Still the One

This was us 40 years ago on this date. FORTY YEARS!  How did that happen?  I remember thinking that 40 was old and now we have been married that long.  We were just kids back then and some probably thought we were crazy. We didn’t know what laid ahead but we knew that we loved each other. 

We are much older now and we are still together.  We have had lots of adventures along the way and with retirement, we plan on having lots more.

Today was also Mother’s Day.  Lots to celebrate!

After church, Stephen made lunch.  We spent a lot of the day in the backyard enjoying the sunshine.

 We went for a drive and a little walk later in the afternoon.

Stephen bought us ice caps after the drive and we once again enjoyed the back yard.

Stephen went to play pickle ball in the evening and Ron and I watched hockey with the fur babies.

It was a beautiful day, and although we didn’t do anything too exciting, it was a good one.

In the words of a 70’s song…Still the one by Orleans

We've been together since way back when
Sometimes I never want to see you again
But I want you to know, after all these years
You're still the one I want whisperin' in my ear

You're still the one -- I want to talk to in bed
Still thye one -- that turns my head
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

I looked at your face every day
But I never saw it 'til I went away
When winter came, I just wanted to go (wanted to go)
Deep in the desert, I longed for the snow

You're still the one -- that makes me laugh
Still the one -- that's my better half
We're still having fun, and yes you're still the one

You're still the one -- that makes me strong
Still the one -- I want to take along
We're still having fun, and you're still the one (yes you are)

Changing, our love is going gold
Even though we grow old, it grows new

You're still the one -- that I love to touch
Still the one -- and I can't get enough
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

You're still the one -- who can scratch my itch
Still the one -- and I wouldn't switch
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

You are still the one -- that makes me shout
Still the one -- that I dream about
We're still having fun, and you're still the one
You're still the one, yeah still the one
We're still having fun, and you're still the one

Still the one and still having fun!

Made It!

We were up early and ready for another long day of travelling.  Ron drove and I kept searching for bears but they were all hiding today. We stopped in Smithers to walk around the town and then stopped at a rest area and had lunch.

The scenery was really beautiful along the way.  The clouds were hanging low with the crest of the mountains peaking out above them.

We got into Kitimat later in the afternoon.  We had supper, had a tour of all the gardens, enjoyed the sun in the backyard and then went for a walk.  Stephen and the dogs met us after his run and we walked home together.

While I put things away, Lilly supervised.

When it was time to crawl into bed, I hurried to get my space because big boy, Beemer likes to sleep in between us.

Stephen doesn’t think Beemer is very loyal but he looks like he is quite loyal “to us.” 🤪

Jenn called to let us know that Sarah tried to play soccer today and ended up really sick with a headache.  She slept most of the afternoon and woke up very weak and wasn’t walking normal.  They called the ambulance as she seemed to be getting worse.  The doctor examined her and ran some tests.  She is supposed to do absolutely nothing for the next three days and get into see her family doctor.  Concussions are so scary and take a long time to recover. Rest and time seem to be the answer at this point.  Sarah called me when they were leaving the hospital.  She sounded very tired and glad to be going home.  I was so happy to hear her voice.

Edmonton to Prince George

We got on the road early this morning.  After a quick breakfast at Tim’s, we started our drive west on Highway 16.  It was my day to drive and it was a long one.  

When we got into the park we saw some of the locals.  First the bighorn sheep welcomed us as they strolled across the road.

The elk were hanging around further down the road.  It is interesting to see how drivers can be so different with wild animals.  Some slow down, put on their hazard lights and take pictures.  There are some that keep going almost pushing the animals off the road and then there are others that pay no attention as they speed along.  It is surprising that there aren’t more road kills by those uncaring drivers.

We stopped in Jasper and went for a walk to stretch our legs and grab some lunch.  It is such a pretty town and the weather was amazing.

After a little break from the car, we continued west.

