September 24, 2013

We're home!

After a truly - and I mean absolutely truly - fantastic trip to Calgary, Tony and I are home again and slowly starting to get back into the ebb and flow of daily life once more.

Our vacation to our neighbouring province went resplendently. It launched on a drive that was bursting with the most picturesquely clear blue skies and toasty temperatures anyone could ask for; saw us clock more than 2,100 kilometers of driving in total, included my first ever blogger meet-up, oodles of vintage, antique and thrift store shopping; lots of fun sightseeing, and also a fair bit of time to just relax and regroup, something that was wholeheartedly needed in our life at that precise moment in time.

As those of you who follow me on Instagram and/or my personal Facebook page may know, earlier this month my mother-in-law, passed away somewhat unexpected from a stroke. This tragic news left Tony and I understandable deeply shaken and grief stricken. We discussed it at length, and felt that proceeding with our Calgary trip (which was planned for a few days after her passing), as planned, was the best course of action. Thankfully, it was in indeed, as our spirits were lifted tremendously, our minds focused elsewhere, and smiles returned to our faces many a time over the course of our holiday.

Though the veil of sorrow and grief still hangs heavily in our home, we are each other’s strength and comfort, and, much as with returning from our trip, are easing back into our more usual routine.

For me, this includes blogging, reading and commenting on other blogs, replying to the hefty backlog of emails and Facebook private messages that arrived while I was away (I didn't bring my computer with me), and - once I've recouped more (on the health front) from our travels – shooting vintage outfit photos (I've got some in the wings from before our trip, as well as new outfit snaps from Calgary, to turn into posts in the meantime).

And speaking of posts about Calgary, somewhere in the range of two to four posts (I want to cover a lot, but at the same time, in my enthusiasm about this fabulous little holiday, not bombard you nonstop about Alberta) about various aspects of our travels will be appearing here in the coming weeks, and will include topics such as some of the wonderful places we visited, where I shopped (and some of the lovely things I bought), plus a post all about that super cool aforementioned vintage blogger meet-up.


 photo InstagramphotoofStephenAvenuedowntownCalgaryAlberta_ChronicallyVintage_zps0f5754b3.jpg


I sincerely appreciate, and want to thank you very much, for the great blog comments that you left on the posts that I set to go live while we were on the road, as well as for those on Instagram (such as the one pictured above of Stephen Avenue, a foot traffic only street, in the heart of downtown Calgary), Facebook, and Twitter regarding our travels and my snaps from Alberta (some more of which I plan to continue uploading in the coming days).

It will be a while before I've recovered (health wise) from the trip, and longer still until the initial pain of losing Tony's beautiful mother lessens, but I feel a renewed sense of happiness, creativity, and inspiration from our travels (as well as a new perspective on certain areas of my/our life) which, coupled with autumn's return, will help guide me throughout the coming weeks on the blogging front, and all facets of my life.

Our travels were awesome, and I am grateful with all my might that were were able to take our first holiday in several years this month, but it's also terrific to return home to a town we adore and to start planning for the next chapter of our lives - which, with a bit of luck and a lot of foreplanning, will hopefully include another exciting road trip or two next year.


41 comments:

  1. Dear Jessica, I am so sorry for your loss. When it comes to family, there really are none to loose, but it is sadly a part of life. I am sure Tony's mum would have wanted you to go on your trip, and maybe she was with you guys the whole way? Take care of each other :)

    Norwegian hugs,
    Siri

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  2. Oh, I am so sorry about your Mother in-law! What a hard thing to bear. But at least you have each other to help through this time.
    I can't wait to see the rest of your posts about your trip (perhaps specifically what you bought :)!
    And I am so glad that you had a good time.

    Blessings,

    Brigid
    The Middle Sister and Singer

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  3. Welcome home! Sounds like a wonderful trip, and just what the two of you needed. My deepest sympathies for your loss - my recent similar circumstances have give me first-hand knowledge of how hard a time it can be and I do wish you both well and hope that you do find strength in each other and from friends, family and well-wishers alike. Take care of yourselves xx

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  4. So sorry to hear of your & Tony's loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you both and your family.

    Sounds like you had a jam-packed trip, I look forward to hearing all about it, when you have had chance to relax and recoup

    xox

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  5. I'm so glad you were able to enjoy your trip as I know you were really looking forward to it. I look forward to your up coming posts. x

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  6. my sincere condolences to your loss.
    I have no words .....

    but I'm glad to hear from you and that your trip was beautiful

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  7. I am very sorry to learn about your mother-in-law. How sad for Tony and you, too. However I am very glad you still went on your trip, I know how needed and eagerly anticipated it was. The posts you scheduled while you were away were lovely; perfect for the time of year. I look forward to reading all about your trip, when you feel up to posting again xx

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  8. Happy you two are home safe and sound. My prayers are with you both. I hope you both keep finding your smiles throughout this grieving process. xox

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  9. i'm so sorry for your loss.
    but it's good to hear, that you both were able to enjoy your trip.
    as you might know me: i'm almost bursting to see your vintage, antique and thrift finds ... ;)

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  10. So glad you had a wonderful time on your vaycay! Ive missed you on Pinterest :)

    Thanks doll,
    The Glamorous Housewife

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    1. Aww, thank you so much, darling Bethany! I sincerely missed you, your stellar blog, and gorgeous Pinterest boards, too. We had an incredible time, but it's good to be home to and to slowly swing back into my usual routine again.

      ♥ Jessica

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  11. I'm glad your trip was so wonderful and I'm sorry about your mother in law. I wish you and Tony both healing.

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  12. Congratulations on your return. You were missed and I can't wait to hear all about your travels.

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  13. Glad you had a great time! I head town to Southern Alberta myself next week :).

