Well its been a busy few days to say the least..rushing to empty the MH and reload it after sorting out everything that was in there since the spring..organizing all the bathroom stuff into totes and the pantry stuff..so all I will have to do is take them back out when 'roll out' time is upon us:)
After finding out from the Toronto Hospital that they had not yet received the pre op tests from our local hospital I was on the phone to the 'locals' first thing this morning, chasing down the results-all forms were highlighted and clearly marked that everything was to be 'faxed' to Shouldice Hospital in Ontario. Needless to say I had to explain to about 1/2 dozen people here the 'story'...before I was finally put through to the right departments..ughhh...but I would have gladly told 50 people if it meant getting the results.
I received an email an hour ago-that the results are finally at the hospital in Toronto and have been passed on to the doctor for review and they will contact us within the next 24 hours.
So that is behind us..I worried about that all weekend..I have the luggage out of storage, so now onto the packing.
I'm sure things will be fine..Rick is very active and very healthy..but I'm still keeping my fingers crossed and a prayer on my lips that nothing shows up to hold up this surgery.
Home is where you park it...
Monday, October 17, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Flights Booked-Surgery Booked-where are the test results
Getting a wee bit nervous here. Yesterday when I hopped online and checked the flights (west jet) for Toronto I noticed there were only 4 seats left. I had been keeping an eye on them daily. I didn't want to book our flights until Toronto Hospital received our pre op testing results which we had done on the 12th. Our local hospital is suppose to fax the results to them. I'm praying nothing shows up in the testing and the results (blood and EKG) arrive there before the 24th.
I booked the flights yesterday because they are filling fast. Possibly due to the strike talks at Air Canada everyone is booking West Jet to be on the safe side.
So we are booked to fly to Toronto on the 24th for surgery on the 25th..providing all test results are good...I'm nervous to say the least..but last I heard Murphy's law was somewhere else..Please stay there...
Be safe everyone
Home is where you park it
I booked the flights yesterday because they are filling fast. Possibly due to the strike talks at Air Canada everyone is booking West Jet to be on the safe side.
So we are booked to fly to Toronto on the 24th for surgery on the 25th..providing all test results are good...I'm nervous to say the least..but last I heard Murphy's law was somewhere else..Please stay there...
Be safe everyone
Home is where you park it
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Booked for Surgery!
Hello everyone, it has been a very busy past few days since my last post. Richard is booked for surgery at Shouldice Hospital in Toronto for October 25th. I submitted all of the medical paper work online last week, for review and he is reviewed and approved..they called yesterday and we set the date!!
A big THANK YOU to Bob of "The Caretaker Chronicals" for posting their information in a post on my blog!!! You truly are a Caretaker Bob!!
They forwarded to us via email a requisition for pre op blood work and an EKG yesterday. We presented ourselves at our local hospital early this morning and had it all done, the results will be faxed to Shouldice..Upon receipt of the results the patient planner has promised to call us and if all is ok with the pre op testing-then I will book our flights to Ontario for October 24.
He will be admitted on the 24th with surgery on the 25th-and released on the 28th and we will fly back home on the 29th. I'm estimating we will not be crossing the border until late December..thinking we were stuck here this winter, I agreed to have company from out of town over the Christmas Holidays. So hopefully the weather holds up and we are able to leave Canada the end of December. Yahoooooo
A big THANK YOU to Bob of "The Caretaker Chronicals" for posting their information in a post on my blog!!! You truly are a Caretaker Bob!!
They forwarded to us via email a requisition for pre op blood work and an EKG yesterday. We presented ourselves at our local hospital early this morning and had it all done, the results will be faxed to Shouldice..Upon receipt of the results the patient planner has promised to call us and if all is ok with the pre op testing-then I will book our flights to Ontario for October 24.
He will be admitted on the 24th with surgery on the 25th-and released on the 28th and we will fly back home on the 29th. I'm estimating we will not be crossing the border until late December..thinking we were stuck here this winter, I agreed to have company from out of town over the Christmas Holidays. So hopefully the weather holds up and we are able to leave Canada the end of December. Yahoooooo
Because of our local surgical wait time of 1-1.5 years we will "Have Surgery While We Wait"
Now Do you think Tucker Needs a Haircut???? Miss Lilly is always beautiful...!!!
