Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Chelsea just phoned all excited. She just got her report card and she was straight A's. We are very proud of that girl. Way to go! She worked hard and deserves it. She was really nervous about the finals but I guess she didn't really have anything to worry about.
Well my shoulder is much better, but now my back is giving me problems. All hell breaks loose when you hit 65. Of course my back got sore due to my new golf bag, which is the type you carry. Tried once, and although it worked well at the time, afterward, my back got sore and has been that way for nearly a week now. Back to the pull cart.
Otherwise all is well. Had a long talk with Mommsy, thru the computer. She was Dennis' and we have downloaded a package called Skype. Using this program you can talk from computer to computer with sound quality better than a telephone. It is really great, as long as you have a microphone and speakers. For a fee (equivalent to 2.5 cents per minute) you can call other telephones too.
Lyn and Alan are on a weeks holiday with Alan's Dad's sailboat. Just got a call from her and all is going well. She got to within range for the cell and took advantage of it.
We have an invite from the Kirkwoods to join them for a couple of days, and I think we will. Just got to iron out a few details and we will get back to them.
TTFN
Otherwise all is well. Had a long talk with Mommsy, thru the computer. She was Dennis' and we have downloaded a package called Skype. Using this program you can talk from computer to computer with sound quality better than a telephone. It is really great, as long as you have a microphone and speakers. For a fee (equivalent to 2.5 cents per minute) you can call other telephones too.
Lyn and Alan are on a weeks holiday with Alan's Dad's sailboat. Just got a call from her and all is going well. She got to within range for the cell and took advantage of it.
We have an invite from the Kirkwoods to join them for a couple of days, and I think we will. Just got to iron out a few details and we will get back to them.
TTFN
Saturday, June 25, 2005
I don't know why the blog is leaving
a blank space but my post
is down here.
a blank space but my post
is down here.
So far turning 65 has been a blast. Had a third celebration last night. Carolyn had some friends over for coffee and dessert. She made several delicious recipes which were enjoyed by all, in particular her pineapple and coconut cheesecake. Although this was to be a gift free event I did get some golf balls, wine and some scratch tickets in which I won a total of $29.00. Which is way more than I usually win from scratch tickets, of course I never buy them which may account for that. Turning 65 has saved me $600.00 in senior discounts on Car insurance, drivers license renewal, and house taxes, with more coming when I renew the Motor home insurance. I need that break as I will have a net loss in pension income due to readjustment of pensions at 65. Its a long story typical of government bureaucracy and convoluted rules.
Looks like, from Helen's blog, that the tall ships are moving from Victoria after this weekend to Tacoma. We saw them at anchor and were thinking of going downtown to see them moored in Victoria Harbour. However, the weather is really nice and the crowds down there are enormous, according to the news, there are many disgruntled people who were supposed to have tickets that can't get on site with the crush of people and general disorganization of the event. So we decided to skip that and go on a drive to Duncan instead.
Also good news that Helen and Ken are looking into the River Breeze RV resort.. Great. Yes we had to reserve by phone too, Helen. It still more reliable than email.
Well must get going and make use of this nice sunny day.
Cheerio all.
Looks like, from Helen's blog, that the tall ships are moving from Victoria after this weekend to Tacoma. We saw them at anchor and were thinking of going downtown to see them moored in Victoria Harbour. However, the weather is really nice and the crowds down there are enormous, according to the news, there are many disgruntled people who were supposed to have tickets that can't get on site with the crush of people and general disorganization of the event. So we decided to skip that and go on a drive to Duncan instead.
Also good news that Helen and Ken are looking into the River Breeze RV resort.. Great. Yes we had to reserve by phone too, Helen. It still more reliable than email.
Well must get going and make use of this nice sunny day.
Cheerio all.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Tuesday night we went to My Chosen Cafe with Kathie, Andy and Chris. Since it was my birthday I got a free dessert (a piece of Turtle cake ala Candle) and a free rendition of Happy Birthday from all the waitresses present. Afterward we drove out to the lagoon to see if any Tall Ships were moored there yet, but no there weren't, they are arriving Wednesday. So Wednesday we went to Saxe point and saw 7 Tall ships anchored in Esquimalt harbour awaiting the sail past Thursday and mooring in Victoria harbour. This is Tall Ship Weekend in Downtown Victoria and we shall go down to look and take pictures of course.
