What a year!

I described 2016 as one fraught with drama, medical emergencies, death and enough stress to snap my crayons.  2017 has been (for the most part) the polar opposite with new beginnings, adventure, fun and joy.

In October, we welcomed Brad, Anette and Magnus to our new home.  We bought Magnus a bike to have on hand whenever he visited, and he quickly got the hang of it and happily cycled around the community.  Brad and Anette went to Tofino with friends for the weekend, so we kept him busy and had a great time keeping up with a four year old.

We took Magnus to a store to fill up a Samaritan's Purse shoe box, explaining he would be buying gifts for a little boy who didn't have anything.  It was a learning experience for him and touching to see him decide what to buy.  There were, of course, cars chosen but also useful items like combs and toothbrushes.  

Magnus loves going to see the Goats on the Roof market at Coombs, made even more fun by the opening of Billy Gruff's Donut Shop this year.  He chose a peanut butter, jelly and chocolate one which he ate with great gusto!

He was in heaven

When Brad and Anette returned from Tofino, they treated us to lunch at our favourite restaurant, Cuckoos.

Our last camping trip in late October was to Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville.  As I took this picture we heard the tell tale "grunt" of nearby whales .  Sure enough, we saw their blow spouts and saw them glide through the glass-like water.  It doesn't get much better than that.

We also welcomed Kathy and Randy Cardon who spent a few days with us in late November.  The weather wasn't ideal, but we still managed to take them to sights they hadn't seen on previous trips.

Englishman River Falls was roaring after all the rain

We decided to host a Christmas Open House - our first since 2006.  Roger set up the garage (or Man Cave) as the bar, and we welcomed 28 neighbours and enjoyed every minute.

We headed to Bothell, Washington to spend Christmas with Brad, Anette and Magnus.  And what a magical time it was with Magnus in total Santa mode.

Roger and I were treated to an early Christmas present by being taken to a spectacular brunch at Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian restaurant close to Brad's office.  If it is possible to have a food hang over --- well, we had one.



After brunch, we went to Valve and toured the offices they just moved into.  Holy Toledo.  I remember working for a division of Dome Petroleum in the late 70s and being impressed when there were cookies provided in the coffee room. 

Reception area

Most floors have food stations including a sushi fridge, a smoothie bar on the Fitness floor, catered meals,  and candy and healthy snack stations.  

The "Sulking Room" complete with Netflix, games, magazines and comfortable furniture to turn your frown upside down.

Roger had never seen such an incredible fitness facility --- including individual rooms for personal trainers, massage therapists, yoga, and group classes.  And the views are incredible.

Every company provides these perks, right?

Families are welcomed to come so there is this amazing play room, and a nursing room complete with everything I'm sure I wished I had 35 years ago.

It was really wonderful seeing Brad's work environment and knowing how valued he and other employees are.  At times like these, I'm always reminded of the conversation I had with Brad when he was in Grade 8 and said he wanted to be an animator.  I asked him if he could make a living at it, and he said he thought he could.  He certainly has and we love to exclaim, "BFA for the win!"

After a fun filled Christmas Day with a fabulous home cooked dinner, Brad and Anette headed on a 3 night getaway in a lodge near Leavenworth, Washington.  They bought us tickets to a children's play, as well as time at a ceramic painting shop to keep us busy with Magnus.

We enjoyed seeing Mr. Popper's Penguins!

The boys were very intent on their art projects!

LEGO is one of Magnus' favourite past times, so RaRa was kept busy helping him build some of the sets.

It was a winter wonderland for Brad and Anette --- they tobogganed, went snowshoeing and had a relaxing time together. 
I love this photo of them!

We came home on December 30th in time to get ready for another new chapter in our lives.  With the desire to stay closer to home and put uncertainty about visas and drilling contracts behind us, Roger sent a proposal to our strata to bundle all the contracts for landscaping and maintenance together - and he got the job!  

