Greetings from Lisbon

Hello everyone... the conference is over it was very good. The best part was meeting all sorts of people who are in my field from all over the world. I have many good memories and lots of ideas that I now want to pursue.

The adventure started with a visit with Jim, Liz and Stephanie at the Calgary airport. I was thrilled that they took the time to have coffee and wander the airport with me while I waited six hours for my flight to London.


I arrived in Lisbon late Sunday night and woke up the next morning with a beautiful view from my hotel room window.



I wandered around Lisbon on Monday. This was a very good day to get a feeling for the city so I walked and walked and felt immensely pleased with myself when I came upon the central square with its many beautiful buildings, statues, fountains and of course shops and cafes.








The conference began on Tuesday in the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian, one of the most famous museums and art galleries in Portugal. It is in the middle of a beautiful park which unfortunately I did not have sufficient time to explore.








I enjoyed most of the sessions at the conference and was pleased to be able to add the Allan Sapp book, The Song Within my Heart to the international book collection that will be distributed to schools in Portugal.








Today I am off to Lagos in the Algarve -- sun, beaches, restaurants and just plain relaxation. I may not have great internet access so I will have adventures and stories to share when I return.

News From Amanda and Family

Well its summer and the boys are have a great time. They love being outside and are getting into everything. Cole is in Ontario for the month. He is visiting his Cousin James their the same age, They phoned when they got there but haven't heard from them since. Cole was so excited about going on a plane that, that was all he told us when phoned. Not to sure what he's been up to now but I do hope that Jane (Geordie's mom) takes lots of pictures. I sure do miss a lot. I have started a dayhome I look after two extra children durning the day. 3-4 days of the week I have 5 children then the rest I have 4, except for this month. Were I don't have Cole. that's all for now Lot of Love Amanda And Family

News From Stephanie

This summer has been great. I got my BA and walked the stage. Derrik and I have gone on a few camping trips. I have taken to camping, we rented a boat last time and had a blast. Even Riley, but he got kind of scared on the waves.
For the long weekend, Derrik's parents rented a boat at the lake, I even went on the inner tube, It was fun and scarry at the same time. Riley's happy to be done kindergarden and can't wait to start grade 1. He did great in school.
My boss is now on mat. leave, so I'm taking over for her for the year. Which has been fun, but stessful. In the mean time, I'm going to take a few classes to keep me up with my study skills.

107th posting

Would you believe we have made 107 posts since the summer! I was so pleased today when I checked my rss aggregator to see four posts on this blog! It is very nice to hear from Brittany and Michelle -- and to see photos too.

Four more days of school -- and then I'm off to Portugal. I am really looking forward to the conference. I have had three months without any university classes and I need something to get me thinking again. Then... ooh the beaches. I am looking forward to a few relaxing days with great beach books.

I am looking forward to a visit with family at the airport in Calgary. I will e-mail you may arrival and departure times.

Donna

news from Mom

This is a ginko bola tree at uncle John's
Ramona Today I think I am a red crayon, yesterday I seemed to be a flirty pink. I am so flexible. Thank you Brittany and Michelle for your messages and yes that lasagna looks wonderful, I hope you will come and make it for me sometime. Samantha emailed for the blog address as she said she would write on it I will have to remind her. I am starting to get ready for my stay in Swift Current. Doug put up shelves for me downstairs so today I will get working on that area and have it ready for guests. I am looking forward to seeing you Marc. and Ramona too. Donna will be in on Saturday and I will drive her to the plane. Where are you off to next Michelle? Loads Of Lve to All Mom

Brit and Michelle's Famous Lasagna.

CALL FOR THE RECIPE

Brittany's Update

Hey everyone.

I have been a busy bee in Vancouver. I have already shot my documentary and two Drama's. I am now working on my third Drama with a friend of mine, I am ohoping to Produce it. Michelle was just here we had a good time until she went back to Europe. When she gets back we are planning to paint the apartment before Mom and Marc come to Viset me. I hope everyone is haveing a good summer and enjoying the Sun.

Love ~Brittany~

Dreaming Dutch

Hello Everyone!!!
So im in Holland...i got back from South America mid May and hung out with Brittany in Vancouver and visited friends...and got a little bored in the rainy city for 3weeks. Then Dad came to visit me...and Shayna came and we were off to Holland. We landed in A-dam and spent the night at Lotte's house met some her friends at a ping pong tournament held at her boyfriends house. Everyone was wearing Orange. The next day we took the train to Breda saw all the boys and watched Holland play the first game of the WK. They won and everyone was wearing orange. I haven't been doing a lot but the time is really flying by. The weather has been "typical Dutch" that means cloudy and rainy everyday. We had a few hot days at the beginning so we were laying by the lake. Went to Amsterdam to see Lotte on her days off.....had a nice dinner with her family and watched the Dutch play Argentina. They tied. There was less orange present at this event.
Im back for a fresh start in a week...back to canada and back to work.
In 11months i have seen one more corner of the world and have returned to an old favorite. So now it is time to work again....i guess.