We made a quick stop at Mount Robson. This was the first time for us on this stretch of the highway but Ron remembered that his mom had told him how much she had enjoyed this stop when his parents had travelled along highway 16 so many years ago.

It’s the highest mountain in the Rockies and we understand why Donna thought it was so beautiful.  It would have been nice to be able to call her and tell her that we made it to one of her favourite places. 😥

From there to Prince George, we spotted black bears along the side of the road in three different places.  Stephen told us that we are just starting to get into bear country.  We will be watching for them tomorrow.  I’ll have my phone on the ready for pictures.

We settled in at the Best Western after getting our 10,000 steps.  We watched the hockey game and were cheering for the Leafs. They tied the game in the third period and went into overtime and kept our hopes alive for a few more minutes. We were hoping that they could pull off a win but it was not to be.  

And all good Leafs’ fans say, “there is always next year.”  We have been saying it since 1967…😳

Our holidays are just getting started.  I guess the Leafs were jealous.

Something Old, Something New

As we travelled yesterday we reacquainted with some old friends.  We enjoyed the day and the Leafs even pulled out a win!

Today, Ron took over the driving as we headed to Edmonton.  Our goal was to meet the newest member of our extended family.  Our niece, Xarra had a beautiful baby boy six months ago and we had only seen pictures. We parked at the West Edmonton Mall and put on some steps while we searched out were Xarra and Alex were living.

I’m so glad that we made this stop. Soren is such a happy baby and he gave us lots of smiles as we did everything we could to see those dimples.

Millie wanted to make sure that she got some attention too.

After our visit, we walked back to the mall which is part shopping/part amusement park.

After an afternoon tea, we headed to Jay’s for supper and to spend the night.  Jay is a reasonably new friend (someone Ron had worked with at Brocket).  Jay made us Jambalaya for supper.

It was kind of Ron’s dream house…a large tv with surround sound, a pool table and darts.  I thought the evening was pretty good too.  I didn’t have to make supper or cleanup.  While the boys were downstairs, I enjoyed the comfortable livingroom.

They say (whoever they are) “out with the old and in with the new.”  We prefer to keep our old friends and add new ones.  Our family has lost some special people this past year.  We will not forget them but we are so happy to celebrate precious little ones that have been added to our clan.

Old Friends

We packed our little civic full with as much stuff that it would hold and headed north.  I was the driver today.  It seemed like it took us forever to get to Three Hills but we arrived right at lunch time as planned.  We met Marion and Merv at the restaurant.  I was so excited to see them that I forgot to take a picture.  Thankfully, I found an old one to use.  We haven’t changed that much???

I met Marion when I worked at Prairie Bible College.  It didn’t take long for us to know that we would be forever friends.  Marion had told her son that she was sad that I would be moving to Ontario and that she might not see me again.  Her son’s response was “don’t forget about heaven.”  I’m hoping that we will have more visits before that but yes, there is always heaven and texts and video chats.

We drove around Three Hills to refresh our memories of the little town that we called home for three years.  We enjoyed living there and getting to know the special people that touched our lives.

We continued north to have supper with friends from way back.  I remember Kevin from Sunday School days and then youth group.   I also remember how much Kevin and Ron would laugh when they get together.  Some things never change!  Leanne is a bit younger and was a friend with my sister, Tina.  We spent some time reminiscing and a few tears were shed.

We had a delicious supper with them and they surprised Ron with cake.  So thoughtful and so delicious.

After a good dinner and some chocolate cake, Leanne and I went for a long walk with the dogs.

They live in a beautiful place and it was good to get some steps and see the area.

Ron and Kevin stayed behind to cheer on the Leafs and they won!!!  We got back in time to see the Oilers have a victory too.

We visited for a bit more and then it was way past our bedtime.  Kevin and Leanne were so gracious to feed us, take me for a walk and give us a bed for the night.

Our first day of our post retirement trip was pretty full and nice.

Last Day!!!!

When Ron and I got married 40 years ago this Sunday, he was a breakfast manager at McDonalds.  True story! Shortly after that, he took the five or six week course to become a Real Estate Agent.  

