Christmas with New Family

After a long break, another post appears...

Susan and I are happy to announce that we were engaged on December 21st. The wedding will be in late summer of 2008 in Ontario.

We have just returned from Newfoundland where we spent our Christmas with the Banfields.

We were greeted at the airport in St. John's by a welcome party made up of Susan's: father, sister, brother, 2 aunts, an uncle and 3 cousins. During the next week I met several other members of the family.

We spent time with family and friends and had a great time in Grand Falls.

Our trip home was a bit rough. We were scheduled to leave St. John's at 5am on Dec. 30. Our flight was delayed and then cancelled due to bad weather (oddly enough every other flight leaving around that time took off). The flight was eventually rescheduled for 4:15 that afternoon. After napping and grabbing lunch at Jungle Jims, we returned to the airport and checked in around 2pm. However, our flight did not leave at 4:15. It was discovered a little before we were scheduled to begin boarding that the plane at a mechanical problem and that the flight would be delayed until a mechanic could look at it. After replacing the dead batteries, the plane powered up and they boarded us at least an hour late. We were further delayed while we taxied to another part of the airport for de-icing, and then to our runway. Were were nearly 2 hours late leaving. This made our connection in Toronto VERY tight...so tight that when we got to the gate, we discovered that our seats had been given away. The agents at the gate were very rude (they seemed to think that it was our personal fault that our flight was late), but they did get us seats on the plane. We were moved from row 19 to row 29, which of course meant that we could not recline our seats because were in the last row and had a bulkhead behind us. Obviously it didn't matter that we had paid extra to select our seats in advance back in September when we booked our flights. We did make it home though, and our baggage, which was not transfered to our plane in Toronto, is expected to catch up with us today.

I haven't flown with Air Canada much, prefering to travel with West Jet, and the amount of complications on this trip as well as the poor customer service has definately convinced me to stick with West Jet. Hopefully the next time Air Canada runs out of money the government won't waste their time (and our tax dollars) bailing them out.

I will be sure to post further information regarding the wedding as details are established.

For anyone living in the area between Pickering and the Niagara region, if you attend an Army corps (or other church for that matter), we'd appreciate some pictures of sanctuaries as we are trying to figure out where to have the wedding. You can e-mail me at listowel1984@gmail.com

Where to begin...?

Well, it's been nearly 2 months since my last post, and LOTS has happened!!

To follow-up on my last post, the GBS concert was great!! So much fun!! Since then, I've also been to see Rick Mercer, thrown a suprise "welcome home" party for a friend who went to BC for a week, a fair-well party for a friend who has headed back to England for school and the waterpark at West Edmonton Mall. I'm pretty sure I'm missing stuff. Oh, I was also at Music Camp in August - that lots of fun.

I am continuing to take various training courses for work and the certificates are starting to pile up. Over the next two weekends I will be taking the Amateur Radio Licensing course.

Seeing as I am not doing very well posting, I figure I'll include a bit on my plans for the Thanksgiving weekend. That weekend I'll be in southern Alberta with Susan. We're going down to Banff/Canmore/Calgary for that weekend. She hasn't been south of Red Deer yet and never out to the Rockies, so that's where we'll be. So, people in Calgary, make sure you're around so I can catch up with you!!

Here's a picture that I took on Tuesday at a "Crash-On" exercise at the Edmonton International Airport. You can see the Salvation Army's EDS Canteen in the foreground with the Stars Air Ambulance taking off just behind.

Finally!!

Hey all!! I'm finally going to a Great Big Sea concert tonight!! A couple years back I had tickets to a concert in Calgary but ended up not going because I was supposed to get my wisdom teeth out...which I didn't on that day...bummer!! Anyways, they're doing an outdoor concert at Capital Ex this evening, free with gate admission, so Susan and I are going to check that out.

Yes, Susan. For those who don't have facebook, or who I haven't found to add as a friend, I have a beautiful girlfriend named Susan. Readers of my father's blog might have noted a reference to her on a post a little while ago. We will have been dating for 3 weeks this Saturday and are very happy.

Today I'm at home for most of the day working on my sermon for August 19. I'm speaking at Castledowns Church on that Sunday. I realise that it's still a while away, but my schedule will be busy for the two weeks leading up to it and the officers are commencing their vacation time at the end of this week and they're wanting to find out what I'm speaking on. I'm looking forward to the opportunity!! I very much enjoy any opportunities I get to speak on a Sunday (hint, hint for any officers in the Edmonton area who might read this).

