#Solo(Return)RoadTrip

30 Monday Aug 2021

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Well the month of August flew by! Before I embark on my #Solo(Return)RoadTrip to 🇺🇸 … I thought I would share some of my highlights!

Celebrating my parents 54th wedding anniversary … and my sister’s um, 30th birthday 🙂

Another 50th birthday celebration with my wonderful high school girlfriends.

We all turn 50 this year and I’m so proud to say that out loud because I think we all look 25! Thanks Tanya, Tracy and Tamara for all of the great times together! It wasn’t easy but we pulled together a few gatherings .. not to mention the few quick beers 🍻 we snuck in from time to time as well!

Since I of course, had time on my hands, I took up golf lessons while I was home. And I went back to the very first place that I picked up a golf club … about 30 years ago. ⛳️ Thanks again, Mike, for introducing me to the game of golf. That, and moving to San Francisco, are two amazing gifts from our time together.

I experienced real progress (1% better is my motto!) after weekly golf lessons. Tannis and Z … I look forward to showing off my new skills at the HMB links! ha ha <grin>

I enjoyed a lot of walks .. some alone, some with friends, and some with a Saint in my back pocket.

I went back to my roots and had not one, but TWO nights of pickles with my family! And I’m so excited that I have a case in the back of my car to enjoy while I’m back in California.

We enjoyed some cool extended family time — we visited my 97 yo great aunt, as well as had an annual Fedeyko WE MEET reunion, virtual again this year but it was so much fun I think Amy and I are going to organize a WE MEET virtually more often. Except next time, we’ll send the link, Uncle D! LOL

Mom and me, of course, enjoyed some wine!! And on some nights, I enjoyed some Whisky! (I couldn’t let my fans down without sharing some of these moments, right?!)

The weather was absolutely drop-dead, gorgeous almost every day I was home. It was weather like I remember it growing up on the farm in High Level. I took advantage of the amazing backdrop + weather for an alternative to my normal office.

AND I got to meet an amazing group of Edmonton women that I’ve been working with over the last year. Thank you Cara, Anjali, Kennedy, Nicole, Noelle and Sabrina for your support, passion and collaboration! I’m excited for all the things we are doing together.

I am taking home a few gifts from my mom. She’s always asking if I would “use this” or “wear that” … and then next thing – poof – it’s mine to enjoy! 🙂 My mom was always so creative with crafts … from ceramics to cross stitch to knitting and painting .. she did it all – and beautifully!! Here is a gift I get to take home with me. Thanks, Mom! LOVE ❤️

I might update this post with additional memories, but as I embark on my #SoloReturnRoadTrip, I wanted to share a glimpse from the last month.

It’s always SO great to come home to 🇨🇦. Thank you to my family, friends and colleagues for making it memorable and fun!

And now … I look forward to the “Positive What If!” that awaits in San Francisco!

Oh and … NW 35 109 17 W5 … Which won’t mean anything to most of my readers right now, but it might show up in a future blog post. 😆

Enjoying the ‘rents

02 Monday Aug 2021

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I’ve caught up on some sleep and settled into the basement at my parent’s place after my 13-day road trip from SF to Alberta. I’ve made it my mission to get my mom up every day by 9am (she is more of the night owl vs the early bird like my Dad and me), and then do 1 thing with her every day. It’s often not an easy endeavor but sadly for her, they raised one stubborn daughter so.I.won’t.give.up. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧

Great to spend some time with my cousin. Sherry, you have a heart of gold and patience the size of Alberta. Thank you for the love and support you give to my family. And so fun to introduce you to an Edmonton restaurant 🙂

I’ve got my new office setup. It’s so great that my parent’s have AC … but I have to go outside to warm up! Love you Dad, but I’m freezing!

I love this picture. They hung outside together after Mom and I got back from a walk around the Crescent. This Wednesday they will celebrate 54 years together. ❤️❤️❤️

I started today with a great catch up with one of my best friends. Here is a beautiful snap from my ‘walk and talk” with FF.

And I ended the day with a new Starbucks friend!

So I decided to venture to a glass of whiskey before starting dinner tonight. The glass is what I use when I drink whiskey in the evening. The mug is what I use during the day 😆😆.

#SoloRoadTrip – Final Day

28 Wednesday Jul 2021

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Almost home …

And …. I have arrived! My Dad was sitting outside relaxing on the bench after mowing the lawn .. just waiting for me to arrive 😆🚙.

Mom, Dad and Trish — thanks for being there with me every morning, noon and night me on my #SoloRoadTrip. I am happy to be home!

Final Video post ..

  • 13 Days
  • 2 Hotel Stops, 2 Sofas and 3 Friend’s Extra Beds (Thx again Beth, Mike, Courtney, Sean & Tania and June & Jordan!)
  • 6 States – California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota and Montana
  • 1 Province – Alberta
  • 20 Podcasts
  • 1 Music Station
  • Starting Mileage – 57,582
  • Ending Mileage – 60,244
  • Total Miles – 2,662

Solo #WindshieldTime … Priceless

#SoloRoadTrip – Day 12

27 Tuesday Jul 2021

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Ventured downtown Calgary for the day and worked out of the cool Ampersand office space to lead our first “Office Hours”.

June and I got some of the High Level gang together!

Barely recognized Clark behind that beard but as soon as he started with his wise cracks, we knew it was really him.

SO great to see you Wade, Corey, Greg and Clark!

And of course, I have to close the day with a video from the gang.

#SoloRoadTrip – Day 11

26 Monday Jul 2021

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Just another Monday morning 🙂 Views from my 8 hour drive from Deer Lodge, MO to Calgary, AB ….

