As always you can click on the Schroeder Newsletter archieves, and below that the Schroeder Family. I haven't added any pics this year, but as time permits I will get on that.
Also, when I copied and pasted some of your submissions they came in a jagged form, not all the sentences were on one line. I could have fixed it, but I was too tired.. normally I fix it, but I just didn't have the jam this time round. So, if you see it you will know.
Once again, thank you so much for your contributions, and I apologize for being tardy. But, like I mentioned there was a whole lotta stuff happening around here these last three weeks with getting the entire inside of the house painted. I never knew I had so much junk. I purged a lot of it last summer, but obviously, I missed a lot.
The effort of moving everything to the centre of each room, was well worth it. I found stuff I never knew I had. Some I kept, the rest went in the trash, or to Value Village.
We have had a pretty good year. We are in the planning stages for our new house on Victor Plesko Drive. It's right off Cloutier Drive (right before St. Norbert going South). We aren't on the river side however, because we ain't millionaires...we are on da por side. This land used to be a market garden, and was owned by the Plesko family. Doug Plesko, took it upon himself to elevate the property after the last flood and sell it off. It's very beautiful out there with all the trees and nature. Peaceful and serene. There aren't many properties so it's very private. Doug has bent over backwards to accommodate us, so that in itself has made all the planning easier. Gord would tell the whole story, but you would have to take at least a day of you time to hear it all.
Here is a pic before the property was built up to flood level specs.
All that back property will be our little forest. Also you can't see to the right, but that is enclosed with trees and no houses are being built there. It is just a small path to get the the next road over on the other side. It looks a little different now that the property has been elevated, but I think it will be wonderful when all is done. We will have a little piece of heaven with mosquitoes. But, I have a planned a screened in patio in the back.
I want the house to look like a cottage, so I'm going for that style..rustic... and homey. You don't have to take your shoes off kinda atmosphere. Also, I am going to have a veranda in front of the house. Yesiree. So I can see what all the neighbours are doing while I'm knitting.. heh..like that would happen. I always wanted a front porch. I have spent 25 years in this house only looking out the back of it, and never the front. I'll be out in front of the new house sipping on a "mint julep"...waving "Southern style" as my neighbours drive by. Bye y'all.
Enough about that, I am still working for the man. I probably will until I'm 65. I have a very cushy job with really good benefits and would be lost without something to do. I am lucky. Who knew we were going to get this old so damn fast? Gord is doing good. He has to go for knee surgery in May. Men! there joints break down so fast! So, that should put him out of commission for about a month. I'm not really forward to that. He will be like a caged animal, so I guess I will have throw some raw meat at him from time to time.
So, it's good. Just one more pic I took of FAT KAT his stinking Lincoln...yes we still have the old broad. He parks in the garage....along with 5,654 other things and I can't get anything in there unless I use her bumpers to hold my potting plants in spring before she wakes up. I'm so looking foward for him to have his dream garage in the new house and get all this shit out of the way. Trust me, it's going to be a big garage...I don't even want to imagine it. I'ts a man thing.
Gord just can't wait for spring to go riding again on his bike. Another man thing. oy. This year I might join him. But I don't like my hair messed up with the helmut...."she's so vain"....
FRAN:
Not a lot of news and nothing earth shattering. I’m still working and will continue to work until I no longer want to do so. I like my work.
The woman with whom I bought my house decided last year (less than a year after we bought the house) that she didn’t like doing housework or yard work and so I bought her half of the house and now I am living here on my own. I’ve always known I’m okay about living on my own but now I find I really, really like it.
I’ve still got the pottery thing going and I’ve now joined a choir. I’ve always wanted to sing, but I also always believed that I don’t have a particularly good voice (Terry got the really nice singing voice). I joined the Spirit’s Call Choir. It’s made for people like me and everyone else. It welcomes people who don’t think they can sing and the choir director and organizers believe all people can sing – it’s just a matter of learning how. In addition to singing for themselves and to practice, they perform at fund-raising concerts two or more times a year. In November they did one for NEST (and I can’t remember what the acronym is for), an organization that assists new immigrants to Winnipeg and raised $10,000.00 for the organization. In December the Winnipeg Art Gallery asked the choir to be a part of their Christmas entertainment for their patrons and in May of this year the choir will be doing another fund-raiser concert for the North Point Douglas Women’s Centre. I really like the idea of being able to do something charitable that is other than just handing over money to different charities.