So, starting January 1st, our home will also be "the office".  No commute, active lifestyle, and the ability to actually make plans --- a first in nearly 40 years of marriage!  Qualicum Landing is like the Idaho property - but on steroids.  My money is on Roger in making this work and he is pumped about buying tractors and other equipment these days.  

We both feel we're too young to fully retire, so we'll make it so it balances the work and a lifestyle we want.  One of my first jobs out of high school was doing landscaping for a condo company in Calgary, and I used to mow the lawn in Idaho, so I've also been hired! 

Pictures of Roger's new "office".....

Once again, not being afraid to make changes in our lives and thinking outside the box has led to the beginning of another new adventure.  As usual, Roger had the idea and vision, but I've happily jumped on the bandwagon.  We're excited -- energized --- and ready!

Our wish for those who stop by and read our blog is to have a healthy 2018, the spirit to take a different path and the love that makes everything possible.

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."
                                                                                               C.S. Lewis

Summertime, and the livin' is easy....

The summer of 2016 was fraught with drama and near death experiences.  This summer, was sunshine, lollipops and rainbows.

June started by me welcoming Roger's mom and sister for a visit.  With the project in Costa Rica finished, Roger made it home the day before they left.  It was a relief seeing him tour the house that I bought and furnished in his absence -- he gave it a two thumbs up and said it was even better than the pictures I sent him.  Phew!

Roger and his mom down at our beach

Roger was away for this 60th birthday so the night after he came home I invited some of our friends for dinner.  We walked down to the beach for dessert and a campfire; something I knew Roger would love doing.

Left to right:  Roger, Rob Perry, Jodi Ikert, Barb Perry, Paul Ikert, Rhonda and Madalane

We always have fun when Dwayne and Annette Majcher come to visit so were thrilled when they popped up from Victoria where they have a condo to see our new place.  The original plan was to just stay for lunch and in true Kinley/Majcher fashion - they ended up staying for breakfast.

We had a campfire by the beach, watched eagles soaring overhead, seals swimming near the shore and there was even a whale sighting.  

Then in early July we headed to Calgary for a whirlwind family reunion.  We had a great time and it was terrific having so many attend.

Roger in the background, Brad, Magnus, John and Zunny

The family!
Back row left to right:  Cooper, Colin, Chris, Brad, Tyler, Samantha, Kathy, Roger, Jack
Front row left to right:  Anette, Walter, John, Heather, Rhonda, Siu

After Calgary we brought Anette and Magnus on a road trip to Idaho where we got our new trailer set up at Rusty Tractor Springs.  The Moes now own the property, but we were able to camp there this year.  

Magnus loves anything mechanical and happily spent time with Roger as he puttered on the trailer

Anette and Magnus enjoying the beach at Priest River

Once we dropped Magnus and Anette off at home, we headed to Sidney on the island and got on Tranquillo for a couple of weeks of cruising the southern Gulf Islands.  The weather was perfect as we spent a couple of days at Todd Inlet where we visited  Butchart Gardens, then went to Ganges Harbour where we experienced their famous Saturday Farmers Market, and then we spent a couple of days at Montague Harbour where Roger successfully caught more crab than we could eat.

Tranquillo at Ganges Harbour on Saltspring Island

The long awaited crab feast at Montague Harbour

While we were cruising we talked about whether we should keep the boat or if it was time to sell it.  Despite living on the coast, we haven't used it as much as we thought we would.  And admittedly, I was eyeing the VHF radio with a different outlook after Roger's heart attack --- wondering if there would be a time I'd have to send an emergency call from a secluded anchorage.

At the end of the cruise we decided it was time, so took a couple of days to unload our possessions and clean it up.  We have a group of people in Kelowna who just put a deposit on it, and they are very excited about having Tranquillo shipped to them.  We know they'll love the boat as much as we did. 

Many people are shocked that for the first time in a very long time we don't own a boat.  Never say never, but for right now we're going to embrace our adage, "less is more".