Take care everyone! (If anyone is still reading this)

They just might make an Edmontonian out of me yet...

I am absolutely loving living in Edmonton!!

I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD EVER UTTER THOSE WORDS!!

I have thoroughly enjoyed my first month in Edmonton. My job is great!! I've made some new friends. I'm getting out and seeing more things than I have for a long time. Life is just really great right now. Since moving here I have been to an international soccer match, a picnic in a park, a day at a plant conservatory, the Taste of Edmonton Festival, the Edmonton Street Performers' Festival and just been out and around. There are pics on facebook for my friends with accounts.

On Monday I am headed to Calgary for a day and a half for work. My hotel is booked and I'm looking forward to the trip, just for something a bit different.

Still alive...

Well, I have now been in Edmonton for 3 weeks, or very near that. And it has been just under one week since we moved into our house here. I am really starting to feel more settled.

I am loving my job!! I am excited about the opportunity for me to learn and grow, as well as the potential for ministry and partnerships. I have just finished my first training course - Standard First and CPR (scary thought - I've spent 3 summers at camp and however many more years working with kids and I've never taken a First Aid course before now). So now, instead of not knowing what to do, I'll simply not remember what to do...(joking...really...)

Yesterday I was at Edmonton Temple for church. It was the installation of Captains Don and Donna Bladen. They have 4 children (they must be nuts!!). I also had my first cell phone call during Don's sermon (the phone was on vibrate - not ringer mode). I was sitting in the band and had to leave the service for a bit...kind of awkward on my first day up there. I was also back in the trombone section for the first time in years...that was interesting...I remembered my slide positions luckily enough, but dropping down and switching back to Bb was a bit awkward for the first bit...it'll take some time.

I'm definately feeling positive about all of this!!

Counting down the hours!!

Well, almost all my belongings are packed (minus my computer - that goes in the box tomorrow). Either my things are in boxes to be shipped in a couple of weeks or in suitcases to go with me next week. All that remains is some cleaning.

Tomorrow evening I head for Salmon Arm for the weekend and won't be back until late Sunday night. It should be a fun weekend. I always enjoy these weekends (at least when I don't get sick!!).

Monday morning I'll head for St. Albert where I'll be staying until the end of the month. Then I get a couple of days down time before I start work on Thursday. So - my next post should come to you from north of here.

Move date pushed ahead

I will now be moving to Edmonton a couple of weeks before my parents and ahead of schedule. I have accepted a position in Edmonton working for The Salvation Army which requires me to be available as soon as possible. So, I have given my two weeks notice at my current job and am trying to find a place to stay in the Edmonton area until my parents move up later in June.

I will be coordinating the Army's Emergency & Disaster Services for the northern part of Alberta. This is another fantastic opportunity for me to learn new skills and grow personally and "professionally" in preparation for officership. I start in the office on June 14th.

This has come together very quickly. It was only last Tuesday that I got a phone call to setup an interview. I had my interview on Friday and was offered the position yesterday.

This means that this upcoming Sunday will be my last at my church since I will be in Salmon Arm, B.C. the following Sunday just before I move north. I only have 7 work days left in my current job. It all seems very fast, but I feel great about it!!!

Sick in Cranbrook

My weekend was spent in beautiful (but rainy) Cranbrook, B.C. on a band trip - the first of two over the next few weeks (in a few weeks an ensemble is going to Salmon Arm, B.C.). I billetted with a lovely family who were very friendly and hospitable. I spent more time with them than I have with any other people that I've been billetted with on a band trip. Most trips are so full of activities that very little time is left to get to know the people we are staying with, but due to a smaller schedule and some rain on Saturday there was plenty of time to just relax. Saturday morning was free for us and many bandmembers travelled up that day. And because of rain our afternoon outdoor engagement was cancelled leaving us with more time off.

Sunday was not quite so pleasant for me as I awoke with an upset stomach that lasted all day, causing me to miss the second half of the morning service. In the whole day I only managed to keep down a bowl of chicken noodle soup in the evening once I got home...most unpleasant. I had to take my first ever graval for the trip home, meaning that I slept soundly from Kimberley, B.C. to Okotoks, just south of Calgary.

Today my stomach has been fine, but I've had headaches, muscle aches and been very tired. I've slept a lot and still feel ready for a solid night's rest.

It is interesting to see how much my father packed over the weekend. There is still a lot more to pack, but quite a bit has been done at this point. I need to repack many of my boxes that I never really unpacked since I got back to Calgary from Peace River, just because I had to open them to find a couple of small items. Overall, I don't really have much to pack most of it is already done. Most of my efforts will go towards cleaning the house for the Vincents who will be moving in to the house in July.

