Blur of a weekend

Hello, I'm alive! Just in case you were worried, but judging by the lack of comments in the comment section I don't know if anyone even reads this thing on purpose any more. Like the visit tracker could actually only be going up by accidental or unintentional page uploads.

Anyways, the new things in my life. Let me start by telling you about my weekend. Friday was a very draining day at work. So much that I cried at work. If anyone knows me, I hate to cry, especially in front of people. I became overwhelmed and my emotions got the better of me. Than I cried because I was embarrassed that I cried at work. Oh the cycle. But that's a story in itself.

After work B picked me up and we headed to Vancouver to see my sister and her family off at the airport. When we arrived it was almost 10pm. We convinced them to allow the two G's to stay up and play a video game. After the kids went to bed we (all the adults) connected the computer to the tv and watched funny you tube clips. This was hilarious! We finally hit the bed at 1:30am.

The next morning came really early. It was about 9 when I woke B up. (I had been up for about an hour before trying to fight off the urge to pee and go back to sleep). We got up and got ready and went for all you can eat sushi in Richmond. It was very yummy! After lunch we headed to the airport to get them checked in and visited until they had to go through the security gate.

B and I jumped back in the car and headed home. We hit up a Mr. Lube on our way to get an oil change since owning the car we haven't done that yet. It's a good thing we did. I am sure that thing hasn't had an oil change in a very long time! It looked worse than the Tracker and if you know me you know that got bad. (Luckily I now have a husband who is on it when it needs to be done). After the filter had been changed I noticed an immediate change in the vents. It actually blows air! Crazy!

We had to rush back to Kelowna though because we still had plans for the evening. Becky's Birthday party. We drove into town and went straight to the restaurant. It was fun and the company was great. We were sitting with her friends Ryan and Jill and they made me laugh all night long. Such a fun couple to hang out with. After the party we came home and by the time I finished brushing my teeth B had fallen asleep. (He usually takes a while before falling asleep). We were both sooooooo tired.

The next morning, Sunday, we actually dragged our sad, tired little bodies out of bed and sauntered off to church. We were late so we chatted with some friends in the foyer until church got out. Than we went for lunch with B's family. Great visit with them. I feel like I haven't seen them in so long because this summer has been so busy.

After lunch B headed off to his brother's place to help with the flooring. I tried to stay awake but failed. All the emotions of the weekend had drained me and I fell asleep. About an hour later B came and got me and we headed out to a BBQ and that was fun! We ended up seeing a Grey Horned Owl. It appeared to be injured but later on it flew away. It was really cool to see.

And that my friends is my weekend rolled up into one long blog post.

Michelle

Camping Trip 2010

This past weekend was so much Fun! (No, that's not a typo it was Fun with a capital F). I finished packing the car and headed to B's brother's place to pick up B. He worked a half day and we left his car at his brother's place for the weekend. He got into the car as the driver and we headed off. We approached Winfield and decided to stop and get some gas and a slurpee. Than we were off for a 2 hour drive to our campsite. On our way we sang songs at the top of our lungs and laughed and talked and had a great time. When we approached Salmon Arm we found out that Google maps gave us some lame instructions but it was easily fixed...we were parallel to the road we actually wanted to be on. We drove for what seemed forever until we found our turn off. We got further and further into the woods and finally found our campsite. It was so quiet and close to nothing, our cellphones had no service and it was perfect! We really did get away from everything!

We found our spot and decided to start setting up. B and I first went for a walk and while we were walking I told him how I need to get set up before I feel I can relax. He told me that he just needs to unwind a bit before setting up. Haha...so we walked for a bit -me a little tense- and then we went and set up our tent and picnic table. The air mattress we purchased for this trip is an electrical fill up one. It came with a car adapter and everything, but for some reason it didn't work so we went in search for the closest outlet. Well, wouldn't you know it, the closest outlet was up by the washrooms which was a good 5 minute walk from our campsite. So we did what anyone would do, we picked up our tent with the deflated mattress inside and walked up the big hill to the washroom with our tent on our heads. Why did we take the whole tent and not just the mattress you ask? Well because we got an air mattress that was a queen and our tent wasn't made big enough to accommodate such a size. So if we blew it up outside the tent we would never get it in the tent. So we had to carry the whole tent with the mattress in it in order to blow it up -and not all the way- so it would fit. That's right, we couldn't fill the mattress with air because it was bursting out the side of the tent. What a funny thing. So the weekend it felt like we were sleeping in a waterbed. So funny!

