Weekend in Reverse

To heck with chronology...here's my weekend excitement from most to least recent*grin*

1. We hit the slopes this weekend (okay, today)- what fun! I don't remember the last time I went tobogganing...& it was certainly Al's first time. I'm so thrilled that Alvin enjoyed himself because now I'm planning on working off the Christmas turkey sledding any chance we get- weeeeeee.














































2. I didn't take out my camera at my folks place on Sunday- but it was so great visiting with Canj (in town from VanCity), Car (before she hits Mexico), & Belle's parents.

3. Two parties in one night- Anna & Dan hosted a lovely wine & cheese & then off to Tom & Dev's for their get together. At least we've got a couple of "pre-party" photos. (We were actually taking photos in front of the mounded snow to send to Al's family back in Zambia- there's not that much snow but when they cleared the condo parking lot we thought we could exaggerate a bit)*grin*






























4. My light-hearted weekend began Friday afternoon with these words:

Leadership and Human Resource Management Pass

Organizational Change Pass

Life Career Development Pass

Work and Well-being Pass

Which means (unofficially) I'm done school! I've cleared my exams & should be the proud recipient of an MSc in Human Resource Management as soon as the official results arrive. I couldn't be more thrilled & will certainly not boast of this achievement every chance I get- but I do have to mention it as when I saw the four "passes" my heart beat faster & I danced around my little apartment. Three years of work celebrated in so many ways this weekend- I think I'll pour myself a glass of Amarula*grin*. More seriously (Amarula in hand)- there are so many people to thank for their support- maybe once it’s truly sunk in I’ll be more philosophical- for now I’m celebrating!

Solo fun

Alvin has landed himself a part-time job so I find myself with lots of time on my hands in the evenings. So far I'm enjoying it (I'm not sure how long it will last)*grin*
Any of you who know me well can rest assured that I'm still keeping myself busy. I have taken a bit of time for reflection though. I was thinking about what I've been loving about being back for a white Christmas; there are two things I've tried to capture.
1. Every time I step out of doors I smile at the cool air on my cheeks. Knowing that I won't be able to describe the exact feeling I thought I'd take a video & see if the chill paints itself on as I imagine.

2. The sound of snow crunching underfoot- there's nothing like that sound. I love it- I'm like a child.

Let me know what you think*wide smile*

My boots

I dug out some hiking boots the other day to walk in the cold-but-not-too-snowy streets. These are the boots that took me to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. (I have been madly searching for a photo of me at Uhuru peak & I can't find any) BOOO

The boots also accompanied me on the girls trip to end all road trips at Mount Robson. I say it ended all road trips because the 5 of us haven't been together since that epic trip in August 2004. I am also failing to locate one of these photos*sigh*

I smiled in my hiking boots on the way down to the library reminiscing about the journeys they have led me through, and the people who supported me on those hikes. I confess that I'm giddy thinking about where else these boots might take me; but I'll also confess how content I am to remove them, fold myself up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate (or a glass of red wine) & a good book. Funny how exotic Uhuru peak sounds compared to tromping through suburban Alberta streets...but that's part of the smile- who would ever guess where these boots have been?

What a December 1st

December First is always a big day for me as I pull out the Christmas decorations & get myself into the Christmas spirit. This December 1st was more exceptional than usual.

1. I got to set up two trees

Tom & Dev were called in alongside me & Al to help Ma put up her tree (I don't know anyone who won't work for pizza)*grin*















I also set up my new tree- Tom & Dev passed down their 'apartment' tree for a full-sized one & this is how she looks at the moment. Yippeee- a beautiful little tree with lights.
















2. Work hosted a hockey game fundraiser & check out who opened the game with the National anthem! Anyone who grew up watching the Edmonton Oilers should recognize this man. (The first video I took was shaky because I was so excited...so it starts from here). Love it.


3. I am so excited about the muffins I've made (I know lame) BUT- they are made with the frozen cherries & Saskatoon berries that I helped harvest in the summer. It doesn't get much more delicious than this*smile*