February 11 - February 17, 2024
Last week flew by, and it’s crazy to believe I have just over a week left in Edmonton. By now, you’ve noticed that every travelogue update isn’t full of daring adventures; there are ample examples of the small moments and experiences that make up my day. But it’s the moments like these– with dear and cherished friends, that really matter to me.
Sunday,February 11th
I think I must have bumped my head a few weeks ago. That is the only thing I can thing of that would explain why I made the insane birthday offer that I made for A.’s 8th birthday, which was in early January.
According to Stephanie, not only did I make this crazy birthday promise, but I even SENT Stephanie an email with the attached image and apparently I asked her to PRINT IT OUT so that A. would have tangible evidence of my promise…..
So, this is where the story becomes implausible…
“An afternoon of make-up, nails and bubble tea together.”
How often does Sheli cheerfully and voluntarily suggest an afternoon of make-up and nails?
Pedicures – yeah, sure… I’m down for those. And I might do a manicure once in a blue moon. But MAKE-UP? That is not me. And yet, apparently, in a moment of insanity, that is what I committed to.
Fortunately, A. exited the womb with the same fervor with which she tries to run the household/world, and she opted for the alternate choice of an afternoon at TWOSE (akaTelus World of Science – Edmonton). 😅. I was relieved, and had made a plan to spend a few hours there Sunday morning.
Stephanie and Gary dropped A. and me off at Telus (with NO adult supervision!) and then they went to enjoy a nice (pre-birthday) lunch date together.
TWOSE was a blast, and the two of us enjoyed our time there together. We agreed that our favorite part was the IMAX video about Ancient Caves. Though it was 40 minutes long, we both sat engrossed, munching our popcorn the entire time. I’ve included a snippet from a Youtube video below.
Afterwards, because I was able to successfully keep A. alive, we rewarded ourselves (and Stephanie and Gary) with Bubble tea and Jenga at The Tea Place.
All in all, the day was a win!
Monday, February 12th
Today is one of my besties birthdays! She turns the big 5-0. It’s one of the reasons I chose this time to be here!
Stephanie took today off so we could spend the day together for her 50th, and she had a FULL day planned for us.
A. developed a prominent case of pink-eye overnight (had we known that, we wouldn’t have gone to TWOSE yesterday – but also, maybe she picked it up there? 🤷🏽♀️).
Fortunately, Gary had the option to work from home, so our plans were not disrupted and we headed OFF on our adventures! 🚀
We started off with pedicures at V5 Nails Salon & Spa.
Afterwards, Stephanie took me to the Canada Brewhouse. Before you judge us about how it was too early to drink, we just had water.
Our real objective was to capitalize on their birthday offer: a free platter of Tri-Stacked Nachos. And while that platter is too big for two people to finish, we tried our best. We failed, but we waddled out of there with pride, knowing we had done our best. 🤣
Birthdays require cake, or in this case… PIE.
Stephanie and I popped over to Fifendekels for a slice of pie.
It was hard to decide what to get, so we got one slice of coconut cream pie and one slice of chocolate mousse pie and we agreed we would each eat half of each piece. Stephanie was a quitter and didn’t finish her half, so I (being the noble and goodhearted friend that I am) finished off her portions. 😃
Both flavors of pie were DIVINE!
Of course, no birthday (for Stephanie) is complete without coffee, so our last stop before heading back to the house was the nearby Starbucks, where she happily redeemed her free birthday drink.
Birthday shenanigans complete, we headed home- tired, happy, satisfied and full.
Tuesday, February 13th
I’m still recovering from all the food we ate yesterday, and Stephanie spent the day working in her home office for the day. So today I’m a keyboard warrior, working on my various projects.
Wednesday, February 14th
I thought that when I left Corporate America, I was finally free from those nosy busybodies who get all up in your business, literally standing over (or in front of) your shoulder, watching everything you type.
Apparently, I have not escaped from nosey busybodies after all.
Thursday, February 15th
Another quiet day of laptop projects. Stephanie and Gay both worked all day, then Stephanie fed us all before dashing off to attend/chair a meeting for A.’s school and Gary had late night hockey….
With no responsibilities for anyone but myself, I was down and out early.
Friday, February 16th
Movie night! Having successfully forced Stephanie to watch Top Gun last week, this Friday’s movie night was all about Top Gun 2: Maverick.
Stephanie is NOT a Tom Cruise fan, but she found the storyline engaging and enjoyed it, so it was a win.
Aside from the niggling feeling that someone or something is always watching me, it was a decent day…
Saturday, February 17th
After a day where Stephanie and I ran a few errands to prepare for our family road trip tomorrow, Gary decided he needed some QT with me 😜, so he took me to Jomaas to experience my first Donair. (Ok, it *might* I be because Stephanie is a vegetarian and doesn’t eat meat, but my story is an equally plausible explanation. 🤓)
A donair is sort of like schwarma, sort of like a falafel and sort of like a gyro. Although originally made with lamb, it is now made with thinly sliced seasoned beef with sauce, tomatoes, and onions and wrapped.
Messy, yet delicious.
Tomorrow, we (all four of us) will head to Jasper National Park for a day hike that Stephanie and Gary really enjoy and want to share with me. We’l stop at Trestle Creek on the way there, overnight in the nearby city of Hinton, then drive back Monday.
While Monday, February 19th is President’s Day in the US, it is a different holiday (Family Day) in Canada, so we get a long weekend and extra day together. Hip hip hooray!
