Tony and Bonnies challenge

Dear Friends and Family


by Maeghan Jason Kennedy on Saturday, November 13, 2010 at 8:24pm

Well we've been here a week now and out of the hospital for 3 days. Bonita (her spanish name very fitting here) is just in her 2nd therapy session. She had immediate results after her prodedure. We were reluctant to report immediatly because we just wanted to make sure this was real. We tried to hide it from the kids but they were demanding answers and I have a big mouth. I want to try hard not to exagerate because although some improvements may be small they are huge and exciting when you've lived with this disease. Some are flat out amazing. I guess it doesn't really matter how you see it. We are on a ride...... Surgery was completed about 1 pm on Tuesday and the she spent rest of the day recovering. I had a cot in the room. About 4 am we were both awake and Bonnie said .....hey I can lift my arm up over my head.....wow that was great news ..........exciting....that arm hasn't had that mobility for years. she was awake the rest of the night. During the night she found she could plant both feet and lift herself up.....another breakthrough this time the left leg was kicking in (pardon the pun) ......as you probably know both left arm and leg have been reduced to near uselessness for years......all this and not out of bed yet.

We agree now that we were not expecting much and not much more than this......we didn’t know what to expect I guess......we knew a ton of people were praying.

BUT...... now the catheter and iv were removed and it was time to walk to the shower.......oh my

she immediately said Tony my leg is moving..........I choke up just thinking about it.........her leg that just dragged along for the ride for sooooo many years had decided to join the party!!!!!!!!!

lthough not in perfect control it was bending at the knee and ankle instead of swinging from the hip.

I can hardly write this so you can imagine the emotion at the time.



Now..... we decided not to tell anybody for a few days. I don’t know ...in case it was all a dream I guess. If it is don’t wake us.



But we phoned Maeghan and she put the pressure on........ what's going on? does she notice anything? I tried to stay cool but cracked.....couldn’t talk I had to give Bonita the phone.

Both kids have been crying there eyes out with each new e mail report and picture.....the Italian blood plays out big time when the emotions kick in.

All these things are relatively subtle to meet the eye but should get more defined as therapy and practice continue.

Her walking is getting straighter .......she did 20 minutes on the bike and 2 10 minute sessions on the tread mill. along with assorted weight machines.

She noticed that she can put her foot in her shoe......she never had the control before.


she can cross her leg without picking it up with her hand.

She came down a small flight of stairs without a cane or handrail.....(she seems to enjoy the applause )


NOW she can go up some stairs the same way unless she's over tired or exhausted from the gym.


She carried 2 plates of food to our table at breakfast (the left hand is working great)......yes I like the service .....hope I can attach the picture


I know Maeghan will have some stuff on her facebook and we will let you know of any changes from time to time


We hope to winter in Phoenix although do not have a place yet......

Our kids and grand kids gave us so much support and encouragement

Maeghan spent sooooo much time searching and calling ......getting the information and details.



Glen put us in touch with people that came here and gave us the confidence to do this.



Soooooo many pledged to pray.

And a mighty God blessed us.


Love


Bonita and Tony

SNL 2009

I have posted these in random order. And I thank each and everyone for sending in your contribution to the SNL.


Meaghan & Jason:
Hello all!
A ton has changed in the last year! I guess we'll start with our biggest news, the birth of our daughter, Jewel Marie Kennedy, on April 9th.

She was a tiny little thing weighing in at 6lbs 13oz. She's still itty bitty and very advanced, sitting on her own at 4 months, crawling by 6 months and hasn't stopped walking sinc new years eve. She even taught herself to safely slid off the couch feet first when she was eight months. Ah yes, the bragging is the best part of parenting!

After Jewel was born, our big bitch gave birth to 6 mastiff pups. Needless to say sleeping was not an option for most of the month. The litter was healthy and beautiful. We kept one of the males and named him Tank. He's living up to his name being that he's 9 months 31 inches tall and at least 150 lbs. He's a beautiful red color.

In June we decided (very suddenly) to make a move from the less than desirable area we were living in and buy property in the boonies, Garson, that is. We've been out here since September and haven't looked back. We have 10 acres of land. Big enough for the dogs, a dirt bike and rally racing track and more space than the kids could ever need. It's paradise, we're very fortunate!