After we carried the tent back to our site we finished setting up. This included making the bed. B made fun of me because I had brought sheets and blankets. (I don't like sleeping bags) and I called myself a camping diva. About an hour later our friends Jordan and Jeanine arrived. They set up their tent while we prepared dinner. Marinated Teryiaki steak and noodle salad. Our other friends who were suppose to come camping with us weren't able to make it because she had fallen ill. I was sad that they couldn't come and hopeful that they might be able to surprise us all by coming but sadly that didn't happen. After our dinner we played a game of beans and just laughed and had a great time.

Day 2: I woke up late, and to the sound of B being startled. The 'demon chipmunk' had made it's way onto our tent. Between the mesh and the fly so it was the first thing B saw when he opened his eyes. It was sooooo funny! I went and had a shower and came back to thinking everyone would be awake but no such luck. Everyone was still sleeping. Finally everyone was awake and we had a yummy breakfast and than headed down to the water to hang out. While we were down there we discovered just how lovely this place was. We didn't want to have to go back to the campsite. It was so relaxing just hanging out by the water. There was a great source of entertainment too because the kids that were playing in the water were really funny.

We headed back up to our camp site at around 1:30 to have lunch. We had hot dogs and noodle salad. I had made so much noodle salad thinking it was going to have to feed 6 people. Oops. Than we headed back down to the water to swim. It was so cold at first but once we got in it wasn't so bad. Jordan had jumped off this little floating dock and lost his prescription glasses in the water. He needs his glasses to see anything and this was a bad ordeal. We searched and searched and B found a pair of kids goggles which came in really handy for searching. We kept looking and looking and after 45 minutes of searching we found them hidden within some seaweed at the bottom of the lake. It was a miracle. We celebrated and cheered and everyone on shore cheered too! Later we found out the goggles we found belonged to the nephew of the lady on the shore and he had lost them last year. So awesome! It made our day that's for sure. So much adventure.

After swimming for so long we played a game of beans on the beach and then headed back up to our campsite since it was starting to get a little darker and we were all getting a bit cold. As soon as we reached our campsite (It was like a hike because it was a straight up hill) we got into our warm comfy clothes and Jordan and Jeanine started to make dinner. They made a very yummy pasta dish. After cleaning up dinner we played a game called Dominion. So much fun! I think I know the next game we're going to get. It was awesome! I don't really know how to explain it but just know it was a lot of fun. We played it 3 times before turning in for the night. Just before we turned in though it started to spit a little bit so we decided it would be wise to tarp everything. So that's just what we did. It turned out to be a good decision because over night it was on and off raining. Sometimes a light drizzle and other times a down pour. Waking up to the sound of the rain was both relaxing and enjoyable as well as a pain because it made my need to pee so much stronger. Finally I gave into the need and got out of the tent. That's when I saw Jeanine and she was doing the same thing. So we walked together and laughed at how we had both been fighting off the need to go as long as possible. It was funny. The campground was nice but the smell outside of the washrooms was gross. Not inside the washrooms, but outside of it. I was happy to have our campsite further away from the washroom just so we didn't have to smell that ongoing or while eating..yuck!

It was still raining then and it was 8:30 in the morning. When we got back to the campsite we decided to go back to bed for a bit. When I got up again later it was sunny and no real traces of rain, other than the puddle that formed on B's side of the tent and the very dirty car I know had. We had a pancake breakfast with oranges and ham. Than we packed up our campsite with no urgency and headed out towards Sicamous for some ice cream at the Dutchman Dairy. After our ice cream and walking around and looking at all the animals we said our goodbyes and headed home. We stopped in at my brother's place and dropped off a package I had brought back for them and socialized for a short while, than headed to B's brother's place to pick up his car. When we got home we did two loads and brought everything up. While B was in the washroom having a clean up shower I unpacked everything (I'm an unpacking superstar). He came out and was surprised that I had unpacked it all and put it all away and reorganized the kitchen counters to something more functional. So we headed downstairs and unpacked the tent and other camping gear stuff that is to go into the storage locker. In all we were completely unpacked and back to normal before 8pm and we only got back at 7. Not too shabby if you ask me.

