Updates and Stuff

Thank you Jadi for your beautiful blog this past weekend. You inspire me!! We know how much special effort you and Spencer are expending in your family these days. I am constantly asked how little Clare is and I have decided that my only answer is that, she is doing great. Although she does not yet sit up, roll over or act as independent as other 10 month old children, she certainly can win my heart with her sweet little smile and occasional giggle. The other night I watched her father bend over her, exert some effort to catch her attention (which is a challenge) then say to her; "Hello my Sweets, how was your day?". Of course it had the expected emotional effect on me and on little Clare; both big smiles.

Last Friday morning, I had an eight year old and a six year old climb up on my knee and just visit for about 1/2 hour. We are blessed with remarkable children who are raising sugar, spice, everything nice, snakes, snails and puppy dog tails and for all that we are so grateful. I liked Mark's comments about the prospect of their having a new addition to their family, he said; "well, we sure like the ones we've got".

The Raymond Project

Things are winding up slowly but surely. Our friend, Wayne Eakett has spent the past 8 - 10 weeks doing finishing work on site. He has become a friend through this project as he has cared deeply about his work. Painters are putting final colors in now, cabinets are starting to go in next week. The exterior needs final stucco and is in the process of getting the rock front. Here are a couple of the latest photos.

As I was driving to Raymond the other day, the fellow who is putting on the rock called me to confirm an appointment. He impressed me when he asked if he could pick me up a hot chocolate or something. This fellow seemed familiar and imagine his surprise when he told me that his name was Josh Prepchuk and I promptly gave him a good, solid punch on the shoulder. (I need to remember that these young guys could probably deck me.) Josh and his folks lived right next door to us when he was running around in diapers. We have very fond memories of Ken, Sandy and their family.

The frustration of building is the inability of sub-trades to meet deadlines and the need to get "in the queue" each time we need something done. Painters have said they will finish this week, we will get the rough cabinetry so that the countertops can be exact. My intent through this whole process is to ensure that the people who are working on our house leave wanting to do business with us once more. I am in need of patience. (On that same note, I hope that Cahoons continue to be as understanding as they appear to be.)

The Plan

It appears that we will be hosting Christmas this year and that we will have a houseful of kids. GREAT. Bring it on!!

Happy Thanksgiving to the south.

Autumn Update

Days tick by and things happen. Where does time go? Only a few short years ago, my father, on his 65th birthday, indicated that time had slipped by so fast. As only a 29 year old can understand, I remember thinking, "is he crazy, he's had a great life". That was almost 30 years ago and the passage of time is picking up speed. I understand his sentiment and want to crowd memories into minutes.

For the past 3 autumn trips, I have driven to Palm Desert, while She Who Adores Me, has flown down, then ridden back. The first year, Mike G. rode down with me and we had a great time golfing in Utah, then checking out Laughlin, NV. (Save your money, it's old and so are most of the habituants.) For the past 2 years, I have travelled alone and cherish a little alone time. I think that I could drive for 2 days and never turn on the radio, just enjoying my own thoughts and the drive.

Anyway, Gerry flew to San Jose to spend a few days with Carly and Jesse in their new home and I journeyed alone.

Day One, I spent in Raymond attending to housing duties with a late afternoon departure to Cahoon's cabin in Polson, MT. Their home in Polson is exactly what a cabin should be; not too elaborate and very tight and comfortable. For a day and a half, we talked house stuff, went to some cabinet makers and show homes and got our heads around their project. I am grateful for their forbearance as progress is tedious but we are grinding it out. Drew managed to drag me, kicking and screaming to play 9 holes of golf at the Polson GC. Mostly we talked as I marvelled at his most excellent, although somewhat screwy mind.

Day Three, my goal was Salt Lake City, an 8 hour drive. Somehow, the car swerved off the road at Anaconda, the site of The Old Works Golf Course and before you could say, "if you want to play golf, there is a twosome on the first tee", I was off for a very enjoyable 4 hours with 2 Montana good old boys. What did it matter if I arrived in SLC at 4:00 p.m. or at 9:00?

