Visiting the West Coast

Punch and I left Chelmsford on September 5th for B.C. It was sad to leave our family there and in Alliston but we were happy also because we would get to see the girls and their family. On our way we visited a few places before stopping in at Marc's our nephew in Sylvan Lake, Alberta for a visit and it was really nice to finally see his family. It happened to be the same time that my sister Marie and Len were visiting so it made it even more special. We also went to see our friends in Crossfield, Alberta. Lorraine and Bill made us feel like a part of their family. We were treated with alot of kindness and can't wait to see them again in Mesa, Arizona this November.

We arrived in Logan Lake at our campsite to be our home for a month. We settled in comfortably and then visited with the Gagnons and the Fournier families. It was so nice to see all of them again. Renee and Nat took some time off to spend with us and we got to spend a whole day with just them. We visited Clearwater. What a beautiful spot. We had a great day.
While we were there we also got to see the salmon run. They come back every four years to span and then to die. It's to bad but that is their circle of life.
Punch and I got to spend some quality time with both families during our stay. Jessie, Sam and Danika sure are growing up to be some beautiful little ladies. We sure enjoy every minute that they could spend with us. They are all working and going to school so they really have to squeeze the grandparents in there somewhere. We love you girls so much.
Thanksgiving was hosted by Renee and her family in Kamloops. She had some friends, other family members and all our family for supper. It sure made it special. It was nice to see Pierre, Tiffany, Paige and Landon during our stay. They are a really nice family.
Our departure from B.C. was a joyous but sad moment for all. We were anxious to get to our destination but very sad to be leaving them all behind. At least we do cherish the time that we get with them.

Goodbye for now girls see you in March.

Charlie

I know that it took me awhile before I could write about Charlie but there is never a good time so here it is.
On April 12, 2010 we lost our dear little dog Charlie. Charlie was 13 years old but he lived a very good and long life. He had spent most of the winter with Natalie while we were in Arizona so he lived his last months with his best dog friends Maddux, Jake and Ziggy. Chris and Nat really took good care of him while we were away. I'm sure if he could have talked he would have thanked them for all they did for him. We got to spend some time with him at Christmas but only a few weeks on our return in March.
Charlie lived a long time since he was born with a very bad heart murmur and was only expected to live a few years. He got to share the first seven years of his life with his good buddy Higgins our other dog whom he missed a lot after Higgins passed away. Charlie managed to walk almost three miles a day with me and these walks will be forever remembered as some of our favorite times together. He was really close to Punch and loved to go for rides with him. The empty space he left in his heart will take a long time to heal. Charlie was always good for a laugh. He did leave the whole family with a lot of good memories. He will be missed by all.
Charlie was laid to rest with his best bud Higgins in Logan Lake B.C. in Nat and Chris's yard. We knew that he would be at peace there since he would be forever close to his friends.
Charlie we will miss you and you will never be forgotten. Have a good time with Higgins up in doggy heaven. Be well our friend.

Spring and Summer of 2010

We returned to Sudbury on March 28th after four days of travelling. Now we have to get busy and pack our belongings since Nat sold her home and will be leaving for Kamloops to join Chris on April 26th. They found a really cute home in Logan Lake about half an hour from Renee's. Moving day finally creepsup on us and we have to say goodbye to Nat and the dogs, what a sad time but we are hoping to see each other soon. Thanks guys for giving us the opportunity to live next to you. It might have been short but it was great. Wishing Nat and Chris all the best in their new home.
During this time we also lost our little dog Charlie. It was a lot to take in at the same time and I will post something about him in the future. We have decided to put all our stuff in
storage for a year and then try to figure out what we want to do. Settled down in one place or keep travelling. Time will tell.

We have been spending a lot of time and camping with the family. Punch got himself a small boat and motor so we did quite a bit of fishing in the spring and summer. A few of my family members came to join us for a week in May. It was really a great time and so nice to be able to see them again. Hope to be able to do it again next year.

