April 29,2007

So what have we been up to?

It is often said when a person retires they cannot figure out when they had time to go to work. It appears to be a very true statement.

We have spent 1 week working on the boat which is currently on land. The hull was scraped down to the first gel coat.Ready for the bottom paint. Ken mucked around a lot in the engine room. Put in the new fish finder and transducer. (Thanks Russ) Closed some old thru hulls and made some new ones. Having 2 new drive shafts made as one was slightly bent and the other had some electrolysis over 30 years. We head back to the boat tonight and will start ripping out the old settee and put in the new couch. Empty out the rented shed and start loading our worldly goods onto the boat. We down sized but still have too much! We will leave some things in Winfield that we know we will not need this summer.

In Winfield we erected a 170 foot cedar fence. Hauled away the old fence and junk around the yard. We painted the house on the outside. Planted flower beds, and cleaned up the yard. As the newspaper delivery lady said. Our house went from the ugliest to the nicest on the block. The neighbours are thrilled.

Well now everyone is updated and we are getting closer to untying the ropes.

Retirement

Step 6-7

As you retire there is no time for growing old,

There's still so much to learn.....

The world is full of many joys,

With wonders at each turn.

There are so many challenges,

So many roads to take ......

So many friendships to keep alive

And new ones yet to make.

So many new ideas to pursue

And new songs to be sung .....

There is no time for growing old

When you're busy staying YOUNG!

(Hallmark Card) I am not that witty.

There have been many LASTS this year. It comes with anticipated excitement and much sadness. We will be leaving behind many good, wonderful friends. We thank you all for the great send offs and the memories you have created with us. There have been many wonderful farewell surprises.

Ken and I have taught Power Squadron classes for awhile and were very honoured to have present and past students attend the last meeting where we were touched by the things that many of you had to say to us. We thank all the members for the fond farewell.

Ken's retirement party for friends and family saw 85 persons come and join us to honour our friends for making our lives what it has been. As said in my speech we have met many interesting people, been to interesting places and have great memories.

Ken's Fire Dept Stag Retirement party saw so many brothers come out to wish him a grand farewell. Many had stories of how he has helped them go further with their career because he cared about his rookies. More senior officers wishing many more firefighters gave as much as he has in his career. Paramedics that actually like him! Dispatch who will miss his Voice? And many others that just want to make sure he was leaving!

The Last Dinner!(The Last Shift) Tears by family members and fellow brothers! A great testament to the effect you had on the job. Walking out proud.

Check out the photos from the different events. Anyone with discrimating pictures forward them to us!

The Adventure Begins.............