Tucker and Lilly Visited the Groomer
Today was a sunny but chilly fall day~As you can see the trees are changing in some of these shots of our backyard
So it has been an eventful week since seeing the surgeon last Wednesday. How fast things can change. Now we are on the move prepping the motorhome for winterizing, emptying it then reloading it, making lists then making lists for the lists. I will reload it so that when the time comes all we need to do is turn on the fridge and fill it. We will ensure that the gas tank is full, and propane topped up before we winterize and park it in our spare driveway (so we can make a quick getaway when the time comes). Rick took the car to the dealer last night and had it all serviced, and the winter tires put on. One thing off the list :)
Here's hoping all is well with Ricks pre op testing (I'm praying)..and we get to Toronto for the surgery and all goes well. Oh wow so much to do..and so little time.
I see from reading your blogs quite a few of you are in travel and some getting ready to travel (like us!!!)...stay safe out there blogland friends...and I hope we meet up down the road in the not too distant future...I will keep you updated as we know more...thanks to you all!
Remember - Home is Where you Park it
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Plans set in Stone!!
Thank you all for your opinions and supportive comments on yesterday's blog. I value and appreciate each and every post.
I think one of the posters made a good point. It might not 'suck' but our medical system could sure use some sprucing up and improvement. And we need to be squeaky wheels and advocate for ourselves.
During election campaigns we always receive mega promises concerning everything from lowering taxes, improving schools, improving medical wait times yadda yadda...these promises are vote grabbers. They will promise us the moon for the vote. If the government has control (and I'm not thinking only of health care here)...we have 'none'...it seems to be all or nothing with our government. You vote for who you think is the best candidate, and you hope and pray for the best possible outcome.
On December 23, 2006 I was diagnosed with a breast tumor. Go home have a good Christmas and we will schedule a biopsy for early in the year. Merry Ho Ho to me! This wasn't my first rodeo, as I had a lumpectomy back in the early 80's. Bear in mind I had a grandmother who had breast cancer, and 5 aunts who also had breast cancer (apparently the aunts didn't count because they were paternal). Forward to end of January 07, I was called in for a biopsy. Not bad I only waited a month. The needle core biopsy wasn't performed that day because it was decided that an ultrasound biopsy would be the better route to take. Meantime I'm sitting in one of those elegant 'gowns' awaiting the decision. Ok with me lets go to ultrasound. Well you can't you have to be booked for it! Well please do not send a letter back to my family doctor and make me way for another appointment referral to the ultrasound doctor-no no we won't do that this wonderful physician states..I will personally take your file myself to the ultrasound Doctor and get it all set up, its just down the corridor. Out of the gown and back home we go - don't anyone touch that phone I'm waiting for a call from the hospital. No call!
I called in February, I called in March, and I called in April. Now we are 4 months into this-and I'm petrified. Toward the end of April my calls were becoming irate. I was finally told that I wasn't even in the system for a biopsy. And I go through the story again. Yes I was there in Dec. I was there in January bla bla bla...to shorten the story~ they didn't even have me on file as having a mammogram in December, let alone seeing the physician in January at the hospital. Of course I'm beside myself..what if I have cancer and I'm losing precious treatment time. I begged to pay for the biopsy they stated "you can't" I said if I was in town from the United States requiring treatment you'd pencil me up a bill pretty quick-but I couldn't because I was a 'canadian'.. On the last day of April I called again-and I definitely was irate this time. I told them they had 3 hours to find my files and information and call me back with a biopsy appointment or I would be arriving at their department with the newspaper, TV, and radio. In 2.5 hours I received a call and an apology beyond my comprehension. I was found at the bottom of the pile of files on the physicians desk. The same physician who was suppose to deliver my file to the ultrasound physician just down the corridor 3 months earlier. If I hadn't stood up and verbally threatened would I have ever gotten found? I think not. If it was his wife or daughter would she have ended up at the bottom of a mess on his desk? I think not. But to be fair to this physician I do have to say he was probably over worked and short staffed. But he choose the profession!! Anyway I did finally get my biopsy and all was fine..the tumor was benign..but what if it wasn't???? I would have lost 4 months of treatment time. I often wonder how many people have gotten 'lost' in the system-and possibly died because of it.
But our system is 'broken'...it needs to be repaired. Above is only a sampling of what happened to us. We have a son who lost his leg to amputation at the age of 14 due to medical incompetence. Another apology! It was like oops sorry. And what did we do? We swallowed it. We can't make waves it may blacklist us in the future. Did we have actual proof of this medical incompetence? We had tons...
