Arrived in Edmonton. First week back.

Mom’s birthday dinner was fantastic!! After dinner, some of us played Bingo, and then it was time for the bonfire. Mom and Sam opened their birthday presents, of course mom had tears after she opened her new necklace from us kids. A while later, Graham and Kim came over and brought their girls, and Andrew’s girls. They were quite the entertainment. Meadow is my favourite, there is just some connection the two of us have. I love that kid to the moon and back. Her sister, Paige, is quite the little character. She’s got some pretty funny one liners.
 

Meadow and I around the fire.

Sunday morning I left mom and ken’s before 6am, and arrived in Beaumont around 6:30pm. The closer I got to Edmonton, the more excited I got. When I could see downtown, I texted Hollie to tell her, and her reply “So you are in Saskatoon! LOL.” Did I ever laugh. When I arrived at dad’s place, I walked in the back door and he was standing at the stove. He turned around smiling and said “April’s Home!” and came gave me a hug. My dad is not a person who gives hugs, but it felt great.  As we sat down to eat, it felt really weird to be back here, but good. I was looking forward to Monday morning and my first day back to work, mainly seeing everyone at work.

I have had some time to settle in the last week and a half, and I’ve adjusted back to my Edmonton life pretty well. Surprisingly I remembered a lot of things from work, so that’s a good thing. I was able to step right in and do things to help everyone out. As things were extremely busy when I left last year, they have gotten a lot worse. Not sure how many times in the first few days Barb told me she was so happy to have me there. That made me feel pretty good.  Surprisingly, it only took 3 days for me to pretty much have full computer access. Usually can take one to two weeks for all that to be sorted out.

 The most exciting thing for me last week was being able to see some of my friends and spend some time with them. On Tuesday night I met Nicolle and Hollie for supper at Earl’s, and it was so great to have the three of us together again. These two are my consistent scrapbook/card making friends. Met both of them while working at ESRD, and over the last few years they left for other jobs and school, but we remained in touch. It wasn’t until I left Tyler that we started hanging out. Again, what a great decision I made, as I gained a couple really great friendships along the way. Something even more exciting than getting to see these two fantastic ladies, was when Hollie asked Nicolle and me to be bridesmaids for her wedding next year. Nicolle jumped up from the table to give Hollie a hug and I couldn’t stop laughing. Needless to say, Nicolle was rattling off things we have to do while I am still in town, and I just wanted to let everything sink in, and then get together to talk about everything.

Friday night I went over to Rita and Danny’s place to have dinner and meet little Natasha. Rita was holding Natasha when she opened the door, and Natasha leaned right towards me. Something she has never done to anyone before. Danny and Rita were both surprised to see this. I took her right away, who doesn’t want to hold a baby, especially one that I missed out on being born. Being an “unofficial” aunt is going to be so much fun!

 Debbie and I took dad out for lunch on Sunday for Father’s Day to Tilted Kilt, first time for me, and it was pretty good. Later in the afternoon we went and saw 22 Jump Street. I could watch Channing Tatum all day, every day. Overall, I thought the movie was pretty funny. 

    Selfie Sunday with Bernie. Took him about 4 days to warm up to me again. I think the blonde hair confused him.

 This week has been fairly laid back. Monday I had the day off and had a bunch of appointments to go to, and had some time to relax at home. The same goes for last night and tonight, relaxing. Tomorrow I am going to hang out with Hollie after work, and Friday night I finally get to see Gwyn! Gwyn and I have been friends for 10 years now. I met her through Tyler, and she married his best friend. Despite my decision to leave Tyler, I never lost her as a friend, and I am very grateful for that. Definitely looking forward to catching up with her, I missed her very much.