I see Lewis is finalizing his plans to visit in July, although he may have to adjust them for his girl friend. He has lost a lot of weight and is generally enjoying himself, apparently. Good show. His link is on the right.
Well TTFN. Cheers all.
I see Lewis is finalizing his plans to visit in July, although he may have to adjust them for his girl friend. He has lost a lot of weight and is generally enjoying himself, apparently. Good show. His link is on the right.
Well TTFN. Cheers all.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
The family got together for a BBQ at Lyn's and Alan's (they now have the most room). It was great. Besides Lyn and Alan, Rachel, Adam, Colin and Elie were there, as was Alan's Dad Roy. Noni, Chelsea, David, Tena, along with Chris, Chris, Ben and even Megan too. Two Chris's??? Yes, They have a friend of Chris, also Chris, living with them for awhile. So they had the opportunity to celebrate not only Father's day with several fathers in attendance, but my 65th Birthday too. The steaks were cooked to perfection by Alan and a great time was had by all, particular me. Thanks everyone.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Saturday, June 18, 2005
Here are a few of the many pictures of our trip. Dennis has posted some so I tried not to duplicate his. Check his site, link on the right.
Mom Catherine and daughter Margot. Margot came out for a quick visit prior to ship departure.
Mom Catherine and daughter Margot. Margot came out for a quick visit prior to ship departure.
Boat Drills. Very safety conscious. Of course required by international law. No Titanic here.
Dennis, Catherine and Carolyn at the Hubbard Glacier, in the background. Very interesting watching the calving of ice into the water.
Dennis and Catherine on the White Pass and Yukon Railway to the White Pass summit. Very Scenic.
Enjoying the "Sun". actually it was cool that day, but we had nice weather for our port visits.
Friday, June 17, 2005
Carolyn went to the Central Bar and Grill with the Lyn and Alan to see Martha Reeves sing with the Vic High Blues band, which includes Colin and Elie. She quite enjoyed it. The kids played well. They had met Martha Reeves last year on the Vic High trip to play in Toronto. They made a trip to Motown in Detroit and met Martha there, and she showed them around. They were very excited to play beautiful music with her last night.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend having called a meeting for the Emergency Support Group. I was busy demonstrating how to start our emergency generator. Had I known I would have arranged it differently. Oh well. Vic High will be playing at Market Square July 3d, so I'll make that one.
TTFN
Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend having called a meeting for the Emergency Support Group. I was busy demonstrating how to start our emergency generator. Had I known I would have arranged it differently. Oh well. Vic High will be playing at Market Square July 3d, so I'll make that one.
TTFN
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Geez, been so busy since we got back from the cruise that I haven't blogg about the cruise.
Anyhow the good news is my Mother is OK. She saw the oncologist about what the Dermatologist had determined was B-Cell Lymphoma (non- Hodgkins disease). He said the spot on her head is receding rapidly and it looks like her body is taking care of things on its own. She has no other symptoms and there is no need of a CAT scan. So all is well and she is happy. She does have to see him again in 3 months. We are all relieved.
Dennis and Catherine are back home after a few days in Vancouver. I found their hotel on line so I could pass on the news of Mother. My what a posh place. The Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Check it out, fancier than the ship we were on.
Well about the cruise. Like I said it was great and we certainly enjoyed it with Dennis and Catherine. We initially had 3 days at sea as we made our way up to Hubbard Glacier. Got to see ice calving off and stayed in the bay for a couple of hours. Quite a spectacular site to see all that ice flowing down to the ocean. Our stops on the way back were Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. In Skagway we took a Train trip up to the White Pass summit; just inside the Canadian border. It was a very scenic trip and many pictures were taken, (which I still have to sort and select a few to post).
The immediate area around each of the ports was very touristy with many shops, very much alike and a large percentage seem to be controlled by the cruise lines. One had to get away from the wharf area to get a feel for the local color. This was best done in Ketchikan, by far the nicest of the 3 towns. It was more organized for walking tours that took you to points of interest which showed some of the history of the town.
