FORT MCMURRAY-->SALT LAKE CITY

12+ hours traveling
11 dollar airport food court sandwiches
10 min straight of babies crying on plane
9 security checks
8 flight attendants
7 moving walkways
‎6 miles credit card reps chasing me
5 hour delay
4 plane changes
3 layovers
2 inflight beverages
and a cell phone turned on after 3 months...
And I finally made it to Utah!

SMARTIES

Every time I eat these Canadian/European/for sure not from the States Smarties I feel like I am getting a cavity instantly. Too bad they taste so yummy.

MR. STANLEY CUP

Low scoring sports games are usually not very interesting to me. Yes, this includes hockey.

BUT, when in Canada...

WEST EDMONTON MALL

The West Edmonton Mall, located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, is said to be the largest shopping mall in North America and the fifth largest in the world.
Inside there are lots of treats such as an ice skating rink, fire breathing dragon in the IMAX theater, water park, amusement park, mini golf, sea lion show stage, bowling alley, gym, food courts galore, hotel, chapel, and of course shops ( with my fave H&M!!!)

So we took a little trip to shop, dine, and roller coaster it up. West Edmonton Mall: check.

LAY SOD

Just one more skill to add to my future hot wife status:
I know how to lay sod.

And I'm NOT just saying I HELPED lay sod....

I am master sod layer.

LEARN DRIVING

Raj is opening a new school next week:
TO LEARN SPEAKING.

LEGS

I'll admit I watched a few episodes of American Idol this season. The finale was last night and I'm just wondering if anybody else was thinking what I was thinking....

I would trade legs with Carrie Underwood any day!
(Photo by Vince Bucci/Fox/PictureGroup)

RIVER BREAK

Some years the Athabasca River provides cool views for residents here during a phenomenon called River Break. Some years they experience a dynamic river break — which didn't happen this year — where the ice piles up and pushes through the Fort McMurray area as one giant glacier, bouncing off the sides of the river. Pretty cool. This means Spring is coming. Here was my river break experience.

Now we are enjoying spring with beautiful blossoms around the city...and no more ice.

NATURE'S BASIN

I'm not gonna lie, the weather conditions here are wreaking havoc on my skin. It's windy. It's dry. It's dusty. Luckily, I found an amazing online retail store called Nature's Basin that specializes in selling natural/organic skin care. *For all my hippie friends, that means this certified natural facial care is free of synthetic preservatives, fragrances, colorants, and is derived from mineral oils.*

I ordered the Weleda Cold Cream. The box says it is for dry and very-dry skin...that's me right now. I put it on at night and my face is so happy in the morning. It seriously adds a huge amount of much needed moisture without causing break-outs (yeah my face still breaks out sometimes....what the heck am I not done with my teenage years?!)


The site offers more than just face cream though. They have 20 organic brands with over 400 products to choose from including beauty products, natural make up, and organic makeup. They offer 30 day lowest price guarantee, 90 day unconditional money back guarantee, Free shipping on orders over $49, and free samples with every order (2 samples, 5 samples for orders $90+).


Pretty sweet, eh. So you can check them out on facebook or just find out more about them at their site here.

AIR QUALITY

If only people would listen to Smokey the Bear...

I will never take clean air for granted...I will never take clean air for granted...

DRIVERS LICENSE

I am not saying I am perfect, but I am pretty sure
some DMVs give out drivers licenses like a bank hands out lollipops.

DAY TIME HUNKS

There are SO many ridiculously good-looking actors on day time television. Too bad they have to be on during my gym time and for the fact that soap operas are lame.

MOTHER'S DAY

It's was just Mother's Day. While being pregnant is an incredibly awesome thing, skimping on purchasing maternity clothes is not so awesome sometimes.

I wish I could take credit for having taken this photo (instead I found it here).

I mean, just because you're expecting doesn't mean you should settle for outdated or poorly fitting clothes.

A cool place to shop for cheap maternity clothes at affordable prices is Kiki's Fashions. Go ahead and like them on facebook (where you can often find deals to shop their online store.)