After the boat we headed back to Seattle for a quick visit with the kids and then flew to Kansas City for a week.  Roger had meetings with Colin and Andrew regarding a job in Arizona and I got to spend time with Karen.  She has been going through a living hell after cancer surgery and I got to take her to her 11th chemotherapy treatment.  Karen has soldiered through very difficult side effects with humour and strength and we're so very proud of her.  

I was very happy to help with practical things to help her and by the end of the week she was fondly calling me Consuelo.  

Dinner time!  Left to right:  Roger, Karen, Colin, Cooper and me

August found us back in Idaho for a couple of weeks and having fun in our old haunts:  The Beardmore Bistro Wine Bar and Tap House, Willow Bay, and the Festival at Sandpoint.

One goal Roger and I had when returning to Priest River was to meet and personally thank Officer Dan Burkey.  He was our guardian angel the night Roger had his heart attack, and coming across his police car in the grocery store parking lot was truly the tipping point in getting Roger medical care quickly.

We were thrilled when Dan and his wife, Ashley, and two of their four children joined us for dinner at Willow Bay.  Dan is our hero, has served his country in Afghanistan, and is a devoted husband and father.  And all around great guy.

The three of us recounted August 28, 2016 and Roger and I couldn't believe how much Dan remembered despite countless other calls he would have attended in the past year.  As the evening wrapped up, Roger hugged Dan and thanked him again.  I told the Burkey family that (whether they liked it or not!) we will always be a part of their lives, and would love if they visited us on the island.  What a wonderful evening and what a fabulous family.

Left to right:  Cohen, Ashley, Kinley (yes! Their 4 year old daughter's name is Kinley!), Dan, me and Roger

Going to the Festival at Sandpoint is a summer ritual that is on our "Must Do" list.  This year we went to see George Thurogood of "Bad to the Bone" and "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" fame.  A great time was made even better by having Paddy and Dave Carlson and Shelagh and John Slater join us.  The food...the wine...the festival vibe all added up to a stellar evening.

Left to right:  me, Paddy, Shelagh, John, Dave and Roger

After staying in Idaho a couple of weeks, we headed to Whitefish, Montana with Dwayne and Annette Majcher, for the wedding of a very special couple, Whitney and Ryan.  Whitney's parents are good friends, Ed and Colleen Walsh from our Sunhaven Road days and we've known Whitney since she was about 4 years old.  The four of us were honoured to be seated with Colleen and Ed at the reception and we had a fabulous time.

Dwayne and Annette brought a trailer to Whitefish so we had a great time camping amidst wedding festivities.

Such a beautiful wedding at Whitefish Lodge by the lake.  

After a quick pit stop in Idaho to pick up our remaining personal effects from the property, we headed to Dash Point State Park just south of Tacoma, Washington.  We got set up and the next day went to Bothell and picked Magnus up for two days of camping.  

The beach on Puget Sound was gorgeous and provided a great place for Magnus to play in the sand at low tide.

Magnus hitched a ride with RaRa until we could hose off his sandy feet!

Because of campfire bans throughout the state, we bought a propane fire pit so Magnus could still make s'mores -- one of his favourite camping past times.

We arrived back in Qualicum Beach on August 25th and it was so good to be home!  Roger had only slept in the house for a few nights and he immediately launched into building shelves for the garage.  I love having him home, and he's been meeting the neighbours and enjoying the community like I do.

One of the reasons we decided to sell the boat was for us to use our new trailer to explore Vancouver Island.  We did just that this past week when we went to Salmon Point near Campbell River for three days.  We joined Barb and Rob Perry who brought their trailer too. We lucked out and had an ocean view site and the first day and evening were spectacular.  Smoke from wildfires blew in for the next two days so we were glad we got to see it in all it's glory.

Dinner with a view
Left to right:  Rob and Barb Perry, Roger and me

The sunset was breathtaking which was made spectacular when someone started playing Amazing Grace on bagpipes.

Smoke turned the blue skies grey and shrouded the islands so they were barely visible.

We're back home and happy to hang out for awhile. There may be a camping trip or two this fall but in the meantime, we're just going to enjoy being together in our new home.  