Approaching the 🇨🇦 border … but I was ready:

  • Vaccination card ✅
  • Negative Covid test within 72 hours ✅
  • Additional Covid test at the border ✅

So thankfully, they 🇨🇦 let me back into the country! LOL

After having a drink on 17th Ave with a super neat business lady … I got to enjoy a relaxing evening with an old friend that I grew up with in High Level.

Thanks June and Jordan for a great dinner, delicious whiskey, and a thought provoking conversation!

#SoloRoadTrip – Day 9

24 Saturday Jul 2021

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I spent Day 9 hanging around in Bozeman. Cute town that I visited 6 years ago and have been meaning to come back to.

I did one critical thing today, which was get my Negative Covid results!! I can now, officially, cross the border into Canada!

It was also a good day to make a small dent in my inbox and do a little catch up. So it was coffee shop, followed by restaurant, followed by coffee shop, followed by restarrant bar 🙂

Got the call that the Eagle had landed (AKA, my friend Sean) and off the Bozeman International Airport! I love picking up and taking friends to the airport. So it was the least I could do in exchange for a place to crash and the fun we’re going to have tomorrow!

#SoloRoadTrip – Day 8

23 Friday Jul 2021

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OMGosh … sometimes you gotta just love a hotel room!!

Today was a bit more on the uneventful side … but for me, it has still been heaven.

After sleeping in, I did what I didn’t do all week. I worked! ha!!

And for those that know me (which should be all of 8 of you LOL) … I loved it!

BUT … in other news. The Olympics started today, folks! That’s exciting. Or maybe it’s not because I have only seen it on one TV in the, you know, 5 bars I’ve been to tonight. 😆🍷

Oh but actually – maybe I have something exciting to mention! It’s a little “FutureCasting” as they say.

… I met Chuck and Cheryl over dinner, who I think is going to introduce me to husband #3.

Just kidding!! No more marriages! 😬 Sorry for the almost heart attack Mom and Dad!

But … white water rafting with beers and a bunch of friends that I don’t know yet, sounds totally up my alley!

And now .. back to reality …

A few photos from today. Won’t surprise any of my fans I’m sure. LOL

Afternoon and pre-dinner office. Please don’t read my emails. That would be weird. BUT .. if you do, then please mark the as ‘Read” so I can file them away.

Post dinner office. That is a delicious peanut-chocolate truffle dessert perched on my laptop. In case you missed it.

Tomorrow might be much like today, except – except – except – I’m turning into an Uber and picking up a friend at the airport and then driving West to have a few laughs, drinks, and I suspect some more drinks, and then apparently some golf.

Looking forward Sean and Tania! Can’t wait!

#SoloRoadTrip – Day 7

22 Thursday Jul 2021

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Today was a day of travel. Like, 12 hours of driving. I don’t know how I am still standing right now but I feel like my fans are counting on me to catch up on my blog, so here I am! LOL

Soooo kidding!

My friend Courtney asked “So, do you have a big following?”, and I’m like “No … like 4.”

But actually, I know FF is following me. Maybe my Dad and Sister read it. Totally not sure on that one but I sure hope so. I think Rick and Barb are following it, and I know Anjali is taking a read. Thank you, Anjali.

But I write for me. ✍️ It’s something I love doing and I really hope I’ll do more of it in the future.

But for my all of 8 followers .. here is a recap of my Day 7 😆🚙

Leaving South Dakota and enroute to Montana!

Not too much to report on from today but when it ends with a restaurant bar, a glass of wine, and a blog post. I’m a happy girl. 😆😆

Oh — but do ask about how my hotel debacle turned into a HUGE gift, next time we chat.

#SoloRoadTrip – Day 6

21 Wednesday Jul 2021

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Destination … Mt. Vernon, South Dakota. Population 462. Wow!

It was about 4.5 hours East from Belle Fourche. The temperatures were about 36C all day.

Playlist:

  • Lots of SmartLess
  • Then lots of country music

The best part upon arriving in Mt. Vernon was that I had NO idea that by visiting my friend Courtney in South Dakota, that I would be taking a HUGE trip down memory lane to my days growing up on the farm in Alberta.

But it.was.awesome! Check it out!

I am so blessed to have grown up on a farm, and so amazed by all that my Dad and Mom were able to build from homestead land and sheer determination. There were a good number of bumps in the road growing up. Those that grew up there know exactly what those bumps looked like, but in the end, and looking back, it was such a special time and I wouldn’t change a thing.

So a HUGE shout out to my parents – thanks for all that you did to give Trish and me an amazing childhood and wonderful memories.

Courtney brought me back to my roots pretty quickly .. Starting off with pickling cukes!

I am now prepared for pickling with my sister, mom and dad once I am home. Because it’s become a renewed annual tradition, which is awesome! And the pickles, folks, are to die for!

And then … we went out to the garden and walked around the farm … and OMGosh .. a Combine!!! And farm equipment! And cattle!! Lots and lots of cows!

And then I saw this .. which was so fantastic.

Okay, here is the backstory …

Trish and I used to ride around on our Trike (pre-Quad days) ALL.THE.TIME!! We were both driving the S-10 around the farm when we were 10 years old. I couldn’t wait to take my Dad dinner when he was seeding or combining because I got to drive out dinner to him! And like, by myself!!!

So seeing Hattie take her little brother out on the Quad, was priceless. When she asked her Dad if she could take Walter on it, Mike said “How old are you?” and Hattie said “I’m 9.”

And Mike replied with “Exactly, go slow.”

❤️❤️

So … frickin’ awesome!! These kids are going to grow up and be confident, courageous and humble human beings! They already are!!

What a fantastic time with this lady and her family.

Thank you, Courtney! B.yond grateful!!

I’ll see you next in California