Wednesday 24th June 2009….back in the good old US of A..

I left Nanaimo from

bound for 

I stayed the night in Vancouver Tuesday evening at a friend’s driveway and this morning drove down to the USA border at Peace Arch.

 

 

 

 

 

A few years ago I went through quite a lengthy process and obtained a Nexus card which expedites the border crossing here and I have used it frequently and saved hours as there is a special fast lane with usually no line ups.

You can see it is raining quite hard and I showed by Nexus Card to the machine at the gate and then got stopped by the US Customs officer who told me it was my lucky day I had been selected for a vehicle search.

There is something about this process that rubs me the wrong way it maybe stems from my years in the Police Force.  When we executed a search warrant it was imperative that the owner of the property being searched was present at all times thus alleviating any question of impropriety.  Now I know this is going back many years but I just feel slightly miffed knowing someone is going through all my personal stuff and I am not present, OK rant over.. 30 minutes later I was on my way…

I stopped and did some shopping in Bellingham and filled up with much cheaper gas than in BC.

I have two days to get to Yakima so took a different route through the mountains.

It was getting time to stop for the evening and as luck would have it found this great rest stop.

Ramona settled in for the evening and in the distant I can hear the flowing waterfall.

Some photos of the very fast and raging river!!

So now it is time for tea and a movie and I again just sit amazed at how good life is and how lucky I am to be able to do the things that I do.

Monday 22nd June…new computer

This is my new HP 13 inch Notebook

It is very sleek and I like the layout and just about got all the information from my old computer transferred.  This will be so much easier for my travels.

Sunday 21st June…the end of a lovely day

I had a great day today and now getting Ramona ready for the road trip.

My destination ….Yakima, Washington State…

Sunday 21st June 2009…the newest member of the Pearson clan!!

Sally and Andy’s baby!!!!!

 

JASPER PEARSON WEST

SHOW NAME ……AMAZON ICE DIAMOND!!!!!

Welcome…….

Sunday 21st June 2009….Happy Father’s Day

 

I am still having a little trouble with the transfer of the Picasa program which is where I download the photos for the blog but hopefully when I Skype Andy on Monday he can help me solve that and then I think I am ready to go……

Father’s day….. a very special day and I want to wish all Dads everywhere a very happy and special day.  It will be three years in October since I lost my Dad and I have talked often of him on this blog.  He was a great man, small in stature but huge in energy, caring and the love for his family.  He lived a full and active lifestyle and I am sure I have some of his genes, all the moving around I do.  So today I honour my Dad and wished he could have joined me and Ramona on one of these trips to Mexico he would have loved it.  God bless you Dad….

This is the photo of my Dad about three days before he passed away..

Of course on this day I ponder my own life and I often say that not having children of my own is a fact that at times makes me very sad and at times makes me realize that my life would have been so different if I did have a child of my own.

I know I am really good with kids and they warm up to me very easily and I think I am like a doting Grand Father with me talking about Paola and Daniela all the time but these girls already have added a new dimension to my life.

I reflect how lucky I am to have over 60 years of incredible great health, the best friends anyone could ask for, people that I would trust with my very being.  So at this time I want to thank everyone who has contributed to me being where I am today, some live very close by, some live thousands of miles away, I also want to thank my brother Malc, Janet and their great family.  I salute you all…

I came to Heather and Kirby’s house this morning where i am having dinner tonight and this was how I found the table set…

My place setting… 

How wonderful to have such special friends and special tributes to all our Dad’s, thank you so much!!!

I leave on Tuesday for a small road trip.  I am going to visit a friend in Vancouver then go across the border into Washington  State down to Yakima for a huge soccer tournament.  I have been going here for over 6 years and I really enjoy my time there, even the 100 degree days.  I will try to blog when I can.

It will be good to get Ramona on the road again, so wish you all a great day blessings Les

Friday 19th June 2009…maybe

Just perhaps I have this thing sorted…..

Almost have this system down…still testing…

Thursday 18th June 2009…hold your breath

I think with my Nephew’s help I have solved the problem, thanks Andy, it was a very frustrating time but….now I have to transfer all my stuff from my old computer to the new one so I hope that goes well, I am getting help to do that so maybe check in tomorrow and the KID WILL BE BACK!!!!

Monday 15th June 2009…a little technical problem

I have had some computer problems so unable to post the last few days, hopefully the problem is fixed, thanks Andy for the help.  So here are the happenings of the last few days in no particular order.

 

It was another nice morning and decided to do a hike.. This is the trail

that leads

to a place called the Abyss…

This is a neat feature and it is a crack in the ground caused many years ago by an earthquake.  Rumour has it that it is a bottomless pit and dropping a rock into the crevice you cannot hear it stop.

I am so lucky to spend my summers in such a beautiful part of the world.  This hike is about 8 minutes away by car from down town.

Then took a day off for a road trip down to Victoria, some of the views on the drive down

This water fall is called Little Niagara and is found about 100 yards off the high way.

Photos from downtown Victoria

If you 54 dollars you can go to this hotel below and have English afternoon tea!!!!!

 

 

I often talk and show Ramona and I think Pili has her feelings hurt so here is Pili on the road to Victoria

Close up of the back

Another day I went to

to see my friends Barb and Frank.  I did take Ramona and Frank did a few little jobs for me, some sights on the drive there

 

Always a special day when I get a letter from my girls!!!

