back from the edge

Three Birthdays, Spring Training, and a Wedding

I know I should have started this sooner.  Much, much sooner, but somehow time just slips away and before you know it, well, two months have slipped by. 

March:

After Arden and her family departed, I had less than a week to unwind and rewind for Kendryth, Andrew and Vaughan's arrival.  I started my search for baby supplies early, so I had everything lined up for Vaughan well in advance.  Crib, high chair, dishes, toys and yum yums.  We discovered he loved cantelope.  Among other things of course. 

First things first, my birthday.  Mike's first venture into baking turned out to be a delicious chocolate cake, icing, candles and all.  All diets went out the window until the cake was consumed. 

Andrew's goal for the week was to get to Blue Jays Spring Training.   The Jays play in Dunedin, a good 2 1/2 hour drive north of us.  The ball park holds just over 5000 fans, all seats nice and close to the action.  Unlike a regular game, players are circulated through so that nearly all play at some point in the game.  Pitchers are switched after an inning or two, and scouts and sports reporters are in the stands assessing new talent. It is much more intimate than the giant Skydome or Rogers Center or whatever they are calling it these days. 

Vaughan took to the Florida scene like a duck to water.  Literally.  He loved the pool and the beach. 

He also goes a mile a minute now that he is mobile on two feet. Vaughan was a good traveller, sleeping both ways on the airplane, much to the relief of his parents and passengers.  He and Grandpa had a great week together.  It was so sad to say farewell at the airport.  Vaughan didn't understand why we weren't going through security with him, and the next night at home, he wouldn't go to sleep until he could say goodnight to us via Skype.  What a sweetie!

With their departure, the calendar clicked down to our departure at the end of March.  Florida was unusually warm this winter, much like the rest of the country, and we were very happy about that. 

April:

It was bittersweet to pack up and head north, but I was curious to see what was blooming in my garden with the early onset of spring.  We also had my mother's 90th birthday on April 9th.  I came up with the ingenious idea of asking my friends around the world to send her birthday greetings.  She loves getting mail, and now she would get lots of mail.  All totalled, 64 birthday cards arrived, including greetings from the Governor General and Prime Minister.  Every inch of surface in her apartment had cards on it.

With that event out of the way, our focus turned to Arden's wedding, with Mike's birthday inbetween.  Not being a major milestone it was a quiet affair, as these are wont to be.  We'd prefer to do without them altogether, but somehow they just keep sneaking up on you.

Arden finished her exams, completed 2nd year of Law School and had 8 days free to finish all the last minute frantic details for her wedding.  Friday afternoon rehearsal was a hoot.  Father Obami had conducted more weddings in Nigeria than Canada.  At times we had to advise him on Western traditions....brides family on the left, groom on the right.  Arden, and Tom in particular, were a bit taken aback by some of his missionary ways...with his heavy accent it was at times a challenge to comprehend his instructions.  We threw him back a zinger when Arden explained she had two mothers. 

 

 

 

 

Arden and Tom Deir with Kendryth, (Best Woman as Father Obami calls her) and Christopher, (who came home from England for the weekend).

 

 

 

All in all, everything went well.  Arden was a beautiful bride.  The sun shone.  The temperature was a balmy 4C, which kept the black flies away.  You can hardly see teeth chattering in the photos.Mike got emotional walking her down the aisle and giving a toast at the reception.   Arden had planned a perfect day and that's how it turned out.  It was wonderful to have all the kids together for the first time in ages, and even my mother attended.  A true family affair.

I'll be posting more photos from the wedding once we get them from the photographer and I can find the time!

TTFN.

 

 

 

 

 

February 2012

This is how we spend much of our time down here.  That, and getting together with our snowbird friends, Canadian and American.  There's quite a migration that takes place, and with the growing numbers of boomers, it's only getting bigger.  Did you know that nearly 9% of Canadians visited Florida in 2010?  I dare say that number is up even higher this winter. 

We enjoyed meeting up with Jane and Bruce, friends we knew in Guelph. In anticipation of Bruce's retirement, they bought a condo in St. Petersburg last spring. 

