triumphgal

Sleep did not come easy, I am still messed up by the time change, I am missing Ashlée and I am worried about sleeping in. I wake and shower before my alarm rings. A quick coffee and we are packed up and off to the South Terminal. Checked in, paid my extra weight amount and said good-bye to Mom. My friend Jay was on board too and we chatted about my trip and looked at pictures most of the way. It was a beautiful flight and before long we were in Port Hardy

Short stop there before we were heading for Bella Bella

It was good to be home again. I drove Jay to the Seabus and stopped at the post office on the way to work. I had plenty of mail and so did the school so I gathered it all. The postcard I sent home had beat me here

There were many treats and surprises too including my 10 days of Kwanzaa from Cards Against Humanity, a luggage tag from a friend

And the biggest surprise from my cousin Kelly, a photo of my deceased birth mom at age 13

I was very moved. I was only 3.5 months old when she died and I don’t have many photos. It was weird though as she reminded me of someone and suddenly it hit me that she looked like Jimmy Fallon! Too funny and a wee bit creepy as he is my celeb crush! I parked my truck and went in to work. Only 80 email to respond to! At lunch I came upon this next to me. The Reno has really come along

I unloaded my truck and dropped everything, it’s all a bit overwhelming as I still have to take down my Christmas decorations. I did take the time to switch out my tree for my palm tree I sent up in the truck. I will have to solve the fact it is not all lighting up but I do love it

Back to work until 5, visited with Angela, the teacher from Newfoundland and then over to Shearwater for dinner and a visit with friends there. Back on the 8:30 seabus, all is back to norm except the mess and settling in. I am so looking forward to my own bed….. It has been quite the journey.

Up so early again! Sitting around watching the news and drinking coffee when I convinced Mom we should go to a movie. I looked up what was on at Landmark Cinema at the bottom of the hill and discovered it was only $6 each if we went before noon. Night at the Museum was starting at 10:40 so showers and off we went. It actually was 6.25 but still cheaper than a medium popcorn at 7.34! The movie was entertaining and especially poignant as it was hard to watch Ben Stiller’s character say good-bye to Robin Williams character. The movie was awaiting release at the time of Robins death. There is a tribute to both him and Mickey Rooney at the end.
Mom suggested we go to De Dutch after and it was delicious as always

I popped into the nail salon for a manicure and was treated royally by the lovely Nicky

Back to the apartment we came where I spent some time messaging with Ash. I sent her this

and she replied with a picture of the wee sidewalk snowplows that remind her of me because I thought they were so cute

We turned last night’s spaghetti sauce into chili. I taught Mom my secret ingredient… Cocoa powder and she loved it. I was horrified to learn that she did not get the channel to watch the Teemu Selanne tribute in Anaheim. Nor could we watch the Ducks/Jets game. I was planning to go find a pub to watch it in but stayed in and followed it on my phone while we watched the Golden Globes. I was able to watch the videos of the event and listen to most of the game which the Ducks won in a shoot out. It was emotional to watch as Teemu is my only true sports hero ever and I wish I had been able to be there. My friend Dan is and I look forward to hearing about it

I have come to bed now, hoping to have no problem in the morning as my flight is at 7:45 am.

Poor Mom made a delicious dinner last night which was ready when I got back from taking care of some banking issues. I barely managed to get through it, show her the blog and fall asleep by 8 pm. I woke up at 2, 4:20, 5:30 and 7:30 when I finally got up. Headed off to work at De Vellis Auto with a lunch in tow, thanks to Mom. Only planned to stay a half day but there was still much to do to complete prep for the yearend. It was an enjoyable day and we got it all done by 4:45. The strangest thing was getting up in the dark this morning as I hadn’t done that in weeks never mind coming home in it. I do love New West and it is similar to St John’s in its clinging to hills along the water. Columbia street is lit up pretty

I stopped at the Liquour store and as always found amusements.

We were innovative back at apartment substituting egg cups for wee fancy liqueur glasses.

Mom is so sweet, she had recorded an episode of Republic of Doyle because it was filmed in St John’s. I had only ever watched one episode before and wouldn’t you know this was the one. It was more interesting this time as I recognized so many places I’d been. It makes me want to re watch The Amazing Race Canada too as I have been assured I went everywhere they did in NL. I am missing Ash very much. Also overheating easily. I guess it will take a day or two to adjust to the temperature change and lose the lilt in my speech as well. Still no idea what it said on my tote. Accidentally discovered my iPad is magnetic on one side

And that was my day which is about to end very soon as I can hear bed calling.