June was spent babysitting our grandson Owen while his mom went back to her teaching job.
Owen celebrated is first birthday on June 6th, 2010. We were glad to be able to celebrate it with him. Many more my little boy.
We really enjoyed their company and had a great time reconnection with Owen. He loved Pepere's truck. We stayed at the Earl Rowe campsite which is only about 5 minutes from Denis' so Owen got to come and visit and enjoy the park also.
We also got to spend time with the Beaudry family again in August before heading out to B.C.
July we went to Massey Chutes for 12 days with my brother Rock, Nicole and Marie and Len. Rock, Nicole and I celebrated our July birthdays. We had a great time and good cake. My friend Carolle managed to come and see us at the Chutes for the day. Thanks Carolle for the nice visit. I miss your friendship when I'm away. See you on the rebound.
We headed out to Katadowa Lake near my sister Reggie's camp. Some members of our family came to spend some time with us at various intervals. Fish fries were great, weather fantastic and still no mosquitos. Very good company also and we even had fresh bread delivered by my sister Mado right at the door. What good fun.
In August we returned to Chelmsford for awhile and managed to see Punch's family and have supper together. Finally the Vale strike was over and life was getting back to normal for a lot of people. Good luck to everyone!!!
Well we did say that we wouldn't get another dog...We didn't we got two. They are cockapoos. My nephew Rock and his wife Natalie's dog Blossom delivered these nice new puppies and we couldn't resist. The last three weeks of August we spent with Denis, Laura and Owen since we were leaving for Kamloops B.C. at the beginning of September to visit with Renee, Nat and their family.

Trip from Arizona to Kamloops, B.C.

February 28th off we go with all our gear heading up the California Coast on our way to Kamloops, B.C.
On our first day we make it to San Diego and stay at the Mission Bay Campground for three nights. We went biking in the early morning on the beautiful bike path going around the bay. While in San Diego we visited Balboa Park, old town of San Diego and went up the to the Naval base were we saw the most breathtaking view of San Diego and the Pacific ocean. The beauty of it all could never be captured on pictures. You just had to be there. We also visited the naval cemetery which sits on both sides of the outlet. It was the saddest thing to see but at the same time the most serene spot we had ever seen. On our last night we went to Coronado Island and took a nice stroll on the Ocean beach. The tide was out so it made it really easy for us to walk since the sand was just as hard as cement. We also got to see the city at night it was really gorgeous. What a great day spent with my better half. It is so nice to get to reconnect with each other again. It's like starting our life anew but wiser a bit.
For supper we ended up in Little Italy and ate at this small Italian restaurant. The front of the place was a small grocery store and the eating area was in the back. The dishes didn't match, we were given small juice glasses for our wine but I have never ate such good Lasagna in my life and Punch had a really good spaghetti and meatball dish. The decor was something out of The Lady and The Tramp. Checkered red and white plastic tablecloth and all....

March 3rd and the 4th we drove up to Anaheim which is a part of Los Angeles. We stayed at the Anaheim Campgrounds. We spent two wonderful days touring Disnelyland. Punch and I had a lot of fun and even got to take our picture with Mickey Mouse. We had never imaged ourselves there but very good memories were made they will stay with us for ever.

March 5th we headed out and ended up in the county of Carmel at the Monterey Bay Holiday Inn. We decided to stay in a hotel for the night and take a long bath. You never think of missing a bath till you can't take one whenever it pleases you.
March 6th drove to San Francisco to find a campground for a few nights. Our adventure that day started out like any other day but it didn't end up that way. It all started when we were looking for our RV park. We programmed our GPS known to us as Lucy to take us to our site for the night. Well Lucy usually is right on but this time she took the shortest way and we ended up right downtown San Francisco which means we were way up on those roads you see in the movies. Automatically when you go up you do have to come down. I'm telling you it was like going in a roller coaster. You should have seen us. The roads are narrow and just enough space for two cars let alone your big truck and 5th wheel. I'm sure people took pictures to show their friends because I wouldn't have believed it myself if we weren't the two Canadians doing it. San Fran is a very nice place to visit but not to live because of all the hills you have to climb at all times. No flat lands there. We took a tour of the city and really enjoyed ourselves and got to see all the tourist areas and Saucillito.

When we left San Fran we headed out to Kamloops following the California Coast all the way up to Portland, Washington. We stopped in Coos Bay CA, Wanashee, WA before crossing the border back into Canada. All the states we went through were very scenic especially Oregon and the weather cooperated all the way. No snow no rain.

