Winter is BACK!

OK, now this has to be some kind of joke....woke up this morning at 5:00 AM to a temperature of -16 C and hasn`t warmed up all day.  The high tomorrow is expected to be -21C, low tonight -29C....that is COLD!  Might I say DAM COLD!

City is there trust me!

Had to work today, we are doing inventory and we had to be there today to do the prep work...it took two hours but we had to be there at the crack of dawn....actually dawn wasn`t even thinking of cracking!  DAH! Hoping they HAVE to owe us 4 hours minimum for today!  Here`s an update...I found a new BF!

New Boyfriend!  Picked him up in Vulcan!

Ater work we went to Farmers Market (nothing like Mazatlan) and looked around...lots of veggies but I think they are expensive!  Mum will remember this, they bought soup there....

After that, went to Leon`s to discuss the issues with their service department....our dining room set we bought last year....they are sending out a ``technician`` to look at it.  Color me stupid but IF the legs are cracking on the chairs and one of the main supports, what is a `technician`going to do I ask...

Going to throw some pictures in here....some of the places I`ve been!

Above two pictures are from Philadelphia (Lightfair 2011)

Next stop on the way home was to Canadian Tire...I saw a light there last year for the dining room, I liked it but to me it wasn`t worth no $230.00....(my opinion of course).  Well today it was on clearance and purchased it for ......wait for it.......are you guessing......got it for $32.00!  It`s up and hanging nicely over the dining room table!  I LOVE bargains!  The more I save the faster I go home!  LOL

Dreaming of warmer days, HOME at Daytona Beach!

Tomorrow is the Sprint Series race at Daytona Speedway....been there so many times, took a tour of the track, had my pic taken at Victory Lane but NEVER been to the race!  Just another thing on my bucket list!

At the Jack Daniel`s Tent...

Go Gordon Go!  My favourite driver...has been doing terrible the last few years but this is going to be his year!  Fingers crossed and lots of faith! :)

Pic taken at Bristol TN...Thunder in the Valley!

At the old speedway in North Wilksboro....actually did laps around the track in company vehicle and YES, have the certifications to prove it!

Bristol, TN Speedway

Ok so enuff already of the Nascar pics......can you tell I am a bit of a Nascar FAN!

Kennedy Space Center from a distance

At the museum

Outside the entrance to the Daytona Speedway...GREATEST driver of all time! (Had to throw this one in)!

I`m hiding!  Taken on the way to St. Augustine with friends Paul & Jeannie.

Well that`s about it for another day.  Tomorrow will be the regular stuff.....laundry and getting the stuff done to go back to work next week!  Watching the Nascar race and the hockey game...day of excitement and trying to stay warm!  Be safe everyone.  Back at you soon!

Miss you Mum....Hope all is well in Fenelon!

Monday, Family Day....Day OFF!

My system is "wonky" on me....I worked on a post last night and for some reason it's gone...disappeared....time to start again.

I roasted a turkey yesterday, it was delicious.  Left overs all week but I don't mind, I love turkey.  Have to work for the next two weekends....the company is doing inventory and it is "Mandatory" that everyone be present.  If you're not present, you better be dead!  Can either take it in time off (hour for hour) or $$$ at time and half!  I will opt for the time off at a later date.

The sun is shining today and it's going to be on the + side of zero again....some more white stuff later in the week, you loose some and get some!  I am so sick of winter!  NO I didn't win the lottery so have to stick it out until the funds are there to retire....

Yesterday was the beginning of the "Nascar Series".....go Gordon Go! I have been fortunate to go to the Bristol Race a number of times....(Thunder in the Valley)...met amazing friends (Eddie & Dorris Roberts). Their home is just around the corner from the speedway, wonderful couple and miss them dearly.

Eddie & Doris Roberts

Also met some wonderful people in Daytona Beach who are heavily into Nascar...ok well Jeannie is!  She loves Gordon (NOT)...lol.  Jeannie & Paul are from Ontario and we met them at Atlantic Ocean Palm, my favourite place to stay in Daytona Beach!

Jeannie & Paul

Also met a fantastic lady and her son while we were staying at Atlantic Ocean Palm....I call her my American Sister (Kathy).  She has an amazing son (Joshua) and to this day I am still in contact with them.  Hang in there sister, I will see you this year....as the Alberta Floods of 2013 logo was, "Come Hell or High Water". Already started saving my pennies!  I am coming home!

My American Sister Kathy

Kathy & Joshua

Friends Jackie & John are still in Mazatlan and are enjoying the fact that they are not at home in Toronto this winter with all the snow and nasty weather they've been having lately.  Here's a pic of the gang arriving at Torres Mazatlan, a time share property a short distance from the city.  http://www.junkboattravels.blogspot.ca/ is Jackie's blog.  She got me interested in doing this.

