Travel day to Saskatchewan

 The blog is late this morning, and that's OK. Why? Well, I had borrowed a book from the library (an ebook on Libby) a month or more ago. It's by Riley Sager - Final Girls. His books are creepy — when you look up 'psychological thriller' in the dictionary, his books should be listed. Anyway - it got a bit too weird for me, so I let the book lapse. 

Then I decided to retrieve it and continue. Well, after having a nap on the plane because I had been up so early. I started reading on the plane. Oh my, I wish the flight had been a whole lot longer than it was. Then I had things to do, and it wasn't until I arrived at the hotel last night that I could read some more. But after driving for part of the day and the very early morning, I didn't read much. But I've been up reading. I don't have time to finish the book this morning, but it definitely fits into the psychological thriller genre. I didn't see this twist - many twists coming. And how many more can happen in 135 pages? 

As for travel, everything went smoothly. Although I struggled a wee bit with my suitcases. Well, after I got out of the Uber (had a great chat with a fellow from Sudan who has lived in Canada for six years), there were no luggage carts to be had. Hmm --- it's a bit hard to move three suitcases when you only have two hands. 

That was easy - I put the two big suitcases together, and piled the small third one on top, and I was good to go. Who needs a luggage cart?

The new (well, not new anymore) check-in terminals at the airport work just fine, and I noticed that the labels for the suitcases are specific - there is one for your checked (carry-on) luggage, while the other two are for large cases. No problem. I put them on the appropriate bags and all was good. 

However, the automatic drop-off didn't like the size of my carry-on, so I assumed I had made a mistake despite my taking notice this time. That didn't work, so I had to get an agent to help me. But after that, all was good. Getting through security with the priority card is a breeze. Dump everything into the bucket, walk through, and on the way to the gate. 

The only lineup was at Tim's, where I got a tea. I arrived at the gate just as the boarding process for Zone 2 was starting, so I literally walked right onto the plane. Don't worry -- I was there before all the required check-in times! But no need to be there hours before! And I don't know why DH covets the lounge so highly. Even if I had free access, I never have time, although he travels more and his flights get delayed, so it works for him. 

I received the notification that my bags were loaded onto the plane, and everything was in order. The plane was full. Actually, it was oversold by 4 seats, but I missed all that drama as I was in the Tim's line. I wasn't giving up my seat, so I didn't really care. However, we were told numerous times, as the plane was boarding, to put your wheeled bag in the overhead bin and to put the rest under the seat. It's incredible how many people ignore that. 

They even pulled one backpack from the overhead bins and asked whose it was, and no one claimed it. So, they were going to offload it. I assume the person spoke up when they threatened that! 

The airport in Saskatoon was busy. There's a huge event happening at the same time I am here - Ag in Motion, and it's massive. Getting a hotel room was a bit tricky, but even after waiting until later to book it, I still managed to find something decent. I had to wait for a car at the airport, as I had reserved one - see, I have reservations and everything! However, I had ordered a car because it was cheaper than an SUV, but I ended up with an SUV because everything else was sold out. I don't mind. And it was the same price. 

However, I got into the vehicle, and Hmmm — how the heck do I change gears? AH -- I found this paddle thing on the steering wheel. I'm not a fan, but I'm getting used to it. 

The gear shift

Then I was off to Robinson McNally. You just can't pass up a visit to a great bookstore! 

Oh my goodness — I didn't know this was such a big deal. Actually, there is a huge games section, as well as a large selection of EXIT Games, which we haven't explored in a long time. Our schedules have been too topsy-turvy. We used to play crokinole as kids. 

Crokinole anyone?

I browsed the magazine section, which is still pretty healthy compared to others I've seen. And there are still decent quilt magazines out there. Just not as many. 

Then I went to the quilting book section. This one seems to have a decent selection of books, but nowhere near what it used to be. There used to be a wide range of scrapbooking and multimedia options, but all that is now gone. It's likely being replaced by social media accounts, which is OK. 

I found two quilt books of the type I would select for one of my ongoing classes. However, I had a quick peek at them and put them back on the shelf. I don't need any more ideas. I don't know why it was called Alice in Wonderland unless it was made with an Alice fabric collection. But seriously? It's just a group of 6-inch blocks!!! I'm so over these small sampler quilts! 

A sampler quilt, anyone?