We arrived in Kamloops on March 10th and received a nice big welcome from the Gagnon family. It was wonderful to see everyone. We camped in Knutsford, BC which was only a short drive to Renee's. We had a beautiful two weeks in Kamloops visiting different areas with Renee and Pat. The girls were always busy doing something or another but we did get to see them quite a bit especially at meal time. Boy those girls can really eat and still manage to stay in good shape with them going to the gym every night and having to walk the hills of BC. While in Kamloops Renee introduced me to Cob's Bakery, well let me tell you I ate enough bread and butter to last me a few months. The bread was to die for. Wish we had one in Sudbury but it will be something to look forward to on my next visit.
Leaving Renee and her family was really hard. I was sad and sick to my stomach that whole day while on the road. But every good thing has to come to an end if we plan on going back in September. Renee, Dad and I love you so much and wish you and your beautiful family the best.

Saying Hi

Hi Everyone I know it's been awhile but the days sure go by fast when you get to me my age, or it might just be because I'm having a really great time.
February just went by like a flash. We tried to enjoy every sunny day and then we did watch the 2010 Olympics. I am proud of all our athletes even if some came home without a medal they sure gave it there best.
We met some really nice couples at the park and became friends with one couple from Alberta. Bill and Lorraine had their fifth wheel just a few streets down from us. Bill took wood crafting on Thursdays with Punch. Talking about wood crafting Punch put in his first year project in the craft show in Mesa and won third price in the one to four year category. I was really proud of him.
The four of us would meet for happy hour a few times a week. I wish them a nice trip home and a good summer. Hoping to see them when we go through Alberta in April.
We also met a couple from Quebec JC and Susanne. It was also their first year and they said that they might come back to Mesa next year.
We finished playing our last Boccie game on February 23rd and I think we came in about sixth. Not bad since we had eight teams. I met some nice gentlemen at Boccie. One of them was Jack and he's also from BC. He's 90 years old but doesn't look a day past 75. Jack would come down and cheer for us. He was a very good boccie player. Then there was Don he was our candy man. He would past candy around to everyone at every game.
On February the 27th we said our last goodbyes to all our new found friends and left the next day for our trip home.

Valentine/Birthday

Wishing everyone a very Happy Valentine from Arizona.Happy 60th Birthday to my sister Reggie and a Happy 19th Anniversary to Marie and Len.

January Update

My god I can't believe that another week as gone by already. Before we know it we will be heading back home. Punch and I both played Boccie Ball this week and we finally got to win on Tuesday. Mind you it's only our third game. So I guess our stats are 1 win 2 losses.
Punch is playing really well. It's not a game that you need to bend down to much. We have some Boccie players that are at least in their 90's and they still play better than us young folks.
We must have really been busy because we didn't even have time to do laundry this week. Ha well there's always next week. It's not like we are running out of clothes.

Besides that the weather was pretty good this week so we got some pool and hot tub time. Punch is still doing his woodcarving. Right now he's making a nice sign with our name on it so we can put it up when we are camping. He participated in a show and tell for different crafts being done and it went over very well. We worked at the Country Store again this week. There was a big crowd this week at least 250 people showed up. We were working in the ice cream department. Punch was doing cash and I was doing Sundays and cones. Making Sundays and putting the toppings on is a really sticky job. By the end my sanitized gloves were stuck to the ladles. It makes me think of painting. By the end my paint brush is stuck to my hand with to much paint. On Saturday morning I had to get up at 5 am to be able to help serve the monthly pancake breakfast. My job that day was flipping eggs. We flipped 30 dozens of eggs. Not bad I only broke one. They said I did very well since it was my first time flipping eggs for that breakfast, but what they don't know is that it wasn't my first picnic. Punch got up also to get some pictures of the sunrise but he kinda drove to wrong side of the mountains. Better luck next time. We went to see the movie It's Complicated with Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin. It was really good and funny. We sure could relate to that movie and I think most of us can. Today we drove to Phoenix to get some blackberry clobber at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant since I ran out this morning. I have been eating it every morning on an English muffin for at least four months now. I will make sure to stock up before we enter Canada. It was a nice ride we always enjoy taking rides. I finally heard from Nicole and Rock this week. They are doing Ok but disappointed that they can't come down. She gave me an update of the family and theirs different things happening in every household. Wishing everyone good health. Louise and Ray are going to Cuba first week of March with some friends and I'm sure they will have a lot of fun. Enjoy! Marie still having good weather for ice fishing. Good Luck. Get enough for a fish fry when I return.
I want to congratulate Daniel on is signing up for the Army. I'm really proud of him but worried at the same time. Now we will have two nephews to worry about. Alain is almost finished is training and now we have another one starting.I also got to talk to Renee and she updated me on her family. Jess is doing great. I'm sure that anyone that follows Facebook can see that. Sam just came back from a trip to Ottawa to visit the hospitals there and to chat with the doctors since she really wants to be a Neurosurgeon. Danika is adjusting really well also and getting good marks at school. Never give up on your dreams girls.

