30 years today????

Wow 30 years ago we got married and here we are still married eh? Ya 30 years 3 beautiful daughters and 4 beautiful grandchildren(and 1 coming ) and 3 great son in-laws. Wendy is still as pretty as she was when I married her. I am not sure what we are up to day but I really don't feel like doing a lot right now. Bob and Kristy are on their way to Red Deer for the week end so it should be real quiet around here for a few days. Wendy is off from work for a month. She is such a sweetie. It is so nice having her around. Sure do love her. I get the feeling that she is really worried about me so just pray that God will give her peace and understanding. She is still spoiling me and thats not a bad thing. I haven't done anything today so not much to write about .
Love you all
God Bless

Thursday Afternoon

Well it's been a while since I updated this but I have been a bit under the weather and in and out of the hospital so that's the reason.
Well lets see I think it was last Saturday that I started feeling bad and it went all down hill from there. I went to church on Sunday morning and didn't feel great but it wasn't too bad but by the time I got home I was really hurting. That afternoon I got sick to my stomach and my guts really hurt. I didn't eat anything on Sunday. I felt a bit better on Monday morning and I went to A&W and ate about half a Bacon and Egger. I went home and started feeling bad again and it just got worst from there. Monday evening I was in big trouble but toughed it out until Tuesday morning. The pain just kept getting worst so about 1 pm. I think it was Wendy took me over to the hospital and then I spent about another 7 hours there. They did a CAT scan and a ultra sound and poked needles in my arm and couldn't find anything so they sent me home. I just got home and then got sick as a dog again and then went to bed and slept for a few hours. Wed. was another day of pain but it started to let up in the afternoon. I slept pretty good Wed. night and felt pretty good this morning. I had a doctors appointment today at 4:15pm. at Dr. Brownoff. This morning I had some toast and that stayed down and at noon I had a bit of Wendy's home made soup and kept that down. Tonight I had big supper and still feel good. I guess it was just a flu of some sort but who knows?
Well hopefully I am back on the mend and will feel better tomorrow. I sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. haha
Thanks for all your prayers. Don't think I could have made it without them. Think I had better start eating and see if I can gain some of the 27lbs that I lost back or at least some of it. I look pretty slim trim right now and all my clothes are a bit big on me. I even lost my stick out tummy but I hope to keep that off in the future. Guess I'll have to work on that eh?
I am heeling up pretty well from the operation so that's a good thing. Thank God for that.
Well that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Have a great day and may God Bless each and every one of you. Again thanks for your prayers.

Tuesday afternoon

Well lets see on Monday morning I went to A&W for breakfast and felt pretty good until about noon. Had some real strange pains in my stomach. The rest of the day went all down hill from there. Didn't sleep much last night but got up this morning feeling pretty good but here it is about 1:30 pm. and I'm getting the pains back so who knows. Lets ope that they go away but not sure that will happen. I have a doctors appointment on Thursday maybe he can figure it all out.

Sunday Afternoon

Guess it's about time I updated this eh? Well this morning I felt pretty good. Had a good nights sleep for a change so thought that I would take a chance and go to church. It was fun to see everyone but they all want to pat you on the back or give you a hug and that's not good right now. Oh well they mean well. I left shortly after the service but did get to say Hi to Steve and Ray and Shelia. It is Shelia's birthday today.

