Back to Reality!

Back from Las Vegas where we spent the Holidays this year with great friends.  Unfortunately, the both of us got sick.....the flight home was wicked.  NOTE to self!...don't fly when you have a cold! We arrived home late on Saturday and have not ventured out yet. Have been spending the days resting and hopefully back to work tomorrow!   **Oh Joy!  Some pics of our travels!

The Bears!

Penguins!

I may know him! 

Neat display in a store!

Pretty Cool!

Our Christmas decorations at home!  On top of closet!

I spent the big 60th B'day in Vegas with the J's and Alan.  While I was having my shower, hubby went downstairs and got us champagne to start the day!  Then he gave me a beautiful pair of diamond earrings!  The J's gave me a flamingo for my Pandora bracelet, it is beautiful.  We went to Todd English Bar & Grill for dinner...it wasn't great food the first time around...I have never had a hot lobster roll so sent it back!  Picky or what but at this age....I am accustomed to certain things!  

Hubby, scotch & cigar!

Spent a couple of nights at the casino and the 5 O'clock Bar....great time.  Went with friends to Sam's Town and some other casinos off the strip.  Got to see a whole other side of Vegas and don't believe we will ever stay on the strip again.

Looks like a nice place to stay next time!

Inside the Orleans Casino

Orleans Casino

We took a drive to the Las Vegas Speedway.....Glittering Lights at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway will feature approximately 2.5 miles of lights, millions of twinkling lights, making for a great holiday experience for family and friends.  It was truly amazing to see and the funds raised go to Children's Charities.

Las Vegas Speedway Lights 2014

Glittering Lights LVS 2014

So pretty!

New Years Eve, the strip was closed so we couldn't ring in the New Year with friends.  Our room at the Flamingo was directly across the street from Caesars Palace and not too far from the Bellagio where they have the "dancing waters" and the Cosmopolitan  where they also had fireworks.  We could see it all from the 14th floor! Simply amazing!

Ringing in 2015!

Las Vegas Fireworks New Years Eve

Jan 3 and time to leave....the J's picked us up, we spent the afternoon (after a terrific lunch) with them and they drove us to the airport.  Back to reality and freaking COLD and SNOW!

Been snowing ever since we got off the plane on Saturday night....OMG....and COLD!  I have one goal and desire for 2015! Anyone care to take a guess!!!! 

Fooling around with the camera before we left Las Vegas!  Great pic!  Miss you J.

Have a great week my friends!  Hopefully the bitter COLD and SNOW will stop soon!

COLD!

That didn't take long!

Seemed like just yesterday wen were off for a weeks vacation and today is our last day off! OMG how time flies!  Where did the week go!

I didn't hardly take any pics this time as I have been over this same highway so many times.  Roads were pretty good but as we approached Whitefish, there was an accident.  People in the US can't drive any better in snow than most Calgarians!

Bambi!

Cute butt!

The road home was treacherous, at least one part of it.  Sheer ice!  The tow truck driver was making a small fortune.  Lots of people went off the road and some people were in the ditch waiting for the tow truck to haul them out.

We got some good deals at Black Friday!  My first time doing this and must admit it was fun!  We have never spent so much time in a Wal Mart as we did that day...8 hours to be exact!  Was it worth it...Yes!

I watched a Christmas Movie called "The Christmas Shepherd" and this picture was in it!

Trying to plan something for Christmas....work 13 days and then off again!  Best part of work is vacation!

My BIG bday is right around the corner!  OMG...what the hell did I do with my life?  I keep saying I want to retire but that clearly isn't going to happen any time soon!  I owe, I owe, it's off to work I go!

I just went on CBC News for the latest headlines:

El Nino should keep polar vortex at bay, Environment Canada says:  Warmer Pacific temperatures should mean a warmer winter than last year, forecaster predicts (OMG....hopefully they are talking Calgary)!

We are in the RED!

Have a fantastic week everyone!  Be safe and God Bless!

One Week Done! Back to work for 6 days, then off again!

