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....
Friday, May 1, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Just a FANTASTIC Trip!
What a terrific trip we had! 6 days on an ocean cruise ships, visiting 6 ports of call. St. Thomas, Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, and finally, St. Kitts. We planned an excursion for every day. We spent every evening - fine dining, which was 5 star! We snapped some 1400 photos in those jammed packed days (some seen below). We met some fabulous people every day on the ship and even on shore. The ship had 4 swimming pools, 4 dining rooms, a buffet area, 24-7 snacks, countless bars, a casino, a huge theater-style TV, water slide, 4 glass elevators, Starbucks, shops, and much more. We were upgraded to a balcony suite, which we enjoyed very much, though I wouldn't have spent an extra $400 for it in the first place, but for $80 we took it!
Some highlights of the trip included, mushroom boulders on Barbados, Blackbeard's castle on St. Thomas, Trafalgar Falls on Dominica, the English Harbour on St. Lucia, Fort James on Antigua, and a 2 hour ride on the 'Sugar' train (top speed 8 mph) on St. Kitts. We were plum tuckered out by the end of each day, but it was all worth it. I would highly recommend this cruise to anyone! We also stayed extra days in Old San Juan to take in the sights there and we did. We toured El Morro and San Cristobel - two fortresses in Old San Juan, and took in the many sights, sounds, and food of Puerto Rico. The room at the Howard Johnson was much to be appreciated, but since we only slept there it wasn't too bad. In the 9 days away, we only had one poor day for weather - Wednesday in Barbados; the rest was 30ยบ+C with VERY high humidity which was on some of the days almost unbearable. My ears were burnt and on the last day my upper arms got very red, but I survived.
It was pretty depressing to come back to Regina to this kind of weather, (it's raining as I'm typing and it's cold!) but it's good to be home. Not keen on going back to work, but it's the only way we can afford to go back to these warm climates again.
I'll write again when I get the chance.
Some highlights of the trip included, mushroom boulders on Barbados, Blackbeard's castle on St. Thomas, Trafalgar Falls on Dominica, the English Harbour on St. Lucia, Fort James on Antigua, and a 2 hour ride on the 'Sugar' train (top speed 8 mph) on St. Kitts. We were plum tuckered out by the end of each day, but it was all worth it. I would highly recommend this cruise to anyone! We also stayed extra days in Old San Juan to take in the sights there and we did. We toured El Morro and San Cristobel - two fortresses in Old San Juan, and took in the many sights, sounds, and food of Puerto Rico. The room at the Howard Johnson was much to be appreciated, but since we only slept there it wasn't too bad. In the 9 days away, we only had one poor day for weather - Wednesday in Barbados; the rest was 30ยบ+C with VERY high humidity which was on some of the days almost unbearable. My ears were burnt and on the last day my upper arms got very red, but I survived.
It was pretty depressing to come back to Regina to this kind of weather, (it's raining as I'm typing and it's cold!) but it's good to be home. Not keen on going back to work, but it's the only way we can afford to go back to these warm climates again.
I'll write again when I get the chance.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Happy New Year....
May joy and health follow you throughout this year and the years to come.
Good fortune has blessed this family. Dad is still with us, though the beginning to this year was a bit of a struggle for him. After returning from a short visit to the hospital just before Xmas, he contracted a bout of Norwalk virus at the Extendicare home and than right after he got another bacteria in early January which caused him some more discomfort. During the Norwalk and this second virus, we were prevented from seeing him. Mom was concerned until just the other day when it was all clear to see him. He ate a huge supper while we were there which made us feel good. Mom's happy... she has moved (Jan. 21st) into the same senior's complex in west central Regina as one of her closest friends. She's excited about the new place... no more stairs, people to talk to and activities practically every night of the week! She couldn't have asked for a better spot! Email me if you want her new address, phone number is the same.
