It has been a busy last few months. And interesting.
Sharon and I took the month of May off for holidays. It was the first time in a long time that we took the time to go places.
It started out with and 26 hour almost non-stop drive to Thatcher, Arizona to visit with Dian, David and the boys. We went down to participate in Ruston's baby blessing. We left Lethbridge at 18:00 on Thursday, April 25th. We were both just about bagged when we gassed up in Dillon, MT about 02:00. Just as I finished filling the Jeep up the town police and county sheriff stopped into the gas bar. After explaining where we were headed, I asked them if there was some place we could crash for a couple of hours. I was told that I could park in the Safeway parking lot and that they would make sure we weren't bothered. After a quick nap we carried on and arrived in Thatcher about 20:00 Friday, April 26th. We stayed the weekend and did our Grandparently duty. Monday morning Dina put on a flight to Wichita, Kansas where Chrissy picked us up to drive us to their place just out side of Elgin, OK.
While we were there we helped them pack up their household into a semi trailer for their move to Georgia. We got the last of it in Saturday afternoon. On Wednesday Jacob, his father Fred, and I went boar hunting. They gave me a replica Springfield trapdoor single shot cavalry rifle to shoot. It was a 45-70 caliber. We didn't get a boar but we did bag 2 elm and an oak. They told me it had a kick and to make sure I had it pulled in tight. I thought I had a firm grip but the recoil was something else. The next day my arm from shoulder to elbow was blue.
On Thursday we went to El Reno, OK to visit the world famous Sid's Burgers and Fort Reno. The food was good, the atmosphere incredible, and servers were great. When we finally arrived at the fort after getting lost with Jacobs GPS, we checked in at the site office. When we walked in the door, I noticed hanging on the wall behind the counter an original of the rifle I used the day before.
We then participated in Daniel's baptism on Saturday.. Sunday after church we hit.the road for Georgia via Memphis, TN. Chrissy and Sharon wanted to show Jacob and me some to the sights that the Hovan girls had visited a couple of years earlier on their girls' adventure. We arrived Sunday night and on Monday headed for Graceland and Beale Street. As we were finishing Graceland Rainey did a face plant on the sidewalk and did a number on his forehead. While Chrissy was with him at the hospital we managed to get a lunch in. We dropped Mikey and Sharon off at the ER and headed to Beale. We met up with them a little later. Jacob, Eliza, and I did a tour of the Gibson Guitar factory. It was fascinating. The only computer controlled machinery used were 2 routers. One that did the final trim to size on the top and back and one to cut the fret groves. every thing else is hand done.
Tuesday we headed out to Georgia. About an hour into the trip into Mississippi, we passed a sign that said "Tupelo next exit". You can't go to Graceland and drive by Tupelo - the birth place of Elvis. We took the side trip and spent an hour at the museum. He was born in a house that was smaller than out living room. That night we arrived at High Meadows Drive just outside Grovetown, GA. Got into the house they were renting and did a quick inspection c/w pictures. Set up the air mattresses and tried to get the kids to bed.
Between unloading the trailer after it arrived Wednesday, we got acquainted with the area. It reminded me a lot like Germany with little communities every few miles along the road. The country was mostly wooded and there were a lot of "gated" communities. The house was not far from anything. Lowes, Walmart, and several other big box stores were all around the area with in minutes of a drive. There was a cineplex a few minutes away. (Jacob and I went to the Ironman movie and the Star Trek movie.) The ward they were attending was in Harlem, few minutes away. Jacob realized that he was there several years ago when he first enlisted and was at Fort Gordon for training.
Their old ward/stake in Oklahoma was having a father/son camp out the weekend after we left. We found out the the stake in Georgia was having theirs the week after we arrived. So we made it a Grandfather/father/son camp out. The stake had a huge campsite called Camp Helaman. We had a blast. Arrived Friday night and had a camp fire cookout. The kids played games until after dark. Saturday morning was a pancake breakfast. Home by noon Saturday.
We explored Augusta several time over the 3 weeks we spent with the Roeckers. One trip to The River Walk ( a park the runs down the south side of the river in the middle of Augusta) the kids asked about the levy and why there were notches in it. Rather than answer them I asked if they thought is was easier to build a dyke of sand bags every time the river flooded or fill the gaps in the levy? They gave the answer to their question. When we walked through one of the access point we noticed that the levels of the various floods of the past were marked on the wall. When we were through and looking a the flood plain on the other side I was amazed to see million dollar homes along the shore. I guess if you have enough money the water flows around you. Another trip we went to the August museum. Along with the history of the area (and golf of course) there was the James Brown exhibit. The man was almost as large a philanthropist as Elvis and a lot for the area.
When our time there was ended, on Monday, May 20th, Chrissy and the kids drove Sharon and me to Atlanta for the flight back to Arizona. We were going to go to the Coca Cola museum at Cokes's corporate HQ. When we found it was going to cost us $175 for 3 adults and 4 children we changed our plans and spent the afternoon at the Martin Luther King Jr memorial. For free. It was very educational and we all learned a lot. In one room his Top of the Mountain speech was played. I had a feeling that he knew his time on earth was not much longer. He was assassinated very shortly after. You could not leave the exhibits and area without a feeling of awe and respect.
When we checked into the hotel later that afternoon, the Moore/Oklahoma City tornado was all over the TV. That was the area we were in just a few weeks earlier. It brought this disaster home in a big way. That even discussing the event, Chrissy mentioned that in the Elgin area they had not had a major twister in decades. All three of the schools had safe rooms and the high school renovations were upgrading its safe room to be able to accommodate the entire student body. Moore had major storms in 1999, 2003, 2006, 2009, and this one. The town's schools were hit in them all and they still don't have safe rooms. Go figure.
The next morning we took the shuttle to the airport and used the curbside check in. Our luggage was checked in and we were through security and waiting at the gate in 20 minutes. Next we travel, if our airline offers this service, I am going to take advantage of it. No 2 hour ahead of time line ups for me. Our flight was to Dallas and then on to Phoenix. We arrived in Dallas a little ahead of schedule to find out our connecting flight was delayed about an hour because of a severe storm in the area and it was having to fly around it. We boarded about 90 minutes late. After we taxied out to the run way, the storm decided it was going to give us a visit and had us sitting in the take off cue for over an hour. The wind was blowing so bad the plane was actually shaking. Sharon could 30 planes waiting at one point. Once things got moving again the pilot came on the intercom and told us he didn't know what had happened but we had moved up from 22nd in line to 5th.
From being on time to arriving in Phoenix almost 4 hours late put us leaving the airport in the middle of go home rush hour traffic. Dian and the boys were waiting for us. After repacking the Jeep to fit the luggage into what space was left, we headed for southern Utah to visit with David's family. We got about 3/4 of the way there and were detoured because of a road wash out. This added another hour to our time. So instead of arriving around 23:00 we got in about 06:00. We did a quick crash and run. We stopped in Springville/Provo for breakfast and drop Dian off to visit a sister-in-law. Sharon and I did some shopping for travel snacks and supplies. Then on to Logan for a little shopping, an late lunch and a quick visit with Chrissy's in-laws. As we left the restaurant Sharon couldn't find her meds. She realized she had left them at the restaurant in Provo. We phoned and they had them. 2 1/2 hours there and 2 1/2 back put us getting into Great Falls where we were going to spend the night very late. We were all bagged and decided to stop in Idaho Falls instead. We called and cancelled the reservation in Montana and made one in Idaho. The people at the Fairfield Inn were fantastic. They made the stay an absolute pleasure.
We got off to an early start and spent an enjoyable afternoon and early evening with another of Dian's sister-in-laws. The rest of the trip was uneventful and we arrived home in the evening ready for bed.
Dian and the boys spent most of June with us. Dian attended her BFF's wedding and just hung out until we returned her to Great Falls for her flight home.
The rest of the summer was uneventful. Sharon got her patio garden planted just in time to get hailed out. We were lucky. We only lost a pepper plant and a cucumber plant. The flowers along the front walk got hammered but did survive. We have had cukes and zucchini already. Tomatoes and peppers are growing and ripening.
August was an "interesting" month. The first weekend I was violently ill but seemed to recover quickly. Wednesday, August 7th, at about 10:00 the staff sergeant sent me to the hospital. I spent the next 5 hours on a gravol and morphine drip with a suspected gall bladder attack. They did an ultra sound and xrays but could find not stones. They sent me home and said to come back if things acted up again. Thursday I got in to see my doctor and he ordered a gall bladder function test for Monday, August 19. Friday night was uncomfortable but not as bad. Saturday night I ended back in ER. Again they got things settled with the same instructions. Monday night/ Tuesday morning I was back in the ER. They booked me in and took me back almost immediately. The ER doctor told me he was passing me off to the on call surgeon. In the morning they did the function test. The surgeon told me that the gall bladder usually operates at a 50% to 60% efficiency. Mine was working a whopping 6%. It and I were about to part ways. I was admitted with surgery booked for Thursday afternoon. Thursday afternoon, he informed me it was now going to be about 6pm. At 6 he came in to say some time before 9pm. At 10:30 they wheeled me to the OR. I was back in the room Friday morning about 1:30. Outside of the after surgery pain. I don't remember much until later in the morning. I was told as soon as I was "peeing, farting, and pooping" I could go home. When Kimmie and the girls came up, Oryn wanted to know if she could say a prayer for PaPa. It was basically "Heavenly Father, please help PaPa pee, fart, and poop. Amen". I worked because late Friday night or early Saturday morning I was doing a 3. I was sent home about 11:00.
The pain of the gas bubbles in my should joint and stomach was almost unbearable. By Monday it was almost gone and I was back at work on Thursday.
When I was first diagnosed I was told no greasy foods. This included bacon. I cried as I had just cured 25 pounds. After the surgery I was told I could return to a full diet but to take it slow and if something bothered me to be careful. So far no real problems. Only trouble I am having is the no lifting, pushing, shoving , pulling, or shoveling anything over 10 pounds for the next 6 weeks.
The next adventure is scheduled for early October. Chrissy and Jacob are going back to Germany and are going to be in Utah for a week before they leave. We are trying to get all the girls together for a bit of a reunion.
Until then.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Friday, November 2, 2012
Reflections
This past weekend I celebrated the 39th anniversary of my marriage to my best friend. I didn't think it was possible, but over the years I have grown to love her even more than the day I proposed. As time has gone on I have gotten to know her for the person she is.
She is a loving caring mother who is there for our girls and seems to know what they need, not so much as what they want. Which is quite often not the same thing. She has a relationship with them that I envy. She loves and knows each and everyone of our grandchildren, their personalities, and their individual traits. When they call it is usually her they ask for, but they will talk to PaPa if she isn't there. Our sons-in-law when they first met her were fearful of her (scared spit less as one put it) until they realized that she was only looking out for our daughters' best interests and soon began to realize that she loved them just as much.
She is a good friend to those who truly know her. She would share all she has if asked and not expect it back. Many of our daughters' friends call her "Mom". Many of her friends are the young girls she has worked with. She always has an ear to bend and occasionally a shoulder to cry on. She treats them as if they are her own children and is honestly interested in them and what they are doing. She doesn't judge them and doesn't berate or belittle them. She is not afraid to give them advice nor to council and console.
As one of our young friends put it she should be awarded a medal for putting up with me as long as she has. I often make decisions without thinking them through. I often don't think about her wants or needs. To put it quite bluntly that I am a typical man.
She often lets me do things and get involved in things not on her list of favourite things. When we got married, I had a moustache and I don't think she had ever know me without one. After about 10 years, I found out she didn't like it and shaved it off. My beard is like barbed wire and I often get reminded of it when I don't shave for a day or two. This month, November, I decided to get involved with the Movember movement. Because I had a good reason and it was important to me, she agreed. I do know that I would be strongly advised and probably prompted to remove the result of a month's growth as soon as possible.
Shortly after we were married, I wanted to join the masonic organization because of its importance to my father. She knew that it would mean time away from home and our family. But because of what it did mean to me there was no complaint nor has there been over the last 35 plus years.
I made a very unwise questionable decision not many years later and bought a motor bike to replace the one I had owned up until just after me got married. I thought her comment that she missed riding was a suggestion. I learned in no uncertain terms that it sure wasn't. Funny thing is we still own that bike.
