Happy New Year

Well, 2014 has arrived which means that we have seen the last of 2013! That year went by too fast! I hope this one takes a little longer and I am able to enjoy it a little more.

2013 saw the passing of our brother-in-law, John on January 25th. The funeral was on Vancouver Island but since he had worked here in Edmonton most of his adult life, they had a memorial service for him. We were booked for Hawaii so were unable to attend, but gave our house up for visitors and family to meet and greet.

Hawaii was wonderful and over too soon. We had three weeks and planned on four for 2014 but have since changed it to only two thinking we would use our extra time to spend more of it camping in our trailer. We'll see how that works out.

In May I fell down some steps in Jasper and fractured my right hand. It took a good six weeks to strengthen again and it still gives me problems when I use it too much or carry things too heavy. Not sure if that is just me or if it is a problem with the hand. Nevertheless, we still have not heard from the insurers of the place we were staying at. It sure takes a long time for things to get processed!

We did a fair bit of camping in the summer and visited with our daughter and family and those lovely grandkids as well. We also did a bit of camping just the two of us which is also very nice. We all need time to be alone and revisit our relationships. It makes life more interesting and definitely exciting!

In late August John's sister had a heart attack and once she was released from hospital she was moved into a Senior lodge where she was doing better. Another one happened in Sept after she was settled into her new home so we went out to visit. We spent a little time with our kids also. On our return home in October, John's oldest brother had a stroke and before we knew it, we were headed to Ottawa for a funeral.

Special things that happened...our grandson turned 13 - a teenager! He and his dad went on an overnight hike up a mountain - went as a boy...came back as a man. That was the idea! We are so proud of him. He is quite the young man. All the g'kids are great but only one is a teenager right now!

Christmas was spent with friends this year as it was the in-laws turn with the kids. We found lots to do and keep us busy but I must admit, it's not the same. We look forward to the kids coming this way next year.

We got a printer for my laptop and a new desktop for John. We are now adjusting to all the changes in the new systems. It went from XP to Windows 8. My laptop is Windows 7 so things are a bit different each time you go to a different computer. We still have the same t.v. so when we get frustrated, we go and watch a tv show!

Anyway, cold and crisp out there today! Blue sky and plenty of sunshine but -22 C with a windchill of -32 C. At least it is not supposed to snow now for a few days! We'll take it!

The following picture kind of sums up the mood for today.... but... also wanted to say:
Happy New Year!

I love a stay-in-you jammies kind of day!