Royal runners and other ideas

I had more than one lightbulb moment this morning, and now it is afternoon.  My how time goes when you're having fun!

I am still off work and I will be until at least the end of August.  I am listening to my Doctor for a change and not attempting any of the other options that a lot of well meaning folks have suggested to me.  I appreciate all of your input, but for now I shall take my drugs, keep my doctor appointments and on August 16th I am going for a MRI which will then hopefully pinpoint the cause of all this nerve pinching that is going on! 

The reason for the picture and the title?  Well, last year at this time we were getting ready for and training hard for the 1/2 Marathon in Edmonton.  It was initially proposed by Bernie at a ChooseWell meeting in the spring of last year and he laid it on the table as a Challenge.  Well, as you can see by the picture the Challenge was taken on by 14 people, from Coronation and surrounding areas.  I smile when I see this since this is one of the reasons I go on when all around me people throw ignorant and harassing comments about me, my family, my yard, my involvement with council......yes, the list goes on.

I know there are so many more folks in Coronation and area who do not mind being associated with us so that makes me feel better!  I am done with trying to convince the naysayers and the negative nellies out there that we are not the scourge of the earth and the downfall of the community mainly because we happen to have ideas that have to do with success - not failure -, progress - not status quo-, positive results and ideas - not saying no to everything that comes along because it may upset how it already is -,.  Yes I am done with that and I am so done with all those people as well.

Just this morning Bernie was accosted in one of the local coffee shops where he was dropping off his weekly edition of Crown News.ca; which by the way the owner fully supports, pays for the advertising and pays to have a weekly paper copy. Anyway, the father and brother of a councillor and various assorted others, happened to be in the coffee shop and the father immediately started in on him and asked him, "So you think you're working for the Town now?"  Well, one thing led to another and before you know it the brother gets in on it and starts in about something I was supposed to have done to his sister.  Then dad gets in on it and starts in on Bernie about how he can't just show up at a council meeting and ask for his daughter's resignation!  LOL  Yes I am laughing out loud now.  He was actually on the agenda, just for the record.  The father also commented to Bernie about our yard which is none of his business and said, "This town has standards you know."  I wish people would get off of that one since one part of our yard is under construction.  Just look at the other parts, they look nice.  Anyway, I had an epiphany after he repeated some of this to me and I won't get into that because it is council business.

Well the long and the short of it is that I am sick of it, sick of everything.  We have done nothing but positive things for this community and I am sick of some people and their narrow minded ways. 

I will continue on but not without a very small chip on my shoulder for how Bernie has been treated.

A little over a year ago the ChooseWell Committee took shape in Coronation.  The purpose of this committee is to celebrate and promote Coronation as a Healthy, Vibrant community.  Bernie joined up immediately with enthusiasm and lots of ideas.  The goals of the committee are to provide various accessible and affordable wellness opportunities, to improve the well being of individuals through role modeling and engaging activities, encourage awareness and support of Healthy Eating Active Living for all, to build partnerships to increase community cohesiveness to achieve wellness.  He took part in all of this and tried to help this committee reach its goals.

Some of the achievements of the Coronation ChooseWell Committee to date have been:

Penny Jars Fundraiser - his idea

Walking Group, in partnership with Coronation Hospital and Primary Care Network - a continuation of a walking group we had started prior to this and considered to be a good idea by all involved.

Mother's Day Walk, in partnership with the Coronation Golf Course - his idea and it was well attended.

Edmonton Half Marathon Challenge - his idea.  He provided training tips, time, encouragement, moral support and guidance and 14 people signed up and completed the Challenge!  It brings tears to my eyes.  Kudos to all the Royal Runners.  We hope you were inspired and move on to challenge yourself in the future!

First Annual Turkey Trot - his idea.  It included many community partnerships.  At first people laughed but then they applauded when 115 signed up for the run.  It was such a roaring success that the ChooseWell Committee donated one thousand dollars of funds raised to the Fitness Centre.

