SNL 2008-9

Joan & Gordon:
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.

Jordan and I at his family cottage in Lac Du Bonnett




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?

Thanks again for all your participation, I couldn't have asked for more.

Joan Martin SNL Editor and Chief



scroll down to see older posts....for some reason they pushed down a bit.

If you are checking in

Just a note to tell you, I haven't forgotten about the SNL. Moving all the stuff you have collected your entire life into the centre of every room of the house so the painter can paint, and then moving it back .... is more than a body can take! At least my 63 years old body thinks so. And I still work, so I only have two days in which to do it. Mind you, I didn't get up until 10:00 AM this morning because I was fricking tired man. I have been washing baseboards, cleaning, dusting, vacuuming...and this is only the first level. The second level will come next week, when he is done with that. There goes another weekend.

So bear with me, I know I am the one who always bugs you to get your stuff in on MY deadline....but I think I was a little too optimistic on how this painting thing would turn out. But I am so pleased, this house has never looked better, and our painter is wonderful. I will tell you more about it in the SNL.

So, I'm shooting for next weekend, because even if I have to start re-arranging the bottom half the house ...which we don't ever use as a rule, it can be left to the next weekend. And during the week I can slowly start getting the SNL together so I don't have to do it all in one evening. Do you see my manipulation here?...poor poor pitiful me. heh... yup that's the way I roll. Seriously, I am beat.

Next week for sure.

It's that time again

I hope everyone had a good Christmas.

So, here I am again, trying to solicit a few moments of your time to gather around the old Schroeder Christmas tree to share a few moments of your life this last year.

I know "Facebook" keeps you guys in touch. But, hells bells, there is nothing like a good ole newsletter..to make it real. Here we don't "poke" ...we push, shove, and kick some ass! Do I hear a "YESSS"... motivation is the key word this year.

I want to note here, that I know most of you connect via Facebook. I'ts not my favourite way to go, but if it is yours (and that's all that matters) we don't have to do this anymore. Times, they are a changing and I can change with them...no problem. Just let me know how all of you feel about it and I will put this baby to bed.

This year for the first time I am connecting with my dad's family in BC. My cousin Dolores who I have never met has called me several times. Her dad was my dad's brother Abe. She had 10 kids . I have so many relatives I have never known. If I really get into it, they are going to be sorry because I will have to start a "Kehler Newsletter"....and I will be bugging them every year! And you know how that goes.

So, if you want to send anything in I would appreciate it. Pictures are always appreciated. Or if you just want to pop in and say hi to your kissing cousins...that's great to.

This includes you little creeps too: ...Cheri, Lisa, Meaghan, Melissa, Jodie, Colin (who's email address I don't have..someone help me out with that one)..Glen, Murray (need that address too) and Kelly. I will start bugging Ted and Beckys boys when they get a little older. NOTE: And I must note I forgot Ian and Brett when I sent out the email. Especially that little bugger Brett. I'm sure he has stories to tell. The SNL would not be complete unless I screw something up. So, hop on board and watch me self destruct.

jsmartin@mts.net that's all it takes.

I will be publishing it March 1st. so you have lots of time. I will put one reminder out, but after that it's all up to you.

And let me know if I should continue this, even though you will break my heart. ...nevermind I will get over it!!

J.S. Martin...SNL Editor and Chief.

Schroeder Newsletter

Well hello everyone!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the SNL this year, and those that didn't, sleep with one eye open! The Editor and Chief does not take this lightly. Three strikes and you are out. But, I will accept cheques,money orders or Pay Pal if you feel the need to bribe me next year.

I scanned over 50 some pictures for this year's edition, maybe more, I didn't count. Click on the picture of our parents on the left, and it will take you to a site where I keep my pictures. On top you will see "Slideshow"...just click on that and you will be able to see the pictures..in no particular order. You can slow it down, stop, or increase the speed they are moving with the arrows.

You might have to wait a bit for it to load because there are so many pictures. You may see an X in the middle of the picture on the sidebar, which means it is still loading. But if you click on the X you can still get in. I hope that isn't too confusing. But it's a lot of pictures.

Also there is a link to all the old SNL Newsletter Achieves in the side bar of the blog.

I hope you enjoy it. I had a blast doing it. A few pictures are missing from the slide show that I found later. I will include them on the sidebar under Grandma & Grandpa's picture. So, if you don't see a picture of one your parents, kids, grandchildren or your dog, either I don't have one or I forgot. (disclaimer) I had Uncle Jake's pics in another file and I forgot to put them in the slideshow so they are now on the sidebar.

