The Ouseys in Victoria Page

We just got back from seeing the "Worlds fastest Indian" starring Anthony Hopkins. Excellent movie, a must see. About a New Zealander whose dream is to take his 1920 Indian Mororcycle to new speed records. A real feel good movie and a true story.
We did this with Sue and John after having dinner with them at the Swiftsure restaurant. A very nice restaurant downtown, and everyone enjoyed their meals too which is a good thing.

We had Rob and Sue over for dinner last night and Rob brought his computer for some Gmail guidance, which was accomplished rather successfully, he only called me once today with a question. lol.

Mom called again, she is really getting the hang of YAK. Much of it was the same as the last time she called a few days ago, but it is nice that she is calling when she wants to talk, rather than waiting for me.

The rest of the week for me was usual, Gym, golf, gym, golf, lots of computer stuff, etc. Carolyn has been sorting pictures and waxing nostalgic over some of the old ones she is coming across. I am scanning many into the computer for posterity. The picture on the left is of her Gramma and Grandpa on her mother's side, Alma (nee Lewis) and Thomas Rehill on their Wedding day, Feb 23rd, 1898. The picture was quite old and scratched, but once scanned in it cleaned up nicely.

Well off to watch the news and get depressed. Why do I do that????

Ciao.

Its Sunday and I just got back from my workout at the Gym. The weather has turned quite nice. It was sunny yesterday and got to 15 and it is supposed to stay sunny for today and the next 5 days with highs of 18 C. Whoopee!

Mom just called and talked for an hour. I got her to change her long distance plan to YAK and now she just loves calling for 3 1/2 cents per minute, with no other additional charges. Only $2.00 for the hour, WOW. She just called 3 days ago. I've created a monster. LOL. No it is good for her, she had been still working under the assumption that long distance calls were expensive. She is thinking of moving to Victoria, so we have been discussing the Pros and Cons of that. She is more than welcome to, but she should take all things into consideration at her age. So I am looking at the implications of what the rules are for seniors changing provinces.

We were invited out for dinner Friday night with Sue and Rob to Tony and Ann Eng. That is the 6 of us in the picture. The premise was to discuss laptops, and it turned into a dinner. We did discuss laptops, but first Tony gave us a little of his magical prowess. He is a professional magician and he had Carolyn and I baffled from start to finish, including returning her watch that she didn't realize was missing. Excellent with the cards, coins and slight of hand, while no further that a couple of feet from us and wearing a short sleeve T-shirt. Very entertaining evening.

I see Catherine's yard is in disarray as she gets the basement fixed, see her blog for pictures. Well that will hopefully stop the leak.

Carolyn is eyeing me, its sunny and she wants to go for a walk. So TTFN

TaTa and Peace.

Uncle Jack blog again, and so soon after his last,, Whoopee. He and the boys had a nice Easter, read it here, or use his link on the right.

Catherine had a good weekend with Grandma Ousey, too. Lots of work to do on the house as well. Read it here, or use her link on the right.

While we are talking of blogs, want more good laughs?, read the Mosley blog here, or their link on the right.

And the Kirkwoods blogged (I just discovered) and they too had a good Easter too, so read their blog listed on the right.

Now as Catherine said we need more blogs to read. Seems though, that the retired or semi-retired are doing the blogging and those with full time jobs aren't (except Jack), but that's no excuse! Is it? If Jack can do it, you all can.

We had a great dinner at Lyn's, just about everyone able to come was there, Lyn, Alan, Rachel and Adam; Noni, John, Chelsea and Jacob; Carolyn and Myself; and David. Missing in action was Tena and the boys, as well as Colin and Elie, and we missed them. The turkey, ham, stuffing, apple, lemon, bumbleberry, pumkin pies were delicious. We need more pies.... A good time was had by all if laughter is any indication.

Thats that for now. Ciao.

Carolyn has been baking up a storm, with an apple pie and some cinnamon swirls, practicing for the pies she will be cooking today for the gathering of the Victoria Clan at Lyn's tomorrow. I like it when she practices. She is also doing a Ham while Noni is doing a Turkey and it comes together at Lyns who is doing the veggies. That what she gets for having the largest house. Though Noni has additional room now that she has recovered the suite in the basement, still for upper level space Lyn and Alan's is roomier.

Carolyn and I have been a bit under the weather, some kind of bug going around that involves vertigo, upset tummy, and headache, but we are on the mend, it wasn't very severe, although I haven't experienced vertigo like that. Carolyn has it all the time at varying levels of intensity. Hasn't stopped me from golfing or going to the Gym, though. We went to see Ice Age: the Meltdown, quite funny, particularly Scrat and his acorn. I guess we are taking Catherine's advice and going to the movies more. We saw the Incredibles the other day (DVD rental) which is also a great movie. Yes you would think for the kids but a lot of adult humour in them too.

I had forgotten in my previous blogs, that Sue and John took us out for lunch for our anniversary. We went to the Glo on the Gorge. It is purported to be a EuroGrill restaurant and it was very good. Great circular room with great views of the surrounding area. Very enjoyable.

Happy Easter to all that celebrate it, and have a great weekend to all that don't.

You want a good laugh, then have read of the newest blogger Sue Mosley at "Travels with the Mosleys". They are friends of ours and Robinsons, and are currently travelling South for a month. Have a kleenex handy.