And finally, the arrival of family.  Arden, Tom, Gabrielle and Wesley traded a cold, wet week in Kingston, for a great week of warmth, sunshine, beaches and pool time.   At the Babcock Wilderness we saw the real Florida, along with real Florida critters.  Large mama alligators tending to their broods of baby alligators.  I knew they could run fast, but I wasn't aware that they could also jump high.  (Did you know that for every alligator you see, there are probably 2 more you can't).  A family of endangered Sandhill Cranes.  They are only endangered because developers are turning their natural habitat into golf courses and gated communities. (I am guilty by default.)  Back at home base, manatees were hanging about in the marina, and dolphins came in chasing fish.  Endless house of pool time were needed to wear Wesley down.  A great day at Fort Myers' Beach topped off the week.

We have been watching a lot of films this month.  Having discovered a great library with a huge DVD collection, I've been trying to keep pace with the Shaw Film Festival features in Niagara-on-the-Lake.  We've watched The Artist, Jane Eyre, Beginners and The First Grader.  It's also better than trying to watch what's on TV without being able to fast forward through commercials. 

Last but not least, I've been transcribing my very first blogs of from the edge to a digital format.  It's a trip down memory lane reading about our very first move abroad 20 years ago, and all the travelling and adventures we had. 

January 2012

My new year's resolution...to write a blog once a month, thus saving myself a good deal of time and brain effort in November.  We'll see if I can keep this up.

The New Year started without much ado.  Grandma and Grandpa stayed home with Vaughan while his parents had a night out with friends.  What more could you ask for?   A few days later we were on our way south for the remainder of the winter.  Now that we have our very own home in sunny and warm Florida, we can't wait to get down here.  And neither can the girls.  Christopher, well, he's not impressed by our location, well off the beaten track of beaches and beach bunnies.  In time, he'll come around, but I think it will be many years yet.

 

The focus for the remainder of the month was getting the place ready for our visitors and golfing.  I connected with other grandparents who have baby furniture we can borrow.  The guest rooms are kitted out and ready.  We joined the library.  We joined the golf leagues.  We've been researching activities for kids.  We have settled in, and each night we get a different sunset to enjoy.   We've even shed our Christmas pounds. 

 

Christmas Greetings 2011

Christmas Greetings!  Retirement is keeping us busy, and of course, I’m scrambling to get this together and in the mail.  Here are the highlights of our year, at least those that I can remember. 

January

Mike fractures his wrist running up the basement stairs to answer the phone.  A week later, we head to Florida for sun and golf.  Mike is determined not to let his cast get in the way. 

February

Enjoying the Florida sunshine and lots of golf.  Mike’s cast is deteriorating, and he eventually rips it off.  Our friend Lorraine has bought a fabulous condo on a short sale, so we start to look around.  Just looking turns into just buying and we suddenly have ourselves a great condo at a bargain basement price.

March

We return home and I fly off to the annual FAWCO Conference.  I get to spend the weekend in London, staying with friends Nancy and Todd, and spending time in Christopher’s world.  I even get to see where he works on the trading floor at Goldman Sachs.  The FAWCO Conference is in Marrakech, and I have been invited to speak about Tabitha’s Wells for Clean Water Project.  FAWCO’s goal is to fundraise $80,000 over a two-year period.  It’s off to a great start and my presentation was well received, no pun intended!  Marrakech was exciting too, especially the bazaar.   I return to London for a few more days of catching up with friends….Anne Cockburn down in The Forest, golf with Mary Waymire, and enjoying the hospitality of Denise and Bob Hetherington.  And one more visit with Christopher. 

April

It’s back to Florida to get the keys to our new condo.  We closed in March and now we have to sort out what else is needed to create our home away from home.  We bought it furnished, and beautifully at that.  This unit was never lived in and obviously didn’t turn out to be the great investment the owners had planned on.   Their loss is certainly our gain – a popular theme of Canadians getting great bargains this year.  Appliances that are 7 years ld have never been used.  We need to kit out the kitchen, as wells as sheets and towels.  I feel like an expat again, trying to figure out the best places to shop for all the things we need.  It turns out that April at home is cold and wet, so our timing couldn’t have been better.