We stayed up way too late the last night and had a hard time getting moving in the morning. It didn’t really matter as the snow blanketed everything and was still coming down. We played Nintendo, goofed around, did laundry and lounged about as Ash did not have to work due to snow. Eventually it was time to go, my flight had been delayed from 3 until 4:40 but there was concern it may not go at all.

Ash shoveled while I finished packing and then we were off

her little Yaris does really well in the snow even though it gets blown around pretty easily in the wind. We got me checked in with the knowledge I wasn’t getting out of Toronto until 8 am and was told I was on my own when I got there, a hotel would be at my own expense.

We had a bite to eat in the airport diner where Ash choked on a chunk of chicken bone in her wrap. It was scary but she survived. I finally had to go through security as my seat was to be assigned at the Gate. I had tears leaving my girl as we had made such an adventure together. Sure do love the Nexus line though and once I got through we texted while waiting as she didn’t want to leave until she was sure we were going. They announced that those of us who missed connections would in fact have a hotel, shuttle and meal voucher provided. The clerk in the convenience store near my Gate asked if I was okay and I welled up again when I said I just said goodbye to my kid. She was so sweet and shared a similar experience with her daughter working in Fort Mac. We finally boarded as it was getting dark.

When I got my boarding pass I realized why they paged me as Marneel.

We boarded and sat, waited for de-icing and began to wonder if we were going at all.

finally took off at 6:30 or so. I crocheted and watched programs on the seat back. Love the ability to see where we are any point too

We landed just before 10 pm and were told to go to customer service as I needed the next stage boarding pass and hotel info. I was behind a man in the line up who was also going to Van and he was familiar with what to do so said to stick with him. His name was Greg, same as my brother thus easy to remember. He was such a gentleman looking after my luggage etc. we were given shuttle vouchers and told to wait outside at pole S-5. It was -10 with windchill to -19 and many waiting huddled. Ray, a young man from NL getting his Masters at SFU was also going to the Quality Inn. After many calls and nearly an hour and a half (I was shivering and going in and out to warm a bit) Greg, Ray and I decided to go get a taxi on the upper level. It was $34 but so worth it to get out of the cold. The hotel was far away and it was 11:50 by the time we got in. They had kept the cook so we all ordered our food and had a beverage at the bar chatting with Dominic as we waited.
The room was less than special, peeling paint ceiling in bathroom and yucky grout. Two double beds…. Well that didn’t matter as there wasn’t much time for sleep before heading back on a 6:30 shuttle.
There was a bag breakfast waiting for us of a bagel, banana and juice. Cold again but not as bad when we didn’t have to stand around in it. Ray and I got our bags checked, we all went through security (I was 9 minutes faster with my Nexus) and then straight on the plane. Once again we sat for an hour and I still hadn’t had a coffee! The seats looked nice but were dreadfully uncomfortable for me

The gentleman on my right didn’t speak English and was traveling to Hong Kong. He spilled his orange juice on my jacket but it needs a wash anyway. He was very embarrassed. When we finally deplaned I helped him to find his Gate as it wasn’t on his pass. Said goodbye to the guys with hugs all around and then gathered my bags and out to wait for Mom to pick me up. By this point it had been 25 hours from drop off to pick up! Am all discombobulated with the time change again too.
Mom drove me to pick up the glasses I ordered before I left

The strangest thing that occurred was to my tote which was supposed to be in the fragile oversized load but came down the chute with the rest. It had Arabic style writing on it that was not there when I dropped it off..

I woke up and ate this for breakfast, yep that’s right…

and then we went here

That’s how we roll on my last full day here. If I drank that beer I could equip my life with cool stuff. Ash had made a list of things she felt I should or would love to see and do. Today we set out to complete what was left on it. Next up was the Railway Coastal Museum.

it was mostly reading but pretty informative. The Reid family sure had a stronghold on transportation in the province, both by rail and sea. I learned a lot and the restored sections of the rail cars were very interesting. The woman who worked there shared the story of her sister being one of the first women to work on the rails in the ’90s and the abuse she took for it. I was the first female trainman/yardman for CPRail in the Kootenays back in the late ’80s and it was nice to know that although I had some pretty big issues from some of the guys, mostly I was welcome to my job by comparison. Next stop was The Basilica of St. John the Baptist. What an incredibly beautiful and peaceful space. Although relatively new by Basilica standards it felt rich in architecture and history. As we were standing in the chapel a gentleman asked if we would like to see it with the Christmas lights on the altar. Of course it was beautiful and I was grateful to see it this way.