Thursday Morning. Aug.16, 2007

Well I'm up early and not sure what today will bring. Yesterday was a busy one for me. Went to breakfast, then came home and played with the computer for a while. Then drove over to the Mall and walked for about 30 minutes and then went to the allies and watched the guys bowl for about an hour or so. Then just walked around the mall again for a little while and had a hot dog and pina colada drink at the Hot dog place and watched the Seals perform. Then I came home and sat out in the sun for about an hour. I had to come in every now and then as it was getting almost to hot to stay out for a long time. Had a little more to eat and then went to visit my friends Hess and Ronnie at the Golden Hour Clock Shop. I have to call my friend Henk today and see how he is doing. He went to the hospital yesterday afternoon and had a small growth taken off his back. He said it didn't hurt but the doctor thought that he should get it removed. About 3pm. I went to Wall mart and then to Safeway and picked up some meds. that I needed. Came home and played my harmonica's for a few minutes and then cooked supper and got ready for our men's group. 7 guys showed up at 7 pm. Sure was good to see them. It's been a long time since we all got together. They met 2 weeks ago at Tims but I wasn't able to. What a great group they are. We finally ended that about 10:25 pm. What an uplifting evening it was. Just hearing them Thanking and Praising God and just telling about their answered prayer and oh yes we all seem to have our little problems but they seem small. God is sure working in these guys lives for sure. You can just feel the Love these guys have for each other and for God. Makes you want to meet again tomorrow. Ha ha
Well not sure what I am going to do today. Just took the garbage out and it is raining a bit.
Well that's my story for this morning and I'm sticking to it. Maybe the Lord will open a new new door today and I will be able to tell someone about Him and what he means to me. Hope and pray that you all have a great day. OH! yes I am feeling better every day.
Thanks for your prayers.

Monday Aug.13, 2007

So I guess it's about time I update this old blog eh? Well this morning I felt pretty good so off we went to meet with the Seniors for breakfast at A&W. It was the first time since July 9 th. I think. I got a big welcome from them all when we came in. They had 2 cards for me. It was good to see them all and tell my story about 10 times. Seniors don't remember sometimes or is it that Seniors always tell the same story over and over. Hmmmm. Well I really enjoyed being there again and chatting with them all. Come to think about it there was a couple missing(Vern & Irene and Allen & Susan and Murry & Amber). Oh well maybe they will make it next week. Sunday about 1pm. my friends Paul and Mandy stopped in to visit for about and hour. I also got a call from my friend Bob Couture from Dover Plains New York( where I lived for many years)giving me some bad news that my friend Bob Keller who I have known for about 55 years was in the hospital . Bob is about 78. Years ago him and I started a trailer park in Dover and it is still going today. In fact I have a favorite aunt Wayna that still lives there. She is in her 80's.
Well after breakfast Wendy and I came home and then we walked over to the Mall and did a bit of walking/shopping. Actually Wendy did the shopping and I walked to the bowling alleys and chatted with the guys there for about 1 1/2 hours. Then Wendy met me there and we walked home. She's kinda cute making sure I get my exercise eh? Don't know what I'd do with out her.
Last night we watched a movie(an old one Father of the Bride). We have seen it before but it was cute. Made me think of when our girls got married and how beautiful they all were on that big day. But I never cried once. No Sir not me. Sure do miss them now that they are all grown up and moved away but God has given me 3 great son in-laws to take care of them. Thank you Lord.
Well it is getting about time for supper eh? I must be getting better because I'm hungry a lot lately. Ha ha.
Well hope you all have a great day.
Ya all stop in some time ya hear.

Thursday Evening. Aug. 9,2007

Well here it is Thursday already and sometimes I feel like I'm not getting better fast enough. It frustrates me that I have to ask everyone to do things for me. Not used to that I guess. I am still having a bit of pain and have finished all my antibiotics. Guess I was hopeing to recover in a few days and that ain't happening. I have watched more TV in the past week and a half than I have all year and stayed awake for most of it. I can't believe how many times they play (Replays). They do it with sports and movies and talk show and reality show(most of them suck big time) but if you do fall asleep all you have to do is wait and hour and they will show it again sometimes on another channel or on the same channel. The sports and the Food shows seem to be the best and they don't swear on some of them. Some of the food show have a lot of swearing but then is always a good time to watch sports or So you think you can dance eh? Ha Ha.Right now I am going to do a bit of practice on the Harmonica. Don't know why as I don't have any gigs coming up soon. I am going to make a couple of copy's of some of our CD's because a few people are asking for them and I have a burner on my computer. Wendy is working and I sure do miss her not being here. She is such a sweetheart. Don't know what I'd do without her. Thanks for putting up with me Wen. Today we went over to the Misericordia Hospital and visited Bill Pendergas. He has been there for 2 days and is in hope to come home on Sat. morning. He looks good and was joking around but if you know Bill he is always joking around. Kristy and Bob are out for the evening so guess I'll play and make some noise before they get home and then try to get a early nights sleep. Haven't slept well in the past few nights. Last night I spent most of the night on the couch because I was afraid I'd wake Wendy and she needs her sleep. Just keep Bill and Phyllis in your prayers. Hopefully I am getting better but I just don't know it yet I guess. haha
Have a great day. Love you all