Fruit Fridays in partnership with Coronation School - his idea, but not a new idea in that it has been implemented in many schools.  It was a successful venture but it lacked the volunteer efforts needed to keep it going.  Every child in school was given a bag of cut up fruit on several Fridays during the school year.  Just last week one of the graduates of Coronation School was commenting on how much the grade twelves liked all the fruit!

Fresh Florida Fruit Sales Fundraiser in partnership with Veteran Lions Club - his idea.  Thanks to those from the committee and to Diane Schmidt who carried through with this venture.  It was a bit of work and it was done very well.

Winter Walk Day, in partnership with Coronation School and CDSS - encouraged one hundred percent by Bernie and the committee.

Skate-A-Thon Fundraiser - appreciated by all those who took part and done in partnership with Coronation Minor Sports.

Heart Fair - in partnership with Coronation School.  The first Heart to Heart Market was in February 2012 and I can remember Bernie, first from a Dr.'s appointment before his heart surgery talking to people in Coronation on his cell phone, making arrangements for a partnership with Assisted Living  Then again there he was from his hospital room a few days after surgery, sending e-mails about the Market, hoping all went well.  I was fit to be tied since I thought he should be more concerned about his recovery from triple by-pass surgery and letting things happen.  But oh no, he needed to be part of it, come hell or high water.

Kids Activities and ChooseWell presence at Coronation Spring Market - he was there, signing people up for the Mini Golf Tournament that didn't happen.

Silent Auction in partnership with various places of businesses, the Coronation Spring Market and Ducks Unlimited - he moved the lovely donated framed print around town from one location to another and let people know where it would be via the ChooseWell Facebook page which we created.

Tour de l'Alberta bike Challenge - unfortunately he did not attend, due to a lot of things but mainly he just got busy with the house, the yard, me, and a lack of training on his part.

Memorial Park, in partnership with the Town of Coronation - a special project he wanted to be a part of.  Approval was granted by the Town of Coronation and the tree planting began at the Coronation Dam Campground for the Memorial Park.  The Choosewell Committee also proposed building a mini golf course and council also approved this in principal.  Bernie went to at least three Council meetings on behalf of ChooseWell to put forward this proposal.  None of the other committee members went with him, they left it in his capable hands to represent the committee and put forward the proposals.  For all his trouble he had his name dragged through the mud on several occasions and he was even taken to task about our yard which is nobody's  business.  The gist of it was that neither he nor I should take part in any beautification projects in this town because some people do not like our yard.  He was also accused of moving ahead on projects without the Coronation ChooseWell committee's approval.  Not true.
 
I ask you - how was he supposed to respond?  He resigned from the Committee and from all his obligations.  The committee did not want him to resign and at first he did not but when it just went on and on he decided to step back.  They accepted his resignation with regret and said to take the summer off and decide if this was what he wanted to do. 

After each council meeting where this was discussed something happened to our personal property.  We were also subjected to Facebook bullying, public humiliation at the hands of a councillor and now today Bernie can't even go in the coffee shop without being accosted.  And we thought it was over??

We can rise above it and think of the good times and of all the positive growth this town has seen.  Now I ask you if you are a resident of Coronation:  Do you want to move forward or do you prefer to just stay stuck in the same old same old and miss the boat entirely?  It is up to you.

The ChooseWell Committee epitomizes the vision of the Town of Coronation.  In April Council sat down for a weekend and came up with a Strategic Plan.  The vision?   "Our vision for Coronation is that we are a thriving proud and diverse Community that promotes positive sustainable growth, provides a safe and healthy environment and enhances the quality of life for our residents. "
This vision was reached by all councillors and all were present for the Strategic Planning.  Perhaps it should be reviewed.

And so I end this lengthy blog.  I hope I have enlightened some and for others you won't even read it anyway so it doesn't matter!  If you do read it just pass it along to others.  I post it all to Facebook so you can share it by hitting the "share" button.  easy peasy

Onwards and upwards I say!