May

Golf season begins on the calendar, but Mother Nature has other plans.  Rain and cold continue through May.    I gear up for the 4^th Annual Tabitha Golf Tournament.  Mike is spending way too much time on too many committees with the Niagara Health System.  It’s turning into a full time job with no pay and lots of stress.  He finally resigns and breathes a huge sigh of relief.  Within a couple of weeks his atrial fibrillation clears up and he feels like a new man.  As for the NHS, they have a huge outbreak of C. Diff and all hell breaks loose in the press.  Timing appears to be everything!

June

We are shocked by the news that Mike’s big brother Rick has an inoperable brain tumour.  Mike is very close to his brother and is taking this news very hard. 

Irene and Jairo, my Brazilian penpal and her husband come to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake. The weather still hasn’t warmed up, and Jairo is freezing the entire time.  Shortly after they depart, it’s the Tabitha golf tournament.  The weather has done a complete turnabout, and we’ve got the hottest day of the year so far.  I’m worried people are going to overheat! 

July

The first Henry family golf weekend is held in Niagara-on-the-Lake.  After weeks of chemo and radiation therapy, Rick and Shirley, and two of their sons and partners come down.  Rick is strong enough to ride in the cart with Mike and enjoys being out on the golf course for a change.  Shirley appreciates having a break from the endless round of doctors and hospitals and worry.

Kendryth and Andrew have a lovely, intimate wedding in our garden.  Just 12 people and two babies attend the ceremony, and we have a celebratory lunch at the golf club.  To top it off, we get to babysit Vaughan while they go to Niagara Falls for their wedding night.  Vaughan, Grandma and Grandpa have a terrific time. 

August

It’s the club championship and Mike and I are both participating.  Our club pro decided to change the format this year.  Two days of regular play, followed by a final day of match play to determine the winner in each flight.  Can’t say that it went down well with the membership, but that’s not our issue here.  Mike won the C Flight championship, and I ended up in the final match for Ladies Club Champion.  Never in a million years did I think that I would be golfing well enough to reach this level.  I was up against my good friend Martha, who has been golfing since she could walk.  Here’s another shock.  Martha pulled out into the lead fairly quickly, but by the 9^th hole, I started to close the gap and then tie things up after 18 holes.  I blew a couple of chances to finish it, and we had to continue on until a winner was declared.  It took Martha 20 holes to win, and I was happy that I put up a good match and didn’t embarrass myself.  There’s always next year. 

September

Arden calls with news of her engagement to Tom.  They plan to get married when she’s finished exams in the spring.  The date has been set for April 28^th in Gananoque.  Arden has started her 2^nd year of Law at Queens. 

October

Back to Florida for the month to continue outfitting our condo.  We’ve now got all the furniture sorted, bedding, the kitchen is coming together, and we’re looking forward to heading back down in January.

November

Long time in the planning, I set off for Laos and Cambodia where a group of us will build homes for 18 very poor families.  It’s a great trip with a great group of friends, from all over the world as well as right here in Niagara-on-the-Lake.  Tragically, Mike’s brother passes away. 

December

This brings me up to today, and they hope of getting my cards in the mail very soon.

We are looking forward to spending the winter in Florida, after Christmas celebrations here.  Arden and Tom’s wedding will be a bigger event with more family and friends gathered to celebrate.  My mother will be turning 90 in April.  We are also looking forward to having the kids come down to Florida for their holidays this winter. 

There are lots more photos that we’d love to share with you posted on this site.   You can see our condo and other trip related pics.  I also have a blog from my house-building trip posted at http://tabithahousebuilding2011.blogspot.com/

Even more fun that writing this letter is reading everyone else’s news as the cards come in.  Keep those cards and letters coming.

Cheers,

Yolanda and Mike

 

Christmas Greetings 2010

 In some ways this past year seems uneventful…most likely due to lack of travel imposed on us by Mike’s stroke.   In other ways, we kept terribly busy with all our outside interests and volunteer work, along with our final, major, main floor renovation.  It was the kids that had and are having all the adventures!