The stream that cuts Old Works off from the world.
It is world class.

3 great days of golf in Utah with Tommy and Rory. (Alright 2 great days and one forgettable one). The new Sand Hollow Golf Resort in Hurricane, UT is going to be a winner. Check out some of the photos. I enjoyed a 3 hour visit with Kristen, our next door neighbor and a champion. She is a klutz, though and I wasn't all that surprised to see her hand all wrapped up. She is prone to pratfalls and had walked into a post earlier in the day, breaking a bone in her hand.

Sand Hollow Golf Resort. A winner!

Creme de la creme was the week in Palm Desert. We had a crowd this year. Jesse and Carly came down for Friday and Saturday nights, Princes, as always, were there, Goodrows were already at their home in Desert Hot Springs and the Doug and Nancy Jacksons and Harry and Susan Karchs' made up the complete guest list. It was hot!!! Temperatures were in the 104 - 107 F. with very little overnight relief. I felt like we almost lost most of the men in the extreme heat. It seems that riding on a golf cart, hitting a little white ball, with lots of clothes on does have some effects.

We barbequed, ate out, shopped (and shopped), sat by and in the pools, checked out the markets, went to church, played a few games, sweltered and time went by way too fast. We'll do it again (and again, I hope).

On the return leg, we had geared up to attend a reunion with people that I had served an LDS mission with in 1970 - 1972. It was marvelous, although most of the attendees hardly looked like they might have once been 19 years old. This mug shot is reminiscent of me at that time.

In actuality, the reunion was very emotional for me, people remember only the best about each other, we forgive imperfection and want the very best. I visited with many former companions and love them for their goodness.

Our adventures home continued with us picking up a U-Haul truck in Missoula, MT, then bringing home a load of appliances and stuff for our projects.

This photo is a candid of our guest of honor on Sunday past. We have so much for which to give thanks, we are overwhelmingly blessed. SWAM is the best at putting on a great feast on these special occasions. And lastly, who is this little girl that we are seeing more of?

Summer's a Waning!

My now grown, previously ankle biting children have almost all posted, ergo, I need to put something up.  Hope it will be reasonably coherent. Summer is winding down, perhaps some pics to stimulate the memory.

Kent F., one of my great golf partners invited me to

join him up at Kananaskis.  thanks Kent.

Summer has been a great learning experience

in the construction field.  Our front door is hung

and painting is taking place.  (The garage is all 

painted ....below.)

I shouldn't teach my gk's bad habits, but darn

they are cute.  Little Cooper slides up next to

me and whispers; "tiny bit" or "sleep over".

Sammy bravely showed the kids excessive

bravery in letting the cockatiel sit on 

his arm.

And of course, we had a great family reunion, again.

We're off to the desert in a few days.  We seem to do so every year about this time and it is a wonderful recharge and a great way to celebrate our nuptials, oh so many years ago.  We'll have a movement of people going with us and I look so forward to it.  I'll report on that new adventure soon.

Until that time......

Happy Birthday Dude!!

26 years ago today, after touring Edmonton's west end golf courses, a quiet, little guy entered our lives. He has always been very tender (not that he would have us tell you that) and doesn't like change.

We love him, respect him and enjoy him as our room mate.

Happy Birthday Andrew.

House Update as Promised

The Raymond projects and they are now multiple are moving along.  Our house has drywall hung and taped, the outside is ready for some finish stucco. 

We have opted to blanket the house with foam and have used the highest quality insulation we could find.  A driveway is scheduled to be poured this week.  We will be coating the house with a first coat of paint this week, then turning it over to finishers for almost 2 months. It has been my style to give the sub-trades ample time to do their work, giving them almost exclusive use of the house.

There are other projects under way and we will report on them later.

ttfn.

My Brother the Bishop

Today my brother was released as a Bishop in the Latter-day Saint faith.  He has served with distinction for more than 5 years in a 100% voluntary position. While carrying on in his position as a business owner and entrepreneur, Doug has willingly given up to 50 hours each week serving the Latter-day Saints (Mormons) up in Sherwood Park.  

