Road Trip?

So flights to Calgary aren’t so available in the time frame we were looking at. There are some available in August, but Grampy & Nana will be in Victoria. So we’re thinking about driving up to Alberta. Which sounds kinda fun, but also kinda scary. I don’t know how long it would take with the wee one. We’re supposed to call the airline again next week to see if anything opened up.

The museum’s volunteer appreciation luncheon was today, and Elijah and I went. I was very disappointed in the number of people there I knew, and also in the food. It was better last year. I didn’t stay long, opting instead to go to the mall & Peet’s. Stopped in at Harry & David’s to see Jen & Nicole. Elijah was being really good, and Jen and Nicole each got to hold him, which they loved. I pray that someday Jen gets to have a baby, as she really wants one. And she was such a natural with Elijah. I remember the disappointment I felt when it took so long to conceive, and I can see it in her face.

Gary (the car) is going in for a check up next week. The service light went on the other day, and he is over his 100,000 miles. Hopefully it won’t break us. Gary’s been a good car, so we really can’t complain. Plus if we do end up taking him on this road trip, it’ll be good to have him looked at.

After giving it more thought, I do think we’ll end up passing on attending Angela & Craig’s wedding. I am considering going up to Edmonton for the post-wedding reception at the end of January. There will be a reception and dance. I know, taking a trip to the frozen tundra of Canada in January is crazy.

I was walking with Elijah yesterday, listening to my iPod, and it played Have A Nice Day (Stereophonics) and it reminded me of California. Driving to work, or down the PCH looking at the ocean. I feel like those 4 years in California are like a dream. A life I never really lived. It’s crazy, I know, it just feels like forever ago. I feel that way about Edmonton too. The longer I stay in a new place, the more it feels like I’ve always been here.

I took a quiz called How Canadian Are You? I scored 13. Here’s what it says about me: While you have not achieved the Canadian ideal, the wishy-washiness of your score is very Canadian in its own right. You don’t take nutmeg on your rice pudding because it’s too spicy.

I’m going to close with a quote from Newsradio.
[Talking about his vacation in Japan]
Matthew: You would’ve loved it, David. A week in a foreign country, strange people, strange customs…
Dave: Oh, I know what you mean. I’ve been to Canada.

Conundrum
I got my wedding invitation in the mail today, for my cousin Angela’s wedding to Craig (now I know his name, I won’t forget it again). The wedding is set for January 2006 on the beach in the Dominican Republic, at the Breezes Puerto Plata Resort. Here’s my dilemma: I really would like to attend the wedding, but I have read such bad reviews of the resort online. Also, it’s set in an exotic locale (re: bugs & lizards), and it would cost a bit for the 3 of us to go. I kinda feel like I should take this opportunity to travel to the Caribbean, because what if I don’t get that chance again. But, I feel like if I was going to travel somewhere exotic, I’d want to stay in a 5 star resort. If the trip was free, I’d totally go. So what should I do? I don’t know if we could even afford it.

Speaking of trips, we’re going to knock out dates for our Alberta trip this week or next, since Diane said Air Canada is thinking of canceling their points plan. Have no fear, Ill be posting that info once it’s been finalize.

I finally watched Garden State today. It was an alright movie, I could have done without the brief sex scene. Did it really do anything for the movie? I also noticed Zach Braff’s got a big mouth, I never really noticed it watching Scrubs.

Great weather today, it was 70. I love it when it’s warm.

Going to take advantage of a sleeping baby and do some chores. I’ll close with a quote from Jurassic Park.

John Hammond: All major theme parks have had delays. When they opened Disneyland in 1956, nothing worked, nothing.
Dr. Ian Malcolm: But, John. But if the Pirates of the Caribbean breaks down, the pirates don’t eat the tourists.