7 great years...

Today The Salvation Army announced that my parents, Fred and Wendy Waters, are appointed to Edmonton, Alberta as the Area Commanders for Northern Alberta. This means that I am most likely moving to Edmonton in June as well. Finances aren't likely to permit me to remain in Calgary for the next year before I am expecting to go to Winnipeg.

Our family has enjoyed our time in Calgary so much, and we are sad to be leaving things behind here. But Edmonton will be a new experience and we do have many friends there. It's not too far away, so I'm looking forward to visiting Calgary several times.

The complete list of moves for the Canada and Bermuda Territory is available online here. Several more Candidates have been accepted for officer training this week as well. That list is available here.

I am looking forward to spending the next couple of months with my friends and family that live here in Calgary.

2 weeks in Calgary

Well, it's been a couple of weeks since I moved back to Calgary, so I thought that I ought to write a post to keep things updated...

On April 2nd I had an interview down at the Centre of Hope (a facility operated by The Salvation Army in downtown Calgary that provides residential and additions services, as well as other services that are open to the community at large). The interview went well, and I started work there as a Client Services Worker on the 13th. I'm working the night shift (8pm to 8am) during the second half of the week (alternating Wednesdays, Thursday, Friday, Saturday). So far I've only worked two shifts, one of which was during the day for orientation. This job is great, not only am I enjoying the work, but I was also able to have my personnel file transferred, meaning that I won't have to wait the 3 months probation to get benefits, etc. There is a chance for overtime since the Centre is, like most places in Alberta, short staffed. For now I'll stick with my 40 hours though.

In the two weeks between my interview and starting work I was able to just spend some time with my parents helping with a few things at the church.

It is good to be home though. I am enjoying my mother's cooking, having at least a bit of a social life, and being involved at church again.

Adios, Farewell, Good-bye

Well, even as I type this post my father is driving to Peace River. I am expecting in about an hour from now. Now that the end is here I am very ready to get out of here soon.

Depending on things are looking after he gets here we may leave this afternoon and stop at a hotel along the way for the night. Otherwise we will be leaving first thing tomorrow morning.

I'm looking forward to being back at my home church on Sunday and going for my job interview on Monday. My next post will come from Calgary, Alberta.

Nearly packed...

Well, with one more week until moving day the vast majority of my belongings are packed and ready to go. Just a few more last minute items and a bit of cleaning left now.

It sure feels like spring in Peace River now!! I walked down to Panagos to get a pizza last night at 8pm and the sky was still light, there were lots of people walking downtown or driving with windows down, the air just had that feel of spring to it. It was such a great feeling!! Temperatures continue to be above freezing during the day and the snow is melting!! Most of the roads are fairly clear now, although a bit wet. And a sure sign that we're getting spring weather - construction!! I found myself having to take a detour today to avoid a construction zone!!

Spring is in the air...

...oh, wait!! That's snow!!

Well, we have accumulated a few more centimeters of snow on the ground since my last post. Hopefully it'll end soon.

Today I am at home for he afternoon preparing for Sunday. I am preaching at my church in the morning. This will be my last Sunday at the church here in Peace River. April 1st I'll be back at my home church in Calgary again.

Packing is coming along. I sold my bookcase on Sunday, so I only have the couch, desk, night stand and dresser to worry about now. My landlady informed me today that someone interested in renting the space where I am is coming on Saturday to speaking with her and to take a look at things, so I have to have things in good shape for that. I'll just have to speed up my schedule a bit I think.

Anyways, it's back to the books for me.

No more puddles

Well, last week the temperatures rose and allowed puddles to form in Peace River...the puddles are gone...or where they do remain they are frozen ice. We received another good batch of snow over the weekend. I've got pictures below that I took on Monday.

I'm making a bit of an announcement: I'm moving back to Calgary at the end of this month. After about 10 months in Peace River I am leaving. I've decided to give up my job here and return home to make it possible for me to save up the money I need to go to college in September of 2008. I'm a little disappointed that things didn't work out up here, but there have been many, many positive things over the months I've been here and I am glad that I've had this experience.

4 Generations

I love history and I love the heritage of my family. I don't know very much about some of my ancestoral lines, but I have been able to learn a bit about the Waters line.

Here are 4 pictures of members of the Waters family as members of The Salvation Army. First is my Great-grandparents, next my Grandma & Grandpa Waters, then my parents and last me.