The pig came back :)

The pig came back, but of course minus the flowers!  Many thanks to the RCMP officers who returned our pig two days after it went missing.  Now that's police work at its finest!  I was so happy just to get the pig back because it holds a lot of sentimental value to us, even if its nose is starting to get a little broken looking and the pink has faded.  I always sit it on the front step and plant portulaca in it since the step faces south and that flower doesn't require much water and likes the sun.  My mother-in-law thinks it is a weed (which is used to be), and she will have nothing to do with them!

I thought it was always kind of clever calling it my "Portulaca Pig". 

Anyway, we have the planter back now.  Whoever took it on Monday late into the night of July 22nd, please know that we are not amused but puzzled as to why you would do this.  Not only are the flowers gone but also a lovely little solar light was in this arrangement as well.  We thought we might go trolling the ditches late at night to see if it is there glowing away, lonely, rejected and wondering why anyone would steal and vandalize.

We are all into beautifying our yard and making sure it is as well kept as we can keep it.  Our front step looks rather bare these days because we are afraid to put anything else out unless we can chain it to the railing.  We should have chained down that Welcome Gnome now that I think of it, but it is too late.  We put a motion sensor light at the front so that might deter any thieves and vandals since I am not going to sit up all night scaring anybody away, thank you very much.

I'll tell you what is so ironic about this whole thing.  On Tuesday I noticed that Bernie had left the window open in the truck which was hooked up to the utility trailer in the driveway.  I went in the house to get the keys and noticed that there was only one set hanging there.  I never gave it much thought until I went out again to put the window up and lock the truck and there was the extra set of keys on the back bumper of the truck!  He had stopped working for the evening and forgotten to lock up and hang the keys in the proper place on Monday evening!  So whoever decided to steal the Portulaca Pig, you missed a better opportunity.  Let's see:  $5.00 front step ornament, $10.00 worth of flowers versus $40,000.00 truck and utility trailer. Too funny.

So I am putting out this challenge.  If you read this and you know who the guilty party is that took our stuff - tell me.  I would love to speak to whoever it is and hear their side of the story.  Then they can listen to mine.  Fair enough?  No pressure.

Update on Nonni's big heart and High River

As promised, an update from Nonni Anderson.

In a previous blog I had shared what Nonni had written about collecting grad dresses and accessories to send to High River.  Nonni and her family and friends spent a day in High River just trying to help out as best they could. Then she came home and decided, after speaking to the folks there, that what people could really use as they were trying to get back to normal were gift cards.  She also collected some other essential items as well from the folks in Coronation.  Here is her story:

Trip to High River:  This was definitely a trip of caring and compassion. The families that I met were happy & grateful and most of all thrilled to hear of the efforts and donations made by our small community. To the family with 6 children cooped up inside because of contaminated ground outside the movie pass was a dream day out for all. To the senior who's favorite meal anytime is a sub he was in his car and on his way to Subway before I got 2 doors down. To the church who have opened their doors to all denominations the cans of coffee were a welcome addition to their dwindling supply. The clothing was a little boys dream come true. Laundry soap (3 in 1 combo ) was like powdered gold, less products to carry around while hauling amazing amounts of dirty clothes. To the family who arrived in Alberta 2 months ago with everything they owned and lost it all Canadian Tire is where they will go to get something on their most needed list. Multiple families with extra travel costs to and from work to temp housing to their homes for clean up and repair the gas cards are a big bonus. Chapters will be well used by a 10 year old girl whose closes seemed unimportant but the loss of her books were devastating. The Stavely Elks had been set up for 16 days barbecuing and feeding all that came by. A gentleman named Bill from Canmore was loading his van with pans of food and driving out to farther areas to deliver to volunteers and home owners. He very graciously allowed me to follow and find areas and homes that I had not been to yet. Visa and Mastercards were a welcome gift to so many who's needs were changing daily. Coffee machines were a coveted gift for those that had not replaced theirs because these are items that will fall low on their list of must haves. The Keurig machine found its way to a group of friends and families that will share it with their community as they continue to put their lives back to some semblance of order and then on to their community seniors centre for all to enjoy for a long time. Finally as my journey was coming to a close I came across a home being gutted by a group that had stopped for a break and I was drawn to this home. When I asked to meet the owner a lady with a welcoming smile introduced herself as Sally. Her work crew were friends from Canmore, Red Deer, Edmonton, Lethbridge and around Alberta. The last UFA Gift card belonged at this home. She took my hand and we walked down the street together. We cried together and her blessings were for Coronation. When I said my final goodbyes she drew me aside and her final question to me was, "If I find someone more in need than myself may I pass this gift on to them.?"  This last gift belonged at this home.
So from me to all those that helped me take a part of Coronation to High River THANK YOU