We have good doctors, surgeons and some very good health care workers. But the biggest problem is the 'wait' times. The wait times are caused, by the system. The NB govt' sets a budget for health care and in order to not overrun that budget determines how many doctors they can afford and how many operating rooms they can have open.It does not seem to matter if there is enough doctors so that every resident can have a family doctor what matters is the numbers match. So we wait, and we wait. We are too accepting of the govt - we don't squeak when we should and we let things slide-we don't want to make waves. But what choices do we have? Its the only show in town..we don't have a choice but to accept. Its not walmart where if we don't receive good service at one we can just run across town to the other. In a way its a monopoly.
I have been on a medical rant for years..its not because Rick has to wait over a year for hernia repair-its because I can't make a difference on my own. I have seen too much in the past and watched people get swept under the carpet. And its a very sad state of affairs.
Ok I gotta find me a new rant, because this one is giving me heartburn...
Plans Set in Stone:
We are going to empty and winterize the motorhome this weekend. Then park it onsite in our spare driveway in case we can make a quick getaway. I'm going to immediately reload it as if we were heading south, minus the food items, and get all my 'south' lists in order. We will put the snow tires on the car and service the snowblower.
Rick will stop taking his aspirin now in case we get a fast 'come on in we have a cancellation' call. He will not eat or drink after midnight, because I assume if we do get a fast call it will come sometime between 8am and 10am so he will not have breakfast until after 10am each day. Good thing he likes to sleep in~in the mornings. We will think positive and try hard to stay upbeat. He is pretty disappointed, he was so looking forward to being out of the snow and cold on our first winter of retirement. But as I tell him it could be worse, much much worse..
Ok stepping down and putting away the soap box..I'm done!!!
Stay safe all~
home is where you park it
I think one of the posters made a good point. It might not 'suck' but our medical system could sure use some sprucing up and improvement. And we need to be squeaky wheels and advocate for ourselves.
During election campaigns we always receive mega promises concerning everything from lowering taxes, improving schools, improving medical wait times yadda yadda...these promises are vote grabbers. They will promise us the moon for the vote. If the government has control (and I'm not thinking only of health care here)...we have 'none'...it seems to be all or nothing with our government. You vote for who you think is the best candidate, and you hope and pray for the best possible outcome.
On December 23, 2006 I was diagnosed with a breast tumor. Go home have a good Christmas and we will schedule a biopsy for early in the year. Merry Ho Ho to me! This wasn't my first rodeo, as I had a lumpectomy back in the early 80's. Bear in mind I had a grandmother who had breast cancer, and 5 aunts who also had breast cancer (apparently the aunts didn't count because they were paternal). Forward to end of January 07, I was called in for a biopsy. Not bad I only waited a month. The needle core biopsy wasn't performed that day because it was decided that an ultrasound biopsy would be the better route to take. Meantime I'm sitting in one of those elegant 'gowns' awaiting the decision. Ok with me lets go to ultrasound. Well you can't you have to be booked for it! Well please do not send a letter back to my family doctor and make me way for another appointment referral to the ultrasound doctor-no no we won't do that this wonderful physician states..I will personally take your file myself to the ultrasound Doctor and get it all set up, its just down the corridor. Out of the gown and back home we go - don't anyone touch that phone I'm waiting for a call from the hospital. No call!
I called in February, I called in March, and I called in April. Now we are 4 months into this-and I'm petrified. Toward the end of April my calls were becoming irate. I was finally told that I wasn't even in the system for a biopsy. And I go through the story again. Yes I was there in Dec. I was there in January bla bla bla...to shorten the story~ they didn't even have me on file as having a mammogram in December, let alone seeing the physician in January at the hospital. Of course I'm beside myself..what if I have cancer and I'm losing precious treatment time. I begged to pay for the biopsy they stated "you can't" I said if I was in town from the United States requiring treatment you'd pencil me up a bill pretty quick-but I couldn't because I was a 'canadian'.. On the last day of April I called again-and I definitely was irate this time. I told them they had 3 hours to find my files and information and call me back with a biopsy appointment or I would be arriving at their department with the newspaper, TV, and radio. In 2.5 hours I received a call and an apology beyond my comprehension. I was found at the bottom of the pile of files on the physicians desk. The same physician who was suppose to deliver my file to the ultrasound physician just down the corridor 3 months earlier. If I hadn't stood up and verbally threatened would I have ever gotten found? I think not. If it was his wife or daughter would she have ended up at the bottom of a mess on his desk? I think not. But to be fair to this physician I do have to say he was probably over worked and short staffed. But he choose the profession!! Anyway I did finally get my biopsy and all was fine..the tumor was benign..but what if it wasn't???? I would have lost 4 months of treatment time. I often wonder how many people have gotten 'lost' in the system-and possibly died because of it.
