Wow, can you believe we are almost done the second month of 2009? I am beginning to think I am losing time somewhere! So much has happened since I last posted. I totally don't even know where to begin. I guess maybe I'll begin roughly where I left off, in December, at least.
I guess you could call December 19 our Black Tuesday or whatever the hell day of the week it was, Thursday? Not sure, don't care. Josh got a call from his boss saying that they would not be going back to work after Christmas as the company was in trouble. Did I mention prior that we moved up here to Godforsaken nowhere for this job? Perhaps I mentioned how much I love living here to some of you. Well, rest assured, I am still well and truly pissed that after we relocated for a job for friends that now we are stuck here trying to sell our farm in the middle of a recession in the dead of winter and everyone wonders why I am just a "wee" bit stressed. Josh was offered a position back in Red Deer, but we are STILL waiting for an official offer that has a dollar amount attached to it, so that prospect seems a bit bleak. Stay tuned, there is more.
Christmas - hmmm - well, it was interesting to say the least, which is probably the most that should be said. Actually, for the most part it was lovely. My whole family was here, which for me was terrific. I really felt that after all we had lost throughout 2008, it was a good way to end the year. Tony and his now-fiancee Kim were here as well as Terry and Mom and Dad. If we forget about the stupidness of a few hours of one day then, we can count this as a very special occasion indeed. Would you believe the kids even found hairs from Santa's beard and reindeer hoof prints in our yard? Christmas magic is amazing stuff!
New Year's Eve we spent in Red Deer with some terrific friends whom we dearly miss up here in Timbuktu. Karla and Richard are the hosts with the most and they had a Vegas themed hot tub party. We had an absolute blast. If ever you've wondered if 10 people could fit in a 6 man hot tub, have no fear, it is possible, but totally not recommended unless you are very "close" friends.
Amidst an upheaval of life and limb in January (listing our place, giving my notice at my job, the kids upset because they (Rylee) don't want to move), we went on two adults only holidays to the tropics. Talk about a cure all - at least temporarily.
The first trip we took was with Arny and Melissa and Greg and Cheryl, also Rod and Lisa and their posse from Didsbury. We hit the Mayan Riviera at Greg & Cheryl's request and it happened to coincide with the Snider's impending trip so plans were hatched, trips were booked and we all arrived in Akumal at the Gran Bahia Principe Coba mid-January. I could go on and on about how good it was (which would probably make some of you jealous), or I could tell you about all the little things and people that came close to ruining it for some of us (which would just serve to stir up shit and prevent me from dwelling on the positive) or I could just say that it was good. Although, I will advise - language was a huge barrier, housekeeping was very inconsistent for a 4 1/2 star and the nights were so cool you needed pants. Josh and I will not return to Mexico in a hurry. It was terrific to see Arny and Melissa and it was very cool to learn (with Mel) that I can actually swim in the ocean and enjoy it and that I can snorkel with fishies swimming all around me and not freak out. Life is good.
Second trip was to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for my high school best bud's wedding. It was fabulous. DR was just like we remembered. WARM, WARM, WARM. +28 all day and evening, no need for wraps or pants here. We all arrived on Jan 29 and stayed at the Gran Bahia Principe Bavaro in the Royal Golden Club. Tanya and Jeff's wedding was beautiful and it was so great finding out that after 14 (yes, 14) years after graduating high school that Tanya and I are still great friends and we just picked up right where we left off. Trish and Kevin were also a hoot to hang out with and Wayne and Marlene and their respective significant others were terrific as well. And we can't forget Granny. I still think Josh has a thing for Granny! So, we would go back to the Dominican in a heartbeat, but have many other locales to get to first, like Jamaica, Cuba, etc. The service was fantastic, the people were over the top friendly, the day trips were really great, what more can I say.
Now, it's mid-February and life goes on. I have a job opportunity in Lacombe and I don't know if our place is going to sell. Josh has taken a good job up here, but I have given notice for mine and am done at the latest July 1. I am beginning to wonder where life is leading us, but as unfortunately, I can't control it, I must just soldier on.
For anyone who followed mine or Josh's long and amazing 4H careers, I have to tell you that Rylee's first ever attempt at public speaking is next Thursday. I am SO nervous for him. Gosh, was I ever that small? He is so adorable in his cowboy hat and chaps talking about rodeo. Any bets on whether or not I will strangle any judge that criticizes him???