 

Well, I say THANK YOU Nonni for your compassion and grace.  I talked to you a day or two after you came home from this journey and I could tell how emotionally connected you were as I listened to some of your stories.  You have touched the hearts of all the people in High River and you have reminded us here in Coronation of how fortunate we are to live where we live. 

Our Gnome did not come home :(

This is a picture of where our lovely Welcome Gnome used to sit proudly in front of our house.

That is why I wish I had taken a picture before it was stolen!  We miss it and now we look outside every day to make sure everything is where it is supposed to be.
 
I also took some pictures of our yard.  As anyone knows it is hard work maintaining a yard, especially after the amount of rainfall we had and especially if there is a lot of grass to cut.  I look at our property as "sections" of yard.  There is the front yard which faces south, the side yard which is on the east side, the back yard which is to the north, and the other side yard which faces west.  Here is a picture of some of it.

 
This is part of the "side" yard to the east and you can see part of our deck in the back ground.  I love that little gate.  If the dogs are in the back yard and we are in the front they poke their little noses through the holes!  Note the flags on the deck - the green one is flying proud today because we will be watching the Riders play the Tiger Cats at 3:30 this afternoon July 20th.

So just some assorted pictures.  The one in the middle is part of the back garden.  We had a strong west wind and it blew our hens and chicks sideways!  The one above that is the flower bed in the "side" yard to the east.  The flower bed is built on top of what used to be a crypt.  Our home was once a funeral home believe it or not.  We are very comfortable in it and if there are spirits they are friendly ones.  We have more problems with the living spirits!  The bottom picture is taken facing east towards our neighbor's house which you can't see because of all the trees.  We have the best neighbor in the world.  He is busy all day long picking dandelions and weeds from the boulevard.  In the winter he keeps the sidewalks clean.  He keeps an eye on our house even though we don't put him to the bother of doing so.  Who could ask for a better neighbor??  Thank you Joe.

We are still upset over that Gnome, but I guess we'll get over it.  Some travel all over the place and maybe whoever took it decided to send it travelling.  Who knows. 
 
Recently we have been the subject of a Facebook slam and public taunts directed towards the west part of our yard.  That, my dear friends, is a work in progress.  You do not know the history of it and you do not have a clue when you criticize so I would suggest that you just butt out of our business.  I don't recall when we purchased our home (and we own it free and clear) that it was a requirement to inform the townsfolk of every little project or renovation we had going on in our yard.  Wow, did I say that??  Yes I guess I did and I mean it.  It has been very upsetting this past little while for both Bernie and I.  The gall of people is absolutely amazing - and I don't mean that in a kind way.  That is what I meant in a previous comment about the living spirits.

For this blog just suffice it to say that I will have a lot more to say.
 
So for this point in time, have a great day everyone, enjoy the summer day wherever you are, watch football, phone a friend, visit a loved one, go shopping, do whatever you want as long as you are doing it without bothering me!!
 

Go Riders!!

 



I wish I had taken a picture just for the memory

Well today is July 16th and we are home safe and sound from our holiday.  It was a lovely time even if I was all crippled up.  I kept in touch very nicely with my friends and family and blogged all the while I was away.