 To backtrack a little for those who don’t know, Mike suffered a stroke on Christmas Eve.  Fortunately for all of us, the ambulance arrived quickly, the clot-busting drug was administered once he arrived in the Emergency Room, and a few hours later, he was back to his old self, albeit confined to Intensive Care for the night, and the hospital for a long weekend.  The turkey was put on hold (actually it never emerged from the freezer).

 Our winter in Florida was immediately cancelled, and renovations were moved up.  (Not exactly a low stress option, but the contractor wanted to get started).  In the midst of all this, Mike had a lot of tests and saw a lot of doctors.  The long and short of it is that he’s on a few more medications to control his atrial fibrillation and we’ve all but ceased to eat red meat, or any other meat product.  (According to world-renowned stroke specialist, David Spence, that’s anything that has eyes, a face or a mother).  My repertoire of tasty vegetarian dishes has grown immensely.

 Thanks to friends Pat and Mic, we were able to escape the first week of demolition by going to the Olympics.  They had acquired extra tickets for Ice Dancing and there was no way I wanted to miss that.  So, thanks to another friend, Robin, we found accommodation with her neighbour, cleared the travel with our Doc, resurrected our Calgary ’88 3M Olympic ski jackets and off we went to the party of all parties. 

 Spring approached and so did the end of our renovations.  Mike says that my kitchen is my Porsche - appliances that work, loads of counter space and cupboards galore. I agree, and I love working in it.  Mike didn’t fair too badly either with a new TV & stereo set up in the family room.  To finish it off, the kids got him an iPod for his birthday, which neither of us has really mastered yet, although I did transfer our entire CD collection to the iMac/iPod.

 As stress levels subsided Kendryth announced that she was pregnant.  Through many ups and downs during her pregnancy, she managed to hold onto the baby for 32 weeks.  September 15^th, Vaughan William Richardson made his wee appearance into the world, all 2 lbs 15 oz. of him. We fell in love immediately.  Vaughan spent the first 5 weeks as guest of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and since then has been thriving at home with Mom and Dad in London, Ontario.  They’ve taken to parenthood well, although would love to be getting more sleep.  All in good time…maybe 20 years from now!  We’ve taken to grandparenthood too…although initially I wasn’t so sure about being called Grandma.  I also discovered that a whole new world of shopping comes with the title, much to Grandpa’s dismay.

 Christopher finished school for good at the end of April and promptly booked a trek in Nepal to Everest Base Camp.  He returned with 18 days worth of dirty, stinky laundry in time to attend his Commencement, repack and head to South America for a further 4 weeks of adventure.  His future boss at Goldman Sachs told him to make the most of his break because it would be a long time before he had another one.  The prediction held and Christopher has been working long hours since setting foot in the GS offices on Fleet Street in London (UK).  They are kindly letting him come home for Christmas for which Mum and Dad are so very grateful.

 Just as we thought we were done with school expenses, Arden decided to get serious about a career, and was accepted into Law School at Queens University.  Initially nervous about what she’d got herself into, she’s taking it all in stride and enjoying it.  During the summer, she joined Christopher for part of his South American travels – an interesting sibling experience with conflicting stories of adventure. 

 Mike and I spent much of our summer on the golf course.  It paid off with lower handicaps and I won Golfer of the Year for the ladies league. It had nothing to do with the fact that I was the games captain and kept the tally.  Really.    We’ve also kept way too busy with volunteer commitments.  We can hardly find the time to clean the house and tend to chores.   

 From our home to yours, we wish you peace, joy and good health this year and always.

 Grandma Yolanda and Grandpa Mike

 

 

   

Day 6 Grouse Mountain

Vancouver has had its quota of sunshine and now we're back to rain and cloud and fog.  Lucky for us, this is our last day.  Knowing that the weather would only get worse, I hightailed it up to Grouse Mountain for a quick look at Vancouver from above.  It's a shame I didn't do this earlier in the week when the sky was blue, but at least I finally got up to the top and can tick that off my list.  