Aug. 7, 2007

Well I think I feel a little bit better but sometimes I'm not to sure. Just when I think I'm feeling better then I start to hurt again. Can't figure that out . Yesterday my friend Ron Campbell came over for a visit and brought me some Borsh that his wife Shirley made. That was real good. I had a few phone calls' one from my friend Vern who said I didn't sound to chipper. Forget just how he put it exactly but something like that. Funny thing is that for the last few days my voice is different. Wendy took me out to Wallmart and then to Safeway. So I did a bit of walking and I think I should do some more walking tomorrow for sure. Kristy and Bob came home this afternoon. They have been in the states for a few days with some friends. Kristy made supper(Meatloaf,mashed potatoes and pea's) that was real good but I think I ate too much(sigh).
Pastor Allen called this morning and we had a good chat. My friend Hank is going to bus down here tomorrow from St Albert and we are going to chat over some coffee. Well that's about it for today guess I'll go up and assume my position in front of that Stupid Boob Tube. Have a great day. Love you all.

Saturday Morning Aug.4, 2007

Today is not looking like a day to just sit out on the deck. It is very cloudy and a bit windy at the moment. Wendy made me a great breakfast and now here I am sitting at the computer trying to update my blog. I haven't felt like doing to much updating lately. I weighed my self this morning and found that I have lost a few pounds. This morning I weighed 170.5 lbs. I weighted about 187 before the operation 2 weeks ago. Back to being my old skinny self. Wendy says I have chicken legs. (Don't laugh Vern.) Well I'm getting tired of just sitting around but I can't seem to settle down to anything. I tried my music but that didn't work and I got bored. Then I tried blogging but quite that in a few minutes now I am back at it. Tried watching TV but that sucks. Oh well maybe I'll try reading but I'm normally not a reader. Once I get the plumbing thing working where I can control it I think things will be easier. Well if you all read Wendy's blog yesterday she gave a complete update on my situation so I won't bore you or me with that again. Hope you all have a great day.

Getting better I think

Hi everyone . Guess it has been a while since I'v written on this old blogg. Well I'm up walking around a bit should be more but still got lots of pain. Wendy has just been so wonderful doing every thing for me. What a blessing she is. I have to start walking a bit more each day and hope to start that tomorrow. My legs are so swollen and the fact that it hurts to walk a lot. All and all God is good and I am feeling a bit better each day.

Sunday Morning

Hi. Just thought that I should up date this silly old blog and let you know what is happening. I am going into the hospital at 6am. Monday morning and they are going to operate. They called on Friday and said they had a cancellation so I am in a month early which I guess is good. I had a bet of a bad time last night and had to be taken to the hospital for a few hours. The meds. reacted a\with the meds. that I take for the IBD. I feel pretty good right now and am praying that I will be fine until Monday morning. They say that I will only be in the hospital for 3 days if all goes well.I haven't been able to have any food since yesterday morning. Only liquids.(sigh). We had lots of people here for the last 3 days but have all gone but Tanya and Tom and the kids. They are leaving this afternoon . They were all here for my Birthday and we had a great time.
I may not be back on here for a few days but will update soon as I feel better. Thanks for all your prayers. Love you all.

Monday July 9th.