Murray is still on his own and is doing much better than – perhaps ever. No, not ever, but a very long time. He has been diagnosed with depression, and anxiety and panic attack disorder, and is being treated for these illnesses and this is making the world of a difference for him. He is feeling and doing much, much better and this is shown in his actions to all and his reactions to all and to his perspective on life.
Last autumn and winter I took an interesting and informative course on Mental Health for Families. The participants were all people who had a friend or a family member who has a mental illness. Did you know that between 38% and 50% of all people who have a mental illness abuse alcohol and/or drugs? Which is not to say that all substance abusers have a mental illness. It felt good to be among people who were experiencing the same thing with their loved ones and who understood what every person there was feeling and experiencing. No ostracism from anyone, or any scathing looks or comments, or disbelief – which can be the reaction of some people. Many of the people taking the course have experienced that – as have their loved ones who have an illness. This is an interest area that I think I’ll continue to learn about.
And lastly, I still have my dog, Abby, of whom I’m very fond. She helps me make sure I get lots of exercise.
I hope all my cousins, cousins-in-law, their children, and their grandchildren are well. But if you aren’t, and I can help or be supportive, I want to be because I love and care for each of you.
I wish we could see one another more often. Please call me, e-mail me at work, or come over – whenever you want and I’m at home.
Home 452-8380
Work 944-4606
E-mail at work Frances.Mitchell@gov.mb.ca
Much Love,
Frances
GLEN & MICHELLE:
Hi from Disneyland,
We are on our first family trip in a long while, and enjoying the non wintery type weather. We are having fun and nursing tires legs, 3 more days to go
Jeremy is turning 7 soon and is enjoying his hockey too much-thinks he's going to be a goalie (no way) and learning the grade 1 school rules are quite boring-no running/hoppingd/dancing during class/lineup or library. He is signed up for soccer and likely a few hockey camps this summer.
Jenna plays guitar now with a nice teacher who teaches her using the latest songs and introduces her to the Beatles and such. She still dances and is doing well in school.
Michelle is working as much as she has time for between taking care of us 3 children (yes me included) and volunteering at the school on field trips etc.
I am working at a job that will likely end soon and I don't seem to care if it does. The weakened Canadian dollar has slowed down the importing of cars and trucks from the US and we are doing the local trade ins and a reconditioning a bunch of oilfield abused crap now. I actually work with Terry Balkan( remember way back in Wpg with "YOU BETCHA" and Brother Lou?) who had a GM dealership and his son who is the owner and a friend of mine. We had a nice brief visit to a very cold Winterypeg at Christmas and are looking forward to a summer trip there too, dates so far unknown. My folks visit in Jan on the yrs we have Christmas in Wpg. I am turning 40 in June which makes alot of you folks REALLY OLD now, cuz I am officially OLD bumping you guys to a level above that...I don't make these rules.....
Editors note: I'll get you for that you little..ummm craven.
TIM & DARLENE:
Kelly has a new boyfriend - Steve. He is a really nice guy and loves to fish. They are quite a pair
with all their fishing gear. Kelly was introduced to ice fishing this year and go figure, she loved it.
Sorry, but freezing your butt off on the lake isn't my idea of hot date, but it works for them.
Kelly is still at Donwood Manor and loving her job. She continues to take Distance Education
courses towards getting her Certificate. She is also seriously thinking about moving out
on her own. I have been helping her collect the necessities for an apartment (dishes, flatware etc).
She went to Value Village and bought some miscellaneous stuff, which creeped me right out! But, she thought it was
a great place to buy stuff cheap.
Tim is doing well. He left Kitchen Kraft last October and is now working for another cabinet
company called NorKraft. It was just down the road from Kitchen Kraft and is doing basically
the type of work, but for a smaller company. He really is enjoying the job and change.
As for myself, I am still working with GWL. I started doing a bit of travelling again this year.
I was in Montreal and Toronto. I working on "the project that never ends", but I can't complain
as it is keeping me very busy.
I have made a couple of changes to my lifestyle (no I haven't quit smoking), but I working
on losing weight. I have joined the gym at work and have been working out quite regularly.
I am definitely feeling much better for it.
We have had some very difficult news about my oldest brother, Dave that lives on Vancouver
Island. In late fall he was diagnosed with MESOTHELIOMA (asbestos related cancer).
This news has been very difficult for all of us, but most of all for my Mom.
All of my brothers and sisters have been out to see him over the last few months (all 7 of us).