NBC Today is broadcasting from the top.  The set was still there and miles of cable and stacks of equipment.  And hanging about was Dancing with the Stars contestant Louis Vito.  I recognized him immediately, but no way could I remember his name.  If I had, I might have asked for a photo.  I thought it would be really tactless to do so without having a clue to his name.  Opportunity missed.  Darn.  I should have Googled him on my Blackberry, but I only thought of that now.

Our Olympic adventure is nearing it's end.  Tonight we dine with Robin, Rodney and their visiting cousins from the UK.  I can't believe we had the luck to make this trip.  Tomorrow it's back to snow and renovation. May the memories last.

Day 5 The Olympic Superstore and the GOLD MEDAL

When Punky got hungry at 4:45 this morning, he was determined to get one of us up to feed him.  First a few meows, then some louder meows, and finally scratching and throwing himself at the bedroom door.  He knew we were in there, and darn it, he was going to have breakfast.  His buddy Mike staggered out of bed and threw food into the bowls.  We must remember to leave more food in their bowls before going to bed tonight.

Since we had a early morning, Mike suggested heading into downtown Vancouver to beat the crowds at the Olympic Superstore.  News reports of stock running out were indeed true.  No more mitts in adult sizes and hoodies too were all sold out.  We did not beat the crowds, but the queue snaking around the corner moved along.  Treating this as our morning event, MIke followed me around the store, making sure I didn't touch anything disgusting or tacky.  I wouldn't dare want to be disqualified and sent home. The checkout queue was nearly as long, but at least it was indoors.  Visa or cash only.

Coca-Cola is building a huge wall of pins and I just happened to have some old 3M Seoul pins in my pocket from 1988.  In return for sticking one of my pins on the wall, I got a Coke pin in return.  What started out as a collection of 3M Olympic pins at the Calgary Olympics in 1988 has blossomed into a very large collection of pins from our travels around the world which hangs in Christopher's room. I say it's his collection, but he's not quite as caught up in all that as I am.

Mic and Pat came by to pick us up for the Ice Dance Final.  THANK YOU FOR THE TICKETS!  What a night of competition.  The first 18 pairs came and went.  We all anticipated the final flight and what could happen.  You never know in figure skating.  So many times our skaters choke when the pressure gets so high.  Not tonight though.  They oozed confidence and the chemistry between Tessa and Scott makes you believe.  It was a priviledge to be part of history...not only the first Canadian pair to win a GOLD, but the first North American skaters, and the youngest too.  They have a wonderful future ahead of them, and I can't wait to watch it unfurl.  Just like the Canadian flag.  Did you hear everyone singing O Canada???

Day 4 Ice Dancing begins

Public transit is included with your event ticket.  Our first time heading to Pacific Coliseum met with a minor snag...a man had fallen into the subway.  It appeared that it wasn't intentional and that he had broken his wrist.  It also appeared that it would be a while before he'd be pulled out and the trains would resume running.  Above ground we found the #10 Hastings bus which got us there, slowly but surely, and through some neighbourhoods I'd rather not be walking through.  As you'd expect, people are gathering from all over, so there's lots to talk about on the journey, providing they speak english.

Hearing about the long queues through security, we arrived well in advance of the start time.  Not much of a delay unless you were wearing that sent the scanners beeping.  And it seemed even the smallest bit of metal did.  Skating fans are hardly hooligans, so I don't know what they thought would be coming into the venue.

The seats are filled with enthusiastic skating fans. Flags are flying, mostly Canadian, but also many American and Russian and a smattering of Japanese, French and Hungarian.  We had great seats...not too high up, but high enough to see the full skating surface.  At the price, I thought they might have included a back stage pass!    23 pairs of ice dancers, 2.30 minutes per performance, another 2.30 minutes for the recap and commercials.  Time seemed to just fly by!  And then the final flight of dancers, including the Russians in their controversial aboriginal outfits.  I actually liked the look - it stood out well against the white of the ice.  But not so good on the technique, allowing the Americans and Canadians to place ahead.  

Wow, what a night at the Pacific Coliseum.   

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir brought the house down with their flawless flamenco original dance.  Can't wait for tomorrow night's final!

If only the Canadian Hockey team could have done the same.  