But our system is 'broken'...it needs to be repaired. Above is only a sampling of what happened to us. We have a son who lost his leg to amputation at the age of 14 due to medical incompetence. Another apology! It was like oops sorry. And what did we do? We swallowed it. We can't make waves it may blacklist us in the future. Did we have actual proof of this medical incompetence? We had tons...
We have good doctors, surgeons and some very good health care workers. But the biggest problem is the 'wait' times. The wait times are caused, by the system. The NB govt' sets a budget for health care and in order to not overrun that budget determines how many doctors they can afford and how many operating rooms they can have open.It does not seem to matter if there is enough doctors so that every resident can have a family doctor what matters is the numbers match. So we wait, and we wait. We are too accepting of the govt - we don't squeak when we should and we let things slide-we don't want to make waves. But what choices do we have? Its the only show in town..we don't have a choice but to accept. Its not walmart where if we don't receive good service at one we can just run across town to the other. In a way its a monopoly.
I have been on a medical rant for years..its not because Rick has to wait over a year for hernia repair-its because I can't make a difference on my own. I have seen too much in the past and watched people get swept under the carpet. And its a very sad state of affairs.
Ok I gotta find me a new rant, because this one is giving me heartburn...
Plans Set in Stone:
We are going to empty and winterize the motorhome this weekend. Then park it onsite in our spare driveway in case we can make a quick getaway. I'm going to immediately reload it as if we were heading south, minus the food items, and get all my 'south' lists in order. We will put the snow tires on the car and service the snowblower.
Rick will stop taking his aspirin now in case we get a fast 'come on in we have a cancellation' call. He will not eat or drink after midnight, because I assume if we do get a fast call it will come sometime between 8am and 10am so he will not have breakfast until after 10am each day. Good thing he likes to sleep in~in the mornings. We will think positive and try hard to stay upbeat. He is pretty disappointed, he was so looking forward to being out of the snow and cold on our first winter of retirement. But as I tell him it could be worse, much much worse..
Ok stepping down and putting away the soap box..I'm done!!!
Stay safe all~
home is where you park it
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Surgical Update !!!
Hi everyone, its been awhile since our last post..but we haven't been travelling, so have had no news to post..and our days have been fairly humdrum so the daily churn isn't worth sharing...actually its been quite boring...the autumn weather is upon us..and it is too chilly now to travel in this area. The only travelling we now want to do is 'south bound'...but it is not looking like that is going to happen in the near future if at all :(..
We just returned from our consultation with the surgeon. As most of you know Rick has a hernia..not a major health issue but major enough to not permit us to cross the border from Canada. If we do and if it strangulates it will require immediate emergency surgery, then our blue cross and travel insurance will 'not' cover us because it is now considered a pre existing condition. He went in as the patient and I went in as the begger. "We have a new motorhome, just retired and want to go south for 6 months". The surgeon did recognize us (he had previously performed my 2 surgeries)...but should we chance it, he cannot lie concerning the pre-existing status-nor would we ever expect him to. He did agree that it is now considered pre existing.
Anyone from Canada knows how our health care system 'sucks'....we may have government funded medical coverage but we do 'pay' thru the nose for it. We pay 15% taxes on everything we purchase-everything!! And we still have to carry Blue Cross insurance with monthly premiums. Is it worth the risk to still go? Definitely not..the risk outweighs the benefits. For instance-before retirement we traveled to Florida a couple of years ago for client meetings. I tripped in the hotel on our 3 or 4th day there and broke my foot..after a visit to the emergency room, xrays and a 1/2 slab cast we were taken care of and on our way. Upon our return back to Canada they inadvertently sent us the bill for our 3.5 hour visit, and treatment. They had our medical ID #s incorrect and Blue Cross of course refused to pay the bill. The cost of the invoice was almost $6,000.00. So I can only imagine, what the cost of emergency surgery would be! As a foot note Blue Cross did pay the bill once we got the ID#s straightened out.
Are we heart sick? Yes to say the least..they have put us on the cancellation list~but I find it hard to pray for that to happen fast. Because around here someone would have to pass away to get their appointment-and I sure won't pray for that. People just do not cancel surgery here in Canada because they have waited so long on the waiting list to have it performed.