Catherine has booked the flight for Mom and herself. They fly in to Vancouver on the 26 July and leave here on the 7th of Aug and Vancouver on the 9th of Aug. We are looking forward to this Ousey reunion. Jack and boys arrive on the 28th of July and leave on the 6th of August.
Here is a picture, taken at Chelsea's birthday, of Grandma with Megan; WOW has she grown since we saw her last. She is a sweetie. Good to see her. David has increased visitation with her and we should see more of her. In fact we will be picking her up from school on Thursday 20th Aug, and will be doing that periodically.

Ta ta.

Kokopelli, made by Sue Robinson for Carolyn. She saw this in a craft store and thought Carolyn would like it so she made it for her. Carolyn was thrilled with it. Kokopelli is a mexican figure very popular in many of the arts and crafts of the area. Follow the Kokopelli link to learn more.


Anniversary Roses for Carolyn from Gary. Quite a nice orange colour. We had a nice day, and went to Cafe Mexico for dinner Saturday. It was OK, but we are spoiled by the more authentic Mexican food we find in Arizona and area. However, we enjoyed the evening and movie just the same.


Chelsea on her birthday. The family was invited to Noni's for the celebrations. John ably assisted by cooking the hamburgers, hot dogs, etc. He is Noni's new beau. Nice guy and his son Jacob got along well with Benjamin, they kept each other occupied for most of the evening. See picture below.

The cooks. John and Jacob Wright.

We was really nice to see everyone together. All in all a good weekend.

Well, tomorrow (8th) it is Carolyn's and my anniversary. 45th yet. Also Jamie's birthday tomorrow too, not to mention Chelsea's birthday on the 9th. Noni is having some of the family for Dinner to celebrate the birthday. BBQ apparently, so I think it will be great. I luv BBQ's. In any event Happy Birthday Jamie and Happy Birthday Chelsea.

I have been busy with computers all week. Rob gave me his old desktop to clean up, download his old data and assess for sale. It is a nice computer and should be useful for someone. Unfortunately, in the process something happened to my computer which took a few hours to sort and repair. Fortunately I was able to fix it rather than the Format C: and reload which would have taken forever. Did manage to golf a couple of times. And I have been a good boy and manage 3 trips to the Gym too. Carolyn and I have also been walking more than usual. Been dieting, sort of, too. I have lost 7 pounds since we got back.

Our social life has been active too. We were at Lyn's and Alan for supper Sunday and Alan's Dad Roy was there. He is looking a bit anemic probably because he is a little anemic since his carotid surgery. They are a little concerned, but keeping tabs on it. We have gotten together with Mike and Gail and discussed more details of the cruise in June. It is coming together nicely. We are getting excited about that one. Our neighbours came over yesterday for drinks, so we caught up on all the gossip of neighbourhood.

We have contacted Mike and Charlene in an effort to convince them to come to Victoria while Mom, Catherine, Jack and the kids are here. I know everyone would like to see them and I am sure that it is mutual. They are not sure as both he and Charlene are under contract and therefore don't get holidays. We are hoping they can arrange it. Carolyn and I will pay for it in lieu of our trip up North. Everyone keep their fingers crossed.

On that note a goodnight from me and a good night from Carolyn.

Well, We hit the Jackpot this morning. Sue blogged, as did Jack and Catherine. Wow. Made me realize I hadn't since Monday. Sue and Rob are back in town. They have set up at Fort Victoria, same place I store our MH. Will drop in and see them today. Jack's boys are into soccer and doing well as is Jack with tenure track on the horizon, and Catherine has a leaky basement. Looks like an expensive proposition to get fixed.

We have continued to get settled back in. We decided we needed a "memory" foam topper for our bed at home. Catherine had one on the guest bed and we liked it so we are trying one out here. Got it at Costco, and they are vacuum packed. It has been 3 days now and it is still expanding. Who knows we might get to actually use it in a day or two. Always dangerous to be going to Costco. We saw a good deal on a Toaster oven. Excellent buy for $55. Far better than one at Crappy Tire for $179.00, Hmmmmmm, you got to wonder about pricing some days.

David brought his tax stuff over. I do his and Tena's taxes everyyear. They should be happy, they will be getting a handsome rebate. Haven't seen Tena and the boys yet but will soon. Tena is still trying to quit the smoking thing, good luck to her, it is worth the effort.

We had the Merkleys and Hutchins over for dinner last night. Good to see them again. Ken had shot an 82 that same day and was properly excited about that. The dinner was excellent, Carolyn tried a new recipe (she is brave that way, always trying something new for company) for roast beast. It was quite good as was dessert, also new, a lemon torte, mmmmmm good. Speaking of golf, I have been out twice since returning and my second outing was much better than my first. Weather has been nice too, although it rained hard last night.

Today we are going to Lyn's for dinner. Alan's Dad will be there and it will be good to see them all.

Hey, how about that Duke university. Published a report of a 10 year study that prayer has no effect on heart victims recovery, in fact the group that knew that they were being prayed for actully did marginally worse. Hmmmmm. Read it here in the Los Angelses Times.

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. - Carl Sagan

Ta Ta and as someone else famous has said. "Peace".