INSTRUCTIONS ARE OVER:

Pitter Patter, let's get atter...

LINDA & RON

Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Schroeders

Ah yes those were the days! I don't know if I remember one particular Christmas, at my advanced age they blur together. What I think is interesting is what I don't remember and that is anything about gifts, and yet look how much time and money the adults must have spent on them. What I do remember is playing with my cousins, who were also my best friends growing up. I remember those Christmas pageants, and how we paraded out as the wise men with towels on our heads and Mary, Joseph and of course baby Jesus, with whomever was the youngest at the time. We also sang Christmas carols, and I tried to sing Oh Tannenbaum, even though I knew no German.

I don't know if it was at Christmas, but I remember dressing up in Auntie Pat's wedding dress quite often.

There were also the New Year's parades with all the pots and pans clanking, and then a request for money from the parents and grandparents. (We had that idea from the New Year's men that went around in Altona, I think.)

I do remember one Christmas waiting for Kehler's to arrive from Altona, and how the time seemed to go by so slowly. I spent all the time looking out the window, trying to make them appear.

The Christmas that I was 12 or 13 I think, Auntie Pat and Uncle Jake lived next to Grandma's. The older girls got to go over to their place and watch T.V. and we watched The Christmas Carol with Alistair Syms as Scrooge.I have this memory of Joan and Frances and I wearing some kind of plaid jumpers, and they were all the same. I thought we looked so cool. Yes those were the days.

Editors note: They were called dusters. I don't know why we liked them, they looked like something between a housedress ( as they were called) and a nightgown. It didn't matter, they looked good with our velvet headbands. And yes, we were so very cool.

Life Today

We have had a busy year, with lots of travelling. We made our first ever trip to Europe, to Italy and England. We didn't see the birthplaces of either of our grandparents though. We also spent November down in Arizona, and had a short visit with Tony and Bonnie, and Jody, Ken and family when they were down there. We made 4 trips to see Glen's family in Slave Lake and Edmonton. We also visited Ron's dad who is still doing fairly well at 87 years old and living in the United Mennonite Nursing home in Grimsby Ontario.

Life here on the coast has been good, we have made lots of new friends and are able to be physically active year round. We have a big yard and have done lots of work on it. We both love gardening, and are in the middle of a big landscaping project that keeps us out of mischief. We both do quite a bit of golfing, too.

This past year Ron has had some awesome fishing trips, and on one of them, off the west coast of the island, he caught a 45 pound spring salmon or Tyee. We now have a freezer full of fish fillets.

The hard part about being here is that I feel disconnected from all of you. With Melissa's new baby, Maeghan engaged, Jody's kids growing up fast, I am missing out on being part of all the celebrations.

Our best wishes to all of you for a great 2008, and if anyone wants to come out for a visit and help us eat some of this salmon, we'd love to see you.

Jody, Paige and I when they came for a visit last April.

Ron and I in Lake Maggiore Italy.

Ron with his 45 lb salmon

TONY & BONNIE

I can't remember yesterday but those memories of 50-55 years ago are special ......yes Garry and I are turning 60 this summer.....I guess my best memories are all tied to those get togethers at grandma and grandpa's.....Garry and I were always more than cousins, we were best friends. I always stood at the window on Alfred avenue and waited for the Kehlers to arrive because it was no fun till Garry got there. Then we ruled the rest of the pack of boys.......we tickled Timmy till he cried......did things in the bathroom (all 5 of us that will go to our grave with us) unless that squealer Timmy tells on us. Some of the BIG highlights would be Frances breaking her nose, me fainting in the bathroom, the BIG bingo game with real money, the Christmas pagent (Garry and I sang jingle bells every year) then the cash came as we banged pots and pans and collected the loot. I remember people hiding beer in the toilet box and arguing because it went missing ( Garry would do anything I told him to) I remember the biggest Christmas tree in the world, the best Chicken noodle soup and veranika (no spell check).

I've never heard of a family as tight as we were.......Parties in Altona and fishing on the red were huge.......do you remember the dad's wrestling? on the river bank...my dad catching an eel and tried to collect on the bet (fish had to be eatable) and he was willing to eat it. It probably would have been the first bet he won at fishing. I'm drifting but Dad and I had some great trips fishing at Duck mountains, Minaki, and Lake of the woods......if I was home I could send some pics of his proud catches of rainbow trout and walleye. He always talked about our trip to Minaki where we shot 18 holes of golf, fished till we got our limit ate fish till we were stuffed then we played pool in the bar till closing.......hat trick!! all in one day....man was he game and about 70 years old too.

