Shopping in the C-Dot

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Eli asked me why I call Calgary the C-Dot.

I told him that Monique called it that.

And she's cool.

He raised his eyebrows and tried to look stern.

Hey, buddy, back off.  This is my blog and I can use any nickname I like.

And, Monique IS cool.

This past week was challenging for me, hence the absence of blog posts.

My job can be emotionally taxing.  But, I do love to teach.  And, I soldier on.

"Always look on the briiiiight side of life."

I'll be disappointed if you do not know that movie.

So, back to last weekend in the C-Dot.

My cousin, Mary Ann, picked me up after my conference on Saturday and we went shopping.

Indeed.

Six hours in one mall.  With no kids.  I can't remember the last time I did that!  It was fun.

Our Aunt Mary also lives in Calgary, and wasn't sure that she could meet up with us, but we shopped away.

Then, Aunt Mary FOUND us in the mall.

Now, I know that would not be such a feat in the Northumberland Mall in Miramichi, but it is VERY impressive at Cross Iron Mills in Calgary.

We were in Toys 'r Us, and Aunt Mary just strolls up to us (no cell phone contact).  That woman has some kind of mall homing device!!  I was so impressed, and I think she impressed herself, too.

The three of us shopped. 

The mall has a running wilderness theme that is so much fun.  The girls would have loved all the installations. 

I snapped this inside Smart Set's change room.  (Clearly, I don't get out much in Yellowknife.)  Isn't it cute?  I think that when Eli and I build a house and we design the girls' rooms, I'll incorporate this into their dressing areas. 

It didn't matter where you looked, there was just so much to see! 

It was pretty cool. 

Bears!!  You naughty bears!  Get down off that lamp post! 

Loads of birds everywhere. 

Then, I found Eli's shopping paradise.  Bass Pro Shops.  I took a bunch of pictures so he could see. 

I could have spent a day in this store, and I don't even like hunting and fishing! 

Eli could live in this store, I do not doubt it. 

I thought my dad would like this old bush plane. 

That's me!  This store was elaborate!  It must have cost millions to set it up. 

Unfreakin' believable.  I think I'll have no trouble luring Eli to the mall in Calgary when we return again.  I can just drop him off here and pick him up six hours later.  I bet he won't mind shopping one bit! 

Now, the mission of my shopping adventure was boots, and I found some, with Mary Ann's dedicated help.  They are so cute and comfy.  And, they zip on the outside of the leg, which gives them a little edge.  I love my new boots! 

Sunday morning, during my conference, Eli sent me this picture.  He must have driven over some nails, because there were THREE in this one tire.  Luckily, it's time for snow tires, so he pulled the ol' switch-a-roo, and there is no harm done. 

Still at my conference, I get a second message:

Eli:  Twofour may have climbed on the counter and eaten the butter while we were at church...

Me:  May?!

Me:  How??

Me:  Take a picture!

Eli took the girls to church while I was in Calgary (in my car, since his had a flat), and when they came home, this is what Eli found on the counter.

Twofour was conspicuously grooming in his cage, but the damage was done. 

Twofour ate the butter.

He allegedly hopped on my kitchen stool (because I'm so short I can't reach the cupboards), then allegedly hopped onto the garbage can, then allegedly hopped to the counter.

For the record, bunnies should not eat butter.

Bunnies get very ill from eating dairy.

The "allegedly" part of the accusation was swiftly stricken from the record as Twofour struggled to digest the butter.

Eli and I both had to deal with Twofour's digestive troubles in the days that followed, but he's recovered perfectly.  I had to give him one bath, LOADS of hay, and now he's groomed himself back to perfection.

Eli asked me if he thought that I thought that Twofour associated the butter with his tummy ache.

I think not.

I caught him eyeing the butter dish again yesterday.

Silly Rabbit.  Butter is for humans.

I've moved the butter out of reach and sight. 

On Sunday, I left the hotel after my conference, but stopped to take this picture of the "raining window."  It cracks me up and reminds me of Joey's absurdly decorated apartment on Friends, the one time he moved out of Chandler's place.  I laughed and took the picture, and got strange looks from the front desk staff.

Outside, my friend, Sue was waiting for me!  Yay! 

Sue took me to Starbucks for peppermint hot chocolate.  Mmmm.

There is no Starbucks in Yellowknife. 

We took pictures in front of the mirror in Chapters.

It was awesome to see Sue.  We don't see enough of each other, but we sure do manage to pack our times with lots of laughter and giggles.

Sue helped me find a larger Rubbermaid container to pack up the Christmas shopping that I had gotten done the day before.  I just checked it at the airport, and now I'm mostly done! 

Later, my Aunt Mary picked me up, and custody of Shannon switched from Sue to Mary.  We swung back to Bass Pro Shops to price something for Eli. 

We snapped a few more pictures. 

This sign totally cracked me up. 

We went back to Aunt Mary's place for a bit (here is Shaggy the dog!), then met Uncle Francis. 

They took me out for supper (delish!), and then dropped me off at the airport.

Why, yes, Constable Bear, I had a marvellous time in Calgary.  Two days and one night let me pack a LOT into the weekend.  Thanks to Mary Ann, Aunt Mary, Uncle Francis and Sue for making my weekend so memorable and jam-packed with fun!