I have dragged her and our children over most of the province as I went from job to job. When I had an opportunity to move back to Lethbridge, it did not take much discussion to reach the decision to move home. Family has always been important to her and it was a decision that was easily made. We have been here now for 25 years. As our children have grown and left and our parents have eventually passed on has the desire to stay become less of a need. A couple of years ago she flabbergasted me but saying out of the blue: "With the kids all gone and Chrissy and Dian living in the States, why don't we fix the house up and sell once we are ready, buy a good sized 5th wheel rig and become gypsies? We could spend the winters down there and the summers up here." We are actively working towards that goal.
Our faith has always been a big part of our life. Although neither of us were active when we got married we still got married by an LDS bishop in the LDS church. We never really kept in touch with the church but never turned away the missionaries, home teachers, or visiting teachers when they found us. Just after we moved to the Red Deer area and Kimmie was born, we were discussing the fact that raising our children with a religious/moral foundation was very important to us. The topic of where and when came up. Did we go back to our church or attend one of the little community churches in Penhold where we lived. If we did go back to the LDS church where did we go and who did we contact. No decision was made and Sharon suggested we leave it and think about it for a while. "The Lord will let us know." With in minutes of that the phone rang. It was the Elder's Quorum president from the Red Deer branch asking if this was the Hovan household and if we were members because a set records had shown up earlier that week. I said that was us and he asked if he could come by and bring our home teacher with him to introduce us. That was the start to friendships that exist to this day and was the first step on our road to activity and eventually being seal in the temple for all time and eternity. I will admit that I am not the spiritually strong one in the family. Sharon has always been the leader.
Married life has not always been easy. There were times of great sadness (the loss of our son, the passing of our parents, the loss of my brother). There were times of great joy (each addition to our family starting with the arrival of our girls, the addition of our sons-in-laws and grandchildren). There was the time we almost lost Sharon to a medical emergency. If it had not been for the faith of our eldest two I don't think I could have made it through that crisis.
She has taught me so much with her caring ways and her wisdom. She has given me so much with her unconditional love. I have someone that I can talk to. Someone I can laugh with. Someone who I cry with. Someone I can do things with. Someone I can read with or read to. Someone I just sit with and enjoy her company knowing she is sitting on the other side of the room.
She has spent the better part of her life helping me become the man, the husband, and the father that I am. I am blessed beyond my wildest dreams and desires that she had chosen me to be her eternal companion by marrying me for all time and eternity.
In retrospect, I don't think I knew what love was when I proposed all those many years ago. Thank you for showing me the true meaning of the word.
She is a loving caring mother who is there for our girls and seems to know what they need, not so much as what they want. Which is quite often not the same thing. She has a relationship with them that I envy. She loves and knows each and everyone of our grandchildren, their personalities, and their individual traits. When they call it is usually her they ask for, but they will talk to PaPa if she isn't there. Our sons-in-law when they first met her were fearful of her (scared spit less as one put it) until they realized that she was only looking out for our daughters' best interests and soon began to realize that she loved them just as much.
She is a good friend to those who truly know her. She would share all she has if asked and not expect it back. Many of our daughters' friends call her "Mom". Many of her friends are the young girls she has worked with. She always has an ear to bend and occasionally a shoulder to cry on. She treats them as if they are her own children and is honestly interested in them and what they are doing. She doesn't judge them and doesn't berate or belittle them. She is not afraid to give them advice nor to council and console.
As one of our young friends put it she should be awarded a medal for putting up with me as long as she has. I often make decisions without thinking them through. I often don't think about her wants or needs. To put it quite bluntly that I am a typical man.
She often lets me do things and get involved in things not on her list of favourite things. When we got married, I had a moustache and I don't think she had ever know me without one. After about 10 years, I found out she didn't like it and shaved it off. My beard is like barbed wire and I often get reminded of it when I don't shave for a day or two. This month, November, I decided to get involved with the Movember movement. Because I had a good reason and it was important to me, she agreed. I do know that I would be strongly advised and probably prompted to remove the result of a month's growth as soon as possible.
Shortly after we were married, I wanted to join the masonic organization because of its importance to my father. She knew that it would mean time away from home and our family. But because of what it did mean to me there was no complaint nor has there been over the last 35 plus years.
I made a very unwise questionable decision not many years later and bought a motor bike to replace the one I had owned up until just after me got married. I thought her comment that she missed riding was a suggestion. I learned in no uncertain terms that it sure wasn't. Funny thing is we still own that bike.
I have dragged her and our children over most of the province as I went from job to job. When I had an opportunity to move back to Lethbridge, it did not take much discussion to reach the decision to move home. Family has always been important to her and it was a decision that was easily made. We have been here now for 25 years. As our children have grown and left and our parents have eventually passed on has the desire to stay become less of a need. A couple of years ago she flabbergasted me but saying out of the blue: "With the kids all gone and Chrissy and Dian living in the States, why don't we fix the house up and sell once we are ready, buy a good sized 5th wheel rig and become gypsies? We could spend the winters down there and the summers up here." We are actively working towards that goal.
Our faith has always been a big part of our life. Although neither of us were active when we got married we still got married by an LDS bishop in the LDS church. We never really kept in touch with the church but never turned away the missionaries, home teachers, or visiting teachers when they found us. Just after we moved to the Red Deer area and Kimmie was born, we were discussing the fact that raising our children with a religious/moral foundation was very important to us. The topic of where and when came up. Did we go back to our church or attend one of the little community churches in Penhold where we lived. If we did go back to the LDS church where did we go and who did we contact. No decision was made and Sharon suggested we leave it and think about it for a while. "The Lord will let us know." With in minutes of that the phone rang. It was the Elder's Quorum president from the Red Deer branch asking if this was the Hovan household and if we were members because a set records had shown up earlier that week. I said that was us and he asked if he could come by and bring our home teacher with him to introduce us. That was the start to friendships that exist to this day and was the first step on our road to activity and eventually being seal in the temple for all time and eternity. I will admit that I am not the spiritually strong one in the family. Sharon has always been the leader.
Married life has not always been easy. There were times of great sadness (the loss of our son, the passing of our parents, the loss of my brother). There were times of great joy (each addition to our family starting with the arrival of our girls, the addition of our sons-in-laws and grandchildren). There was the time we almost lost Sharon to a medical emergency. If it had not been for the faith of our eldest two I don't think I could have made it through that crisis.
She has taught me so much with her caring ways and her wisdom. She has given me so much with her unconditional love. I have someone that I can talk to. Someone I can laugh with. Someone who I cry with. Someone I can do things with. Someone I can read with or read to. Someone I just sit with and enjoy her company knowing she is sitting on the other side of the room.
She has spent the better part of her life helping me become the man, the husband, and the father that I am. I am blessed beyond my wildest dreams and desires that she had chosen me to be her eternal companion by marrying me for all time and eternity.
In retrospect, I don't think I knew what love was when I proposed all those many years ago. Thank you for showing me the true meaning of the word.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Time for reflection
It has been over a year since last post. And it has been a busy one. Another grand daughter has arrived. Sharon "retired" and has discovered that that is boring and since gone back to work. Family invaded Lethbridge for 6 weeks.
In January, Kimmy and Scott had a little girl, Keltye Margel, their third. And like all of our grand children she is a cutie and has Gama and Papa firmly under her control. Not so much Mom and Dad but Gama and PaPa definitely.
At the end of January, Sharon was told that her employer had had a couple of complaints about her being rude to the customers and after 7 1/2 years 5 of which were as the asst. front end manager, her position was no longer available. She enjoyed her time off and got a lot of things done that were being neglected. With the girls and their families coming up for a family reunion this summer, she took full advantage of it. About 4 or 5 weeks ago, I could tell she was getting kind of restless. 3 weeks ago we were driving down 13 Street by London Road Market. She noticed that there was a "We are looking for..." on their main reader board and said I think I should apply. The next day she did and started last week.
In June, Chrissy and her 4 and Dian and her little guy arrived for a summer with Gama and PaPa. Jacob is in the "Sand Box" for his third tour and couldn't be with us and David was unable to get time off until late July. We saw and did a whole lot of the sights in Southern Alberta. We took the grand kids to Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump, Frank Slide, Fort Whoop Up, and Remington Carriage Centre. While in the Crowsnest Pass at the Slide we also did a cemetery tour and did a few head stone rubbings. Most of my family is buried in the Pass.
It was an interesting time. For the better part of 2 months we had 8 grand children running around the house from 6 months to 10 years old. 5 of them were staying with us and the other 3 were there from the time they could get their mother to drop them off until she took them home kicking and screaming in the evening. My youngest daughter also informed us, or rather her 18 month old son, informed us that there is a little brother on the way, on or near his birthday.
Last week one of my dear friends passed away. He was a mentor and my master. He literally saved my life 15 years ago. For most of those 15 years I have spent 3 hours a day, 6 days a week with him. At the time I started training martial arts with him I was over weight (much more so than I am now), with extremely high blood pressure, a boarder line type 2 diabetic, and had a temper that flared at little or no provocation. I lost over 30 pounds, have my blood pressure under control, and have mellowed out to where my temper is of little or no consequence. It goes to show that a fat, old man can take on a "extreme" sport and survive. I now hold a black belt in karate, a black belt in self defense weapons, and a brown belt in ninjutsu and am a practitioner of iaido and ianuki (2 styles of sword). I have studied in Germany and Columbia, and I have hosted and trained with people from all over Canada, the US, Europe, Central America, Columbia, Brazil, and Argentina. He was a father figure after the loss of my father. His family became a part of my extended family and I grew to love them as my brothers and sisters.
This week we had another major grass fire west of town. Unlike the one in November, there were several large areas that were evacuated. The town of Coalhurst just north of Lethbridge, Mountain Meadows and Sunset Acres west of town, a large part of the reserve and the county. In the city the west side trailer court and River View Campground were evacuated and a big portion of the west side was put on notice.
I saw the smoke early in the afternoon and had just come in from taking pictures of the smoke as it was drifting over the west side when the phone rang. It was my boss telling me he was about to ruin a day off. I was to "Grab a uniform. Get down to the office and grab a traffic vest. Get your backside to the Fritz Sick centre and report to Phil from the city. You are now on duty as security at the evac centre. I should have a replacement for you at 8pm. Maybe."
I spent the next 5 hours telling people, and the press, where to go and how to get there. At times the smoke in the downtown area was so thick visibility was less than 3 blocks. Today going into the station for work, you could still smell the smoke in the air outside and in the building. The fire burned over 4800 hectares or about 18.5 square miles. Several houses and a lot of crops were destroyed. There was also a large fire south of town around Milk River that resulted in the town being evacuated and with similar results.
I promised Sharon I would have her book shelves finished by the end of September and this set of days off got a good chunk done. Basically it is final assembly and finishing that is left. Pocket hole joinery has become my new favorite method of assembly. I also am starting my Christmas projects. I have one done and 3 more to do for non-family. The next installment in construction toys are set for building for the grand kids. RB (Roast Beef) the bearded dragon has put in a request for a larger terrarium. I still have some room on the planner for other requests if any one is interested. Hint. Hint.
Enough of the ramble. Till next time.
In January, Kimmy and Scott had a little girl, Keltye Margel, their third. And like all of our grand children she is a cutie and has Gama and Papa firmly under her control. Not so much Mom and Dad but Gama and PaPa definitely.
At the end of January, Sharon was told that her employer had had a couple of complaints about her being rude to the customers and after 7 1/2 years 5 of which were as the asst. front end manager, her position was no longer available. She enjoyed her time off and got a lot of things done that were being neglected. With the girls and their families coming up for a family reunion this summer, she took full advantage of it. About 4 or 5 weeks ago, I could tell she was getting kind of restless. 3 weeks ago we were driving down 13 Street by London Road Market. She noticed that there was a "We are looking for..." on their main reader board and said I think I should apply. The next day she did and started last week.
In June, Chrissy and her 4 and Dian and her little guy arrived for a summer with Gama and PaPa. Jacob is in the "Sand Box" for his third tour and couldn't be with us and David was unable to get time off until late July. We saw and did a whole lot of the sights in Southern Alberta. We took the grand kids to Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump, Frank Slide, Fort Whoop Up, and Remington Carriage Centre. While in the Crowsnest Pass at the Slide we also did a cemetery tour and did a few head stone rubbings. Most of my family is buried in the Pass.
