Al Zylstra

So, after the wedding, Alex and I checked out of our hotel and made our way over to Ashley and Dana’s. We stayed for a bit of the gift opening and then we were on the road. 4 hours later, we pulled into Halifax. We are staying with Alex’s BFF, Angela and her partner, Glen.

It feels like home. Alex is relaxing while I update my site. For the next few days, we will be traveling around Halifax checking out the sites and sounds.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

So, I have got lots to tell. It was a beautiful day even though the weather chose not to cooperate.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The wedding day was cloudy but filled with joy

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Lunch time visit – discussing the wedding plans. Getting very exciting!

• 

So, I really want to wear this to the wedding. My husband has threatened to divorce me. It is almost worth it to wear this….

So, after getting to Miramichi after a very long, long, long night, I got Alex all settled in with his daughter and ex-wife. I took off on a solo trip to Fredericton. IRIS has 160 locations across Canada with 1 location in the Maritimes: Fredericton!

• 

Located in a beautiful part of town, the IRIS is well laid out and very inviting

• 

• 

• 

• 

I had a very constructive meeting with the staff there and we had the best time talking about the Eyecare Benefits Program I am managing.

• 

I had so much fun on this day – even though it was technically, my vacation. We will do so much with this group. I can’t wait.

So, after having our connecting flight from Toronto to Moncton cancelled, we were able to reschedule our flight to Moncton but it doesn’t leave until 9:15. We have to be out of our hotel at noon. So, we are going to take a shuttle to the airport, check in our luggage and then take the train to downtown Toronto.

We will hang out there for a few hours, take the train back to the airport and wait for our plane. Actually, looking forward to being in Toronto for the day. Haven’t been here since 2000. Pictures to follow…..

So, we made it to the Gay Villagr at Church and Wellesley. Yay. Had a blast watching the karaoke drag shows.

So, this is the second time we have traveled with Air Canada in the last 12 months and this is the second time they have lost our luggage. I cannot fathom how they keep doing this!

So, after a whirlwind of excitement from the night before – connecting flight from Toronto to Moncton was cancelled, rebooked the next available flight, adjusting car rentals, booking a hotel for Toronto, adjusting our car reservation and generally trying (and succeeding) to stay calm, we made it to the airport.

Stay tuned for further developments.

So, as you know, my dad passed away in 2003, my sister in 2015 and my mom passed this year. Their final resting spot has been completed

• 

• 

• 

I think all would approve of the designs.

So, two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to participate in a Dragon Boat Regatta in Steveston, BC. A regatta is a scaled down version of what the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival is. It has fewer racers, smaller festival and this year, no entertainment. So, I was not sure what I was going to be doing.

The organizers needed responsible adults (me? Responsible? Sheesh!)

So, I was put in charge of liquor sales. Somehow, I was pretty sure I knew what I was doing but, wow! Talk about crazy! We started selling tickets at 11:00. We had to I.D. everyone to make sure that they were of legal drinking age. We then had to sell them drink tickets and put a wrist band on the drinkers. Anyone without a wrist band couldn’t drink. We spent a lot of time putting wrist bands on people!

I think we sold over $4,000 in tickets – A pretty crazy day, to be sure. I finished selling tickets at 6:00 pm and I was EXHAUSTED. But, I had so much fun. No responsibilities for chasing down performers, getting stage crew or organizing. I just had to sit and sell.

Can’t wait for next year….

• 

• 

• 

• 

•