Wow, it's been a long time....

Well, it's almost the middle of Nov. and it's been awhile since I have added anything to this blog. Sorry, I know some of you would like to keep up with the Goertzens.

First, the boys. Scott is still in England. We have received several emails and pics of his visits to various places. It appears that he's having a great time there and teaching is going well, too. They've been to London and Wales so far, with plans to go to Paris for Xmas, nice... Would love to go with them. Amy's found a job and I believe Devin has found one too. Sooo all is well in the "Jolly Old". Jason is writing his dissertation and has almost completed the first part to submit to his adviser for approval. His next portion must be completed by Xmas(approx.) to submit to the panel for approval and revisions. He wants it done by late spring so he can defend it before he goes to his new job. He has sent out a few resumes to possible universities, and he has gotten his first interview for a job, which he likes. The university is located in Camrose, AB. It's connected to the U of A in Edmonton. They will have the advantage of living in 'small town' community, yet still connected to a big university. His interview is later this month, so we are sitting on pins and needles until then. Shelley has completed a few months of her internship and Jason tells me that she has had some pretty long days, but it is going well for her. She is excited about Jason's interview and says that he must land a job first and then she'll either get hire on at some clinic or put out her own 'shingle' She'll only need to get a few clients weekly to make some decent money. I sure do miss the boys! Would love to have them both home for Xmas, but it looks like only Jason and Shelley will be here.

Second, ourselves. I'm working still 1/2 time only. We finally got a decent raise, and this will mean that we are getting closer to the norm. We were the lowest paid commissioners in the city, but now we are only a bit behind the average. My sign language course is going well with only 2 weeks left. My birthday gift was a brand new iMac!! Nice. This machine will definitely help when I work with large picture files. My old one was a bit slow when uploading shots to a photo centre on the web to get developed. Now speed is definitely not a problem. This one is FAST!! Deb is working (not very hard) at Rosemont still. Some days she finds it boring (she's so efficient that it doesn't take long to get the work done!). She spends a bit of time every day on the web, researching our spring cruise to San Juan. Yes you read right. San Juan Puerto Rico in April. 7 days of sunshine visiting 6 different islands, one per day. Sound like it will be a great trip.

Lastly, parents. Dad continues to be a concern to us. He sleeps continuously during the day and is having more and more bad days than good. There are some days that I'm sure that he doesn't recognize me, which is hard on me, but I keep talking to help him to orient him into who he's talking to. Which is very hard since, his hearing is getting worse. Leon has purchased a gizmo which we hope will improve this situation. Mom has finally decided to move out of the house. She filled out forms, to be put on a list to move into a senior's apartment, either at Benson Manor (where May, a friend, lives) or into Highland Manor (Eileen and Helen, friends, live). Because mom's pension is small, she moves up the list, but since narrowed the places she wants to be, it may take longer. We are hoping for her to stay until spring and then get her moved. Mom and Dad Bott are doing better. Mom is adapting better to the long term care home and Dad is more relaxed because she's there.

I'll try to post more often as time permits, but c'est la vie. It will happen when it happens.