Ta da - went and got my hairs cut yesterday. Virginia, who currently resides up the hill from my parent's home, is a hairdresser and she is awesome. Feels so good to have a 'good' haircut - wish I could take her back to Egypt in my pocket - I am sure she would be kept very busy as she is a 'bona fide' hair dresser and very good at her profession.

Must admit I need to work on my technique for taking photos of myself - LOL. Not that I want to make this a practice as I do not really like having my picture taken - but sometimes it just needs to be done.

Aymn noticed right away - had chatted with him before I got the hair cut and then chatted with him again after the cut. He asked me if I had it coloured - told him no -could not afford it - besides I like it like this - what do you think???

Aymn will likely not be back in Egypt to meet me at the airport - business and all. Logically I do not mind - in fact I quite enjoy it when I arrive on my own - although I do like to have someone there to pick me up as I arrive out in the boonies at 2:30 a.m. or thereabouts - but it is nice to have some time to unwind before I have to 'deal' with everything else. But there is a little part that just niggles at me - he has no problem making it home for Eid for his family - just puts business on hold - he has yet to miss an Eid with them - but he cannot make the effort - put the business on hold for me - SIGH. Ah well - such is life.

I am certainly enjoying my time here in Canada - hard to go back - does not seem like I have had enough time to visit with people. Next time I come I am going to kidnap MDM and take her away for a few days so we can just spend time with each other. Never seem to be able to spend enough time with her. Also have not had enough time with Deb, did not seem to get to go out for lunch or wander around Costco with her - miss that - although now that the fog has dissipated we did manage one trip to Costco - and then got blown around afterwards - what a storm. Wanted to make it out to Pinawa to visit some old friends - but time and money were agin me. Next time. I had a great time in TO with my buddy there - next time will spend more time - so be warned. Also need to spend more time with the folks. Just seems to be lots more time is needed. But next time I will not be spending time with Miles and Shani - so that will give me more 'free' time. Sorry Tina, your invitation will be used, the accomodation and company are wonderful and the price of a reservation is cooking a few meals - small price to pay. Also missed spending time in my old church ward - but as luck would have it - just turned out that it was 'easier' (read less costly) to head to the nearest ward - rather than driving halfway across the city. Next time though. And of course there were lots of people that I did not even get to see - got to chat with some of them - next time I will be more together - this time was kind of messed up - too much to ponder and wonder about.

Hard to believe that this time next week I will be enroute back to Egypt - where has the time gone. As the time draws closer to leave I get more anxious and less 'happy' about returning to Egypt. I am looking forward to being in my own place - my own bed - but that is about the extent of it. Not looking forward to dealing with issues that require attention - SIGH - but alas I can no longer bury my head in the sand - need to get back - bite the bullet and get things straightened out - in shaa allah (God willing).

I am in BC at my parent's place. Have been here for 10 days - unfortunately have been unwell for a great part of the time - SIGH. Came down with something last Monday - great way to spend Thanksgiving - was in bed most of the day - crawled out of bed to set the table - took some food and could barely eat a bite of much - so frustrating - had been so looking forward to chowing down on the wonderful turkey dinner that was prepared. Have gotten over the fever and the chills - but have a wonderful 'cough' - cough so long and hard I am sure my toenails are coming up - sure hope I can shake this before I take off.

Arrived here in BC on the 10th - had an uneventful trip - saw no wildlife on the road - and on Saturday went to Yahk to spend time with my friend Michele and her family who were there - spent the day outside sitting around a fire - haven't smelled that good in a lot of years - LOL. The cooks were busy - we were served chili, cream of potato/corn soup, and stewp - all of which were delicious - good food, good company = good times.