I never write on here but im always checking it to see whats going on. Keep the posts comming chicos!!!
Ciao Mich
x0x0x0x0x0x0x0

Mom where is yours???

Hi, just want to know where mom's post is. How will I cope if I don't know what color of caryon you would like to be.

We are all fine here school is over and I am looking forward to some deck time.

Ramona

news from Mom

Just a note to thank all of you for seding in the little information thing, i also have been learning about you guys. I am keeping them in my family file Love Mom

News from Donna

Well.... the school year is almost over -- yeah! I am looking forward to the summer break. I will be spending the first two weeks in Portugal. I have funds from Sask Learning (online teaching professional development money) to attend the International Association for School Librarianship conference in Lisbon. I am looking forward to it as some of the key speakers are individuals whose work I have been reading for my university classes and for changes in our school library program.

I will spend a week (on my own dollar) after the conference in a little fishing village called Lagos in the southern part of the country -- lots of beautiful beaches. I have booked a private room in a hostel and hope to walk, read, relax and enjoy lots of seafood.

I have enjoyed the past few weeks as I have not had a university class and no new classes this semester to teach. I have more time to myself than I have had in the past few years and I have really enjoyed getting in touch with my friends again and enjoying my house and yard.

I spent last Saturday helping mom set up her computer... well she had it all set up by the time I arrived. Out of the box and ready to go... its a Mac you know! See it here And.. check out the cool Mac ads.

In no time we had browser (Firefox) and e-mail (Thunderbird) apps downloaded and had checked out that all her peripherals (printer, camera and palm) had the correct drivers and apps installed. Printer driver came with the machine and her camera works great with iphoto. We did need to install the mac apps for her palm.

She currently has a trial version of word and powerpoint which hopefully will do until I can get my picture ID and get to the university bookstore where I can them for a substantial discount. (Ramona's gift to Mom)

I did forget to format her e-mail program to open attachments (pictures, word, wav, and pps files) but should have that worked out within the next few days.

What a nice machine! Very fast - I am a bit envious! It really looks nice sitting on her desk.

Well.. that's my news!

ps -- Jim and family and Mike... I will have a few hours in Calgary on my way to Lisbon on July 1st -- any chance that we can meet for coffee at the airport?

New From Mike

Nice to see that we are still using the blogg.

I am doing well, I am running and biking (no I never made it out to Bragg Creek, I danced to much the night before).

I have being keeping very busy, I am taking French classes at the U of C, this is on Mondays and Wednesdays. I do not get home until 10:30. On Saturday nights I have been going out to the bar for 2 stepping. I even dragged David out and I think he a had I good time, I know I did.

I am going camping this week-end, I am checking out a camp site that I want to take the kids to when they are here for the month. All three are coming down until the 18th of Aug. Megan is coming down earlier to party it up on her birthday.

Work is going well I seem to have a good handle on it. I was doing my development plan and my boss has OK me to attend classes at the U of C. I think I will take a whole lot of Math classes.

I am still running and hope to do a marathon this fall, Ramona has me convicted to go up there to run, I think it would be great, if this does not work out I will try for the run in Regina.

That about it I am well and keeping busy and for the most part very happy.

Take care,


Mike

News from Mom

Wow!! its been quite a while since anyone has written on the blog. I know I am as guilty as anybody. I have been keeping myself busy. Toby has moved in with his girl friend and I have my basement room back. I am going to take part of it for my crafts and the rest will be for family or guests. I was in Swift Current for a few days and looked after Carter while Zane and Pam got some things done on their house. I will be going back the first week in July until August. I will be here in the latter part of July as Marc is coming down for some more work on his teeth. Ramona will be coming with him and then Donna is driving her back home. While Donna is there they will be doing a hike up in the mountains. Last week was Sobey's first anniversary so I was working 8 hour days. Wow! I made but I sure have been spoiled with my 4 or 5 hour shifts three or four times a week. Anyways I am still around. I know all of you have got news for the family, so I will say LOVE ALL OF YOU, let you write up your news MOM

Calgarians

Since no one has put a post on here since April 22 (thanks Ramona) and no one has made a comment to any other posting. I thought I would ramble on here for a while.

Not much is new. Work goes as work goes. Sometimes being a civil servant is just fine. 8:00 to 4:30 Monday to Friday, you can do nothing or anything without getting fired, no room for promotions, so basically an comfortable ride until retirement.

Alberta may be the richest Province in the nation but most of the programs have to live within their budgets ( Wow! What a concept). We cut all our services by 5% this year. That made for a lot of pissed off people; still not hearing the end of it. We will go on as we always have.

Mike and I talk frequently. We try and get together at least once= a week Sundays. He said he will be biking out to Bragg Creek today about 60K return.

