Alberta Floods 2013 - My beautiful Calgary... under water.

If you haven't heard, our province was hit with devastating floods the past few days. I have lived in Calgary my entire life (almost 30 years) and have never seen anything of this magnitude before. The boyfriend and I are lucky enough to live way up high on a hill and a bit away from the river so we were not effected. 

The city of High River on Thursday afternoon. Via Twitter.

I did however have to go and rescue my sister on Thursday night who lives in an area close to the river and doesn't have a vehicle. I left my home immediately when they announced the evacuation of her area and was there within ten minutes. If I would have left even five minutes later I would have been driving though water to get her. It was creeping up just a few feet from my car and starting to flood homes as I was driving by. As we turned the corner around her house and passed over the bridge by Bowness Park... it was devastating to see an area that should be an ice rink in the winter and then park and picnic areas which are normally spread out and far from the river now completely submerged. Water so high that it was half way up the trees in the highest elevation areas. 

Old Man dam being opened on Thursday night. via Twitter. 

These photos below were taken very close to my home. This is normally the area I walk through to get home after work. Those trees should not be under water...

This video (found via twitter) was taken in this exact area.

Water flooding all areas near the river. 

Calgary is supposed to have the Stampede (the biggest outdoor show on earth) in less than two weeks. TWO WEEKS! But this is what the Stampede grounds look like right now.

It would be a complete miracle to pull it off this year. But crews (and all citizens) are determined. It may not be the Stampede we normally see but it will happen and I will be there full of pride.

These are photos I have taken myself (unless noted differently) and they don't even show the beginning of the damage and devastation all across the province. Thousands of people have completely lost their homes, many washed away in the river.

This truly has been devastating and as far as we know there have been three fatalities in the extremely hard hit areas outside of Calgary. The damage will be insurmountable when the water finally all recedes.

Although this has been completely unbelievable to live through, I have honestly never been more proud to be an Albertan. Approximately 75,000 people were evacuated from their homes and only about 1500 had to go to the evacuation center's. Everyone else was taken in by friends, family and some even by strangers who are in safe areas. That is remarkable.

The entire province (and actually all across the country) have extended a helping hand and are willing to help out anyway they can.

Food trucks offered their services and took post at the evacuation center's. Restaurants have opened their doors (and menu's) for anyone who had to leave their home.

Anyone and everyone has lent a helping hand and this is just the beginning. The clean up will be a long and daunting process and we will all be there for each other as a community.

The biggest thank you's have to go out to our Mayor Nahid Nenshi and the entire city counsel as well as all City of Calgary crews, Calgary Police, all fire crews, all military crews (including my boyfriend's brother) and all media for keeping the entire city well informed and most importantly, safe and dry. Your efforts and hard work is truly amazing and does not go unnoticed. We as a community cannot thank you enough.

My thoughts go out to everyone effected by the flooding.

How Very Un-Canadian of me.

I have a confession... I don't like snow.

I know... I know... "But Mich, you live in CANADA??" 

The temperature here today is -15C (feels like -20C) which would be -4F for all my American followers. That's cold. And sadly not near as cold as it will get over the winter. 

On these days I hibernate at home. If i didn't NEED to get groceries today I wouldn't leave my home at all. 

I should clarify... I think fresh snow fall is one of the most beautiful sights. Evidence below. 

Emerald Lake - about 2 hours from where I live

The entrance to Banff National Park - about an hour from where I live

But I hate going out in the snow. I don't like driving in it. Or walking in it. Or shoveling it. And don't even get me started on winter sports.

For many Canadian's (especially those who live around me), fresh snowfall means "fresh powder in the mountains" for skiing or snowboarding. I am NOT one of those Canadians.

This love-hate relationship I have with snow probably stems from 2 events in my life. One would have been 2 years ago when I fell on the ice and broke my leg. You can see that story here.

The other happened when I was in 6th grade. The entire class was signed up for beginner ski lessons at Calgary Olympic Park (the local ski hill where many Olympic events were held here at the '88 Winter Olympics).