Rick's medical problem is not life threatening, like cancer etc. and we are willing to travel to Sackville NB to have the surgery...this is another hospital where our surgeon can attain OR time at. Its only about an hour from here and Rick is a candidate to go there, where he is not over weight, is healthy and active, and it would be just a day surgery barring no complications. If he was to have it performed here locally the wait time would be over 2 years.
He will go off of his aspirin now just in case-because the nurse stated that sometimes if there is a cancellation you will only receive maybe a days notice. We stated we would take an hours notice and provided her with all of our contact numbers. I will pray hard for a cancellation but not due to the death of someone- but if they had a minor cold or low grade temperature and couldn't go to the OR that day I could live with that.
So onward and upward. We will empty and winterize the motorhome for storage, but we will store it right here on our property so that we will have easy access to it. I can soon load it up quick enough to pull out. There is a 4-6 week recovery period he told us..but he also said as long as we hang around for a week to 10 days to ensure there are no complications or infection he would be happy with that. I do know how to hook the car to the blue ox system and unhook it..drive and gas the coach..and dump all the tanks..and I can definitely do whatever lifting and lugging is required. I do drive the coach but I'm not sure if I would want to be the soul driver responsible for getting us all the way.
We will do what we have to do and that is take 'one day at a time'...life often throws you a curve and you have to put one foot in front of the other and walk through it. Its just disappointing that we retired, traded our other coach for this one, completed all our renos all in anticipation of heading out for six months, for the first big retirement voyage.
Until we can leave, we will live and travel vicariously through all of you and your blogs. I will update when we have more news.
Take care all, stay safe
"Home is Where you Park it"
Hi everyone, its been awhile since our last post..but we haven't been travelling, so have had no news to post..and our days have been fairly humdrum so the daily churn isn't worth sharing...actually its been quite boring...the autumn weather is upon us..and it is too chilly now to travel in this area. The only travelling we now want to do is 'south bound'...but it is not looking like that is going to happen in the near future if at all :(..
We just returned from our consultation with the surgeon. As most of you know Rick has a hernia..not a major health issue but major enough to not permit us to cross the border from Canada. If we do and if it strangulates it will require immediate emergency surgery, then our blue cross and travel insurance will 'not' cover us because it is now considered a pre existing condition. He went in as the patient and I went in as the begger. "We have a new motorhome, just retired and want to go south for 6 months". The surgeon did recognize us (he had previously performed my 2 surgeries)...but should we chance it, he cannot lie concerning the pre-existing status-nor would we ever expect him to. He did agree that it is now considered pre existing.
Anyone from Canada knows how our health care system 'sucks'....we may have government funded medical coverage but we do 'pay' thru the nose for it. We pay 15% taxes on everything we purchase-everything!! And we still have to carry Blue Cross insurance with monthly premiums. Is it worth the risk to still go? Definitely not..the risk outweighs the benefits. For instance-before retirement we traveled to Florida a couple of years ago for client meetings. I tripped in the hotel on our 3 or 4th day there and broke my foot..after a visit to the emergency room, xrays and a 1/2 slab cast we were taken care of and on our way. Upon our return back to Canada they inadvertently sent us the bill for our 3.5 hour visit, and treatment. They had our medical ID #s incorrect and Blue Cross of course refused to pay the bill. The cost of the invoice was almost $6,000.00. So I can only imagine, what the cost of emergency surgery would be! As a foot note Blue Cross did pay the bill once we got the ID#s straightened out.
Are we heart sick? Yes to say the least..they have put us on the cancellation list~but I find it hard to pray for that to happen fast. Because around here someone would have to pass away to get their appointment-and I sure won't pray for that. People just do not cancel surgery here in Canada because they have waited so long on the waiting list to have it performed.
Rick's medical problem is not life threatening, like cancer etc. and we are willing to travel to Sackville NB to have the surgery...this is another hospital where our surgeon can attain OR time at. Its only about an hour from here and Rick is a candidate to go there, where he is not over weight, is healthy and active, and it would be just a day surgery barring no complications. If he was to have it performed here locally the wait time would be over 2 years.
He will go off of his aspirin now just in case-because the nurse stated that sometimes if there is a cancellation you will only receive maybe a days notice. We stated we would take an hours notice and provided her with all of our contact numbers. I will pray hard for a cancellation but not due to the death of someone- but if they had a minor cold or low grade temperature and couldn't go to the OR that day I could live with that.
