Christmas 2009

Christmas Visit with Baby E

Baby E got his first VW piggy bank!

Christmas 2009

Call us crazy but it seems like every year Chris and I open our gifts about a week ahead of Christmas. It works for us and since we're the only ones who live in our house with our crazy cats who cares?

We're both early shoppers and hate last minute Christmas shopping so we're ready to go way ahead of the game.





As it gets closer to Christmas it seems our evenings fill up with people coming over or one of us going out with a friend or both of us going to other friends and we never have a night together that's just for us.





So once again in the spirit of early Christmas unwrapping 2009 Christmas has come and gone in our house.



The prezzies are all unwrapped, the wrapping's been tossed, the bags are ready for re-bagging, the bows are put away safely out of kitty reach and we're all happy campers.



Merry Christmas 2009!

Animoto.com

Weekend in Courtney

Last weekend we took off for a spa weekend on the island. It was wonderful. I mean really, how can you go wrong with a massage upon arrival, a fabulous dinner afterwards, a cat who walked you back and forth between buildings and then a dip in the hot tub?


We took an early ferry so we weren't rushed driving up there. We were able to check in early and then had time to relax before getting massages. Sounds like an oxy-moron doesn't it? "Wait, I have to unwind so I can get massaged."



There was a fabulous restaurant in between the two hotels so we didn't have to get in the car and drive anywhere which always makes it nicer when you're 'on holiday'.




Sunday we enjoyed making breaky in our own suite and then heading south along the
coastal highway.



I had never been to Coombs, famous for its goats on the roof, so we stopped in there. It was such a cool place to visit. Too cool for the goats to be out but still I can imagine them there in the summer.



Lots of shops to browse in and reminders of VW John everywhere with all the tees.




We met lots of nice people and ate lots of great food and saw a lot of beautiful country along the ocean which is where as we all know, my heart leaps with joy.

I'm so grateful for Chris who lifts up my spirits when I'm falling and thinks of fun things to do. I don't know what I'd do without her.

VW John

It's been five years ago that my brother John passed away having been ill for many years. As much as my dad's death was a shock because there wasn't any illness leading up to his sudden passing, John's death still took us all by surprise. We always knew he wouldn't live to be old because of his health concerns but still.......it knocked us all for a loop.


John was a competitive guy who loved to win and be the champion in any kind of contest. When we were young and attending the Baptist church there wasn't anyone who could touch his Bible sword drill skills. He carried that competitive nature into all areas of his life. The only thing he couldn't beat was his diabetes but he sure gave it his best.



John was a 'one of a kind' kind of guy. He was passionate about many things. God first, family second and VW's a close third.


John's kids were his life and he was proud of the way they grew into young adults. His last night was spent with his kids opening presents and sharing a meal together. Like my dad John never had trouble telling his kids how much he loved them.


Everyone knew John as the crazy VW guy who always drove a bug, usually a convertible and always had a project car on the side. He found old VW's usually discarded by someone who had given up on car restoration and John would finish the job and sell it for additional income to keep himself afloat.


My fondest memories of John were going to Hawaii with him and showing him the island that he had heard me talk so much about. It was fun introducing him to my Hawaiian friends and watching him race around Oahu looking for VW's and VW related people and shows.






There are lots of things I miss about John. I miss his loud booming voice and his knack for calling at 10 pm. Oddly enough when I got the phone call that he had passed away, it was at 10 pm. I miss him dropping by for dinner and then sharing what was on his heart.





Missing you still VW John.

I Wish You Enough!!!

It's been 20 years since my dad passed away. 20 years is a long time and there are so many things I miss about my dad. This picture was taken at a favorite family place by Harrison Hot Springs, home of 'the big rock'. My dad was a quiet gentle man who loved deeply and was never afraid to tell his family how much he loved them.

Recently a friend sent me this email and the words written are ones that would describe my dad. Thanks D!





Recently I overheard a Father and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure.

Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the father said, 'I love you, and I wish you enough.'

The daughter replied, 'Dad, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Dad.'

They kissed and the daughter left. The father walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'

'Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'

'I am old, and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral,' he said.

'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?'

He began to smile. 'That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone..' He paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and he smiled even more. 'When we said, 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.' Then turning toward me, he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory.

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.


He then began to cry and walked away.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them; but then an entire life to forget them.

Carol Ship Cruise 2009

It's become a tradition around here to celebrate Christmas together on a Carol Ship Cruise. They're a popular Vancouver tradition and one that's enjoyed by all. Fabulous turkey dinner with all the trimmings, yummy desserts, Christmas carolling and a really nice evening out.


This year was interesting. We booked it with a different company than we had used before. The first big difference was the gangplank to the boat. OMG. It could've easily been used as a slide or a ski lift jump for the Olympics. Sorry, no pics. Too busy hanging on for dear life with my arm around my mother. Who needs a broken hip en route to Christmas dinner?