It was an interesting time. For the better part of 2 months we had 8 grand children running around the house from 6 months to 10 years old. 5 of them were staying with us and the other 3 were there from the time they could get their mother to drop them off until she took them home kicking and screaming in the evening. My youngest daughter also informed us, or rather her 18 month old son, informed us that there is a little brother on the way, on or near his birthday.
Last week one of my dear friends passed away. He was a mentor and my master. He literally saved my life 15 years ago. For most of those 15 years I have spent 3 hours a day, 6 days a week with him. At the time I started training martial arts with him I was over weight (much more so than I am now), with extremely high blood pressure, a boarder line type 2 diabetic, and had a temper that flared at little or no provocation. I lost over 30 pounds, have my blood pressure under control, and have mellowed out to where my temper is of little or no consequence. It goes to show that a fat, old man can take on a "extreme" sport and survive. I now hold a black belt in karate, a black belt in self defense weapons, and a brown belt in ninjutsu and am a practitioner of iaido and ianuki (2 styles of sword). I have studied in Germany and Columbia, and I have hosted and trained with people from all over Canada, the US, Europe, Central America, Columbia, Brazil, and Argentina. He was a father figure after the loss of my father. His family became a part of my extended family and I grew to love them as my brothers and sisters.
This week we had another major grass fire west of town. Unlike the one in November, there were several large areas that were evacuated. The town of Coalhurst just north of Lethbridge, Mountain Meadows and Sunset Acres west of town, a large part of the reserve and the county. In the city the west side trailer court and River View Campground were evacuated and a big portion of the west side was put on notice.
I saw the smoke early in the afternoon and had just come in from taking pictures of the smoke as it was drifting over the west side when the phone rang. It was my boss telling me he was about to ruin a day off. I was to "Grab a uniform. Get down to the office and grab a traffic vest. Get your backside to the Fritz Sick centre and report to Phil from the city. You are now on duty as security at the evac centre. I should have a replacement for you at 8pm. Maybe."
I spent the next 5 hours telling people, and the press, where to go and how to get there. At times the smoke in the downtown area was so thick visibility was less than 3 blocks. Today going into the station for work, you could still smell the smoke in the air outside and in the building. The fire burned over 4800 hectares or about 18.5 square miles. Several houses and a lot of crops were destroyed. There was also a large fire south of town around Milk River that resulted in the town being evacuated and with similar results.
I promised Sharon I would have her book shelves finished by the end of September and this set of days off got a good chunk done. Basically it is final assembly and finishing that is left. Pocket hole joinery has become my new favorite method of assembly. I also am starting my Christmas projects. I have one done and 3 more to do for non-family. The next installment in construction toys are set for building for the grand kids. RB (Roast Beef) the bearded dragon has put in a request for a larger terrarium. I still have some room on the planner for other requests if any one is interested. Hint. Hint.
Enough of the ramble. Till next time.
Monday, February 28, 2011
And Life Goes On
Things have been busy over the last two months. Travel in February and changes as well.
Valentines weekend we headed to Arizona for Tek's blessing. When Sharon got of work on Thursday afternoon we drove to Great Falls. As soon as we hit town we hit Sonic for Sharon's "Five Days of Sonic". We spent the night there and did some shopping both for the trip and for home. Friday evening we boarded the plane for Phoenix/Mesa. Everything was prebooked and confirmed. Or so we thought. When we arrived, we went looking for our rental car. After 15 or 20 minutes I finally found it. At the other airport in downtown Phoenix. I phoned to ask how I was expected to get my car. I was told to take a taxi. I asked if I was going to be reimbursed because I had requested the car for this airport. I was told I would have to arrange that with customer service and was given the phone number and promptly told that they were open 7 to 7 Monday to Friday. I told them that I no longer wanted the car if I was to pay $60+ dollars for a 45+ minute cab ride and pay a similar pick up fee if I did not return it to the airport downtown. I went to the first rental kiosk that was empty and rented one.
Two hours later, just after midnight, we were in Thatcher and at Dian's and David's. We crashed there until the morning when we went to check in to the hotel. Tek came to wake us up way too early. It has been a while since I was woken by a little squirmy bundle of love. But it is still enjoyable. We got up and got ready for the day. We met with Jacob, Chrissy, and family and then checked in the hotel. The weekend was spent with family and friends. We missed Kimmie, Scott, and the girls. Sunday was Tek's blessing. Monday we headed home. And me to a new old job.
The week before I got a phone call from a previous employer, Bob Moors with the Commissionaires. He wanted to know if I would consider coming back to work for him as front desk at the police station. More money and hours that are a better fit into our life style. I told him that I would like to think about it for the weekend. I went in on Monday morning to talk to him. As I walked into his office, he told me he had most of the package filled out and that I needed to sign it. He wanted me to start the next day but realized that my current employer would need some time. He asked if I could start the following Tuesday or Wednesday for training. I asked the few questions I had and agreed. I went for retraining on the following Wednesday and Thursday and was on my own Friday, Saturday. I started into my schedule on Tuesday. I work four 12's: two days, two nights, and four off.
It was like going home. I was welcomed back the older staff I had worked with before and greeted by the newer ones. I only had to learn the few new things on the computer and re-familiarize myself with the rest.
Now to work hard at getting my woodworking up and running on the web and the house renovations finished. Getting ready for gypsyhood.
That is the update. More as it develops.
Valentines weekend we headed to Arizona for Tek's blessing. When Sharon got of work on Thursday afternoon we drove to Great Falls. As soon as we hit town we hit Sonic for Sharon's "Five Days of Sonic". We spent the night there and did some shopping both for the trip and for home. Friday evening we boarded the plane for Phoenix/Mesa. Everything was prebooked and confirmed. Or so we thought. When we arrived, we went looking for our rental car. After 15 or 20 minutes I finally found it. At the other airport in downtown Phoenix. I phoned to ask how I was expected to get my car. I was told to take a taxi. I asked if I was going to be reimbursed because I had requested the car for this airport. I was told I would have to arrange that with customer service and was given the phone number and promptly told that they were open 7 to 7 Monday to Friday. I told them that I no longer wanted the car if I was to pay $60+ dollars for a 45+ minute cab ride and pay a similar pick up fee if I did not return it to the airport downtown. I went to the first rental kiosk that was empty and rented one.
Two hours later, just after midnight, we were in Thatcher and at Dian's and David's. We crashed there until the morning when we went to check in to the hotel. Tek came to wake us up way too early. It has been a while since I was woken by a little squirmy bundle of love. But it is still enjoyable. We got up and got ready for the day. We met with Jacob, Chrissy, and family and then checked in the hotel. The weekend was spent with family and friends. We missed Kimmie, Scott, and the girls. Sunday was Tek's blessing. Monday we headed home. And me to a new old job.
The week before I got a phone call from a previous employer, Bob Moors with the Commissionaires. He wanted to know if I would consider coming back to work for him as front desk at the police station. More money and hours that are a better fit into our life style. I told him that I would like to think about it for the weekend. I went in on Monday morning to talk to him. As I walked into his office, he told me he had most of the package filled out and that I needed to sign it. He wanted me to start the next day but realized that my current employer would need some time. He asked if I could start the following Tuesday or Wednesday for training. I asked the few questions I had and agreed. I went for retraining on the following Wednesday and Thursday and was on my own Friday, Saturday. I started into my schedule on Tuesday. I work four 12's: two days, two nights, and four off.
It was like going home. I was welcomed back the older staff I had worked with before and greeted by the newer ones. I only had to learn the few new things on the computer and re-familiarize myself with the rest.
Now to work hard at getting my woodworking up and running on the web and the house renovations finished. Getting ready for gypsyhood.
That is the update. More as it develops.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
2010 in Retrospect
2010 was an interesting year. It was a year of setbacks and blessings, which usually followed the setbacks.
It started with a change in the compensation package at the company I was working for that was not positive. It was followed 1 March with a restructuring of the leasing department. They did away with it completely and tried to hire us back as independent contractors. The contract they offered was so vague and unfavourable that it was not even worth the paper it was printed on. The severance package on the other hand was not too bad. When I finally heard from The Employment Insurance people they were willing to give me a year to find something that would give me a similar income.
In the mean time I retired to my wood working shop. After about 3 months Sharon calmly told me to get out of the house and find a job or she would kill me. I guess I was bring all kinds of sawdust into the house. About the same time as we were shopping at Costco the young fellow that was managing the cellular booth stopped me. He said he heard I was looking for a job and offered me one. I started early July at the new booth in Park Place Mall. The first of September I was transfered to Costco. I am having a good time and making some money too. I think Sharon intuitively realized I needed to be in front of people.
In May, Mom passed away. Except for the china cabinet that she left to Sharon, everything else was left to my uncle and her cat Boxer. It hurt to be left out of the will but what really bothered me was that there was not even a mention of any of the grand children and great grand children that she said she was so proud of. Over the last 6 months, we were not allowed to take anything out of the house, were expected to look after Boxer. Kimmie paid for the food and I paid for the litter. When a tenant was found in late November that would look after Boxer, we given 2 weeks to go through 60 years of clutter. A new carpet was being put in and we were also told that we had to take the old carpet out. The instructions were: "I don't want anything out of the house except the 2 pictures the Al brought back from Holland. Throw out, donate, or sell everything else." I know we threw out papers and other documents that were of historical and personal value because we didn't have the time to go through everything properly. The blessing was that we were able to save a lot of the things that meant something to us and Boxer now has a couple of roommates that are taking care of him. He was so lonely before.
The end of November I came down with a nasty body flew just as we were finishing taking out the carpet. I also developed a rash on my stomach that I thought was an allergic reaction to the under lay and I also thought that the body pain and head ache might be too. The doc said that I was wrong on both accounts. I did have the flu and I also has a dandy case of shingles. He figured that the 2 viruses were feed off each other so he put me on a mega dose of anti-viral drugs. I was also "quarantined" for 10 days. I got 2 weeks of rest and relaxation that were sorely needed. I didn't lose any wages either. I found out that I qualified for sick days.
The year has ended in great form. I have had the best month at work yet, even considering I did not work the first week. On the 23rd, I became a grandfather for the 7th time. Dian and David had a little boy: Voitek Konrad Kalani Stewart.
A year of ups and downs. Heartache and happiness and it ended with Sharon's Christmas cactus blooming most of December with a display of blossoms that was truly amazing.
Happy New Year one and all. May it be a time of growth and happiness.
It started with a change in the compensation package at the company I was working for that was not positive. It was followed 1 March with a restructuring of the leasing department. They did away with it completely and tried to hire us back as independent contractors. The contract they offered was so vague and unfavourable that it was not even worth the paper it was printed on. The severance package on the other hand was not too bad. When I finally heard from The Employment Insurance people they were willing to give me a year to find something that would give me a similar income.
In the mean time I retired to my wood working shop. After about 3 months Sharon calmly told me to get out of the house and find a job or she would kill me. I guess I was bring all kinds of sawdust into the house. About the same time as we were shopping at Costco the young fellow that was managing the cellular booth stopped me. He said he heard I was looking for a job and offered me one. I started early July at the new booth in Park Place Mall. The first of September I was transfered to Costco. I am having a good time and making some money too. I think Sharon intuitively realized I needed to be in front of people.
In May, Mom passed away. Except for the china cabinet that she left to Sharon, everything else was left to my uncle and her cat Boxer. It hurt to be left out of the will but what really bothered me was that there was not even a mention of any of the grand children and great grand children that she said she was so proud of. Over the last 6 months, we were not allowed to take anything out of the house, were expected to look after Boxer. Kimmie paid for the food and I paid for the litter. When a tenant was found in late November that would look after Boxer, we given 2 weeks to go through 60 years of clutter. A new carpet was being put in and we were also told that we had to take the old carpet out. The instructions were: "I don't want anything out of the house except the 2 pictures the Al brought back from Holland. Throw out, donate, or sell everything else." I know we threw out papers and other documents that were of historical and personal value because we didn't have the time to go through everything properly. The blessing was that we were able to save a lot of the things that meant something to us and Boxer now has a couple of roommates that are taking care of him. He was so lonely before.
