Visiting Jesse's mother and Saphire

Not the last week but the following week Jesse and I drove down to see Jesse's mom and his niece Saphire. She had called us at 6:30 am that morning and said that they would be in town. They had gone to Calgary because they had a court hearing over the custody of Sapphire, as her mother had her taken away from her. 

They were staying at the Port O Call in Calgary, and we went late at night as I was working the later night shift to go visit them. We arrived at their hotel at about 9:30 pm. It was funny because when we got to their hotel room Jesse's mom said to Saphire that her Uncle was here and she had the most grave look on her face. Saphire really did not look any different from when we had saw her last, she had grown just a little bit taller, her speech was better and her hair was longer. She really enjoyed anything Frozen, Minnie Mouse and was crazy over her samsung tablet that her grandma had gotten her. She is also as sassy as ever too, she had these earphones that were Minnie Mouse and she had asked that Jesse open them for her, but she really emphasized that they were HER minnie mouse earphones not HIS. 

His mother was kind enough to bring us back some (actually quite a bit) of stuff from Costa Rica. She had gotten me a jewellery box with a butterfly that had the needle put in the middle to preserve them, she had gotten us both towels with what looked like costa rican colone's, she had brought back Jesse a shirt with a monkey on it and brought us both key chains. It was super nice of her and not necessary. 

Saphire and I played hairdresser and she nearly made my scalp bleed by brushing so dang hard. Haha but I really enjoyed the little visit with his mom and his niece. It was really nice and I think that will be the last time in a really long time that we get to see them together. 

Mom came to visit

Mom came down to lethbridge for a few days for both her to destress and for me! We did not have a lot planned but just really wanted to enjoy our time together. We had lunch at costco, went to the movie chappie, had pizza and shopped a little bit. We tried to do my taxes by ourselves together and just enjoyed each others company! 

I truly just am happy that my mom does not live that far from me and can come visit me once in awhile for short little weekend visits. I truly am blessed and cannot wait to see her next time! 

Christmas!

Sorry for the long awaited christmas post. I had been busy as a bee with work, exhausted and tired from all of the work I have been doing. I have been forgetting to write in my blog, and since I value this blog so much I will include this post. Since it was an amazing experience and someday when I forget all my memories this would be one I want to remember. 

This christmas I wanted my mom and grandma to become to Red Deer but it did not happen that way. We ended up going down to Lethbridge because my mom thought that my grandma would not travel too well and after seeing her. I agree her traveling would not have been the best. 

Anyways we drove down from Red Deer to Lethbridge, It was better anyways though since she had an extra bed. It was so nice going home though, I got to see Charlie, some of my friends and spend some valuable time with my family. 

Jesse and did not bring our presents to each other from lethbridge, but instead opened them up before we left. For christmas we both got each other car mats for our vehicles. Mine were pink camouflage, and Jesse's was Harley Davidson. I got him a heat/massage chair thing, he bought me a real leather purse and lastly he got me a blender. 

At home for christmas my mom got me a ton of cupcake things for my kitchen, like an apron, table runner and kitchen aid cover. She got me a grinch tablecloth (since I had told her thats what I wanted to start collecting). Mom got Jesse a model and a variety of hot sauce and socks. My grandma had gotten me this prayer book, again some kitchen things I would need and grandma got Jesse socks. 

While being in lethbridge though we of course did some of the things that were tradition, like going to the live nativity at my old church. The one thing that I did not like about the Nativity now is that they no longer allow the angels to go onto the roof of the church. It was so much more epic to watch it with the angels on the roof, than on a platform stage. But all in all I really enjoyed it. There was this old couple that stood in front of us and we held their blanket on them as their professional blanket holders for the night. 

I also got to hang out with my friend Jenna, I had been working hard so I decided to spend some cash on myself so I bought some shirts and a few sweaters since Red Deer is a lot more chilly than lethbridge. 

But coming back home was good. I really enjoyed it, I really needed it and it was a nice break from work. 

While at work we had a decorating door contest at work. Our group came in 3rd place for our door. 

Jesse's Christmas Party!

Before christmas it was Jesse's work christmas party from Firewing Solutions. It was so much fun because they decided to go bowling for their christmas party. It took some effort even to make it there though, I had to swift some shifts around so I was able to go but I was so glad that I did.

It was surprising because they came to pick us up in a party bus. I have never ever been in one before and I thought it was so fancy. But it was nice they went around in the bus and picked everyone up to go to the bowling alley together. 

Aside from the party bus it was nice because they gave up two drink coupons (I got orange barcardi breezer's, jesse got beer) and they bought us a steak dinner (best steak ever). It was fun though we laughed, drank and Jesse and I found out we were not good bowlers…but I beat him anyways! 