This book provided a new block for every week of the year, which is much better than one for every day. But the blocks are such a hodge podge, and again, you can pick your favorite blocks, or add in some orphan blocks, and you have created your own quilt! 

A block a week quilt

And then what's with this? I totally understand that some books will come with a plastic wrap on them, but who would buy a book like this? It's a hard cover and wrapped in plastic. Nope -- I'm not spending money on a book that I can't preview. I guess it's not worse than buying online, but still. 

Hardcover wrapped in plastic

Then, in the car, off to North Battleford. I passed the location of the Ag in Motion show on my way. Yep -- it's enormous, and because of the twin (two-lane) highway and the need to turn left off the highway to this location, the speed limit is reduced from 110 to 80 for miles to prepare people for that turn. 

I stopped at the Western Development Museum in North Battleford because that's where Dad works! Yep - he works, there's no two ways about it. I caught him at the welding station. I just hope he continues to be able to move around and drive for a long time! Although I can see him sitting in a wheelchair in the shop, directing the others to do the work! He's one very lucky man as he had a mini stroke a while back and that sapped some of his strength, but not his mind! 

Dad - setting up to weld something

And they have their museum days coming up - History in Motion, so they were busy getting some stationary engines running. They couldn't get the pump to pump water from the stationary engine and discovered that a leather gasket had disintegrated, so they retrieved a piece of leather to cut a new one. There is no option to buy replacement parts online from these guys, unless they can't make it.

I spent quite a while at the museum, just watching. So, if you ever wonder where I get my curiosity or energy, you need look no further than the picture above. He got it from his dad, who lived to be 100 years old. 

So what's the weather like here? Well, the high yesterday was about the same as the low back home. I think the highest it reached was 20 degrees. This is the temperature when I woke up this morning. 

OH -- that's cool

Yikes -- but it's smoky here. Not too bad, but it looks pretty hazy this morning, and you can smell the smoke. 

Well, I must go. I'm going to get out for a walk and find some breakfast, and then I'm off to work today. 

Have a great day!!!

Ciao!!!!

Car rental gouging!

I didn't get to spend too much time on the Virtual Retreat, and it was pretty quiet, and I think it ended early. I promise - I'll be there for the entire retreat next month. My travel will end soon, although I still have one more trip booked, but it's not business. Will I make my 35K status this year? I'm close! The significant benefit between 25K and 35K is the luggage. I could bring THREE suitcases with a weight limit of 70 pounds. Then I don't have to be so picky about that 50 lb limit. 

We had two excellent Zoom sessions yesterday. One of them is called Out of the Box, and I give them a prompt each month, and they go off to create ANYTHING they want with that prompt as the starting point. We get all kinds of media - digital art, quilts, paper, vinyl, and so much more. I absolutely love this class, and it will continue in 2024. I think most people will continue for 2024, and sadly, there's no room to add more people. We make it through in one hour, and any more - well, we have one hour! I should post a couple of pictures from time to time. 

What I love is the participation level! It's HIGH! That tells me the group is enjoying what they are doing, and most of them are digging new tools or patterns and trying something they have never done before. 

The second session was our Many Blocks. This is where we are working on those BIG projects with MANY blocks, like Dear Jane or Town and Country, and attempting to finish them. We're not a huge group, but we've had TWO finished quilt tops this year, and the others have made HUGE leaps and bounds to get their tops done. It's fascinating to see how much work everyone puts into their projects.

I wasn't as prolific as I would have liked due to my schedule, but this coming year, I will have more time, which I will use wisely and get more done. I should be able to finish 45 (out of 365) this year, giving me 90 blocks. I am still far from finishing, but I hope to change that next year. 

There is room in this club if anyone wants to join. You MUST have already started the project, although if you want to start a new project, that's OK. But it's for ANY BIG project with many blocks. 

I got everything done and was out the door on the way to the airport right on time! I swear that getting through security and checking luggage is old news. I weighed my suitcase before I left, so I knew it wouldn't get rejected. I saw a lady whose suitcase was rejected, and she went off to repack or pay for heavy luggage. I used the kiosk to check my baggage and immediately checked in my second bag. If you're going to check one, you might as well check two, and with my status, I don't need to pay for that second bag. 

