Made it to PEI (Feb.12, 2025)

 I didn't really get any sleep on our flight to Toronto just as suspected so I was feeling really tired.

It was still dark out when we landed in Toronto.

We had a couple hour layover in Toronto before our flight to Halifax.

Jen's friend was going to pick us up from the airport and drive us to the car rental place in Burnside but it was storming so she cancelled.

Instead we got a car there - it was a flat fee of $73 into the city which was a little steeper than what an Uber might have been but the car was comfortable (it was a big SUV actually) and the driver didn't drive crazy fast so I felt more comfortable.

I had booked at an Enterprise where I always book.

He told us we had two options, a Mercedes Benz or a Toyota Corolla.

The Mercedes looked small so I was leaning toward the Toyota but Jen asked if they were both the same price and they were so she was like 'we'll take the Mercedes then'.

It ended up fitting our luggage just fine and it was neat to have a Mercedes to drive for a few days.

We stopped for some lunch at this Habanero's place that we used to really like.

It has moved to a new location and it's combined with a bunch of other things like Cheese Curds, an Italian spot, a breakfast spot and a few others.

I think there may be new ownership too and I'm sorry to say that it was not great.

The quality has gone way down - it's kind of just like a food court with sub par food.

I likely won't eat there again.

After we ate, we hit the road for PEI.

It is about a 4 hour drive to Tignish where we were headed and it was storming out so we took our time.

Made it to Confederation Bridge.

There were times like this on the drive where everything was just white so it was really hard to see.

We went straight to the wake in Alberton.

We got there later than we hoped but we made it.

It was nice to see so many of my relatives even if it was for a very somber event.

Afterwards we went back and hung out with everyone at my Uncle Gerald's place.

I still needed to get a lot of steps in so I didn't sit the whole time, I just walked in place and around and even went outside a bit too so I could get my steps in.

It took me a long time but I got them just before midnight.

We just visited for a while then we headed back to my Cousin Lisa's.

She and her husband headed to Australia yesterday but very graciously allowed us the use of their home while we are here on the Island.

They have a big beautiful home with lots of rooms but I was also a little nervous because when we drove into there place, there was a light on in their barn.

So I opted to sleep in with my sister.

Back home, Jason had the girls for the night so he was sending me some pictures.

He said Eden came out of the room casually dressed like this.

What a goofball.

Playing around with sissy.

She got some new eyebrows.

😂😂😂😂😂

Freya was sending me pictures too.

Awww.

She also sent me this.

It says 'Hi Grandma'.

I miss them already and I just got here.

Enjoying some watermelon.

Had to work hard to get these today but I did it.

That's all for today, until next time, be happy!

And Away We Go (Feb.11, 2026)

I had a busy day at work today trying to clean up my inbox and prepare for being out of the office for a few days.

 

I hopped on the treadmill on my lunch hour to get my steps in.

I only walked but it still felt good.

I accidentally wore my computer glasses home at lunch.

I think I like them better than my regular glasses.

After work, I finished packing, loaded up the car and headed to my sister's.

We just hung out at her house for a bit until it was time to head to the airport.

We got there in plenty of time so we went in to Chili's for something to eat.

I had a virgin Caesar and we shared some chips and salsa.

Jennifer.

Our flight left Edmonton at 00:15 and we had a stop in Toronto.

I was hoping that I would sleep but if history is any indicator, that likely won't happen.

I walked around the Edmonton airport until I got the rest of my steps, it didn't take very long.

That's all for today, until next time, be happy!

Twirly Bird (Feb.10, 2026)

I had a really great sleep last night.

I hopped on the treadmill on my lunch hour and ran for 30 minutes.

I always feel great after a run.

I didn't get all of my steps so when I got home from work, I had to hop back on the treadmill again.

I just walked this time and it took me almost a half hour to get the rest of my steps in.

I got my suitcase out to pack for my trip.

My sister had some aeroplan points and found flights for her and I to NS so we decided we are going to go and we fly out tomorrow night.

Eden was playing in the room with Jason.

She fits right in the suitcase.

She thought that was funny.

She got into some lipstick today and it stained her face, I tried to get it off with vegetable oil but it didn't work.

Guess it will just have to wear off.

We did some dancing in the living room.

Watching Freya's old dance videos.

Dancing Queen.

I love her little exclamation "I Like This"

She really does love music this one.

Jason used to do this to Freya when she was little and now it's Eden's turn to do the Twirly Bird.

Having an ice cream snack.

My sweet girl.

I'm going to miss them so much while I'm away.

Got all my steps in.

That's all for today, until next time, be happy!

Sad News (Feb.9, 2026)

Weigh in Day.

I was 235.8 lbs.

That's up from last week, the exact same amount that I just lost the week before.

I'm sure not getting anywhere fast.

As soon as the medical clinic opened this morning, I called them to see if I could get an appointment.

I figured I'd rather do that then sit in emerg all morning.

They gave me an appointment for 11:45 so I took Freya to school then headed to work.

Mom sat upstairs at home so she'd be there when Eden got up and she was going to call me when she did.

My cousin Lisa ended up calling me not long after I got to work with some really terrible news.

My Uncle Gerald was sick this morning, they took him in an ambulance to the hospital but he ended up passing away.

It was shocking - so unexpected.

He was planning on coming to visit us in May with his girlfriend and my Aunt Betty.

Gerald met Florence a few years after his wife passed away and they've been very happy together.

It was nice to see.

Gerald and my cousin Chavonne.

My relatives didn't want to tell Mom over the phone, they wanted someone to be with her so I went home and told her.

She was very close to Gerald and always stayed with he and Florence when she went to PEI to visit.

Of course she was heart broken and wanted to go to PEI straight away.

So I got looking for a flight for her.

I booked her a flight out of Calgary tomorrow night, it was the only place I could get a direct flight for her.

I will drive her to my sister's tonight then my sister will take her to Calgary tomorrow.

When I did get home this morning, Eden was up and sitting with Mom on the couch.

I had expected that she might be upset to wake up and find that neither Jason nor I was there but she was just fine.

Her eye was goopy of course.

And looking quite red.

I got her ready to head to the doctor appointment - she insisted she need 'yipstik' before she could leave.

She looooves lipstick - it's actually just a chapstick but she doesn't quite know the difference yet.

Putting on her lipstick.

Awe - what a pretty girl.

I took her to her appointment.

We saw the new doctor in town for the first time, Dr. Mowanza.

He was nice.

He only looked at her eye for a second and could tell she needed eye drops.

While he was getting the prescription ready, I was trying to get Eden ready to go but she kept insisting that she wanted to see 'the doctor'.

I kept saying this was the doctor and she had seen him but she kept wanting to see him.

So I put her on the bed and she laid down and the doctor pretended to check her belly and was asking her what she ate - he said he could feel her food in her belly.

It was nice of him to play along and she felt like she'd seen the doctor then so she was good to go.

I took her home to Haylee then went and picked up her prescription - basically just eye drops in both eyes every 2 hours for the next 2 days then every 4 hours for the 3 days after that.

Then I headed back to work.

Right after work, Mom and I headed out to Jen's.

It's a 2 hour drive there then 2 hours back so that was pretty much my evening.

I went in to Jen's long enough to get a drink and some snacks for the road then headed back home.

I got home around 9:30 and I still needed some steps so I went down and got on the treadmill.

It only took about 20 minutes to get the rest of what I needed thankfully because I was tired and wanted to get to my bed.

I only walked but I was proud of myself for getting it done because I didn't really want to.

Another day of reaching my step goal under my belt.

That's all for today, until next time, be happy!