Well it's been a long time since I wrote anything here so seeing that everyone else has updated guess it's time for me to update. I still have both the Ranger and The Saturn in the garage for repairs. I hope to get the Saturn tomorrow morning and then I hope they can fix the Ranger. Well today I went bowling for the first time in a couple of weeks and did pretty well. I had one 209 game and one 187 another was 167 so that's not to bad for not bowling for a while. My arm was tired when we finished. How quickly we get out of shape eh? This afternoon I went and renewed my Drivers license and then ran to Wall Mart to try to pick up some Scratch Doctor that they have been advertising but they were out of stock.(sigh) They have opened the new half of the store and have almost all the food store set up except the meat and produce. They have all the other stuff out already and they have a large selection. It sure is big now. Yesterday Wendy and I went to The Super Store and they are doing all kind of changing there too.Get ready for the competition Wall Mart. As you can see I haven't been very busy and it feels good. However I don't want to get to out of shape so guess I should find something to keep me busy eh?

Tuesday Afternoon

Well this morning Wendy and I went out to look at NEW TRUCKS. That was fun but the prices will scare you. They were all about $25,000 To $28,000 and that's for a small one. 4 cyl. 2.9 liter
with an extended cab which has little jumps seats in the back and most of them are 4 door except the Range which is 3 door. I really liked the small Chev. but the price on that one was $26,200. But they had no interest for 60 months. I guess that is a good deal but. Sure sounds like a lot of money to me but they said it like it was dirt cheap. The Toyota was nice but the little seats were not very nice and looked very uncomfortable for even a kid. We went to the Dodge dealer but the salesman didn't seem to interested in selling me one and made a few dumb comment like(the 8 cyl. gets about the same mileage as the 6). And he couldn't open the console and didn't know said he guessed it was broke and didn't seem to care anyway.Then we went and looked at the GMC pickups. The sales lady remembered me from Superior and was really helpful. The truck seats were not too confortable and the price was a bit higher than the Chev.
I went to Denny's the salesman wouldn't get me a price in writing and said it was to ockword to price out. So the I went and talked to the guy about my Ranger and he is going to call me hopefully tomorrow and tell me roughly what it will cost to fix it(sigh). I have to take our Saturn in on Friday and see what is wrong with that. The idiot light keeps coming on saying the coolant is low but it is not so we'll see I guess. Maybe it just a faulty idiot light.
Anyway tomorrow another day and maybe we'll go look at some used one's?

Friday Morning and all is not going well yet today.

Well this morning as I got up I thought what a beautiful day and I don't have a job to do so I am going to just do what I want when I want. Ha ha. So off I went to Hap's for breakfast and then to the bank and drew out some money then I got back into the truck and yep you guessed it. It wouldn't start so I call AMA and had my truck towed to Denny Andrews and of course the lady said that I could call on Tuesday and explain what was wrong with it because it is coming up on the long weekend and they would not be able to even look at until Tuesday. Make my day lady. She was very pleasant and had a big smile on her face. Not sure I did but I kept my cool. She was just doing her job and it wasn't her fault that I was standing at the counter with a problem. So off I went with the truck driver who said that if I wanted a rid e to 87 Th.ave. he was going that way. Madison and I hopped in and off we went to 87Th Ave. Then after a short walk home here I am safe and sound. A bit discouraged but all and all fine. Guess there is lots of things that I can do around the house like put all the deck furniture back on the deck because it is all on the lawn because I stained the deck the other day. Maybe after I set in the sun for a while I can mow the lawn and it looks like it needs it or clean out my shop. Oops all my tools are in the truck so maybe I should get them sometime today if our Saturn will run.(sigh) I have to call the Saturn people and see when they can take it in because the coolant light keeps coming on and that's not a good thing eh???Again a long week end so that won't happen(sigh). The good thing is I don't really have to be anyplace for the next few days and my legs and feet are still strong and I feel good. What more could I ask for eh???I hope you all have a great day and a happy long weekend. Love you all. God Bless each one of you that reads this and remember God is in control.

Going to Retire for a little while I hope.

