On the Road Again

On the road again
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway
We're the best of friends
Insisting that the world keep turning our way
There is no denying we love being on the road. Together. You may have noticed from my previous two posts that I have not had my heart in blogging. But getting back on the road and being with Don has kind of revitalized me. This winter I had the 2nd edition of our blog printed and realized how wonderful it is to record our life this way. So I feel like I'm starting fresh. A break was probably good. 

We left home on Friday March 11. The next day was Don's 90 day health insurance clearance so why wait. It was a great day for travelling. No bad weather on the way, in fact it was a nice Alberta warm. We had sort of decided to break the trek into 3 days and hence our first stop was Great Fallls, Montana. We found our spot at Walmart, turned on the furnace and had dinner out. Not being ones to sleep in when on the road we were up and at it early the next day. Sleeping across from a refinery didn't help!

So destination Payson, Utah. After a few fuel stops and luxury meals at Subway we were there. Salt Lake City traffic was smooth although even when it's busy the multiple lanes aren't so bad. 

The last day left us with a shorter trip to our first real stop of the adventure, St George. And that's where this post ends!  Stay tuned...

Enjoy Life Eat Cake

Well I know this is becoming repetitive on an annual basis, but if you are a regular reader you know February is about cake and birthdays in our family.

For one set of grandkids and a daughter who plays, it's also becoming about tournaments. 

February was jam packed with visits with everyone, birthday parties and suppers and desserts. Don and I were going to get away for a weekend but there wasn't time. LOL

I attended the annual Federated Cooperative's meetings and AGM in Saskatoon. And this year Don drove and continued to Tisdale to visit his family. 

Don has done quite a bit of work this winter, just in the office instead of on the road. Permits and applications take a lot of time, but it has given him something to focus on. In addition to that we have both had great success with our health initiatives. Don has lost 20 pounds and I've lost 30!  We are both feeling great. Don's has been some minor adjustments in eating, and adding more exercise. Mine the same except I've cut out carbs and so also sugar. 

Don attends heart regard weekly at the Mazankowski Heart Centre in Edmonton. It's a combination of education classes ( which I attend as well) and exercise classes. I'm selfishly happy he now uses weights as part of his routine.
A short talk about ice sports.  We watched so many hockey and ringette games.  Spent hours at the rink!  Blake played in the Stollery tournament, Emerson in the Sweetheart and Silver Ring, Reese in the Sweetheart and Lindsay in the Sweetheart!  Connor and Mason are in swimming lessons and I spent a few Thursday mornings at the pool and then with Lindsay visiting and shopping.  I love our Thursday mornings.
When we return form spring vacation Connor will be playing floor hockey, Blake Lacrosse and Baseball and I'm not sure about the girls and Mason.
I will end this with birthday wishes for our family.
February 3 - Mason turns 2!  What an addition to our family this little guy has been.  His eyes light up with his smile, his why's fill your head, and his love never ends.
February 11 - Cal turns... 30ish - Hard worker, father, coach, runner, hockey enthusiast and of course husband.
February 16 - Emerson turns 7! - The first princess to join our family, Emerson is a deep thinker, sometimes overthinks, spreads her love around unlimited, tries to smile through everything.
February 20 - I turned 54.  Emerson thought I was in my 40's.  HAHA.
February 22 - Jeremy also turned 30ish.  Less 30ish than Cal.  LOL Such a hard worker, father, fisherman, fantastic cook, and husband.
February 28 - Connor turned 4!  How is that possible? I think Connor is a strategic thinker, putting things in order so they make sense to him.  The most loving of kids, eager to say I love you, eager to hug and kiss.  His I miss you Grandma break my heart.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY everyone! 

 

 

Storms Make Trees Take Deeper Roots

So we find ourselves at the end of January.

I won't say it was a busy month, but as always the time passed. January was a time for us to to get used to a new routine of diet and exercise. Don started his cardiac rehab with a visit to the program and a scheduled follow up stress test with his cardiologist. Dr Allen is a pretty cool cucumber -meaning he is a great guy, very approachable and also very serious. Don was fortunate to be in his shift at the Sturgeon and become his patient. He is one of the top rated cardiologists in the area and his office is in Spruce Grove. 

As for the diet part the changes needed mostly were salt reduction. And the hard part about that is we don't even add salt in our daily cooking. So reducing takes some serious homework. Of course we know that processed foods contain a lot of sodium, but it's the day to day that sets you back and causes some serious considerations. So not to bore you with an in depth lesson, but it's been a learning curve. 

On a brighter note here are some pictures from this month. 

We have some good travel news. After having a major health problem we hear many stories from people who are challenged with the costs of travel health plans. When Don retired we chose the Alberta Teachers Plan, which is offered to public service retirees on a one time only opportunity. After researching costs and knowing we would want to travel out of country regularly we selected their plan. For a regular monthly fee we would have up to 120 days of out of country coverage. But once again because of the stories we've heard, we weren't comfortable planning our spring trip until we confirmed our plan. It's as solid as we had hoped. Other than waiting 90 days from his heart attack to travel, we are covered at no additional costs or paperwork. So our departure date is March 12!

Have a good month and be thankful for your families and the challenges life gives you. This makes us stronger!

Happy New Year!