Beautiful 5 days travelling to British Columbia, visiting friends and enjoying the sights.  We got back on Friday, Nov 14th.  Didn't want to push our luck with the roads going through the mountains.

It's beginning to look a LOT like winter!

Solid ice on the side of the mountain.

Heavy equipment called in!

There is a show on TV called the Highway Thru Hell, and it is actually the #5 Highway Coquihalla.  I can only imagine this road in a storm!

WOW...120 KMH...Hubby shouldn't get a ticket now!

Notice the bears on the entrance!

It was a very picturesque drive with lots of scenery.  Some of the towns didn't have much but we stopped and investigated what was there and took some interesting pictures.

Carving at a Shell Station in BC.

Across from the hotel *Sandman* in Revelstoke, BC.

I couldn't believe it but in New Westminster at the Inn at the Quay they have there Christmas decorations up inside and outside the gardeners were working on planting....I know that some were bulbs and some were pansies!~  Try that here...OMG....at -21 C they sure wouldn't last.

Inn at The Quay Lobby, November 2014 

Some places still had leave on the trees!

Spring, summer, fall & winter all in one day!

We came home to SNOW and bitterly cold temperatures.  This is going to make for a very long winter! 

Before we left, there was a "Scotch Tasting" that we attended at Willow Park.  Seriously tried to get Frank to provide a beer for me, anything but scotch but as you can see from my setting, that didn't work out as planned.

Seriously, I'm supposed to drink this????  Can't see that happening!

Had good news from Paul & Jeannie....the doctor has to run more tests but they believe they have got all the cancer and Paul (as we all are) is thrilled with this news.

I lost the diamond out of a ring in BC so will have to take it in for repairs and replacement.  Will call the insurance company first to see if they will cover it through my house insurance.  I'm guessing not but worth a try.

Once again health issues are concerning me in regards to hubby.  He is waiting on a call from a specialist and hopefully we'll have some sort of diagnosis soon!

Will post pics now of the trip.  Have a great week everyone!

Found this at a Product Stand!

Rogers Pass November 2014

Yep...that's a case of beer at the feet!

White Rock, BC

Sunset on the Fraser River, BC

Remembrance Day Nov 2014, Whistler, BC

The rings!  Vancouver Olympics

Glad I had my mittens!  Whistler

Whistler, BC

Downtown Vancouver

At Canada Place, Downtown Vancouver, Nov 2014

The Olympic Flame for Vancouver Olympics

The designer!

Are they SERIOUS?????

Snowfall warnings issued across southwestern Alberta

It's beginning to look a lot like ... winter?
Much of southwestern Alberta is getting reacquainted with Old Man Winter as a storm system from Montana brings snow to much of the region Saturday afternoon.
Environment Canada has issued multiple weather warnings across the southwestern part of the province, warning the storm will bring 10 to 25 centimetres before tapering off on Sunday.
The system started off as cloud and rain in many areas before changing to snow as cooler air moved in from the north.
More western areas at a higher elevation should expect to see more snow.  Drivers are warned to adjust their driving for the conditions. The weather agency says visibility may be suddenly reduced in heavy snow.

OMG....don't like white!

Not a pretty color!

The stress if finally OVER!  Hubby had his LC exam yesterday....both hoping he passed!  It's been a lot of studying and stress lately on both of us but hopefully was all worth it.  We are (OK maybe just me) hoping this opens new doors for him in regards to employment.

The coming week will be busy....I have 2 days training out of the office, back to work on Friday and then off on vacation....YES it was approved by my new supervisor.  We are thinking of heading West to Vancouver (weather permitting) and meeting up with some dear friends.

We have a lot of vacation to take in the next month or so....but it is so expensive now to book anything because it has been so late in getting the approvals on vacation.  We may just start driving at Christmas and see where we end up!  Or NOT!  LOL


I can't believe we have been here almost 2 years!  Feels like an eternity to me.  LOL.   Still looking to be "B'ville Bound"!  Home is where the heart is and that's where mine lies....it has special meaning to me in regards to my relationship, my family and my friends.

Have a great week everyone!  Be safe!