Well I am going to try to Retire again for a while. I have been working too much and not doing anything that I like to do like bowling, going out to the lake and fishing, going to stock car races or just hanging out with the guys for coffee.
Got lots of little things that I can keep busy with doing around the house that need to be done on rainy days or when I have nothing else to do eh? My shop needs cleaning real bad. My back yard is so pretty right now with all the flowers and I'm not enjoying that either. I want to take some time and just sit in the sun and enjoy watching the birds as they come to our fountain's. Maybe take a few pictures or just sit in the sun with Wendy when she is home or do something with her when she is off. I should go out with some of my friends from our men's group for coffee.
I finished a deck today for Karen (Hessel's daughter) and for the last 2 weeks I have been putting down a laminate floor for my friend Henk, fixing doors for a lady, helping another friend with his shed, helping at Beulah serving the Seniors lunch. I did get time to stain my flower pots, bench and deck (between jobs). We have been busy playing a little bit(a birthday party in Devon and at the Lynwood and I think we have another gig at the Dutch club on July 6. I also played for the Seniors lunch on Tuesday morning.
Kristy and Bob are going to move in with us in July and stay until they go to South Africa and I want to spend some time with them and my Grandchildren and Tanya and Tom.
Well I guess I am just rambling on so I should call it a night and print this eh? Hope you all have a great day tomorrow and May God Bless you all.

Sunday evening and all is well.

It's has been a busy but relaxing day. Went to church this morning. My friend Charles Sharman sang with a quartet in service and they are really good. Then after church I ran to the Pet store and bought some dog food which we needed. I 'm sure Maddy is happy about that. She is a good old mutt. Then went to Safeway and bought a few things and guess what (no cakes or sweet things) for a change. The doctor told me that I should not gain any weight before the operation and then he added that it would be good if I lost some.LOL . Came home grabbed a few shrimp and put them on the BBQ as Wendy was not eating. Then watched a bit of Nasscar Racing for a while. Something happened to the early part of the race but then the picture came back on about half way through the race so I did get to see the end. Guess I need a new TV eh???Then we talked to Wendy's Brother and his wife on the phone for a while and then my friend Bob Couture from New York called and him and I chatted for a while. He calls about 2 or 3 times a month or I call him. We have been friends for many years. Now Wendy is watching her lap top and I am playing on the computer for a little while. Tomorrow I go to breakfast with the Seniors and then I have to go fix a bifold door for a lady and then go to St Albert and start a small 16 x20 deck. That should take me a day or so. I'll probably only work 2 or 3 hours. Wendy is off so hopefully we can do something together. She's kind of cute and I enjoy doing things with her on her days off. I think I'll do a bit of practicing on the Harmonica for a little while and then call it a day. God Bless you all.

Thursday Afternoon

Today I went to see Dr. Estey at the Hy Center building on 101 street and 110 ave. Got in at 9 am and didn't have much of a wait and then we were in his office. He told us what the side effects were and the other things that could possibly happen after an operation like this. I guess everyone that has an operation hopes and prays that they won't be in the 20% bracket. So I have a 1 in 5 chance of coming out with every thing working well after the operation. (HOPE & PRAY).
operation He did say again that it was a slow acting cancer and that he thought that we should be able to get it done some time in September. Then he sent us to the lady at the desk and she gave me an appointment for September the 17Th. at the Royal Alex Hospital. She explained that in the event of someone canceling we could be move up to an early date or a later date depending on the hospital, like a day or 2 one way or the other. He did say that he will be doing the Laprascopy where they go in with 2 small hole in the stomach area. He said that usually you are in the hospital about 2 days and then you go home. He did say that the recovery time was about 2 weeks if all goes well.Well it is very hot here but it looks like there might be a storm coming. Madison thinks so anyway. Well I think I will just lay around and take it easy for the rest of the day. Bob and Kristy are off to BC on a bit of a Holiday. Good for them. I pray that they will have a fun time together and with their friends.
Well that my store for today and I sticking with it. Bye for now