On the first day of lessons, we had a half hour at the end of the lesson to practice what we had just learned. The instructor told us to take the ski lift half way up the hill and then get off and practice our new techniques. Well... my best friend Amanda and I got on the ski lift together. The half way point came and we were too scared to get off the chair lift. When you are 10 years old those things are terrifying! So we ended up taking the lift ALL THE WAY to the top of the hill, we had no choice but to get off there... and I tumbled the entire way down the hill.

My ski's went flying, my goggles flew off one way and poles another. It was horrible.

The next day I stayed in and drank hot chocolate instead of going to the lesson. Amanda sprained her ankle that day.

I never went back.

And after my fall on the ice a couple years ago, i've realized the snow/ice is not my friend. Sorry Canada.

I'm not made of money ya know...

Let's vent a little shall we...

So I'm going to a bachelorette party this weekend. Yay! I love bachelorette parties. BUT what I don't like is when whoever is planning said party thinks everyone invited is made of money and/or has a sugar daddy.

If I were to participate in all of the bachelorette weekend festivities they would include:

Drive from Calgary to Banff (and return after) - lets say $40 in gas
Pay the Banff National Park fee for parking there over the weekend - $20??
Hotel for 2 nights (shared with other girls) - $150
Spa day - probably like $300
Dinner at a very expensive restaurant on Saturday night - $60
Booze for pre-drinking at the hotel room - $30
Night out at the bar - I'm gonna guess about $80
Small gift for the bride - $20
Meals for the rest of the weekend too - $50?

That estimate totals up to $750..... SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS!!!!!!! 

Holy Shit!

Sure I adore the bride and would get a girls weekend out of it but damn... I could go to Vegas for that cost. Shoot I could find a deal and go to Mexico for a week for that cost.

Not happening.

Myself and another invitee are going to drive to Banff (share the cost of gas) on Saturday afternoon and meet up with everyone just before dinner time and then stay with them until after the bar and then drive back together. (I wont be drinking in case you were wondering).

I swear... whenever I get married I will make sure my bridesmaids think of those who are on a budget.

Rant over.

Pondering...

Lately I’ve been feeling bored, like I am supposed to be doing something. Maybe this feeling has come over me because for most of 2011/2012 I was helping my best friend plan her wedding. It took up a lot of my time and thought. At the same time I was in the beginning stages of a new relationship. Any time that wasn’t spent working, or helping my friend, was spent with him.

Now that the wedding is over and the boyfriend and I have moved in together I feel like I have all this free time on my hands and I don’t know what to do with myself.

I could take up a hobby but to be quite honest, I am on a strict budget right now with a goal of being debt free at the end of 2013 in my clear vision. Also I REALLY want to go to BiSC in May and on a vacation with the man somewhere too so any extra money is being put into vacation funds.

This feeling has got me thinking.

Yesterday I spent the afternoon at a friend’s house with a big group of people watching the Western Final CFL game (Go Stamps!!). Some of our friends brought their kids. I ended up getting distracted from the game and spent most of the afternoon playing “shopping” and “hairdresser” with 2 of the little girls there. I was in heaven.

So all last night and this morning I kept thinking about my age. And how if certain events in my life turned out differently, I could probably be married by now with a baby or two.

Is that why I am feeling the way I am? Should I have kids already? I feel like I am no where near ready for anything like that. But I just wonder…

Speech! Speech!

This summer my best friend got married and I had the (terrifying) honor of the speech to the bride: 

Good Evening everyone,

If you don’t already know, my name is Michelle and I would just like to say a few words to the newlyweds. But before I do that, I would like to thank all of the groomsmen for everything they have done for Bryan and Jennifer’s special day and for looking so handsome this evening. Ladies, can we get a quick round of applause for the handsome groomsmen?

Jen and I have been friends for about 18 years now and we have countless memories together from all of our adventures. I would like to share a story though that very few people in this room know about, in fact, I’m pretty sure Bryan isn’t even aware of this.

