PASSED BILBAO WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

Dad is currently past Bilbao and on to his next stop. He has been enjoying the walk thus far even in 30 degree weather. He has been sweating his nickers off and is already making friends, and that is no surprise is it. The message I received from my Mom after receiving a phone call from him on Saturday was that during his 16 km trek a police car pulled up and stopped him. I can imagine what I would have been thinking, but I couldn't imagine what my dad was thinking when he saw them. I'm sure in his own words the story I'm about to relay will be much more interesting and more detailed. He said the police pulled over to invite him over for some water, they thought he looked thirsty. Again he's walking in 30 degree weather. They then offered to drive him to the nearest bus stop in order for him to continue on as they felt it was much to hot for this Pilgrim to be walking. So the police escorted him to the bus and when he got onto the bus everyone hipped and hoorayed. I have yet to get more details of how things were on the bus and will update when I do.
Dad is doing well, but is a little sore. When he reached his destination (unfortunately I do not know which town he stopped in) he went to an Albergue to stay for the night, but it was closed. It apparently had been closed for some time. There was no where else to stay in that town and the good people opened it just for him.
My dad has done this walk 3 times previous, and I continue to be astounded by the generosity and welcoming of complete strangers. They recognize him as a Pilgram walking this Camino and welcome him and others without hesitation. It is comforting to know that there is good in this world and that strangers in another country are taking care of someone incredibly important to me and my family. God bless and thank you.

This past weekend I spared in the One Insurance Curling Classic held in Selkirk Manitoba. I played second for Tina Kozak from Brandon. Kortney Teale played third and Krystal Tille-Stewart at Lead.
I went into this weekend looking at it as practice and that is what I did. The one thing I wasn't expecting was to have as much fun as I did AND curl well. These girls brought a new perspective to the game of curling for me. I admit to be overly serious at times and expect near perfection from myself. It is a fault that I am indeed working on overcoming.
We did pretty well if you ask me. Sure we were two games away from the money, but boy did we have fun out there. What a treat and a delight these girls are. After having never met them before after a couple of minutes of interaction I felt as thought I'd known them for years. I can say that they are and will be very good friends of mine for years to come.
I had seen a picture of Tina 'Nips' Kozak so I had an idea of who I was looking for when I arrived at the club. Little did I know that they had no idea what I looked like. Through the wonders of technology and the never failing internet, they downloaded my picture and profile off of the World curling tour team site. I had to laugh because they seemed to know more about me than I did.
These girls have a wonderful connection and chemistry. They have a refreshing outlook and perspective out on the ice. They are competitive yet know how to keep things light and share a laugh. What a fantastic experience I had playing with them. They are absolute gems and beautiful people all around. What a great way to start out the season. I felt right at home playing along side of them. I really lucked out!
Not only did I get some games in and practice, but I made some great friends and learned a great deal about gas, pooping ones pants, and the magnetic urge to pee on Tina's floor if you were to ever visit. Yes I speak in riddle. If you're lucky enough, such as myself, to know these girls, have them welcome you into there circle or have the pleasure to play a game of curling with them, only then will you appreciate my experience.
To my 'dirty girls', continue to rock out with your '*ock's' out, I will always have your backs cause I'm easy that way. SUPERSTARS!!! XXOO

2010 The Camino De Santiago

Well here we are September 30, 2010, and as I type this my dad is 'Yames' is sitting on his patio in San Sebastian Spain enjoying the view and 30 degree weather.
Dad flew out to Paris on Monday afternoon. This will be his 4th Camino at the youthful age of 76.
The day before he left, I was uploading some music for him to his Ipod Nano in hopes to help inspire and motivate him while on his walk. He's got his own selection such as Frank Sinatra, Simon and Garfunkel, and even some Lily Allen. I've added to his collection some acoustics of The Corrs, The Pogues, and even some Proclaimers. He is walking 500 miles after all. :) He had me examine his backpack once he'd had everything packed, and I was shocked at the weight of it. 22 lbs. By the time I helped removed some of the weight for him it was down to 20 lbs. That was still heavy. I had some concerns about him having to carry that amount of weight. Even though he is now the Bionic man and sporting two new hips, it was a lot to ask one person to carry.
I'm glad to report that he has lightened his load after a brief walk today and plans on making a 16 km dent tomorrow from Sans Sebastien on route to Bilbao.
Updates will continue and I will add stories and experiences that he shares with me along the way. God speed and safe journey Dad...my hero and inspiration. I love you.

