Fishing

Here we are fishing in the Great Fraser River. Jason, John, Emily, Q and myself.(I was taking the pics) but I also cast my hook and line in and caught two. Now what I caught and brought to shore with my hook and line. You have to guess. The winner gets a fishing trip here on the Fraser River. There are those who know and they are restricted from answering.

Wednesday Pics

White Rock Pier - tide going out.

The Bird Bath - a basic concrete bird bath decorated by Morgan - pieces of tile, glass beads, sea glass and stones. Had a wonderful time doing this project with her.

This is the first blossom on this vine this year. I'll get one in June when it is loaded with blossoms.

40 Year Old

This is the 40 year old that LaLa and J just bought. It is older than either one of them.

LaLa has a birthday coming June 20th. Can you guess how old she will be.

BIG TRUCK

Yesterday this guy pulls up in this rig accompanied by his daughter. Her school teacher had called him saying his daughter had been exaggerating about the truck her dad had bought and thought he should know about this. His daughter had been telling her class about this BIG truck her dad had bought. Do think she was lying???

When you open the door the step comes out from under the chrome works, then folds back up when the door is closed. It did get the attention of the young women in our office.

This weeks contest! Guess how much he has spent so far on this Truck and you will win the chance to ride in it.

Seniors Housing

This is located the mining area. We brought them new adjustable beds, linen, adult diapers and medical supplies. Also had our representatives in Romania fix their washing machine. They were so appreciative of our help. We were the first foreigners to visit and to give them quality goods. Again they are amazed that we are giving them something without strings attached. Love gives and never demands in return. The young lady in red is Claudia. She is a tremendous help to us and to her own people! You are a blessing Claudia!!!

Mining Area - Romania

We were in a city located in the mining area of Romania. The industry was shut down and more than 80% of the people here were unemployed. These highrise building were built to house the miners families, but were never finshed. The top several floors were open to the elements unless someone could scrap up some materials and windows to enclose them. The elevators and heating system were never completed. You can see one of the building had just about everything that could be removed, removed.

We stopped and these 2 young children approached us, interested about what we were doing there. We talked with them about their lives, their interests. We saw their mother watching and called her over to ask if it was Ok to give her children some money to buy themselves something, and she got mad because she first thought we were wanting more from her children then to give them something. Why would strangers want to give her children something. The only reason she could think of was they wanted something in exchange. Our interpreter talked to her and told her of the help we were doing for the Romanian poor and asking nothing in exchange. She found this surprising and agreed. We gave each about $3.00 cdn dollars (it would to equal to about $30.00 cdn dollars in North America), you should have seen the expressions on their faces, priceless. Well! the boy leap into the air - his face full of expression of joy. They thanked us and ran off to tell their friends then head to a convenience store. We delivered a partial container full of goods to an Elementry school and a Seniors care home in the area, with much needed items. Thanks to Rotary International for all their support.

To understand the situation, the country had been under the control of a Dictator. The people were kept poor while only the few in control lived a life of luxury. Ownership of land was taken away. The government built these apartments, many never completed but under sub-standard conditions the people were forced to live. Since the fall of the reign in 1989 many things have improved but there still remains a high percentage of poor. Socialism did not work and still does not work. People have to have a HOPE.

Dracula Castle and area

The topo in Romania is similar to many parts of BC Canada. There you come across cultural ways with years between. The scenery is beautiful.

Dracula's castle. Villages in the valleys. Worth going there to experience it.

Sharon WOW

WOW (Wordless On Wednesday)

Character Pics- Romania

We started going to Romania in 1992. There was so much need everywhere in the country. There was a strong sense of hopelessness . The infastructure was in poor shape. Poverty was a way of life with the majority. Over the following years we saw progress to a better life. It was rewarding in 2003 to see many of the people we had helped for years finally in a position to help others. Our next visit back will be to attend a wedding.