A Little More Like It
Ah, the weather has gone back to being a little more normal, thank goodness. The freak blizzard was nice in that we got to have Geoff here for his birthday. It will be nice to have him home tomorrow, though I’m sure he’ll miss the luxurious accommodations of his hotel (king size bed, fluffy pillows and blankets, no crying baby). He says if we ever get out to Providence, we’ll stay at the Biltmore in one of the jr suites.

It’s been a HUGE blessing to have Diane here. I would not have survived without her, or rather Elijah wouldn’t have. 🙂 It’s been a pretty laid back trip. We did venture out to the museum on Tuesday to get out, and to say hi to Erin & Julie.

I do have the travel bug, the desire to break out of my box and go somewhere. I’ve decided I’m going to try to sway Geoff into a drive up to Estes Park. I really want to see the town, and visit the Stanley Hotel (seen here)

Nothing else is going on. Life is just trying to keep up with Elijah, trying to get him into a routine (ha ha ha), and watching a little tv. I’m nearly all caught up on my correspondence and thank you cards. I think I’m ready for the Cherry Creek Sneak in 10 days. I do think we’ll have to get Geoff new shoes before then, as he will be running the 5 mile race, and his current shoes are falling apart.

I’m going to close with a quote from This Is Spinal Tap (’cause it was on tv the other day).

David St. Hubbins: Well, I don’t really think that the end can be assessed as of itself as being the end because what does the end feel like? It’s like saying when you try to extrapolate the end of the universe, you say, if the universe is indeed infinite, then how – what does that mean? How far is all the way, and then if it stops, what’s stopping it, and what’s behind what’s stopping it? So, what’s the end, you know, is my question to you.

Denver Weather
One day it’s beautiful, the next day…

This is what it looks like today (Sunday). It’s suppose to continue to snow all day, with estimates of 1-2 feet of snow when it’s done. Geoff’s flight was cancelled, he won’t be flying out until Tuesday. Crazy!

Misc. Thoughts
I’m feeling much better now, thank you. The cold didn’t last long.

Is it just me, or does anyone else think it’s wrong that people viewing the Pope’s body are taking pictures? I certainly don’t want people taking my picture once I’m lying dead. I just think it’s disrespectful, and not just because he’s the Pope.

We finally watched Spider-Man 2 this week (thanks to Alec for lending it to us). I liked it, and Geoff thought it was cheesy. I think they needed to make it more lighthearted, because they couldn’t do that with the first one. Fans would have gone rabid. Geoff is keen on Venom being the villain in the next installment, and since I was never a comic book person, I have no opinion. But I’m happy with the choice of actor to play Venom, Thomas Haden Church.

The weather here has been fabulous, though they say it’s going to snow this weekend. We’ll see if it does, they haven’t been too accurate with the weather lately.

I’m thinking about starting to write out my will. Not that I have an assets, or money, but I just want something in writing that states Geoff gets everything, and in the case that we both die, Elijah will have someone to go to. I’ve been meaning to write it for some time, and I think sooner is better than never.

Okay let’s get a little less morbid. I love that I can watch Conan O’Brien on CNBC at 5pm. I find Conan hilarious. Meghan says she doesn’t like him, which I find hard to believe. Maybe he was having an off night. Or maybe his humor is just more my style.

So the plans for our Alberta trip are trickling together ever so slowly. We decided we’ll fly into Calgary, then rent a car and drive to Edmonton. Visit there a while, then drive back to Calgary visit the Armstrongs and Schmidts there, then fly home. I’d love to try to get in a day trip to Banff, since it’s so close. But ideally the trip will allow everyone time with Elijah, and in my fantasy world it will be without conflicts or stress. (insert laughter here)

Well, that’s all the excitement from this end. I’ll close with a quote from Ned And Stacey.

Ned: “I don’t really drink. I just like sayin’ ‘Scotch, neat.’ It sounds better than ‘Tea, neat.’