Early last May, I was rummaging through some old boxes at my parents house and found a bunch of things from high school, most of which were just pictures of the Backstreet Boys and notes between Jen and I. But then I came across an envelope that had some very important papers in it. It was about 6 pages folded together that were titled “The Dream Love List”. I called Jen right away and told her what I had found; she was just as excited as me and made me promise not to look at it until we could read it together. Best friends do those sorts of things for each other…

So we got together the next day and, as giddy as can be, unfolded “The List”. We wrote this list when we were about 17 years old so it was of course written in blue marker and covered in heart shaped stickers. When we wrote the list, we said that before either of us even thought about marrying someone, we would have to go back to that list and make sure he fit the criteria.

The list was composed of very important qualities that any good man should have. Such as:

# 4 – Has to be able to dance.

Or

# 28 – Must have good hair.

Or how about,

# 39 – Doesn’t mind shopping.

After we laughed over all 50 items on the list and how brilliant we thought we were at 17, we thought it would be fun to see how well Bryan scored. We went through the list line by line, item by item and he scored a whopping 97%!!

Both of us looked at each other and said “well… I guess you can marry him now…”

The very next day, I got a phone call from Bryan asking me to help him organize the surprise party where he would be proposing to Jen… It was fate.

As someone who has known Jen since before her height growth spurt, I can tell you Bryan, you are one lucky man today. Not only are you marrying the most beautiful woman in the room tonight, you are also extremely blessed to be marrying someone who will stand by your side no matter what life throws at you, someone who will never cease to amaze you with how much love she can give and someone who only gets better with age.

Every single one of us ladies at this table have felt the contagious love that Jen can give and if that is even just a glimpse of the love she will show to you as her husband, you have a lifetime of happiness ahead of you.

Jen… my soul sista… words could never express how much I cherish having you as a best friend. I am so beyond proud of the amazing woman you have become and it is an absolute honor to be up here with you on your special day. I truly can’t imagine another man more destined for you than Bryan. I wish you both all the best in your new adventures as husband and wife.

Lets all raise our glasses for the newlyweds. Here’s to love, laughter and a happily ever after.

Want to see more photos? Or are you looking for the BEST wedding photographers in Calgary? Check them out here: Diane & Mike Photography.

Tales from Condo Management

I work in Condo Management, in other words we manage apartment buildings, town homes and commercial properties. I deal with a lot of crazy ass people. So I thought it would be a good idea to start a segment on the ol’ blog where I share those stories of the crazies.

Episode I - The one with the hair.

A few months back I got a call from a concerned neighbor who wanted to inform us of some… “strange” activity they had witnessed.

This took place in a town home complex so each unit has a parking stall right in front of their front door.

Every Friday for a month, some residents from one of the townhouses put a big chair in their parking stall.

And then plugged in hair clippers to the outlet used for plugging in cars in the winter.

Then… all day long… the chair was used as a barber’s chair.

Men would come and get their hair buzzed off.

At the end of the day, the barber, let’s call him Emilio, would sweep all the hair trimmings together into a pile in the middle of the parking stall.

And then light it on fire.

People be crazy.

Gross.

Wish me luck. If you don't hear from me for a while... send men with shovels.

Snowfall Warning

Issued at 4:15 PM MST Thursday 8 November 2012

SUMMARY

Up to 25 centimetres of snow expected by Saturday morning.

DETAILS

A storm system located over the central American Rockies has spread an area of snow into Southern Alberta this afternoon. Snow will become heavy tonight as the storm system intensifies. At this time the axis of the heaviest snow is expected to be situated over the Okotoks, Crowsnest Pass, Cardston, Brooks, and Lethbridge regions where up to 40 centimetres is possible. Other warned regions can expect between 15 to 25 centimeters of snow before the storm system pulls away on Saturday. Areas of local blowing snow in combination with falling snow will produce poor visibilities at times so motorists should be prepared for very poor driving conditions across much of Southern Alberta tonight through to Saturday morning. 

If I were a critic...

Last night the boyfriend and I went out to celebrate our 1 year milestone together (it was technically last Sunday but we were hung over from our Halloween party that day and super busy all week so we planned to go out last night).

On our first date last year we went to see Paranormal Activity 3 together, so this year we thought it would be cute/romantical to go see the 4th installment together too.

