2014 has been an awesome year in many respects. It started off with Papa Moore returning from Agape Hospice to 627. He decided he could live to 105 and he might as well live it with Mom at his own house. We hosted a Surprise Birthday Tea for Mom's 89th and the next week had Thanksgiving Dinner and Dad's 90th at Jessie's home. The year ends with the exciting engagement of Russell to Jessie. 2015 will start with their wedding in January. We are thrilled to welcome her and her five children to the Moore family. So with a great start and finish in 2014 here is what happened in between.
Excitedly we wish to report the overwhelming response we received for the Practicing Pensioners' Fund. As of April and Noreen's 60th B'day we are both receiving monthly cheques. We are surviving on Canada Pension Plan (CPP) but we were SHOCKED to discover this paltry amount is based on how much you have "worked" and contributed during your working years. Just because we were lazy and didn't work we are now being penalized for our past behaviour!
We thought you would be interested in all the ways our family and friends have chosen to support the PP Fund. The offers of help with mental therapy for us, and our children, were considered. However, even with help the cost is simply out of our range. The Canadian Tire Money is nice but the bank said we could NOT deposit the funds. Requests for a charitable number (for tax purposes) were not accepted as Revenue Canada thought we were not serious. Thanks for the gifts in kind; old vehicles which were no longer road worthy, used clothing and, as recently as yesterday, a donation of a hide-a-bed in Oregon, are truly beyond our wildest expectations. The coupons for an interesting variety of stores and items would have been great had they not expired prior to arriving via snail mail. Offers of accommodation for "short" periods of time have actually been wonderful and visiting with the donors turned into a real bonus. The one cash donation was invested immediately and the post-dated cheques await cashing and deposit in 2020!?!
Please rest assured that your imaginative ideas to support us have "Made the Difference!" We are feeling the love and have decided to suspend all requests for support in 2015 so you can focus on other charities. All the positive response has made us laugh and yes, in some cases, brought a tear to our eyes. It is because of our family and friends we were able to enjoy these other activities in 2014.
In February we had a terrific trip to Thailand. Our action packed vacation was made extra special because of our hosts, the Harvey family. Mare organized back to back adventures. We went to Ko Samui , Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi, and Bangkok. We saw lots of temples and used many modes of transportation including; scooters, golf cart, raft, ferries, bikes, buses, trains, planes and elephants! Thailand with Harvey Holidays was more interesting and exciting than we could have imagined.
Don was suffering from a "knot" in his calf as he drove back to Canada. Back in Medicine Hat, Don finally sought medical help on Easter Monday (April 20th). Discussing the symptoms with our friend, and with some prompting, Don headed to emergency. Turns out he was suffering from a pulmonary embolism. Fortunately, ER was well staffed for the long weekend and few patients were arriving. He spent 3 days in hospital and has been on blood thinners ever since.
Richard and Alec have moved to Fernie, BC. Alec took the summer off to pursue other business ventures while enjoying some music festivals with Richard and other friends. He is presently working as a crane operator near Ft. McMurray and spending time in Fernie on his days off. Richard is working in a restaurant and has just finished the course work for a 4th class power engineer (SAIT Online course). Both boys hope to spend ALL their time off on the slopes in and around Fernie this snow season.
Hazzarriann-Starr and Christian are still in Mombasa, Kenya. Christian was 5 in June and continues to impress us with his computing, mathematical and verbal skills. We Skype often and enjoy his antics and creative insight. As parents of older boys we have lots of laughs watching him "educate" his dad!
As we indicated at the beginning of our newsletter we are not soliciting PP Fund support but all FREE medical and monetary advice will be dutifully noted and followed when applicable. If you find it absolutely necessary to send your extra cash our way we will invest it wisely!!!!
May the Christmas Season be full of things that makes it special for you and happiness come your way in 2015!