Goings On
Captain Tractor put out a new album, North Of The Yellowhead. I had no idea they were even working on one. To my surprise, Brock isn’t listed as a band member anymore. I thought when he put out his solo album, he’d still continue on with CT. I’m a little disappointed, but also curious to hear how the CT album turned out. Incidentally, I have heard snippets of Brock’s solo album, but I think his work with Captain Tractor is much stronger.

In Scrubs/Ed news, there is a rumor that Josh Randall (who played Mike on Ed) is going to guest star on Scrubs. There is also a chance Tom Cavanagh (Ed) will return as J.D.’s brother Dan. I’m still watching Ed regularly and still enjoying it a bunch. An episode the other day had me thinking of former co-worker Erik, as the episode featured the hilarious video Peanut Butter Jelly Time, which Erik had showed me. I miss Cramer.

We had a wonderful time with the kroliks who made it out here. Our time with Amy and Alec was too short, but Cindy, Alyssa and Abbie stayed the night. We went out to dinner at Gunther Toody’s, and played a game of Yahtzee. I did get some time to talk with Amy before we took her & Alec to the airport. She’s doing great at UCLA, she got all A’s & B’s for her first quarter at school. That girl is wicked smart.

Geoff leaves for Providence on Sunday, and we’re going to celebrate his birthday when he gets back. Mostly because he’ll be less stressed, and the gift I ordered him should be here by then.

I keep getting emails about the high school reunion, and while we have no intention of going, I may send them info about us and a picture. I have been checking to see if anyone I know has RSVP’d, but it doesn’t appear to be so.

Dawn told me today Alberta is having a contest of sorts where Albertans can win a trip for 4 family members or friends to come to Alberta to celebrate the centennial. She’s hoping to win it for us.

Well, it’s time to have some ice cream. I am nursing a sore throat, so hopefully this will help. I’m going to close with the lyrics to Anything by Third Day. I just love this song.

I can’t do anything
I can’t do anything without you
But You can do everything
You can do everything You want
I just can’t believe
I can’t believe that You would love me
After everything
After everything I’ve done

Halle, hallelujah
Halle, hallelujah
Halle, hallelujah
Halle

Holiday Food
I do want to post, and I will if I get a free hand. But until then, let’s see what Bucky has to say about what food you eat for the major holidays.

Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.”
–Psalm 14:1, NLT

Happy Birthday Lisa!

I held back on putting up the picture of you as a Sunshine Girl! 🙂

Quick News
My cousin Angela is getting married. I knew the announcement would be coming, they’ve been together a few years. The family really likes the guy (whose name I’ve forgotten), and I’ve met him once. Seems like a good guy, he’s really tall. What more can I say? I only met him for 5 minutes 2 years ago. The date of the wedding is January 2, and as I understand it, it will be a location wedding. I’m thinking it will be in Costa Rica, since he and Angela have gone there several times in the last few years. What an exciting adventure for them.

Everything seems to be falling into place for Meghan and Mike’s move to Calgary. So that’s great news too. I’m sure it’s a huge stress relief for them.

We had a very nice breakfast yesterday at Le Peep with Erik, Rachel and their 3 kids. I of course ordered the cinnamonster. I do enjoy a good cinnamon roll. We then all went to Peet’s for hot beverages. Peet’s just put out a new Anniversary Breakfast Blend for their 39th anniversary. Very tasty, but because it’s a rare blend, we won’t be getting a tin of it. (Rare blend=expensive) It was so awesome to see them, but it made me miss them even more once we parted. Sigh.

So I have to use my free movie passes by the end of April, and I wonder if that will happen. Even if we took advantage of Nana (Diane) babysitting during her visit, we’d have to agree on a movie. Which will be a challenge. I just don’t think I could sway Geoff into seeing Miss Congeniality 2. 🙂

Well I shouldn’t press my luck with the boy; i don’t know how much longer he’ll sit quietly. I’ll close with a quote from Miss Congeniality.

Victor Melling: Why is New Jersey called “The Garden State”?
Gracie Hart: Because “Oil and Petrochemical Refinery State” wouldn’t fit on a license plate?