1st Generation

2nd Generation

3rd Generation

4th Generation

PUDDLES!!

Yes, it is true and I'm very, very excited!! There are puddles in Peace River. For the first time in months we have liquid H2O on the ground!! How excited am I? I took a picture!!



I know...it isn't the most beautiful picture...but I don't care...I'm just glad to see flowing water!!

Umm...good news came this week. I received word that I have been pre-accepted to go to The Salvation Army's College for Officer Training in Winnipeg for September 2008. In order to achieve my financial goals for going back to school there will be an employment and residential change coming soon. In all likelihood I'll be headed back to Calgary. I'll let you all know when that might be happening.

Have a good weekend!!

Happy Birthdays

Well, I'm a day late and a day early, but happy birthday to my brother, Phil, who celebrated his 20th yesterday. And happy birthday to my Grandma Waters, who celebrates another birtday tomorrow!! (I wonder, do people eventually get tired of having birthdays?)

Umm...it's been a while since I posted, and for a good reason...I really don't have anything to type...

Favourite Pictures

One of the wonderful things about being sick is the amount of free time that you have on your hands!! Well, I've been looking through all sorts of pictures on my computer and thought I'd post some of my favourites. Some are sentimental, some are silly and some are...well...disturbing. Anyways, here are pictures that come from various people I know, taken in various places at many different points in time over the past number of years. Hope you enjoy.

Good news...bad news...

Well, the good news is that my shoulder hasn't bothered me for nearly a week now!!

The bad news is that for the past 5 days...today is day number 6...I have been dealing with a stupid cold...I think. No fever (thank goodness), but this cough is horrible. I have trouble sleeping (I haven't slept yet tonight), I can hardly talk, and eating is difficult. I haven't been to work since Monday morning. I am low on engergy and very tired. Not good conditions for getting better...I'm thinking it is time to go to the clinic...okay maybe it was time to do that a couple of days ago...but I'm thinking it is going to happen.

I hate when I get sick. It only happens once or twice a year...but at least once a year I get something really miserable!! It SUCKS!!

Anyways, I've finished browsing blogs and was a bit bored and still hacking so I thought I'd voice...or type...my petty little complaint.

Chocolate Egg Cream

Well, the second half of this week has been sort of on and off. My shoulder has good days and bad ones. Yesterday was pretty bad, so I decided that it would be best if I didn't work this weekend at Boston Pizza, which sucks cause I won't get paid and my boss sounds pretty unhappy with me...hopefully things'll get worked out.


A special word of congrats to my parents, who are celebrating 28 years of marriage today!

To think that it has been 3 years already since their big Hawaiian themed party to mark the big 25!! Of course this year they will actually get to spend a week in Hawaii - somewhere they've drempt of holidaying since they had their honeymoon in a small cabin in the middle of winter.


This week in some browsing around I found a recipe for a New York City drink that intrigued me, so today I decided to attempt it - the Chocolate Egg Cream. Of course I didn't have the "authentic" chocolate sauce or the seltzer cylinder, but it didn't come out too badly. I might have to play with the amounts of milk and club soda that I use, but I will be making it again. If you like trying new things, I'd suggest this one! It's easy and is something of a unique experience to try. Here's what most people online seem to agree is the "authentic" recipe.

Not the day off I had imagined...

Well, the highlight of my day off on Tuesday? Going to the emergency room at the Peace River Hospital! Monday night while eating supper I noticed a great deal of pain in my shoulder/upper arm. After taking hours to fall asleep at night and waking up with more pain I headed up to the hospital. After 2.5 hours up there what did the doctor decide I had? An injured rotator cuff. So my new best friend is my heating pad and the Advil he recommended. I'm supposed to some resistance excercises to build up the muscle and not put too much stress on it. What fun.

So between the pain and being at the hospital for quite a while I didn't get nearly as much as I had hoped done during my time off. O well.

I hope everything's well where you are!

Time for a break...

Well, I finally have a bit of real quality down time. I have worked without a day off since the 14th. With 2 jobs I am working 7 days a week now and I'm still adjusting to the pace of work at Boston Pizza. I must say that I really do enjoy both of my jobs, but I do need a bit of a breather from time to time. So I have this afternoon and tomorrow off (with pay). The Army owed me a bit of time from Christmas, so I'm collecting on some of that today and tomorrow. Hopefully this'll give me that chance to catch up on some school work, cleaning, laundry and (hopefully) some rest.