We stayed two nights in Revelstoke. On the 12th we went to the Train Museum in Revelstoke.  Bernie thought it was somewhere else, meaning somewhere east of Revelstoke.  He was sure he saw a sign saying that it was so we set out to look for that sign or billboard.  Well, he was mistaken so we went to the town and found the museum.  It was great!  I really enjoyed it and bought a couple of books about the history of the rail.  I would highly recommend a visit to this museum if you are at all interested in trains.

We returned back to the campground and to our campsite #38.  We did not lock ourselves out and the turning of the key was uneventful!  The dogs were happy to see us but little Sarge was limping around.  The day before when we were setting up he got in the way and when Bernie stepped back he accidentally stepped on his little paw.  More on that later.

So this was our last night of holidays and we tried to get to bed earlier than usual because we had to set out very early.  We were due to attend a 6:00 p.m. dinner in Coronation sponsored by the Coronation Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee.  I am on the Committee on behalf of the town of Coronation.  We were hosting a site visit for a Dr. from South Africa who was also on a tour of two other hospitals in Alberta.  I had been in on the interview with her so I was anxious to meet her and her partner. 

We set out, without incident at 6:30 Pacific Time and when the time changed I knew we would be an hour behind and kind of in a hurry.  It is a long, long drive and Bernie was a real trooper.  We stopped at a turn out called "Taylor" in order for me to go to the bathroom - thank you Taylor for having a place to drive in and out with a truck and trailer, it was a desperate moment for me.  We stopped for gas in Canmore and waited forever for the truck to fill up.  By the time we got to Cochrane Bernie said that maybe we would not make it in time.  I told him that it was all right I would just text somebody if it was not possible.

We (he) drove on and on and we finally got home about 5 o'clock, not bad.  We were just going to park in front on the street but parking was limited.  So Bernie ended up parking in the usual spot.  It was and is always interesting for me because I never know if I should yell, gesture wildly or just shut up and let him back in.  More on that later as well. 

I ran in the house and texted that we would probably not get there until 6:30 and then I ran (run?  who am I kidding - limped) out to the trailer while Bernie was blocking it, etc. to get a few things.  I jumped in the shower, found something to wear, pulled a shirt out of the closet for Bernie and ironed his shorts because he wanted to wear them and they were CREASED UP, really bad.  Things were flying all over the place!  We made it to the dinner at 6:30 and they were just starting to stand in line to eat!  Not bad, Danylyshens are usually not late so I was proud to say we got there at 6:30!

More on the doctor thing later.

We were tired right out on Sunday, but I got up early because my sister and her husband were coming here later on for an overnight stay.  They live in Saskatoon and had been vacationing in Calgary with their daughter and one of my favorite nieces Susan and the kids William and Sarah!  I thought I should make the place presentable and it takes me forever since I don't move very fast.

We noticed on Saturday that some solar lights we had put out front had been strung out on the grass and on Sunday it finally dawned on us that our gnome was missing.  The Choosewell Committee had purchased this gnome with a Welcome sign for Bernie in appreciation of all his work with that Committee.  We put it right beside the front step.  Well, it was gone. 

Well, I can't tell you how it makes me feel.  In light of the fact that there are certain people in town who think our yard is the scourge of the neighbourhood; I am kind of surprised that someone would even enter the front yard to take our lovely gnome.  Would it not make sense to stay away from us seeing as how we have such a disgraceful yard????  Makes no sense to me.  All I know for sure is that there is no cure for stupid, and whoever did this that is what you are.  Guess what?  I can say this, it is my blog and you probably aren't even reading it. 

As for the gnome..........I wish that I had taken a picture just for the memory.

