Didn't get much done, but...
Well, this was one of the fastest trips so far. I got to Shaunavon on Wednesday, and I got back to Calgary on Saturday. I had debated staying an extra day there to try to get more things done, but the weather reports made me change my mind. The weather was supposed to be good for today, with possible rain tonight, and then freezing temperatures on Sunday. We decided that it would be better to head back to Calgary today, and avoid the possibility of icy roads. Plus, that would give me one extra day to relax and little, and take care of a few other things before having to head back again on Tuesday with the car-transporter.
I got back safely around 4pm Calgary time. The house is looking very empty, and it's rather depressing being here alone. I guess Shaunavon is starting to feel more like home now, since that is where most of my stuff, and more importantly, my family is. Still, this was my first house, and I've lived here for 13 years, and invested a lot of my time and energy and soul into it. It's not easy giving it up. I suspect it would have been easier if we had been able to make a "clean break" rather than this long drawn-out process that we've had to deal with. Ah well...
I called on qualin and calzephyr77 to see if there was anything happening this evening. Calzephyr77 had a long day and wasn't really up to socializing, but Qualin was eager to try a new restaurant that he knew about. This was a "Hot Pot" (Chinese?) restaurant where they have an induction heating plate in the middle of the table, and they bring out a huge bowl of broth in which you dunk all kinds of foods to cook. Sort of like a Chinese version of Fondue, but using boiling broth instead of oil. It was surprisingly good, and a far sight better than grabbing a McBurger or Pizza and sulking alone in the empty house.
I admit that I feel a little guilty being able to socialize with our friends in Calgary, while trixstir has to stay back in Shaunavon and run the bowling alley. On the other hand, Trixstir doesn't have to pack umpteen boxes, and load furniture onto trucks and trailers, etc. etc. etc. So, it all balances out in the end. Plus, Trixstir isn't alone, which is in many ways the worst part of things. At any rate, visiting with Qualin certainly lifted my spirits, and a message from Trixstir on the answering machine when I got back made it even better; Apparently, we had our best night yet at the bowling alley. I won't say how much the income was, but suffice to say if we could do that every Saturday night, it would be a very good thing! :) December is shaping up to be a very busy month with many Christmas parties booked. I think by the end of the month, we're going to be pretty exhausted, but the results will be worth it!
Of the seven important tasks, only one of them got done: Installing the new HD and software onto the laptop for the bowling alley. That was definitely something critical though, and Trixstir will be a lot happier with a properly working machine. Another critical task that I had forgotten to mention was filing our application for a liquor permit. We got that done, and with any luck we'll at least have an Interim permit in effect in time for the Christmas parties. Christmas Parties + Booze Sales = BIG PROFIT$ !!! :)
It's almost 11am as I wrap this up, and I just wonder if the meal that Qualin and I shared is going to come back to haunt me around 3am? Only time will tell...