Home!

I'm back home after a very restful holiday!  I got back to the Island yesterday, but  had a meeting in Victoria today, so  I stayed over with Jeff and Kirsten.  Travelling back went OK - the first flight, which was from Halifax to Toronto was super delayed because of fog in Halifax.  There was a flight from New Brunswick that couldn't land, and had to go and refuel and try again, and that took a long time.  Then Westjet cancelled the Toronto- Edmonton portion of the flight, so I had to get all new flights.  It worked out OK, I got in a little over an hour later than originally planned.  The worst part was that I had arranged for exit row on every flight, and only got it on once.   On my last flight, from Vancouver to Victoria, the founder of Westjet was on the plane!  He got up and talked on the mic for a minute, thanking us for flying Westjet.  He seemed nice.  

My time in Halifax was really great.  I didn't do much, which is the perfect holiday.  Allie just started her new job, so she was quite busy with that, and I would spend my days reading and sleeping and sometimes meeting her for lunch.  She has to travel around to different churches sometimes, so I got to tag along for that, and see a bit of the province.  Nova Scotia is really beautiful - especially with the trees all changing colour.

The woman who was house, cat and church sitting for me re-arranged everything - or quite a lot anyway.  I don't know if this is normal for house sitters, but  I'm a bit annoyed.  I like my mess.  She did a good job filling in at the church - she has experience in maritime disasters, so she was the right person to fill in for me. It was tough not being here when everything was happening, and I'm looking forward to connecting with people tomorrow.

Home Again

I am back in Victoria after a quick but wonderful trip to Ottawa.  My friend from school, Patrick, was being ordained, so I went along for the service.  I left here early on Tuesday, and just got back tonight, so it was pretty compact, but well worth going.  The ordination was on Thursday night, and was almost as wonderful as mine!  Other than the ordination, it was good to see Patrick and Mallory, and Esther.  Esther is three now, and brighter and more exuberant than ever.  Also, more exhausting.  She had tons of questions about everything.  Happily, Patrick and Mallory don't have much in the way of technology, so she was completely fascinated by the ipad and my Blackberry.  She was learning to spell out a few words on the blackberry, but most just like typing nonsense.

When Patrick and Mallory came to visit me last Christmas, we went to tea at the Empress. This time around, we did tea at the Chateau Laurier. I thought the food was better at the Empress, but everyone got to choose their own blend of tea at the Chateau.

Patches seems to have coped well with my absence.  A friend came in to feed her every day, so she wasn't totally neglected.  She does seem now that I'm home to be simultaneously ignoring me and keeping me in sight. 

The flight home today was long - I chose it based on when it left (2:00, Ottawa time), which was nice, because I got to go with Patrick and Mallory and watch Esther's swimming lesson.  However, it meant a nine hour day in the air, which was a bit much.  We stopped in Winnipeg, Edmonton  (where I changed planes) and Kelowna.  Got here a little after eight.  Tomorrow's Sunday, so back to it, and since it's the first Sunday in Advent, we're having a special Advent Carol Service in the evening!

Waiting at the Airport

Allison dropped Mom and I off, and we are sitting int he Air Canada Lounge waiting for the time to board the plane. I can't quite believe we are leaving today, even thugh we are checked in and have our boarding passes. Sam and Grace came over for supper last night to have a bit of a visit with Mom, before she leaves to country. It is always good to catch up with them, and find out what is new and exciting with them. Allison also came and brought some yummy dessert, Tartuffo. I was not very organized and did not start packing until today, but I think I have everything I need, and if not there will be stores there. Mom got all her visiting done, seing the other Sivaks and Stan, she said all seemed well.