Neighbours from Switzerland

July 12th today and it would have been my Mom and Dad's 65th Weddding Anniversary. My Dad died in 1987, a long time ago and he was only 70 years old.  I miss you Dad and I know you left us too soon and that you did not want to go.  I am glad that the boys got to spend time with their Papa and that they remembered you always.  I guess you and Brett had a nice reunion and are always together.  Whenever we have a little problem with putting something together or we are looking for a tool I think of my Dad.  Every time I think something has to be done RIGHT NOW I think of Dad.  He just got up and fixed, or did something or just made everything right again and I miss that so much that it still hurts.  Dad, you apparently instilled that characteristic in me, or maybe it is in the genes!  I have a one track mind and things have to be done when things have to be done or I don't feel right.  I know you get it Dad and if you were here and I mentioned that you would have said, "Well sure." 

Anyway, I guess that has nothing to do with our  neighbours from Switzerland except to say that I asked them for help and I struck up a conversation with them which is what my Dad would have done!

We pulled into our site yesterday - after we found it and after I did not read the site map properly - .  Whatever.  Anyway, it is a pull through so that makes both of us happy.  Cable t.v., water, sewer and power hook ups, swimming pool, free WiFi  but only available if you sit near the office, which is not very convenient but better than nothing.  I am sitting in a gazebo right now by the office at a picnic table and there is an electrical outlet right beside me.  I took my small laptop, my cell phone and my IPad and of course my go mug with coffee.  Prior to that I was up at 2:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. since Sarge was whining that he wanted out.  Poor little guy is on the limp.  While we were setting up yesterday Bernie accidentally stepped on his paw.  We are sure he will be fine.  He gets a little car sick as well which doesn't help the situation! 

So on to the people from Switzerland.  We pull into our site #38 and start the setting up process.  I am pretty much useless but I can at least connect the water hose.  So I get the hose out and first look at the water connection which I presumed would be near the electrical post, which it was.  It looked like a small water pump but it had a hook up.  I asked Bernie what he thought and he turned the handle up and no water came out so we looked for another connection.  There was a post with two water taps on it so I connected the hose to the one pointing towards our site but no water was coming out of it when I turned it on.  We tried various things, but no water.  Bernie pulled up an down on the handle of the pump like one by our electrical hook up, looked for switches, instructions, anything to help but could not find a thing that was helpful.

I noticed that the people camping two sites down in a small motor home were all hooked up to their water, etc. and they were sitting outside.  I wandered over and said hello! and the discovered that they were not from this country but did speak and understand English.  I asked to see their water hook up and by gesturing and body language and speaking (and I have to admit I always talk louder when I speak to people whose first language is not English, guilty as charged, I know it doesn't help any) , they understood what I wanted and showed me their hook ups outside.  They had a regular tap tat was situated exactly where our funny looking pump like thing was situated.  So the man started to explain how to hook everything up, which was fine, it was nice of him.  I said thank you and went back to our site to discover that Bernie had cranked the pump handle one more time and water started to trickle out and then it came out normally which is what we wanted to see.  At the same time our neighbours came over to see how we were making out and the gentleman helped Bernie to get the end of the hose hooked up, actually turned it for him which helped tremendously.

They hung around and we had a conversation.  I found out that they were from Bern, Switzerland on a holiday that started at the airport in Vancouver.  Then they got the motor home and made their way east.  They were headed to see his friend in Rimbey who he worked with at a farm with cows 20 years ago  I am thinking he was here on an exchange with something like IAEA. They have two daughters, one 12 and the other 10.  He is a carpenter and his wife is a nurse.  Well when I heard the word "nurse" I went into recruitment mode and asked if they were planning on moving to Canada.  They just laughed but that may have been because they were not on the same page as me.  We met their girls and they hung around a little longer while Bernie finished setting up and then they went back to their site.  It was great talking to the and I did ask if they knew any doctors that might be interested in coming to Canada because we had a shortage and we would certainly be interested.  Well, why not?  Can't hurt anything and I am all about marketing and promotion at all times!

