Saturday 19 April 2014

SERIOUSLY...WHO KNEW!

Happy Easter Everyone!

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White Easter expected as storm approaches Calgary

Environment Canada warning of potential for heavy snowfall Friday

CBC News Posted: Apr 18, 2014 12:45 PM MT

After a long winter, southern Albertans will likely face a 'white Easter' this weekend as a storm moves from the mountains into the Foothills.
Environment Canada issued a special weather statement Friday to warn about the potential for heavy snowfall in the City of Calgary and surrounding areas. 
A developing low pressure system is producing precipitation over areas of southern Alberta with temperatures near or slightly above zero, that is expected to fall a wet snow at first. 
While the wet snow will initially melt, with time and increased intensity it is expected to accumulate.
Some areas around the Foothills could see 10 centimetres in all.
Southern Albertans are being warned to use extra caution and monitor weather conditions if travelling Friday.
The communities of Airdrie, Cochrane, Olds, Sundre, Okotoks, High River and Claresholm are under the same special weather statement.  Banff National Park, Kananaskis and Canmore are under a snowfall warning, with 10 to 20 centimetres expected.
The highest snowfall amounts are expected to be around the Icefields Parkway.  Drivers should be aware of the changing road conditions and be prepared for visibility to be suddenly reduced in times of heavy snow.

Only in Calgary!
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Calgary's new airport runway set to open in June
Booking my ticket!
Airport says top goal for new destinations is non-stop flight to China
CBC News Posted: Apr 18, 2014 2:10 PM MT Last Updated: Apr 18, 2014 2:10 PM MT

The countdown is on for the new runway to open at the Calgary International Airport.
Construction is still underway on the new $600-million runway, which will be more than four kilometres long and over a metre thick. Several more weeks of work are needed but the first flight is scheduled to depart from the runway on June 20 at 2 p.m. MT.
"This runway was planned 40 years ago," said Garth Atkinson, president of the airport. "To see it all come to pass, through a lot of planning, a lot of design, construction in the last few years and all the effort by so many people and so many organizations, it's quite exciting."
The airport says its top goal is to offer a non-stop flight to China.
Atkinson says that's likely still a few years away.
A new international terminal is also under construction. 
The budget for the terminal alone is roughly $1.4 billion and it is expected to open in late 2015.

A NEW way out coming!  YIPPEE!!!!
Airport & City!
I don't think so!

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Jubilee Auditorium
Theatre

The Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium is situated adjacent to the University of Alberta. A twin facility, the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, is located in Calgary. Both are owned by the Government of Alberta and operated in partnership with the provincial departments of Infrastructure and Alberta Culture.


Mama Mia
In 2004, an extensive renovation was undertaken to revitalize these community icons. Improvements focused on patron comfort and performance enhancements including acoustics, seating, climate control, and more. The venue has a new look, yet has maintained its historic charm. The facilities were reopened in September, 2005 to commemorate Alberta’s 100th anniversary
Great show we saw last night!

A mother. A daughter. 3 possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you'll never forget! Over 45 million people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make Mamma Mia! the ultimate feel-good show! Writer Catherine Johnson's sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, and every night everyone's having the time of their lives!

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Well yesterday was cleaning and laundry, today will be the grocery run.  At least the sun has made an appearance, however it may be short lived.  Oh forgot have to go to bank today, my debit card won`t work for some reason.

Happy Easter and please be safe out there!  Take care!

Saturday 12 April 2014

The Weekend!

Finally made it through another rough week.  There are a lot of things happening at work and at the moment really have to focus why we are here.  I put in my request for vaction for Christmas and guess what...it was turned down!  After my boss told me this, she then proceeded to call everyone in the office one by one, to discuss something. Later that day, others submitted requests for the same time off and got approved!  Sooooooooooo, to make a long story short, unless a miracle happens and I find something else, we are here for Christmas and my birthday!  Am I happy, NO!  Dreaming of better days ahead! Oh to win the lottery!
Happier Days!

I applied for another position within Westburne, it is for National Accounts Coordinator, located in either Winnipeg, Burnaby or Mississauga.  My boss asked me about a position that she is eventually going to post, was I not interested?  I said would depend on compensation and conditions, I was then informed there was NO additional compensation....am I interested...you guessed it...absolutely NOT!  
Alan's home office in Bowmanville, Ontario
He did over 3 million dollars sales from this desk!

We are going to go to a "Celebration of Life" for a friend that passed away about a month ago.  We knew this gentleman from our Hubbell days and feel sorry for the loss to his family.  Keith and Sue were the one reason we thought we would enjoy it here....at least we knew someone.  We stick close to home here and are each other's best friend since all our real friends are in other parts of Canada.

As I keep saying to Alan, on a daily basis, I want to go home!  It's kind of a joke now but he knows I'm serious.  I don't like it here at all!  Something has to change before long!