Don't worry, I have no reason to shop for maternity clothes yet...I just wanted to pass the fashion tip. While the lady pictured above might think she is looking the best she can in her maternal bliss, there are better alternatives like this photo. 

Happy Mother's Day.




I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

CARBOHYDRATE HEAVEN

I'm pretty sure my heaven will be full of carbs. But I'll still have a rockin hot bod and walk around in a bikini all day because well...it's heaven!

ROYAL WEDDING

Dear Prince Harry, 

Let's make it a double Royal Wedding! 

(wink wink. Nudge nudge. Say no more say no more). 

They'd never expect an American bird in the Royal Family.

xoxoxo

Easter MONDAY

Boxing Day... Easter Monday... You're always celebrating one day too late, Canada.

But Seriously, Easter MONDAY?! That's totally a bogus holiday.

IT'S WIN TIME

The winner of the Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil (that was a mouthful) is...

comment #164: Thabal

Congratulations and thank you to everyone for entering. I love you. Don't forget if you didn't win and still want to try it out (and I totally recommend it) you can do so here.

McGenius

I like ice cream. I like Cadbury Creme Eggs. Why not combine the two?!
I'm not sure if they have these in the states (if not I might not want to come back), but someone sure is a McGenius for putting the Cadbury Creme Egg McFlurry on the menu here.

I think the red maple leaf is how you say "I'm lovin' it" in Canadian, eh.

I DON'T LIKE THAT MAN

Abraham Lincoln was a better person than I am. Because as I walked up to see why no one was using the self checkout stations when the open lights were clearly on (and yes, people in Fort Mac stop at crosswalks when clearly no one is in them, fight for who gets to proceed last at 4 way stops, and often break for no apparent reason when driving), the lady at the front gave me a dirty look and said, "THAT'S why we're all in line here!"

Deanna's response: "Well, that was rude, " and possibly I continued to think bad thoughts about her for the next 2 hours.

Honest Abe's response: "I don't like that man. I must get to know him better."

(FROZEN) EARTH DAY

Earth Day is approaching. Somehow I seem to not be able to escape frozen earth these days. This has made my appreciation for tights in the last few months grow. After all, I don't want my legs to freeze on my way to church.

I like mine bright and bold. I've discovered a site that sells leg coverings in just this fashion. In fact, you can get them any way you like: tights, thigh highs, knee highs, socks...embellished with bows, fishnet, lace, stripes...sheer or opaque...whatever your pleasure. 

Once you click on the product, there are reviews and ratings from other shoppers just like you and their experience with the item so you'll get a better idea which is best for you! Best part is the prices start at $3.99 and they offer great deals on shipping! The site is EdenFantasys (**be VERY careful what you click on once you're there if there are impressionable eyes nearby**). 

FRUIT & NUT

Am I wrong to think that it is ok for me to eat chocolate if I get the candy bars with fruit and nuts in them? They are more healthy, right?!

COCONUT OIL GIVEAWAY

**GIVEAWAY CLOSED**

I've become quite the little cook lately, I'm sure increasing my likelihood of hot wife status one day. What is my new favorite ingredient for creating these culinary delights? Coconut oil.

First of all, it like magically makes the food cook perfectly. Second, I feel like the food is less greasy and helps my face not to break out. Third, it's all natural for you organic lovers.

How did I hear about this? My friend Jenny mentioned something about using coconut oil. I was interested so I got some Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil from Tropical Traditions. You can find delicious recipes on their blog at http://www.freecoconutrecipes.com.

They have a referral program, so do me a favor and if you place an order to try it out  choose “Referred by a Friend” and enter my User ID: 6995154. On your first online order, you can get a complimentary copy of their Virgin Coconut Oil book added to your order. It has research on coconut oil, recipes, and other goodies.

It's giveaway time! Want to win your own free quart of coconut oil?

