Vancouver

In mid-July, I traveled to Vancouver, British Columbia for a client’s convention. I had a booth there to promote the insurance program we manage for their association. Booth hours were long and the time didn’t go quickly since attendance was down a bit and members never seem to be looking for the insurance booth. But….we are there to support our client. I bought wireless internet from the 2nd day on because I needed something to do. Yes, I played on the internet some, but I also worked a ton on emails, etc.

Most days, by the time the exhibiting hours were done, all I had energy for was dinner, TV and bed. Honestly, I kind of look forward to that with business travel, though. I don’t often get a quiet evening to myself! By the time the girls go to bed, I’m usually about ready for bed myself.

One awesome thing about this trip was getting to meet “an old friend that I’d never met”. (I stole that quote from her!) I met Angela online at our babycenter.com community when I was pregnant with Lacey. (Our group all had February ’05 due dates and we were all pregnant with our first babies.) She lives outside of Vancouver and took the train in to meet me for lunch one day. She’s now the 4th “Sweetheart” that I’ve met in person! I really enjoyed lunch and didn’t want to go back to work!

The last work day there, the exhibits closed at 1:00. I packed everything up, then headed back to the hotel for a little bit to rest. Once I found some energy, I walked, and walked, and walked. I walked about 30 minutes to a ferry, took that over to Granville Island and sort of putzed around there looking in shops. Then, took the ferry back….walked another 40 minutes or so before stopping to get dinner. I went to the restaurant that Angela and I had gone to and ordered take out. They brought the food out in a canvas shopping bag! I sort of felt like I was stealing when I walked out with it. Awesome, though.

The flight back the next day was fine, except I had to go through customs in Toronto and only had a short layover there. Not enough time. I waited 35 minutes for my luggage to come, then had to get in the customs line. Thankfully, they pulled me out of the line to rush me through. Also, thankfully….my connecting flight was delayed. I was going through security at 5:30, which was the time that connection was supposed to leave!!!

I got home late Wednesday night (10:00ish). Then, Butch left on Thursday morning at 7:00 for a guys’ trip in OK City.

The most challenging part of that is that work has been extremely hectic. And, the girls are home from daycare on Thursdays and Fridays for the summer. So, I had to take off. I managed to get a little bit of work in those days, but I know I’ll be paying for it next week.

Butch gets home tomorrow evening. It will be so nice to have our normal routine for a few days!!!