Three More Sleeps

This month we've been keeping busy with Rotary, shopping for our trip, organizing accounting files, working on our travel schedule, checking out websites of places we want to visit, contacting family and Rotary friends and dealing with family issues in Chile. A good thing there are 24 hours in a day. Oh, but we also need some sleep.

Every day we spend some time on the planning of our trip. I already have a room full of items to bring with us, including hostess gifts for all of those who want us to come visit and stay with them.
With the limited luggage we can bring, there may not be enough space left for our own clothes. Well, as long as I can bring my shoes I'm OK.
When I read all these invitations, I tend to panic, We do need a place of our own every now and then; It has something to do with "fish after three days".

The weather has been fantastic here; That Alberta sun just does not stop shining. No snow and well above freezing. We do take some time off to go for walks and do some Geocaching.

We are now able to walk across the lake.

There is at least two inches of ice.

Meanwhile we continue with meetings and appointments; Lawyers, banks, accountants, friends, Rotary, family etc. But imagine what life would be like spending it at home all day, every day with no excitement.
No, we are content with the variety of activities. Ramiro has spent a fair amount of time on the commercial building, doing renovations and fixing things. He also spends a lot of time on the computer, listing his items for sale: Buying and selling is in his blood. Well as long as he brings some money home now and then it is a good thing.

We're in the second half of November and while in previous years we may already have foot of snow, and 20C below zero, we are enjoying 14C degrees temperatures, ABOVE FREEZING.
It creates the urge to wash window.
It sure feels good to be outside and feel the sun on my body. Ah, life is good. Soon it will even be better. More sun and more heat, and I'm sure the occasional Pisco Sour.

We also keep busy with part of the planning of a tour for Christie and Memory. Memory is the director of the school in Malawi, Africa which has been materialized through the support of many Rotary Clubs and other individuals and groups.
Memory arrived in Canada early November and together with Christie - who lives in Victoria, BC, Canada and who has been a big part of helping Memory realize her dream to start the school - they have done numerous presentations to various clubs and schools to raise funds for the school.

We co-sponsor one of the students. Her name is Chifundo. We receive letters form her and wrote one to give to Memory to take back with her for Chifundo.

One day we hope to visit the school and see the result of our committee's efforts.

If you're interested  in learning more about the APU school and read how it came about, I invite you to visit the Malawi Girls on the Move website: http://www.malawigirlsonthemove.com/

 And then, all of a sudden it looks like winter.

Ramiro needs to clear the snow off the vehicle; Darn!
But is looks so pretty. With the mild temperatures the snow won't last long though.

We make a few more trips out of town for the Montreal Convention presentations.

One trip is to Westlock, one of my favorite clubs in our District.

Ramiro gets a real kick out of placing the Montreal Kisses on people's cheeks, which is part of the promotion effort.

The last week of the month,we make a presentation in  Drayton Valley together with our friend Joe. This time it is for Project Amigo. There is a lot of enthusiasm about the volunteer weeks here. We may get a few people joining us next year.

We plan a few more dinner parties before we leave and then it is time to finish packing and finalize the paperwork. Meanwhile we make arrangements with Elizabeth who will stay at the house a few days a week to look after things, and to study for her exams.

I check the weather in Santiago.............Very appealing I must say.

 

We are ready!!!!
I have mixed feelings. As much as we look forward to seeing the family and this beautiful country. We will have to deal with some sensitive issues over there and will be away from our friends and family for quite some time and every single day I will have to practice my Spanish.
But, the laptop is coming along, because I still have Rotary work to do; So send me e-mails, talk to me on Skype............I'll be waiting for you.............All of you.