Its Xmas time. Ho ho ho. $$$

I'm not a big fan of what Christmas has become - getting the latest fad to make the kids happy. I am NOT a religious person, but Santa has replaced baby Jesus as the main symbol a LONG time ago.

Christmas for me is a time to relax, reflect, and spend time with loved ones and friends. Not spending time at the Avalon mall looking for stocking stuffers and fighting for parking spaces.

On Friday some of my students gave me gifts. It was sweet. I had bought them book coupons, pens, and candy canes. But I told them to reward the music teacher (who also teaches them 1/2 time) instead of me, because she had spent hours practicing for the Christmas concert (which went great). Instead, they bought presents for both of us. I reminded them before they left to enjoy their time with family and remember that the season is not only about getting presents. Hopefully it will sink in.

I had the intention this year to take the $$ I would have spent on gifts and buy grub for a food bank. But considering the sadness my wife was going through with the recent passing of her father, I decided getting her trinkets and presents would put a smile on her face.

Tomorrow may be a bittersweet day here in Red Cliffe, but seeing my wife go through her stocking anf gifts is better than telling her I spent 300 bucks on Kraft Dinner for local food banks!

Losing a Loved One

On December 2nd my father-in-law Carl Bowen passed away after battling cancer for more than a year. Even though I only knew him for 5 years, and I didn't feel that we had that much in common, I can honestly say he is the best man I have ever met.

When you hear the phrase "a good fellow" or "would do anything for anybody" it related to him. He was also low-key, but full of humour and wisdom to his wife, daughter, family and friends. During his wake and funeral, the tiny church in the community of Red Cliffe was full of people whose lives he had touched across the province.

I can only hope to be as good as husband, father, and friend as Carl. And love my profession as much as he did. Keep on truckin' Carl. We'll certainly miss your desserts!

Here are a few pictures to honour his memory:

As a child growing up in Red Cliffe:



As a father to Corinne:




As a friend:




R.I.P Carl

Happy Birthday Chantel

Today my 'baby' sister turned 25. I took her out for nachos and wings at Don Cherry's. Yup, the big $$$! ha


I still remember the moment my uncle Cliff told me I had another sister. I already had one, I wanted a brother. So I did what any upset 9 year old would do - I fell to the carpet and started bawling and hitting the floor.

I think I'm over it.

When Chantel was really young, she was the sister I got along with better. With Charlene only being 3 years younger than me, we fought. A lot.


Chantel still tells people I use to body slam her on the bed and bar her in my room, forcing her to listen to G'n'R's Appetite for Destruction. Wasn't that the duty of all big brothers? :)

As for her teenage years...we weren't so close (:( But now that she is more sensible, we can tolerate each other! haha

Whenever people say we look 'just like each other' (and we do) she is in complete denial. Face it sis, ya look just like your (handsome) big brother!

At least I made her a U2 fan!

Here is our latest family pic, sans wife, taken in August.