My kitchen in Bowmanville, Ontario (HOME)
Side yard at Bowmanville, Ontario
Miss my gardening!
Back yard, prior to fence and new permanent gazebo

It was beautiful yesterday, (as beautiful as it can be here), and we woke up this morning to COLD and more snow!  Temps are to go back up tomorrow for a couple of days, then by Wednesday, you guessed it, more snow!  I've been told it can snow every month here....NOT my kind of place!
Not quite time for a picnic yet!

Our friends Bill & Carol, left Mazatlan, Mexico and are heading back to Indiana.  Yesterday, they crossed into the USA and I believe they are spending a few days at a campground in Arizona.  We wish them safe travels and after reading Carol's blog yesterday, interesting she is not held at the border...LOL  Be safe friends.

Going to post a few random pics again of some of the places we've been.  Hope you like them!
Horsing around in PEI.  Pretty Heavy rock!
Heading South or was it North...LOL 
White Rock, BC

From the top of CN Tower, Toronto, Ontario

New Trade Center in New York

Have a great week my friend...Now I will check my lottery tickets!



Sunday 6 April 2014

A bit of sunshine and Warm Temps!


Well it's Sunday and coming to the close of another weekend.  I can't believe how fast they go by!  Seems like I just left work and have to get ready to go back....
So to recap the last week, Alan had his doctor appointment with the heart specialist on Friday, everything is good.  Whatever the issue was, apparently they believe he has had it all his life.  In other words, he is as healthy as anyone could be and his blood pressue is fantastic!  So we can now lay this to rest....  I was really worried but all is good.  He went this morning for blood tests and we go to our family doctor on Thursday....they may change his cholesteral meds.  I on the other hand have an infection on my shin and been on antiobotics and it just won't clear up.  What a mess and sooooooooooo itchy!  Guess I will get something new on Thursday to try to clear it up.
On the road to Banff, AB
The sun is out today....pleasant change.  The snow is almost gone but then it is Calgary so that really doesn't mean anything.  Supposed (so the weather man is saying) to go to 18 degrees on Tuesday!  YUP, I'm feeling sick already!  LOL
At the Bellagio, Las Vegas
Bellagio, Las Vegas

We went for a drive yesterday to get away from the city.  It is beautiful to see the mountains but as I said to Alan that they would be so much prettier in North Carolina or West Virginia.  Too bad we have to see them here.  We went to Turner Valley and Black Diamond and another place called Longview.  Interesting names of places.  (ONLY in Calgary, LOL)  We started up a road and we saw a large herd of cattle being walked up the road by horses!  Some of the kids on the horses were very young and waived at us as we passed.  Starting them young I guess!
Our drive in the country, April 2014,  Road to Kanaskasis

Herding the cattle!

Family outing, herding the cattle

New chairs in Black Diamond, AB

Another mountain view

Our friends from Indiana who are currently in Mazatlan are looking at heading back to the US on Wednesday or Thursday.  Good to hear that our friend Bill is feeling much better and hopefully good to drive the motorhome back.  Carol will make sure he takes his meds and doesn't get over tired.  Be safe my friends in your travels.
Bill & Carol

Our other friends Jackie and John are heading back to Ontario...they have been gone since late November I believe.  Last we heard, they were headed to North Carolina, and I imagine a stop at J R's in Statesville (for cigars).
J & J Mazatlan, Mexico 
Have a safe week my friends...if you are travelling, drive carefully.  Talk soon!

Tuesday 1 April 2014

Now that's Scary!


OMG...there is something in the sky, very bright!  Can't be the SUN!  Yup, certainly is.  First time the sun has been out in almost a week!  So used to seeing white flakes....the sun is a very pleasant change!  AND it's warming up a bit....possibly in the TEENS on the weekend!
Won't be seeing this anytime soon but the weather is changing.  Home in Bowmanville, back yard.


This week so far has been nothing but challenges, I guess for the the both of us.  We had a chat the other night and told each other to remember why we are here and stay focused!  Alan could be heading to Georgia in June for training with Acuity Lighting.  We are trying to figure how we can make this work to our advantage.....hmmmmmmmmmmm.  LOL  Just throwing in some different pics now of places we've been.
Barge on the Frazer River, BC.
White Rock, BC

Tonight I'm making meatloaf, asparagus, carrots and mashed potatoes for dinner.  Always a nice change from chicken, steak or burgers.  Tomorrow will either be left overs or wing night at the Pub next door.  We can walk there and have a couple of beer and don't have to drive, which is something I definitely like.
Calamari in Vegas (The Grind Burger at BlueGreen)
We have a doctor appointment on Thursday night, to get prescriptions filled and then Alan has his heart specialist on Friday. Sure hope things are okay and there is nothing wrong.  He's in the garage at the moment having his scotch and cigar (and beer)....seriously think he needs to quit!  Speaking of quitting, it's been almost 9 months since I had a cigarette....every once in a while I want one but manage to hold back.  I am proud of this accomplishment.
Thumbing a ride!  Part way to Bristol on a mountain back roads.  Isn't he cute! :)

Well that's it for tonight....gotta run and get dinner on.  Be safe all my friends....catch you later!