You can accomplish anything you set your mind too.
To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe .

Den and Laura are doing OK also. Owen was eight months old on February 6th already. I'm hoping to talk to them on Skype today. Nat is back from Orlando and she is anxiously awaiting Chris's visit at the end of the month. Chris is doing really good at the mine and he also love it but would like his family with him. They also got news this week that they are number 68 on the adoption list. Before we know it little Kaysen will be home. It's been a struggle for her and Chris but it sure looks sunnier right now.

Well I guess that's enough gabbing for today. Punch and I will watch the football game and are rooting for New Orleans to win. Bye for now.

Pat's Birthday

Wishing Pat a very Happy 39th Birthday January 31st. Hope you enjoy it with your family and friends. I won't be able to make you a Jello Cake this year so I have included a picture of one. Next year the big 40 and then there's no more turning back. Don't take any day for granted because it goes by really fast.

Saying of the week:

WE DO NOT STOP PLAYING BECAUSE WE GROW OLD;

WE GROW OLD BECAUSE WE STOP PLAYING.

First Movie in Mesa

Hi everyone that's following my blog. We haven't been up to much in the last few days. Thursday we went to our fist movie in Mesa. Saw Sherlock Holmes pretty good movie after you get into it. Friday was our Country Store day so we spent most of the day there. Afterwards Punch and I went for a swim, hot tub and layed in the sun till around 5p.m.
On our return we sat down with a nice glass of wine and played some board games. Not to late to bed since Punch as to be at his show for woodcarving early Saturday morning. The weather is starting to co-operate so we will be enjoying the sun for awhile.
Nat informed us on her blog that she is now number 77 on the adoption list from Ethiopia. She might be closer, it all depends how many people wanting boys are on the list. Wishing her the best. She arrived safely in Florida yesterday and will be returning home next Friday. Have fun Nat. Hope you get to see a bit of Disneyworld while your there. In a few years you might be able to visit with Chris and Kaysen.

Missing Charlie

Today the weather is getting much better. We should be in the 70 degree temperature by Saturday. We just got back from a bicycle ride around the park which is 9 miles long. Not bad for old foggies like us. While we were out we saw quite a few dogs and it made me miss Charlie very much. Not that I don't miss the kids but you know a dog is a good friend also.
We have had Charlie for 12 years now and we miss is presence in the house. Natalie left for Alliston today and is heading out to Florida tomorrow for a week. Have fun Nat and be carefull. Renee and her family are busy moving to a new home and I wish them all the best. Hello to Den and his little family and a great big kiss to Owen.

We will be going out to see a movie tonight. We haven't seen one in months. A good day to all.

Our return to Arizona Jan 2010

Hi again everyone. So far we haven't been getting the best weather since our return but we are making the most of it. Punch and I joined a Bocci Ball team and are also subs for other teams. So far we have been playing at least three times a week. It's a lot of fun and our first time at it.
We did go a day excursion to the Salt River Canyon. It's a small version of the Grand Canyon. We really enjoyed the trip and were planning to go to Tucson for a three day weekend sometime in February to see a rodeo.
Punch and I also volunteer since October at the Friday Corner Store which serves lunch for all the park. We get to meet different people and make some friends. We have also gone dancing but one or two dances and Punch can't do more. Well it's better than what it was before. He couldn't dance anymore at all.
Last weekend we went to a post football game party and then came home to cheer for the Minnesota Vikings. They lost but it was a very close game. We decide that we will cheer for the New Orleans team in the Super Bowl. Punch also does woodcarving every Thursday and plays pool in Mondays when he can. Now we haven't had time to golf yet but we are going to do so next week.
We were hoping that my brother Rock and his wife Nicole would be able to join us in February but due to some complications they won't be coming. It's to bad since we would have like to show them around. Maybe in November or early 2011. Yes we will be coming back next October.
I have included a few pictures and the red ball closest to the small white one is mine. Not bad for someone that never played before.

