

The crust is made of graham wafers--1 grain and grain products


Huh, so I did manage to get all 4 food groups in. Good for me.

Went to see a movie this afternoon, I knew it was a rental before stepping foot in the theatre but I was looking forward to a distraction. It was a definite rental--When in Rome. With my trip to Italy once again on the back burner I thought the views of Italy would be delightful--it wasn't. The movie had a very shallow plot and the scenery was minimal at best. Oh well. I spent a delightful afternoon wandering around the West Ed Mall (WEM). I was looking for a shirt a bankers shirt with French cuffs to be exact. I went into several stores and had no luck. Then a light went off in my head and I went to Mark's Work Warehouse...they didn't have the bankers shirt, but they certainly had the French cuffs on their perfect fit shirts. I bought two.

I have a few pairs of wonderful cufflinks and very few shirts I can wear them with...so finding a shirt that I can use them with is fantastic. And the fit of this particular shirt is amazing. It really is the perfect fit. I've had a thing for cufflinks for SEVERAL years now and presently own 3 pairs yet am still always on the look for more. To me it is a very sexy sophisticated look--a woman in a man’s looking shirt, tie and a pair of very high heels. I'll knock 'em dead on Monday at the office.

TTTTTTT        GGGGGGG     IIIIIII     FFFFFFFF
TGIF!

As you may have figured out...I'm a bit stressed. I can't go into what I am stressed about--HR issue is all I will say. Some days I really question my present choice of career.

I set a few personal goals for myself back in the fall and I have been doing great in filling them. I am quite proud actually of how well I HAD been doing. Then last week the stress at work went up and my personal goals ended up on the curb. I'm still working towards them and trying really hard to stay on track, but it has been hard. So I ended up beating myself up over it all. And after reading comments from my wonderful readers and on the advice of a few people here in Edmonton I have decided to let them slide.

The stress at work will be over on February 25. So it has a definite time line. The advice I got last night is do what I can towards my personal goals but don't beat myself up if I don't get there. And it made sense. I can't control everything in my life at the moment...so don't try. Work on the things I can and let the rest slide. It's really good advice. The freedom one person said of allowing myself to let things slide a bit might allow me to actually achieve some personal goals in the long run. It made sense as I thought about it last night and early this morning.

I am not forgetting my personal goals. I am not stopping the journey I am on. I am simply allowing myself to take a time out. If I don't I will stress myself into an ulcer.

What did I do to help myself last night? I bought a bottle of diet pepsi to take to work today. I enjoy drinking it when I'm stressed--and I think we can all agree me drinking a few gallons of DP instead of a few gallons of wine is a better choice. I can go back to my DP free life on February 26. That is only one of the personal goals I am working on at the moment...but it gave me a sense of freedom.

I expect a lot from myself in my professional life. I generally like that about myself. I'm not pushing myself too hard at work at the moment, there is just an event coming up that is causing the strain on me. Once that hurdle is jumped I can go back to pushing myself as I normally do. I wouldn't be in my current position if I didn't push myself...and for all the complaining and grouching I do on here about my job on here you might be surprised if I said I like my work. I really do...it's just...well...it isn't the life I am looking for at the moment. But that is for another post.

I am getting in my truck this morning and popping into A&W for a yummy breakfast...then off to the office to drink my diet pepsi and try to get a few more things arranged. I am not working on any of my personal goals this weekend. I'm taking the weekend off from work and goals. Happy Friday!

I started to watch Kitchen Nightmares tonight--with Chef Gordon Ramsay. I love his Hell's Kitchen show and normally I like KN too....but not tonight. The head chef/owner was yelling at one of the employees and my first thought was "I get too much yelling at work as it is I don't want to listen to it at home" and I switched the channel to the Golden Girls. No matter how bad life gets I know within the next 30 minutes the gals will be able to solve it, have a good laugh and enjoy a cheesecake together.

It's been one of those weeks and it is only Wednesday. Or I should say It's Wednesday and the week is drawing to a close soon. I've had some extreme moods today. Very happy to very stressed. I think I need a new job. One where I am not expected to work 60 hours a week and still not feel I am putting in enough time.

The glasses have arrived. I picked them up on Sunday. It has been a tough transition again into wearing them. I need to wear them for an hour or so and then take them off for a bit. Then put them back on and repeat. I'm not sure if they are helping or not but I will continue to wear them.

Anyone have plans for the weekend? I am going to focus on my jewelry. Either making the new necklace or working on the new holder for my valuables. I picked up a couple of great items last weekend at VV and think they will help with my project. I'll take pictures as I go along and post them for you.

February 14--Valentine's Day I am headed North. Bound for the trade show in Cambridge Bay....I'm not looking forward to the trip. Which surprises even me a bit...but what are you gonna do. I must go and so I will--but I really would rather not. At least I know that just over a week after my return I am on a plane and headed to Anne's Land to visit with most of you! :)