The end of November I came down with a nasty body flew just as we were finishing taking out the carpet. I also developed a rash on my stomach that I thought was an allergic reaction to the under lay and I also thought that the body pain and head ache might be too. The doc said that I was wrong on both accounts. I did have the flu and I also has a dandy case of shingles. He figured that the 2 viruses were feed off each other so he put me on a mega dose of anti-viral drugs. I was also "quarantined" for 10 days. I got 2 weeks of rest and relaxation that were sorely needed. I didn't lose any wages either. I found out that I qualified for sick days.
The year has ended in great form. I have had the best month at work yet, even considering I did not work the first week. On the 23rd, I became a grandfather for the 7th time. Dian and David had a little boy: Voitek Konrad Kalani Stewart.
A year of ups and downs. Heartache and happiness and it ended with Sharon's Christmas cactus blooming most of December with a display of blossoms that was truly amazing.
Happy New Year one and all. May it be a time of growth and happiness.
Monday, December 6, 2010
A Bitter Sweet Find.
Going though the last of the old pictures from my Mother's house we came across a picture of three young people in a small picture of the type you get from a photo booth. It was in a old style cardboard frame. Sharon asked "I wonder who they are? I suppose we will never know. What is written on the back?"
I dug out the magnifying glass and read;
"Bonde hair
Blue eyes
Sweetheart lips"
I said "It doesn't help. Another one for the unknown pile. Its a shame for she is so pretty." As I tossed it in the pile I noticed some printing on the back of the picture proper underneath the frame. Some had written:
"Prettiest
girl in
Riverside
Buddy Hovan
Dead
Was killed in
an auto accident
5 others in acc-
ident. All 6 dead
Aug.9.1936
2.45 pm pretty
blonde
I cried. Angela (aka Buddy) Hovan!! I had just met my Father's baby sister. I could see why she was his favourite. She, her fiance, and some friends were coming from/going to Hillcrest when the brakes on the car failed. They were unable to stop or leave the road. They were hit by a train at the bottom of the hill. My Dad's family lived in the river bottom about a half mile from the crossing. It almost destroyed Dad. He filled his back pack with a few things, took his rifle, and headed into the mountains. He wandered the forests around the Pass for several weeks. When he returned he would not talk about it for years. I think I was in my teens when I first heard about her story.
Some where in the files we have a picture of the car. When I find it again I will add it to the album.
Some times family shows up in the strangest places and in the strangest ways.
Friday, October 15, 2010
It has been just about a month since the last post.
The first October we went to Cache Valley in Utah to visit Chrissy's in-laws. Sharon and I had hopes of arriving around noonish but that didn't happen. We got out of town a little later than we wanted to and then ran into some road construction in several places. We got into town about 4pm. Just in time to empty the Jeep and head to a USU/BYU football game. I gather it was an history match. USU beat BYU for the first time in years. They drubbed hem so soundly that BYU fired their defencive coach the next morning.
Saturday, Fred and Susan had tickets for conference and headed out early. Sharon and I got up early as well and headed out for a bit of shopping before the conference broadcast started on TV. Between sessions we headed out to do some research. We are thinking ahead to retirement and are planning to become gypsies. We headed out to a RV dealer and spent about an hour looking a 5th wheel trailers. The salesman who we found out was also the owner gave us some good ideas and information. The rest of the day was spent watching the afternoon session. Fred and I went to the Priesthood broadcast at their Stake Centre in the evening and afterwards the 4 of us just visited and enjoyed each others company.
Sunday was spent in front of the TV watching the last 2 sessions and visiting. Monday we all headed out. Fred and Susan are "sight seeing" in the area once a month. This month they headed out to Moab and area for a couple of days. Sharon and I headed down to the Salt Lake area to continue our research. The RV dealer we stopped into did not really impress us. A couple of times he gave us a price we could have the unit for while we were inside the trailer and walking to the next one I saw a sales poster on the nose that said the unit was on special and the price was 10 to 15,000 lower than the "best he could offer". (This week I stopped into a dealer here in town and the prices he gave we lower still on the same units.)
All in all we had 4 very relaxing days of friendship and Sonic. Sonic is Sharon's favourite drive-in just because of their lemon/lime milkshakes. They make their milkshakes with real fruit. If you have never been to one, it is an old school drive-in with a menu board, call button to order, and car hops that deliver, usually on roller skates.
The new job and the new location are going well. I like being at the booth at Costco. I know most of the customers and staff at Costco. It is just like old home week and the booth staff are great. We lost one last week. She left rather suddenly. We should have a new co-worker today. Sales are what I am supposed to be doing right now even though I would prefer to be in my wood shop making saw dust. I am going to have to get back in there on the evenings and days off. I still several things to finish off and Christmas presents to start.
It is election time in the States too. On the way down just north of Hellena we saw a set of "Burma Shave" style signs that read:
When you drive through school zones...
Drive really...
Really...
Really slow...
Let those young voters grow up...
So the can vote...
The last sign had a name and "for School Commissioner"
That man was thinking.
On a different slant just outside of Salt Lake there was a billboard for a large jewellery store advertising engagement rings followed immediately by another billboard advertising a medical centre and the "Best OB/GYN facilities in the Valley".
Till next time.
The first October we went to Cache Valley in Utah to visit Chrissy's in-laws. Sharon and I had hopes of arriving around noonish but that didn't happen. We got out of town a little later than we wanted to and then ran into some road construction in several places. We got into town about 4pm. Just in time to empty the Jeep and head to a USU/BYU football game. I gather it was an history match. USU beat BYU for the first time in years. They drubbed hem so soundly that BYU fired their defencive coach the next morning.
Saturday, Fred and Susan had tickets for conference and headed out early. Sharon and I got up early as well and headed out for a bit of shopping before the conference broadcast started on TV. Between sessions we headed out to do some research. We are thinking ahead to retirement and are planning to become gypsies. We headed out to a RV dealer and spent about an hour looking a 5th wheel trailers. The salesman who we found out was also the owner gave us some good ideas and information. The rest of the day was spent watching the afternoon session. Fred and I went to the Priesthood broadcast at their Stake Centre in the evening and afterwards the 4 of us just visited and enjoyed each others company.
Sunday was spent in front of the TV watching the last 2 sessions and visiting. Monday we all headed out. Fred and Susan are "sight seeing" in the area once a month. This month they headed out to Moab and area for a couple of days. Sharon and I headed down to the Salt Lake area to continue our research. The RV dealer we stopped into did not really impress us. A couple of times he gave us a price we could have the unit for while we were inside the trailer and walking to the next one I saw a sales poster on the nose that said the unit was on special and the price was 10 to 15,000 lower than the "best he could offer". (This week I stopped into a dealer here in town and the prices he gave we lower still on the same units.)
All in all we had 4 very relaxing days of friendship and Sonic. Sonic is Sharon's favourite drive-in just because of their lemon/lime milkshakes. They make their milkshakes with real fruit. If you have never been to one, it is an old school drive-in with a menu board, call button to order, and car hops that deliver, usually on roller skates.
The new job and the new location are going well. I like being at the booth at Costco. I know most of the customers and staff at Costco. It is just like old home week and the booth staff are great. We lost one last week. She left rather suddenly. We should have a new co-worker today. Sales are what I am supposed to be doing right now even though I would prefer to be in my wood shop making saw dust. I am going to have to get back in there on the evenings and days off. I still several things to finish off and Christmas presents to start.
It is election time in the States too. On the way down just north of Hellena we saw a set of "Burma Shave" style signs that read:
When you drive through school zones...
Drive really...
Really...
Really slow...
Let those young voters grow up...
So the can vote...
The last sign had a name and "for School Commissioner"
That man was thinking.
On a different slant just outside of Salt Lake there was a billboard for a large jewellery store advertising engagement rings followed immediately by another billboard advertising a medical centre and the "Best OB/GYN facilities in the Valley".
Till next time.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The Summer
It has been an interesting summer.
After the family left, life got back to normal. I retired to my wood shop and started to make sawdust again. About this time a friend and neighbour asked if I would refinish an old end table she had. I said I would take a look at it. I was shown this round smoker's table (like an end table but a little taller) that had this ugly blonde finish. She asked if I could just strip it and repaint it. I agreed. When I got home, I noticed a manufacturer's label and manufacturing number on the underside. I did a little research and found that it was built around 1900 in Ontario. When I stripped it, I found the most beautiful mahogany. I then proceeded to decontruct and repair it. After reassembly and six coats of varethane this is what I found.
I made arrangements to drop it off. When I walked into her house I showed her the finished table with out any explanation. She was impressed with the table I had in my hands but wanted to know where her end table was. When I told her this was it she was flabbergasted. I also showed a copy of the information I found on the company that built the table.
She had intended to put it down in the family room so the kids had something to eat off. It is now in the upstairs living room.
I was also offered a job at a new cell phone booth in the mall. I took it just to keep me occuppied and from under Sharon's feet. Since then I have been transferred to the company's booth at Costco. I am enjoying myself and enjoy working with the two young ladies that are there. So far I have made some money and received a new cell phone. A Samsung Galaxy S. I have had it for a couple of weeks and still learning how it works. You have to be smarter than your smart phone to get it to do what you want.
The other day as I was getting into my car, I noticed the swing I put up in the tree. It looked so lonely. The grass has even grown back under it. I took some pictures that I entitled "A Forgotten Friend".
That is about all for now. I am retiring to my wood shop on my days off and and in the evening to start on some projects I have put off and Santa's Christmas gifts. If any one has a request let me know and I will add them to Santa's work shop list. I am sure Santa will oblige them.
Till next time.
After the family left, life got back to normal. I retired to my wood shop and started to make sawdust again. About this time a friend and neighbour asked if I would refinish an old end table she had. I said I would take a look at it. I was shown this round smoker's table (like an end table but a little taller) that had this ugly blonde finish. She asked if I could just strip it and repaint it. I agreed. When I got home, I noticed a manufacturer's label and manufacturing number on the underside. I did a little research and found that it was built around 1900 in Ontario. When I stripped it, I found the most beautiful mahogany. I then proceeded to decontruct and repair it. After reassembly and six coats of varethane this is what I found.
I made arrangements to drop it off. When I walked into her house I showed her the finished table with out any explanation. She was impressed with the table I had in my hands but wanted to know where her end table was. When I told her this was it she was flabbergasted. I also showed a copy of the information I found on the company that built the table.
She had intended to put it down in the family room so the kids had something to eat off. It is now in the upstairs living room.
I was also offered a job at a new cell phone booth in the mall. I took it just to keep me occuppied and from under Sharon's feet. Since then I have been transferred to the company's booth at Costco. I am enjoying myself and enjoy working with the two young ladies that are there. So far I have made some money and received a new cell phone. A Samsung Galaxy S. I have had it for a couple of weeks and still learning how it works. You have to be smarter than your smart phone to get it to do what you want.
The other day as I was getting into my car, I noticed the swing I put up in the tree. It looked so lonely. The grass has even grown back under it. I took some pictures that I entitled "A Forgotten Friend".
That is about all for now. I am retiring to my wood shop on my days off and and in the evening to start on some projects I have put off and Santa's Christmas gifts. If any one has a request let me know and I will add them to Santa's work shop list. I am sure Santa will oblige them.
Till next time.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Survival - Sort Of
This past weekend we said good bye to Chrissy and her 4 children after almost 6 weeks. It was fun and interesting to say the least living with an 8 year old, 5 year old, 3 year old, and a 9 month old after over a year with no one to trip over but Sharon. This herd was also augmented on occasion with the addition of Kimmie's 2 girls. At time the noise and activity almost became too much for this old fart to handle but a "I love you PaPa." from the older ones or a "Hey!" from the baby made it all go away. It was rather intense at times. It rained almost every day they were here and the only play area was the house. The last week was the only really sustained sunshine we had since they arrived.
