I'm a Dr.

Okay not that kind.
I'm a Doctor of Public Health

My bound dissertation in 'Indian Ocean' Blue

I didn't walk across the stage in Adelaide
but was on the stage at Camosun's grad in June








My fellow colleagues at Camosun College celebrated



and celebrated!
 



And my family feted me. Two people who have been with me right from the start - Aunt Jude and my Mum

Just awaiting the parchment!

Nanny

In the early 70's we left Montreal and my grandparents followed their daughter, my Mother, and our family to Winnipeg. But after a couple of years they decided it was too cold. So they moved to Victoria to be closer to their other daughter.


Nanny with my Mum and Step Dad Allen

My grandmother had lied about her age to work at the Sunlife Assurance Company in Montreal in her teens.
After getting married she spent her life raising a family, cooking, knitting, sewing and volunteering. 

Nanny and Grandad decided to buy their own home, after living in an apartment in Victoria for a couple of years. It was one of the earliest apartment condominiums.

My grandfather was already retired. So Nanny, who had energy to spare, went out to work to pay for it. Once again she lied about her age as she was in her early 60's.

She found a job working in accounts at Standard Furniture.
She socked away her money and had the condo paid for in a decade. And she acquired some nice furniture to boot!


Here's the truck delivering a chest bed we bought from Standard Furniture.

Nanny's gone but I have lots of good memories.

Portland

My daughter Stefanie will be living in Portland, Oregon for the next three years while she studies to become a Chiropractor (more to come about this topic).

She and I travelled down the west coast in August to find her an apartment in a city with few vacancies.

She got lucky so we had some time to explore.

Portland, as per the show Portlandia, is proud to be weird and has become well known for its food trucks.

We had several adventures and visited and ate at many weird and wonderful places.

Yum - food truck dinner!

Lunch at Mcmenamins Edgefield

.

Passion Flower at McMenamins Edgefield



The line-up never ends at Voodoo donuts



Stef at Multnomah Falls

St. John's Bridge

Overlooking the Columbia River

 Powell's Books


Looking forward to going back soon!

 

My wonderful husband!

Keith and I have been together 9 years. For a year of that time I lived in Adelaide.  While I was there we decided we would get married on my return, in March of 2013. At that time I was being interviewed for my current position in Victoria.

Before I applied for the job we discussed the possibility of moving to Victoria. Although we both knew it would mean sacrifices including leaving those we loved most, we decided it was a good way to ease into retirement. The weather here is mild and the long Prairie winters were getting tedious. 

The job market is limited on Vancouver Island due to size.  It took Keith a year to find a position that he felt would be a good fit for his skills and career stage.  In July he accepted the role of Director, Information Technology at BC Pension Corporation.  When the deal was final I felt like we’d hit the jackpot!

Life quickly came together. His house sold and we packed up to drive west. But before we did he had to leave his current position, a job he said was the best he’d ever had!  

I was invited to the Farewell Party at the University of Alberta. Over 125 people attended.

 

Keith’s boss heaped praise on Keith for all he’d done as a leader in the organization. He then invited people to come up to the mic. People lined up to thank Keith and share with the audience how he’d not only contributed to the work but also to their lives.  

 

Speeches



Keith and his boss Trevor





 

 

 

 

Once the speeches were over people lined up to shake his hand and thank him one last time. Tears were shed, laughs and hugs ensued.

Everyone wished us both well. It was a wonderful event but I felt a little guilty taking him away from such great people.

Keith and his assistant Amanda