A New Tradition, Perhaps ?

This year we decided to do something a little differently which may turn into a Christmas tradition. We had a pre Christmas brunch on Saturday with family and friends attending. Louise prepared the brunch and it was an enjoyable time.
The only missing element was not having Jennifer with us. Jennifer will be coming home from Ottawa for Christmas on December 23rd. Then its back to Ottawa for her final semester of law school before beginning work June 1st back in Saskatoon with the law firm of Cuelenaere, Kendall, Katzman and Watson. It will be great to have her back in Saskatoon after three years in Ottawa. We have much to be thankful for this year as just a month or so ago Tim was selected as a Corrrections Officer and is now working at the provincial jail in Saskatoon.
Looks like we will be living in Saskatoon for some time.

Getting In The Spirit of Christmas

Went out tonight and bought one of those Christmas Village sets. Have been meaning to do that for years. It was kind of fun setting it up. Now have to add to it throughout the years.

The Digital Story Of The Nativity

Thank God For Astro and Alberta

Was heading for North Battleford early this morning, making my business calls, when I hit a patch of black ice on the Borden Hill. My truck spun around a couple of times before landing in the ditch in quite a cascade of snow. It was actually kind of impressive.
I was amazed at the number of vehicles that just drove by. I sat there about twenty minutes when with in minutes of each other two 4 x 4 trucks with Alberta plates stopped to help. These Good Samaritans really tried to help hooking on to my truck but it was well buried in the snow. They were even going to try hooking up both their trucks to my rear hitch and then try to swivel me around and pull me out backwards. I was a little worried about that as it would have put one of their trucks right up on the highway and I didn't want my Good Samaritans injured. They had actually just hooked up when one of those large semi tow trucks from Astro Towing pulled up with lights flashing. The driver said he just happened to be going to North Battleford and asked me if I wanted him to tow me up. I very much did. Within minutes he had snaked his
boom under my truck and lifted truck, Diego and I back onto the highway and solid ground. So no damage to the truck, no injuries, and everything ended up well. So today I thank God for the Astro driver who just happened to come by and the two great fellows from Alberta who did everything they could to get me out. Now the important part is I need to pay it forward to someone else who needs assistance.

Financial Crisis in Britain

The financial crisis has worsened in Britain, now to the point that it is even affecting the Royal Family.

Maritime Holiday

I got pretty sick on this trip, ending up one night in Charlottetown Hospital with blood pressure of 215. A lot of memories of the trip have escaped me so I am thankful for my trusty camera which helps bring the memories back. Our first night in Halifax we rode the ferry across the harbour and toured the Citadel, a fortress that provided Halifax with great protection in times of war throughout the centuries






We had absolutely gorgeous weather. Too gorgeous in fact and some days the thermometer climbed to over 35 degrees above. The wedding day was highlighted by one of the most beautiful sunsets I have witnessed





The wedding of Mike and Christy was another highlight that we enjoyed along with Ed, Linda, Val and Becki.




























Hopewell Rock was another fascinating place. There the tide comes in and the water rises from 32 feet to 48 feet in just a matter of moments. There Louise, Tim, Karla, Jenn and I walked around for quite awhile enjoying nature at its best.



Very early in the year Louise had reserved tickets for the play Anne of Green Gables. So we travelled to Charlottetown to take in what was a very good play. We took the ferry one way and then came back via the Confederation Bridge after visiting the tourism site of Anne of Green Gables.


















One of the many little fishing villages and Jenn and Louise checking out the lobster traps and the fishing boats.

One of the enjoyable parts of our Maritime holiday was a trip to Peggy's Cove.
There we walked upon the rocks, watched the tide come in, checked out the lighthouse and some of the many fishing boats that were there.

Answered Prayer

Today is a great day and a day to give thanks for answered prayer. Tim has been training for the last several weeks to become a Corrections Officer. Yesterday he wrote his final examination and passed it. Earlier he had passed several other exams including a gruelling physical fitness exam. Today he begins his first day as a Corrections Officer in the provincial system working at the Saskatoon Correctional Centre. He worked very hard for this, we prayed very hard for this and it is fantastic that God has answered those prayers. Construction and carpentry is good but often hit and miss with layoffs and such and now he will be able to grow in a career with the provincial government with all the perks and benefits. We are tremendously proud of his accomplishments.