Another Happy Couple

We had a nice trip up to Saskatoon and back yesterday to attend a wedding reception for Joel and Sherie. They were married in Manitoba a couple weeks ago and then had another reception yesterday in Saskatoon where they live. They first showed a video from the wedding showing the entrance of the parents and bridal party. Then they repeated their vows followed by prayer for the couple. Afterward there was lunch and they introduced some of the family that was there. We had a nice time visiting and still made it home in good time yesterday evening.

NASA Image of the Day

I added a new page element down the right side - NASA Image of the Day.

Testing for the Future

The Lunar Electric Rover (LER) is being tested at NASA Johnson Space Center's planetary analog test site. The LER will be part of the Desert RATS (Research and Technology Studies) Analog Field Test in Arizona in September.

Image Credit: NASA/Franklin Fitzgerald

A Very Nice Man

Last night Elaine and I were visiting at the hospital again. When I was in the lobby, waiting while Elaine parked the car, my Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist saw me and came over with a big smile on his face. I used to see him regularly for trach changes and other examinations, but in the last year things have been going very well with my trach and I haven't had to see the ENT specialist.

When the doctor came up to me last night he said "I haven't seen you for a long time." I told him that I have been doing well with no trach problems. He said "But I have missed you." He did not remember Elaine's name and said "And how is Mrs?" He is very friendly person, originally from South Africa, and always has a smile and makes you feel good just talking to him.

In the past when I have gone to the hospital for an appointment with him, when I said which doctor I was there to see the woman at admitting said "Oh he is such a nice man." And the nurses also said to me that he is a very nice man. And when he was examining me he took the time to explain everything to Elaine and I, as well as showing nurses who are in training. No wonder the staff at the hospital like this doctor so much. Some specialists are just short and "crusty" when they talk to the patients or staff. But this specialist is so good. Last night as the ENT specialist was leaving he told me to call him any time and he will meet me if I need a trach change and my regular RT is away.

Each time when I have visited at the hospital I have seen nurses who remember me from being in hospital in 2007. Last night I talked to one of these nurses who was so happy to see how I am doing. They are so glad that I am just there as a visitor and not a patient. And so am I.

Life Back to "Normal"

I haven't blogged since our visitors left a week ago. Things are back to "normal" routine going to work each day. I am back to working my usual average of 5 or 5 1/2 hours per day. When I first returned to work in 2007 I had a note from my doctor that I could work 3-4 hours per day. But since then I have been feeling a lot better and working up to about 6 hours per day. Then in July while on holidays I got a letter from the work HR department saying that they still have the doctors note on file saying I can only work 3-4 hours and that I am restricted to working no more than 4 hours per day. Apparently I was feeling better without permission! Anyhow I now got a revised doctors note saying I can work up to 6 hours per day. So this week I am back to my "normal" work schedule.

Besides being back to "normal" routine, one of the main things on our minds is a man from our church very ill in hospital. We were up to the hospital twice last week to see him, and his wife who is staying with him full time. They continue to be in our thoughts and prayers everyday.

On the Road Again

This morning soon after Mary and Chris and Ky and Lyn were heading home, Darlene and Lisa got ready and headed out on the road home with their motorhome. Here is a picture of them and their border collie Tessie with the motorhome ready to go.

Steve and Darlene and Lisa (and Tessie) originally stopped over here July 3 on their way up to North Battleford Camp. Steve went straight home after Camp, and the others have been touring around with the motorhome ever since. People have said Darlene is pretty brave driving around in the motor home, but she isn't intimidated by it.

Darlene and Lisa visited around NB after camp and then went to Saskatoon area for a few days. Then they were out to Rosetown for a visit. While there our cousin Stan took Darlene for a day out to Cavell and the farm. They finally got back to Regina July 23 and have been visiting here since then.



Tessie slept in the motorhome with Darlene and Lisa and played in our back yard during the days. The short video is of Tessie catching the frisbee. If someone comes outside she runs and drops the frisbee at their feet and then goes and crouches flat to the ground in her "ready position." If you throw the frisbee quite far and high she runs and jumps way up in the air to catch it. She will keep bringing it back and doesn't want to quit.

Now Darlene and and Lisa and Tessie are on the road home in the motorhome. We hope and pray they have a safe trip home with no motorhome problems.

Heading Home

This morning all our visitors headed home. Mary and Chris and Ky left for Victoria (meeting up with little dog Vicky in Calgary.) We had Chris and Mary at our house from end of June before NB Camp and then for a while after Camp. For the last couple weeks they have been staying over at Chris's parent's place but we still saw them a fair amount. In the second picture Chris and Mary are being proud of themselves that everything fit in their car.

We have had Ky at our house for the last week. Then on Thursday Lyn arrived to help with the "vegetation management" at their sister's new place. We also got a picture of Lyn packing up to head home this morning.

After these people got away Darlene and Lisa were also getting ready to leave. I will post about their visit next.

We have really enjoyed having visitors so it will be quiet here with them gone. Now it seems like summer is over.