Earlier this afternoon I was at the dentist getting a couple of fillings...the freezing still hasn't worn off...it is the weirdest sensation. I've never had freezing in my mouth before. The whole experience was decidedly unpleasant, not to mention expensive.

I've been enjoying reading several blogs lately, and one that I have found particularly interesting is that of Graeme Smith, a Salvationist who lives in Latvia (but is from the UK). I'm adding a link to his blog to the sidebar. Check it out, it is definately worth it!

Anyways, I should probably go and do something productive with the time I have.

Take care all!

The longest short week

The week seemed like it went by so quickly, and yet it seems like ages ago since last weekend!! The relative perception of time can be so odd at times.

Well, this past week has been full of enjoyable moments for me. Nothing particularly remarkable at work, but it has bee enjoyable. I spent an afternoon earlier in the week visiting local businesses encouraging them to sponsor one or more children to go to the Army's summer camp in July. The response is very encouraging so far, and I am very optimistic.

Away from work (well, in some respects), I also received back my first three assignments from my course that I'm working on. The marks and comments were encouraging and I am pleased with my results so far. Tomorrow I will complete another component when I will be preaching and evaluated.

Also, after church tomorrow is the monthly pot-luck!! I'm taking perogies!! I'm thinking that I'm going to bake them...normally I would fry them, but I enjoy baked perogies.

Today was my first day working a second job. I have been hired at Boston Pizza as a serving assistant (which should lead to being a server). I worked from 9-5 today. It wasn't a bad first day. I'm utterly exhausted...my desk job has made me a little soft. My legs were killing me while I was walking home after work. I've taken the job so that I can meet my budget objectives for the next 6 months. I'll likely be work 20-24 hours a week at BP's.

Hockey & Academia Update

First of all, I want to say that yesterday was a good day in Canadian hockey!! As part of CBC's Hockey Day in Canada, the three Canadian teams worth taking note of won their games: Ottawa CRUSHED Montreal with a final score of 8-3. Vancouver defeated Toronto, 6-1. And of course the Calgary Flames continued their winning streak (5 games now) beating Edmonton 3-1.

A good day in hockey!!

I am very excited! I finished the first half of the course I'm working on right now yesterday. The course is through the Booth College Extended Learning program. "Introduction to Officership" is a required pre-requisite for going to the College for Officer Training. I wrote a book review, essay and sermon outline yesterday. The course will wrap up at the end of February.

I also want to say that I had a fantastic experience in church today. It's been a long time since I got so much joy and refreshment out of a church service!!

THe river is FROZEN!!

This first picture was taken yesterday. You can see the steam from the warmer water escaping from between the flowing ice in the middle of the river and the ice that is at the side of the river.

The second was taken about 4:30 this afternoon. The entire rive is now frozen over and none of the ice is flowing rapidly anymore. Any motion that is taking place is imperceivable.

Today the team from The Salvation Army was serving at the Peace River Soup Kitchen. This was just the second day of operation for the Soup Kitchen. Wednesday lunch was cancelled because the pilot light in the furnace went out, and with temperatures below -40 with the windchill, we couldn't operate.

The river is freezing!

It is cold here in Peace River today. After a blizzard last night we reached a high of about -35 celsius with the windchill. The overnight low is forecasted to be -33 without the wind tonight.

A New Link!!

Thanks to Ryan who brought a site to my attention!! I have been enjoying sampling various clips from Salvo Audio this evening. I have added a link to the sidebar, but I am finding it so great that I wanted to highlight it in a post!

The site includes sound clips from various SA bands and songsters from around the world (including the Japan Staff Band - I didn't know there was one!!). But better still it has sermons and speeches from various SA and other church leaders, including General William Booth, several other Generals, officers and lay speakers - including many Canadians (General Arnold Brown, Major Kevin Metcalf, Major Wendy Swan and others).

I have especially enjoyed this clip, with Commissioner Catherine Bramwell-Booth, the grandaughter of William and Catherine Booth, the founders of the Army. She is speaking at the Centenary Thanksgiving Service in Usher Hall at Edinburgh (June 1979).

For the Salvationists out there, enjoy some amazing pieces of our heritage, musical gems, and samples of the Army throughout the world. For the non-Salvationists, enjoy experiencing some of the truly prime examples of where the Army has been...and perhaps, in the words of some of the speakers, some insight into where we might be headed...

Highlights...followed by an indepth story

Okay, here are the highlights of my life since my last post:

Dad breaks Methuselah's record!!

Phil spends Christmas in K-country.

The Turtle visits Calgary.