Picture of Salt River Canyon taken by Punch

Our Adventure Begins

Today I'm starting my new blog. I will try to give you a small preview of what we did from October 2nd, 2009 till January 9th, 2010.
October 2nd, 2009 we left home for our adventure. We had never done this before but like we said we have to try it. The first day we made it to Grayling, Michigan. We got a lot of rain crossing the MacKinnac Bridge and had to be escorted over since the winds where really high.
We stayed at a very remote campground that night but the owners were really nice even offering us a free stay.
October 3rd we travel through to Louisville, Indiana and stayed at a KOA for the night. The highways are so nice to drive that you don't mind travelling 8 to 10 hours a day.
October 4th we past through Kentucky and ended up in Nashville, Tennesse. We stayed at another KOA for two nights. We went on a tour of the Grand Ole Oprey, Country Music Hall of Fame and a few other attractions. On our second day we explored Nashville on our own and then we went to see a Tribute to Elvis Presley. Next day we went to see a concert at the Grand Ole Oprey. We saw Charles Daniels, Hal Ketchum, The Whites, Little Jimmy Dickens and a few more country singers. We really enjoyed our stay in Nashville.
October 7th we drove down to Memphis. Camp at the Graceland RV campground. We were next door to Elvis's home and museum. We visited Graceland which was really great since it brought back a lot of memories since we grew up during the Elvis era. Visiting Beale street downtown Memphis was also very nice. We got to visit the street of the Great Blues singers like B. B. King. Great time. A little to much beer for me though.
October 9th we drove to the state of Oklahoma and stayed at the Cherokee campground. Had a nice supper and then retired for the night.
October 10th drove through the state of Texas and New Mexico. We stopped after driving for 11 hours and stayed at the Roadrunner KOA in Alamagordo for the night right on the border of New Mexico and Arizona. We did get to stop in Roswell the town where they say that a UFO landed years ago. A lot of the building are painted with UFOs and Aliens pictures. Interesting to see.
October 11th drove to the state of Arizona. We will be staying at the Mesa Spirit Resort in Mesa, Arizona till March 2010. It really is a nice place. Gated community, lots of pools, spa and all kinds of different activities. Got ourselves a bike. We had not been on one for at least 20 years. Like they say you never forget to ride a bike. We are meeting different people from a lot of places every day. So far so good. Visited some places of interested and enjoyed all of them.
November we went to Las Vegas for our 39th anniversary. It is a nice place to visit. A lot to see which was good since we are not avid gamblers. We took in a show and did quite a bit of sightseeing. We had fun and we are planning on returning. After our three day stay we headed up to visit the Grand Cayon. It was cold up there since your 7500 feet above sea level. We stayed over for one night and got to see it during the day and at night. It's easy to have fun when your with the right person.
December 2nd took a flight from Phoenix to Toronto for Christmas. Stopped in to see Denis my son and is family. Laura and Denis were proud parents of a little boy in June 2009. Little Owen is now 6 months old and really is a joy to be around. He is a good and beautiful baby. Mind you I am the grandmother so I might be bias but I don't think so. Headed down to Val Caron to visit with the family around there. Natalie still lives in Val Caron where we have our granny suite but Renee has moved to Kamloops, B.C. October 3rd 2009 so her family was really missed during the holidays. It ended up that Nat's husband Chris also offered a job out there so he was not around for the New Year. Nat will be moving there as soon as she sells her home and we will spend our time in our RV most of the year. Visiting between Kamloops and Alliston will keep us busy. Great holidays but Punch found that the weather was really bad for his back. Next year we will only go home for two weeks.

Baby Owen
Renee, Sam, Jessie and Dan

January 8th flew back to Mesa, Arizona after visiting with baby Owen, Den and Laura. Sad to leave them but glad to be going back. The weather though as not been cooperating. It's been cold and wet but I know that the weather will get better soon. I have included a small video for everyone to view. Enjoy. Please press play to view pictures.