Musings of a Prairie Girl: As I sit by the pool and ponder...

I have to say it has been a nice little get away. Even though we didn't get a whole lot of family time, except for 20 hours of driving time. The trip started off very rocky. I forgot my wallet, good thing we were only in Saskatoon and then our little girl puked in the rental car just after we picked it up(still in Saskatoon). And Trevor and myself only had 4 hours of sleep the night before because the tapers/mudders were coming monday morning and we had to finish as much of drywall as possible. Side note= we didn't finish 100% but maybe about 98%.

Then we got stopped at the border. Because we were in a rental car, we had to go inside. First they took Trevor into a room and questioned him then they took me in and asked me questions too. Then they searched the car. It was very routine, but it took even more time.

So after arriving 2 hours later than we wanted, it was good to let our heads hit the pillows and begin a week of adventure!

Monday was a day of setting up for Trevor so myself and the kids were on foot for the day. Which was alright because the mall was right across the street and the weather was VERY nice. But we also spent much time in the pool that day. After all a pirate ship is much more enticing than a day at the mall.

Tuesday I get the wheels! So we head to the Big Iron Farm show to watch Daddy at work. Now this is a very exciting day for Trevor, and I am stoked that his family could be here to share this day with him. He has been working on getting a self-propelled Sprayer in the New Holland line-up for 3 years. So after lots of lobbying, negotiations and many last minute trips, it is here.

Now this is where I found watching people very interesting. New Holland was doing a big unveiling of the sprayer at 1 pm Tuesday , but the show started at 9 am. So they put huge tarps over the sprayers till 1 pm. This is the funny part. If you want lots of interest and anticipation ... put a big tarp on something.

Watching all the farmers go right up to the big black "thing" and figure what was beneath was great. "I figure it's either a tractor or a sprayer" "hmmm must be something big" "well It's got big tires" was some of the comments I overheard. Then the moment of the unveil came. I was sooo proud at that moment I have to admit I started tearing up a little. Now I realize it took a lot of people to make this moment happen, but I saw and heard that the background of this project. Trevor put much effort and time into this sprayer. And I have to say, it looks pretty darn snazzy!

Now he's already on to the next project.

Wednesday was a day of shopping all the outlet stores. I have new favourite store, sorry Target. Kohl's is awesome! For the avid shoppers this is paradise. Huge brand names for a lot less money than even Winner's. I can't say exactly what I all got there because most of it is for Christmas presents. But I did get Vera Wang heels for myself. Then we hit the kids favourite store. Scheels. What makes it the kids favourite is the huge ferris wheel in the middle of it(pictures to come). And yes we did get a ride on it, and yes even our little dude liked it.

Then we proceeded to look around. I really didn't think we would find anything there, but I picked up some Christmas presents and found the runners I have been looking for for quite a while and at 1/3 of the cost of them back home. So the kids want to go back today and take pictures for show and tell.

So here I sit by the pool on thursday morning. The last swim for the kids and then I will be packing up and waiting for Trevor to be done his day at the Big Iron Farm Show and we will drive to Minot for the night and then head for home on Friday.

Here are some of the things I have noticed on this trip:

-there are hardly any McDonald's around here, but there are lots of taco places: Taco Bell, Taco Joes, Taco Johns, Burrito Barn

-Most people here have no idea where Saskatoon is.

-New Holland is big round here

-it is VERY hard to eat a balanced diet on a budget when you are eating out every meal when you don't have a fridge or microwave in your hotel room. I finally bought a loaf of bread and Peanut butter and jam for in our room.

-don't order a Smartie Blizzard at Dairy Queen, they give you strange looks. they don't have Smarties in the US.

-Our little girl is not shy. She went up to a strange lady and asked if she was a grandma, after the lady said yes, she asked her to come and watch her do the doggie paddle in the pool. She told her exactly which spot to stand. When I saw what was going down , I was so embarrassed and mortified at the same time.

-our little girl can't do the doggie paddle in the pool without making barking noises.

-US money is boring in color

-I am too used the loonie and twoonie as coins

Well time to go back to the room to pack up. It was been a good break for us and at a good time too. Hopefully our stop at the border is a short one.