Here are your entry options (leave 1 comment for each entry option):

1. Sign up for the Tropical Traditions Newsletter here.

2. Follow Tropical Traditions on twitter here.

3. Tweet about the giveaway (as many times as you'd like)

copy and paste this: "Tropical Traditions giveaway! #win 1 quart of coconut oil at http://deannalw.blogspot.com/2011/04/coconut-oil.html ends 04/22"

4. Follow my blog via google friend connect.

5. Follow my blog via your choice of reader/email.

6. Tell me one of your cooking secrets.

Giveaway open to US and Canada, eh. The contest will end on April 22, 2011 at 11:59pm and winner will be chosen via random number generator. Good Luck and happy cooking.

Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

SNOW FLAKES

I'm pretty sure I saw THE biggest snow flakes I've ever seen in my life today. It's like Mother Nature was dropping white socks from the sky. AWESOME.

TWO WEEKS DOWN

Two weeks down in my Canadian adventure and here are a few cool things I've done, eh.

1. Listened to an Our Lady Peace pre-show concert at my new fave place...MacDonald Island Park rec center (check out the link--it's really fantastically fantastic).

2. When asked what pizza toppings I wanted, I honestly said "our bacon and pineapple" and got this:

3. Peeped some northern lights.

4. Scored a hockey jersey.

5. Manage not to laugh as much when I hear money referred to as Loonie and Toonie (name of a Canadian one dollar and two dollar coin).

PRUNE YOGURT

Good idea: Purchase the Activia prune flavored yogurt (it really tastes delicious).

Not so good idea: Eat the entire thing in one day.

OH MAN!

¡VáMONOS ALEXANDRA!

I'm pretty sure if it was discovered that Dora the Explorer had an Asian looking twin sister, it would be this girl!

¡Vámonos Alexandra!

HAPPY ENDING?

Dear Eric Church,

You might want to rethink your tactic to get people to vote for you. Yes, this is the home page on his site.

Help Eric Church have a Happy Ending at the ACM Awards...Really?! Yeah GROSS.
Thanks

If any of you want to download 6 free songs on iTunes from People magazines country playlist, you can get it here. There are songs from Eric Church, The Band Perry, Easton Corbin, Steel Magnolia, Randy Houser, and The JaneDear Girls. Enjoy. Hope it makes you happy.

ALBERTA GOALS

Fort McMurray, AB:

I see this everywhere around me:

(snow)

And most cars look like this:

(the awesome mud stripe)

My goals while here:

1. Take up curling or ice fishing.

2. Find out if they call it "our" bacon or "our" dry gingerale.

3. Add eh to at least 3 sentences per week.

4. HOCKEY

5. Get an awesomely tacky souvenir with a maple leaf on it to take home (hopefully an article of clothing).

zzzSNORINGzzz

I'm pretty sure snoring is a deal breaker for me. There isn't a sound I hate more than hearing someone snoring away. We are told "love endureth all things" but I'm not so sure it should have to endure that. A little drool is fine, but snoring?! Maybe that's why I'm not married...I dunno.

C eh N eh D eh

I have been at home in Utah (minus a few little trips here and there) for 7 months straight. I know...I'm ready for a new adventure. So I'm leaving. Tomorrow. I haven't visited Alberta Canada yet. Maybe I'll take up curling while I'm there, eh?

GREEN EGGS & HAM

I've never had green eggs and ham...

until today.
Deanna I am.
Served with real leprechauns to boot.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

OKAY! POST OFFICE

I sometimes wonder if post offices purposely hire people who have both an IQ and personality less than that of a postage stamp. I nicely asked why my letter with 

326 00 Plzen vs Plzen 326 00 (city and country code)

would be returned. All she could say to me was, "Okay. Okay. Okay..."

THANKS EASTER BUNNY

I dare say Easter is the holiday with the best candy.

God bless the sweet folks at Cadbury and their various types of delicious chocolate eggs (and to the Easter Bunny...thanking you in advance).

G T (N) L

I found an old VHS tape (some of you will know what that is) and after doing all 5 routines in 1 day, I am pretty sure I worked out with the 80's version of the Jersey Shore guy.

Gym, tan, NEON LEOTARDS?!

#WINNING

List of winners I can think of today:
me
Charlie Sheen
Jimmer
oh and this gal

Sarah Lynne

(comment #15 for the YourNovel.com giveaway)