June 26, 1965...

...Was the year my sweet mum was born! She had her birthday yesterday, complete with an ever-popular trip to the Farmer's Market and what I'm sure was a super yummy dinner at Ric's Grill.

She hates having her picture taken, so I only have wedding pictures. Isn't she beautiful?

Happy Birthday Mum!

Hotter Than Hades

That's the only way to describe the last couple of weeks. When I go walking in the morning (about 6:30 am, give or take) it's already pushing 80° (26.6° at home). Right now, as I type this, it's 93° (34°) but says it feels like 113° (45°). Edmonton doesn't get that hot ALL SUMMER! If I am off work for the day and go walking past 8:30 am I end up with a horrible heat rash that ends up peeling. (Gross, I know. Just trying to get my point across. I've had the rash three times now, and I've learned my lesson)

Even the pool water at our apartment isn't cool anymore. Last week, it was like sitting in stale bathwater. This morning it was a little better though. Speaking of the pool, it doesn't open until 10 am Tuesday-Sunday (and noon on Monday's but lets hope they are cleaning it). Does that seem a little late in the day to anyone except for me? Come on people, it's summer and a million degrees outside.

I'm still braving the heat and warm water though, so that I can have some kind of base to work with when I get to Montana at the end of July. I only sit out for a couple hours a week though, and then whatever random outside time I take (walking etc.). It's working, but holy moley is it ever HOT!

Kix on Beale

Last Thursday night Stephanie and I went downtown to "Kix on Beale". Kix 106 is the country radio station here, and every year they have free weekly concerts down on Beale Street (the "Whyte Ave"/"17th Street" of Memphis) in June and July.

Last week was the first one of the summer and it was Jo Dee Messina. Stephanie is not really a music person...or a downtown person....but she was sweet enough to humor me and come! I would have taken Scott, but last year we went with Mum/Dad when they were here, and dad and Scott looked 100% miserable the entire time, so I figured it wasn't even worth going if my company would have been totally unimpressed with the situation. Megan was supposed to come, but she ended up having other plans (boo).

We had a fun time. It was so stinkn' hot and there were so many people crammed into the park off Beale Street, but it was good. We felt completely overdressed (and by that I mean we had too many clothes on...) and old. The park was full of scantily clad teeny boppers, drunk college kids and old people who think they are still in their twenties. It's a pretty funny mix of people, and watching them was half the fun.We left after she finished and didn't stay for whatever band came on next (there's always two per week) because we didn't know them. We headed back into Germantown and found Chili's- the only restaurant still open in Gtown at 10:30 pm and sat and enjoyed chips and salsa, fajitas etc. The standard Chili's fare.

We had fun and only got lost once. (on the way there and ended up in the G-H-E-T-T-O known as Frayser, but we were armed with our Pepper Spray)

Thanks for coming Steph!!

Megan- next time you will have run out of excuses not hang out with us. Hopefully your house will sell soon that you are not so far away in the boonies!

My Daddy

Howard H. Biggs

On the Lake

At my wedding

Happy Father's Day, Dad! 

Hopefully the boys are spoiling you at home, I am dropping a package in the mail tomorrow (sorry it's late!) I have something super cool for you when we come to the condo...can't wait to see you in August!

I love you.

Canadian Delicacies

I brought a few (4 to be exact) chocolate bars back from Edmonton for Stephanie and Megan to try. I don't know why I only brought 4...I have a list of about 8 more that I need to remember for next time (aka mum send a package?!).

Anyway, over the last couple days we have been cutting them into thirds and sampling each one. They were a hit. Meg and Steph have their bags pack, they're ready to move. (Okay...not really. But that would be fun!) Wunderbar was the all-around favorite, but overall there wasn't a bad one. (Duh...they're from Canada)

These are the four we sampled:

The bars we still need to sample are: Mars, Caramilk, Crispy Crunch, Eat More, Crunchie (I personally hate this one, but others may not), Bounty, Big Turk...I know there are more, but I can't remember them right now. If my Northern readers have one to add to my list, leave a comment!

*Images from www.nestle.ca and www.canada.en.cadbury.com. I would also like to say that the images were much more uniform looking before I published the post. I hate figuring out images.*

Exercise: Day 1

Today after work I decided to put on my runners and get my butt outside for a walk. It was actually not that hot, and there was a breeze blowing. Not a cool breeze, but a breeze nonetheless. I had been going for a while, made a couple loops, backtracked and made a new loop in a different direction and I found myself in front of the YMCA. All of a sudden, while minding my own business on the sidewalk I felt a thud against my head. At first I thought someone threw a ball at me, or a soccer ball was kicked way off its mark (I was in front of the Y after all). But, as I turned around and looked, there was not a soul to be found. The only thing I could see was a bird, half falling/half flying in a tree that was directly above my head just seconds before.

Yes, I was hit in the head by a bird.

All I can say is that I'm sure glad I happened to be looking down, because had I not it would have flew into the side of my face. I would have died.

Happy Feet

I love getting new shoes. In this case, I was actually due for new shoes. I was in search of four styles, and I found all of them while at home last week.

1. Something comfy/supportive for work when I am standing/walking all day. Something a little "heavy duty" shall we say. After searching and searching and finding tons that I love but were waaaaay out of my price range (we're talking $200+) I came across these. The North Face Ember. Still on the pricey side, especially considering I'm not an "outdoor person", but the comfort was worth the pretty penny. I can wear them all day and still feel like standing.

2. A casual flip flop that I can wear as an "everyday" shoe, beach/pool shoe etc. So thanks to the Gap and Havaiana's, I got these. I really wanted the new ones with the strap around the back, but I figured that the rubbery material would not be comfortable on my heel. (Thanks for the tip, Kae!)

3. A "stylish" sandal, somewhat dressy so I can easily wear it to church, work, out etc. I found these at Naturalizer. Before you tell me it's an old lady brand, just let me tell you how comfortable they are, and they are cute.

4. And finally, a sandal that lies somewhere in between the previous 2 listed. I found this guy at Aldo. They had some great summer colors, but I was going for practical since I don't have an abundance of summer shoes. They are surprisingly very comfortable. I'd recommend them to all my friends.

Well, that about wraps up my new shoes (because I know you were all dying to see them...). I did get plenty of new stuff at home, but instead of listing it all, I'll just put a quick plug in for H and M, Joe, and Smart Set.

(Images from: shoes.com, havaianas.com, endless.com and aldoshoes.com. Don't ask why there are massive spaces around them, I don't know)

BBQ vs. Grill

Learned something new on Monday. In most parts of the country, one would say "I'm going to a BBQ" and to those who are listening it would imply that you will be eating steak, chicken, hamburgers etc. Something cooked on the BBQ. Fair enough assumption.

Not here.

BBQ in this fine state is a noun, not a verb, as I've been told. It implies you will be eating pulled pork, ribs etc. If you will be having chicken, steaks, hamburgers etc., you are having a "Grill Out".

So, on Monday night Scott and I went to the Wingert's for BBQ. Us, along with Jay and Courtney and April and Nick, had delicious pulled pork sandwiches, homemade coleslaw, potato salad, chips and lemon streusel bars. We chatted, the boys (and April) played Guitar hero and then we played a competitive round of Monopoly Cards.

It was a great way to spend Memorial Day and we enjoyed ourselves, as we always do when we get together with those couples.

*For those of you who are waiting, updates from my Edmonton trip will appear shortly*