Arrival at Torres Mazatlan December 2013

Jackie & John at the ranch!

Also met friends from Indiana that drove to Mazatlan (Bill & Carol).  Carol has a blog as well, The Golden Years http://lifeinbrowncounty.blogspot.mx/  Carol was sick for a few days but feeling much better now.  It's always so nice to meet people and have a warm comfy feeling with them from the very beginning.

Bill & Carol

That's it for another day my friends.  Having a BBQ for supper and then will relax for a bit before bedtime.  5:00 AM comes pretty darn early!  Be safe!

Feb 15 ,2014 Destinations Unknown At First!

Woke up this morning to a bit of sunshine and a bit milder temperatures.  Didn't have any plans, knew I should "clean" and do "laundry" but didn't feel like it.  Car was calling so headed out to destinations unknown.  Headed south (at least I think that was the direction, no water here so I can't tell 

N, S, E or W)!  

Drove through this little place called Nanton and managed this time to get a neat picture of the planes at the museum.

Nanton Air Museum

Nanton Museum

Kept heading South ???? stopped in High River 

(hit very hard by the floods of 2013).

Tim's for a coffee!  Here are a couple images of High River and the devastation!

High River, AB...Flood devastaion 2013

Flood of High River 2013.  Some people lost everything,
homes damaged and later torn down. 

After stopping at Tim's for a coffee, we continued heading 

South (??) and eventually made a turn West 

towards the mountains.  I must admit they are beautiful and 

just about every turn is a post card view.  

Drive to Crowsnest Pass

Another view of the Rocky Mountains

Postcard Picture of the Rockies, taken by me!

We kept driving and came upon a place called Frank Slide...I had never heard of this before....I'll post a little bit of info here on what happened...and the tragedy of 1903.

The Frank Slide was a rockslide that buried part of the mining town of Frank, Northwest Territories, Canada, on the morning of April 29, 1903. It occurred at 4:10 am, when over 82 million tonnes (90 million tons) of limestone rock slid down Turtle Mountain within 100 seconds, obliterating the eastern edge of Frank, the Canadian Pacific Railway line and the coal mine. It was one of the largest landslides in Canadian history and remains the deadliest, as between 70 and 90 of the town's residents were killed, most of whom remain buried in the rubble. Multiple factors led to the slide. Turtle Mountain's formation left it in a constant state of instability, leading area Native tribes to call it, "the mountain that moves". 

Coal mining operations may have weakened the mountain's internal structure, as did a wet winter and cold snap on the night of the slide.

The above rock/debris field was at the top of the mountain.  

The section that broke was 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) wide, 425 metres (1,394 ft) high and 150 metres (490 ft) deep.  

Witnesses to the disaster claimed it took about 100 seconds for the slide to reach up the opposing hills, indicating the mass of rock traveled at a speed of about 112 kilometres per hour (70 mph).

 This is all debris field that came from the top of the mountain.  There are bodies, homes, stables, etc, all buried under all      these rocks.

                                                                    The Frank Slide

Continuing on the journey crossing over the Alberta border to BC, into Sparwood.  I couldn't figure out why anyone would go there....and then I saw it! 

                                  OMG...now that's a truck!

                                 I look like a midget next to these rubbers!

      Look UP...Look Way UP!  Wonder how one gets into this               truck.  Apparently there is one that DH saw at the plant 

                                    that is bigger than this!

  Saw this Old Fashioned covered wagaon at the entrance to a                          ranch on the drive back to Calgary.

      Can never resist taking pictures of these drilling machines.

                                         One final picture of the Mountains!  

February 14, 2014 Having a Heat Wave!

Well, this week is over!  TGIF!  It has been a challenge!  

A long weekend...Family Day

The beginning of the weekend is upon us and so looking forward to some milder temperatures....YES, finally on the + side of 0!    May even get a BBQ or two in!  Pity the Maritimes, forecast is for 25-35 cm of snow by Friday night!  Where does one put all that white stuff?  

Sorry sister, I feel your pain!  

**Little know fact about Ms. Lawrence:  I don't do winters well!** 

Family Day!

The holiday was first celebrated in 1990. Alberta was the only province in Canada to have a statutory holiday in February, until it was proposed in Saskatchewan beginning in 2007.
The holiday was proclaimed by Lieutenant Governor Helen Hunley, on the advice of her premier, Don Getty. Premier Getty said it was important for all Albertans to take time for their families and this holiday would emphasize the importance of family values.