The movie wasn't very good. Actually... I thought it was kinda lame. The boyfriend liked it better than me. I didn't find it as scary or eerie as the first 3 (specifically the first 2) and I swear you could see the harnesses that the actors were wearing when they would be "thrown across the room by the demons".

I'm still glad we went though, for the sentiment of it.

After dinner my man surprised me and took me to Laurier Lounge for dinner. This is where things got a little interesting (no proposal if thats what you're thinking... we both aren't there yet! LOL).

He had made a reservation for 8:30 and we got there right around that time but our table wasn't really yet. The boyfriend doesn't like waiting so he wasn't happy that we had to wait over 15 minutes after he had booked a reservation. Once we finally were sat at our table... it didn't get much better. The restaurant is an old converted house and we were sat in one of the rooms on the top floor, there was another couple and a group of about 8 people that were all just finishing their meals. In the room right beside us (that had an open window to our room) was a VERY LOUD group. Obnoxiously, arrogantly, drunkenly loud. We couldn't even hear ourselves talk to each other across the table. The elderly couple beside us said they had been there for a couple of hours and that group had only been there for the last hour and they couldn't believe how rude they were. We asked the waitress if we could be moved but the place was packed solid. She did say that the larger group in the same room as us (the quiet nice group) would be leaving any minute and we could have one of their tables that was in the corner and further away from the rowdies. We decided to take that option.

While we patiently waited for our second table to be ready, the loud group got louder and louder and more vulgar with their language (if we were at a pub I wouldn't care if people yell out F-bombs every 2 seconds, but this was a fancier romantic restaurant and it was completely inappropriate). The lady from the elderly couple and my boyfriend both stood up and peeked her heads through the window and basically said to them "you DO realize there are other people here trying to enjoy their dinners right?? Keep it down!!".

Well... that didn't help. In fact it made it worse. They began to mimic us and get even louder. When the elderly couple was gone and we had switched tables the rowdy group thought we had left so they literally started howling like wolves to prove that they could be as loud as they wanted. And they kept yelling out immature comments directed at us. It was absolutely ridiculous.

Our poor waitress was trying so hard to make us comfortable and their waitress kept asking them to keep it down too but it didn't help.

Our food came (we split the ribs and the poutine... omg... delicious!) and we wanted to have the chocolate fondue for dessert but our romantic experience was no where near romantic at that point so we decided it was just time to go home. The waitress came over to talk to us again and we told her exactly that and just asked for our bill. She came back a few minutes later and said that she had talked to the manager and he had taken care of our bill completely and had also given us a gift card with his business card attached and asked us to call him directly to arrange another night to come back. We both did not expect that. I was actually blown away at that gesture. (I told the waitress that the rowdy group should have to pay for our meals... those jerks!).

I had been there a few times before and never had an experience like that. Unfortunately that was the first time my boyfriend had been there so he has a bit of a bitter taste towards it now but I hope the next time we go that can be changed. We told both the manager and the waitress that we would definitely be back (their food is AMAZING and normally the other guests are not assholes like that). I think we will go back in December for my birthday and this time get the fondue we were both very excited for.

The one with the Dog Sled

Earlier this year, in April to be exact, the boyfriend turned the big 30. We thought it would be a good excuse to get away for the weekend in Banff.  

(Never heard of it? It’s a gorgeous mountain town just over an hour away from where I live. It’s great for romantic getaways in the summer or winter, weddings, bachelorette parties and all other kind of shenanigans. Definitely check it out if you are in this part of the country - I'll have another post regarding that town later!). 

The man and I stayed at an amazing lodge (seriously, I wanted to live there) called Hidden Ridge Resort. We had a loft style room with a perfect view towards the town, giant Jacuzzi right in the room and the hot tubs right outside our door. One morning we even woke up and there was an elk right outside our balcony.

Hot tubs with the most amazing view. 

Complimentary Smore's kit! 

Since it was his birthday I wanted to plan a surprise for him so I made some arrangements before we left but didn’t tell him anything, all I told him is that we had something to do on the Saturday afternoon and that he had to bring certain items (appropriate shoes, some winter wear, gloves).

