Emotional Morning

While talking with Lynn a while ago I commented that I wanted to make sure to plan breakfast or something for Sunday because I didn’t just want to get up all alone and leave town.  It needed to be a happy memory filled with friends. :)  So she contacted a few people and set up one last Cora’s meal.

Even after my 3am party night bedtime I was up early enough to finish packing my suitcases and to get a start on loading the car.  Then I zoomed off to meet Angie, Lynn, her hubby Jason, and Mark, Cosette and Camille.

I brought along my Road Trip mascot…this cute little tiger Camille gave me when she was sorting her stuffed animals...

What shall we call him? 

I had planned on getting the delicious Cora’s waffle with fresh fruit, but decided that I needed a more substantial meal with protein for my 4+ hour drive so instead ordered Rosemary’s Sunday…

Bacon, hashbrowns, fruit, eggs over medium, and two small blueberry crepes…

 

With coffee, water and a slice of toast for yolk dipping.

** Right here is where there should be a photo of the amazing, thoughtful gift Lynn, Angie and Tasha put together for me.  It’s safe and sound packed in my car at the moment but I promise to show it off as soon as I can. **

Those lovely girlies took the time to put together a photo album of my time in Halifax…photos galore of all of the fun times we had together.  We sure have accomplished a lot in the 2.5 years I called the East Coast home. 

I was just soooo touched that they would take the time to do something like that for me.  Incredible really!!

(they also included gift cards for Starbucks and gas to help keep me going on my Colossal Road Trip)

(and then Cosette arrived and handed me a card Camille made, and also included another Starbucks gift card…I think these folks know I neeeeeed coffeeeeee!)

After breaky we headed outside for our final goodbyes and pictures…

I really thought I’d make it through without crying, but I guess I didn’t stand a chance.  Lynn got me going, but Angie really got me!!  I blame myself for saying I wished I would be here when her peanut is born.  We were all a real scene in the strip mall parking lot! I will miss those girlies!

Back at the house it was time for loading the car and a final walk through of the house I’ve called home for the last 2.5 years.  Up until today I was OK with letting it go…but it’s the first home I’ve ever owned and walking out the door today was a bit too real.  My keychain is very bare now… :(

Mark, Cosette and Camille were there to send me off…

I completely lost my shit hugging this girl goodbye.  We were both sobbing messes in the driveway.  I really should have packed my East Coast friends in the trunk of my car.

We pulled it together by taking more pictures.  :)  My little tiger and I are ready to rock this Road Trip!!

Fredericton here we come!

Final Hurrah

Saturday was a hectic day…being my last day in the house and in Halifax I had a lot to do!  Of course, this also included a little bit of a sleep in so I wouldn’t be totally exhausted.  :) 

Since my coffee maker had been packed off with the movers I made a quick run for coffee and a breakfast snack.

Double tall non-fat half-sweet vanilla latte…

Low-fat banana chocolate chip loaf…

While taking care of last minute banking and such, I also snacked on the last of the fresh strawberries…

After cleaning the fridge of all useless condiments and uneaten random freezer finds I threw together one final salad with the last of the fresh produce…

Romaine, carrots, beets, green onions, light cheddar and Spring Herb dressing.

I then did something I highly recommend.  I went for an AMAZING facial at a beautiful spa!!  When Arron and I broke up the girlies wanted to do something nice for me so they bought me a gift card for Interlude Spa.  The opportunity to use it didn’t present itself right away so I decided to keep it for my final Halifax hurrah!

I opted to try the Radiance Facial because I’ve never had one before. Glorious correct decision!! No less than 12 lotions and potions used on my face, plus hand and foot massage too.  Incredibly relaxing in the midst of a whole lotta hoopla. Shout out to my esthetitian Janna B. for a lovely afternoon.

And special thanks to Angie, Lynn, Tasha, Lesley, Lex, Cat, Jen and Amy for such a thoughtful gift!

My skin was so dewy and glowing I ran my errands sans make-up!

On the way home I picked up sushi for dinner…

California Roll and Spicy Tuna Roll from Sushi Nami.

After using up all of my relax time, it was time to get down to business.  You know…vaccuming and cleaning the bathroom.  Good fun!  All done in time to get all prettied up for my last night out on the town.

Can’t leave Hali without a few final cocktails and laughs with some friends.  We visited The Foggy Goggle and The Economy Shoe Shop.  I may have consumed multiple White Russians as a tribute Arron for bringing me to Halifax and allowing me to meet these fabulous people I may never have otherwise known.

Cosette et moi

 

Me and Lex

Lex sneaking into Sarah’s picture

Marky and me :)

Lesley and Lex (apparently I’m missing the photo of Les and me…will have to get a copy of that one stat!)

It was a hilarious time to be downtown as it’s Fleet Week here.  Many British and American sailors are in town for the International Fleet Review and the Queen’s visit.  Seemed fitting that I’m leaving my Navy-wife life behind on the eve of such an event.

We were highly entertained.

I managed to not cry (just tear up) when hugging Sarah, Les and Lex goodbye.  Chalk that up to the bevvies and late hour.  I literally fell into bed when I got home…at 3am.  Woot!  Not to shabby for a final Saturday night!

I don't do April Fools

But I do celebrate that today is the anniversary of me getting my driver's license (16 years...yoikes!) and also the anniversary of the day my Mom took in her first foster daughter (how has she dealt with teenage girls all of these years? one girl for the first year, then two girls ever since....). It's a big day!

In honor of the shining sun (that will hopefully melt all of yesterday's snow...grrr) I decided to use my "Spring" coffee mug this morning. I was in serious need of that first cup of coffee. When prepping it last night I added a scoop of vanilla hazlenut to the last of my Starbucks Verona blend....nice change!

I was trying to capture the sunlight here, but you'll just have to take my word for it. :)

After enjoying that first cuppa and catching up on emails and blogs I headed back down to the kitchen for some breaky. I was feeling a peanut butter craving, so opted for a whole wheat english muffin with natural PB, sliced banana & a drizzle of honey. Added some sliced canteloupe and red grapes on the side. Delish.

FH drove himself to work this morning so no early-ass trip to the gym for me. Wednesdays are my nutty conference call day, so I think my cardio will have to wait until after work. It will be a mad rush, but I'll make it work.

Today's menu plan...

- coffeeeeee w/ brown sugar & skim
- english muffin w/ pb & banana, side of fruit
- hummus & veggie wrap, soup
- Kashi granola bar
- baked chicken boobies, mashed taters, gravy, steamed brocolli & cauliflower (let's try this again!)
- fruit & yogurt