Island time

 Michael and I went to Nanaimo on Saturday to visit SuperMommy with whom I have been friends since we were in Grade 1.  That's like three decades.  Having just turned 35 that concept makes me feel like, even older than 35.
Regardless!  We went.  I hadn't seen her for over three years and in that time Skyler morphed from a baby to a walking, talking individual and there was a whole new person on the scene: Talia.  I'm not a huge fan of kids (because they're scary and unpredictable), but these kids are great.  There is so much love in this family and such a great, humorous, frank way of approaching things that they're simply fun to watch.  They're dynamic and changing and adapting and it's a lifestyle that is so polar opposite to my own, and yet I understand the allure and it's a very positive atmosphere.
We went shopping with SuperMommy and then to Costco.  It was sample day. I had heard grumblings of this at work but never really paid attention.  I mean, how great could it be?  Plus?  The Costcos on the mainland are frenetic stress fests which I have a hard time adapting to because I'm tightly wound and am, more often than not, sleep deprived. 
The Costco in Nanaimo is more laid back. And the samples?  Let's put it this way: I hadn't had lunch and after "shopping" there I didn't need to.  Meat and cheese.  Fruit cake.  Antipasto.  Yam potato chips.  Chocolate covered raisins.  Jelly Beans.  I'm forgetting stuff.  $17 Calvin Klein dress shirts.
Michael and I then checked into the Coast Bastion and had some meat and cheese of our own (literally... like, don't make this dirty) and wandered around the harbour a bit before heading to Gina's Mexican Cafe for dinner.  I had been there maybe twenty years ago with my dad when I was working for him at Safeguard Storage on the Island.  I remember it was fun being out with him and he was in a good mood and cracking jokes and wanting to show me around the Island.  It was nice to go back.  I'm glad it's still there 20 years later and that it was packed when we left.
Unfortunately we didn't make it to see SuperMommy's hockey game, but we did catch up with her and her husband for some wine and... more meat and cheese!  I love food.  It was nice to reminisce and go through some of their photo albums and I hope it's not another three years before I get to see the Supers again.
Because I am forgetting everything these days, I didn't get updated family photos so here are some old ones. 
Everyone looks way hotter now.