Last weekend Liz and I took Cole overnight it was great, we spoiled him rotten then sent him home to his parents (HAHA).

Amanda is now a "Day Home" she has a couple of part-time kids that she supports three day a week. She probably won't be taking any more she said two is enough. stephanie's doing fine, we'll be seeing later today for a visit. Her and Derek are getting along fine.

Liz is adjusting to being back at work. Not too bad for her; no overtime, shift ends at 4:30 exactly. So now she's waiting for me (Big change). She knows the job and seems to enjoy most of it.

Most of the painting is done in the house, we still have the kitchen to do, but we're in no rush.

Well that's about it.

Take care all.

Jim

news from Ramona

My posting do not seem to be published so I thought I would try this one. Again we are all fine here. Cam is busy, Brittany is up for a visit, seems to be enjoying herself. Marc is busy at school, seems to be doing better, and is applying for scholorships so I hope he gets some. We here from Michelle once in a while Cam seens to think she is ready to come home. It will be nice to have her here safe and sound.

Well I must run, Brittany and I are up for a long walk

Love Ramona

finally from Ramona

Hi, sorry it has been so long since I added to the blogg, computer problems and time have been the enemy. We are all fine here,
Brittany is up for a visit. She will be here till Thr. it is nice to see her and she is glad to be home.

I am very happy about my Computer, they finally replaced the mother board and I hope that is all it will take to make this thing work. I did save all my photos and my Music, but when I reinstalled it it did not save any of my albums or playlists so I will have to spend a couple of days working on getting them set up again. I wanted to change some of my play lists so that will be good.
I have joined a running group. I know I am not a joiner but a friend wanted to go and wanted me for support. There is about 10 of us. The leader did not want us to run with music but I will be a rebell and use mine any way.

It is fianlly spring here, some of my plants are up. I have decided not spend a ton of money on plants this year. I will be gone for a couple of weeks in July and Cam is just not the watering kind of guy. Then I will be gone again in Aug. just for a week but who knows. I do want a nice perineal garden, so I might spend my time working on that.

Cam is already busy, they have hired a few new pilots and both Zonk and Cam have to do their up dated training for MOT so they are busy writing test and doing flying but also training new pilots and bidding on contracts. It will be an interesting season for them. They seem to get good pilots and then they move.

Marc will be working with his dad this summer and then doing some shifts at the pool but mostly he will work at the hanger. He says that he has a feeling for the job now that he has been in college for 4 months. I hope he is happy at qwest.


Well I am off to school to do some prepping. Brittany and I have a lunch date and then we plan to walk the dog. boy are our lives exciting.

Take care

Love to all

Ramona

ps. Mike phone me I tried to call but do not have your number

news from mom

Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you Mike today and to you Zane last Tuesday Love you Mom

News from Mom

Dear Family, we have received an invitation to attend the 50th anniversary for Connie and Maurice Marquette. It will be held on August 12, in the Parish hall, in Perigord. There is a come and go tea from 2 till 4 and then a supper at 6. I will probably stay at the motel. I am to RSVP by June15th. Let me know if any of would like to go Love Mom

Mike In Calgary

Hello all,

I know that I have not placed a blogg in a while and this one will be short.

I have been here 45 days and I feel it is going well. I am getting around the city by bus or train and at times it is a real pain, but I just can not put out over $200.00 on a car so that I can use it once in awhile. I will still be taking the train to work as parking downtown is another $200.00.

I am still running and have found a great trail not far from me call Glenmore Trails, the course runs around the Glenmore water resivour. Most of the time it is like being in the country as there are very few houses and lots of trees. I am planning on a half marathon in Regina on the 24th of April. I will be there for the boys birthday and will be staying the week as they have it off.

Work is going well, I know that I am learning my place and what I am doing but I also feel that I am contribute as I have quite a few people asking me things and I even have the answers. This company is quite new and growing so there are lots of new people in the last year they have hired 30 - 40.

The apartment I have moved into is very nice. The best feature is the hot water, lots of it and the pressure is incredible. I am on a ground level with a walk out patio that looks into a very large private court yard. It has large mature trees and my area has large Lilacs so I have a very private patio. I will need to but some furniture for it, soon I hope.

Mom , Jim and Donna have my new phone # so please give me a call I do not have a landline so I do not get good long distance rates. I also have a two bedroom set up with three beds, so if anyone needs a place to stay in Calgary you are most welcome. On that note magna and her friend Will be here for the Stamped July and the first part of Aug. The boys will staying the first part of Aug, as I have my Holidays them.

Take Care,


Love Mike

Thanks for the mementos

Hi Ramona. Thanks so very much for the wonderful package. There are some interesting items in the brochures and magazine. Certainly brings back some good memories. Don't know when we'll get the chance to go back - its definitely a dream of mine!

Thanks again - take care everyone. Would be nice to see some new pictures of the family.

Jim and Liz