He sold houses for a couple of years before we moved to Peterborough for him to go to college at Eastern Pentecostal Bible College.  He got his Bachelors of Theology with Honours!! I received my PHT (Put Hubby Through).  It was actually a thing…I have the certificate to prove it. I’d like to think that I did it with honours too.

For 19 years, we pastored in three churches, all in Ontario.  We thought we would be doing that forever but God led us in a different direction and that is when the RCMP life started. Through the past 14 years, he has worked in 5 different posts (more if you count the times he went to other towns to do relief work).

• 1983 - Breakfast Manager
• 1983-1985 - Real Estate Agent
• 1985-1989 - Student at Eastern Pentecostal Bible College (now called Masters) He worked at DuPont during the summers.
• 1989 - 1991 - Assistant Pastor in Gananoque, Ontario
• 1991-1999 - Senior Pastor in Sharbot Lake, Ontario 
  
  
  
• 1999 - 2008 - Senior Pastor in Frankford, Ontario
  
  
  
• November 2008 - April 2009 - Cadet at the RCMP Training Depot
  
  
  
• 2009 - 2013 - Constable in Swift Current, Saskatchewan (Rural)
  
  
  
• 2013 - 2015 - Constable in Deschambault Lake, Saskatchewan 
  
  
  
• 2015 - 2018 - Constable in Three Hills, Alberta
  
  
  
• 2018 - 2023 - Corporal in Brocket, Alberta 
  
  
  

During the past 40 years, Ron has worked at a different places doing different jobs.  He has seen people who have made decisions that have changed their lives for the better and the worst.  We have lived in areas where there are rivers, islands, lakes and creeks.  We have gone from trees to a tree on the prairies.  We have lived where there were three hills and moved to a place where we are surrounded by mountain ranges.  We have tried to enjoy each place.  We have canoed, cross country skied, biked (pedal and motorcycle), hiked and have met so many great friends along the way.

Today, Ron backed out of the driveway to go to work for his last time.  Tomorrow starts a new chapter…retirement!  I know that we will enjoy many new experiences.  We will move to a new place, meet new people and reacquaint with old friends.  We can enjoy each sunny day and do nothing on the stormy ones. Our schedule will be now what we want to do and not wait for the days off because now, everyday will be a day off.

Happy Retirement to Ron!

Don’t Let The Rain Get You Down

We have had some beautiful warm days and Ron was off all week.  We walked, went for free coffees (thanks to the Tim’s hockey picks) and got some errands taken care of.

Today, Ron was back to work and the sky is heavy and grey.  I asked Alexis this morning what the temperature was and she responded with “Right now it’s 5 degrees Celsius. Today expect a high of 8 degrees.”  Usually that is all our little artificial intelligence will say but today she added, “don’t let the rain get you down.” 

Even though the house seems dark this morning with no sunshine coming through the windows, I feel very content.  I can’t describe how different I feel from a few months ago. I felt like every day there was a heavy cloud hanging over me and there was no sun that could penetrate through that.  Today, with cloudy skies and wet pavement, I can almost see the grass growing.  My neglected gardens are popping with perennials and I know soon there will be flowers. Over the next couple of days, I will give some attention to the gardens, removing the weeds and giving the plants space to grow.

I guess life is kind of like the seasons.  Sometimes, we go through stormy weather and it is hard to keep moving through the hurricanes, tornadoes and dumps of snow that comes our way.  As we dig out from the damage that the wind may blow at us or try to dodge the torrential downpours; we discover that we can’t avoid what life throws at us.  We can take cover and come out stronger.  Looking at the green popping in the garden bed, I imagine those plants that have been dormant through the winter.  Piles of snow hid them from any sunshine and instead of giving up, they are ready to bloom.  I guess that is where I am.  

I need to weed out the doubts, worries and things I can’t change in my life.  I need to keep going.  I can keep going!

Only three more shifts for Ron to work!