Early Seasons Greetings 2014! and Change of Address

Okay – it is a bit early for the annual Boyle / Reed Christmas letter (we’re usually trying to rush it out the door at the last minute) – but we’ve moved – and thought that we would do Canada Post a favour and update our address before the Christmas Card Season begins.

So first things first – for the last year or so, Pat and Deb have been looking at various options for when we retire.   We had come to the conclusion that the cabin at Moyie, because of the lack of full time residents in the off-season – may be somewhat isolated, and not suitable as our permanent residence.   Deb had our house and yard looking very nice and the garden producing, but it took so much time to maintain that we did not get out to the cabin at all. In addition – the corner lot meant that Pat shovelled sidewalks on two sides plus the driveway – while the neighbours watched out their windows and drank their coffee (Cranbrook only has sidewalks on one side). So we started looking for ways to simplify our home. After checking out numerous options in Cranbrook and Kimberley – we discovered a duplex up by the golf course, that we liked and purchased.   It is about 600 sq ft smaller than our house, does not have a garage – but it has no sidewalk and only a small front yard (as the other half of the duplex is out back, Although it is a bit tight when both boys are home, will work great when they both leave to start their own lives.

Mickey successfully completed his first year of Engineering at U of Calgary and was accepted into the software engineering program (his first choice). He came home for the summer and ended up working for Black Press – in the printing room and distribution centre. The job was not very intellectually challenging but he really seemed to enjoy the down time and not having to think too much. In September he returned to University – living in residence.   He has his own room – but shares a kitchen / sitting area and bathroom with two roommates. The first language of both of his roommates is French – and Mick seems to be enjoying putting his bilingualism to use. All reports from the academic front seem to be going well, he continues to study hard but has a bit more time for recreation. Mick and Blair according to Facebook have just celebrated their second anniversary.   Blair is continuing her studies at Alberta College of Art and Design, but has found a place to live off campus.

Keelan finished all of his core Grade 11 and Grade 12 classes in June and this September entered the Automotive Technician program at the College of the Rockies while still technically in high school.   He will officially graduate from Mount Baker High School in June – and will have completed the first year of his trade training as well . Keelan seems to be enjoying and doing well in the program, and although one of the youngest students– his instructor recommended him for a mentorship position with one of the local garages. This summer Keelan started working as a cashier at the local Wal-Mart and although it has provided him with some financial freedom – he is really looking forward to starting his job at the garage. Keelan passed his Novice license this summer and enjoys the freedom that being able to drive a car brings.   Next spring, it is his plan to start working on the 1964 Dodge Polara that belonged to his grandfather and make it his vehicle.

Deb started a new job this summer (after 15 years working in community mental health) she is now the social worker for the psychiatric unit at the Regional Hospital. Although on a steep learning curve, and the work demanding – she seems to be enjoying the challenge. The new house is less than a 10 minute walk from the hospital – and most days walks to and from work.

Pat continues to do project management for the Strategic Operations Unit for the Ministry of Children and Families out of Victoria. He enjoys the work, and by being located in Cranbrook is able to stay away from most of the bureaucratic politics that occupy so much of the time of those in Victoria.

In August, Deb and Keelan went to the Canadian Outdoor Archery Competition in Lac La Biche, where Keelan got some national competition experience shooting recurve.   His scores have steadily progressed over the year, and he’s starting to be able to compete with the shooters from the lower mainland. He received the Chris Watson Memorial award from the local archery club – given for leadership and good sportsman ship, in recognition for the assistance he provides around the club volunteering and coaching in addition to his commitment to shooting.   This came as a real surprise to him.

After Lac La Biche, Keelan and Deb proceeded on to Loon Lake – where they met up with the rest of Deb’s family. (Mick caught a ride up with Deb’s sister).   It never ceases to amaze us that our boys (and the cousins) still want to take the time for this holiday but they seem to enjoy the absolute down time of camping with little extras except of course the ice cream at the Dairy Bar. For Deb and her siblings, it is a time to touch base again and share old memories and play multiple games of Canasta.

Deb got her annual Kayaking weekend in again this year. They took it easy and stayed at Twin Bays thanks to the generosity of friends. We stayed in a beautiful cabin and ate in luxury every night. We had peaceful day trips, but have decided that next year, we’d like to aim for camping again and getting a little further away from it all.

Prior to Mickey returning to University, he and Pat flew to Las Vegas for a few days of eating and sightseeing. Being true to their travelling style and not being able to stick to doing things that average people do – they went to the Da Vinci exhibit, visited the National Atomic Testing Museum, Area 51 exhibit, and attended a Zombie Burlesque performance (now that was really something!). In addition they had a number of great meals, including finding a great little Cajun restaurant – that they thoroughly enjoyed.

In October, Pat and a friend flew down south for a trip to a NASCAR race in Martinsville, VA and then drove to Memphis with stops in the Smokey Mountains, Hendrik Motor Sports in Charlotte, NC, Chattanooga, Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, the George Dickel Distillery, Jefferson Davis Monument, and a brief stop at the cabin in Cadiz. Then it was in to Memphis for a night on Beale Street. They topped it off with a college football game on Halloween (Memphis vs. Tulsa) the day before they flew home. They had a great time – albeit short.

The year has sped by – as it seems that every free moment has been spent, packing, downsizing, showing, moving, unpacking, etc.   There was a several month period where we were living in the new house out of suitcases, sleeping on mattresses and with minimal furniture. The majority of our furniture was in the old house keeping it ready for showing. It sold with possession transferring just after Thanksgiving. As of the middle of November, we have finally finished unpacking, hung our last picture, and put up our last light…as long as we don’t think about the boxes in the cabin   It is now time to slow down a little bit and start thinking to the future – which brings us the next piece of news.

June 8, 2015, is our 30th anniversary, and we want to do something in keeping with the way our lives have gone.   Therefore, we are thinking of celebrating this milestone on Beale Street in Memphis (Pat believes that there cannot be a better reason to drink and listen to the blues than 30 years of marriage).   We would like to extend an invitation any and all that want to join us in this event. Details will be forthcoming in the near future – but we wanted to give people as much notice as possible to pencil this into their calendars. We would love the opportunity to have family and friends to celebrate with – and the opportunity to show you the south that we have fallen in love with. Please let us know if you want to be informed of the plans with the possibility of joining us around that time.

Wishing you all the very best in the New Year. May your home be filled with friends and family and your days filled with happy memories.