So we had water, the power was on, the cable worked fine for the upcoming Rider game at 4:30 or 5:00 o'clock or whatever time it was - depending what you looked at.  Bernie was exhausted an feeling bad about tripping over Sarge's paw.  So he set the chairs up, made himself a nice cold drink, relaxed in his gravity chair with Sarge on his lap and Duke sitting beside him and just dozed.  It must have been about three thirty or thereabouts, so lots of time to rest before the game.  Honestly a person just loses track of the time and even what day it is.  (That reminds me, Friday has passed and I haven't checked my lotto Max number) 

While Bernie dozed I defrosted a package of bacon since he said he would like to have bacon and eggs for supper.  Or as he put it, "let's have tomorrow's breakfast tonight".  I puttered around but I still had our neighbours from Switzerland on my mind and the fact that she is a nurse and must know a lot of doctors since she worked in a hospital, and in Bern to boot.  I mean it is a city, must have some doctors there who are wanting an adventure and would like to live and practice medicine in rural Alberta! 

While I puttered I looked through everything I could to find my Town of Coronation business cards, pens, pins, ANYTHING.  Wow!  I found three pins, more than enough business cards, Town of Coronation pens (I am the Queen of Pens - that's why my purse is so heavy!) and some other pens as well.  I kind of cleaned them up because they were in thee bottom of my purse and in the camera bag and in Bernie's "purse" (his IPad case).  I also found some of Bernie's www.crownnews.ca business cards, so I was ecstatic!  I wrote my name, contact phone numbers, the Coronation Medical Clinic's recruit website address, crownnews website, even my blog website on the backs of several cards.  I wrote a little note saying how nice it was to meet them and wishing them a safe journey and of course signed our names.  Then I waited until I saw them outside again and away I went to deliver my "presents" to our neighbours from Switzerland.  I think the man understood and spoke English the best and as I was talking away and giving him these little things he took what I gave to him and was very overwhelmed.  Okay so I talked loud again and probably too fast.  I just basically said I wanted them to have something from where we lived and that they could just look at the cards and check out the websites later. Oh well.  When I was done, he said, "Thank you."  In disbelief maybe that someone would just come over and give them things, but like I said, very overwhelmed.  I said, "You're welcome.  It was so nice to meet you.  Have a safe trip!"  I wish I could have heard and understood the conversation that ensued!  I just hope they didn't think that they had to give us something in return.  You never know.  We did not see them again and they pulled out of their site and were on their way some time this morning.  Farewell to our neighbours from Switzerland and when you get home I hope you remember where you put those business cards so you can look us up.  When you do I hope you go to my blog and read this!  I also hope that you show the recruiting website address to all the doctors you know.  You just never know!

Travelling Day

Today was a travelling day. Now we are in Revelstoke at a KOA. I of course cannot do any driving and Bernie's back was bothering him the whole trip. I told him before that he should buy one of those cushions for a car seat that have lumbar support.  This hasn't happened yet. He put a pillow behind his back for this trip. Cheaper than the alternative I suppose.

We had such a nice time yesterday in downtown Penticton and I am glad we did. Today was a total bust for me with my back causing my leg to hurt like the dickens. Really bad now but I just took my drugs so hopefully they will kick in soon.

We packed up the outside things last night so there wouldn't be that much to do in the morning.  I helped as much as I could. We folded up the outside mat together.  It reminded me of when we were first married and we had to go to a laundromat. We would fold the sheets together. So romantic spending quality time  at the local laundromat. I mentioned that  to Bernie and he said, "yeah and forty years later you still can't get it right!"  He thinks his method is the best, no arguing with him, why bother.  Yes forty years, I was kind of surprised he got it right since he usually says 30 or 35.  Maybe it was because I reminded him the other day.

So now I am using the touch  screen on my IPad to write this. We do not have WiFi available in the campground, just by the office.  If it is a nice day tomorrow I will take my laptop there and finish this up.

We watched the Rider game after we got settled here.  "Green is the colour, football is the game, We're here together and winning is our aim!  So cheer us on through the wind and rain, Saskatchewan Roughriders is our name!"

Tomorrow I will talk about our neighbours from Switzerland .