Joan I too wish I could go back to those old days.........the flood gates are open as so many memories come back......everybody was uniquly different and special in there own way.....boy...Auntie Pat's laugh, Uncle Oscar's finger, Uncle Ed's belly,Chrissy's eye patch, those crazy auctions from the stuff that fell off the conveyor belt at Eaton's........... ok I over did it.........

Well I am in Phoenix alone as Bonnie went to give Melissa a hand in Winnipeg...our baby and her baby are having a tough time of things but we hope to be together within a week or so.

Our highlights are:

The birth of our grandson Kaidyn Anthony

Maeghan's engagement to Jayson and upcoming wedding

Hal's new job as business manager at Pacific Motors

Looking for an apartment or condo in Winnipeg as lake life may be in its final years

A great visit with Garry and Joan and girls......so good to see my longest and best friend on his feet......we may be celibrating our 60th birthdays together in June....if its at our place anybody that can keep up the pace is welcome...book early

Did I mention watching the wrestling matches at Pat and Jake's on Sunday nights...ok I'll quit already

Happy memories to all and to all a good night

TED & BECKY:

Thanks for doing this for our family. Here is our news.

Adrian is busy with his band. He is driving now and hopes to get his licence in July. He has a part time job pumping gas at Co-op. He is going to Chicago with the school band in April.

Last week Declan started with baseball skills and is looking forward to another year of baseball. He is planning a trip to Japan for 4 weeks this summer. He will be visiting one of the students that stayed with us two years ago.

The kids are planning to go snowboarding in Denver for spring break while their parents stay home and enjoy the quiet. Can you tell we are getting older?

Ted keeps busy with work and driving the kids around. I keep busy with work and the kids.

Thanks again.

Ted, Becky, Adrian, Declan.

FRANCES:

CHRISTMAS REMEMBERIES

I don’t seem to have specific remembrances of specific Christmases; instead I seem to have a bit of this and a bit of that – except maybe the year the Grandes house burned down on Christmas Day. But I think it’s more appropriate for Linda, Tony or Chris to relate that story.

Although strictly from what happened at my house, I remember that little 3 room house on Lee Blvd. being stuffed to the rafters with people – all the Grandes and maybe more. And I remember Uncle Frank fainting and Auntie Betty crying. And my mum and dad organizing sleeping arrangements. In the morning Linda and I went over to the remaining foundation and basement (after many admonitions from 4 parents not to go close) and looked into the basement to see if we could see any of her Christmas presents – including the guitar she’d received. Of course, we didn’t, and if we had, it may have hurt even more.

Editors note: I was there too. I came over for the night from Grandma's with Auntie Betty and Uncle Frank and we saw the fire as soon as we crossed the railway tracks. It got crazy after that. Garry and I were so parinoid about that fire it must have taken us about 5 years to get over it. We used to drive our parents crazy about our oil burner in the house. We used to check it over and over, just to make sure our house wouldn't burn down.

In the early years at Grandma and Grandpa’s on Alfred Avenue, I remember Grandpa always bought a tall Christmas tree. The ceilings in the house on Alfred Avenue were high and I think Grandpa must have wanted the tree to touch the ceiling. I loved those tall trees then and I still like tall Christmas trees.

Also from those days – Lindie and Joanie do you remember how Grandma used to tell us to go outside and check to see if any of Santa’s elves had been around to see if we were behaving ourselves? We’d go outside and find mandarin oranges outside in the snow alongside the house. It never occurred to us that Grandma had been able to open the bedroom windows and throw the oranges outside into the snow. But even if it had, there were footprints, little footprints! How did they get there? I don’t know how they got there – must have been something Grandpa did. This ruse went a long way to continuing our believe in the great saint.

GLEN & MICHELLE:

So here it goes...new friends, new house, new schools, new job, new clinic to work in, traffic jams, hockey twice per weekend and such.

Christmas has turned into a rotation of home and away. One year we're in Wpg with Michelle's parents and family and some time with my extended family, then one year at our house, with my parents coming out to spend it with us. Meals have to include 3 different traditional meals- Michelle has tortiere, perogies kulbasa and cabbage rolls. We need to have the Grande tradition of "bungey cord" spaghetti and pipettes-the ground veal/beef/bread meatballs. There also must be a turkey dinner in there somewhere!

The kids open a present ChrIstmas Eve and then have the rest Christmas morning including the stocking and Santa's gifts he left.

This year was Edmonton, so next year is Winnipeg.

Work is interesting with my company importing vehicles and doing local wholesaling too. We import trucks, sportscars and even buy tow trucks, dump trucks etc. http://www.theautosource.ca/ is our website.

