October 27, 2010 - The Surgeon

Well ... it is done .... Dad decided to have his hip replaced.  Brian took Dad to see the surgeon today to make final arrangements for Dad's hip surgery.  I couldn't take Dad as I had to work, but I am glad I didn't have to go.  I don't feel real good about Dad's decision to have his hip replaced.  I understand why he made the decision - he is tired of the pain and tired of using his cane, walker, and wheelchair.  It looks like the surgery will be in January sometime which isn't too long of a wait!  Prior to the surgery, Dad will have a heart test to make sure his heart can handle the operation.  I am scared but I will think good thoughts!!   I need you all to think of good thoughts too!!

October 20, 2010 - Stuart McLean

Hi everyone ....
I am sorry it has taken me so long for an update - hard to believe October 2nd was the last update!!  All is well here. 

Dad, Brian, and I went to see Stuart McLean last Wednesday (Oct. 20th) from CBC's Vinyl Cafe .  Stuart McLean is an awesome story teller.  He also had an awesome blues singer called Matt Andersen.  He was from New Brunswick and as it turned out, he is the brother of Allison Andersen, a great guy we used to work with.  It was a great time!  If you ever get a chance I suggest you listen to Stuart McLean one Sunday - he is on CBC radio on Sundays at noon.  Stuart McLean tells awesome stories about Morley and Dave and their two kids, but he also tells stories about Canadiana. 

One time when Dad and I were listening to the Vinyl Cafe, Suart McLean was talking about crossing Canada by rail.  It was a great story about the old days when people often hopped on the train travelling across this great country.  I will never forget watching Dad tear up.  I didn't ask, but I know he was thinking about days long ago (65+ years ago) when he was crossing this country by train.  He left home (Nova Scotia) in 1944 with $17, his guitar, and six of his friends.  They all rode the rails to Alberta.  Dad was 16 years old.  After the war ended, and after working on the railroad, Dad went back home to Nova Scotia.  In 1946 Dad and his brother Herb rode the rails again and came back west to Calgary.  You could tell by looking at Dad, he was reminiscing about days long ago.  It was a poignant moment. 

Being a 'Follower'

Please feel free to become a "follower" of Dad's blog (see right hand side).  I'm not exactly sure how it works, but any comments you may have would be great.  Thanks!

A Funny Moment

As you know, Dad can't see very well and definitely can't hear!  I just wanted to mention a funny moment last Sunday.  I was running around cleaning the house.  Dad was sitting in his chair by the window, playing solitaire, and looking out the window every once in awhile.  Dad starts to laugh, and I ask him what was so funny .... he says "I was sitting here watching a bird on the grass, and then after a few moments I realized it wasn't a bird, it was a fly on the window!!  We both had a good laugh.  Between Dad not seeing well and not hearing well, it does make for some funny moments.  I will try to post some of these "funny moments" when they happen.

October 2, 2010

I know I haven't been keeping up with this blog as much as I should, just never seems to be enough time!  I just wanted to mention ... Dad is now going to Rainbow Day Centre on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  It is a place Dad can go to, to meet other seniors.  I can drop him off on my way to work and pick him up on my way home.  He can play crib, do exercises, have lunch and snacks, and sometimes they go on outings.  I'm not sure if Dad has decided he likes it or not.  I think he may be a bit too "young" for it.  I am going to see what the seniors centres here offer.  Maybe that would be more to his liking.  Keep your fingers crossed!

October 2, 2010

Hi sisters .....

Just wanted to let you know we will be in Grande Prairie for Thanksgiving.  We decided to go to Grande Prairie for Thanksgiving instead of for Christmas, just in case the weather doesn't cooperate.  Hope we see you all!!

Love Holly, Dad, and Brian