#55 Dec 2014 Christmas is Coming

November 29th we were watching the 11:00 news when they said it was snowing in the Lower Mainland. We can hear rain on the roof but snow is very quiet and sneaky. We opened the door to this view. Our yard was not ready for winter.

We were told that this RV park goes all out with Christmas decorations. Apparently this year was less than usual but we were certainly impressed. This scene greets visitors at the gate.

This 15 foot Santa dominates the front of the park.

His back is visible from our living room.

Santa is cool on the four-wheeler as he leans into the action.

Snoopy flies along with Woodstock hanging on behind.

The lighthouse is always a focal point in the park.

Last year we headed south mid December. We carefully selected special decorations to take with us that would fit into one box. We were in Hemet CA and enjoyed the sun and palm trees and didn’t need many decorations to enjoy the season.

This was our view as we drove into the mountains to Idywilde Christmas Day 2013.

This year we knew we would be in Surrey until after Christmas so we were able to expand our decorations to the outside. We have not had a live Christmas tree since we moved to Surrey. This year we found a heavy, stable tree stand and put a live tree outside, complete with snow on the ground. Kari has always been my decorating partner and we had a great time.

The snow didn’t last and now from inside we enjoy the tree and green grass.

We light up our neighborhood at night.

#54 Nov 2014 What do we do all day??

Sometimes I think back over the last few days and wonder “What have we done each day?”

Fortunately Ralph keeps a daily journal. When there are no photos to upload to the computer I know the days have not been memorable but “where did they go?”

The most important part of the day is not hearing an alarm clock.

Savouring the first coffee of the day is still a novelty.

About every second day Ralph dumps the black and grey water tanks.

Tuesday and Friday evenings we both attend Spirit Tai Chi.

Some days we wait for the propane truck to arrive.

Every time we move the RV it takes about 2 hours to secure everything and then an hour to setup again.
Ralph took the RV into Vancouver for an oil change and some body work.

We changed sites in the park due to flooding in our first location.

In July we spent 2 nights at the Vedder River Campground. In October we received a call that their computer server had been stolen. Ralph’s credit card could be compromised. Cancelling the card and checking his credit reports took a day.

Two weeks after we bought the Suzuki last year Ralph was rear ended. This November the trunk area was wet after every rain so we took it back to the body shop. There was water in the wheel well from a leak in the roof. The body shop owner looked at the small lake and offered a coupon for “Fish 4 Us”. We declined the coupon but had to come back to the shop when a loaner vehicle was available.

During October and November Ralph taught 2 weeks at VCC and the same at BCIT. The second consecutive week I was going stir crazy as he left at 5:45 AM and was home mid afternoon with the car. There is nothing within walking distance from the park so I was stuck here.

November 1st was the first time we saw the sun in 22 days. That was depressing.

We keep the blinds closed to keep the heat in but that also keeps the daylight out. Tough choice.

We have a storage locker where everything was dumped when we moved. We took the time to sort the boxes and get some sense of what we stored. Likely stuff we don’t need now and probably not when we settle into an apartment a few years from now.

When we bought the RV we insured it through ICBC. We explained that it would be our full time residence. We thought we were covered. Not so!!

We spent 3 very long days finding an agent who could offer the insurance we needed. The price varied from $3,900 to $1,300 for similar coverage.

West coast winters are humid. We have discovered the spots where the air circulation does not keep the windows and walls dry. We now use an air dryer which improves the air in general but we still need to move the mattress, etc. away from the wall and open the blinds to allow circulation.

We have 3 roof vents which suck the warm air right out into the cold. Vent cushions reduce the draft but create condensation. Ralph climbed around on the roof to install vent covers which allow opening the vents for circulation without letting in the rain.

I boast that my housekeeping only takes half an hour but that’s not true. Sometimes it takes an hour!

The best thing about our days is READING! We both love to read and take many opportunities to read as much as our eyes will tolerate.

Itemizing the above makes me realize our “nothing days” are sometimes productive. When they aren’t we only have to answer to ourselves. We are learning to recognize that we can choose our activities and they are not related to work schedules.

Hooray!

#53 Nov 2014 Remember

During WWII my father was an aircraft mechanic in the Air Force and my mother a dental assistant in the Army. Neither of them was overseas but I grew up very aware of the people who served at home and abroad.

Ralph’s parents were farmers and provided the food for our service people at home and abroad.