Portia started in a new country school, where the kids get dirty and ride quads and like being outside! She made friends right away and has been excelling in everything especially math and spelling (yes, a Grande that can spell!) She took part in her first spelling bee last week and did so well. She swims in Selkirk now and is in level 7, and is so fast its amazing to watch. Jewel has also started her first swimming lesson.

Jason is beginning his 16th year at the HSC and still loves caring for sick babies and toddlers at Children's Hospital. I have married superman and appreciate him more every day. He's in heaven living out here since the true love of his life (I realized long ago I had to share him) is motocross. He rides right out of our garage to his track in our back back nine:)

I'm content being at home with the kids and animals. I walk in our yard for hours and plan where the garden and pool will go.

We are completely snowed in today, could be stuck inside for a couple days, there is a four foot snowdrift outside our front door and its only supposed to get worse. Love the country life! We will be having a house warming party in the spring and everyone is invited! I'll be sending out invitations:)

Hope everyone else is doing fantastic!
Happy 2010!

Love Jason, Maeghan, Portia, Jewel, J.D., China, Tank and Alaska.

Linda and Ron:

Photos 1- Ron, Jenna and Linda at Montmorency Falls
2- Ron at Patagonia Lake Arizona
3. Linda hiking in the Chiricahua Mountains Arizona

Hello from B.C.- where right now Olympic fever is everywhere; even at the bakeshop in our little town, where you can buy cookies shaped like an Inukshuk!

This year Ron's dad died on March 31, in his 89th year, in Grimsby Ontario. He passed away within an hour of our arrival, I guess he was just waiting for us to get there.

We had a mini family reunion last summer, when Jody, Ken, Cooper and Paige visited Glen and Michelle in Edmonton the same time as we did, and we all had a wonderful time. Later in the summer we took Jenna on a trip for her tenth birthday, to any place in Canada that she wanted to go. She chose Quebec, so we visited Montreal, Quebec City and then finally ended up in Ottawa. We had a wonderful time with her, she is an amazing kid, and we enjoyed getting to know her better.

Once again this year, we spent time in Arizona, only this time for 6 weeks. We rented a house in Green Valley, which is south of Tucson, from November 1st to December 15th and did lots of golfing and hiking, with friends from Qualicum Beach who also go there.

This was a big year for Ron and I as we celebrated?? our official entry into the world of Old Farts with our 65th birthdays this September.

What better way to mark the occasion than a trip to Las Vegas...but only I went with some friends from Winnipeg and left Ron at home. Not having been there for 35 years, I could not believe it was the same place. I finally saw the Grand Canyon for the first time too. Don't feel sorry for Ron though, he goes fly fishing to Fernie B.C. every year for a week!

It was our year to spend Christmas with Glen and Michelle, and I think it was one of the nicest we've had with them. Although the drive to Edmonton from Arizona was quite exhausting! In two months we put 11, 000 km on our car.

We hope to visit Winnipeg this June, and look forward to seeing you then.
Linda and Ron

Terry & Evelyn:

Happy New Year to the Schroeder Clan:

All is well with the Torwart family. Terry just turned 59 and like many looking forward to retirement and to enjoy his many hobbies and do the things you can't do while working. He is planning on working for one more school year and and then off to bigger and better things.

I am still at the College and plan to stay till I am 60 which is a little better than 2 years. Brett and Ian are well. Brett is still at Manitoba Telephone and Ian is at Victoria Hospital. The boys moved out in September and so far everything is going okay. Ian is moving to a new location because his dog was not allowed at the house they were renting. Brett is staying in the house and Ian will be moving in with a friend in Waverley Heights. We are dog sitting till Ian gets settled into his new place.

Sadie is just over a year old and she is a British Lab -- she is a very cuddly puppy but certainly can use some obedience classes.

We have done some home renovations and now that we are empty nesters, we have reclaimed our basement and actually our whole house. We have done some major clean up -- Terry has done a lot of purging of his stuff. The house is seeming much larger and it is staying cleaner -- imagine that!