Hi Les,
Thank you for our e-mail.  Now we know that the funny bird is an owl. He is funny and cute.  Les, thank you for my birthday presents. Madre Chuy told me that she will give me  my presents on Saturday. Thank you. I love you.
I love you too Les. Thank you for my birthday presents. I already got them and I liked them very much. Daniela
We sent you our love and lots, lots of hugs and kisses.
Paola and Daniela

This is the latest photo of the girls, thanks Robin for sending it on…

 

Well there you are all caught up, I wish you all a great and happy and safe weekend…..

Wednesday 17th June 2009…still can laugh…

Three men married wives from different countries.

The first man married a woman from  China.  He told her that she was to do their 
dishes and house cleaning.  It took a couple of days, but on the third 
day, he came home to see a clean house and dishes washed and put away.
The second man married a woman from Costa Rica. He told his wife
that she was to do all the cleaning, dishes and the cooking.  The 
first day he didn't see any results, but the next day he saw it was 
better.  By the third day, he saw his house was clean, the dishes were 
done and there was a huge dinner on the table.
The third man married a girl from Canada. He asked her to keep 
the house cleaned, dishes washed, lawn mowed, laundry washed, and hot 
meals on the table three times a day.  He said the first day he didn't 
see anything, the second day he didn't see anything but by the third 
day, some of the swelling had gone down and he could see a little out 
of his left eye, and his arm was healed enough that he could fix 
himself a sandwich and load the dishwasher.

Wednesday 17th June 2009…..still

not able to download photos, still working on it.  I did treat myself to a new computer a 13 inch notebook, very fancy, so hopefully by the end of the week will have everything up and running.

Sorry Paola and Daniela no photos to show you today..Les

Monday 15th June 2009….now getting frustrated

I still cannot figure out how to fix the problem or error 403 forbidden showing up when I try to post photos to the blog…I found out I had exceeded my limit in storage so I bought another 10k of space so if anyone knows please leave me a comment, have a great day Les

Saturday 13th June 2009…Happy Birthday

I am still having problems loading photos to my blog I have found out with my Nephew’s help that the storage space allotted me has been filled, I purchased extra space yesterday but still cannot post so if any one knows please leave a  comment, anyway…

TODAY IS PAOLA’S BIRYTHDAY!!!!!!!

 

So I want to wish my special little ANGEL a wonderful and happy Birthday!!!  I love and miss you lots………miss and love you too Daniela.

 

Have a lovely party and I wish I could be there,    Love and blessings Les

Sorry

I am having problems posting photos here so working on this please bear with me    Les

Another another TEST

test again

Just a test

Sunday 7th June 2009……a tribute to Parents

This little bird was perched in the trees in the back yard this morning…

This afternoon I was invited to help celebrate a friend’s 75th birthday, dressed up in my west coast outfit… Since Wednesday I have been playing the role of Mr.Mum, for Ben, Alex and Zach.  This has been a very enlightening experience, the boys were super well behaved BUT boy do they ever EAT!!!!!!

It was a great weekend they were all off in different directions and it was a juggle to get them all to the various events they needed to go to but we did it.  I have enjoyed the time with them they are great kids, very respectful and I think we all enjoyed ourselves.

I want to pay tribute to all you parents out there it is a demanding and tiring job you do but it is all worth it, those kids are our heritage, teach them well…….blessings Les

Friday 5th June 2009……Roy

Today was a special day as Eileen ,  Irene and I went to celebrate Roy’s 82nd birthday.

Roy has been in a wonderful care home for over three years now and he is loved and admired by many.  I had the priveledge of spending many hours with Roy over the past 8 years and always found him so happy and cheerful.

So we went over and had afternoon tea with Roy to help celebrate his birthday.

I love this photo everyone looks so happy!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROY!!!!!!

Thursday 4th June 2009….another letter…

Awoke this morning to find this letter in my inbox from my girls….

Hi Les,
We came to our English class as usuallly and right now the teacher gave us permission to come to the office with Ms. Josefina to send you a few lines.
I love you Les, Daniela.  How are you?  I am fine, thank you.  I am having fun at school with my friends.I want to go out with you very soon.  I am able to read a little bit. I have to go back to my English class. Today I am learning vocabulary for the amusement park and food. I better hurry.  I love you, Daniela.
Hi Les,
How are you doing.  I love you too.  I wish you were here for my birthday. It is June 13.  I think the madres are going to prepare a nice party for me.  I misss  you and the nice walks we took when you were here.  Please, come back.  I love you, Paola

A great way to start a day….

Today I am moving into a house sitting home for a couple of weeks and when I arrived this morning the welcoming committee was out….

Took a walk along a beautiful park land and down to this point…

A lovely rain forest

and then a swiftly raging tide

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A very hot and sunny day today reminded me of those glorious Mexican winter days…..best wishes Les

Wednesday 3rd June 2009…hot weather

The last couple of days have been really hot and sunny and today is no exception, around 30 degrees, just my kind of weather.

Received another lovely letter from my girls this morning…..

 

Hi Les!
How are you?  We are fine, thank you.   We love to hear from you.  We saw the pictures where you are playing golf!  Was it fun?
Yes, Paola is having a birthday very soon.  We don´t know when the party will be but she is excited about it.  School will finish in July. Maybe by the l4th. We don´t know yet.  We will have a shorter vacation this year but we are sure there will be many activities for us. Great! 
Of course we will have to study very hard for the final exams but we can´t wait for the summer vacation to be here. Ms. Josefina says that in about five months you will come back. We want to see you and go the park and spend time together.
Okay, we send you many kisses and hugs. Don´t forget that we love you,
Paola and Daniela

Makes my day to hear from them…….have a great day where ever you are reading this from…….Les