Fantastic morning at the zoo

The butterflies were my favorite today!

Getting things in order

I have to admit that I haven't been the best at getting our affairs in order post marriage. Anyone who has gone through this knows exactly what I mean. Name changes, beneficiaries and such. But this weekend we finally accomplished one of the most important....

The secret signal...

The signal that can be used for a variety of things:

- we gotta go cuz another girl just showed up wearing the exact same outfit as the one I'm trying to pull off
- this person has the worst breath ever so please rescue me
- uh oh I called in sick today to hit up the beach but there is my boss at the same beach


But it is also crucial in the blind recognition. It took a while to convince Jimmy that it could add any value to his life but I think I have him convinced. What if he is kidnapped and an impostor is trying to gain his trust and pretend they are me? Or what if the power is off one night when I get home late and we need to confirm I'm not an intruder. Or what if their is some other disaster that requires a meeting spot and secret acknowledgement.

No worries though - we have one established now. Phew so glad that is done.

Catching up

Whew a busy couple of weeks. But I am finally at home, catching up on shows and looking forward to a delightfully quiet weekend.

Toronto was absolutely fantastic and the Madonna concert was certainly a once in a life time experience! Julie and I had so much fun relaxing, lots and lots of chatting, some eating, a fair amount of walking and plenty of people watching. We lounged on the beach, we updated our fall wardrobes, we bought some shoes (one of the things I love about Julie is the fact that shoes are always purchased) and handbags - a beautiful satchel style one that I cannot wait to use - and had a couple of coffees. Oh how I loved every minute of that weekend!!!!!

After a 7 hour layover at my house in Calgary - Jimmy was whisking me back to the airport to head down to Fort Worth again.

And now here I am - after a week of spreadsheets and data validation, of demos and bad hotel meals - home I am. YAYE!!!

But all was not lost this week - I did squeeze in a visit with my dear friends down south and a chance to meet their new little one - the precious guy that he is!!!!!

Looking forward to lots of fun this weekend. Will be sure to fill you all in :)

Lost luggage

I was told at the counter that United never loses luggage, they only temporarily misplace it. Either way my huge honking packed with goodies for Canonsburg and Toronto suitcase is not with me tonight.

I learned on one of my first trips the value in packing a change of clothes in your carry on. Depending on the trip that may mean a swimsuit or a change of undies and new shirt. Today it meant an office appropriate outfit.

Unfortunately I didn't think to include the change in undies! Really??!! That's the most important part. And even more unfortunately I packed a white skirt... My undies not so white! Ugh!!

Oh well I am sure I can salvage the situation. And next time, pack a little bit smarter. On the bright side, I remembered to take my make up in the carry on... I may be stinky but at least I will be batting lashes with mascara...

--- 1 ---

I have spent this week working from home and it has been delightful! I am sure I am not going to get to everything on my to do list but I certainly crossed off a few items. I have so enjoyed waking up at home, catching up with dear dear friends and being domesticated. Ha sounds funny saying that but you know - cleaning the bathroom, emptying the dishwasher, cutting veggies, planning meals, shopping at costco - the things that I used to not love doing on a weekly basis I have kind of missed! Don't get me wrong though - it isn't something I want back on a weekly basis - I am not crazy!

--- 2 ---

One of the things I find a bit hard with travel is the lack of personal contact. As you well know, I am a huge extrovert and so spending 4 days without that personal connection gets old real quick. Although this project is better in that I am working on a team I still spend my evenings to myself. I could never last on a deserted island. So this week, being able to lunch with friends as I did today or spending the evenings with Jimmy has been so refreshing on the soul.

--- 3 ---

Something that I have been loving with travel has been with the project location. I love Fort Worth/Dallas area. It has delightful friends from previous projects that I need to make a priority to see more, summer isn't over yet there as it is still boasting 34 degrees  and they have fantastic mexican food - I mean the most delicious mexican food. I have had to make a pact with myself that I can only have one guilty pleasure dinner a week - cuz really - who can resist enchiladas.

--- 4 ---

Next week I head to Pittsburgh and then Toronto. Pittsburgh for work to the Cannonsburg office. It will be great to meet all the lovely people down there. I haven't had the pleasure yet and meeting the people you work closely with makes such a huge difference. Toronto is a girls trip that I have had planned with Julie for quite a while. We have Madonna tickets!!! so excited - not necessarily that I am a huge Madonna fan cause I am certainly not. But more because she is a icon and guaranteed to put on a pretty incredible production. But even more than that - I am soooo excited to spend time with Julie! It is going to be incredible and is long overdue. I love that girl to pieces and cannot wait to hang out with her just us - no wedding planning - no spouses (not that we don't love you boys) but just us.

--- 5 ---

Jimmy and I watched The Vow this past weekend. What a beautiful movie (even more so knowing it was inspired by a true story). Jimmy and I chatted a little about what that could look like for us (I won't ruin it here in case you haven't seen it yet. For those who have - you know what I am talking about) and if we thought that you find your way back to yourself. Certainly an interesting thought - and one that leaves me thanking the Lord that we don't have to work through that right now.

--- 6 ---

It is supposed to warm up here this weekend. If it does, a topless ride in Zinny to the mountains is definitely happening on Saturday. Just letting you all know. It - is - happening!

--- 7 ---

I would like to add some books to my reading list. Any ideas? Something that won't scare me too much at night but something that is not super fluffy either. Let me know if you do - I'm starting to feel a touch illiterate. Maybe I will even renew my library membership. Yes - I think I will.

Weekend of Family Fun and Frolic

I am dreadfully behind on some fun little pics for the blog. These are some that mom has been asking for and they definitely represent one of my most favorite weekends from the summer.

My side of the family met in Cypress Hills for a weekend get away. We planned the meals and packed games. Ensured our swim suits were handy and we had plenty of snacks. We stopped for pastrys and planned our ice cream walks. And alas had a weekend full of giggles, full bellies, splashes, exploring, picking berries, fire works, mini golf, bbq'ing and coffee.

He loves me....

I don't need to play that silly game to know he loves me...

But my bedside table has welcomed me with fresh roses from our backyard since I started my new job with the weekly travel...

Just in case I was still wondering...

5 more minutes

There is this little song by Meaghan Smith called 5 More Minutes that I absolutely love. It's all about summer memories and begging mom and dad for 5 more minutes to play.

That reflects how I feel tonight on this long weekend that ushers in September with fall breezes. Please summer... 5 more minutes. I'm not ready for bed yet. I haven't got my golf game ready to attempt to play. We haven't played tennis nor gone for a bike ride. The river hasn't been floated and we only camped once. Zinny hasn't whisked us on a topless cruise into the mountains nor have I finished the box of iced coffees we bought for the keurig. Our local park hasn't been explored and we haven't had a picnic. I'm just not ready yet. Please... Just 5 more minutes??!!