Blog Archives

Retirement

3/26/2014

Selfie of trying out new beds at the Ottawa Home & Garden Show

We are still settling into our new apartment, still no pictures on the walls but we have been busy finding home for things and buying some furniture for storage (buffet, bathroom cabinet). We are debating painting as right now our place is very beige and we just loved our African Sunset wall in our Condo! We have organized the kitchen much to Travis's contentment! Now that we have moved the pace has slowed down, it has been 6 months since the diagnosis and the last 6 months have been a whirlwind, I just can't believe how fast it has gone. The good news is that I am still walking and functioning independently, though I am noticing it is getting more difficult to walk distances and also to use my thumbs. Tomorrow I have an occupational therapist coming to our home for an assessment to see what aids/tools/tips may help me in the home with ADL (therapist/social worker term meaning "Activities for Daily Living"). I have become the stereotypical retiree as I have joined an aquafit class which is held in our saltwater pool twice a week. It is actually perfect for me as I am craving physical activity now that my lifestyle is more sedentary. The saltwater is a great support as I stretch and move! Travis & I also attended the Ottawa Home & Garden Show where we got a great deal on a bed that lifts up and has a massage function (as well as firm to support Travis's back). It will be a great help as I am still experiencing cramping and stiff/soreness in my muscles. We are so excited as we will be travelling with my parents on a Mediterranean Cruise in May, check out our itinerary on the Travel page!

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Sunday Smiles

3/18/2014

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What a wonderful day! My cheeks hurt from smiling so much and Krystle's abs hurt from laughing too much! Who knew that curling could be so much fun? Travis and I are humbled and overwhelmed by the support, hard work and love that went into creating this awesome event. My goodness, I just can't describe how much it means to us!
Robin did such an incredible job organizing this event with so much help from volunteers and sponsors I can't even believe it, you people are so so amazing! Robin was even so thoughtful to organize a special curling stick that allowed me to play without having to bend down and I even scored a few points! I must apologize to my teammates, I may have yelled at them to sweep a little toooo much (Thankfully Travis, Heather & Andy have had years of experience in tuning me out)!
Congratulations to the winners (I know I have forgotten a few)
Best Green: Shamrock Curlers
Best Name: Slippery When Wet
Best Dressed: Sweep Walkers
Best Rookies: Shamrock Curlers
Best Team Spirit: Skinner's Winners
Best Score: Hewitt Rocks
Closest to the Button: Ray
Best Ripped Pants: Tie between Danny & Travis
Furthest Traveled: Carol's Curlers
Best Falls: Carole & Annette
Best Drink: Carol's Caribbean Queen
Carol's Cup (Best Overall Team in Everything!): Chicks with Sticks

Congratulations to Lance & Takkie and Ben & Candace on their marriages! xoxo

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1st Annual Carol Skinner Bonspiel

3/15/2014

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I just love that word!
Here are the details for tomorrow:

Hello Everyone,

*The big day is almost here and I can hardly wait. For those of you who do not have a copy of the details from the registration form, I will list all the particulars below. Please remember this is a cash only event with lots of chances to take great prizes home with you and maybe even some cold hard cash.

*There will, of course, be a 50/50 draw.

*The winner of the Closest to the Button Contest will take home a big ol' basket of wine. Every shot is $5 and you can enter as many times as you like.

*Our big raffle will provide you with 3 chances to win. 1st prize is a luxury night for 2 at the fabulous Brookstreet Hotel. 2nd prize is a Goldline curling broom. 3rd prize is a gift certificate for a manicure & pedicure from Alt Nail & Spa.

*There will also be a door prize and prizes for Best Dressed Team, Best Team Spirit, Overall High Score, Best Rookie Team, & More.

Now for the details:

Sunday March 16th at Nepean Sportsplex, 1701 Woodroffe Ave.
Curling Rink is around back at Entrance 4.
Spectators Bar, downstairs and straight ahead.
Registration is 11:00 - 11:30. For those who register early, you may practice on the ice until 11:30 and also participate in the Learn to Curlat 11:45.
1st Draw is at 12 pm. 2nd Draw will have lunch at 12 pm.
Bring clean gym shoes and comfortable clothing. Jeans are not recommended. Dress in warm layers. It is cold out on the ice! Brooms are provided.

**2 people have had to drop out. 2 more may have to drop out if they are still sick come Sunday. It would be ideal to still have an even number of teams so if anyone knows anyone who would like to fill these spots, please let me know. We could waive the registration fee in exchange for having the spots filled at this short notice, ages 13 and up.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

See you all at 11.

Robin

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Big B

3/11/2014

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Thanks Big B for an awesome visit! After spending the day moving, we drove to the airport at 9pm, then whisked Ben away to a winterized Quebec cottage thanks to the kindness & generosity of Brittany & Sean! They gave Ben the definitive Canadian experience including but not limited to: maple bacon, maple cookies, maple salmon, maple syrup (you get the idea), shotski, games around the fire, spontaneous Canadian girls dance party, snow angel making, snowshoeing on the most beautiful day to Sean's gorgeous homemade sauna, sweating out all of our toxins and then dousing ourselves with ice cold water (akin to a polar bear dip), and then doing it all over again!
Monday Travis showed Ben downtown Ottawa, too cold to skate the Rideau Canal (they're South African what can I say?), they at least checked out the longest ice rink in the world and ate Beavertails! Meanwhile I was at the new apartment unpacking and dropped a blender on my toe and broke it! Tuesday Ben & I went out for lunch and went to see Pompeii while Travis went to the ALS caregiver training and then to work. We decided to come back and nap before dinner, 4 hours later we woke up! I guess that shows how finished we both were! Wednesday we went to Camp Fortune where Ben taught Travis to snowboard, after some bruised behinds we capped off Ben's Canadian trip with an incredible sushi dinner at the Brookstreet Hotel with a gorgeous sushi platter created by Chef Yasuda. Check out the photos on the Gallery page!

We are now in the process of moving out & moving in, we spent the weekend repainting our old place & cleaning it out so it is in showing condition. I have also been to Ikea 3 times in 3 days, how is it we are downsizing and having to buy furniture? Travis has been a trooper putting together furniture and I still have some skills putting drawers together (after Travis had to fix a few of my mistakes!).

Looking forward to Heather & Andy's visit this weekend, and of course to the Bonspiel curling event this Sunday planned by my amazing supporters at CMHA.

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They came we moved we conquered!

3/1/2014

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Unbelievable! Such amazing people we have in our lives! The truck was packed in an hour and unpacked in 45 minutes. It was such a whirlwind and I am so moved by the support given to us. I was so sad to leave our condo last night, but no way to stay sad because of awesome folks, on to the next chapter! Thank you so much everyone, we are so so grateful!