My Christmas Party!

Every year endo decides to have a christmas party for the staff, even though there is an annual Christmas Gala for the whole hospital. Our department decided to have our own party and this year it was at Crystal's who is one of the RN's. Last year I guess it was at Dr. Ward's house and it was a ball. But this year was fantastic. Crystal's house is gorgeous, very modern and sleek all in a grey color scheme it was simply beautiful. It was cute because her little daughter was there too she was carrying around her baby doll and her purse (it was sooo cute).

About 20 people went and it was potluck. The types of food that was brought ranged from homemade antipasto, homemade perogies, cheese dips, turkey stuffing, pretty much anything that you could think of to bring to a potluck you did.

We also had a chinese auction as well. We all got were told to bring a present and when it was your turn you could either open a new present or steal a present that was previously opened. I was number 17 so I got my fair share of the pick. I got a $25 bath and body works gift card which is perfect for holiday shopping in lethbridge when I go down. But the other presents that were there were christmas decorations, various wines but I was very happy with my gift.

But it was fun there was lots of laughter lots and lots of food and just a great time!

One Eleven with the crew!

Tonight Alyssa came back into town and she texted me saying her and Lise were going to go to One eleven for dinner. I thought at first that Alyssa was texting the wrong person because it was only like a week ago that she had left. But she really did text me to go have dinner with her and lise. Nancy came eventually too as well as Jesse. 

Jesse and I have never gone there before so it was interesting first off to see their prices, and this restaurant is not cheap. It is however, worth the money. Jesse got this Yorkshire philly, I just got their burger and sweet potato fries. Lise got salt n' pepper wings and some clam chowder. Alyssa got their chicken special and Nancy got the same as Jesse. It was all very good, very flavourful and most importantly very filling. They also gave very good portions, they gave you a lot of food but not so much that you cannot finish it. 

Lastly, for dessert Jesse and I shared a toffee pudding and the other girls shared this 7 layer chocolate cake, that was ok just not sweet enough. 

But it was fun to have seen Alyssa and laugh about things at work, let her know whats going on, etc. I just really enjoyed my time tonight and I am grateful to be in Red Deer to go out with friends and enjoy myself like I do. 

Mom came to visit!

Over the past week, last week my mom came into town to come visit me. It kind of was an inconvenient time though since I caught the works viral cold. It was horrible, you coughed non-stop, had a fever that could hardly be controlled and just felt miserable. The monday I even called in sick even though I really hate to do that, and I was planning on cleaning up my house before my mom came but that monday I could hardly move from my bed. But that night she came at about 10 o'clock at night on the greyhound so we made her some food.

The next day she helped me clean my house a bit since I was so miserably sick. We then ordered pizza from Dino's here in red deer since they do not have on in lethbridge. We had the chef's special, which pretty much had everything on it and we had the donair pizza (so good, it had real lettuce and tzaziki on it). That day we just pretty much chilled at home. 

The next day I attempted to go to work but ended up going home early. I was coughing too hard and even with medicine I could not contain my fever. 

The following day though I felt much better and mom and I went to Cora's for breakfast, since no one would go to Cora's with her since apparently it is too expensive..which it is not...but it is hard to get a place unless you go super early in the morning. When we went I got a fruit bowl to share some hot water and lemon and lastly a chocolate brioche french toast. Mom got this massive nutella banana filled crepe. It was literally the size of my arm. After that we went shopping at Walmart, I bought some long johns so the walk from my car to the hospital will be more enjoyable during the winter, a winter jacket, a warm sweater (so that I won't take Jesse's as much anymore) and some hobo gloves. After that we went to get our hair done at first choice haircutters our girl's name was Caitlin and let me tell you...she was good..but she was slow. Normally I have a window for how long I allow people to touch me, including Jesse and she worked on my hair for about 45 minutes, normally I only like when people work on my hair for about 20 minutes then I am good. But she took forever, she did a great job and its as short as I wanted it to be but it took forever. 

Then over the next few days after that we just sat at home and watched Gilmore girls since that is one of the shows that my mom loved and I loved as a child to watch. 

Then the last day we went to the Red Deer Museum and we checked it out and what its all about. It is a really nice museum just kind of confusing to know where it is. 

It was just great having my mom come to visit me, she is such a special lady in my life and I enjoyed spoiling her while she was here and although our visit wasn't all butterflies because of my illness. I enjoyed every moment of it and I realize I take my mother for granted more than I realize. I truly am grateful to have the lady for my mother, to have been raised by such an excellent example of a hard working, respectful and inspiring woman. I am the luckiest daughter to have such a great mother. 

That was our visit!