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  14. Welcome home!!!!!
    I love to travel but there is no place like home sweet home... time to enjoy the souvenirs that you brought back!!!

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  15. I'm sorry to hear about your mother-in-law's passing. I'm glad you were still able to go on your trip, and I look forward to seeing your posts about it.

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  16. It sounds like you had a lovely trip!! I was just in upstate New York this past weekend... not quite Canada, but close to it! I do so hope to visit your lovely land someday. :)

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  17. I'm so sorry to hear about your mother-in-law Jessica. It must have been a hard decision to make but it sounds like your trip away was time well spent. I really enjoyed seeing your pictures on Instagram!

    Take care lovely lady
    xo

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  18. Welcome home! Can't wait to hear more about your trip!

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  19. Welcome Home. Remember the happy and the sad times they have equal value in making us who we are and if tears come whether from happy or sad they are an acknowledgement as to how much the memories mean to us.

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    1. Wisely, eloquently said, Robyn, thank you deeply.

      ♥ Jessica

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  20. Welcome back, Jessica. I am glad you enjoyed your trip, despite the recent loss. I'm sorry to hear of your family's loss but happy to hear that you found some comfort in getting away as previously planned. I can't wait to read more about your Calgary adventure.

    <3 Jackie

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  21. Welcome home my dear! Can I say I miss you? Yes, a relaxing journey is something everyone needs every now and then, and I am sure you will be able to share sweet thoughts soon about your wonderful holiday!
    I can't wait to see and know more about it. . .

    P.s
    To loss a dear is so hard, I do hope you and your husband will feel better soon. . .

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  22. I am so glad that you two went ahead with the trip, and that it was a very good one. :) I wish you and Tony the best and if you ever need to talk to anyone, you can send me a message or e-mail any time! *super hugs!!*
    I am so, so glad that you both had a great time!! :D
    I look forward to your upcoming posts, but be sure not to rush yourself and take the time needed to rest up.
    <3

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    1. You are an absolutely beautiful, deeply caring friend, dear Ash, thank you so much.

      ♥ Jessica

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  23. Welcome home! Glad to hear you had such a wonderful trip - and I can't wait to see the vintage goodies that you picked up on your travels!

    Again, I am terribly sorry to hear about your loss. This must be such a difficult time for you both, and you are in my thoughts. xxx

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  24. I am so sorry ot hear about your mother in law and so happy you enjoyed your trip. Take the time to you need to recover

    kate the old fashioned way

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  25. Firstly, I am really sorry to hear about your and Tony's loss. I can't imagine the pain of losing a parent so I will be thinking of you both. Secondly, I'm so glad you could enjoy your holiday! Especially at a time like this, it sounds like it was exactly what you both needed and you did sound so very excited about it! Can't wait to read more about it xx

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  26. Firstly, my deepest condolence for your loss, dear Jessica. I hope you'll lift your spirit soon, and overcome both the shock and the grief.
    Secondly, It is great to hear it all went well (health and journey related). I, myself, like the rest of your readers can't wait to "hear" all about it.
    Lastly: it is good to welcome autumn, as it is the season with most inspirational colors, themes and seasonal food.

    Marija

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  27. Dearest Jessica, I'm so sorry for your and your husband's loss.
    I am however glad to hear your journey was everything you had hoped for, and am looking forward to the recounts of your days in Calgary!

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  28. A blogger meet up ?! Thrifting?! Shopping ?!
    sounds like heaven :)

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  29. So glad to hear that your trip went so well and brought some much needed ointment for the soul during what must be a truly rough time for you and Tony. I look forward to seeing and hearing more of your trip, when the time comes for it! xx

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  30. It's wonderful that you were able to get away and have that time together. Especially for your husband after such a terrible loss. Having that time together must have done you both lot's of good.
    I can't wait to see more pictures from your trip and especially see what you bought.

    xxx

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  31. YAY!! So happy you both had a great time. Really, you deserved every second of it. :)

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  32. I'm so glad that you had a good time on your holiday. It's so hard when tragedy strikes and you're not sure what course of action to take, but I'm pleased that you and Tony were able to get away and heal a bit while you were travelling. Best wishes to you both.

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  33. Thank you each from the bottom of my heart for your caring condolences, prayers and well wishes. This month...what can I say? It's been such a strange mix of highs and lows, happiness and sorrow, but we're hanging in there and have certainly had our spirits lifted by the kindness and understanding of dear online friends like all of you.

    ♥ Jessica

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  34. Welcome back, dear. I'm glad to hear you had a great trip. :)

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  35. Bombard bombard! ;) I love living vicariously through others travels! I enjoyed your instagram pictures immensely! You looked beautiful in every shot. I was so sad to hear about your mother-in-law, and I am very glad that this trip was able to cheer you and Tony somewhat.
    ~xoxo, CoriLynn

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    1. Thank you so much, honey. I loved that Instagram gave an easy, super fun way to share my travels (in the moment) with my online friends. This is the first holiday I've taken since getting my iPhone (and for years, in general), but you can bet your bottom dollar that it won't be my last. I still have a few snaps actually from the trip that I plan to upload - not a ton, I don't want to have my followers rolling their eyes over "another Calgary picture", but a small number of faves that have yet to be posted.

      Many, many thanks as well for all of your awesomely nice blog comments (and Tweet) today.

      ♥ Jessica

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  36. I'm catching up today on your blog since you've been away and I'm so glad you are home! I'm also so deeply sorry about the loss of your mother-in-law. That is heartbreaking and I'm glad you went forward with your trip. When my dad died, someone gave me free passes for a water park. I was confused/slightly angry that they would think water park passes would be appropriate. However, it turned out to be just what we needed. Time away in a place that is happy and people all around are living their lives. It really helped. I hope you both had a rejuvenating time on your vacay and please give my condolences to your hubby.

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