Post Cruise

Ron and I have been back to the real world for a week now.  It sometimes takes that long to recover from a holiday...unpacking, laundry, groceries, naps and more naps.  It was great to get away and enjoy some beaches, great food and lots of relaxation.

Our first day on the ship was a "Day at Sea" which means nothing to do but eat, sleep and eat some more.  It happened to be Valentine's Day. 

Day 2 found us in Grand Cayman.  We were tendered off the ship to shore where we boarded a bus to Seven Mile Beach.  The "beach" was very interesting.  It consisted mostly of a huge reef than ran right in front of where we were dropped off.  Ron grabbed his snorkel and was anxious to explore.

I wasn't quite that excited.  The beach looked a little intimidating to me with so much reef.  I wandered further down the beach and found a good place to float in the waves.

 This beach had lots of people and lots of iguanas.  You had to be careful where you walk because you really didn't want to step on one of these guys.

Thankfully when we got back to the ship the only creature that we found in our cabin was something that looked like this:

Day 3 and we made it to Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan.  Again, we had booked an excursion to a beach.  I mean, why not!  After we docked we took a bus ride across the island to the resort area.  There was a huge security presence to keep the area safe.  It was a little unnerving seeing a guard with a long gun. 

Once we arrived at the beach we were taken to the area to choose our beach chair and a security guard introduced himself and said that our belongings would be safe.  He constantly wandered up and down the lounge chairs making sure that no one was harassed with the locals trying to sell their goods.

It was a beautiful warm day and Ron got busy exploring underwater while I went for a couple of dips in the ocean, read and relaxed.

 I even got my hair braided at the beach and we bought a couple of paintings from a local artist.


Day 4 was a very interesting day for us.  We were in Belize or kind of.  The ship anchored far away from land since the water was so shallow and there were so many reefs.  People that were going into Belize took a long tender to there.  We, on the other hand, took a 45 minute tender ride to a tiny island where we went snorkelling.

 

 

 

 

 The snorkelling was very interesting here.  They split us up into groups according to how comfortable we were with it.  I chose the beginner group.  We followed our guide around who would point out different fish and coral to us.  I was reasonably calm until some jelly fish floated by my hand.

Day 5 -  Our ship arrived in Cozumel, Mexico.  We took a ferry boat to Playa del Carmen and that was interesting.  The water was rough and the waves splashed up to the second level where we were sitting.  The boat rocked back and forth and a few people were overcome with the motion.  Thankfully Ron and I were okay.  Once we arrived on shore we took an hour bus ride to the Ancient City of Tulum.  It was really hot and our tour guide was a tad bit annoying.  It was one of those days that I was glad that I did it but now that I have, I don't need to do it again.

Day 7 brought another day at sea which was just perfect.  Ron came down with a cold and needed a day to rest up before our trip home.

Miami

It was another good cruise.  I've already been on line looking at other options but it won't be for awhile.  We soon need to get new tires on the motorcycle and start planning some bike trips.  Retirement is good for me....poor Ron!



Waiting No More

So an update on the job situation.  I went for the interview on January 12th before the posting was even closed.  The gentleman that interviewed me said that they had been "inundated" with applications.  They had created a short list and I was on it.  I was really quite flattered to have made it to that point in the process.  The interview went well and he had told me that he would let me know in two weeks one way or the other.

Two weeks passed and then three and I called their human resources contact person.  She told me that she would get back to me by the end of the week.  That weeks passed and so did the next and still no word.

Today I went on their site and found the answer.

So I guess I have the answer...the position has been filled and they didn't call me so I'm guessing it's not me.

And how do I feel?  A little disappointed and a little relieved.  I just hope my hubby still is okay with supporting me.  Hot lunches, laundry, ironing, a clean house and company on his days off is all I can do to make it up to him.  I think he is okay with it.

Five more days until holidays so I guess I'm still waiting!

Fabulous February

This winter has flown by.  It could be that it has been so mild compared to the last few years and very few snowfalls.  It might me that we have kept busy with a little bit of traveling ...to the mountains, to Stephen's and to Vancouver Island.  Perhaps, it is due to having a new home to settle into and me being able to walk outside without an escort.  For whatever the reason; it seems to me like winter just started and once February arrives it feels like it is almost over.

Of course, winter may throw a good storm at us still and that's okay because that is what living in Canada is all about.

Fabulous February also means vacation time!  Next week this time I will be getting ready to board the cruise ship to explore new places, experience new adventures and enjoy delicious meals.   Ahhh!

Fab Feb and Happy Cruising to me!

Weekends

Last weekend Ron and I drove to our almost mountain getaway...okay, so it might not be ours but our son has a room at his house where we can stay and see the mountains.  It's wonderful.  On the Friday the boys went skiing/snow boarding while I stayed at the house and did the mom thing.  I cleaned, cooked and looked after the animals.