Saturday came and we had a shuttle pick us up at our hotel and take us to the next town. On the ride over I had him guess what we were doing, his guess was a ride on a horse and sleigh, and he didn’t seem too excited about that. LOL I told him we were going on a ride but we were going to be pulled by something smaller… “like ponies??”.

When he finally clued in he was so excited and knew it would be much cooler than a ride on a horse and sleigh.

These views... just part of why I love Canada! 

The dog team on our sled were all named after
Ninja Turtles, including April and Splinter. Cowabunga! 

You can tell my the expression on my face that I was scared
every time we had to turn a sharp corner. 

Favorite! 

When we were crossing the lake, the guide had to tip us over
to help another sled. Did I mention we were in the middle
of a LAKE!!

See... lake. 

I highly suggest this excursion and dog sledding company to anyone from the area or visiting! We did the Powder Hound Express Tour but I would definitely go for the longer ride if I can go again. 

Baby, its cold outside...

It’s been bitterly cold this week in Calgary.
How cold?
On average we were looking at -30°C.
-40°C with the wind chill.

For my American readers, that’s -22°F (before the windchill).

Brrrrr!!

It was so cold that every morning, by the time I got to work my mascara was running down my face from my eyelashes freezing and then melting once I got indoors.




It was so cold that while waiting for my bus after leaving the gym at my office, my touque had frost on it after only 10 minutes. Full on FROST!!

So cold that the pipes in my kitchen have froze and I haven’t had hot water there all week. (Thankfully it’s just in the kitchen and it doesn’t affect my shower).

So cold that wearing 3 layers of pants, 2 pairs of mittens, a scarf under a scarf and doubled up socks is everyday attire for the week. And no one looks at you funny when you walk down the street looking like a marshmallow.

We are supposed to get a break from the deepfreeze this weekend. Just in time too… I’m starting to lose feeling in my toes!

(not really… I’m a born and bred Canadian, we’re used to this! We don’t like it, but we’re used to it)

The Online Dating Saga...

Say what? I have blog? Oh right!! I almost forgot. That's perfect because I have a few stories to share.

So remember those blog posts I wrote earlier this summer all about the fantastic guy I met and how I was so head over heels smitten for him? Well he broke my heart. Enough said. Moving on.

So i signed up for online dating. I have gone out with on dates with 3 guys so far.

Bachelor #1 - meh... thats all.

Bachelor #3 - (yes i skipped #2... we will get to him....) he's funny and sweet and has the same sense of humor as me and so far things are moving along just lovely. After the heartbreak this summer I am taking things slowly and as they come and so far things with Bachelor #3 are great. If things continue you will definitely be hearing more from him. (Quick note - I was his date to a halloween party and he went as Craig the Spartan Cheerleader - aka Will Ferrels the perfect cheer character from SNL - and did the cheers all night. How awesome is that, right?)

Bachelor #2 - We talked for about a week and then he asked me out. He got tickets to the football game and it was a great first date idea. I wasn't really feeling like I would date him again though but he was a really nice guy and i didn't want to write him off completely. I mean we have all heard of those couples that are married now who one of them wasn't into the other at first right? (cough, cough, Farah... ). Anyways we talked a lot by email. So Halloween weekend i was super busy. I went on 2 dates with Bachelor #3 including the Halloween party and then on the Sunday I was suffering from the worst hangover known to man-kind. Bachelor #2 had sent me a few texts over the weekend but I either didn't respond or said I was really busy.

Monday morning came around and I was alive again after surviving my jello shooter induced hangover and I sent him an email to see how his weekend went. No response. Didn't phase me one bit actually. Then Tuesday I go into work to an email basically saying how he was mad that I didn't respond to him all weekend and how he thought I was rude at the football game (????) and how he didn't want to talk to me anymore. Well I guess he stayed home sick on Monday and sent that email late Monday night, before he went into work on Tuesday and saw my email. As I was reading his harsh "break up" email another one from him came through apologizing profusely for his previous email and saying how now he DID want to talk to me blah blah freakin blah. And 5 minutes later another email came through... saying the same things all over again.

