excavation excitement!!

Jer and I took a drive to our lot on Monday evening... painfully awaiting the call that our permit was in and that building could begin. We were happy to see action happening in the area - this is a shot of our street with two new homes standing proud - although a little peeved that it seemed as though our own house was at a stand still. Low and behold.....

 

On the morning of February 18th, ground was broken for the building of our house! I got the call on Tuesday evening that the permit had come in from the city and that the yard had already been staked that afternoon. I literally skipped to my car from the bus as I listened to this muchly anticipated news, and flew home to tell Jer. 

Rollerskating Birthday Bash

And the themed, blast-from-the-past birthdays continues! We spent the first part of the night cruising on 8 wheels - a feat that doesn't receive enough credit for it's thigh shaping capabilities because oh, good golly, was I ever sore the next morning! 

Happy Birthday, Farrah!

ACLEA Orlando Conference

Tracy, Andie and I at Universal - soaked from an afternoon of rides and on our way to catch a cab to the Prime Outlet mall where I found French Connection jeans ... for $8 dollars!! I love a good deal. 
Tracy, Andie and I at our Gala Banquet dinner on our last night in Orlando. We had cocktails on the patio and a delicious swordfish dinner, followed by live music and volleyball on the dance floor!

What a fantastic trip! I came home armed with renewed energy for my job, a network of people in my industry who work in the legal field, and pages of notes on viral marketing and social media. Our conference was held at the Portofino Bay Resort in Universal Studios along a canal that connected our hotel complex to City Walk, Universal and Treasure Island. We did take a couple of hours to hit up the rides one afternoon - we braved the pouring down rain and came home with puddles in our shoes and looking like we'd be worn out, rung out and hung to dry! 

I graciously accepted a Universal poncho offered to me by a kind person who felt sorry for me walking around in the rain donning my suit blazer!

Our hotel complex looked to be straight out of Venice, Italy. Complete with sidewalk cafes and cobblestone paths. So quaint – I would go back in a heartbeat!

New Year's 2010 - Canmore

Lounging around in our woolies and sweats, a deck full of frozen appetizers ready to be transfered to the constantly hot oven, thumb sized glasses filled with eggnog, a small round table covered in cards and quarters (a round of golf anyone?!),  a room filled with laughter and a teensy bit of music  coming from an ipod touch! This is New Year's 2010. Around the table - there is a constant theme of enormous ambition, life-altering ventures and leaps of faith. What a great stage to be at and there is nothing better than sharing the journey with like-minded people. This is going to be a good year. Cheers to you!

Christmas with Dad

We began our Winnipeg Christmas with a laughter-filled dinner at Ichi-Ban where we brushed up on our egg-catching skills! The food was delicious and our chef Roger kept us chuckling with his food related antics! We then went to the Hilton where we had planned to relax in the hot tub (a plan that we make every year and never wind up following through on!!) but instead relaxed in the room and chit chatted over munchies. 

mmmmmm

Gin shrimp, smoked salmon sushi roll-ups, 7 layer taco dip, and egg rolls! Gotta love the Christmas Eve spread at mom's house!