Not a lot to say -- hope everyone is in good health -- drop in when you are in the area. Take care Torwart Family

Frances and Murray:

I don’t really have any news about me or Murray. Murray’s still a health care aide and I’m still a social worker. I’m still living at the same address and Murray’s still living at the same address. The best news I have is that Murray’s health is slowly and steadily improving. He had a bad time with anxiety and panic attacks in November. Now he seems to be holding his own and as I say, slowly and steadily improving. We just keep plugging along, trying to do the best we can. My dog, Abby, doesn’t have any new news either. She’s still the most affectionate and loving dog I’ve known and the hairiest.

Lisa & Jordan:
Hello all!

First off I'd like to say congrats to you aunty Joan on your retirement! Which I'm sure is well deserved! Now you and my dad are both retired... Boy I feel old!!!

I am still working at the Pan Am Clinic as the Medico-Legal Correspondent. I will be further educating myself in the fall with a 2 year distance ed course in Health Information Management through the Canadian Health care Association.

We are still in our little house on Ashburn Street and continue to make improvements as time allows. We been "working" on the basement for about a year now... I have come to realize that not every man is handy. We will leave it at that.

Jordan is still working for Manitoba Public Insurance as an insurance adjuster, and just recently found out he will be moving over to the King Edward location which will be great for him! Nice and close to home.

Mom and Dad are doing well. Dad is currently getting cortisone injections in his knee which should alleviate some of his pain as well as help him walk. He passes the long winter days with good ol Archie and Veronica as well as his 52" T.V. with pretty much every movie channel Shaw has to offer. He is eagerly awaiting the summer months so he can tear around the neighbourhood on his scooter.

Mom is in the beginning stages of foster care. She began her classes this month and they wrap up next month. After the classes wrap up she will be a foster parent for emergency short term care. I will be doing respite for her as well.

That's all for now!

Glen & Michelle:

Welcome back from the Blogosphere. Here on Earth, Edmonton to be exact we are settled in and I have started work after a 5 month sabbatical. Okay well I quit my job and didn't do much-wholesale auto auction and that was it from Sept. through Christmas. I am at Calmont Leasing as an account manager, a salesman really but account manager sounds more corporate I guess. All we sell and lease are trucks and highway tractors... and since I dislike cars unless they have 400HP or more, its a perfect fit I hope.

Michelle is busy working and taking care of her indigent husband and kids, wishing she could make more time for scrapbooking about the kids. She is awesome but don't tell her I said so, she might get a swelled head.

The kids are big and doing well, in school and otherwise. Hockey is Jeremy's obsession- other than any other activity involving video games. Still plays piano, and is getting pretty good for a fidgety boy. The time off allowed me to build a great skating rink 18'x28' in the backyard, only would have been better is if the house wasn't built on a lot the size if a postage stamp and I could have made it bigger. Jenna is more of the computer kid, has read more books in 10 years than I read in 40, and also loves the video games...so does Dad. School, that necessary evil, is going well and I think they could conspire against us in French now if they were so inclined or that cooperative with each other.

Holidays this year may be limited by the new job and the fact we took the plunge and finished the basement. No, no jacuzzi's indoor pools, spas, pool tables etc. just a bedroom and bathroom. 2010 is supposed to be the year we spend our summer vacation out west and spend part of it mooching off the West Coast grandparents and Christmas 2010 is mooching off the Wpg grandparents. We'll see how it works out this year...new job and all. Hopefully this time I can see a few SNL relatives...

That's about all I have to say about life...keep healthy and keep smiling....

Tonyeah and Bonyeah:
HI ALL
Joan just threatened me if I don’t send her something>>> she said she would come down here if I didn’t so I am writing veeery fast..

We just spent the day on Saguaro Lake with my cousin Bob Grande and his wife Charlene >>> I enclosed a few pictures Its one of 4 lakes within an hour of here...I lucked on to the first boat ive seen like it....a 32 ft party boat by Tracker .....we have had 8 and 9 friends out on our first 2 trips.....it has a little cabin and like most things in AZ it is air conditioned.

We were in Winnipeg for the big blizzard.....glad to be back though..returning to Winnipeg around the 18th for another doc app.

hard to be away from our 4 great grand kids not great just grand whatever.........boat naming contest is about to close with Grand Eh? in the lead........
possibly our last year at Lake of the woods ...house is listed...........really hope we have another summer there with the kids and dogs.

