Computer Whoas and This'n That

I've been having problems with my computer lately when it comes to working on line. We had an issue last winter where a virus corrupted some of the hard drive that operated the internet, so I am wondering if my current difficulties are related to that. When we move back to Ontario, I think I might have Jason clean out the system completely, then reinstall everything again. What I'm finding now is that the system is a little slower than I think it should be, but also I am having issues with responding to some of my emails and to other people's blogs and facebook. I do read everything that comes in though, so I thought I'd do an update through my own blog (hopefully it will work) and respond to some of the blogs that way. So here we go, Thisn' That since mid July:

• For those of you who don't know, I have tendered my resignation with The Salvation Army and we are moving back to Ontario. Kingston to be exact. Although I loved my job here in Calgary (it was a great challenge, and I relish challenges), I have missed working with families and women. I have accepted the position as Executive Director with another not for profit that focuses on abused, disenfranchised and homeless women and children. They are in the midst of a big expansion to the program so there are some wonderful challenges again. I tendered my resignation in Calgary in July, however I asked the new place for 2 months to transition the programs here. That was the best thing I could have done. A great new leadership model has been established where the staff and clients of the programs I oversee will be cared for and there will be very little change, if any, for 95% of them. I will be leaving here with a great sense of peace.
• From the day I met face to face with the Board of Directors at the new place, to my accepting the position, to tendeering my resignation, to putting our house on the market, to selling the house, to buying a new house in the Kingston area, it was less than two weeks. Talk about a whirlwind..........but a good one.
• We were thrilled that our new twin grand babies (Owen and Ethan) arrived and were big enough to come home from hospital in time for everyone to go to the cottage together when we flew back to Ontario for holidays. Bruce and I soaked up every second we could with them. They are absolutely beautiful! Bruce was funny, as every time one of them made any sort of peep, he'd scoop them up. He couldn't get enough of their cuddles. Here's a couple of pictures I took while we were away:

Grampa cuddling with Owen

Ethan and Owen.

• We rented a cottgae in Northern Onatrio (West Nippissing) for a week. As it was our 30th anniverssary this past August, as a gift to our family, we treated everyone to a family vacation. What a wonderful week. Everyone made it up for at least a part of the week. We just hung out together, fished, went canoeing and paddleboating, sat on the waters edge, had nightly camp fires, and week long card tournaments. Charlie was in heavan with being on the water and having his favorite aunt and uncles to spoil him rotten. Our life long friends, Liz and Mark came up for a couple of days at the end of the week as well. We couldn't have asked for a better week.

Jenn & Kevin

The family that fishes together..........

Eddie (James' friend) and James doing the dance to the campfire gods

Young Family Portrait

• At the end of August, our neice Courtney (Bruce's brother Robert's daughter) came for a visit. She lives in Nova Scotia. She is now 20 years old. We haven't seen her since she was an infant, and did not have contact with her until she was 17 (long story there). It was wonderful to have her here. James happened to be hiking in the mountains and came by while she was with us, so she got to meet him as well. We did some of the touristy stuff like go to Banff to shop have dinner and take a cruise on Lake Miniwanka. We also did some hiking in the back country of Kananaskis. It was a wonderful way to really talk and get to know each other better. The best thing about the whole trip is that she left knowing that she had 2 aunts (Wanda and I), an uncle (Bruce) and all her "Young" cousins that never forgot her and have always considered her a part of the family. She is in touch with all of us now on a regular basis. We aren't going to let her feel "lost" from us again.

First Family Picture with Courtney

• It's wonderful to see my neices and nephews grow and take on new challenges. I have closely followed what is happenning through their blogs and facebook as well as through reports from their parents. It has been a joy to be here and watch Elizabeth, Emily, Nathan and Kathryn come into their own. I have watched from afar as Matthew, Spencer and Cameron have grown from the little boys they were when we left Ontario to wonderful, caring, mature young men. I have watched from afar as Jonathan and Joshua have taken the next steps in their life journey (glad that everyone at LSU made it safely through Hurricane Ike Josh!). I have watched from afar as Joseph and Scottie have grown from a pre schooler and an infant to beautiful little boys with lots of personality. I've watched from afar as Robyn and Danielle have taken the steps to fulfill their life's dreams. Now that we are reconnected with Courtney, we will watch as she begins her new journey. All of their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles have a right to be very proud of each and everyone of them. I know I am!

So there's my update. the next week will be a flurry of activity as I finish at work on Thursday, the house gets packed up by the movers and we get on the road on Friday afternoon. We'll be driving across Canada in 2 cars........caravan style. We'll drive through Northern Ontario as it is in all its fall slendour! We're looking forward to stopping and spending a couple of days in Petewawa with Jason and Alyson before we head down to Kingston. It's a new chapter............no, a new book for us.............new books are good............interesting...........an adventure...............Life is GOOD