I have landed in Calgary and am enjoying the cooler weather - today the high was 15 - feels like winter - LOL - just kidding- actually no, I am not - it is the same temp here as it is in Alex in the winter - only difference is that there is heat in the homes. Today has been rainy, with sunny patches. Made a quick trip to Wal-Mart and Safeway - quick because Miles was with me - and unless you are shopping for him - you best be hustling. Oh well - soon enough I will get out on my own and wander through Wal-Mart.

The flights were uneventful - slept most of the way to Frankfurt - and I am not sure why they insist on waking me up to eat on the trip to Calgary - do I look like I need to eat - just let me sleep. Only fly in the ointment was that the video system did not work very well - they finally got things worked out about 3 hours before we landed in Calgary - so we got vouchers - should see what I will get - an upgrade to business class next time I travel - not likely - but sure would be a treat - I look at the seats in business class and wish I had lots of money - that is the way to travel on long trips.

Not sure what my plans are as of yet. Had planned on heading to Ontario before the start of Ramadan - but on checking seat prices found that there is a seat sale starting in September - so may just end up heading out then. Maybe I will head up to Edmonton next week - still not sure - need to make some phone calls and check an email - a friend of mine is travelling - want to make sure she is back in town before I head that way.

Talked with Mom last night and she is feeling better now than she has felt in many months - thank God. I am very grateful for all the prayers that were said on our behalf.

Not much more to report right now - hope I can get some sleep tonight - my legs have been cramping - kept me awake for a bit last night - am heading to the gym tomorrow morning - to visit and work out.

TTFN

Where has the time gone. Thought I was 'ready' to travel - must admit that while I enjoy having Aymn here it is a bit of a hindrance to getting things ready - closing up the place for over two months - while still having to feed someone is a bit of a pain. If it were just me I would not be eating much - it is still too danged hot here - looking forward to the cooler clime of Canada.

Update on Mom - she is home - after being airlifted to Calgary on the 11th and spending five days at the Foothills Hospital - she was released on Friday the 15th after having an MRI that showed no damage to the heart. Everyone headed back to Creston on Saturday - my dad, mom, sister and sister's youngest son. So things are getting back to normal.

24 hours from now I will be on my way to Canada - looking forward to the break. Need time to do some serious soul searching. Will try to keep everyone posted.

Thanks for the support over the last week - must admit it has been a tough one - do not like being so far away from family during a crisis.

Thanks for everyone's thoughts and prayers. Just heard from my sweet daughter (in-law) that Dad is going to Calgary and they are looking after him. Although dad has refused their offer of a bed for his stay - he is just as hard headed as his grandson - or is it the other way around - but Miles will be taking him to the doctor - big relief - not sure if I will be getting a talking to about my executive decision - but I don't really care - it is a big relief to know that dad is being looked after. Of course I am very sensible and not at all hard headed - skipped me (can you see the tongue in cheek????).

I am assuming that mom is doing all right - at least good enough for dad to leave her for three days - I do not know if she is still in hospital - but I would bet yes. I am sure hoping that I can get some sleep tonight - not only is my car running on fumes - but so am I.

Again thanks for the prayers - we certainly are in need of them.

For those of you who are not yet aware - I was scheduled to fly out of Alex to Calgary on August 6 - but Mr. Aymn was not yet back - so he asked that I change my flight plans - so am now scheduled to head out on August 20 - he is still not back - promising to be back today (August 11). I am now really, really regretting changing my plans - when I was going to the travel agency to change them I was really having to force myself - I was NOT a happy camper. I now know why. Yesterday morning (Sunday) I got a phone call from my dad - my mom is in the hospital - she had a heart attack Saturday morning - I need to be in Canada. If I had not changed my plans I would have been in Creston on Saturday morning and my dad would not be having to deal with this on his own - ARGHHHH. Today I am going to phone the agency and see if by chance there is a seat available on Wednesday's flight - I feel as if I am being torn in two - now I know there is enough of me for two - but for some strange reason there is no 'tear here' line on me. Asked Dad if he needed me to come earlier - am waiting for his email. He is heading to Calgary on Monday (maybe) as he has a doctor's appointment for his eye - he needs someone to drive him to and from the appointment - not really to - but certainly from as he will be getting an injection in one of his eyes and he cannot drive right afterwards. He said he would call Shawna - but she has just had a baby - so I spoke out of turn and offered Miles' services - as he is not working - at least not outside the home - he is the resident manager of the complex they live in - but I figured he would likely be able to help dad out - made an executive decision - now waiting to get blasted from Miles. Needless to say I am stressed - did not get much sleep last night - am supposed to be heading out this morning for a gathering at the pool - but my mind is just not into it today - but will drag myself out anyway - will be better than sitting here waiting. I do hate the waiting.

Please say a prayer for my mom - we need all the 'help' we can get.

Weather here has been hot and humid - did I mention the humidity -just saps me. I think about doing anything and the sweat starts to run down my face, arms, torso and legs - such a pretty sight.

Looks like my flat may be used while I am out of the country. My friend Margaret may stay for a few days and last night I found out that my youngest SIL is coming to Egypt for a month - and Suzanne (SIL) told me that they would be renting a place - Mom (MIL) wants them to stay with her - but if they do that than his mother will have her knickers in a knot because she thinks they should stay with her. I know that money is tight for them - so I suggested that they could stay at my place. Suzanne asked me if I was sure - I said why not - she is family - only seems right. As Suzanne was leaving she told me that she was going to move out of the country so that when she comes to visit she can stay at my place - told her she could stay anytime she wanted. Would be nice if I could meet Shereen (youngest SIL) - I have spent five minutes with her a couple of days after I arrived in Egypt - she was getting ready to move to Qatar. This will be her first visit back - hope they take me up on the offer of my place - would save them money and it is big enough that she could entertain the families here as well. She could use my new dining room table - I have yet to use it.

Had a dream this morning that Aymn called me and told me he would be going home to his family because it would only be fair. So I am waiting for a phone call - wondering what is going on -must admit this frustrates me no end. Hopefully it will just have been a dream - but if it pans out to happen - then I will really do my utmost to get out of here sooner.