Scott had a terrific time in Paris at Xmas, they posted numerous pictures on the web which we were able to vicariously enjoy Paris too! Aimee and Devin have provided Scott with companionship while he teaches in Jolly Ol' England. They are thinking about Scotland and Holland in Feb. and Italy in May (flights throughout Europe are extremely cheap from London). Must be nice!
Jason and Shelley have not been without good fortune... Jason landed a job - teaching in Camrose at the Augustana College! While Shelley was asked to fly out to Camrose for a job interview with the hospital in Camrose. We are all waiting with bated breath for the results of the interview. Furthermore, they have set the date for the wedding, but you'll all have to wait until they've announced when it is, themselves. We are excited and proud to have Shelley as our daughter-in-law and we wish them nothing but success and happiness in the coming years!
Debbie has been busy scrap booking everything and researching our trip to the southern Caribbean later this spring. We are both looking forward to this particular cruise as it's 7 days, 6 ports-of-call! It's the one Debbie wanted to do on our 30th anniversary, but was too expensive at that time. With a 50% savings to fly American Airlines, we can do the trip. Now we just need the great weather to grant us the chance to see some of these wonderful islands. Debbie is still at Rosemont School and continues to enjoy working there.
Me... well, things have changed somewhat, too. I've finished my job (at least until summer) at the airport and have taken up substituting for the Board. Since Jan. 5th, I've subbed 6 full days. This left me plenty of time to help Leon and Roxene to move mom. I've also got a chance to take pictures at 3 different weddings this summer (and get PAID!) Hopefully, this will lead to more weddings.
That's all for now... Don't forget to send me an email and let me know how you're doing.
Good fortune has blessed this family. Dad is still with us, though the beginning to this year was a bit of a struggle for him. After returning from a short visit to the hospital just before Xmas, he contracted a bout of Norwalk virus at the Extendicare home and than right after he got another bacteria in early January which caused him some more discomfort. During the Norwalk and this second virus, we were prevented from seeing him. Mom was concerned until just the other day when it was all clear to see him. He ate a huge supper while we were there which made us feel good. Mom's happy... she has moved (Jan. 21st) into the same senior's complex in west central Regina as one of her closest friends. She's excited about the new place... no more stairs, people to talk to and activities practically every night of the week! She couldn't have asked for a better spot! Email me if you want her new address, phone number is the same.
Scott had a terrific time in Paris at Xmas, they posted numerous pictures on the web which we were able to vicariously enjoy Paris too! Aimee and Devin have provided Scott with companionship while he teaches in Jolly Ol' England. They are thinking about Scotland and Holland in Feb. and Italy in May (flights throughout Europe are extremely cheap from London). Must be nice!
Jason and Shelley have not been without good fortune... Jason landed a job - teaching in Camrose at the Augustana College! While Shelley was asked to fly out to Camrose for a job interview with the hospital in Camrose. We are all waiting with bated breath for the results of the interview. Furthermore, they have set the date for the wedding, but you'll all have to wait until they've announced when it is, themselves. We are excited and proud to have Shelley as our daughter-in-law and we wish them nothing but success and happiness in the coming years!
Debbie has been busy scrap booking everything and researching our trip to the southern Caribbean later this spring. We are both looking forward to this particular cruise as it's 7 days, 6 ports-of-call! It's the one Debbie wanted to do on our 30th anniversary, but was too expensive at that time. With a 50% savings to fly American Airlines, we can do the trip. Now we just need the great weather to grant us the chance to see some of these wonderful islands. Debbie is still at Rosemont School and continues to enjoy working there.
Me... well, things have changed somewhat, too. I've finished my job (at least until summer) at the airport and have taken up substituting for the Board. Since Jan. 5th, I've subbed 6 full days. This left me plenty of time to help Leon and Roxene to move mom. I've also got a chance to take pictures at 3 different weddings this summer (and get PAID!) Hopefully, this will lead to more weddings.
That's all for now... Don't forget to send me an email and let me know how you're doing.
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