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.