ring the

One special part to me after recently having been in Peru and seeing the processions of Saints was the Shrine to Our Lady of Fatima. The story and respect from all sides pleases me

it had snowed more and when we returned to the outside I wandered to take a few pictures and Ash helped a man down the steep and icy sidewalk

We found a place to park for free and walked down Wilcots Lane behind Spirit of Newfoundland which held lovely sights of tree forts and light balls

By now I was starving so we decided to hit up The Ship pub. It was underwhelming and overpriced. Not a place I would go back to. After that we wandered the shops starting at Natural Boutiques, a very high end seal skin shop. I did love the blue coat but it was just under $4000!

this is where Ash had gotten her lovely lace up boots. As we walked past Oliver’s there was a knock on the window and one of her fave customers, Nancy was there. We stopped for a short visit before heading on our way.

I was enamoured of the shoes and boots at Always in Vogue but the staff were snooty and basically we were invisible. I guess they weren’t aware I am the kind who will drop big bucks on shoes, oh well.

At The Living Pantry I picked up a t-shirt that references the pub crawl, expert level. At Johnny Ruth’s & Living Planet I just enjoyed all the cleverness and picked up a decal that says ‘Comes From Away’

I was on a mission to find an item for my Pandora collection and finally did at the Golden Tulip

At Rosie the Rebel I wanted to buy several vintage style dresses but resisted. I did pick up the most darling pinky ring in the shape of an anchor. It was a lovely evening for a wander as the winds have died down but people are starting to talk about the big dump of snow expected.

On the way back to the store we came across a Blundstone’s store and I convinced Ash to try a pair on. I love them and would love to get another pair. Was so surprised at the options since my originals back in the day, there are even steel toed or dress ones

As we hiked the hill to the car I see my girl stop and squiggle on the sidewalk. I approach and see she’s seen a bird in the footprints

We drove over to the top side of Harbourside Park and ran across to Fred’s.

Ash was off to work in a horrible blustery storm. The rain and wind was quickly washing away the previous night’s dump of snow. I puttered all day, tried installing new curtain rod for closet but needed a drill, watched Ink Master episodes, cooked little scoops of chili with cheese, dismantled the leaking shower….. Etc. Finally Ash texted that it was time to pick her up. When we returned we installed the rod and hung the new curtains

Then we had a real heart felt moment which is sadly rare in our very separate lives. After this Hallmark moment we played Super MarioWorld like the old days

She is way better than I am although I once upon a time beat the game. True story, Nintendo saved my life. Back in the 90’s I had terrible battles with depression and for one long season I played that game nearly every moment I was alone. I do believe it saved my sanity and helped bring me out of those dark times. Ash then took me to one of her favourites, Wing ‘n It. I had never seen menu options like it had for wings. We

both got sampler platters and plan to have the take away for breakfast. While there we called to see who was showing the final game of the world Junior Hockey playoffs as Canada was to play Russia at 9:30. We decided with advice from others to go back to Duke of Duckworth and watch there. It was a lovely and lively crowd, the game was intense and exciting and Canada took Gold! I was served my screech on the rocks in a special glass. I asked the bartender if I could take it back to BC with me and serve a drink to my friend Ted who called this place his home away from home. He wondered if he would know Ted so I showed him a picture and he remembered him. Before all that though he said of course I could have a glass, just come see him when I was ready to leave and he would give me a fresh one so as not to get in trouble from the police.

which reminded me I wanted a picture of the sign I’d seen around the corner

We got back to the house late but played a little more until we gave up frustrated as the wind was howling and the power kept bumping and resetting the game. Finally it went out all together for a few minutes and that was that, bed time. As I write this I am amazed by the power and sound of the wind outside which apparently is the norm here!

Up and slowly at it, we headed to ‘The Rooms’ which I will admit is an eyesore on the horizon to me. Apparently it was built to resemble the military stores of the old days. What a grand deal it turned out to be! Now to be honest, the guy who took our money was some grumpy, but it was a self guided tour so off we went. The first section was all about the First World War and the first 500 in their blue pattees who headed out.

The story of their training and the ship that transported them was interesting, although Instill don’t know what slob ice is. There were unique trees throughout the building

It amused me as the boats at home are called punts but they don’t resemble this at all

I have a very similar plant growing on my windowsill, must be of the same family

I will admit to being unnerved by what I called the ‘stuffie’ section as everything was creepy real

It was rather heartbreaking to read about the First Nations here as they were wiped out by the Europeans…

Ash warned me the next room was going to be sad as we watched a movie and read about a crew of seal hunters who were inadvertently abandoned on the ice for 54 hours in a wicked storm.