The last week was an interesting one. Rainey (3 yrs) and Eliza (8 yrs) were bouncing on their bed and Rainey fell off. Eliza reach out to catch him and dislocated his elbow. A trip to the ER ensued. Chrissy has coverage by one of the largest health insurance firms in the States and was not too concerned about the possibility of the cost. When she got to the hospital she was told that they do not direct bill the insurance firms. (I am lead to understand that Alberta is the only province in the country that does not do this.) There was a $565 administration fee to register Rainey into the system that the hospital was willing to bill Chrissy and the medical fees were $200 to be paid before she left the ER. Two days later the same 2 were bouncing on the same bed and Rainey bounced off again and caught the corner of the dresser on the top of his head. Like all head wounds it bled like crazy but once we got it cleaned off it was only a small puncture. It should have had a stitch but Chrissy was not about to pay another $800 for something this minor. On Wednesday Eliza was outside with her 9 month old sister Michael and playing on the new swing I had installed on the tree in the front yard. Eliza lost her grip and fell over backward and took Mikey with her. Eliza suffered a pretty good goose egg and a health dose of feeling guilty. Mikey bumped her chin and bit her tongue. Again tongues bleed like crazy and usually look worse than they are. On closer inspection it was pretty bad. A second trip to the ER ensued. 13 stitches (the tongue was bitten through and only held in place by a couple of pieces on each side), the $565 administration fee and a whopping $1,300 medical fee. Because they had to put Mikey under they needed an anestithist, a respiratory tech, a nurse, and the doc. Next holiday, Chrissy says it would be cheaper to fly us down and rent us a car.
On Friday we drove to Great Falls to spend the day with Dian. She flew up on Thursday and spent the day with one of her friends. We shopped until I dropped, ate, lazed in the hotels hot tub, and talked. On Saturday Chrissy and the kids joined us. More shopping, eating, lazing, and now the happy noise of 4 kids. On Sunday after breakfast, Chrissy, Di, and the kids headed out on the long drive to Oklahoma and we headed home to a now way too quiet and empty house.
This Monday, I got asked if I would be the campaign manager for a friend who is running for council this fall. It has been several years since I have been involved in politics. But ever being the political animal I said yes. This should be fun.
That takes us up to date.
The last week was an interesting one. Rainey (3 yrs) and Eliza (8 yrs) were bouncing on their bed and Rainey fell off. Eliza reach out to catch him and dislocated his elbow. A trip to the ER ensued. Chrissy has coverage by one of the largest health insurance firms in the States and was not too concerned about the possibility of the cost. When she got to the hospital she was told that they do not direct bill the insurance firms. (I am lead to understand that Alberta is the only province in the country that does not do this.) There was a $565 administration fee to register Rainey into the system that the hospital was willing to bill Chrissy and the medical fees were $200 to be paid before she left the ER. Two days later the same 2 were bouncing on the same bed and Rainey bounced off again and caught the corner of the dresser on the top of his head. Like all head wounds it bled like crazy but once we got it cleaned off it was only a small puncture. It should have had a stitch but Chrissy was not about to pay another $800 for something this minor. On Wednesday Eliza was outside with her 9 month old sister Michael and playing on the new swing I had installed on the tree in the front yard. Eliza lost her grip and fell over backward and took Mikey with her. Eliza suffered a pretty good goose egg and a health dose of feeling guilty. Mikey bumped her chin and bit her tongue. Again tongues bleed like crazy and usually look worse than they are. On closer inspection it was pretty bad. A second trip to the ER ensued. 13 stitches (the tongue was bitten through and only held in place by a couple of pieces on each side), the $565 administration fee and a whopping $1,300 medical fee. Because they had to put Mikey under they needed an anestithist, a respiratory tech, a nurse, and the doc. Next holiday, Chrissy says it would be cheaper to fly us down and rent us a car.
On Friday we drove to Great Falls to spend the day with Dian. She flew up on Thursday and spent the day with one of her friends. We shopped until I dropped, ate, lazed in the hotels hot tub, and talked. On Saturday Chrissy and the kids joined us. More shopping, eating, lazing, and now the happy noise of 4 kids. On Sunday after breakfast, Chrissy, Di, and the kids headed out on the long drive to Oklahoma and we headed home to a now way too quiet and empty house.
This Monday, I got asked if I would be the campaign manager for a friend who is running for council this fall. It has been several years since I have been involved in politics. But ever being the political animal I said yes. This should be fun.
That takes us up to date.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
An Intersting Spring
Since the end of April, life has been anything but boring.
May 15th my mother passed away after a brief but losing battle with an infection. She was 89 and I think she was ready to go "home". She had been basically house bound for the last 3 years and was alone in her house except for her orange cat Boxer Longtail. Dad has been gone for 11 years now and my brother Dave had been gone 7. I do miss them all.
On the 20th, Chrissy, Jacob, and their 4 arrived for the funeral on the 22nd. On the 23rd, I took Jacob to Great Falls to catch a plane home for work. He had to report back on Tuesday. Chrissy and the kids stayed. They are leaving this week end for OK. Dian is flying into Great Falls on Thursday. She has a friend coming to see her. On Friday, Sharon and I are driving down to spend Friday with her and Saturday Chrissy is joining us. Sunday she, Dian, the kids are heading for OK. Chrissy asked for help and company with the trip home. 2 or 3 days on the road with 4 kids under the age of 9, I don't blame her.
I have spent what time I could in the wood shop. The rain has put a damper on that. I like to do as much as I can outside. I have room to move the bigger rough stuff around and the shaving and dust are easier to clean up. The wind does that. Other wise I am sweeping and vacuuming daily and until I can get the old tables and shelving down the shop is crowded.
So far I have completed a cradle in cherry (Looks great but I find cherry a little difficult to work with.), made another digger (Both this and the cradle were custom orders), got most of the wood planed to thickness for the book shelves Sharon wants, laid out the plans for a quilt rack (on spec), laid out the plans for a "mail/key self" (custom order), And started to design a pedestal for a projector (custom order).
The last 5 weeks with the grandkids were interesting. There were times that I could have killed them. Well at least beat them within an inch of their young lives, but with a smile, a hug, and "I am sorwy." and all is forgiven and forgotten. It has been a real trial, especially when all 6 cousins have descended on Granma's and Papa's house, but when they are gone, I know I will miss them terribly. I really do enjoy the noise and commotion. It is usually happy noise even if it would drown out a jet at full take off power. I checked my blood pressure the other day and it was well with the norms and my heart beat was only 52. I had run out of my BP medicine a couple of days before and had just picked up the refill when I did this. I guess kids are good for your health.
Well that just about covers it. Until next posting.
May 15th my mother passed away after a brief but losing battle with an infection. She was 89 and I think she was ready to go "home". She had been basically house bound for the last 3 years and was alone in her house except for her orange cat Boxer Longtail. Dad has been gone for 11 years now and my brother Dave had been gone 7. I do miss them all.
On the 20th, Chrissy, Jacob, and their 4 arrived for the funeral on the 22nd. On the 23rd, I took Jacob to Great Falls to catch a plane home for work. He had to report back on Tuesday. Chrissy and the kids stayed. They are leaving this week end for OK. Dian is flying into Great Falls on Thursday. She has a friend coming to see her. On Friday, Sharon and I are driving down to spend Friday with her and Saturday Chrissy is joining us. Sunday she, Dian, the kids are heading for OK. Chrissy asked for help and company with the trip home. 2 or 3 days on the road with 4 kids under the age of 9, I don't blame her.
I have spent what time I could in the wood shop. The rain has put a damper on that. I like to do as much as I can outside. I have room to move the bigger rough stuff around and the shaving and dust are easier to clean up. The wind does that. Other wise I am sweeping and vacuuming daily and until I can get the old tables and shelving down the shop is crowded.
So far I have completed a cradle in cherry (Looks great but I find cherry a little difficult to work with.), made another digger (Both this and the cradle were custom orders), got most of the wood planed to thickness for the book shelves Sharon wants, laid out the plans for a quilt rack (on spec), laid out the plans for a "mail/key self" (custom order), And started to design a pedestal for a projector (custom order).
The last 5 weeks with the grandkids were interesting. There were times that I could have killed them. Well at least beat them within an inch of their young lives, but with a smile, a hug, and "I am sorwy." and all is forgiven and forgotten. It has been a real trial, especially when all 6 cousins have descended on Granma's and Papa's house, but when they are gone, I know I will miss them terribly. I really do enjoy the noise and commotion. It is usually happy noise even if it would drown out a jet at full take off power. I checked my blood pressure the other day and it was well with the norms and my heart beat was only 52. I had run out of my BP medicine a couple of days before and had just picked up the refill when I did this. I guess kids are good for your health.
Well that just about covers it. Until next posting.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
It has been over a year since the last post. A lot has happened since then. Here is an over view of the events.
In January of 2009, the company I was with started a restructuring plan. They tried a "new" bonus plan that should have made everyone a good amount of coin, IF everyone bought into it. Not many did because it would require them to work for a change. In June the company returned to a bonus plan that was very similar to the old one. To help motivate those that were involved in any way with leasing (the leasing agents and the building managers) they had a contest. The top people in each group in the various districts would have a chance to win a trip to Cancun, all expenses paid. I was amazed at how many didn't buy into the new promo. I still ended up as top leaser in the company, by one contract. I won one of the trips. The last week in October, Sharon and I spent a wonderful and enjoyable time in a 4 Star resort. They took us quadding in the jungle, zip lining in the jungle canopy, and shopping in Playa del Carmen. We were treated to facials and pedicures in the spa and a 3 hour full body exfoliation and couples massage. I could very easily get used to that type of treatment and life style. The weather was fantastic. The temperature was between 24 and 28 Celsius all day long. We had a little rain the last day and a half if you could call 4 inches in 2 hours a little rain. It was like walking in a shower it was so warm. The day after we left hurricane Ida blew in. It was interesting watching the staff prepare for the storm.
3 days after we got back, the fellow that was my boss in Toronto was let go in the first round of staff cuts. Over the next 6 months over half of the people that I worked with in head office were gone. The cutbacks culminated the first of March with a total restructuring of the leasing department. All the leasing people were laid off. They tried to hire they back as contract consultants for less money. I was offered what would have worked out to about an average of $15OO a month and have to supply my own car and cover all expenses. They could hire as many "consultants" in the area as they wanted but I could not consult for any other property management company. I chose not to sign on and went on EI. After a lot of thought and talking with Sharon, I have decided to retire. I will take what EI will give me and start developing my wood working to see if I can't sell some of that. In May of 2011, I can and will take my early retirement and go from there.
In May of 2009 our baby, Dian, married a young fellow from Arizona. She and David were sealed in the Bountiful, Utah temple on 13 May. David Adam Stewart is a good kid. She met him in the summer of 2008 when she was down there selling pest control. They moved to Thacher in the south east corner of Arizona. He works for the Morensey Copper mine a heavy duty mechanic. In August, Sharon and I drove down to Arizona to visit and to start the first of the "take a grandchild on holidays" tradition that was a part of our girls lives when they were growing up. My parents took or tried to take one of the girls for a week in rotation every year. Eliza is old enough to take so we spent a week with her travelling with Auntie Di and Uncle David. We went to the Grand Canyon, Phoenix, and areas around Thacher. Di met Chrissy half way between Oklahoma and Arizona to pick her up and returned her home and spent time with Chrissy, Jacob, And their family.
On September 18, 2009, Chrissy and Jacob had their 4th. A beautiful little girl. They named her Michael Amelia. The last week of November, Sharon and I flew to Oklahoma to partake in 2 weeks of family. It was a busy 2 weeks. Jacob was promoted, Eliza was baptized, and Michael was blessed. Fred and Susan, Jacob's parents were there as well. I got the tour of Fort Sill. We spent a day in Oklahoma City and went to the Federal Building Bombing Memorial. I made Michael a cradle like I made Oryn, Kimmie's little one. To transport it I also made a solid oak carrying case. When our luggage finally arrived in Oklahoma (We were there a day before it arrived and we only had 1 transfer. Our trip home from Cancun we had 2 and an airline change and our luggage arrived when we did. Go figure.) the case was destroyed. I managed to repair it but it is not the best.
In January, Kimmie and Scott announced that they were opening their second store. It is going to be on the south side of town in the College Plaza. They were expecting a late May opening but have been informed by the contractor that he will be done the week of the 3rd and the company has asked if they could open on the 10th. That is just less than 1 year after the opening of their first location.
The first weekend in March Sharon, Kimmie, Makynna, and I drove down to Great Falls, Montana to meet Dian. She flew in from Arizona. Kimmie and Makynna drove down in the morning and picked her up at the airport and then spent the day shopping. We went down later in the day after Sharon got off work and met them. After we had supper Kimmie and Makynna returned home and Dian, Sharon, and I continued on down to Logan, Utah. Jacob's parents are retiring to Smithfield just north of Logan and their first container load of furniture and stuff was arriving. Chrissy and Jacob were coming up to help and we came too. Also it gave us an excuse to spend some time with them. It was too bad Kimmie and Scott couldn't come but business comes first and usually at the most inconvenient times. We had a good time and got to renew some family friendships that distance has made hard to keep.