So onward and upward. We will empty and winterize the motorhome for storage, but we will store it right here on our property so that we will have easy access to it. I can soon load it up quick enough to pull out. There is a 4-6 week recovery period he told us..but he also said as long as we hang around for a week to 10 days to ensure there are no complications or infection he would be happy with that. I do know how to hook the car to the blue ox system and unhook it..drive and gas the coach..and dump all the tanks..and I can definitely do whatever lifting and lugging is required. I do drive the coach but I'm not sure if I would want to be the soul driver responsible for getting us all the way.
We will do what we have to do and that is take 'one day at a time'...life often throws you a curve and you have to put one foot in front of the other and walk through it. Its just disappointing that we retired, traded our other coach for this one, completed all our renos all in anticipation of heading out for six months, for the first big retirement voyage.
Until we can leave, we will live and travel vicariously through all of you and your blogs. I will update when we have more news.
Take care all, stay safe
"Home is Where you Park it"
Monday, September 12, 2011
Maiden Voyage X 2 !!!
We left home early Friday morning heading to a lake to spend the weekend with friends at their lake house. Any of you who truly know me, knows that I'm a 'go big or stay home" sorta gal...I drove ossumer for the trip ...and did quite well as per my co-pilot. Upon arrival the co-pilot suggested I pass the controls back to him, before turning down the long gravel winding road to the house. I stated I came this far, and that this was no time to steal my thunder, ensure your tray table is in the upright position-we will be landing within 10 minutes - I arrived in their yard safe and sound!!! Now that first is behind me. ( I did let the co-pilot do all the jigging and jogging to get the rig into place for setup).
These friends have a beautiful boat. Its a motorhome on water..very nice bay-liner. Kitchen, bathroom sleeping area for 4. As most of you know I'm petrified of boats...and for the last two years I have visited either in the rain, or colder weather to avoid a boat trip.
Friday was a gorgeous hot sunny day, and I sure didn't want to ruin anyones day, because it definitely was a boating day. After a couple of glasses of wine partaking, I realized the boat was loaded with lunch and supper. Panic did set in, so another glass of wine took the edge off of that. So YES I spent all day Friday on the boat. I think the worst thing was going from shore to the boat on the mooring in the little motorized dingy. That was somewhat hairy for me. Sure hoped the wine was out there with the lunch and supper.
I'm so proud of myself !!! I truly wasn't sure I could handle boating for the day but I knew how much Rick wanted to go out also. Great music great company, great friends and must have been great drinks too.
yup I even drove the boat- eventually...they all thought this would help me get over my fear of boating...Drive into our wake Elaine I was told..keep this up and you'll all be coming to my 'wake'...they were told!!!
Thats right - feed some 'nuts' to the 'nut'...there were also some healthy fruity drinks called Singapore Slings!!! They should have been called "do not pour" Slings!! Of course they fed me those drinks before putting the boat up on something called 'plane'...smart move on their part, I should have known something scary was coming !!!
I couldn't let the day pass without some nice scenic pictures:
All in all it was a wonderful weekend. We didn't spend the night on the boat..for that I would have required alot more of those "do not pour slings". And not being a regular drinker-there is no doubt in my mind I would have definitely been "seasick" !! I was the one who was somewhat disappointed on Saturday when the weather was gorgeous but the wind was up and we couldn't go boating.
But we had a great Saturday sitting around visiting together, and there did seem to be company in and out most of the day. Needless to say it was a late night but a great one :)...we arrived back home content and tired yesterday afternoon. We both dove for a sofa (this time I did manage to throw dog cookies toward the kitchen and beat Tucker to the sofa), and we remained there most of the day!
So I am very please to have two major Maiden Voyages behind me..now what to do next!!
Take care all~be safe
Home is where you park it !!
These friends have a beautiful boat. Its a motorhome on water..very nice bay-liner. Kitchen, bathroom sleeping area for 4. As most of you know I'm petrified of boats...and for the last two years I have visited either in the rain, or colder weather to avoid a boat trip.
Friday was a gorgeous hot sunny day, and I sure didn't want to ruin anyones day, because it definitely was a boating day. After a couple of glasses of wine partaking, I realized the boat was loaded with lunch and supper. Panic did set in, so another glass of wine took the edge off of that. So YES I spent all day Friday on the boat. I think the worst thing was going from shore to the boat on the mooring in the little motorized dingy. That was somewhat hairy for me. Sure hoped the wine was out there with the lunch and supper.
Sitting here pretending I'm all relaxed !!!!
I'm so proud of myself !!! I truly wasn't sure I could handle boating for the day but I knew how much Rick wanted to go out also. Great music great company, great friends and must have been great drinks too.
yup I even drove the boat- eventually...they all thought this would help me get over my fear of boating...Drive into our wake Elaine I was told..keep this up and you'll all be coming to my 'wake'...they were told!!!
