Kayak Kerfuffle and Reminder to Be Kind (July 1, 2021)

Even though today was a Stat Holiday and I had the day off, I asked my boss if I could work today and take tomorrow off instead and she was fine with that.

So I got up and got straight to work.

I get lots done at work on days like today because I don't get many emails or phone calls so I can really focus on getting things done without interruption.

I did get ready and head out for a run just after 8 am as I wanted to try running before I ate and to avoid the heat that I knew would be coming later in the day.

Took a few selfies before heading out.

Front view.

Side view.

Back view.

It was already 20C out there when I headed out but it felt a lot cooler than my runs the past few days.

Since I hadn't been able to get a full run of my regular route in yet this week, I decided to try to push myself a bit harder and added a few little extra parts to my run.

It felt good and there were no bathroom emergencies today.

I got 10k in!

Splits weren't the best but they were ok.

When I got back to the house, I made myself some brunch then got back to work and just worked straight through until the end of the day.

Jason texted later in the day to say that the Canadian Tire in Slave Lake had 3 of the kayaks in stock that we were looking at.

So I called to check that they actually had them before heading out then borrowed my brothers truck and hit the road.

Mom came along to do some shopping and so did Kody so he could pick up a set of tires for his vehicle.

Turned out that by the time we got to Canadian Tire (its about an hour and fifteen minutes from my place), two of the three kayaks had sold so I was kind of frustrated.

They had been purchased online and I wasn't even aware that I could do that.

I was so annoyed and I took it out on the young guy there that was helping me out even though I know it wasn't his fault, he just was the messenger unfortunately and I felt bad afterwards.

I got the last one then I also picked up paddles and life jackets for us.

Then when I got to the truck, I went online to see who else had them and Leduc did so I purchased one online right away from them.

Means I'll have to head to the city tomorrow to pick it up but at least I know we got one.

I'm glad Kody came with me as he helped to secure the kayak in the back of the truck.

I went into Walmart to grab a few things and wouldn't you know it, they had several kayaks there.

They were pretty much the same as the ones at Canadian Tire, 10ft pelicans but blue instead of red and nearly100 bucks more.

But hey, if it saved me a trip to the city tomorrow then it was worth it in my book.

So I called to see if I could refund the one I'd just purchased online which they did no problem then I bought the second kayak of the day at Walmart.

Kody got that one secured for me too.

Thank goodness for my boy.

As you can see, I was pretty happy to be going home with the two kayaks I came for.

At this point, I was feeling really bad that I'd been unkind to the young guy at Canadian Tire and wanted to take him a gift card but they had closed up shop for the day.

I hadn't yelled and caused a big scene or anything so it wasn't awful but I used to work in retail so I should have known better.

Hopefully he didn't dwell on it and let it ruin his day.

I will take this as a reminder to myself to just be kinder.

We stopped and got food and drinks then headed back home.

The air conditioning in my brothers truck wasn't working and it was a balmy 36C outdoors so you know we had the windows rolled down for the drive home.

Kody even drove which was another bonus of him coming with us.

Crystal, Randy, Zepplyn, Haylee and Freya all headed down to Drumhellar today (Kody has to work tomorrow but is going to head down after to meet them) and Crystal posted this picture of how they spent their Canada Day.

Jason was home when we got back to Swan Hills and he and Kody loaded the kayaks into the shed.

I just can't wait to go test them out as soon as possible.

Likely when Jason goes on days off.

We watched the latest episode of Loki which I'm really enjoying, before calling it a night and heading to bed (in the basement again, still trying to beat the heat).

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

Tire Trouble and Heat Wave Continues (June 30, 2021)

Jason was back to work this morning and I decided to go down to work at the actual office today.

I needed to print some stuff off and my computer has been slow lately.

I hopped in the car, pulled out of the driveway and realized right away that something was wrong.

So I pulled over, got out and checked and sure enough, the front passenger side tire was completely flat.

So I went back and parked the car.

Jason was in a meeting so I couldn't get a hold of him so I took the truck down to work instead.

Jason called when he was done and he was in town so I met him back at the house.

He was going to fill the tire enough for me to take it down to Get Er Done Mechanical.

However, it was so bad that the tire just wouldn't keep any air.

Kendall (the owner of the mechanical shop) just happened to drive by and Jason talked to him.

He said he'd pop by, take the tire off and down to the shop to fix for us.

So I headed back to work but stopped by the store first to grab some lunch.

I had rice crackers with hummus and deli turkey while I worked.

Later in the afternoon, the mechanic shop called to let me know that a screw had gone clean through the tire in a spot that made it unfixable so I'd need to order a new tire.

They were going to put a dummy tire on for me but I had planned on heading into the city on Friday so Kendall met me at the house and put one of my winter tires back on.