Linda and Ron visited on there way home from Green Valley......and had some fun with them and Bob and Char although I don’t remember much so must have been good eh?

We spent a week at peorto Penasko Mexico with bob and char it is a little over 3 hours from here on Bay of Cortez which is formed by the Baja Peninsula.

Planning to see Phil and Joan Killeen our long time friends...they are wintering in Las Vegas
best of all....Melissa Hal Kaedyn and Teagan are coming in less than 2 weeks.......yippy
and Bonnies sister Laurie and Tim after that.....

We are renting here this winter so don’t know what next year will bring....but will always return as long as we can.

Just got another bike.....a Harley V Rod......a little too sporty for me but very quick......plan to quit riding when I get old........don’t hold yer breath lol

WISH YOU ALL A HEALTHY 2010
BONNIE AND TONY

Melissa & Halden

Hi everybody! 2009 was a very busy year for us. It started with finding out in January that we were (surprise!) pregnant again! Pregnancy with a one year old was an interesting experience; I was VERY sick and tired the first few months. So aside from preparing for baby number two, we were very busy with Kaedyn, who started the year beginning to walk, then starting talking...and talking... and talking.

He is barely over two and speaks in complete sentences, his vocabulary includes hundreds and hundreds of words, knows how to use all the different pronouns - you, me, he she etc. He knows the difference between a bulldozer and a backhoe, is crazy about playing with cars, and his favourite people in the world are his Grandma Bonnie and Grandpa Tony. Kaedyn is sweetest and funniest boy in the world, and he's such a charmer. I can't believe he's already two!

Kaedyn's year was plagued with some very strange illnesses, though. Early in the year, he had a very serious stomach virus, which had him throwing up all day for nearly a week. In the summer, he had hand, foot and mouth disease, and was litterly covered in huge hives. He got chicken pox over Thanksgiving, and then the worst one came a couple days after his 2nd birthday. He developed Impetego, and he had these big, red oozing itchy sores all over his body. But what made it so bad is he got an infection on top of it, and then an allergic reaction to the infection! He got spots on his hands and feet, and face. He had sores in his mouth, so he couldn't eat. He did nothing but cry for days. He could barely sleep he was so itchy. He was on two different meds, plus Benedryl. All the skin on his hands and feet died and peeled off, and all of his finger and toe nails died, and are still in the process of falling off, TWO months later. It was the scariest and saddest thing he has ever gone through. My poor baby.

Hal spent a very busy year at Pacific Motors, where he has become very successful as their business manager. We took a couple weeks off in the summer to spend at my parents' at the lake, where Kaedyn discovered tubing behind Grandpa's boat and feeding the ducks. Aside from that, Hal's been working diligently working to finish our basement, which is almost ready for painting. I spent most of the year pregnant, and had a very rough time near the end, with a lot of pain, so I was very relieved on September 18 when our little girl was born two weeks early!

After about 13 hours of labour, little Teagan Anaya was born perfect and healthy, weighing a teeny 6 lbs 7 oz. She spent most of her first day in the intermediate care nursery because of some breathing problems, but came back to us soon enough. Teagan has been such a joy, we love her so much! She did have a rough first few months, with some stomach issues, some colic, and a LOT of crying. But we are past all of that now! She just started rolling over, and is laughing all the time now. Kaedyn adores his sister, loves to talk to her and give her hugs. He likes to help mommy with her diaper changes (he gets a new diaper and throws the old one out!). We are so blessed with our two little ones! So that was our year.

We're moving into a very busy time right now, Hal and I are both going to the gym regularly again, Hal finishing the basement, and we're both getting really involved in our church, Church of the Rock, which we've been going to for a year now, which we love. And of course, the kids keep us always moving. Hope you all had a great year too, and we hope to see you soon!Love,Melissa, Halden, Kaedyn, and Teagan(sorry it's so long!)