The two colourful young women are gypsy's - we came upon them routing through garbage behind the concrete wall. They poised for the pic.

The lady selling flowers. The man with the cat.

Without a Word today

Wordless Wednesday

It's hard not to say a word! So I will - taken at Crescent Beach - about 10 minutes from home

Shash and LaLa swam here.

Our Romanian Daughter - Claudia

Claudia and Morg watching the cruise ship pass under Lions Gate Bridge. Next is the 2 of us in Amsterdam - change over in planes allowed enough time to take the train to the town centre. Her first airplane ride and first time to set foot in western Europe. Hey I can still wear that shirt.

The pic on the left shows her and her shadow walking Long Beach, Vancouver Island. Pacific Ocean. Can you spot Japan on the Horizon?

With Sharon at Niagara Falls then a visit to Shashi's.

We met Claudia in 1996 - she as 16 and had taken an English class in High School. While we were in Romania a friend of hers invited her to go for a walk with us so she could interpret for him and a few other friends. I was the first actual English person she had met and talked to. The communication was mainly about what it was like in North America with youth. When I returned in 98 (twice) and 2000 then again in 2003 Claudia would always come along and act as an interpreter. She also had a keen sense about people and would let us know if the people we were meeting with were for real to help others or out for themselves. We promised to bring her to Canada and that came to pass in 2003. She spent 3 1/2 months. She was such a blessing to everyone she had contact with and they in return blessed her greatly. She came with nothing and left with gifts. a sewing machine, clothes and finances enough to support her year in University. While her she suffered from teeth aches. A dentist who is a tenant of ours took her in and his dentists and assistants went to work on her teeth. Claudia spent a few 5 hr sessions plus some 3 and 4 hr ones and walked out with all the work given as a gift. It was instrumental in restoring her health. Today she still lives with her widowed Mother in a apartment (250 sq.ft.) in Romania and works for a Swiss company providing english/romanian language support.

We are waiting for the invitation for her wedding. She says her boyfriend has to ask me for her hand. Sweet.

My Car

I have decided to sell my 1997 - 740iL BMW - all bells and whistles - runs smooth - this was
the model James Bond used in his 1997 movie. Name the Movie and you will win a chance to drive my car. Or if you buy it you get to drive it at will.

OH - your asking "What's the price" well the original sticker price was 96,000.00 cdn. greenbacks - imagine just 10 years later and it sells for 15,000. - now where did that

81,000 go? besides up in smoke. All new radials.

The Prize

The Bay separates Canada and the US.

To the west, the Islands a far off is also the USA including the tip of the dark strip of land. The beach below has many restaurants.

So to win "2 or 3 nights stay and enjoy this view, plus a walk on the beach, plus kayak's with gear, plus Breakfast for 2 each morning at a famous restaurant"

you must guess the order the couples got married. See the earlier blog on matching the couples.

This contest IS NOT open to my relatives - PLEASE follow the rules.

Oldest Grandson

Jared with Anika (our 1st great granddaughter)

Match the Couples

Daughter "A" dancing with my 2nd oldest Grandson at our Oldest Granddaughters weddingDaughter "B" with a different look

Daughter "C" with 2 grandchildren - ones not hers.Daughter "D" in a house up north
Son-lin-law "1"

Son-in-law #2

Son-in-law #3

Son-in-law #4

So match the right letter with the right number - and win!!!!!!!

Lower Mainland Grandchildren

"let me really think this one through!" "Carse - the youngest man"

"Grandpa - hows this look? - calm and cool? Jord the oldest man

Jan - "the middle child " - married one - "Hey Grandpa deeeween - how about I sing you a song!

North Country Grandchildren

"Look PaPa an old birds nest - can we make soup with it?" Tallest - Morg, Em, and Hail,

Hail- her birthday bike - wow!

PaPa - i dun't want my picture taken now, but i still wuve you!

"How do you spell - yummm yummm good!" Emi - the 2nd oldest