He said that would work for me until the new tire got in next week.

Now isn't that service?

The mechanic making house calls - it's one of the beautiful things about living in a small town.

I headed back to the office again and because I'd been back and forth so much, I didn't feel right about heading out at lunch for a run/walk so I just worked right through and decided to go at the end of the day.

When I got home, I got ready for my run and Haylee called to see if I'd watch Freya for a bit.

I told her I would pick her up after my run.

I figured I'd go my regular route but stop when I got to their place and pick Freya up.

It wouldn't be the full 8 or so km's I normally do but it would still be a pretty good run.

I was hoping that going later in the day it would be cooler.

It was not.

I had a good start but as you can see, the heat was really getting to me.

Those last few km's were tough.

I really had to slow down in order to complete them.

I was shooting for at least 5k so overall, I was happy.

We are in the middle of an unprecedented heat wave here in Alberta so I don't feel too bad about having such a slow average pace.

Temperatures like this here in our little town are unusual.

I'm not complaining by any means - I love the heat.

Haylee dropped Freya and I off at my place.

She immediately fell asleep.

Sweet girl.

The heat really wipes a person out.

I would have kept her on me but it was just too hot and I didn't want her to be uncomfortable.

When she woke up, we made funny faces together.

My girl.

Kody came to get her before Jason got home from work but Jason really wanted to see her so I got Kody to hang around for a bit.

She was just as happy to see Jason when he got home as he was to see her.

He'd had to work late and they'd gotten the guys all subs at work so the supper I'd made for us, Kody shared with me.

When it was time to go home, Freya didn't want to go at first but then she just said, OK, I'll go.

Just like that.

She's so funny.

They are heading to Drumhellar tomorrow with Crystal & Randy for a few days to celebrate Randy's birthday.

We would have loved to go as well but Jason is working.

It's a good opportunity for me to take mom to do some shopping and to go visit my friends at the lake.

Tomorrow is the Stat, Canada Day then Friday is a regular work day but since I have no plans anyway, I'm going to work tomorrow and take Friday off instead.

Haylee posted this great picture of Kody and his boy, Ozzy.

And a gorgeous one of herself.

A friend on Facebook posted this for Canada Day and I thought it was neat.

My father was posted in Alert for a time back in 1972, in fact, he was there when I was born and didn't actually get home to meet me until I was a couple months old.

Is it weird that I found this outrageously funny?

I thought this was pretty funny too although I think my ducks are just fine personally.

Sleeping in the basement again tonight!

Thank goodness we have the option!

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

Splash Park Kind of Day (June 29, 2021)

 Sleeping in the basement last night sure was nice.

I think we all slept much better than we would have upstairs.

Freya woke up pretty early this morning and she was ready to get up.

So by the time Jason headed out for his run this morning, she was ready for a nap.

She just slept in my lap while I worked.

I didn't mind one little bit - I could watch her sleep all day long.

Since I had to cut my run short yesterday, I decided to head out again today at lunch.

However, the same thing happened again.

I got a bit further this time but by the 4th km, I was needing to go to the bathroom.

I thought if I just kept going, the urge would subside, it didn't.

I really wanted to at least make it to 5k but I just couldn't.

When I run, it's like it jiggles everything around and just makes it all worse so I had to stop and walk the rest of the way home at the 4.78 km mark.

As you can see, that last .78 was tough.

At least I got a bit of a run in so I feel good about that.

I got Freya to try on the other outfit I'd picked up for her.

They are really nice, light material so I think she likes him.

I told her to do a pose for me and this is what I got.

She just loves being goofy.

My beautiful girl.

After work, we all went for a walk to the park.

Randy and Zepplyn just happened to be at the park so that was good.

They played around in the splash park for a bit then went to play on some of the other stuff.

Like this climbing rock.

I offered to help Zepp but she wanted Jason.

They all made it to the top.

Mountain climbers in the making perhaps?

They were both stuck to Jason like glue.

It was so hot out that eventually they made their way back to the splash park.

It took her a bit to get up the courage to go in the water but once she did, she was all about it.

Trying to get Jason to stand under the water.

Splash park fun.

Got him!

It was so hot that we were all going through the water and it felt so good.

It was too hot to cook so we ordered Chicken Caesar Salads from Sammy's to go.

We dropped Freya off at home then stopped and picked up our supper.

We sat out on the swing to eat - I'm just loving the weather.

While I was sitting there eating, I was looking at Facebook and this memory popped up from when we were in NYC a couple years ago and I'm just amazed at the difference.

So I had to do a side by side just to compare.

I'm so thankful that I've taken the steps I needed to in order to become a healthier version of myself.

I feel good about myself and the way I look and I haven't been able to say that for years.

We'll be sleeping in the basement again tonight!