Today is laundry day. Only 56 more loads to go! I can hardly wait until the next time we go camping. I really recommend the campsite we went to. It's in Sorento and it's called WoodHaven. It's out there, in that there is nothing nearby and no cell phone service, but the lake is crystal clear. You can see the bottom of the lake no matter where you are and it's quiet and relaxing! I'm already counting down to next year!

Until next time, Michelle

Whirlwind!

So tired. I had some fun this past week. On the weekend B and I didn't do too much. It was relaxing. Then on Monday I did a bunch of running around and was surprised when I finished my to do list by 5 pm. The next morning came early. I was up at 5:30 and out the door by 6am to head down to Vancouver. It was bright and sunny already at 6am and made the trip down so enjoyable. I got to Bridal Falls and realized that traffic had come to a complete stop. I was stopped on the highway for an hour. Well, it was moving, but at a snails pace. Finally I got to the closest exit and that seemed to be where everyone was being detoured. The highway was closed between Bridal Falls and Abbotsford due to a fatal accident involving a semi-trailer going over the embankment. Incredibly tragic. (I found this out because while stopped on the highway I called my internet savvy husband who told me the reason why I was a sitting duck.) I couldn't help but think of the truckers family and how sad they would be at this time.

So I took an hour long detour and was finally back on track with my destination. I was an hour later than when I had been expected, but luckily my sister and her family were delayed too so I actually arrived at our meeting spot first! WIN! We did some shopping and then headed for lunch at Earls. My second time ever. It was good. I had the quesadilla. It was very yummy. After lunch we went and did some more shopping after dropping my car off at my brothers parents' place. Than we went and did some more shopping. They are doing their last minute shopping for the things they can't get where they live. It was funny because we were standing in line and the lady behind me broke down and said, "Ok, I can't figure out what she's making, I've been trying to figure it out but I just can't". I looked at my sisters assortment and noticed about 50 packages of gravy mix and about 10 packages of chocolate chips and laughed. I explained how they lived overseas and these were the things they couldn't get. After a long afternoon of shopping we headed over to some friends house where we had dinner. It was so nice of them to allow me to come along. It was a great dinner too! BBQ'd hamburgers, very yummy coleslaw - I totally have to get that recipe - and corn on the cob. For dessert they took us to an Italian ice cream shop that had 200 ice cream flavours to choose from. At first it was very overwhelming. There was a crazy amount of people. I ended up having very yummy Black Forest. But they had flavours such as "Balsamic Vinegar" and "Wasabe" and some other very interesting flavours. Why? I guess just for fun. I was not brave enough to even sample these flavours. After leaving our friends we went shopping a little more to the stores that were still open. Than we headed back to the parents' house and I talked with my brothers parents. They told me about their business plan and it's very bold. Very cool.

I headed downstairs and helped stuff envelopes. Well, I didn't stuff the envelopes, I counted out pictures to go into the envelopes :) After this I headed to bed. I was soooo tired and the early morning wake up call was going to come way too soon. At 6am I hit my alarm and made it go off again in 15 minutes. Than it happened again. Finally I dragged myself up and got ready. They headed off to Langley for a meeting but I had to run an errand so I was going to meet with them later on. I went and did my detective work that took me an hour and a half to do. Finally I was able to deliver the mystery package - just kidding - and was on my way. I got to Langley and met up with them in their office. After they were done I tagged along with them to do some of their running around. Than it was time to say so long.

I headed to Abbotsford and stopped in at Budget to get my brakes checked because there was a bad smell coming from them and my car had had this problem before so I knew what it was. They told me they could fit me in at 2pm. So I called my friend Sherena, we had a lunch date planned, and told her what was up. We met at Red Robins -a tradition to eat there any time I'm in Abby - and had lunch. After lunch I saw the bartender and he remembered me from Bible College days. I was like, you have worked here for a very long time! He just laughed! After lunch we headed back to Budget to drop my car off. They were able to get it in early and told me the scoop, I called B and handed the phone over because I hate being the middle man and thought, I'd just let them talk. We got the ok to fix it since this time it was the front brakes and last time it was the back brakes. So I had an hour and a half to kill. So Sherena and Kohen (her son) and I went to the mall. We didn't go into any stores, just walked and it was nice. I got to hold Kohen for as long as my weary arms would let me.