I went out to see Dave in early December for a short visit with my younger sister and
my Mom went to see him in early January. There is no further treatment for the type
of cancer he has. We have him in our prayers everyday. It is difficult to be so far away,
when a loved one is so ill.
We have a another family wedding come up this year in Calgary for my niece in June.
As most of the family will be attending the wedding, we are also going to celebrate
my Mom's 90th birthday, even though her real birthday isn't until October. We are
also going to have a small celebration in October as well for those we can make it
back to Winnipeg. God's blessings have really been with my Mom as she continues to
live independently with very little help. We have our regular Saturday afternoon
date; hairdresser, bank, grocery shopping and lunch some times, but for the most
part, her health has been excellent. We are very lucky and blessed to have such
a wonderful gift for 90 years.
That is all the news I have from this side. As always, we are looking forward
to hearing everyone's news.
JODY & KEN:
This past year has been one of many great milestones. First in January of 08 Cooper turned 3 and learned finally to use the potty!!This may not sound like such a big deal but this kid could disassemble the kitchen cabinets, but couldn’t use the toilet...frustrating! He also learned to ride a two wheeler and was instrumental in teaching Paige to ride her bike this winter in the basement. Cooper started French-immersion pre-school in September. He must be one of his teacher’s favourites, she calls often to discuss his ability to talk. Now that Cooper has just had is 4th birthday he feels that he is so very big. He often goes to work with Grandpa and has the time of his life! Paige turned two in June and has long mastered the ability to use the toilet. She likes to play dress up and play with play-dough. Paige is also our resident artist – she loves to color... on the walls, table, floor, cabinets, you name it, she’s put her signature on it! Paige will start pre-school in the fall – she can’t wait. Ken is at the Charleswood postal depot and has a great mail route – home nice and early. As for me, well...my business is doing very well, my kids are happy and I have a husband that makes me laugh – so I am doing great!! I am learning to let the small stuff go and live in each moment. Oh ya Ken and I are expanding our family....a puppy! His name is Hershey – a chocolate lab/Great Dane cross. He is quite sweet and has a lot of energy – as puppies do. The kids really love him too. Hope this finds everyone well, and we wish you a great year.
TED AND BECKY
We don't have a lot of news.
Adrian is graduating in June and we are all very excited about that. He keeps busy with his many bands. He spent a weekend in Vancouver snowboarding and had a great time.
Declan is looking forward to playing baseball which is his favorite season. He is excited about having a Japanese student for the summer.
Rebecca
TERRY & EV:
Greetings to the Schroeder Clan:
I was told by Joan to write more that 1 line – that is going to be a little bit difficult – she said to add fluff, lies or whatever it may take to fill a page – yikes she must be desperate for information.
Well here is my attempt to put words about nothing on a page. The Torwart clan really has no particularly interesting news. Terry is hard at work at Southeast Collegiate and is certainly looking towards retirement hopefully in 2 years. I will likely stay at Red River till he retires unless someone or something ticks me off and then I out of there. Actually working for the College is a very good thing and I truly do enjoy what I am doing. I am feeling good and no additional new parts. Brett and Ian are still at home and are talking about making the move out to the big new world. Brett is at Manitoba Telephone as an IT specialist and Ian is working at Victoria Hospital and Tony Romas. Because of their work schedules it already seems like we are empty nesters and that too is a very good thing.
Well that is about all I have for you folks – I guess I could add a bunch of jokes but I can’t remember them and I am good at deleting these jokes when I receive them.
Drop in when you are in the neighborhood – I think I have the gift of gab better that the gift of printed word.
Take Care – maybe a family gathering in the Spring/summer should be considered by all!!!! Games at the Torwarts
RON AND LINDA:
Hello to all the Schroeder Clan from the B.C. branch of the family! Here is a look at some of the high/low lights of our life since last year.
Last spring we worked on the final phase of the landscaping project as we put in the plants. The best part of the project for me is the beautiful flagstone path that Ron put in.
Rhododendrons in bloom, May 2008
This is the new flagstone path Ron put in along side of our house. It leads to the gate to the backyard.
My rose garden, July 2008.
In June we made a trip out to Ontario to see Ron's dad, age 88. He was still able to get around with his walker then, but has since had a fall and is not very mobile anymore.
We drove to Edmonton in July and spent a week there before bringing Jenna and Jeremy home with us for a week before Glen and Michelle came out. We had a wonderful visit with them and went up to Campbell River and stayed in a cabin on the ocean and then on to Telegraph Cove to go whale watching. We saw lots of Orcas or killer whales from the whale watching boat.