I was born in Edmonton but we moved to Wainwright AB when I was 7 years old. The adjacent Army Training Base is still a major part of that community and my understanding of military life and personnel.

July 1, 2013 our granddaughter, Lindsay, was part of the celebration of Canada Day in Ottawa.

November 11, 2014 we watched the Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa.

Two faces of the capital of our country.

The dangers military personnel face every day were forefront on people’s minds as they mourned the two soldiers killed on Canadian soil just days before.

Since moving to Surrey we have always attended the Remembrance Day Service in Cloverdale. Each year the crowds are larger with more young adults and children showing their respect.

Even when we can’t see or hear most of the service we stand and remember.

The flyover is always thrilling as we recognize the rigorous training required.

November 11th we celebrate the end of one war and the hope for peace.
December 25th we celebrate the birth of the “Prince of Peace”.

November 11th is a somber time. It starts a few days beforehand then is quickly forgotten as people jump into the Christmas rush.

Statistics say less than 30% of homes include a nativity scene. When decorations do include a nativity often Santa Claus is more prominent than the manger.

Where is the Christ Child in Christmas?

#52 Oct 2014 The Beauty of Nature

Halloween in this park is colourful and fun. At this time of year there are seldom any children around but adults enjoy the decorations just as much.

The local black cat stakes out his claim to the puddle.

This is the beginning of the rainy winter season and mushrooms flourish.

The fall leaves keep park staff busy.

Chuckanut Drive in Washington is one of our favorite drives along the ocean.

The evergreens are loaded with cones ready for next year.

The arbutus trees shed their bark and show off their red trunks.

Serpentine Wildlife Management Area is a peaceful oasis in the middle of Surrey.

The ducks cruise along.

A secluded tunnel beckons.

Signs warn visitors about invasive plants that disturb nature’s balance.

Blueberry fields show off their Christmas colors.

A rainbow promises that life continues as the seasons change.

#51 Oct 2014 Work??

In September while we were wandering the displays at Truxpo, Ralph checked out the BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology) and VCC (Vancouver Community College) booths and started chatting with instructors that he knew from 11 years ago. At that time Ralph did some substitute instructing in the heavy duty department at both colleges. Now, when Ralph said that he was retired they immediately started talking about the shortage of substitute instructors. Well, that idea had not occurred to us but started some serious discussions. We knew we would be in Surrey for a few months and Ralph would enjoy the outside stimulation.

October 9th Ralph spent his first day at VCC instructing the Fundamentals class which is an introductory class for prospective heavy duty careers. In October he worked seven days at VCC and got into the swing of teaching. The calls can be planned in advance or last minute when someone is sick. He enjoyed getting out in a new environment with new people.

Ocotber 10th Dave and Danica headed for Surrey to celebrate Thanksgiving and October birthdays, Danica the 10th and mine on the 20th. Saturday morning they met us at Fort Langley for the Cranberry Festival. The vendors and entertainment have grown considerably. The fire truck was very popular as kids could sit in the truck and then use the fire hose to knock over pylons.

The dunk tank drew attention as the manager of the Remax office climbed onto the seat still dressed in his suit. We pooled our cash and met the challenge with 23 dollars and 50 cents for Danica to throw 5 balls. She came close and there was much cheering all around us. He did eventually get dunked in his suit.

“Cranberries are delicious, but bacon makes everything better” was the slogan for “Well Seasoned” a gourmet food shop in Langley that tempts us with many useful/decadent/unusual items.

We all love Granville Island Market. The birds may not love being chased by the kids but they certainly come back hoping for food.

Danica wanted bread crumbs to feed the birds but no one sells bird crumbs/crusts. When we went into a bakery they gave us the crumbs and end pieces from the slicing machine. We saved our bread treats for home but Danica was anxious to use her crumbs.

She was even more popular when she shared her bag of crumbs with other kids and the birds hardly knew which way to turn.

Everyone was sad when the bag was empty.

The cement plant on the island has entered into the festive feel of the island.

Climbing the White Rock is always a challenge.

Balancing on a log is even more challenging with outside help.

Beyond the White Rock, the Peace Arch at the US border beckons.

Snowy Mount Baker keeps watch over the two countries.

We enjoy looking at the snow and ice but are very glad it's many miles away.

Crabbing is popular from the dock.

We had a great family weekend and and continued to create memories and celebrate birthdays.