This past weekend, Kimmy, Sharon, and I went to Great Falls to meet Dian and David. Dian was returning her car to Canada and giving it to me. It would cost more than the car was worth to import it to the States. We all spent Saturday together and then Kimmie drove the Jeep back. Sunday we put the other 2 on a plane home and then we drove the VW home ourselves.
Last Monday, I got a call from the ward exec. sec. to set an appointment with the Bishop. He wants to advance me to a high priest. This week I met with Pres Low and he made it official. Some time in the next week or 2 when we can arrange it, I will be presented to the ward and ordained. I just have to decide who I want to do the ordination.
Yesterday at karatedo training, Hanshi told me that on 15 May he is going to test me for my 4th degree black. Now all I need to do is relearn about a bazillion katas. Oh well with out a few little challenges life would be boring.
My family is growing up too fast. Makynna started play school this year and is thoroughly enjoying school. She is registered in kindergarten for next year and starts school in earnest. Oryn is coming into to her own and has become her own little person. She is very vocal and is not afraid to let the world know her opinions. Eliza is in Grade 2 and baptized. Daniel is in kindergarten and becoming quite the young man. Rainey is like Oryn and is letting the world know that he is going to be a force to be reckoned with. Michael is crawling and trying to walk.
It really has been a long time since I wrote. It is now time to re-prioritize my time and make a commitment to up date more regularily. I will try of weekly at least. Until next time.
In January of 2009, the company I was with started a restructuring plan. They tried a "new" bonus plan that should have made everyone a good amount of coin, IF everyone bought into it. Not many did because it would require them to work for a change. In June the company returned to a bonus plan that was very similar to the old one. To help motivate those that were involved in any way with leasing (the leasing agents and the building managers) they had a contest. The top people in each group in the various districts would have a chance to win a trip to Cancun, all expenses paid. I was amazed at how many didn't buy into the new promo. I still ended up as top leaser in the company, by one contract. I won one of the trips. The last week in October, Sharon and I spent a wonderful and enjoyable time in a 4 Star resort. They took us quadding in the jungle, zip lining in the jungle canopy, and shopping in Playa del Carmen. We were treated to facials and pedicures in the spa and a 3 hour full body exfoliation and couples massage. I could very easily get used to that type of treatment and life style. The weather was fantastic. The temperature was between 24 and 28 Celsius all day long. We had a little rain the last day and a half if you could call 4 inches in 2 hours a little rain. It was like walking in a shower it was so warm. The day after we left hurricane Ida blew in. It was interesting watching the staff prepare for the storm.
3 days after we got back, the fellow that was my boss in Toronto was let go in the first round of staff cuts. Over the next 6 months over half of the people that I worked with in head office were gone. The cutbacks culminated the first of March with a total restructuring of the leasing department. All the leasing people were laid off. They tried to hire they back as contract consultants for less money. I was offered what would have worked out to about an average of $15OO a month and have to supply my own car and cover all expenses. They could hire as many "consultants" in the area as they wanted but I could not consult for any other property management company. I chose not to sign on and went on EI. After a lot of thought and talking with Sharon, I have decided to retire. I will take what EI will give me and start developing my wood working to see if I can't sell some of that. In May of 2011, I can and will take my early retirement and go from there.
In May of 2009 our baby, Dian, married a young fellow from Arizona. She and David were sealed in the Bountiful, Utah temple on 13 May. David Adam Stewart is a good kid. She met him in the summer of 2008 when she was down there selling pest control. They moved to Thacher in the south east corner of Arizona. He works for the Morensey Copper mine a heavy duty mechanic. In August, Sharon and I drove down to Arizona to visit and to start the first of the "take a grandchild on holidays" tradition that was a part of our girls lives when they were growing up. My parents took or tried to take one of the girls for a week in rotation every year. Eliza is old enough to take so we spent a week with her travelling with Auntie Di and Uncle David. We went to the Grand Canyon, Phoenix, and areas around Thacher. Di met Chrissy half way between Oklahoma and Arizona to pick her up and returned her home and spent time with Chrissy, Jacob, And their family.
On September 18, 2009, Chrissy and Jacob had their 4th. A beautiful little girl. They named her Michael Amelia. The last week of November, Sharon and I flew to Oklahoma to partake in 2 weeks of family. It was a busy 2 weeks. Jacob was promoted, Eliza was baptized, and Michael was blessed. Fred and Susan, Jacob's parents were there as well. I got the tour of Fort Sill. We spent a day in Oklahoma City and went to the Federal Building Bombing Memorial. I made Michael a cradle like I made Oryn, Kimmie's little one. To transport it I also made a solid oak carrying case. When our luggage finally arrived in Oklahoma (We were there a day before it arrived and we only had 1 transfer. Our trip home from Cancun we had 2 and an airline change and our luggage arrived when we did. Go figure.) the case was destroyed. I managed to repair it but it is not the best.
In January, Kimmie and Scott announced that they were opening their second store. It is going to be on the south side of town in the College Plaza. They were expecting a late May opening but have been informed by the contractor that he will be done the week of the 3rd and the company has asked if they could open on the 10th. That is just less than 1 year after the opening of their first location.
The first weekend in March Sharon, Kimmie, Makynna, and I drove down to Great Falls, Montana to meet Dian. She flew in from Arizona. Kimmie and Makynna drove down in the morning and picked her up at the airport and then spent the day shopping. We went down later in the day after Sharon got off work and met them. After we had supper Kimmie and Makynna returned home and Dian, Sharon, and I continued on down to Logan, Utah. Jacob's parents are retiring to Smithfield just north of Logan and their first container load of furniture and stuff was arriving. Chrissy and Jacob were coming up to help and we came too. Also it gave us an excuse to spend some time with them. It was too bad Kimmie and Scott couldn't come but business comes first and usually at the most inconvenient times. We had a good time and got to renew some family friendships that distance has made hard to keep.
This past weekend, Kimmy, Sharon, and I went to Great Falls to meet Dian and David. Dian was returning her car to Canada and giving it to me. It would cost more than the car was worth to import it to the States. We all spent Saturday together and then Kimmie drove the Jeep back. Sunday we put the other 2 on a plane home and then we drove the VW home ourselves.
Last Monday, I got a call from the ward exec. sec. to set an appointment with the Bishop. He wants to advance me to a high priest. This week I met with Pres Low and he made it official. Some time in the next week or 2 when we can arrange it, I will be presented to the ward and ordained. I just have to decide who I want to do the ordination.
Yesterday at karatedo training, Hanshi told me that on 15 May he is going to test me for my 4th degree black. Now all I need to do is relearn about a bazillion katas. Oh well with out a few little challenges life would be boring.
My family is growing up too fast. Makynna started play school this year and is thoroughly enjoying school. She is registered in kindergarten for next year and starts school in earnest. Oryn is coming into to her own and has become her own little person. She is very vocal and is not afraid to let the world know her opinions. Eliza is in Grade 2 and baptized. Daniel is in kindergarten and becoming quite the young man. Rainey is like Oryn and is letting the world know that he is going to be a force to be reckoned with. Michael is crawling and trying to walk.
It really has been a long time since I wrote. It is now time to re-prioritize my time and make a commitment to up date more regularily. I will try of weekly at least. Until next time.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
It finally happened!
Earlier this month Dian woke me up early (6:30ish) and dragged me to the gym and pool. She has decided Papa needed to go back to exercising. I had started going back to training with Hashi Sosa but that was only once a week. I went with her, joined the Y and have been going at least 3 time a week for swimming and now some aerobics and weight training. It seems to be working. When I hit the scales on Friday I had lost 8 pounds or a little less than 2 kilos for those of you who are metric. I have also started a second day a week with Hanshi. So now it is Monday and Saturday for 2 hours. We are covering everything: Karatedo, Tai-Jutsu, Kobudo (self-defense tools), Ianuki (Ninja sword) and Iaido (Samurai sword). Between both exercise routines I am finding muscles that I didn't know I had on a daily basis. But you know what they say:"No pain - No gain."
I don't know what is happening to this family. It seems I get sick and everyone starts to do healthy things and then drags me along too. First Chrissy tries to better and has succeeded. Sharon starts to watch what she is eating and losing weight. Kimmie does a pretty good job of eating properly. Dian hits the gym. And now they are dragging me kicking and screaming along with them. I am getting better at what I eat and now I am exercising. And to top it all off I have had several people who want me to teach them Tai-Jutsu. Pretty soon you will think "THE Arnold" and I are twins.
And don't worry kids I plan on being around a long time. I want to get to know what it feels like to be called "Big Papa". And that is about 12 to 15 years away.
Enough for now. Till next time.
I don't know what is happening to this family. It seems I get sick and everyone starts to do healthy things and then drags me along too. First Chrissy tries to better and has succeeded. Sharon starts to watch what she is eating and losing weight. Kimmie does a pretty good job of eating properly. Dian hits the gym. And now they are dragging me kicking and screaming along with them. I am getting better at what I eat and now I am exercising. And to top it all off I have had several people who want me to teach them Tai-Jutsu. Pretty soon you will think "THE Arnold" and I are twins.
And don't worry kids I plan on being around a long time. I want to get to know what it feels like to be called "Big Papa". And that is about 12 to 15 years away.
Enough for now. Till next time.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Yes My Grand Children There is a Santa Claus!
This post is for those 5 little munchkins running around the continent that have taken over keeping me young and anyone else whose friends try to tell them that there is no Santa.
PaPa Hovan believes in Santa Claus. He is the same one that is described in Francis P Church's answer to Virginia O'Hanlon's letter. And he is more. Here is my story.
When I was about 10 and my younger brother David was about 5, things did not go well for the family in the last half of the year. My dad worked for the Canadian Pacific Railroad. As is often the case in business, the company and the union agreed to disagree and there was a strike. If was a long a bitter struggle and lasted several months. All Dad made was a few dollars strike pay a month. Luckily Mom was working but even then there was not much more coming in than was able to cover the mortgage and bills. The two sides finally came to an agreement and the trains started to move again in mid November. Just after Dad got back to work, he came down with a bad case of influenza and was off for another couple of weeks. We had never been big on a lot of expensive presents but even still things were looking pretty sparse for Christmas.
Mom and Dad put on a brave face but kids have a way of sensing things were not going well. My brother and I were expecting even less than normal. It was confirmed on Christmas Eve when we over heard Dad through the bed room door: "Well that is all of it. It is not much but at least they got something." They then went to bed and soon we heard them snoring. Dave and I got up and snuck a look. It was very sparse but there was a small present or 2 for each of us and a couple for Mom and Dad too. Later just as we were deciding whether or not it was safe to get up, our dog Rusty went berserk like he did when someone he knew came into the house. Dave and I jumped out of bed and let Rusty out of the bed room and followed him down the hall to the living room. When we arrived we skidded to a stop. The tree was piled high with brightly wrapped boxes and our stocking were stuffed. Rusty ran straight to the front door barking and wanted out. When we opened the door he ran to the edge of the top stair and looked around with a "Which way did he go?" look. It had snowed earlier that night and there were no foot prints to be seen. Mom and Dad here the ruckus came running into the living room and stopped with their mouths open and a look of disbelief. Rusty, Dave, and I checked the back door as well. No foot prints there either.
Later as we looked at the presents and started to unwrap them, there was something for everyone. Even Mom and Dad got several. They were all from "Santa". We got the toboggan we wanted. Dave got the train set. There were lots of other toys and clothes too. To this day I still do not know who our benefactor was or how he got into the house but as far as I am concerned it was Santa and always will be. Since that magical night, my brother, until the year he passed away was always up before every one else. Later in life as his first niece came for a visit at Christmas he would be at the front door knocking at 4am wanting to know if we were up and ready to unwrap gifts.
That anonymous generousity taught me that Christmas is really about giving to others. And not just material things. Sometimes a hug means more than diamonds to some one who is down at this time of year.
So if any one asks you, if you believe in Santa don't be afraid to say that you do because your Grandfather says he is exists and if PaPa still believes it has to be true.
To the parents, that goes for you too. Even though you have heard the story many times before. PaPa say so.
