Finishing my vacation

Hi all - Well the rest of my vacation went by very fast. Between BBQ'ing ballpark franks and eating at "George's" and Olive Garden we were able to go to the Winnipeg Mint - this is where they may the coin that we have in our pockets. We took a tour that explained every step and we found it soooo interesting. The day we were there they were making pennies & Ethiopian coin. The mint has done the coin for 74 other countries. They do them in bulk and charge the country by the weight. I think that is neat. Outside the mint they have flags for every country they have made money for. It looks really nice. I will try and put pictures on.

In the mint they had a gold bar, you know, like the ones in the movies. It was chained to this box and had a security guard, WITH A GUN, watching it. We could pick it up, but only as high as the chain would allow. It weighed 25 pounds and GET THIS, it was worth $470,000.00. My eyes almost fell out of my head. It was neat to see.

When we got home from the mint, Jay took Mike to return our rental car. I hate being without my own wheels. You have to rely on everyone. Mike and I walked over the the Garden of Memories by CFB Winnipeg. We got pictures of all of the planes and the plaques that were around the garden . What a difference from being on an army base. The garden itself is a memorial to countries that helped in WWW1, etc. and there were bricks with the names of people. When you walked around there you couldn't help but feel of the sacrifices people made and continue to make for peace.

We went to the Olive Garden and then we returned back to Addie's full and happee. This was our last night there and I was sad and I think Addie was as well. The boys, of course, didn't show much emotion. Sleep came thanks to those little white pills.

Our last morning, we packed and then we went shopping for the last of my make-up and my Bath & Body Works - PS I LOVE YOU. Then finished packing. Saying good-bye to Jay was hard-he was not coming to the airport. I told him he had better take care of our girl. I hated to say good-bye to Joker (the dog) who I grew very attached to. I think he loves me too. Dad really loved Batman the cat but "hated" the dog hair. Right Addie!!!!!!!!LOL.

We went to the airport and the lump in my throat just grew larger and larger. I was leaving my Addie behind. We hugged, I cried, and she waited until we went through security. I kept waving to her and blowing kisses. The people there must have either thought we were freaks or a mother and daughter who loved each other very much. I had to make the had signal for her to go because I couldn't just walk away from her sight. Finally, I turned and then cried harder. We didn't have to wait very long for the flight. Addie had a horrid time getting out of the parking lot (she will have to tell her story on that). Taking my happee pills, without water, then we boarded. Take off was massively yucky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But the flight to Toronto went well as my pills were great. Landing - again was massively yucky!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We grabbed a sandwich in Toronto, then had to board another plane knowing the take-off was going to be, you know, massively yucky!!!!!!!! Rest of the flight was uneventful. My sadness grew the farther we got from Addie. I just wanted her to come home with us. My prayers are that she is posted this year - somewhere east of Ontario. Landing in Moncton was only yucky. I should have congratulated the pilot.

Loved seeing Jackie and Brent there to greet us and help with out luggage. Jackie had our car there so we got in and drove home. Nice to be here but sad at what we left behind. Jay and Addie were such good hosts. We had a great relaxing time, just what the doctor ordered.

THANKS ADDIE AND JAY --- WE MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!