Mom is HOME!!!!

 AHA -- another great idea about getting rid of the SCRAPBOOK stamps is to check with retirement homes! I need to make a few enquiries over the next couple of months and then see what I can do. It would be great to empty that closet --- I know she will fill it up again, but as long as she is not buying new stuff, I'm OK with moving things in there so it's less messy! 

I dropped off the bag of scrapbook stamps that I had sold (Facebook Marketplace) on my way to the airport, so that was good! On a couple of occasions, I've dropped stuff off in Saskatoon for my parents. I was always hoping that the drop-off would work because otherwise, what am I going to do with the items as I head to the airport? Two times - it's worked out!

I can't tell you how good it feels to be home! Back in the routine, back with the girls and back to walking! I've been so lax over the last couple of weeks, it's going to take forever to catch up! But I'm sure I can do that. Just add a third walk to the day. I'm determined, and if I don't, well, it's no big deal!

My timing worked out perfectly yesterday. One does not want to miss the plane, as I almost did once. I had the wrong time in my head, and thank goodness for delayed planes. The stars were definitely lined up in my favor that day, and the fact that they let me on! And that they had not oversold the plane and given my seat away. 

I went back to the apartment, visited for a little while, and then headed out. I was a bit worried about the drive since I had not slept well the night before, and I'm not good in a car when I'm tired. However, all was good, and there was no need to pull over for a quick nap. The scrapbook stamps were dropped off, the car was filled with gas, and I arrived at the airport at Air Canada's recommended time. WHAT? I know -- I was actually ahead of my schedule by a bit! Shocking!! 

I had to see the agent to check my luggage because, while I could check in my two large bags, I couldn't do the carry-on check-in on the app. Something wasn't working, but no worries. My largest bag weighed in at just under 50 lbs!!! 

There's my luggage on the cart as I made it to the airport from the parking lot. I'm not a fan of travelling with this much, but when I need samples, I have no choice!

My luggage

A wee moment of concern when I checked the car in. The guy asked if I knew the mileage, and I told him: 10,091. Oh, he said, I must have done some major driving, and I said I had driven from Saskatoon to North Battleford twice, which is about 140 km each way. Apparently, when they set up my contract, the mileage was listed as 4,360 or something like that. 

As you can see, there is a significant difference in distance between 4K and 10K. It appears they made a mistake - that 4 should have been a 9. They had given me an SUV instead of a car, which I'm OK with. However, often, in an SUV, there is a maximum number of kilometers per day, as they don't want to rack up the miles on the larger cars. Cars usually have unlimited miles. 

I didn't have to pay anything extra, and all was good! But my first thought was - it's not that far to North Battleford - how could that be a lot of miles?

So I made it through security OK, but they are so slow! At the Toronto airport, you don't need to remove anything from your bags, nor do you need to take off items such as shoes, belts, or other accessories. I just plunk my stuff in the tray and walk through. 

They are S L O W. It must have taken almost 20 minutes to get through, and I was on the other side of the X-ray machine, and my tray of stuff was the next to come through when they had a shift change! So I had to wait a bit longer for that. They kept pulling people's bags over to search them, but I was good. 

And LOOK -- there is a water bottle filling station on the other side of security. I suppose all airports have them now, so I must retract that earlier statement. I'll be doing that in the future because paying $4 - $5 for a small bottle of water is ridiculous! 

The water bottle filling station

I arrived at the gate before the plane did. OK --- see - I can be good and get to the gate well in advance! And this was after waiting in line to get a tea. 

I beat the plane to the gate!

I had a brief nap on the plane, but it was just long enough. Then I read my book the rest of the way home! They are sure packing them in like sardines on these flights. I can't remember the last time I was on a plane that wasn't full. And these smaller planes (Rouge) on Air Canada have no entertainment system - well, you can download and watch on your device. But the planes are small! Since it's a short flight, it's no big deal! 

With all that luggage, I didn't even bother to go downstairs at the airport and deal with Uber. I did what DH does and got a limo. They are about the same price when I have a lot of luggage, and I was whisked home in grand style. There was not a lot of traffic at 5-ish PM. 

The girls were beyond themselves. They didn't know what to do, and Murphy just goes insane when I get home. Thankfully, they calmed down, but it took quite a while, and even Miss Lexi was going crazy, which is rare for her. There was so much commotion before I left that I don't blame them! 

After dinner, I sat down and read my book, as I didn't feel like doing anything else. 

Mom, I missed you so much!

Lexi is looking pretty bad as no one bothers to brush her while I'm away, and she's just a big fluffball. I swear that even when she is brushed every day, more and more hair is released each day!! 

MOM - I was so worried! 

So, while I sat and read, they got themselves settled. 

Thank goodness, our Mom is home!

I read until I couldn't stay awake and finished the book this morning. A hard cover book no less!! And yes - I traveled with it! However, it's now going into the giveaway pile. 

I'll unpack the suitcases later, but I had a few spare minutes this morning, so I went downstairs to tackle the cutting table. I have everything in neat piles, and I'll take care of it when I get down there later this afternoon. However, I managed to tidy up some things, and it looks pretty decent. I'm home for a week and feeling fired up, with only a couple of minor things on the schedule this week. So that's good. 

The cutting table

I have some writing that needs to be done, a few loose ends to tidy up, and I need to prepare for some events in September. The clock is ticking and I will be on my real vacation before I know it!

Did I dream it? I swear I heard the doorbell ring at around midnight last night. There was no package on the doorstep, so it must have been someone having fun, or I dreamt it. 

Well, I'm off to walk the girls. I know they desperately wanted to walk last night, and I just didn't feel like it! See how lax I am about the walking? I must change that attitude and quick!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!