Day 3 Capilano

The Capilano Suspension Bridge is the oldest tourist attraction in Vancouver, and just a 1.2 km walk for us, gently uphill.  It was originally built in 1889 by George Grant Mackay, a Scottish civil engineer and the man responsible for Stanley Park.  George's original bridge has been replaced (thank goodness), as bouncing along 450 of suspended bridge, 230 feet above the Capilano River takes a bit of nerve.  

Once across the bridge, there are board walks along the cliff edge as well as 100 feet above the forest floor...the Treetops Adventure.  Most impressive to me were the massive Coast Douglas Firs.  "Old Doug" is reported to be 350 years old and 200 feet high.  It will continue to grow to 300 feet and live to 1000 if left alone.  It's the second tallest conifer in the world, after the giant Redwoods further south.  Sadly for the Douglas Fir, it is also one of the world's best timber producers and yields more timber than another other tree in North America.   Okay everyone, recycle!!!

Other amazingly tall trees that are in the neighbourhood are the Western Red Cedars and Western Hemlock. They grow nearly as high, but don't have the deep root system to withstand so many years of weather as the firs. 

We finished our little nature adventure back in Edgemont Village, enjoying a latte in the sunshine.  Then back to catch more Olympics on TV and gear up for tomorrow's event: Ice Dancing Original Program.  We'll be somewhere in the crowd!

 

Day 2 in Vancouver

Vancouver greeted us in all its sunny glory.  Getting from the airport to our accommodation in North Vancouver went smoothly and Robin, our Personal Olympic Hostess with the mostest, greeted us with a basket of Olympic gifts.  Crocuses and snowdrops are blooming and fruit trees are just about to burst open.  With sunny weather in the forecast for the duration of our stay, we just might witness spring busting out here. 

We got rather close to not making it at all when Mike developed atrial fibrillation again last week.  It’s been 5 years, almost to the month when he had that first big attack in the UK.   Gradually the severity lessened and the doctor gave him the thumbs up to go as long as he was careful not to over do it.  We are doing the games in slow motion.  Robin reminds me that this is the west coast and life is very laid back, so we'll fit right in.

 

While Mike napped Robin took me to Edgemont Village.  It reminds me of Esher (sigh), with a high street lined with all the shops you need.  Walking distance away.  In Esher though, you don't have "Is that a bear making those rustling noises?" in the back of your mind as you walk through a park.  Robin assured me that bear sightings are rare and usually only early in the morning when people are out walking their dogs. 

 

What a nail biter of a hockey game!  The Canadians need to get their act together on the ice.  Individually they may be great hockey players, but as a team, there's much work to be done.  Hopefully they got the message from the Swiss.

 

As for the Men's Figure Skating...I'm on the there's more to it than just the jumps page.  I'll say no more.  Congrats to Evan!

Downtown Vancouver

With directions in hand, Mike and I found the nearest bus stop and started our little adventure of finding our way to downtown Vancouver.  The bus took us down to Lonsdale Quay, where we caught the Sea Bus across the Burard Inlet to downtown.  Then the Canada Line one stop and bingo, we were right in the thick of the masses.  A sea of red and white humanity has taken over the city centre.  Nearly 50% of the people were wearing Team Canada Hockey jerseys.  We felt left out, but heck, we were wearing our red and white ski jackets from the 1988 games in Calgary.  Special, eh?

 The Bay has an enormous Olympic Superstore, with not just Canada stuff, but also Russian, American, and maybe other countries team uniforms. The line up to get into the store snaked its way down the entire block and then some.  I couldn't imagine Mike waiting in line to go shopping, even on a good day, so we went for plan B, which was no plan, and continued wandering with the crowds.  Eventually we found our way to the tourist information centre where having stood in line for half an hour, any events that might have had tickets were now sold out.  Onto the infamous Olympic cauldron on the waterfront behind chain link.  Pretty tacky. 

That was the limit of Mike's energy so back home we headed, stopping to pick up some yummy Indian takeout for dinner.  Then relaxing (or zzzzing) on the couch watching the coverage and hanging out with our Punky and Chocolate.