PaPa Hovan believes in Santa Claus. He is the same one that is described in Francis P Church's answer to Virginia O'Hanlon's letter. And he is more. Here is my story.
When I was about 10 and my younger brother David was about 5, things did not go well for the family in the last half of the year. My dad worked for the Canadian Pacific Railroad. As is often the case in business, the company and the union agreed to disagree and there was a strike. If was a long a bitter struggle and lasted several months. All Dad made was a few dollars strike pay a month. Luckily Mom was working but even then there was not much more coming in than was able to cover the mortgage and bills. The two sides finally came to an agreement and the trains started to move again in mid November. Just after Dad got back to work, he came down with a bad case of influenza and was off for another couple of weeks. We had never been big on a lot of expensive presents but even still things were looking pretty sparse for Christmas.
Mom and Dad put on a brave face but kids have a way of sensing things were not going well. My brother and I were expecting even less than normal. It was confirmed on Christmas Eve when we over heard Dad through the bed room door: "Well that is all of it. It is not much but at least they got something." They then went to bed and soon we heard them snoring. Dave and I got up and snuck a look. It was very sparse but there was a small present or 2 for each of us and a couple for Mom and Dad too. Later just as we were deciding whether or not it was safe to get up, our dog Rusty went berserk like he did when someone he knew came into the house. Dave and I jumped out of bed and let Rusty out of the bed room and followed him down the hall to the living room. When we arrived we skidded to a stop. The tree was piled high with brightly wrapped boxes and our stocking were stuffed. Rusty ran straight to the front door barking and wanted out. When we opened the door he ran to the edge of the top stair and looked around with a "Which way did he go?" look. It had snowed earlier that night and there were no foot prints to be seen. Mom and Dad here the ruckus came running into the living room and stopped with their mouths open and a look of disbelief. Rusty, Dave, and I checked the back door as well. No foot prints there either.
Later as we looked at the presents and started to unwrap them, there was something for everyone. Even Mom and Dad got several. They were all from "Santa". We got the toboggan we wanted. Dave got the train set. There were lots of other toys and clothes too. To this day I still do not know who our benefactor was or how he got into the house but as far as I am concerned it was Santa and always will be. Since that magical night, my brother, until the year he passed away was always up before every one else. Later in life as his first niece came for a visit at Christmas he would be at the front door knocking at 4am wanting to know if we were up and ready to unwrap gifts.
That anonymous generousity taught me that Christmas is really about giving to others. And not just material things. Sometimes a hug means more than diamonds to some one who is down at this time of year.
So if any one asks you, if you believe in Santa don't be afraid to say that you do because your Grandfather says he is exists and if PaPa still believes it has to be true.
To the parents, that goes for you too. Even though you have heard the story many times before. PaPa say so.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Time Marches
Just as I feel I have finally caught up, the world goes flashing by. About a week ago, my daughter Chrissy posts on her blog that their eldest is now a blogger and has her own blog. I'm not that old that I have grandchildren let alone ones old enough to be blogging. It helps her with her spelling, reading, and writing I am told. On her second entry she was talking about her cat, Jaxson. I put a comment on it and Sunday she had to phone to tell me to check out her blog that she has answered me back. I'm definitely not that old.
besides being a crawling machine, she has also learned to Today I got the opportunity to baby sit my 2 granddaughters here in town. Their mom, number 2 daughter Kimmie, had to work late and son-in-law Scott had to go to work before she was to get home. Their eldest Makynna, a very precocious 3 year old, and I had a very understandable conversation about her latest favourite movie, "Kung Fu Panda". I know my chidrenese is not that good so her English must be. Her almost 1 year old sister was joining in and I didn't have a clue what she was saying so that goes to confirm my thoughts about my childrenese. Oryn teleports though. Another talent that I have noticed my grandchildren have developed and usually about this age. One moment she is at one end of the couch and the next she is playing with the pots and pans in the kitchen and did not crawl by me. Still I am not old enough to have teleporting grandchildren.
Enough of this speculation and on to the happening of the past week or so.
This past week, Saturday to be exact, we completed our midway show of "Joseph". As a band of brothers, we are having a blast. I don't think we have done a show the same way twice. There is a scene where the other bothers are grovelling before Joseph. While they are, I am being my usual lecherous self and am hitting on one of his attendants. Each night I have hit on a different one starting at the back of the line and working forward. As a result it is a surprise to each of the girls. It has been fun watching the different reactions. I have made my way through the full group on that one side and unfortunately I can't get over to the other.
It has made for some long days and short nights, but it has been a blast. There has been rumors that next year they are putting on "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers". If that is the case I may just audition again. We'll see. Still to early to tell.
suitable Work has been going slower than I expected this month until this morning. I went into work to put through some applications that I got over the weekend and instead of spending an hour in the office I spent most of the day helping out. There was a fire in one of our buildings and I spent the day trying to track down some of the "orphaned" tenants. Some of them will not be allowed back into their suites for quite some time and I was given the task of finding them accommodations within our system. Managed to get all but 1 looked after. It was an interesting day.
Well enough for tonight. It is bed time and my pillow is calling me.
besides being a crawling machine, she has also learned to Today I got the opportunity to baby sit my 2 granddaughters here in town. Their mom, number 2 daughter Kimmie, had to work late and son-in-law Scott had to go to work before she was to get home. Their eldest Makynna, a very precocious 3 year old, and I had a very understandable conversation about her latest favourite movie, "Kung Fu Panda". I know my chidrenese is not that good so her English must be. Her almost 1 year old sister was joining in and I didn't have a clue what she was saying so that goes to confirm my thoughts about my childrenese. Oryn teleports though. Another talent that I have noticed my grandchildren have developed and usually about this age. One moment she is at one end of the couch and the next she is playing with the pots and pans in the kitchen and did not crawl by me. Still I am not old enough to have teleporting grandchildren.
Enough of this speculation and on to the happening of the past week or so.
This past week, Saturday to be exact, we completed our midway show of "Joseph". As a band of brothers, we are having a blast. I don't think we have done a show the same way twice. There is a scene where the other bothers are grovelling before Joseph. While they are, I am being my usual lecherous self and am hitting on one of his attendants. Each night I have hit on a different one starting at the back of the line and working forward. As a result it is a surprise to each of the girls. It has been fun watching the different reactions. I have made my way through the full group on that one side and unfortunately I can't get over to the other.
It has made for some long days and short nights, but it has been a blast. There has been rumors that next year they are putting on "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers". If that is the case I may just audition again. We'll see. Still to early to tell.
suitable Work has been going slower than I expected this month until this morning. I went into work to put through some applications that I got over the weekend and instead of spending an hour in the office I spent most of the day helping out. There was a fire in one of our buildings and I spent the day trying to track down some of the "orphaned" tenants. Some of them will not be allowed back into their suites for quite some time and I was given the task of finding them accommodations within our system. Managed to get all but 1 looked after. It was an interesting day.
Well enough for tonight. It is bed time and my pillow is calling me.
Monday, November 10, 2008
An Anniversary Present
On Friday I got Sharon her anniversary/birthday/Christmas present: a set of diamond studs. Dian and I went to get a rose for her and decided to put them on the rose like a couple of dew drops. We then went to Sobey's to take her out to lunch and give her the flower. We gave it to her before she left. She looked at it and said "A rose for me how sweet. What is it for?" I told her for her anniversary. "And a card too. Can I read it?" I helped her get the card out and got the "How cute." on the wording of the note I had written. She then placed the rose on the back shelf and said that she had a few minutes before lunch. Dian told her she had better not leave it there. When she asked why both Di and I said "Look at it closely."
It took a couple of seconds but she finally saw the studs. She tore the plastic wrap of the rose and took off. " I've got to show these to Arlene." She then showed them to all the girls working on cash. Arlene told her to take lunch a little early. Sharon again put the rose on the back counter and started to leave. Arlene told her she shouldn't leave the rose there. That it might not be there when she got back. One of the girls from one of the other departments came by to check out at that time and said "Wow! I wish someone would give me a $1200 rose."While we were walking over to the restaurant Sharon asked "You didn't pay that much for them, did you?" I told her they were worth a little more than that. She stopped in the middle of the parking lot and said "Tom Hovan how much did you?" I replied "Let's just say that they are worth twice that much. Do you want me to take them back?" "You didn't pay that much!!" "Let's just say I didn't pay that much." "Okay as long as you didn't pay that much."
We went to lunch. I got home about 10:30pm after the preformance and noticed that she had the studs in. She said as soon as she got home they went in and they weren't coming out until she had to go to work on Sunday. And they didn't. It has been a long time since I have seen Sharon with a permasmile on but she had one all weekend.
Here are a few pictures.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Fun at the Theatre
One of my addictions is live theatre - performing that is . Since September I have been rehearsing Monday to Saturday for "Joseph and His Technicolor Dream Coat". It has been a blast. To night was opening night and we perform for 12 of the next 14 days. I am Levi, one of the brothers. And we have a lot of fun.
This is what the director and the costumer see a cool dude of a brother.
I also have a part as a gogo dancer. I am not sure about this one but hey if you cannot have fun dressed like this you have no sense of humor.
Here are few of the other brothers in various costumes.
As you can see we are all crazy. It is the grease paint and
other makeup that gets us going. It is a better high than anything out there. you can be anyone or anything you want, go anywhere and any when you can imagine, and do anything you want. If you have never tried it, get involved. You will never want to give it up. But beware. It can eat up all our spare time and some that isn't spare in a hurry if you let it.
This is what the director and the costumer see a cool dude of a brother.
I also have a part as a gogo dancer. I am not sure about this one but hey if you cannot have fun dressed like this you have no sense of humor.
Here are few of the other brothers in various costumes.
As you can see we are all crazy. It is the grease paint and
other makeup that gets us going. It is a better high than anything out there. you can be anyone or anything you want, go anywhere and any when you can imagine, and do anything you want. If you have never tried it, get involved. You will never want to give it up. But beware. It can eat up all our spare time and some that isn't spare in a hurry if you let it.
Monday, October 27, 2008
35 Years and Counting
Today Sharon and I have been married 35 years. It has been an interesting and eventful trip to get here. But it has been worth it and we are expecting many more years and adventures. I feel like the opening line of Dickens' "Tale of Two Cities": "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."
We have moved 12 times to and from 5 cities. This last move has been the longest at over 20 years in the same house. We have had some lean times and some good times. We have survived good jobs and bad jobs, finding them and losing them. We have had good bosses and learned from them and we have had some bad bosses and learned more from them. We have survived raising children and are now enjoying the fruits of our labors: grandchildren. We have each survived some serious health issues that could have and should have shorted our time together. We have lost each other in some emotional/marital problems and found each other again only to realize that there is nothing that we can not work though because we really do love each other and that all these trials really do make us stronger and draw us closer.
Once we were invited to a young marrieds workshop at church. I had no idea why. We had been married almost 10 years at the time. I think it was because we had 2 small children at the time and the organizers thought we were relatively new at the game. The class we attended was on surviving life's ups and downs. The facilitator gave some statistics on what causes divorces and per cent ages of failures with each. Things like a new job with either and increase or decrease in pay 30%, with moves to a new town/city 40%. Loss of a child 25%, with the loss of first child almost 40%, and the subsequent loss a second child the chances rose to over 50%. He said all these are cumulative. After the presentation of the rest of his lecture he turned the time over to discussion. Several of the group asked questions and made comments. After a while I looked at Sharon and put up my hand. I asked hypothetically what the odds of surviving the following scenario was: "A young couple married while attending post secondary schooling, taking a good job in the schools town, about a year later moving to a small faring town for a better job, losing that job because of an economic down turn, moving to get another job and finding out they were expecting just after the move, being transferred to another city with the company, losing the position because the business was sold and also losing the child shortly after he was born to a mysterious illness almost at the same time, finding another good job in his field, losing a second child due to miscarriage at the start of third trimester, having their first child, expecting their second and moving to another city for another position with another company just before the second child is born and losing this job with in a year because of the economy. All this happens in the first 10 years of marriage." The facilitator looked shocked and asked if I was joking stating that this couple if still together would be lucky to survive another night together. Sharon and I started to laugh and asked if he knew a good divorce lawyer. He asked why and I said that is a brief outline of our life since we got married. He was amazed and asked how we survived and obviously thrived. We looked at each other and said "Our faith in each other and in God." He said that is and was the best foundation a couple could have and was where he was headed and thanked us for finishing his lecture.