We took off for the States on the 16th - did not buy much - lack of funds and really not much caught my eye - did manage to pick up a couple pair of clip on sunglasses for my glasses - which is a good thing. We left dad in Sandpoint at Staples while mom and I continued on down to Couer d'Alene - wanted to stock up on some embroidery floss for my cross stitch - but the store we went down to no longer carries DMC floss ARGH - then we stopped in at Michaels - they had some - but not all - so will have to see what I can find back in Calgary - would like to get the colours I want so I can work on the projects - not that I do not have any projects that I could start in Egypt - but these onces caught my eye - like the other's didn't - I know I am soooo bad. Am determined to continue working on my cross stitch once I get back to Egypt - need to keep myself occupied and that is something I enjoy doing and it keeps my hands busy. We took so long that I figured dad would have been hired - but they were not quite quick enough. While he was hanging around he found himself a computer chair that he liked - so we brought that back.

Must admit it is 'interesting' going through the Border when you live in Egypt - get a lot of looks. Was not too surprised at the interest that was sparked when I went through to the States - but was a tad surprised when I was questioned when we came back to Canada - even with my Canadian passport - nothing terrible - just more questions than I am used to - such is life.

Weather here has been quite nice - have had one day of rain - yesterday (Monday) and for the most part it has been quite sunny and relatively warm - I am sure my Egyptian family would not agree that it is warm - but for Canada it has been very nice - no snow as of yet - there is snow at higher elevations - but nothing yet where we are. Although when I drove out here there were a few flakes in the higher elevations - nothing that stuck though.

Below is a picture taken from my parent's back yard - looking north up the mountain - trying to get that burst of colour - I love the fall colours - miss them a lot.

Above is a picture that I took at the border - it was such a calm day - I could not resist - the water looks like a mirror.

This is me with my new hat - gotta love it - dontcha??? Bought it while Maurine and I were at Banff - first time we went I was tempted - but discretion won out - but then I did not buy the hat at Niagara Falls - so this time I just could not resist - must admit I luvvvvved the look on Maurine's face as we walked down the street in Banff - wish I had taken a pic. Luv ya cuzzy.

Here is Maureen and Maurine - Maurine is trying not to get poked in the eye with the antlers - we had sooo much fun.

We were unable to find a moose crossing sign - we saw a few elk crossing signs - but did not stop at them - found this one - and opted to go for it - gotta love the wildlife you find in Alberta - LOL.

Here we are in Yahk - enjoying the weather. I shall be kind and not name any names.

And here is the fire - looking nice and toasty warm. Can you tell that the people are chilly - arms all crossed trying to keep warm.

Wow - where has the time gone - anyone see a theme running through my trip back to Canada.

I am now living with a very good friend - Tina and her hubby Sav - she has opened her home to me at anytime - and I have taken her up on it. Not sure if she thinks it is such a good idea now - LOL. Although I do try to make myself somewhat useful - if I am around I cook supper - as both are out working - she has asked me if I really need to go back to Egypt - she will hire me as her cook - LOL. Not a bad idea. There is a bedroom in the basement where I hang my hat - and right next door is a bathroom with a wonderful 2 person jacuzzi tub - needless to say I am really enjoying being able to soak on a regular basis - nothing like it to relax a stressed out soul.

Due to 'circumstances' it has been decided that I will not be staying with Miles and Shani again. My visiting and staying with them is too much of a burden on Miles as he is very protective of 'his' space. After all I decided to move to Egypt and he never understood it to mean that I would be 'living' with him again - so.... enough said.

Weather here has been wonderful - considering it is October. Last Thursday a temperature record was broken - it had been set in a very long time ago - it was a beautiful day - things have cooled down a bit - there is definitely a 'bite' in the air now - certainly feels like fall. Must admit I do miss the seasons - Egypt seems to have two - summer and winter - the transition is so short that it is usually missed. Sort of like passing through a small town in Saskatchewan - blink and you have missed it. Miss the smells that the seasons bring - nothing like it. When I drive to Creston - I will roll down the window when I get to the vicinity and I will smell apples on the wind - in spring you smell the blossoms - and as you drive through the mountains the smell of evergreen is fantastic - definitely miss these things.