Thats right - feed some 'nuts' to the 'nut'...there were also some healthy fruity drinks called Singapore Slings!!! They should have been called "do not pour" Slings!! Of course they fed me those drinks before putting the boat up on something called 'plane'...smart move on their part, I should have known something scary was coming !!!
Yup she was pretty much standing up on end!!!!
There are some gorgeous cottages hidden on this lake !!!
But we had a great Saturday sitting around visiting together, and there did seem to be company in and out most of the day. Needless to say it was a late night but a great one :)...we arrived back home content and tired yesterday afternoon. We both dove for a sofa (this time I did manage to throw dog cookies toward the kitchen and beat Tucker to the sofa), and we remained there most of the day!
So I am very please to have two major Maiden Voyages behind me..now what to do next!!
Take care all~be safe
Home is where you park it !!
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Grass Anyone?
It was a busy 'find me something to do' day for me yesterday. So Rick loaded up the ride on mower with gas and I hit the back lawns for a few hours. Maybe thats just what this chick needed. I'm still vibrating - Just wanted to pop on and say hello to everyone. Am happy to hear that the fire out Contessa's ( 5 Cs) way is now under control and that everyone there is safe and sound. Praying that all our texan friends are also safe and sound. Dee and Jim are with family, Pheebee is still putting a smile on everyones face..Rick and Paulette have the tile finished..great job folks, and Alex is on the road to recovery after his surgery..looks like all is well with the blogging friends..have a super weekend all..tomorrow morning we are heading to our friend's cottage for some fun, boating, good food and great company. Not sure how I'll make out as I'm not a boating person.
Last night as I hauled my weary bones to the sofa for a plunked down comfy rest - Tucker beat me to it..thought I'd share this with you..
Last night as I hauled my weary bones to the sofa for a plunked down comfy rest - Tucker beat me to it..thought I'd share this with you..
Get me the remote will you Mom?
Have a super day all...
Home is where you park it
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Another Wonderful Labor Day Weekend 2011
Hoping every one of you enjoyed a fun filled labor day weekend! We left the stix and bricks on Thursday to head down to the Hopewell Rocks area to a camp ground that is a favourite of ours and is only 20 minutes away. But..its like entering a different world. You don't always have to travel far to find peace and tranquillity. The cg was filled for the long weekend..and it was nice to see the owner finally filling up with some locals. We have been going there for many years and there were times we were the only locals present. They were definitely packed in for this labor day weekend.
Thursday we settled in set up and puttered around the rig. Friday we housecleaned the coach...motored around a bit visited a friend who used to work for us, and enjoyed catching up with her. It was a nice sunny day. We walked the furkids a few times, then had scallops for supper. We mostly sat back and watched all the rvs arrive and set up for the weekend.
Saturday was a tour day for us..it had been awhile since we had toured the area..first stop was "Crooked Creek"..The falls are awesome -locals have made this into a free camping spot which unfortunately means some of them don't know how to pick up their own garbage :(...There are hiking trails, ATV trails and walking trails.
From there we headed onto Cape Enrage-
Its great place to witness the awesome forces of the Bay of Fundy. Always a cool breeze sometimes to the point of being chilly. The lighthouse is the oldest remaining lighthouse on Mainland New Brunswick.
We then motored onto Alma area:
The Parish of Alma was created surrounding the Village in 1856.The village became an incorporated municipality in 1966. It was 18 years prior that the federal government expropriated land in the village and parish west of the Upper Salmon River for the creation of Fundy National Park.
A very pretty village at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy. Fundy Park entrance is in Alma.
After our return to the Rv a friend arrived to spend the evening with us. We fired up the bbq and feasted on steak, mushrooms, onions, salads and veggies. Then Smores for desert at the campfire.
Ponderosa Pines Campground-Hopewell Cape NB
On each side of the park there are lakes. Stocked with trout for all you fishermen out there. I saw poles, boots, and nets all weekend but didn’t see many carrying back much fish. I think the fish are fed so well they don’t bite often.
The Bay of Fundy borders the back of the campground and you can walk the dam road to Hopewell Rocks and enter the back way to see the tides.
You can rent canoes kayaks and paddle boats for a reasonable price and paddle your way around the lakes.
Or you can sit in one of the many lawn chairs and watch other paddle around.
The Bay of Fundy all along the back of the campground!