Then I only had my backpack to go through security, and since you no longer have to take your laptop out (at Toronto - domestic), I breezed through the NEXUS line - there was NO ONE else in the line. I was through and on my way to the gate within 8 minutes of entering the airport. Yep -- you got to love that. I think it took as long to walk to the gate as it did to get through security and baggage check-in. 

I've become pretty proficient at moving around with two suitcases and the backpack, so all is good. I even packed my winter coat in my luggage so I didn't have to deal with that at the airport. 

I boarded in Zone 2, and it was the most boring flight ever. I don't think there was a second of turbulence, and I slept on and off. I had an ebook to read, and all was good. However, it was a bit of a shock when I arrived in Winnipeg. Yikes -- it was minus 9 with a wind chill of minus 18. I'd better unpack that jacket! 

At Winnipeg airport

OK -- so here's something absolutely ridiculous, but what do you do? I got to the car rental and had initially booked an economy car, which would cost me $217 for four days, which is a good price. I was told that if I wanted snow tires, it would be $20 extra a day! Seriously???? What the heck is that all about? Shouldn't the car rental company provide me with a properly outfitted vehicle for the temperature in which they are renting it? 

And if I said no -- were they going to remove the tires? I have no idea. So they said they would upgrade me for free, but I'd still have to pay for the snow tires. Now that I think about it - that doesn't make sense at all. So I got a Ford Escape for about $320 for four days and have snow tires. I shall be writing them a letter because if that is the case - they should identify that WHEN we book the car. And I did book the car ahead! 

I get it if they asked if I wanted a GPS (no need for that any longer) or a car seat or something, but NOT something highly suggested for SAFE driving. And while there isn't much snow on the ground, the way the streets are plowed (or not), almost all the streets are covered with packed snow. On top of that, they took a $500 deposit. What the heck is that all about? 

Snow covered streets

Then, when I arrived at the hotel, which had room for me for four nights, I was given a rate. Sunday was the cheapest at $149, increasing progressively to $204 on the final night. Then I asked for a senior rate, and when he printed it out for me to sign, the first night was $153. MORE than the original price - supposedly with a discount. I questioned it, and he said - "OH - I said the first night was $179." How could I argue - it was his word against mine. But I got $189 on the other night, that was originally $204. 

So they up the price and then give you a break. And I was charged a $200 deposit as well. I will have to watch those deposits get back on my VISA, but that sure eats up the limit in no time flat for things I haven't bought. 

But better than the price of hotel rooms in New York. DH has some travel, and the room rate he was quoted was $1,600 US a night. That is NOT a typo. He got it down to $800, but people are paying $1,600 a night!! That's INSANE, and I would NEVER pay that. I would find someplace cheaper. We have totally different standards when we travel. 

And what's with hotel room chairs. They give you a desk and a chair, but the chair is so low that it's challenging to type. Maybe they think people don't actually use the desks and chairs to work. Oh well! 

But I'm a spreader. The minute I enter a room, my backpack explodes, and stuff is everywhere! Well, I keep it contained to the desk. 

My crap exploded out of the backpack

I got some work done yesterday, and I have more to do. I also brought stuff to help me plan my classes, particularly my software clubs for next year. It sure makes it a lot easier when you have things planned out rather than scrambling to come up with a topic at the last minute. There are three clubs for 2024, and I don't want to run the same subject in each class, although that would make it easy for me. There will be a couple of topics that I'll do in all classes. 

Last night, I got dressed up and walked to the restaurant. Hey -- it's a bit cold, but not unbearable. I hesitated when I packed my winter stuff -- should I pack the hat or not. I ended up packing it, and I was very grateful for that hat last night. As mentioned, the temperature wasn't bad, but the wind was wicked. It was a night when I could have used my fleece-lined pants! 

Thankfully, it was no more than a 10-minute walk, so all was good. It's cold again today, but tomorrow will be much warmer. I hope to get out this morning for a walk because otherwise, I won't get one in today. I'll wait until the sun rises, which will warm things up nicely. 

The links to the Husqvarna Viking Designer Epic 3 blog posts should go live this morning. I'll post the actual link tomorrow, but if you're excited - you can check out QUILTsocial later this morning. By the way -- I hope you subscribe to the QUILTsocial blog, as there are oodles of ideas for quilts, notions, and other stuff. 

On that note, I'm off to do more editing. I'm almost done and can move on to the next thing, which is prepping class material for 2024. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!