I'm Back!

Well hello, it has been quite some time since I have written anything on my blog.
So here we are in 2010..crazy but true. The world hasn't been sucked into a vortex or blown to pieces so I would consider that to be a good thing.
Here is a brief update to date on what has been going on in my life for the past year.
Firstly, curling. I played competitively with a new team this past season. We had some success that took us to the Manitoba Provincials in Morden Manitoba. Great group of girls and although we didn't fare so well during the round robin, it was indeed a wonderful experience and an honour to be a part of. One of the girls who I'd played with from the year before was our fifth-man and joined us. Ainsley Champagne..what a wonderful girl and a joy to play with. She's become one of my very best friends and I'm so pleased to have her in my life.
During the summer of last year I did some golfing with my folks and also some tube floating down the channel. Another curling friend who recently moved to Pinawa joined us on these floats and the yearly events of the town and has also become one of my very best of friends. Leslie Wilson who was also at the same provincial as me went on to win it and represent Manitoba at the Scott Tournament of Hearts. I was so excited for her. Team Manitoba got to the quarter finals of the Scotties and she received top honors as the All star 2nd of the tournament. Very impressive for her first time at the big show.
Leslie and I have been nicknamed in town as 'The Lesle/ie's'. When there is an event or a get together you can hear people talking as we approach, 'Oh, oh..here come the Lesle/ie's'. We're not trouble by any means, but rather we like to have a good time. We have a great time together and I look forward to spending more time together with her this summer.
I didn't do any traveling this past year, but hope to do some in the fall before curling starts. As you know curling occupies my time and any vacation time I have from work.
I've taken up co-ed soccer this year. I'm really excited about it, so far so good. I didn't realize how much I missed it to be honest. Although my brain wanted to start back up where I left off two years ago, my body has been in for the shock of its life. lol. It has been tough but I am getting back up to par in regards to conditioning and agility. Again, slowly but surely. So I travel into the city once a week to attend these games. Yes it's a hick and those 10pm games really suck because I don't get back until 1am, but I live the game and love to play..it is a sacrifice, but it makes me happy.
I currently live in an apartment with my furry friend Ribit...she's my cat and I love her to death. As of November of '09 I now have to furry friends rooming with me. Mouse was a stray cat that had been hanging around the apartment building since I moved here. Cute little thing and it broke my heart to see her outside in another cold Winnipeg winter. I had been befriending her since I moved in and she would frequently come by my window for a visit. Ribit was hostile which I guess was expected, but all Mouse wanted was to befriend her also. I brought her into my apartment one day in November when it was very cold outside. I gave her some food and as per usual had to keep a very close eye on her and Ribit, as Ribit would attack her if she got the opportunity. I was surprised when Ribit seemed content and relaxed with her being there. This particular day Mouse did not want to go back outside. I made up a little bed for her on the window sill as Ribit had established that to be her limit of roaming area..and went to bed. I thought there might be some noise etc and a fight, but nothing. When I checked on them in the morning mouse was still on the window sill and Ribit asleep on the couch.
Long and short of it is now Mouse and Ribit co-exist together with me in my apartment. They get a long sometimes, but they have come to blows a couple of times. Regardless I am fascinated at these little animals. I consider myself to be a dog person, and would never have given it a thought to take in a cat as a pet. I thought they smelled and I couldn't stand the cat litter idea and mess that goes along with it. Boy was I wrong! They are independant and in fact are very clean. Ribit does get some separation anxiety from time to time and will 'demonstrate' this on occasion, but as long as she's got food and gets a cuddle she is fine. Mouse is an absolute delight. She's sooo happy and it is so obvious. She has no desire to be outside.
People I work with are always laughing at me because I always have a story to tell about the girls. They have there own meows and ways of communicating with me, and yes..I can talk to them as well. lol. I'm not crazy and any people who own animals can side with me and understand what I'm talking about.














Mouse hanging out on the window sill and Ribit lounging in the lazy boy....my girls. :)

I probably won't be updating every day, but I will do my best to drop a note here and there with news. Thanks for the visit!
Lesle