The ship itself, Seranade of the Seas, is a beautiful ship. The food was excellent and of course we ate too much, I did avail myself of the Gym 3 times and we walked almost every day, but even so my clothes seemed to shrink. We met some very nice staff, in particular our Assistant Waiter Barbara, she had a great sense of humour, apparently fell in love with Dennis. The two of them trying to get in the last "thank you" turned into a hilarious series of skits. "Thank you", "No, thank you!"; to Barbara using sticky (thank you) notes on herself, her forehead, and on items she brought Dennis. Ricardo are waiter was very good as well. Got some pictures of them too.
Overall an excellent and memorable trip.
Anyhow the good news is my Mother is OK. She saw the oncologist about what the Dermatologist had determined was B-Cell Lymphoma (non- Hodgkins disease). He said the spot on her head is receding rapidly and it looks like her body is taking care of things on its own. She has no other symptoms and there is no need of a CAT scan. So all is well and she is happy. She does have to see him again in 3 months. We are all relieved.
Dennis and Catherine are back home after a few days in Vancouver. I found their hotel on line so I could pass on the news of Mother. My what a posh place. The Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Check it out, fancier than the ship we were on.
Well about the cruise. Like I said it was great and we certainly enjoyed it with Dennis and Catherine. We initially had 3 days at sea as we made our way up to Hubbard Glacier. Got to see ice calving off and stayed in the bay for a couple of hours. Quite a spectacular site to see all that ice flowing down to the ocean. Our stops on the way back were Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan. In Skagway we took a Train trip up to the White Pass summit; just inside the Canadian border. It was a very scenic trip and many pictures were taken, (which I still have to sort and select a few to post).
The immediate area around each of the ports was very touristy with many shops, very much alike and a large percentage seem to be controlled by the cruise lines. One had to get away from the wharf area to get a feel for the local color. This was best done in Ketchikan, by far the nicest of the 3 towns. It was more organized for walking tours that took you to points of interest which showed some of the history of the town.
The ship itself, Seranade of the Seas, is a beautiful ship. The food was excellent and of course we ate too much, I did avail myself of the Gym 3 times and we walked almost every day, but even so my clothes seemed to shrink. We met some very nice staff, in particular our Assistant Waiter Barbara, she had a great sense of humour, apparently fell in love with Dennis. The two of them trying to get in the last "thank you" turned into a hilarious series of skits. "Thank you", "No, thank you!"; to Barbara using sticky (thank you) notes on herself, her forehead, and on items she brought Dennis. Ricardo are waiter was very good as well. Got some pictures of them too.
Overall an excellent and memorable trip.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Happy Birthday Dennis
Hope you have a enjoyable birthday in Vancouver with the family.
Hope you have a enjoyable birthday in Vancouver with the family.
Monday, June 13, 2005
We are home and it is good. Though we didn't want the cruise to end my shrinking clothes told me otherwise. It was a great cruise and we certainly enjoyed Dennis' and Catherines company and they enjoyed the cruise as well. It worked out extremely well. Too much to tell right now, so I'll leave that for later. For now back to normal and off to the golf course. TTFN
Saturday, June 04, 2005
Our progress report and countdown can be read on Dennis' blog.
Good meal tonight and visits with the kids. Also had a good visit with Charlene, Mike and the kids via webcam and Yahoo last night. We all quite enjoyed that.
Will be blogging with all our adventures in a week. Take care all.
Good meal tonight and visits with the kids. Also had a good visit with Charlene, Mike and the kids via webcam and Yahoo last night. We all quite enjoyed that.
Will be blogging with all our adventures in a week. Take care all.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
We are getting close. Mr. and Mrs Prairie dog arrived yesterday and we went to My Chosen Cafe last night for Fish and Chips. This morning is cloudy and cool but shouldn't hold us back from doing some touristy things downtown. Got to get our bus tickets for the bus ride to the Cruise ship in Vancouver. Looks like a nice week.
TTFN
TTFN