We walked back to Budget just as my car was being lowered. Perfect timing. I got in my car after saying goodbye and paying and drove to my Uncle's place. I stopped in to say a quick hello. As soon as I got back in my car it was 5pm. I was getting hungry and I was super tired. I decided lets just get home. So I cranked my tunes and headed home. I got close to hope and debated stopping for something to eat cause by this time my tummy was getting really angry, I decided I could wait until Merritt. So I continued. As I approached Merritt I debated again...I decided to just get home. I have stew in the freezer that I can have. So I kept going. I don't know how I did it....ok I do....but I got home in 2 1/2 hours. The first thing I did when I pulled up was call B to let me in the garage. He answered the phone, surprised to hear that I was home already cause he was at a staff BBQ. So I waited, and I waited and I waited, finally someone came down and went in the garage and I followed them in. I got my suitcase out of the back of the car. Headed up and first went to the washroom, second got the stew out of the freezer and had me some dinner. And then B came home while I was just dozing off. And that my friends concludes the events of the last couple of days. I'm super tired now and I think I may just lay down for a nap before I start my baking for the camping trip we're going on this weekend.

Sick! Two Weeks Off

Good day to you. I have the next almost 2 weeks off. I'm doing a lot of resting because like always...almost like clock work, as soon as I slow down I get sick. I have a stupid sore throat and a stuffy nose and super tired. So I sleep. I guess my body had done it's job and fought everything off for as long as it could and as soon as it saw a time to recoup it pretty much forced me to rest. I don't mind too terribly since I didn't have anything planned for this time off...it's just more annoying than anything else.

So far on my time off I have cleaned our place up, it was desperately needed, and then I made a batch of cookies. I also had a great visit with my Uncle Brock and Aunt Joanne. They surprised me yesterday by calling me and seeing if I wanted to join them for lunch. I was like, wow, yeah! They don't come to Kelowna very often so when they do it's exciting! While they were here they bought a motorcycle cause Aunt Jo had her eye on it since early July. So exciting!

I have had a few visits with my newest sister! She's not feeling so hot right now either so us together is kind of a sadfest but it's always so much fun. We both maybe sick but we still know how to giggle with each other!

I do have plans for next Tuesday! I'm so excited. I got a call yesterday from my sister saying that she has an opening in her -no sarcasm- very busy schedule so I can visit with them that day! So excited!!! So I will be heading down there on Tuesday morning and coming back on Wednesday.

Well, that's about it for now. I will try and keep you updated on my time off events. So far there isn't that much to report haha.

Until next time

Michelle

One Year Anniversary

Wow, can you believe it? Time got away from me again! While I was gone I was super busy! Working full time - well almost full time, 32 hours a week- really makes the time and the energy dissipate.

This past weekend B and I had our first year anniversary. I can't believe it's been a year already and at the same time, we've covered so much ground that it's like, it's only been a year? We celebrated by sleeping in, than going for a sushi lunch. Followed by a quick family visit at our Brother and Sister's place -they are building a house. Than we went for a dual massage (which was amazing - I snored a few times even though I wasn't asleep..haha). We went to the mall and

picked up some new luggage. Following this we went downtown and went to Earls on Top for an amazing dinner looking out over the lake. After dinner we headed home and watched a couple of movies to help us unwind. Throughout the entire day we kept track of the time and stated what we were doing at this exact time last year. It was fun and romantic and sweet!

Yesterday, Sunday, both B and I slept in until the clock said 9:15. Since church starts at 9:30 and it's a good 25 minute drive and we were no where close to being ready we decided to have a stay at home day. It was wonderful! We rested and talked and did a whole lot of nothing. We watched a couple of movies, had a nap had some lunch, had another nap watched another movie. It was a great refresher day.

So that pretty much wraps up our anniversary weekend. It was great. Last weekend was a weekend of fixing the car and this weekend was a weekend of celebration! Here are some pictures to recap the last year.

The end of one of the best years of my life! I am so excited to see what year 2 brings our way :)