TERRY & EVELYN:

I remember Christmas at Grandma’s and Grandpa’s. It seems, in memory, a chaotic time of turmoil, all those cousins! When we arrived and opened the door the smell of turkey filled the room. There were aunts, uncles, and cousins in every corner of the apartment. Everyone was chattering. There was lots of laughter, silly jokes being told and uncles teasing one another. Food was plentiful and good. All the grandchildren got a little something from Grandma and Grandpa. One year the girls got aprons and the boys got a deck of cards. We couldn’t wait to open our gifts. These gifts were important to Grandma and Grandpa and the grandchildren sensed that. We were fortunate to have such caring Grandparents.

After eating and some playing, the older cousins (mostly the female ones) began the plotting of the “performance”. My thought was “who are they going to dress up this year? Grandma and Grandpa were especially happy and that was the most important thing.

The men got to drinking and playing cards. The volume rose. The cousins split into generations, and the night came. After awhile the party slowed and the Mums would bundle us up and we would drive home cold and tired, Mums and Dads tipsy and welcoming their beds.

JOAN & GORDON:

Christmas Memories:

I remember being so excited on Christmas day. After all the presents were opened, we would have breakfast and then go across the street to my Grandpa Kehler's house. Garry and I would have "say a verse" for him before he would give us our Christmas Present, which was always 3 dollars. We were rich! But, the downside was we could only keep one dollar and the other two had be put in the credit union (for our college education) ha, like that ever happened. But, we had to save it anyway. We were very proud of our little bank books, and at $2.00 a year, we thought we surely would be millionaires by the time we grew up! Obviously, both Garry and my math skills need a little honing. No college for us huh? (We were shocked!:)

After leaving Grandpa's it was time to load up and head for Winnipeg. The usual Christmas arguments ensued with our parents. We wanted to take some of our presents with us to play with. But, that was strictly verbotten! Mom always said, "either you will loose them, or the other kid's will break them." "You will get lots of presents from Grandma & Grandpa when we get there." We argued about this every single year. We never got to take anything with us.

Finally everything was loaded up (except for our damn Christmas presents), and off we went. There was always extra blankets and pillows in the back seat because it was usually so cold. It was very cosy. Then the fun began. There was an invisible line that ran through the centre of the backseat. Should one of us cross it, a very loud fight would ensue, very loud, with some pushing and shoving included. And we weren't even out of town yet! By the time we hit 75 highway, my dad had slowed down about 15 times, taking his right hand off the wheel, and reaching over to the back seat smacking whoever happened to be in it's path. We spent a lot of the ride on the floor! Not everytime, but most times when we went to Winnipeg one of the "suicide" doors of the car would fly open. Normally if this didn't happen before Morris, dad was fairly confident he had fixed it from the previous incident. So, from Altona to Morris Garry and I had to sit in the middle of the back seat....touching the invisible line. I can see now, that all that fighting wasn't our fault at all, we were forced to sit side by side for 45 miles!! for heavens sake. I can't believe one of us never flew out of the car. Anyway, the rest of the trip from Morris to Winnipeg was better. We played "I Spy", and some road games that consisted of who could spot a car with only one headlight first, or spotting an out of town licence plate. Good times!

Dad would usually have a beer tucked between his legs. I think he always packed two or three for the road. Nice huh? Now, in our times, he would have been hung. We always knew when Winnipeg became closer, when we could see the railway tracks beside the highway on the left hand side. The excitement built to huge proportions, and because we were allowed to take as much of our Christmas Candy with us, we were hitting the ceiling by then. Dad, who by that time had mellowed out a bit after a beer or two wasn't trying to smack us anymore. He would play a game we called "look." Everytime it got out of hand in the backseat, he would turn his head really quickly and give us a "look." We thought this was really funny for some reason. At least we didn't have to duck anymore. We would egg him on...and say "Dad look at us." That was a really good thing to say to a guy who was drinking and driving.

St. Norbert!!! yay, we were almost at Grandma's. We read every billboard and sign out loud on Pembina Highway and beyond. I always got Mama Trossi's first. (I liked to win) Once we were were over the Salter bridge we were so pumped up, Garry and I were hanging out the windows yelling and waving to Grandma, a little too early.

All the cousins would be waiting for us at the window...jumping up and down...The Kehler's are here, the Kehler's are here. Yes, the country bumkins had arrived to a house full of aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents in the big city. We unloaded the car, and brought in the Christmas presents and of course my dad personally escourted his two-four of beer in the house. I guess you could say we were rednecks, before the word was invented.