It was a summer of fun, friends and family.    Just the way summers should be.

"Some of the best memories are made in flip flops".

                                                                                    Kellie Elmore

Home Sweet Home

Thirty eight years ago, Roger and I moved into our first apartment.  It was a fourth floor walk up near Chinook Centre, no dishwasher and the laundry was in the basement.  We thought it was fabulous -- and it was.

Our first apartment - 1978

We moved to this house in 1979 and we still have good friends, Jodi and Paul Ikert,
who were our neighbours there and who now live in Parksville.

Over the years we moved to our first house in Midnapore, then to Sundance, and then a small condo in Okotoks.  I loved them all because it was home.  Our global trekking years saw us make homes in a tent in the Kalahari, fabulous condos in Medellin and Adelaide, and not as fancy places in other countries.  But they were home - albeit temporary.

We then put down roots down on Vancouver Island in a cute little cottage in Parksville.  I loved it and thought Roger did too until he started talking about how he missed not having a garage.  So at the end of March he sent me a listing for a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom house which I grudgingly agreed to see.  I always said I wouldn't move unless I could see the ocean.  As soon as I walked around to the back of the house and saw the view of the ocean - I was hooked.

So in lightning Kinley speed, in 34 days I/we:

• bought the house
• got our Parksville home ready for selling
• went to Hawaii for 10 days with the family
• sold the Parksville house within 4 days of listing (along with the furniture)
• bought all new furniture, linens, patio set, BBQ, etc
• packed all our personal things from the Parksville home and arranged movers
• did all the changing services from one home to the other
• moved into our new home

Phew!  No wonder I'm tired and have been popping Robaxacet every night.  Oh yeah - and I was working full time at the university until the day before possession.

Thank goodness for good friends, Jodi and Paul Ikert and Victoria Wilson who helped hang pictures and masks and my handyman that did some of the harder tasks. Our realtor, Andrew Simons was fantastic and went above and beyond when I moved in and discovered I didn't have hot water.  He tried over the weekend to get it working, but in the end he arranged for a new hot water tank to be installed.  Four days without hot water wasn't fun, but that first jacuzzi sure felt good!

After our trip to Hawaii, Roger fortunately got to see the new place for an hour and spent an hour at a furniture store with me before flying back to Costa Rica. I've been sending him pictures of how the house has come together and he's pretty happy with the outcome.  He's anxious to get back to spend a few days in it before we rent it out on Airbnb for July and August.  He got his garage but I'm pretty sure it won't be for cars -- no doubt he will make it into a man cave.

So without further adieu -- welcome to our new home!  It is in a gated community called Qualicum Landing just 10 minutes north of Qualicum Beach.  It's right on the ocean and I've already been warmly welcomed by several of the neighbours.

Jodi and Paul helped hang the the masks we've collected around the world.  Makes me feel at home.

Master bedroom with a jacuzzi that Roger has always wanted. 

Guest room

Patio with a view of the ocean

View from the patio of the community clubhouse and swimming pool.

A sandy play area with picnic tables and a community fire pit overlooking the ocean.
Firewood split and stacked and ready to be use!

Fabulous beach combing area.  Today I went down to the beach and there were several seals swimming just off shore.
Heady stuff for a prairie girl.

This home feels like it could be our "forever" home. We can grow old in it because it's a rancher so no stairs to worry about -- Roger has his garage, and I have my ocean view.  I feel like we're standing in tall cotton right now.  The only thing that could make it better would be to have Roger here with me but he should be home by mid-June.

May is shaping up to be an exciting month as well.  On Saturday I'm heading to Seattle to look after Magnus for a week while Brad and Anette go to St. Lucia to celebrate their 10th anniversary along with their good friends, Amy and Sean Cowan.  Anette's parents will tag team me after a week when I'll go home for a few days then fly to Costa Rica to see Roger.  I haven't been there before so can chalk up another country to my list.  

I love travelling, but I'm going to be excited to return home and look out to the ocean.  And maybe see a seal or two.

"Home is where your story begins".

                                             Unknown