Getty came in for considerable criticism at the time. Many employers felt that an additional statutory holiday was an unnecessary financial burden. In response to the criticism, the holiday of Heritage Day was downgraded to a civic holiday, meaning employers are not required to observe this day. Under Alberta law, the employer may choose to observe Heritage Day as a general holiday, under which rules applying to general holiday pay will be used. (DAM RIGHT ON THAT)!

Oh Family Day Celebrations I'm thinking will involve a little Cheer (s)!

To all my Friends , Family & Others!

 I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day as well.

Valentine Treasures
Valentine treasures are people who
have often crossed your mind,
family, friends and others, too,
who in your life have shined
the warmth of love or a spark of light
that makes you remember them;
no matter how long since you've actually met,
each one is a luminous gem,
who gleams and glows in your memory,
bringing special pleasures,
and that's why this Valentine comes to you:
You're one of those sparkling treasures!
By Joanna Fuchs
Soon be time to head back to Las Vegas and meet up with friends, Jackie & John.  So excited!  (Perhaps Jackie can help me with my blog set up....pretty it up a bit!) I know it's been a short period of time since holidays, but I need another vacation!  Going to get some lotto MAX tickets as well....50 million....don't need nearly that amount, just want enough to retire on and not see another snow flake!  
Pics of last vacation!  December 2013 & January 2014

These people have had way too much Happy Juice!

Welcome sign...wasn't willing to wait to get pic under sign!  Better things to see and do in Vegas!

Hoover Dam 2011 panoramic view from the Arizona side showing the penstock towers, the Nevada-side spillway entrance and the Mike O'Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, also known as the Hoover Dam Bypass

Hoover Dam December 2013Hoover Dam, once known as Boulder Dam, is a concrete arch-gravity dam in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, on the border between the US states of Arizona and Nevada. It was constructed between 1931 and 1936 during the Great Depression and was dedicated on September 30, 1935, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Its construction was the result of a massive effort involving thousands of workers, and cost over one hundred lives. 

Lake Mead December 2013

One DH to another!  LOL

Hot Air Balloon made of flowers!  The Wynn Casino  December 2013 Las Vegas

February 9, 2014 BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR Right now -31 with Windchill!

Haven't been able to post lately...issues with the laptop.  Will have to take it someplace for repairs.  Every site I go onto says ``Errors`` and that doesn`t make me a happy camper.  

Woke up again this morning to `bone chilling temperatures` ...sure do miss the warm sunshine and much milder temperatures that were experienced in Mazatlan.  The good news is that by Thursday, supposed to be on the + side again....those dam weatherpeople, teasing me again.  I had to go out today to get the necessities of life...milk and cookies...LOL.  Seriously went and got some fresh veggies to make a stew for tomorrow nights dinner.  This is my month to work 8:00 - 4:30 then I go back to my regular time.  

Mazatlan January 2014 and warmer climates!

I was fortunate to find a `great hair stylist`to work on the Lawrence Coiffure....Allana did an amazing job.  I love my new color and she gave me a fantastic cut.  New picture and color to follow!  You gotta love Jackie and I on New Years Eve in Mazatlan.  We gave our headgear and glasses to the little girls that were in attendance, they were thrilled. 

Girls just wanna have fun!  (AND FUNDS)

Jackie and Debbie ...quite cute don`t you think!

I have six days vacation left to take before March 31.  Looked into going bak to Mazatlan, home to Daytona Beach, another part of Mexico, San Diego but decided to go back to Las Vegas.  Flight is booked and staying at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.  Jackie and John will be there as well for a few days, they will be staying at the Wynn.  So looking forward to seeing friendly faces again!

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino was built in 1995 by Peter Morton, co-founder of the Hard Rock Cafe. It was expanded in 1999, and began another expansion in 2007. In June 2002 influential rock bassist John Entwistle of The Who died in one of the hotel's rooms. The hotel management originally refused to release the room number out of respect, but later reports indicate that Entwistle died in Room 658 (considered a "deluxe suite"). Many fans still pay tribute to Entwistle, by visiting the hotel.

Margaritaville Las VegasJimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville is a mecca for Parrot Heads or anyone else who wants to have a good time and a great meal in the ultimate tropical setting.

Oh YES....I will be wastin`away again...Love this place!

People watching Dec 24, 2013 in Las Vegas

My birthday celebrations Dec 24, 2013 Las Vegas....At Hell`s Kitchen (Gordon Ramsey`s Steak House)  Amazing food and great friends!

Inside the Hard Rock Hotel

Christmas Decorations at the one if the casinos on the strip.

The strip early evening