Dinner was very tasty and we enjoyed a variety of desserts afterwards. No table service so it was a lot of looking around to see what other people were doing and where they were finding drinks, coffee, etc. There was a real staff shortage and we missed the usual helpfulness we've found before.



Music was interesting as it varied from middle eastern to heavy metal with a little Elvis thrown in just to mix it up. After an hour or so of yelling over the music after dinner we were handed out Carol sheets and the singing began. The song leader was very good in leading a group and people sang enthusiastically.

The part I loved was a group of people with disabilities with their care givers enjoying a night out. There were 3 individuals and one of them rocked back and forth behind the song leader. I loved it. One slept and the other endured. I can spot 'em a mile away.

A great night out with BB and Diana. Definitely a tradition worth carrying on as we enjoy Christmas in Vancouver.

Christmas in the Cariboo

We spent the weekend in the Cariboo visiting Chris's folks for an early Christmas celebration. It was freezing cold.........brrrrrrrrrrr.........outside but warm inside. We went for a walk in the frozen tundra, here we are bundled up before leaving. It took longer to dress for the walk to the store than to actually walk but it was nice seeing Christmas lights in a cold northern town.

Looking forward to other Christmas celebrations soon. Going on a Carol ship cruise this week with Bad Betty. Chris and I are heading to Vancouver Island this weekend.

Good Times

Years ago in Hawaii I was needing a place to live while I was going to College. I got word from a friend of a friend that a family in Kahala was looking for 'household help'. I called the phone number I was given and spoke to a nice lady who told me that yes, indeed they wanted someone to come and live in and would I like to come and meet them.

The next day I went to meet Barbara and son Jeff and see the house and talk about the job. Basically I would be there to help with household stuff, chauffeur Jeff around (who was 12 at the time) and in exchange they would give me room and board and a little cash on the side. Pretty cushy job. Beautiful home in Kahala, which at that time was one of the most prestigious neighborhoods on Oahu.

Barbara was a Dr. and told me that her husband Dr. R would want to meet me first before she could say I got the job. He had a few questions for me so would I like to stay for supper and meet Dr. R? Of course I would.

I was all nervous and everything wondering what's he going to ask me? What kind of cleaning products do I use? Do I replace the toilet paper rolling over or under? What? Will I clean the pool daily or twice weekly? What about the tennis courts? How many times a week will I sweep the leaves off that? Will I wash the Mercedes weekly? Just his or hers or both?

Dr. R walked in the door and I was introduced as the 'one who was applying for the job'. And do you know what he asked me?

"Do you smoke?" No.

"Do you drink?" No.

"Do you listen to rock music?" No.

"You're hired".


Then he went on to tell me that my influence on his 12 year old son was the most important thing about the job. That years from now nobody would remember what I cooked for dinner or how well I cleaned the house or any of those things but what they would remember is the influence I'd have on a young teenage boy.

I never forgot that interview. I lived with the family for a year and then they relocated to Boston because Dr. R was dying of cancer and he wanted his wife to be settled close to her sister for support. He passed away the following year.


Jeff and I got along famously and I have great memories of hanging out with him. We looked like brother and sister and sometimes people would ask if we were. Jeff was always quick to point out that no we weren't, thank you very much, she's my governess and then he'd laugh his head off.


Jeff and I reconnected on FB recently. I laughed myself silly reading his emails, he sounds exactly the same. I went through my Hawaii albums and found pics of Jeff and family and sent them to him, he's ecstatic with them. So much fun looking at them and remembering good times.

Year in Review

2009 was quite a year! We started off the year with a trip to Mexico which was fabulous. Who wouldn’t love all you can eat and drink with endless ocean views and the sound of waves crashing on the shore just outside your hotel room?






Things quieted down around the house in March with the death of our dogger Maggie. She was a quiet gentle Whippet/Lab who loved us for 3 and a half years.











Our cats don’t miss her as much as we do.

Speaking of cats, Benson and Bailey are just fine and looking forward to Christmas decorations.









In May my mom and I enjoyed a week in Hawaii for Mother’s Day/Birthday celebration. It’s always so good to see our friends and enjoy time together. My mom continues to enjoy good health and keeps busy attending church functions and social groups.





My step-father is living on the island now and we visit him every 6 weeks or so. He has great care there and his face still lights up when my mom opens the door to his room.





Despite the recession which has affected all of us we sold our townhome in May and bought a 2 bedroom condo in a quiet little community further out of town. We also sold our recreational property up country and fortunately for us, the buyers also wanted all of the furnishings making it the easiest sale possible. Needless to say, our summer was very busy with packing, moving and the endless chore of unpacking.




In October we enjoyed a week in San Diego. Love that place! It was really fun and relaxing and great to reconnect with a friend from Hawaii days that I hadn’t seen in more than 25 years.