After a good day at Lake Louise they arrived home ready for a hot dinner.  Ron came in with a bit of a sports injury.  He had hit an icy patch and his shoulder was sore and his thumb was twice the size and a lovely shade of blue.  Fortunately they were skiing with a nurse who told him that he would survive.  The next day we drove to Radium, B.C. where we took it easy on the injuries by having a soak in the hot springs.

The air was cool enough to make the water feel wonderful but not cold enough to make us freeze when we had to walk back into the change rooms.  We got back to the house in time for me to make lasagna and for the energetic one to head to the gym...and no, it wasn't Ron.

On Sunday we headed home and on the way we went to church, out for lunch, picked up groceries and got gas for under 70 cents a litre.

This weekend I'm back at that almost mountain getaway.  Ron is working so I came alone to doggie sit because someone is snow boarding for a couple of days.   Tanker chose my bed to sleep on so my feet were warm all night.  The only problem through the night is that every time the dogs heard a sound of a vehicle they thought that their boy might be coming home which meant they would jump off the bed and run downstairs barking.  They come back when they realized it was a false alarm but it sure wakes a person up abruptly.

As for life back on the prairie, a mild spell came along which resulted our back up sump pump sending out an alarm that the primary pump was not working.  Fortunately this time we caught it and a new pump has been installed.  Thankfully I was home and a flood was avoided which means I am still sane.

Happy weekend...wherever you are!

Life and Death

After spending two years in northern Saskatchewan the news of a shooting on a reserve caught my attention this past Friday.  It was not the same reserve that we were on but we know members that are currently serving there.  I was relieved to find out that they were okay but still my heart ached for the loss of lives.  Young people who should have a whole life ahead of them ended in a second.  A new teacher, with a career developing, suddenly dies because of what?  Seven other lives in critical condition and one lone shooter holds the answer of why?  Does he really know?

Many of the reserves have young people who have seen too much sadness.  They have developed addictions to substances that rule their lives.  Family is so important but many are haunted by memories of horrific events in their past.  What is the answer to such hopelessness?  We have seen many who want to change the cycle.  Good, strong people on the reserve that have a desire to work hard, stay away from the things that are determined to destroy their people and make family a positive influence on the lives of their children.

While we lived on the reserve we did have some scary moments but thankfully nothing as devastating as what happened this past weekend.  As we look back we have many good memories.  Memories of  our DL family gathered around our table for meals and developing a friendship that continues.  We enjoyed the world around us in all seasons.

Sadness can happen any where.  Terrible events can cause death.  I want to choose to live and enjoy the moments that we have; wherever we may be.  As for the seven people in critical condition I pray that they will recover physically and somehow mentally they will be able to find life again without being haunted by the memories of this terrible event.

Waiting

Life sometimes seems to be all about waiting.  Sometimes it can be exciting like waiting 25 days until a cruise or 2 more sleeps until we go to our boy's house.

Waiting can also be more of dread or even fear, like waiting for results of a medical exam or for me, a procedure that is scheduled in March.

And waiting can be ....well a feeling of uncertainty.  That is how I am feeling right now.  I went for a job interview last week.  The job sounded like a great fit for my strengths.  On one hand I would love to have the call and say that I got the job.  It would mean:  working again, making money and overcoming that feeling that I quit my last job to stay at home.  The other side of me says that I don't really mind staying at home.  I enjoy having the days off with Ron and not working 40 plus hours and then coming home to try and keep house, make meals and do the laundry.

My office in Swift Current

So either way I guess the news will be okay to me.  I wouldn't mind sitting at a desk again and feeling professional.


Getting a paycheque would definitely be a bonus.  (Ron doesn't pay me too well to cook and clean.)


But, if the position should go to someone else then I will be busy planning motorcycle trips all summer long on Ron's days off.


To be continued....

Looking Ahead ....past Christmas!

I love Christmas....I am little bit like the retail stores.  Once Halloween is over I start to think about when I can put up my Christmas decorations. 

I try to wait until the end of November but sometimes things slip out a little earlier.   I am not like my mom who thought  Boxing day was meant to box up the decorations....nope, they have to stay up until after New Year's and perhaps even a few days later than that.  The family across the street from us still have their Christmas tree and lights up and for me, I'm okay with that.  The weeks leading up to Christmas includes lots of driving around and checking out the best lights.

Some may go a little overboard but I'm okay with that when I am on the hunt for some great Christmas lights.  Then Christmas comes and eventually you have to take down the decorations and it is always a bit of a sad day for me.

I know some people kind of enjoy it because their house feels cleaner and bigger with the clutter of the decorations packed away under the stairs again.  For me, I miss the soft glow of the Christmas tree lights in the corner and I miss walking outside at night seeing the snow covered lights on the houses and trees but all good things must come to an end.

And so as the last decoration gallops into storage for 10 months I notice that I need to adjust my timer for our living room light.

The days are getting a little longer and you know what that means?



Yes, I enjoy Christmas but I'm over it now....time to think about cruising!  And as for settling into Three Hills, I think I am doing it nicely.  We had company last night for supper and even pulled out the Catan game and I just got a invite for coffee today.  2016 is looking promising!