Building sandcastles at Rathtrevor Beach.
The Craven Crew on the last day of their visit.
In November we went to Green Valley Arizona again and spent 5 weeks there. We took a week to get there and went through Bryce Canyon Utah and Sedona Arizona on the way. Those are two spectacular places to hike!
We rented a house in Green Valley and did lots of hiking in the Madera Canyon and also lots of golfing. There were 12 of our friends from Qualicum Beach there at the same time.
Ron and his friend hiked to the top of Mt. Wrightson- a 13 mile hike. It took them all day. They had some spectacular views from up there, including seeing a rattlesnake up there! Next year I hope to be able to do that hike too, as I have joined Curves and belong to a walking group. The hardest part for me is the breathing in the higher elevations.
This is me at Josephine Saddle- it’s a 7 mile hike in Madera Canyon.
We came home just in time for record breaking snowfalls and cold weather. We had a total of 53 inches of snow and only one shovel to clean the driveway. I guess you know which one of us did the shovelling!
EDITORS NOTE: I may has switched this picture with Lisa's....??? I had a little mix up.
We also had a record breaking low temperature of -13C. That first snow fell on December 12 and here it is Feb. 10 and there are still some bits of snow left. That is unheard of around here as any snowfall is gone within a week. We hope it is not a sign of a new weather pattern out here. The worst part of all that snow, is the damage that it did to all of the plants, especially the roses.
Best wishes to all of you for 2009!
Linda and Ron
LISA & JORDAN:
Time has been flying in the Kehler end of the city. We have pretty much taken over the west end, or at least 2 streets of it.
Jordan and I have purchased a home on Ashburn Street ( which is just one street away from Strathcona where our parents reside)
Cheri and her boyfriend Shane purchased a house, just a few houses away from our parent's on Strathcona Street.
How cozy....
In other not so much fun to pass on news, our Baba passed this past month.
Our Baba being our mom's mom. She was 77 years old and fought a long a courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease as well as Macular degeneration, which left her blind.
Mom and Dad are now both retired. Well Mom is retired for the most part, but it still doing some accounting in the evenings. Dad is fully retired.
I am still working at the Pan Am Clinic (WRHA) in the health information services department. I have been there for about 2 years now. I am happy there for now.
Jordan is working at MPI as a claims adjuster.
We have been keeping pretty busy for the most part. We just finished renovating our house. The most major part of the renovation was re doing the hardwood floors. Which we never want to do again! We are also in the process of gutting and re doing our basement, which is proving to be a big job (we are not very handy!), including re doing all the plumbing. Other then that we have been enjoying some of the nice weather, with skates on the river, which Marty our spaniel retriever cross loves! Jordan's hockey games keep us on the go as well.
Our newest addition Chai...just like the tea.
Cheri and I with our Guido
Dad, with his I'M NOT SMILING FOR THIS DAMN PICTURE FACE.
Jordon and I on our trip to Kamloops
Myy good ole Marty, he's almost 5 already
CHERI AND SHANE:
Well, Shane and I bought our house just down the street from my parents on Strathcona at the end of September. The movie "The Money Pit" comes to mind...lol. The house had bad fake wood panel walls and brown shag carpet that reeked of old man and dog. The carpets were the first thing to go and good thing they did - the hardwood floors are in great shape for a house built in 1923.
We've been pretty much gutting the place ever since. We took out the plaster walls in the living room, front porch, and the outside walls of the bedrooms and reinsulated everything via the Hydro Rebate program. The drywall is finished and painted in the living room and bedrooms but we still need to finish the baseboards, windows and crown molding.
We've moved the kitchen door, moved the basement stairs around in the porch since the moment you open the front door there was a yawning black hole with stairs 2 feet from the entrance. Being the graceful person I am, we decided it might be a good idea to move them. We found old newspapers from 1923 in the bedrooms and 1927 in the front porch. The one from 1923 had phonograph ads!
Right now our main projects are finishing the front porch and bedroom closet. Shane levelled the floors in the porch since they were 2 inches off level sloping toward the front of the house and structurally as far as we can tell they've been slanted for about 85 years...They may not have built it right but they sure built it to last...lol. And of course, once you start something with a house this old, its like opening a can of worms...We bought a screen and exterior door for the front only to realize whoever installed the door must have been a midget since the opening is 3 inches too short so at the moment there is a sheet of plastic holding back the draft from the gaping hole Shane had to make to raise the height of the door opening so its a wee bit chilly in here. Doors weren't even in our plans. Sigh.