The biggest family news this year was the birth of my great-nephew Easton. His mom and dad are Josh and Gina and very excited to be parents. My great-niece Alaia will be 6 in January and her mom Niki is doing well and working with the Rocky Mountaineer Train Corp. My nephew Derek is still doing the bar-tending gig at Vancouver’s tallest hotel, Shangri-La.





We’re excited about the 2010 Olympics at Whistler in the new year. We’ll be watching the events on TV so don’t look for us in the crowd. But it is fun to watch all the preparations for a world event. We got new roads and everything!






Merry Christmas to you and yours and God’s richest blessings in the new year. May 2010 be a great year for all of us!

I was depressed last night so I called Lifeline.





Got a freakin' call center in Afghanistan.

I told them I was suicidal.

They got all excited and asked if I could drive a truck.

I am so ready to go back to work. I'm bored with the strike already. I'm tired of listening to people b**ch their whole picketing shift. I keep quiet and then try to offer a positive statement about something, anything.

Life sucks. Deal with it people. Put your big girl panties on and deal with it. We don't always get what we want. Too bad, so sad.

Anyways.............having time off has meant getting some things done around the house. I've had time to cook dinner every night, keep the house clean and the laundry up to date. hmmmm, somebody could get used to that. Not mentioning any names.

Looking forward to the Spring. Just get me through the winter and I'll be alright.

Yup, still out there and it's not getting any easier. Doing my duty and waiting for the powers that be to smarten up and start talking to each other. Just like they do in Kindergarten.

Kit the Tool Man

It's been 6 years since my buddy Kit passed away. He was a dear friend and I still miss him.

Kit taught me many life lessons. For a guy who couldn't speak he had a lot to say. Kit wasn't afraid to be who he was, whom God created him to be. He accepted it and made the most of it.

Kit was a prayer warrior. Kit didn't just quietly bow his head and sniff a quiet Amen, he looked up to the heavens and raised his arms and commanded God to listen to him with his gestures.

Kit was an evangelist. He couldn't go past the cemetary without 'explaining' how to accept the Lord into your heart. It was a really very simple message he gave and the message has never changed. He got it.

Kit was a friend to all. It didn't matter who the person was. If they looked like they needed a friend Kit would take them by the hand, hold it to his heart and voila! a new friendship was born.

Kit was a charmer. When he met my mom the first time he took her hand and kissed her wedding rings and laughed. Then he gave her a giant hug and after that they were the best of friends.

Kit was a worker. His daily tasks around the home where he lived were to check on things that that didn't work that might need fixing, things that worked fine that still might need fixing, and to wait for the people who came to work at the home so he could instruct them as to what was current on his 'to do' list.

Kit was a wonderful son and brother. He loved his family dearly. He was a dedicated Christian, a loyal friend and a true man of God.

Here's to you Bud. I miss you.

Loving FB

Years ago in Hawaii I was needing a place to live while I was going to College. I got word from a friend of a friend that a family in Kahala was looking for 'household help'. I called the phone number I was given and spoke to a nice lady who told me that yes, indeed they wanted someone to come and live in and would I like to come and meet them.

The next day I went to meet Barbara and son Jeff and see the house and talk about the job. Basically I would be there to help with household stuff, chauffeur Jeff around (who was 12 at the time) and in exchange they would give me room and board and a little cash on the side. Pretty cushy job. Beautiful home in Kahala, which at that time was one of the most prestigious neighborhoods on Oahu.

Barbara was a Dr. and told me that her husband Dr. R would want to meet me first before she could say I got the job. He had a few questions for me so would I like to stay for supper and meet Dr. R? Of course I would.

I was all nervous and everything wondering what's he going to ask me? What kind of cleaning products do I use? Do I replace the toilet paper rolling over or under? What? Will I clean the pool daily or twice weekly? What about the tennis courts? How many times a week will I sweep the leaves off that? Will I wash the Mercedes weekly? Just his or hers or both?

Dr. R walked in the door and introduced me as the 'one who was applying for the job'. And do you know what he asked me?

"Do you smoke?" No.

"Do you drink?" No.

"Do you listen to rock music?" No.

"You're hired". Then he went on to tell me that my influence on his 12 year old son was the most important thing about the job. That years from now nobody would remember what I cooked for dinner or how well I cleaned the house or any of those things but what they would remember is the influence I'd have on a young teenage boy.

I never forgot that interview. I lived with the family for a year and then they relocated to Boston because Dr. R was dying of cancer and he wanted his wife to be settled close to her sister for support. He passed away the following year.

Jeff and I got along famously and I have great memories of hanging out with him. We looked like brother and sister and sometimes people would ask if we were. Jeff was always quick to point out that no we weren't, thank you very much, she's my governess and then he'd laugh his head off.

Jeff and I reconnected on FB recently. I laughed myself silly reading his emails, he sounds exactly the same. I told him I'm going to dig up his first school dance pics and post them.

Stay tuned.