I was extremely busy at work and was in meetings all morning so when I came back to my desk 2 hours later to see 2 MORE emails from him I was beyond annoyed. I didn't even know what to say really. On my lunch break I started typing out a response and yet again... another email came through from him.

I guess he wasn't listening when I told him flat out prior to our date that I didn't want any pressure.

Moving on...

This & That Summer Recap (so far...)

Oh hey there...

I've been completely MIA from the blog world over the last 2 months because I have been insanely busy and more importantly soaking up as much summer fun I possibly can.

In short form:

- I finally got a new job and its fantastic!

- I get to walk home everyday from work for about an hour which makes me so ridiculously happy. I get to soak up the sun, I get to work on strengthening my leg (mostly my knee at this point), I get to de-stress and listen to my music in my own world after work everyday. Needless to say its brought my happiness levels up about 20 notches.

- Two of my dear friends moved away to the other side of the country. Two. With in a month. It sucks the big one because they are amazing, wonderful, loving friends and I will miss seeing them as much. But... Love Liberates so I will love them if they are here, or if they are on the other side of the world.



- I have been going to summer festivals, and swimming again, and running, and rafting, and hiking, and enjoying every possible outdoor/physical activity I can do at this point.

- I booked a few trips including one to Vegas with my family for my moms 50th bday next month.

- I fulfilled my teenage dreams but seeing NKOTBSB in concert and it was insanely fun. To the point where I lost my voice the next day from screaming of excitement.

- I've started helping my best friend plan her wedding.

- I have seen Horrible Bosses twice already... its epic. GO SEE IT NOW!!

- I have a million other things I want to blog about but I can't... some days (like today) I wish my blog was still anonymous so I could just spill it all. But in time I will...

- Also, I may have met the most special person I will ever meet in my life... more on that later...

Kitchen on a budget.

I have been renting my place for a year and a half now... and I *finally* got myself a kitchen table. Yay for me being a grown up!!

Since I have the tiniest area to put a table and a miniscule budget due to the fact that I'm still on the search for a full time job this was quite the daunting task.

I originally posted HERE about how I wanted something/anything green in my kitchen. I searched and searched... and searched for green chairs or even unpainted chairs that I could paint green myself but had no luck. I did find the perfect chairs on my hunt but they were $189 each and sadly that is not in my budget at this time. I looked on kijiji for weeks and found many bar stools but no chairs. I never thought it would be so hard (twss!).

But alas.... yesterday I found all the pieces that put my kitchenette together!!

(i hate that eye-sore black cord... i wish i could hide it some how)

-White table from Ikea - $39.00

(its actually supposed to be a desk but it works perfectly! you could even get white legs for the table and get the price down $29.00)

-2 White chairs from Ikea - on sale right now for $10.00 each!

- Green table runner from Ikea - $4.99

(they have them in a few colors including pink, blue and yellow but THIS was the very last green one that the Calgary Ikea had, I even had to get the girl to take it off the display for me)

-Purple place mat from Bed, Bath and Beyond - $2.00

- Green fruit bowl from Walmart - $1.50

- Pink flower picture from... surprise, surprise... Ikea - $10.00 for the picture and $19.99 for the frame.

Thats a whopping total of $97.48!!!!

Table and decor for less then $100.00.... I'm amaze-balls.

(Ikea had a different but very similar kitchen table set with 4 of the same chairs that I got selling for $119.00... even if I got 2 more chairs I would have still had a better deal!)

So... who's coming over for dinner?

Summer Wish List

Vintage-style bathing suits. So adorable!

Anything and everything Nautical!

A cute little (since I don't have a lot of space) kitchen dinette. Something colorful/green/CUTE would be perfect!

(this one would be so ideal if you knew what my kitchen looked like, too bad I found these photos on google and its not actually available anywhere)

A vintage bicycle!! Preferably colorful and WITH a basket.

Anyone else notice the vintage theme going on here?

Also... anyone know of somewhere I can find all or any of these things in Calgary without it costing me an arm or a leg. A flea market?? I only know of the Calgary Farmers Market and I never have luck there for finds like this.