Kelly:
Hi Auntie Joan, Sorry it took me forever to write my update, Not having a computer really stinks!!I have been doing pretty good since our last SNL. I have now moved out YAY!!!! My boyfriend Steve and I have are now renting a house out in Transcona, We have been there since June, We have also have 2 new addition's to our little family, No no babies for those who like to speculate :) just kidding. We have 2 fantastic dogs Steve's dog Tio is about 2 years old and part lab part Sheppard and in July we got Dexter a Terrier/chihuahua who is now about a year and a half. They are so great, Im really sorry I have no pictures but I can always send some when I get my computer. But other then the house and what not there isn't really anything much new I Steve does Commercial installation full time. That's all for me for now, hope the rest of the family is doing well :) Peace and Love Kelly


TIM & DARLENE:
Well you know Kelly is our pride and joy. She continues to work at Donwood Personal care home in the recreation program. She is absolutely amazing with the elderly and they love her to bits. Kelly just moved out in June of last year with her boyfriend, Steve. At 25 it was time for her to stretch her wings. So since June, Tim and I have been empty nesters. It’s was strange at first not having Kelly around, but we are used to it now and quite enjoying it. Steve is a really nice guy. He works in the trades and loves “fishing”. They make a very cute couple. Since June, they have rented a house in Transcona and have two dogs. Teo and Dexter. I guess you can say that Tim and I have “grand puppies”. Kelly and Steve send along their love.

I not sure if you heard that I lost my oldest brother Dave last year in June. Dave lived in Comox, on the Vancouver Island. It was a tough time for our family. He just turned 65 in May and lost his battle with cancer in June. Dave’s favorite hobby was working with disabled skiers on Mount Washington. He was really looking forward to the Olympics in Vancouver. He did so much for the community and really enjoyed his time on the mountain with the disabled skiers. My sister-in-law has just been asked to be a torch runner in Victoria for the Para Olympics in his memory and there will be a special trophy awarded this year in Dave’s memory. He will be greatly missed.

During this time, Tim was off work for the month of June with a very severe case of Vertigo. This was a very sudden and strange attack. He was in bed for almost 2 solid weeks and it still isn’t completely resolved. Getting older really does suck sometimes. For the most part he is coping with the ongoing dizzy spells. I can’t believe that he will be turning 60 next week (Feb 19th). Where do the years go and go and go. He is still working for the cabinet company Norcraft and quite enjoys it.

We had 1 family wedding, my niece in Calgary and my Mom has her 13th Great grandchild born in November. My Mom is starting to put pressure on all of her grandchildren to get married soon. She keeps telling them, she could go to more than 1 family wedding a year as she is going to be around forever.

I thank God everyday for my amazing Mom. In October she turned 90 years young. She is still living independently and for the most part is doing very well. She has stiff joints and needs a bit more help getting around, but overall loves living in her apartment. The family helps her with weekly banking and shopping, but for the most part she is doing very well.

Now what is going on with Darlene? I am keeping busy working and keeping up with life in general. I don’t travel for work anymore, so I am home and still trying to lose weight! My goal is to work out at least 4 times a week, but seems lately I am not as consistent as I would like. As of April 1st of this year I will be with Great West Life 30 years. WHERE DOES THE TIME GO!

I wanted to send along a family pic, but unfortunately our computer crashed at Christmas and I have lost most of them. I will try and send a couple along at a later date. So Joan that is the latest from our family and we all send our love and special thoughts to everyone.



Jody Ken Cooper & Paige

Well this year has been another learning time for us. Paige has learned that toy cars with moving wheels should not go near her hair. Cooper has learned that telling your sister to put a car with moving wheels close to her hair will result in some serious time in his room. Ken has learned that parenting is challenging and rewarding. Jody has learned that she used to color her hair for fun, and now she colors her hair for need.

We took a summer trip to Edmonton and did some visiting with the Craven portion of the Grande family. The kids had some really great times playing with Jeremy and Jenna. Ken and I did too. It is always a good time when you have great family to see.

Cooper turned 5 this January and will start kindergarten in September. He will be attending Winnipeg Mennonite Elementary School. So yes, we will be taking donations for tuition. We fell in love with the school after attend the open house at the beginning of February. They focus on faith based learning and being a conscious contributing member of society! Imagine that!! Cooper has finally shifted his interest from trains to Spiderman. He has suggested a name change to Peter Parker. We are considering it.