There was some serious playing to be done, Christmas Carols to be sung, pageants to perform, turkey to eat, presents to open, bingo to play, boys to be ignored, and always a beautiful tree to be admired. We always loved the bubble lights.

Linda, Frances and I had our own hidy hole in Grandma's basement, where we met and formally and had a fan club meeting for our latest heart throb. I believe the meeting was held in the little room where Grandma kept her canning and preserves. No other kid's were allowed in. You had to say the secret password to come in. If not...take a hike kid! The secret password was Cherub I think. Linda was the President, Frances was the Treasurer and I was the "note taker" or something like that. It was very serious business. Once the meeting was over, we could go back to trying on Auntie Pat's wedding dress for the 50th. time. I can't believe she let us do that.

Linda's Grandma Grande lived down the street from Grandma's and we would always go over there for awhile to visit with her other cousins. I remember Grandma Grande would be standing over a big wooden table shredding what I thought was the most stinky cheese I ever smelled. She always tried to get me to try it, but I wouldn't. She would say "Jonie,Jonie," try da cheeze it's good for you! I remember the day I tried the cheese, and I loved it even though it stunk. My love for Parmeasan cheese has never left me to this day. Grandpa Grande always had a huge train set in the living room. I was so amazed by it, I couldn't wait to get there to see it again.

As the evening would progress it would get louder and louder...Grandpa trying to convince everyone that "the earth was flat" and Mayor Juba was an asshole. Uncle Jake would sometimes strum on his guitar and we would all sing. Of course the night would not be complete with some serious Bingo...on the top of the house "O-75." Pennies were counted and put on the table, then the games began.

Boxing day was also thrilling. I got to go shopping at Eaton's with the one dollar my Grandpa Kehler gave me for Christmas. I think I had more Christmas money than that "one" dollar, probably five at the most. A trip to Eaton's also entailed a lunch stop and the 5 and dime (Woolworth's). Here Grandma would always buy us a hot turkey sandwich with french fries, and a coke in a cone shaped paper container. Real restarant food was a novelty at best, after all we only had one restaurant in Altona, Harry's Cafe, and the food there was very questionable. We heard he served rat and cat meat, and we believed it.

I have gone on way too long, sorry for bending your ear, or eyes in this case. I keep on remembering stuff.

ON THE HOME FRONT:

Things have been going good around here. Gord is feeling great (touch wood). He has lost weight, but not as much as I would like. But, he's trying. Old habits die hard. I know he misses eating hamburgers, and bacon and eggs, pizza etc. but he has given them up. We don't do restaurants anymore. Too much salt and fat. I really don't miss it. It's a little more work for me, but we are eating very healthy. I just wish the manufacturers would quit putting so much salt in their food. I read every label like a Natzi. I bought a box of frozen chicken breasts the other day only to find when I got home they had added salt...to frozen uncooked chicken breasts!! How stupid is that? If I want salt, I will add it. No wonder every one has high blood pressure.

I am still working. I don't forsee retirement in the near future, but am looking forward to it once it comes.

I was hoping Lisa would do the Kehler stuff, but I haven't heard from her.

Garry is doing better. He is walking on his own. He is even doing small projects around the house. Joan has still got the daycare, she was thinking of going on her own, but I'm not sure if she has. Lisa and Cheri are working and still living on Ashburn. We all got together for Christmas dinner at Joan and Garry's. It was nice, because we haven't been able to get together on Christmas day because usually they go to Dauphin for Christmas.

Just some misc. pictures..

Penny trying to fetch the ball out of the pond

Remember Snowball?

Dad and Munchy

Two old farts

I have some pictures from Melissa's baby shower to share:

Thanks for dropping in. I hope we can do this next year again.

Love you guys!

JSMARTIN (Editor & Chief)

Hi how are youse guys

Just got a call from Tonyeah & Bonnyeah yesterday and they are the proud Grandparents of a little teenie baby boy. Congratulations to Melissa and Hal on the wonderful Christmas present God has sent them.



His name is Kaedyn Anthony Farrant. Tony is tickled pink (he is so gay)... because the kid was named after him....let's see if the kid can sell cars...and then we will know if he's the apple of grandpa's eye... heh..


The little guy was 7 pounds 2 ounces....and that's all I know.

And because my advancing age... I forgot the password to our old SNL. So I had to make up a new blog tonight. I think I have it somewhere, so when I find it I will put in there.

Just a reminder, I will be seeking all your dark secrets from this past year, around new year's ...you have been warned, and don't make me come out there and get you!!


Babeeee pic's....let's hear some ohhhh's and awww's...He is one cutie patoody.



Congratulations Melissa and Hal!

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