I am learning that there are many dark moments in history here. I did think the glasses were very steam punk cool though

And then we came round to something that completely freaks me out as a diver. I do not want to know I share the ocean with these large squid

Sad the Auks are gone, what an amazing bone structure for a bird

I apologize right now for all the harbour views but I was blessed with them

One section of the gallery just baffled us…. Someone got paid who knows how much for photos of potatoes on forks with names….. Please….

The show was a draw for us but as it happens… Not so much

I realized after that nothing drew me enough to even take a picture. The rest of the gallery was wonderful though, especially the digital display and the Modern Inuit ones

after that was a museum of beautiful history

I highly recommend a visit here. One of my favourite parts we weren’t allowed to take pictures but it’s about lineage, the twins pictures. There were several pairs showing for example a young girl in Ireland with a certain last name and then a mid aged woman in NL with the same last name and the similarities were startling.
From there we headed downtown to eat and ended up at Duke of Duckworth

for wicked good fish and chips and he let Ash bring home a glass with the bar logo on it. We promised to meet Nancy and company at Erin’s so off we went. They didn’t show for a while but the band Generations was playing and they were way better than New Years

although Ash was getting a little goofy with my phone

It was really quite amazing that a 19 year old plays so well with a band that all the others are between 65-71. Justin Martin has been playing squeezebox since he was 5 or so and can sing to beat all. Jeffery used to drum with them so he had fun coming out

My only problem with this bar is their prices…. Even the bar tender was embarrassed as I was drinking doubles and they just ring in two singles, never have I seen that done before….
After everyone left we wandered up George Street looking for live music and everyone pointed us to Shamrocks. Ash was very happy to hear The Navigators would be playing as she wanted me to hear them. Only problem, in NL style, they weren’t starting until 11! We decided to hang for a bit, have a snack and a drink and see how long we lasted as she has to work tomorrow. Suddenly I looked across the room and said, hey I know him. I guess I pointed too as ‘he’ came over. It was the bass player from Shanneyganock, Bob Pike. He sat and chatted with us for a great time, making the evening.

I am dead set on getting them to Vancouver Island MusicFest so we swapped info and have had fun texting since. The Navigators came on and they were well worth the wait. Freddie plays with his back pockets full of flutes and just reaches back and grabs one.

It had snowed a bunch but thankfully there was a cab waiting outside and it was only slightly unnerving that he spun and slid his way up the hills to home. All and all another fun and full day!

Up and out on a gloriously sunny and cool day. Ash and I went for breakfast downtown at a very funky restaurant

I had the Yorkshire Pudding Bennies… Oh my they were delicious

Afterwards we wandered up to Gower Street for a few pictures

And then in and out of some stores where Louise met a friend or two and I found a print of the houses with candles in the windows.

As we neared the car Ash mentioned the woman coming towards us was Krystin Pellerin from ‘Republic of Doyle’. I snapped a pic and had a brief chat about a restaurant alternative down the street.

We swung by the house to pick up Rati and went on an adventure. First was out to Cape Spear where the wind was cold but it was so beautiful

the wind creates snowballs like tumbleweeds

we spent some time at the Easternmost point of North America

Then a hike up to the new lighthouse through The Battery

Beyond it we could see the old lighthouse but it was starting to get colder

We wound our way to Petty Harbour, it is definitely missing an R in its name

Also finally got my sign pictures

From there we headed towards Fort Amherst, passing some kind of police incident on the way in, right at the houses which we had been looking at for sale online. Stopped for some more Harbour shots

then parked and walked up to the Fort

in the distance we could see that the weather had closed in on Cape Spear. It was bitter cold in the wind so we started back

We passed through the police area again which had multiplied with vehicles of all types, news crew and the road shut down. The radio said it was a police operation and later we found out it was a manhunt for a guy who’d broken into a pub

Ash arranged with a friend to let us in to the Club Room at the Sheraton Hotel. The view was spectacular. It seems that all views aim at Signal Hill in my tours

It was getting bitterly cold so we went for an indoor experience next at the Geo Centre. $12 for our self guided tour. I liked the Titanic part the best. There were so many details and truths that get ignored

We had to stop for gas and the weather report said it felt like -29 with the wind chill. As soon as we got home I made a big pot of chili and corn bread. Rati had to go to work, poor thing as the wind is howling round the house. Ash and I watched ‘Fast Five’ and relaxed. We are tired out from touristing.

