What a Month...

Hi Everyone!

Thought I might just bring everyone up to speed on our family. Those of you who have internet, please share with family members that don't.

Let's start with Mom and Dad. Dad is still with us and living in Parkside Nursing home. He was taken to hospital by ambulance Wed. (April 29); the tips of his fingers were turning blue! It turned out to be the results of gout. The medication prescribed cleared everything up and he was taken back to Parkside. Parkside is once again closed to visitors because of some bug which is spreading through the home(not swine flu, fortunately). Mom is enjoying her new home; she's plays bingo, puts jigsaw puzzles together and goes out to supper occasionally with friends that she's met. I've noticed a marked improvement in her demeanor, so I think the new place is helping. She even traveled with Auntie Linda and Auntie Joanne to Maple Creek for a friend's funeral.

Jason has finished writing his thesis and will probably defend it in June; he's hoping middle of June, so that he can begin preparing for his new job in Camrose. Yes, Camrose, much closer to home!!! They've talked about buying a house or if they have to, even renting again. We're excited about his new job, their engagement, and their move closer to home. Shelley is looking for a job in Camrose but if she must, in Edmonton. All is finally coming together for them and we are thankful for that.

Scott is still in England. For their Easter break (and his birthday), the 3 of them went with friends to Amsterdam. WOW, that boy is traveling! He has canceled his planned trip to Rome in May to meet with Leon as money is short and he needs it for their backpacking trip later this year. They (Devin and he) are not sure when they are returning or even when they are going to start on their backpacking trip. They only know that the latest that they going to be back is in May of 2010. Too long as far as I am concerned, but this is what he wants and he might as well do it now while he's young. The plan so far is to get them to southern Europe during the winter and head north as it gets warmer.

Deb is at Rosemont School still and is also still enjoying this small school. The workload is easily handled by her skills and she's not taxed a bit by any of it(rather the opposite, some days she's bored). Her scrapbook of our trip is coming together nicely, but it will still take her about a month more to finish. Her parents are doing as well as can be expected. Her mom is in the same nursing home as my dad. She's trying hard to convince her dad to sell the house and move closer to the home. He spends 6 out of 7 days/week there and up to 12 hours every day. I agree! Why have a house, when you're not there anyway. Hopefully, he'll see the light and sell while the warm weather is still around.

Me, I'm still working. I've taken on a temporary job at Henry Janzen School as a sign language interpreter! Imagine me, at my age, doing this! I'm not fast and my vocabulary is comparatively small, but I'm the only one that the Board could find for just 2 months! The pay is decent and I'm guaranteed an income. Come summer, I'll go back to the Commissionaires and work for them. When fall comes and bowling starts, I'll slack off a bit on the working and try to relax a bit. Looking forward to next year - maybe wedding or 2 and Scott coming home. I'm blessed.

Still waiting on some email from some of you. Haven't heard from some of you in a long time. Hope all is well. Till next time....