So here I find myself on the last day of 2015.  It has been quite the year in our house.  We had so many wonderful adventures, and so many ordinary days that make up all the memories of a not so ordinary life. 

Although we love travelling in our fifth, the days spent with each other at home, at the rink with the grandchildren, watching them swimming, babysitting, taking to and fro school, and especially camping are special memories that we cherish everyday.  We find conversation often leads back to a moment when one of us will say "Remember when Mason did this or that", "Did you hear what Em said?", etc.   Everyone of those 5 kids are so precious to us.  And again I cannot say how fabulous it is to have the Stecyks in Edmonton.

You can review this blog for the last year to read what we have done. That's my easy way out!

Where will the new year find us?  Who knows so why predict. We will continue our quest for a healthier lifestyle, continue enjoying our camping and RV trips, and continue kissing those five sweet faces every chance we can. 

2015 reminded us not to take ourselves for granted and to appreciate every day. 

Here is a Flipagram of our year. Hopefully the link opens for you!

https://flipagram.com/f/i0lX6p2nua

All the best to all our readers. Happy New Year and make the best of 2016!!

Driving Mr Don

December started the same way as most Decembers do. Getting some work in, making sure the house, presents and food for Christmas were ready, and planning for the annual DWS party. As of December 12 all was in order and normal. That afternoon we went to Blake's hockey game in St Albert. And bam life changed. Over the course of that evening Don had a heart attack, followed by surgery and we began to think in terms of before and after. 

The most important things to remember are that he is feeling great, and that timing was on our side.  Not just ok or fine but great. He had 3 blockages and 2 procedures to insert stents, one on Saturday night and one on Wednesday afternoon. Discharge was Thursday and we have quietly slipped into a new and improved life. 

We have both been working hard at improving our diet and fitness lifestyle, and this is a bit more motivation. 

I don't mean to make light of this as it was shattering and terrifying. But with our love and support for each other, the love and support of our daughters and their families, and all our family and friends that have sent wishes and visited, it has been a great holiday season. 

For Don driving has been put on hold for a month, medications have increased, and he is working extra hard at recovery. 

We hope you have had a great holiday season. I will update the blog another day with our holiday activities and leave you with this special photo. 

November Already!

Well November has settled into a routine that we are enjoying.  Last month I didn't say much about Don's work, but although he isn't in the field too often, he has certainly had a lot of office work, which keeps him just as busy.

We are still attending hockey, ringette and swimming lessons whenever possible.  I don't have any swimming photos as cameras are not allowed, but those boys are so cute and enjoying themselves immensely!

Cutest school photos ever!

And my favorite from thanksgiving and family dinners. Mason is such a little sweetie. 

Tracy celebrated a birthday this month.  Lindsay and I took her to a Wynona concert and dinner, and it was fantastic.  Then on Sunday Don went to their house for dinner and cake.

I spent 3 days at a Co-op conference in Edmonton, which was a good learning experience as always.

And Reese turned 5!!  How is that possible?  It's a big year for Reese. Kindergarten, music, ringette, swimming and a day home. She's come through with flying colours!

A few more work opportunities for both of us, the start of Christmas baking, etc.  And the month rolls to a close again!

Talk to you later. 

October Full of Color and Life

When I warned you not to expect too many posts through the fall I never expected to be this weak at blogging.  Sometimes though a blogger just can't find the initiative.  It doesn't mean you don't care about the blog, or sharing.  Sometimes I blame all the other social media opportunities we have, especially Instagram.  Being able to post those special moments without any real thought for the word content is kind of easy sometimes.  You can always join us on Instagram - we have many accounts; drivingmissdonna, donnasmith62, and dwsaggregates...

At any rate October was one of our busier months.  I had several presentations to complete, both for myself and on behalf of Volunteer Alberta.  One of my favorite ones was presenting at the Senior's Conference in Spruce Grove.  I am so blessed to have this job of mine as I love it dearly.

I wish I could just copy our calendar here and be done.  LOL  From hockey and ringette with the Camerons, to babysitting Reese on Mondays for music class and getting to know this little sweetheart on a one on one basis, to spending Thursdays with Connor and /or Mason as Connor had extra school classes or both boys attended swimming lessons; this month has flown by.

Don worked a few jobs in between all that as well, and we continue to strive towards a healthier life style in both exercise and food.

Here are the highlights:
Chris deBurgh concert - Don and I have been waiting for this concert to come to Edmonton or even Alberta for YEARS!!  It was so fantastic!

Tracy and Cal celebrated 11 years of marriage!  Wow that went fast.

Lindsay and Jeremy hosted a fantastic family Thanksgiving dinner - thanks hosts!

Don and I worked the timebox at one of Lindsay's ringette games - so cool to be ringette parents again, but without all the volunteer work!

Don and I worked in the field together a couple of times.

DWS Aggregates had their external audit - it was a busy time and a little stressful.

I completed my Level I Co-op Director traning - 6 courses.

Don celebrated his 59th birthday in the ususal style - grandkids and carrot cake.

And Halloween!

Don and I are so proud of all our grandchildren. Blake who is playing Tier 2 Novice Rep hockey, Emerson and Reese playing ringette and giving it their all and Connor and Mason and their amazing efforts in swimming. And Connor in first year of preschool 100 voices!  And their parents for running around and still maintaining life while exhausted. 

Have a great November everyone!