Score at Cotton Ginny

Anyone who knows me, knows my addiction for Cotton Ginny. I've been down south for 3 weeks now, and hadn't even set foot in one. Then today I had a feeling that I needed to go, before I returned to the north. And boy was I glad that I did. I scored big time! I bought 5 pairs of socks, 7 tank tops, 4 other tops, one blouse, a pair of shorts, two skirts, a pair of capris, and a scarf for $130. Yes, 22 items for the bargain price of $130. They had wicked sales on today, 70% off of any red ticketed item...and usually that means just a few things, but today it was numerous things, and I stuck to all sale items and still hauled in big! Often I have a hard time finding everything I want in the right size, but today lady luck was with me. Now I have to figure out how to get it all back...where there's a will, there's a way...

Cape Breton Tour

I had a terrific journey to Cape Breton this past weekend. It began with a drive down the Cabot Trail to take my parents to visit some friends in my mother's hometown. I stayed for the night, then headed out the next morning to join some friends in another part of Cape Breton. We were to camp for the night on an island in the Bras D'or Lakes, however the weather failed to cooperate, no surprise. We did actually go sailing to the island, had our supper on the beach, and then it began to pour, so we all headed for the boat again, skipping the tent setting up session...with no bathroom, it would have just been miserable. So our good friend R. set up a tarp over the outdoor seating on the sailboat and we hung out under that, drinking, laughing, recalling old times, creating new ones. Fabulous time. I slept outside as did my friend M., under the tarp. The tarp however, only covered our bodies as far as our shins...our feet were out all night and were soaked. Luckily it wasn't cold, but I did get eaten alive by mosquitoes...some of them were big enough to rape a chicken...(stolen from Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert). The next morning we pulled out early and went back to A. & R.'s for some divine breakfast quiche...thanks A.!

After the soggy sailing excursion, M. and I headed for her hometown, where I spent a few days in her recently renovated home. We hung out, chatted, ate, and recalled old times. It was a wonderful visit, and I left feeling both refreshed and inspired. I borrowed the above mentioned book from M.'s, and read it on the plane ride home...it was such an awesome book. I also fell in love with her mirror...shown here.

I then left M.'s to head back down to where my parents were, spending another night in the tiny community before we headed back towards Dartmouth the following day. We stopped along the way to visit some relatives I hadn't seen in a while, and landed at home later that night.

Return to Waterloo

My friend S. was good enough to meet me in Ottawa and we drove back to Waterloo where I spent a few days, reconnecting with old friends and revisiting the campus at the University of Waterloo. There was construction everywhere and several new buildings or additions. Renison College seems to have gotten the most noticeable overhaul, and I had a guided tour from a former employer - the director of development and alumni affairs. Thanks again, C.! I had lunch with another former employer, a gal who teaches in the Wardrobe/Drama dept (I used to sew costumes for her), and an old friend/classmate. I had supper with two former BSW classmates, and we had a visit from Merlin the rabbit...later that night I had a beer with another former classmate, S.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with a former professor and sharing a research idea I had. He took my information down, and my cards and offered to see what he could do to see it get off the ground. I wasn't expecting to present the idea, but we found ourselves in conversation, and it spilled out...we also had a grand conversation about the north, and he shared with me a hair raising tale of paddling the Yukon River...with absolutely no prior experience about 30 years ago.

I also managed to squeeze in a short jaunt to Len's Mill Store to score some good linen fabric. Tomorrow I'll be making some skirts. I also scored more fabric today in Halifax. As well, I picked up a couple of t-shirts, one from the Sociology Society. I used to be a member when I was doing my first degree, and hung out in the Soc Society office to offer help to other students. Sometimes I forget that I am more than a social worker...I am also a sociologist...heh heh. I LOVE people watching...

I checked out the library where I spent so many hours too, often with my good friend N. We usually stayed until it closed, at 1:00am, during exam time. We would load up on Pringles and Snapple, and head upstairs to the 10th floor (known as the quiet floor) and study our little hearts out. She is STILL studying...and entering her 3rd year of medical school at UBC.

It was great to get back to campus as I hadn't been back since I graduated the last time in 2002. I wasn't able to hook up with everyone I hoped, but I did revisit some old haunts...including the gift shop, bookstore, and tunnels that run under the campus.

Our Nation's Capital

I attended the North American Council on Adoptable Children conference in Ottawa this summer, and spent just under a week in our nation's capital. I had a blast, met up with some friends, had some GREAT meals, and enjoyed the conference. Funnily enough, the gal in the office next to mine attended the same conference, but we didn't manage to cross paths at all!

The weather was hot and sticky, and I sweat buckets, so was thankful for A/C at the hostel where I stayed. It was located at the old Ottawa City Jail. Most of the hostel rooms were old cells, while I lucked out and stayed in one of the former guard's rooms/offices. It had lots of character and was reportedly haunted...though I saw nothing...I had the room to myself the first two nights, then a couple of Japanese gals joined me, and then for the last two nights, we were a full room (of 8). My friend S. joined me from Waterloo for those last two nights and we explored the city a bit. My feet were swollen and sore by that point, so we didn't go far. I also stumbled, (big surprise) and fell face first in front of the Parliament buildings...skinned my knee and rolled my ankle (quite a twist).

I also made the leap and got a new tattoo, this one on the back of my right hand, the Celtic trinity knot. It hurt some, but overall wasn't too bad. I had it done at Universal Tattoo, one of the best tattoo parlours in town (reportedly). I had been pondering another tattoo for some time, and was glad to finally take the plunge! I also went downtown with the daughter of an old friend (the daughter is now 20yrs old) and she was inspired by me to have her nose pierced. We captured it on video...

We took in a light show on Parliament Hill, which was awesome. They played a film commemorating 400 years since Quebec was born (Quebec City that is). The purple floodlights were my favorite though.

The Byward Market was okay, but lots of imported crap, sold by Canadian and immigrant vendors. I prefer to purchase locally made products, so the only thing I bought was a leather bracelet (import crap) and a necklace containing a grain of rice that had my neice's name written on it - he did it right there for me).

We managed to find a great little restaurant called Chez Lucien, just off the market which was terriffic - great value for wonderful food, and cozy atmosphere. I can't say as much about the rest of the meals in Ottawa, save for the luncheon at the conference. S. and I also managed to discover some awesome homemade ice cream and treated ourselves to a banana split. The dog bucket was at the ice cream stand.

Terrible Neglectful Blogger

I've been super busy this summer, however hope to get some photos up today from my summer vacation in eastern Canada. Stay tuned...