I think that he was looking only at the negatives. I do not see many in our life together. Most of the "hardships" we have been through have be for the better. Very little if any have been for the worse. They have taught us to value each other even more and to cherish each other. They have taught us valuable lessons in humility and charity. They have given us an entirely different out look on life, a view of things around us and their real importance or should I say what is important. It is not a view that we have often found in others. We enjoy each day as it comes and try to live it together at its fullest. Doing the things we enjoy whether they are mutually shared or by ourselves and respecting the other's choices.
Enough of the mush. Lets just leave it at 35 happy years and counting.
Until next time.
We have moved 12 times to and from 5 cities. This last move has been the longest at over 20 years in the same house. We have had some lean times and some good times. We have survived good jobs and bad jobs, finding them and losing them. We have had good bosses and learned from them and we have had some bad bosses and learned more from them. We have survived raising children and are now enjoying the fruits of our labors: grandchildren. We have each survived some serious health issues that could have and should have shorted our time together. We have lost each other in some emotional/marital problems and found each other again only to realize that there is nothing that we can not work though because we really do love each other and that all these trials really do make us stronger and draw us closer.
Once we were invited to a young marrieds workshop at church. I had no idea why. We had been married almost 10 years at the time. I think it was because we had 2 small children at the time and the organizers thought we were relatively new at the game. The class we attended was on surviving life's ups and downs. The facilitator gave some statistics on what causes divorces and per cent ages of failures with each. Things like a new job with either and increase or decrease in pay 30%, with moves to a new town/city 40%. Loss of a child 25%, with the loss of first child almost 40%, and the subsequent loss a second child the chances rose to over 50%. He said all these are cumulative. After the presentation of the rest of his lecture he turned the time over to discussion. Several of the group asked questions and made comments. After a while I looked at Sharon and put up my hand. I asked hypothetically what the odds of surviving the following scenario was: "A young couple married while attending post secondary schooling, taking a good job in the schools town, about a year later moving to a small faring town for a better job, losing that job because of an economic down turn, moving to get another job and finding out they were expecting just after the move, being transferred to another city with the company, losing the position because the business was sold and also losing the child shortly after he was born to a mysterious illness almost at the same time, finding another good job in his field, losing a second child due to miscarriage at the start of third trimester, having their first child, expecting their second and moving to another city for another position with another company just before the second child is born and losing this job with in a year because of the economy. All this happens in the first 10 years of marriage." The facilitator looked shocked and asked if I was joking stating that this couple if still together would be lucky to survive another night together. Sharon and I started to laugh and asked if he knew a good divorce lawyer. He asked why and I said that is a brief outline of our life since we got married. He was amazed and asked how we survived and obviously thrived. We looked at each other and said "Our faith in each other and in God." He said that is and was the best foundation a couple could have and was where he was headed and thanked us for finishing his lecture.
I think that he was looking only at the negatives. I do not see many in our life together. Most of the "hardships" we have been through have be for the better. Very little if any have been for the worse. They have taught us to value each other even more and to cherish each other. They have taught us valuable lessons in humility and charity. They have given us an entirely different out look on life, a view of things around us and their real importance or should I say what is important. It is not a view that we have often found in others. We enjoy each day as it comes and try to live it together at its fullest. Doing the things we enjoy whether they are mutually shared or by ourselves and respecting the other's choices.
Enough of the mush. Lets just leave it at 35 happy years and counting.
Until next time.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Even My Hair Hurts
Over the last few weeks Sharon and I have been walking at nights when she gets off early enough. At my last doctor's appointment he gave a clean bill of health (except for the blood pressure medicine and the occasional celebrex for my bum knee) and said to get back into exercising. I went to see my old Sensei, Hanshi Jorge Sosa last week. He agreed to take me on as a student again on Mondays from 4 to 6. Tonight was the first night training. He said that he would take it easy on me for the first time. I should have know better. He had me sweating so hard my hands were even wet. I know they say the second day is worse than the first but I hurt in places I haven't hurt in a long time. My legs are starting to stiffen, my knee is numb, my chest and shoulders are sore, and my abs are spasming from the "warm-ups". It has been a long time since I did 40 sit ups, not to mention push ups, leg tucks and reverse crunchies. But I feel the best I have in over a year. I just hope I survive the next few days to make it back next week. I guess he did take it easy on me. He told me that was all at 5:50 and let me go 10 minutes early.
I was shocked at how much I remembered. After warm ups and techniques practice we did 10 Katas and I managed to get through them with little or now coaxing. Next week should be interesting as we move forward into the more difficult ones. I have only another 18 to remember.
Night all.
I was shocked at how much I remembered. After warm ups and techniques practice we did 10 Katas and I managed to get through them with little or now coaxing. Next week should be interesting as we move forward into the more difficult ones. I have only another 18 to remember.
Night all.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Not Just Another Pretty Face
Last Monday I received a phone call from a friend that is directing the local musical theatre group's fall production. He asked if I was interested in being involved. I have performed and worked with the group in the past and said sure knowing he was short of back stage help. I can drive a nail with the best of them. I arrived at the theatre at the appointed time. As I walked in he handed me a script and said "Congratulations. You have just auditioned for 'Joseph and His TechinColor Dream Coat'. You are one of the brothers. Rehearsals are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The men start rehearsal in 30 minutes." He then smiled and walked off. I didn't think the railroad ran through that area of Lethbridge but obviously it does. Don't get me wrong, I am having fun and enjoy this immensely. It is nice to know that you are not just a pretty face but a voice too.
We started that night as the 8 brothers. The next rehearsal we up to the 10 brothers. I think we are now the required 11. I will find out this morning as we start learning the dance sections and everyone said that they could be there. We had planned at the 8 stage that we would hold puppets between us. One would operate the head and mouth, the other the arms. The feet would be connected to our feet so as we moved the puppet would too. But I guess that has gone by the boards now.
Got to run. Till next time.
We started that night as the 8 brothers. The next rehearsal we up to the 10 brothers. I think we are now the required 11. I will find out this morning as we start learning the dance sections and everyone said that they could be there. We had planned at the 8 stage that we would hold puppets between us. One would operate the head and mouth, the other the arms. The feet would be connected to our feet so as we moved the puppet would too. But I guess that has gone by the boards now.
Got to run. Till next time.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
More Ramblings
Been a couple of weeks since the last foray into blogdom. Lots has happened and not much of it remembered. Work has taken most of my time. Even getting calls on my days off. Got just about all of the weeds cut in the back yard and all the rest sprayed. Been putting off that inevitable almost next to last date with the lawn mower. Monday seems to be the day.
Sharon and I have been shopping a lot recently. We have paid off more big bills and bought more stuff for the house than we have done in a long time. The only thing I can put it down to is the fact that there are the commission cheques coming in.
We bought a wii a little while back and on Friday we bought our "first" couch. Now don't get me wrong. We have had 2 others: the 1st was a new one given us by my parents and the 2nd was a "hand me down" again from my Mom. She bought a new one and didn't have room for the old one. This one is the first new one that we picked out and paid for ourselves. It only took us 35 plus years but what the hey. It is a "semi-custom built" black leather sofa. We won't see it for at least another month.
Today we also started to seriously price out kitchen cabinets. The original ones are starting to look a little dated and worn. It is time for them to go to the big scrap heap in the sky. Besides they don't really match the white oak hard wood flooring I put down this spring. When we were leaving the show room we walked by this bathroom sink and fell in love with it. It would go perfectly with the tile we are going to put in the bathroom upstairs. Even better than the one we bought over 2 years ago. We looked at each other and said at the same time "The other one would look really nice in the down stairs bath." Now all I have to do is get the time to get it done before 16 Dec.
Jake was talking about projects in his blog earlier this month. He said they are works in progress. That is why they are called projects. I agree that is why they are called projects. I have to do on my project list: 1) finish installing the base boards and trim on the new hardwood floor and stairs, 2) finish the bookcase/railing thingy in the living room, 3) the upstairs bathroom reno (tile, tub surround, and sink) and probably one or two other small things. Hey I learned from the best. It took my Dad almost 2 years to build the mohagany fire place in their house and over 5 to complete the linen closet. It takes us Hovan males a while to get things done, but when they are done they are done well and done right. Just ask us we'll tell you.
It is getting late and the eyes are starting to droop. It has been a long day. It started almost 2 hours sooner than I was expecting. When Kimmie was a young'un she had done a number on her ankle while participating in competitive gymnastics. They operated but while waiting the several weeks it took to get her into the operating room they prescribed Voltarin Rapid to help control the inflammation. It turns out she is the 1 in 100,000 that take a reaction to the drug and is the 1 in 250,000 that take a violent reaction. Her muscles stiffen and cramp up. She was curled up into a little ball and there was nothing they could do for her to help with the pain. She literally cried for 4 or 5 days while the drug worked its way out of her system. This week to help control the inflammation in her feet from another medical condition she was prescribed another drug that was from the same drug family but was even less likely to have any side effects. Well that was what the phone call was about at 6 this morning. Her neck and back had started to seize up. Unlike the last time she knew what to watch for and Friday she started to feel it coming on so she stopped taking the pills. Scott watched the kids while Kimmie and I spent 2 hours in the ER. There is still not much they could do for her but they were at least able to give her a painkiller to help unlike the last time.
Well I'm rambling again and time is flying by. My pillow is calling my name and I can no longer ignore it. So good night all. Till next time.
Sharon and I have been shopping a lot recently. We have paid off more big bills and bought more stuff for the house than we have done in a long time. The only thing I can put it down to is the fact that there are the commission cheques coming in.
We bought a wii a little while back and on Friday we bought our "first" couch. Now don't get me wrong. We have had 2 others: the 1st was a new one given us by my parents and the 2nd was a "hand me down" again from my Mom. She bought a new one and didn't have room for the old one. This one is the first new one that we picked out and paid for ourselves. It only took us 35 plus years but what the hey. It is a "semi-custom built" black leather sofa. We won't see it for at least another month.
Today we also started to seriously price out kitchen cabinets. The original ones are starting to look a little dated and worn. It is time for them to go to the big scrap heap in the sky. Besides they don't really match the white oak hard wood flooring I put down this spring. When we were leaving the show room we walked by this bathroom sink and fell in love with it. It would go perfectly with the tile we are going to put in the bathroom upstairs. Even better than the one we bought over 2 years ago. We looked at each other and said at the same time "The other one would look really nice in the down stairs bath." Now all I have to do is get the time to get it done before 16 Dec.
Jake was talking about projects in his blog earlier this month. He said they are works in progress. That is why they are called projects. I agree that is why they are called projects. I have to do on my project list: 1) finish installing the base boards and trim on the new hardwood floor and stairs, 2) finish the bookcase/railing thingy in the living room, 3) the upstairs bathroom reno (tile, tub surround, and sink) and probably one or two other small things. Hey I learned from the best. It took my Dad almost 2 years to build the mohagany fire place in their house and over 5 to complete the linen closet. It takes us Hovan males a while to get things done, but when they are done they are done well and done right. Just ask us we'll tell you.
It is getting late and the eyes are starting to droop. It has been a long day. It started almost 2 hours sooner than I was expecting. When Kimmie was a young'un she had done a number on her ankle while participating in competitive gymnastics. They operated but while waiting the several weeks it took to get her into the operating room they prescribed Voltarin Rapid to help control the inflammation. It turns out she is the 1 in 100,000 that take a reaction to the drug and is the 1 in 250,000 that take a violent reaction. Her muscles stiffen and cramp up. She was curled up into a little ball and there was nothing they could do for her to help with the pain. She literally cried for 4 or 5 days while the drug worked its way out of her system. This week to help control the inflammation in her feet from another medical condition she was prescribed another drug that was from the same drug family but was even less likely to have any side effects. Well that was what the phone call was about at 6 this morning. Her neck and back had started to seize up. Unlike the last time she knew what to watch for and Friday she started to feel it coming on so she stopped taking the pills. Scott watched the kids while Kimmie and I spent 2 hours in the ER. There is still not much they could do for her but they were at least able to give her a painkiller to help unlike the last time.
Well I'm rambling again and time is flying by. My pillow is calling my name and I can no longer ignore it. So good night all. Till next time.
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