Paige will be 4 this June. She is anticipating a special party for her birthday with special guests from B.C. She is wanting to go fishing on Grandpa’s boat with Grandma, mom, and Auntie Linda. Paige started Ballet this year. It initially did not go well. Lets make this clear she was the one that wanted to do ballet - not me. First I show her the pink ballet suit. She likes it. Then I show her the pink ballet slippers. She loves them. Then I show her the pink tights... she declares her love for Judo! She has since adjusted to the tights and really likes ballet. We will try soccer next year.

Ken is still with Canada Post. He started in the Fort Gary Postal Depot this fall. It has been nice to have him working close to home. For those of you who are friends with Ken on facebook you will have noticed that Canada Post is his second job. The first being a Mafia Mogul. Must thank Glen for introducing Ken to the Mafia.

I fall asleep every night to sounds of my wonderful husband snoring. I wake up every morning to a very cute little boy staring me in the face - “morning Mom!” and precious girl who loves to cuddle a little before the day can begin. I pinch myself most days just to make sure it is all real. I ask myself “how did I did I get here?” The answer is I don’t know, but don’t much care - just enjoying the gifts I have been given.

We wish you all the best in 2010 and beyond.

JOAN & GORDON:





Jody you are hard act to follow.



We have had a pretty good year. We are in stage 2 of building our dream home on Cloutier Drive. Which means the drawings are all done, and we have sent them out to different Contractors for pricing. After that comes the hard part. I don't even want to think about it right now. I will deal that when the time comes. It will be a messy divorce...heh. They always say the true test of a marriage is if you can get through a reno or building a new house together. Now, let's just see how this goes:)



Gord turned 65 this year. He can now get a discount on his bus pass. HA. Plus some hard earned money from the Government.



I will be retiring at the end of April. Not by choice mind you. I wanted to work until October when my hard earned money from the Government kicked in. But as companies do these days when they see you sneaking up to retirement they incorporate your job with another so they don't have to worry about anything when you leave. I'm not bitter, I got a good buy out package. Plus I .........so wanted to get the hell out of there. FREE AT LAST!



I am going to learn how to bake bread, and do all the things I have never have had time to do. I sure hope I don't take the "big dirt nap" before that happens...and on my wish list, I want to buy a Houseboat. It doesn't have to go anywhere, it just has to sit docked on the river. It will be my summer vacation home.


Even though we don't have kids' we aren't short of them. Apparently our 1960's type waterbed attract them. These are our Christmas kids....Gord's family. They can't wait to get in our waterbed every year.

And every year ... they get a little heavier. This year took it's toll. It sprung a leak. This is probably our third waterbed mattress since we got married, so it was time. But we had cats in the beginning who caused a lot of the problems. Now it was just wear and tear.

At our advanced age our first thought was...okay..who pissed the bed? The leak was on Gord's side, so I went out and bought him some Adult Diapers. Just kidding I didn't buy them, but if I would have I am sure they will be handy one of these days.

LOOK WHAT SANTA BROUGHT ME!

And I thought he was just hanging around because I make good Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. I lost the diamond from my engagement ring this summer. By todays standards it was very small, and I can't believe I didn't even notice it missing...but I did because the claws hooked in my sweater one day ....and oop's ...diamond gone. Yikes. I was sad. I told Gord about it and he didn't seem very hard pressed....so it's gone...what can you do about it. Men! After that I sort of forgot about it and just wore my wedding band.

On Christmas morning when we were opening our gifts, he had mine in a rather large box, which of course went into a smaller box, then a smaller box.... I didn't get it....And when I opened it, I fell apart. It was the perfect ring that I would have chosen. I just wear this ring alone without the old band. When I go to Safeway I always try to blind the checkers with my ring. It looks so sparkley under the lights.

My backyard....I will miss it.

And this little arse hole who eats the bark off my trees... now he eats my peanuts.

My Mom's Christmas Cactus which has only bloomed twice since she died.

Gord's 65th. Birthday Party at the Keg. (sitting around with all the Lutherans)

My handsome bro....who joined us along with friends and family

So, now I bid you a fond adieu.....

I remain JSMARTIN (Kehler) SNL Editor and Chief.

(no spell checking has been applied to this newsletter WYSIWYG)

See you next year.

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.