The fur kids enjoyed their many walks within the campground. For those of you who love treed areas there is parking amongst the pines, for those who like open area there is a massive open area for parking with full service in both areas. The rates are good (stay 7 and get one free)..wifi is excellent the only downfall is cell service is not the best. It tends to be sporadic. Texting does work well so in an emergency the kids can get a hold of you. It was nice not to hear the cell ringing all weekend. So it was once again another weekend of good food, good company and lots of relaxation. Although I am not sure I am as good at this ‘practising retirement’ as Rick is. I find I’m misplaced, and sort of lost. Its very hard after many many years of structured work to flip the switch…I’m trying my best and giving it a good shot..not sure yet tho…
Take care all and be safe out there,
Home is where you park it!!
Elaine, Rick, Tucker and Lilly
Thursday we settled in set up and puttered around the rig. Friday we housecleaned the coach...motored around a bit visited a friend who used to work for us, and enjoyed catching up with her. It was a nice sunny day. We walked the furkids a few times, then had scallops for supper. We mostly sat back and watched all the rvs arrive and set up for the weekend.
Saturday was a tour day for us..it had been awhile since we had toured the area..first stop was "Crooked Creek"..The falls are awesome -locals have made this into a free camping spot which unfortunately means some of them don't know how to pick up their own garbage :(...There are hiking trails, ATV trails and walking trails.
From there we headed onto Cape Enrage-
Its great place to witness the awesome forces of the Bay of Fundy. Always a cool breeze sometimes to the point of being chilly. The lighthouse is the oldest remaining lighthouse on Mainland New Brunswick.
We then motored onto Alma area:
The Parish of Alma was created surrounding the Village in 1856.The village became an incorporated municipality in 1966. It was 18 years prior that the federal government expropriated land in the village and parish west of the Upper Salmon River for the creation of Fundy National Park.
A very pretty village at the mouth of the Bay of Fundy. Fundy Park entrance is in Alma.
After our return to the Rv a friend arrived to spend the evening with us. We fired up the bbq and feasted on steak, mushrooms, onions, salads and veggies. Then Smores for desert at the campfire.
Ponderosa Pines Campground-Hopewell Cape NB
On each side of the park there are lakes. Stocked with trout for all you fishermen out there. I saw poles, boots, and nets all weekend but didn’t see many carrying back much fish. I think the fish are fed so well they don’t bite often.
The Bay of Fundy borders the back of the campground and you can walk the dam road to Hopewell Rocks and enter the back way to see the tides.
You can rent canoes kayaks and paddle boats for a reasonable price and paddle your way around the lakes.
Or you can sit in one of the many lawn chairs and watch other paddle around.
The Bay of Fundy all along the back of the campground!
The fur kids enjoyed their many walks within the campground. For those of you who love treed areas there is parking amongst the pines, for those who like open area there is a massive open area for parking with full service in both areas. The rates are good (stay 7 and get one free)..wifi is excellent the only downfall is cell service is not the best. It tends to be sporadic. Texting does work well so in an emergency the kids can get a hold of you. It was nice not to hear the cell ringing all weekend. So it was once again another weekend of good food, good company and lots of relaxation. Although I am not sure I am as good at this ‘practising retirement’ as Rick is. I find I’m misplaced, and sort of lost. Its very hard after many many years of structured work to flip the switch…I’m trying my best and giving it a good shot..not sure yet tho…
Take care all and be safe out there,
Home is where you park it!!
Elaine, Rick, Tucker and Lilly
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
A long Hard Day Today!
Not much to blog about this evening. But its been a long hard day after an almost sleepless night. I have no idea why I'm not sleeping good lately, and its a good thing I don't have to rise early in the morning. It has come to my attention that there is another major storm brewing..Just what we all need.
Rick and I helped a friend finish up her move today, her son arrived with the uhaul then Rick and I cleaned her apartment from top to bottom, waited for the Landlord to come and inspect-then jetted off to help another friend. So it was a running day.
I'm trying to catch up on my blog reading before bed...
take care~just wanted to say hello and we are thinking of you all :)
Home is where you park it!!
Elaine
Rick tucker and lilly too
Rick and I helped a friend finish up her move today, her son arrived with the uhaul then Rick and I cleaned her apartment from top to bottom, waited for the Landlord to come and inspect-then jetted off to help another friend. So it was a running day.
I'm trying to catch up on my blog reading before bed...
take care~just wanted to say hello and we are thinking of you all :)
Home is where you park it!!
Elaine
Rick tucker and lilly too
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