Anyhow, all is well here if a little stressful and unknown.
I guess you could call December 19 our Black Tuesday or whatever the hell day of the week it was, Thursday? Not sure, don't care. Josh got a call from his boss saying that they would not be going back to work after Christmas as the company was in trouble. Did I mention prior that we moved up here to Godforsaken nowhere for this job? Perhaps I mentioned how much I love living here to some of you. Well, rest assured, I am still well and truly pissed that after we relocated for a job for friends that now we are stuck here trying to sell our farm in the middle of a recession in the dead of winter and everyone wonders why I am just a "wee" bit stressed. Josh was offered a position back in Red Deer, but we are STILL waiting for an official offer that has a dollar amount attached to it, so that prospect seems a bit bleak. Stay tuned, there is more.
Christmas - hmmm - well, it was interesting to say the least, which is probably the most that should be said. Actually, for the most part it was lovely. My whole family was here, which for me was terrific. I really felt that after all we had lost throughout 2008, it was a good way to end the year. Tony and his now-fiancee Kim were here as well as Terry and Mom and Dad. If we forget about the stupidness of a few hours of one day then, we can count this as a very special occasion indeed. Would you believe the kids even found hairs from Santa's beard and reindeer hoof prints in our yard? Christmas magic is amazing stuff!
New Year's Eve we spent in Red Deer with some terrific friends whom we dearly miss up here in Timbuktu. Karla and Richard are the hosts with the most and they had a Vegas themed hot tub party. We had an absolute blast. If ever you've wondered if 10 people could fit in a 6 man hot tub, have no fear, it is possible, but totally not recommended unless you are very "close" friends.
Amidst an upheaval of life and limb in January (listing our place, giving my notice at my job, the kids upset because they (Rylee) don't want to move), we went on two adults only holidays to the tropics. Talk about a cure all - at least temporarily.
The first trip we took was with Arny and Melissa and Greg and Cheryl, also Rod and Lisa and their posse from Didsbury. We hit the Mayan Riviera at Greg & Cheryl's request and it happened to coincide with the Snider's impending trip so plans were hatched, trips were booked and we all arrived in Akumal at the Gran Bahia Principe Coba mid-January. I could go on and on about how good it was (which would probably make some of you jealous), or I could tell you about all the little things and people that came close to ruining it for some of us (which would just serve to stir up shit and prevent me from dwelling on the positive) or I could just say that it was good. Although, I will advise - language was a huge barrier, housekeeping was very inconsistent for a 4 1/2 star and the nights were so cool you needed pants. Josh and I will not return to Mexico in a hurry. It was terrific to see Arny and Melissa and it was very cool to learn (with Mel) that I can actually swim in the ocean and enjoy it and that I can snorkel with fishies swimming all around me and not freak out. Life is good.
Second trip was to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic for my high school best bud's wedding. It was fabulous. DR was just like we remembered. WARM, WARM, WARM. +28 all day and evening, no need for wraps or pants here. We all arrived on Jan 29 and stayed at the Gran Bahia Principe Bavaro in the Royal Golden Club. Tanya and Jeff's wedding was beautiful and it was so great finding out that after 14 (yes, 14) years after graduating high school that Tanya and I are still great friends and we just picked up right where we left off. Trish and Kevin were also a hoot to hang out with and Wayne and Marlene and their respective significant others were terrific as well. And we can't forget Granny. I still think Josh has a thing for Granny! So, we would go back to the Dominican in a heartbeat, but have many other locales to get to first, like Jamaica, Cuba, etc. The service was fantastic, the people were over the top friendly, the day trips were really great, what more can I say.
Now, it's mid-February and life goes on. I have a job opportunity in Lacombe and I don't know if our place is going to sell. Josh has taken a good job up here, but I have given notice for mine and am done at the latest July 1. I am beginning to wonder where life is leading us, but as unfortunately, I can't control it, I must just soldier on.
For anyone who followed mine or Josh's long and amazing 4H careers, I have to tell you that Rylee's first ever attempt at public speaking is next Thursday. I am SO nervous for him. Gosh, was I ever that small? He is so adorable in his cowboy hat and chaps talking about rodeo. Any bets on whether or not I will strangle any judge that criticizes him???
Anyhow, all is well here if a little stressful and unknown.