Working with a voluntary staff, it is easier to sometimes just do it yourself rather than scour for a willing soul and that method has been Doug's style. Recently he had 2 widows; one needing a place to live, the other happy to have her move in but not having the proper space to accommodate her. Doug rallied the troops and totally renovated her basement.  His style was to put on work clothes and make his way over to the project almost every free minute, giving leadership by doing to ensure the project was complete in short order.

Anyone who knows Doug, knows that he has a busy family. Nancy has supported her husband by understanding the needs of the ward and has willingly managed many of the social activities of their very active family. Theirs is a home that almost always has children, grandchildren and friends bustling about.

Our family knows from experience that these types of callings, and they are callings, are time consuming and all encompassing but they are also rewarding and bring the family together.  We are proud of Bishop Doug and say to him; well done thou good and faithful servant.

Jackson Family Reunion

The Jackson Family annual reunion just wrapped up and, in spite of a house that is still spinning, a lawn that will take months to recover, a hot tub that continues to have interesting hues, we have preserved great memories. We combined our annual get together with a celebration of Grandma Child's birthday. (It was a milestone!!)

Perhaps pictures will best tell the story:

The older grand kids and grandma and grandpa

waved down the local C-Train and made an excursion

to downtown Calgary.

The destination was the top of the "Muffin" as

the Ehlert girls have dubbed it. Many others call

it The Calgary Tower. Grandpa, Grandma and Anna

were all freaked looking out the glass floor.

A little rest stop in the lobby of the Palliser Hotel,

a treat at McDonalds and we returned to a great

weiner roast and campfire.

What could be more fun than some quiet

games to fill the evening. Kristy and Andrew

entertain the hordes with some "Rock Band".

A little bit of Bickering and Complaining (the card game) was constantly 

in order. Jadi and a very peaceful Clare check out her hand.

Saturday morning the boys went golfing and the
girls attempted to go the Calgary Zoo but were
turned away by the crowds of people who had
similar thoughts. The next best thing was a trip
to the Pet Store, where anyone brave enough
had a bird climb up their arm. On the way home,
Max said to Sol; "Hand" and this was the result.

Spencer Jackson and Kelsie Ehlert entertain

themselves at the computer.

Saturday night was the big Fete. Grandma's birthday

and dinner for an army. Barb is with Tanner Still,

his girlfriend Niki, his sister Karen and husband Rob Ferguson.

My credit card and bank account might never

recover as we prepared a mighty meal of lobster,

crab, shrimp and an exciting new creation; the Paella.

Gerry presides over the creation of her first paella,

a creation of tomato paste, rice, shrimp, mussels,

scallops and much more.

Denise and Kristy assist with the heavy mixing.

Have a look at the final result.

Not only beautiful to look at, it was better than you can imagine. We'll do it again!!!

In answer to the question already posed, we fed 33.

Grandpa bought a used jumper about 4 years ago.

We call it Ellie, cuz it is a great big Elephant.

Here he thought that he might sneak into it and have

a little rest. Not likely!!

Uncle Lee devised a great game that creates

chaos in the jumper and cleans it and the participants at

the same time. It involves lots of baby shampoo and water.

Thanks Lee for spending so much time with all the kids.

After the jumper, the kids needed a bath er

hot tub. Uncle Lee was the lifeguard, only having to pull

Sol up from a face down position once.

Cooper manifests the copious amounts of great food

that we consumed (and wore).

Grandma and Addison inspect the bandage

on Addie's little finger. Our grandchildren adore

Nana Childs. She spends a lot of time on the deck

with them.

This was our little Clare's first reunion.

She is full of miracles. We hope for many,

many more. Sunday morning, Spencer

took little Clare in her arms and then surrounded

by 12 grandpas, dads and brothers gave her a

name and a blessing. It was a very touching moment.

And finally, thank you children for the love and support that you give one another. We are blessed and my faith is strengthened by each of you. Thank you to our friends for their great support. My next post will be an update on our Raymond project (s).