We FINALLY Got Home from Canada

We’re finally home from Canada!  And I have been catching up with everything…….we had two great Cupcake classes last Thursday and Saturday was Make & Take Day.  Everyone enjoyed the cards they made and looking at all the new goodies we brought back from Canada. 

I’ll post those pictures shortly, but first I wanted to let you in on our Canadian adventure!

Here’s how Soni and I took a 7 hour ride home and made it into a 3 day excursion/adventure.

First we thank God for getting us home safely!  It may have been long, but we’re here.

We had a great time at the Open House at Ecstasy Crafts.  We made great card samples, saw some wonderful new product and can’t wait to show you all the new ideas.  I also, want to wish everyone a “belated” Happy Mother’s Day.  Soni and I were lucky enough to be away doing the thing we love the most…..paper crafting!

The only unfortunate part of the trip was when my car started to act up in Canada.  I know things like this happen, but  it’s always difficult when you’re away from home…..a bit far away from home.

I want to thank the whole front desk staff at the Best Western in Belleville and Jim, Craig & Rick at Canadian Tire, also in Belleville.  Everyone was so nice, helpful and accommodating.  It was great dealing with them in this tough situation.

We had to wait til Monday morning to have the car fixed (no mechanics on staff late Saturday or Sunday).

So we finally got on the road in the early afternoon on Monday.

Unfortunately, as we turned into the Duty Free Shop by the border, the knocking started again.  We crossed the border and got in touch with Canadian Tire and they suggested to return to Gananogue's Canadian Tire to have it checked out.

So, it was over the border again!

But by the time we got there, it was after 5 and so we had to stay over.  The next day they couldn't find anything wrong and we were on our way.

And again it started to knock at the Duty Free Shop..........I guess it was trying to tell us not to spend any money there...........but we did.......I got this t-shirt to remind me to just keep calm and a great souvenir of this part of our trip...........will wear it at the next Special Wedding Class!  Hey, it's a "Royal" T-shirt!  And Soni was not left out.......she got herself a new purse she was eyeing for some time!

After the quick shopping stop,  we said, "we're going home"!

But in Syracuse it started knocking really badly and we found a Jeep Dealer who was able to help us. Another wonderful place!  Romano Chrysler Jeep in Fayetteville.  They figured it out.....it was a different problem with the same symptoms.  (knocking while decelerating and turning, no problem on the straight highway)

The car is driving wonderfully now!!!! Yeah!

We learned so much about CV Axle joints, the Pitman arm and track bars, and even welding metal to build up a part.   Believe me, I feel that Soni and I can pass Mechanics 101 now! 

Well, I finally drove into Soni’s driveway at 9PM on Tuesday and got myself home at 10!

It was great just flopping into my own bed that night!

 

We were so happy to get home safely............it was an adventure but thankfully we had each other and still had our sense of humor with us.

And don't worry.  This has not deterred us from returning to Canada in the future!  We just love seeing our Canadian friends, learning about the new product from Ecstasy Crafts and then sharing it all with you!

Thanks for listening!
Hope you enjoyed this part of the trip with us!

Anna