Late night remembery: a shopkeeper today shared that he had been to BC and done the Westcoast Trail, back when it was just a trail. He said “people think St. John’s is beautiful but it’s not, it’s grey and bleak and trying hard. BC is beautiful”

Up and drove Ash to work in my jammies. Spent a couple hours on the phone trying to rearrange my trip home. Occurs to me I should leave a day earlier to deal with the time change and get some work done before I head home to the central coast. The Airmiles lady was a hoot, fascinated by the trip I have taken, even google mapped Bella Bella while I was on the phone. Rati, the roommate from Zimbabwe, and I went to pick up Ash and then we headed for the box stores to get a few more things for the house. To my horror the Valentines were out already

and don’t get me started about the ‘fashions’

Next stop was Smokes Poutine

Yes, we shared a Perogy Poutine, full on carb load. I remembered to take a picture of the glass on the front of Erin’s as not a soul seemed to know what it meant the other night

Google says:
Is folamh fuar é teach gan bean.
A house without a woman is empty [and] cold.
Seems right to me
We left Ash at work for her split shift, I dropped off Rati and headed out to Paradise to visit with Nancy. Her friend Dolores was there, her kids Jemma and Jeff and partners stopped by and we all had a great long visit. Apparently I’m all good as I was drinking Screech on the rocks, something none of them would do. We had such a good visit and then, bless her heart, Ash got Andrew to drive her out and bring me and the car back.
They are all sure I must come back this summer but I’m not sure that’s doable. Would be fun though. Texted with Mom and Shannon as my vehicle is now heading back up island without me. It’s strange to once again be thinking of home but fully immersed here. Big plans to tourist about tomorrow as Ash is off work, can’t wait!

The morning started off slowly in Jammie’s with food and coffee in bed watching a movie

Ash walked to retrieve her car downtown and I got ready for us to go to her bosses for an open house. On the way there we experienced a lovely sight and sound in the cool quiet day, a local constabulary on a horse!

Steve and Stephanie live in a jelly bean row house which they have done a lot of work in. It was such a treat to see.

they are also lovely, welcoming people even if they do dress their dogs for the season

I wasn’t feeling especially well so I left her there and came back to do laundry and watch movies. Tried the new beverage I found but it was only good for the first half and then it was too strong and spicey

so I switched back to the Storm coffee beer

It has been a pretty mellow day but we seem to set each other off easily. It has been 8 days together though and both of us are used to more time alone. It’s always just a dustup and passes quickly. Hope I feel better tomorrow, that will help.

Got Ash off to work, hung out and watched the Kardashians… What a comedy that is… Went to pick up my girl and noticed that this is a town prepared for snow, the meters are against the buildings

we went off to buy her new pillows and bedding to start the new year and came back to get ready. Decided to meet Nancy at Nautical Nellies for dinner

It was excellent and then off down the street we went to Erin’s

it was a very much older crowd but we had a nice time in spite. There was an opening act whose name I didn’t catch. He had a Gordon Lightfoot sound and feel. I laughed when I got the felt mark coming in as it appeared I got my Newfoundland newbie drinking license

Ash appeared drunk before we even started as she’s an awesome actress

I think Louise was though

I laughed so hard when Nancy put on her Newfoundland sun glasses and said ‘some days it’s foggy and some it’s not’

The Sons of Erin began around 11:00 and had a few people up dancing

They missed midnight by a minute or two but the count down still happened as we were all texting family and friends

I did love bringing in the new year with my girl

and her friends

and then sometime after 2 when the band was just starting up again a friend of hers came to bring us home! All and all a lovely day which was most fun as we rang in the new year first in Canada. It’s strange to be home in bed before my family and friends out west have even celebrated yet!

Up and drove Ash to work for 10 am, stopped and took pic of the harbour

then headed looking for a place to buy boots as there is no way I am wearing my heels for New Years. Stopped at several outlets and then Walmart where much to my surprise I found some but not before … Well apparently it’s unseasonably warm here but this is rediculous.

From there I sought out a Liquour Store which I browsed for half an hour as it had many things I had not seen

including the best rum section ever

once home I hung up the cute purple velour curtains I picked up for Ashlée’s room

admired my boots

then curled up on couch watching Big Bang Theory marathon, napping intermittently until Ash texted for ride home. Once I got her we shared a Storm

and I made dinner of the huge pork chops from the butcher the other day. I am still amazed at how much we got for only $11.80

after a fine dinner we lumped on the couch, made our plans for New Years Eve, I crocheted and then Ash tucked in hoping to get a good nights sleep. We are sharing her double bed and neither of us is used to that. I may have to move down to the couch for the next week before moods take over. When it was finally time to sneak off to bed I didn’t even realize I hadn’t blogged.