Tuesday Afternoon

This morning I went to breakfast with my friend Ron at Cody's on 149 street and Stony Plain Road. Ron is such a nice guy and is always worried about other people. It's good to have friends like him. I went to St. Albert at 9:30 and worked on Henk's stairs until 4:30 then came home to a real nice supper Kristy prepared( Garlic Chicken). My best friend for years now (Ed) called and asked how I was doing and when I go to see the doctor. It is nice to know that your friends care about what is happening in your life. Last night we practiced at The Dutch Club and all the guys are concerned about my cancer situation and some said they will be praying for me. Thanks guys. One more day and I hope to finish Henk's floor and then on Thursday morning at 9:00am I am off to see Dr Estay and hopefully get a date for the surgery. Hope and Pray that God has Blessed you all today. Bye for now . Please Pray for Wendy. If you read her blog it will explain why she needs prayer. Thanks

Friday Evening

Well here it is the end of the week again already. It has been a busy one for me. Today I went to breakfast with my friend Art at Happ's and then at 9 am. I headed out to my other friend Art (Barns) to help him with his shed that he is building. He had the wall all pre fabed. He built them the other day all by himself. Today we put them together and fastened them to the floor. We had a bit of a time to get them all straight. He is building it all out of junk wood that he is getting from different job site that he cleans up. They throw away lot of short pieces up to 4 ft. long. Some are just dirty and some have nail holes in and some there is nothing wrong except they are not quite 4 ft. long. His wall are made of 2x4 3ft.4 inches. and then we put them together to make a 6ft. 8 inch wall. It worked out real well. Then we went to Subway and had a sub and I headed home. Oh Art gave me a beautiful tool. It has lots of uses and all in a little pouch that goes on your belt. It is a multi purpose tool with a saw blade, pliers, different screw drivers, and all and I'm not even sure what else it has yet. Then I came home and mowed our lawn, then I just sat in the Sun for about an hour. It felt real good to just lay in the sun and take it easy for a change. All week I have been working for my buddy Henk putting laminate floor down in his house. We still have a couple of days to go but not until next week Monday or Tuesday. Then tonight I came down stairs after Wendy went to work and I practiced my harmonica because we have a gig tomorrow night in Devon. We are playing at a birthday party for a lady. It is her 75 th birthday I think and we will be her surprise. Tomorrow I have a deck to scrap dawn and stain and some flower boxes . Then my work around the house should be complete enough for me to go to the Lake for a couple of day and do a little fishing. Our back yard is beautiful. Well I think I will go up stairs and get some Ice Cream and watch a little TV and then hit the sack and call it a day. Oh a little update on my sister who had a couple of mini strokes last week. She is home now and says she is feeling fine. They have her on blood thinners of some kind but she assured me she was doing okay. I'd like to fly down for a week but I have an appointment with the surgeon on the 21st. and I don't want to miss that. I have been waiting long enough. Well I'm out of here . That my story and I'm sticking to it.

Thursday Morning

Well it is Thursday morning and all is well. I have a little silly story to tell. On Tuesday I went to see my friend Hess at The Golden Hour Clock shop. I went to see him because he called and told me that My wife's clock was ready and that I should stop and have coffee with him which we often do. Tuesday afternoon after doing a lot of little things that I had to do I decided to go to the clock shop and have coffee and pick up the clock. Got to the clock shop had coffee, sat and chatted with Hess about a lot of everything but not much of anything if you get my drift. The usual, kids, cars, friends,clocks, money (how little we make and how much we spend) and how fast it goes,wives,( how sweet they are and how Lucky we are to have them )operations we had and what we will have and then a customer came in and I decided that I had taken up enough of Hess's time so home I went. When I got home I read the little note I had written when he called me that said (Pick up Clock) Guess what is still sitting in his shop? I guess you would call that a Senior Moment eh? Well maybe I'll stop in and get the clock sometime today. Got to go to St Albert and try to finish Henk's floor.