Last night I was 'dragged' to a candle party - if I lived here I could see myself spending a lot of money - thank goodness I do not have room to take the treasures home. I must admit it was fun smelling all the scents that they have - has anyone noticed how nice they perceive the sea to smell - supposed to be a soothing scent - well let me tell you no beach or sea has ever smelled that sweet - although I am sure the 'true' scent would not be a big seller.

Thursday evening I was 'dragged' to a jewellery party - left my wallet at home - only thing I was tempted by was a man's silver ring - could have stood in for a wedding band for Aymn - but I am not 100% sure of his ring size - just know his finger is very large - and I was not sure it would arrive in time - saved by the bell. There were a lot of very nice things - very pretty - mostly done in silver though - and I do not have a lot of silver anymore - gold seems to be the way to go in Egypt and I am not complaining. Although the young girls seem to wear a lot of silver - not nearly as expensive as gold - so they can have fun mixing and matching and not be completely broke.

I spent Friday with Maurine - we went to Mountain Equipment Coop - more commonly referred to as MEC - I went looking for a backpack that I could use in Egypt for carrying my gym stuff to the gym and also use for 'day trips'. I am tired of buying backpacks that fall apart in a heartbeat. Miles bought a backpack 8 years ago when he went up north to work - he took it on his mission - he still has it - looks a bit worse for wear - but has not fallen apart yet. I always assumed that their bags were pricey - but I was wrong - I got a really nice 14L pod bag for only $24.00 - but of course found other things I just had to have. Have been looking for a water bottle that has a straw in it - as I do not like tipping up the water bottle to drink when I am driving - found a 1 L one there - environmentally friendly, non toxic - for $14.00 - also have been keeping my eye open for a travel clock that has a light so that I can see the time at night - found a Timex with Indiglo - for $21.00 - pricier than I would have liked - but I have not seen any - so ..... I also purchased a Canadian flag decal to put on my backpack - must be patriotic. I also found a 'bag' for Aymn - last year I bought him a leather purse for keeping his essential papers in - and it is falling apart - stitching is coming apart - figured this one might last better - hope he uses it - if not I will - no problems there. Maurine bought me a medium sized travel bag for my makeup - actually transferred everything into it this morning and threw out the one I had been using - is very nice - has a hook on it so you can hang it up - lots of places to put things.

Went back to MEC yesterday (Saturday) with Tina - she liked the idea of the pod bag - so she bought herself one and of course found treasures that she had to have - prior to entering the store she had no intention of purchasing a membership - but she ended up getting one - lots of really neat things for camping and since she and Sav have a really nice trailer - she saw lots of treasures that would be oh so useful. I ended up buying myself a tiny pocket knife and a little light to attach to my key ring - always useful to have one when you end up doing the stairs and the lights go out. I had one - and dad 'fixed' it for me - but the piece that attached it to the key ring broke - so I could never find it in my bag - and then it just all fell apart. Will get it out of my bag and put it in my bedside table - or somewhere else for when the power fails - which it does quite regularly.

I am going to be spending tomorrow with Maurine again - never seem to have enough time with her - this business of her having to work for a living is a real kill joy - and she has taken on another job - so she is even busier - SIGH. Maybe next time I come we can arrange to 'holiday' for a few days together. We have so much fun together. We may be taking off for Banff again - I was informed that she does not want to stay in Calgary - I am up for it.

Have not been taking many pictures this trip - not sure why - but I rarely remember to take my camera with me when I go out. Should pack up my backpack and just start taking it with me when I go out. What a concept.

Friday (Oct. 10) I head out to BC to spend two weeks with my parents - looking forward to a wonderful turkey dinner for Thanksgiving - will have to hold me over for Christmas as well - because I will not be cooking a turkey again in Egypt - LOL. Christmas this year will be nothing special - oh well - such is life. Maurine has expressed a wish that I would be here for Christmas - nice idea - but not sure I am ready for the snow and cold - LOL. And must admit that I am looking forward to being 'home' in my own bed, I love visiting but it gets to me after a while - miss having my own place. Am looking forward to spending time with my parents - hope to get a trip to the States - will see how it goes.