Outdoor staking New Year's Eve.

Youth Pastor nabbed at checkstop on Eve of New Year.

New driver runs stop signs, jumps curbs.

Okay, that's the abbreviated version for those who don't particularly care. For those of my friends who more concerned with the happenings of the past few weeks, here's what I've been up to.

December 22nd, I flew down to Calgary via Peace Air flight 708. The plane was a little 9 passenger deal. A very different experience than a 737 or 747. It was a strange sensation to feel the plane being pushed around by the wind. I enjoyed it!!

The 23rd I completed my Christmas shopping 45 minutes after starting. Most of it was done at Chinook Mall. Normally going to Chinook on the Saturday right before Christmas is not on my list of things to do, but I didn't have a lot of options. The mall was suprisingly quiet, and I was out of there fairly quickly. I also got my hair cut. So far I have not got a hair cut in Peace River - I just get it done when I'm in Calgary. With my next visit to Calgary not scheduled until July, I think I will have to find somewhere in town to get a hair cut or two.

December 24th was my father's birthday. Man is that guy getting old!! The Christmas Eve service at Glenmore was wonderful (as usual). I ran the MediaShout during the service, which projects the words for songs, readings, etc for the congregation to see (kind of like PowerPoint - only better). That service proceeds unannounced, so congregational participation is cued by what is shown on the screen...such power no one man should wield!! I enjoyed the evening.

It was different this year at Christmas, as it was the first time that our family has not been together on Christmas Day. My brother, Phil, spent Christmas at Camp Horizon in Kananaskis with the Easter Seals. We did have my Grandma Waters with us. A couple from the church who immigrated to Canada from Columbia also joined us, along with their children.

I can't really remember what happened on Boxing Day...so I'll skip that one.

The evening of the 27th I was able to visit with my friend Jackie. She has become a very dear friend of mine over the past several years and it was fantastic to spend some time catching up. Then on the 28th I spent some time with Kyla, another fantastic friend. We went to see Casino Royale, the latest James Bond film. I also finally tracked down the one Bond film that I did not yet own. It's an older one, but one I have been unable to find in at least 4 years of searching. I know own 20 out of 20 "007" films on VHS and DVD, and have the 21st in theatres.

On the 29th a bunch of us who hang out together got together and Mr. and Mrs. Decker's house (aka Michael and Lindsay's) for a few hours. We watched the fireplace channel, discussed hockey, and just had a good time. Myrtle, one of the Australians that I went to school with joined us. She had arrived in Calgary on the bus from William's Lake, BC earlier that day. She was staying with Alicia for a bit before heading back to Australia.

On the 30th I had an eye exam and got new glasses. I had been wearing the same glasses since 2001. Last time I had an exam (in 2004 I think) my prescription had changed so little that I decided that instead of getting new glasses I'd get prescription sunglasses. Unfortunately the finish on the lenses has been pealing for a while now and it has been very irritating. But now I had nice new glasses!! After that I met Myrtle and Alicia for lunch, and then we went to the Museum of the Regiments. We had supper at Peter's Drive-In. After we finished supper Alicia couldn't get her parents' van started and we ended up having to get a boost from a nearby man. Very kind of him to help us with that.

Sunday dinner on the 31st we had a full table. Here's a picture (taken by my father):

Pictured are (going clockwise, starting on the left): my Mom, Myrtle, me, Kyla, Amanda (Phil's girlfriend), Phil (my brother), my Grandma W.

New Year's Eve was spent at Glenmore. Michael, Linds, Kyla and I were the "old" people. At least that's how we felt standing in the kitchen drinking hot drinks away from the noise in the other room. We had a good time though. We took some of the kids skating downtown Calgary at Olympic Plaza. We also played volleyball, "terminator" and watched some movies. Linds made waffles and Michael made sausages for breakfast. The waffles were great, but my stomach couldn't handle anything that morning.

I slept most of New Year's Day. Our family went to the Russell New Year's dinner that evening. The food was great as usual and a few of us had a good time playing Scattegories for a while.

Then it was off to the airport at 5:50am on January 2. My flight left Calgary at 6:50am, and after a stop in Red Deer and a delay in Edmonton I was back in Peace River by 10:30am.

I was back to work January 3rd to start cleaning up from Christmas. Now it's time to move forward with some other projects that have been on hold over Christmas. Two big ongoing projects plus planning and fundraising for a couple of things in July. Oh, and a volunteer appreciation gig to plan. Lots to do still, but definately a slower pace...I'm not sure if I'm glad about that or not...