Happy Thanksgiving

Mom hosted a Thanksgiving dinner at her new home.  She worked on things for the last few days and I arrived in the morning to lend a hand.  I set the table using Grandma’s dishes because that has been my tradition to use the harvest designed plates for this time of year.

When the vegetables were peeled, the table just right and things in the oven, Ron and I went for a little walk.  We came across Nathan and Amanda and the boys fishing.  

We had a nice little visit before walking back to the condo.  Barry and Judy had arrived.  We worked to get the final touches completed for the meal.  Nylene and Brad came and we called everyone to the table.  The meal was delicious and it was fun to visit with family and friends.

Ron left to go golfing and soon there was a little fisherman at the door showing off his catch.  His sister came to have a look inside.

After a while Brooks decided his fishing time was done.  He wanted to come up to the condo to see what we were doing.  Shelana told him that they were just talking.  Brooks asked, “why?”  She responded with “that’s what old people do.”  I was at least able to give him some chocolate so that he could know that we don’t just talk, we eat!  When I told Ron he said that is why he went to play golf…he doesn’t think he is old!

I came home and started a fire and relaxed.  Ron made his way home and stopped at Dayna’s roadside stand.  He brought home some treats.  The cinnamon bun was the best I have ever tasted (and I have tasted lots).  The other treats were set aside for later.  “Hope Filled Pantry” just north of Napanee is highly recommended!  So good. The treats are baked with love!!💕 

Meanwhile in British Columbia, we have been following the journey or our son and daughter-in-law and their fur family.  They moved from Bella Coola on Wednesday.  

On Thursday, I followed them on my app past Prince George.  

They spent a couple of days in Kitimat, reconnecting with old friends.

On Sunday, they were spotted in Prince Rupert and boarded the ferry.  

Once aboard, they put two of the dogs in the camper and two in the truck.  Stephen and Kylie went to their cabin.  When they woke up they checked on the dogs and all was good.  We just received a video chat from Stephen and got a tour of their new home.  It will be fun to visit Haida Gwaii!

Happy Thanksgiving to all…from here to British Columbia!

Grand Bahamas

Today we are in the Grand Bahamas soaking in the sun.

It’s hard to believe it is Christmas Eve.  They play Christmas music but it’s definitely a blue and green Christmas!

Nassau

We went to a private beach today by a shuttle boat.  It was pretty windy but a nice ride past the Atlantis Hotel and many other expensive homes.

Once there we walked and checked out the dolphins and sea lions.  There are so smart.

We then took our time to swim with the dolphins…pictures to follow in the coming days.

The princess was at her beach enjoying coconut water.

What a beautiful day!

Getting Ready to Board

This morning the weather was beautiful in Fort Lauderdale.  We took a very relaxing start.  We enjoyed our breakfast at the hotel and coffee by the pool.  We had mentioned to Sarah about seeing a coconut and so she wanted to go on a walking tour.  It turned into a bird exploration with Sarah picking up many new songs.  As we rounded the corner to see the coconut, we saw a bird feeder with beautiful green birds.  It turned out that they were Monk Parakeets. It was a good start to our warm Christmas holiday.

We arrived at the port and got through the initial steps and than there was some issue with the next step so we sat and waited with some patient and not so patient travellers.

And we made it!

The food on the first day was great.

Just Getting There…

Today was the day of just getting to Florida.  We drove to the Park and Fly from the hotel in Toronto and parked our car.  It was a little snowy and felt cold as we waited for the bus to take us to the airport.  I threw my coat into the suitcase before we checked it.  We walked through security.  The line wasn’t too bad.  We then got to Customs and it was pretty good too.  I think we may be just ahead of the holiday rush of travellers.

We boarded the plane and a few rows behind us a disturbance was brewing.  Apparently a child was kicking the back of a seat.  The mother was trying to get them to stop but the “big child” in front was wanting the flight attendants to take care of the child.  The volume got a little louder until the flight attendant asked the complainer to move to the seat in the middle and then he asked him if we could continue with the flight without any other incidents.  All was quiet for the rest of the flight.

We landed in Fort Lauderdale and the weather was rainy and warm.  We took a shuttle to the hotel.  Ron and I went for a walk and saw a “snowman” in Florida.  

There were other things that seem to be make more sense…palm trees.  

You should be careful when you walk under them….

We saw a house with beautiful poinsettias at the front door.  Mine are doing well in the house but here they flourish in the humid weather.

I asked Sarah how her Christmas vacation was going so far…

Christmas

We have just finished the busy Christmas season.  You may say…well it isn’t even Christmas yet and you would be right!

Let’s step back and get caught up.  I started working (temporarily) as the church secretary at the end of September.  That has kept me very busy.  I probably started at the busiest time of the year with Christmas right around the corner.

It was a learning curve of new programs, deadlines and due dates but so far I’m doing it with mostly a smile on my face.

Then came the Christmas banquet.  Pam and I were in charge of the entertainment and there were lots of other administrative duties behind the scenes.  I had been so tired by the time that it was over that I got sick with a cold.  It seemed to linger on as I continued to work.  Unfortunately I also shared it with Ron and Sarah.

Next came our 50 Plus Christmas event with Gary and Denise singing.  It was a nice event but enough to make me have a relapse of the sickness.  I kept going.

Sarah recovered just in time to be a part of our church drama.  She did such a great job.  She is a talented girl.

Last Sunday, was another enjoyable Christmas program held at the little church in Tamworth.  It was nice to just walk behind the house and enjoy a presentation from the Wesleyan church.  We could just sit and enjoy the music.

This week I worked hard to get things done at the church.  Sarah got caught up at school.  Wednesday night we enjoyed another Christmas program by the Cornerstone Christian Academy.  They did an amazing job.

And now…Saturday morning and we are packed and in the car.  We are off to Toronto to begin our Christmas holiday.  Stay tuned…

Christmas

 With the house decorated, meals planned and a few gifts under the tree, we were ready for the big day.  The morning started quiet with just Ron and I and then by afternoon, our house was full of fur! 🐾🐾🐈‍⬛😺  Stephen and Kylie arrived with a truck load of stuff which included two dogs and two cats.  We settled in for a few days of eating, visiting and LOTS of games.

One of Stephen’s friends came for a couple of nights and it was like old times…sleepover birthday party for Stephen!  Maybe, not just like old times but it was nice to have another person at the games’ table.

The 29th was a mix of emotions for me.  It was Stephen’s 33rd birthday and I wanted to make things as nice as possible.  It was also one year from that day that we lost Tina.  Kylie was so sweet and checked in on me every now and then but we kept the games and meals going to keep me busy.  I made it through.

The next day, the truck was reloaded and they were on their way.  They stopped at Kylie’s parents for the night and then drove 15 hours to get home on New Year’s Eve.

Lilly hangs out with Beemer and Murphy.  She thinks she is a dog.
Apologies to Ace (the cat) for not getting a pic of her.

As soon as their truck was out of the driveway, Ron and I put it into overdrive.  We vacuumed, cleaned the floors, dusted and did a pile of laundry.  We moved all the deck furniture into a spare room in preparation for our move next month.  We don’t want anything to get froze into the ground.  Who moves in February?

Yesterday, we worked at taking down one of our exercise machines.  This move is starting to feel more and more real.

2024 holds lots of exciting things!