We've got a lovely double lot, fenced with a garage so come summer I'll be mooning new neighbors in my garden!! In the mornings our front yard is criss-crossed with crazy rabbit prints in the snow so I have a feeling it'll be a battle for the garden. We even have a stone bird bath.
As most of you probably know, I had a miscarriage in January but we'll be trying again before long. At the same time, our Baba lost her battle with Alzheimers disease. I'm just glad she's not suffering anymore. We drove up to Dauphin and all the granddaughters were pall bearers - first time in history for the Dauphin Ukrainian Catholic Church.
It's been a long road. I'm still working as a tech at Shaw and loving it. You couldn't ask for a better employer, seriously. Shane works at MTS as a tech as well so it's kinda like Coke vs Pepsi around here....lol.
Hugs,
Cheri & Shane
MELISSA AND HAL:
hello, all!
It has been a busy year in the Farrant home. Kaedyn has kept us on our
toes, what with crawling at 6 months and being the most active kid EVER.
He has been so funny and so entertaining, we just love him so much! So
much that, well we're having another! Yes, I'm pregnant again! At the
time
of writing this, I am just about 2 months along and feeling incredibly
aweful. The joys of morning sickness.
But we are very happy, and very excited to have another little one on the
way, who, by the way, we are sure is a girl. Yikes!
Hal is still working at Pacific Motors in Haedingly, doing very well for
himself. He has become the finance manager, which means in sets up all
the vehice loans, warranties etc. He is enjoying it.
I am still staying at home with Kaedyn, and come Septmeber, our next
baby.
I love being able to stay home, and love Hal for allowing me to!
Kaedyn started walking about a month ago, and is on the go all the time.
He's talking lots, learning new words all the time. Just yesterday he
starting saying "Cheerios". He also says excuse me when he burps and pats
his mouth! It's very cute. He is a riot.
We've also been doing a bunch of renovations on our home, including new
floors, doors, and finishing our basement. Gotta have that extra space
for two kids.
Well, there's not too much else to tell. Hope everyone else is doing well
and we will see you sometime in the next year
Love,
Halden, Melissa, Kaedyn, and Baby#2 Farrant
TONYEAH & BONNIE:
Tony:
Forr starters My new (old) Harley Davidson Fat Boy..... I know you will have fun with that name....leaving myself wide open.
Editors Note: I was thinking more along the lines of ...fat head..heh..
And Portia and I at Saguaro Lake in January when they visited .
I spend a lot of my time fixing up somes cars and reselling....mostly older ones....keeps me busy and pays the rent.
Riding my Harley keeps me feeling young......if my dad were here he would insist on riding it!
My best winter memory will be working at a fundraiser and donar search for an 11 year old girl with luekemia. over 200 people gave DNA to find a bone marrow donor. only one in 143,000 are the odds against finding a donor......the good news is that a donor was found and she will have a chance to live a full life. She will spend 2 and a half months at a clinic for the procedure.....we raised some $ to help with the expenses.......I enclosed of picture of Rowan and I...she is the sweetest happiest girl you can imagine.
It would be good to see all the Schroeder clan this summer.
Bonnie:
I am sending this message on behalf of Maeghan and family also, she is extremely busy getting the nursery ready, not much time left. Tony and I plan on being there in time, even though we hate to leave Phoenix. The warm weather is settling in nicely now. I try to go for a walk everyday, and am starting to get in some suntanning. I will not have time this summer, as both girls and all grandkids will be at the lake as much as possible. I understand Melissa has emailed you, so I guess you know the news. We are excited!! I am mostly healthy and feel very blessed I have not had to deal with this extreme winter, as it would be difficult for me to get around.
Maeghan, Jason and Portia were here in January and that's when all the photos were taken. We went to the zoo, Jason and Portia did a lot of walking, Jason took Tony's bike for a ride, we went shopping and did a lot of swimming. My sister Laurie and her husband Tim were here for a week at the beginning of February, had beautiful weather. Tony and Tim golfed, Laurie and I shopped. We barbequed and ate dinner by the pool, and went out for free happy hour food at the neighbourhood Mexican resataurant with friends, had a great time.
We had a wonderful Christmas with our neighbours above us (who are from Winnipeg) and no. we did not miss the snow.
Bonnie
Editors note: kamakaze pilot? scroll down to see older posts....for some reason they pushed down a bit.
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