American Thanksgiving

Our first "American" Thanksgiving Dinner was hosted by Pete and Vi. It was a nice dinner with just the eight of us, Gord & Daisy, Aki & Irene, Pete & Vi, and Ernest & myself. Irene cooked the turkey and the rest of us brought the other dishes. Ernest and I have never been in Yuma so early for the winter season, usually we come down after Christmas but this year we decided to come in November and then fly home for Christmas.

Yuma Arizona

Well here we are back in Yuma for another winter season! They call us "snow birds" and "winter visitors" here in Yuma. Although it is always tough to leave our family, we are excited to "head south" and get away from the cold and snow. Over the years we have met some good people in Yuma, some are our American friends and many are from Canada. We are all there for the same reasons...to be in a warmer climate than home and to relax and enjoy retirement.

Easing into Retirement

The first whisper of retirement was exciting, Ernest was selling his business and we were going to relax, enjoy life and travel! The next whisper was part of the sale agreement was he had a "three year earn out", so he would work another three years before retiring . Those three years flew by so fast, and we were ready for retirement! Then Ernest came home and whispered to me that he was offered the position of BC District Manager with Wolseley, (the company who now owns Central). Ernest takes the position and works from home using a cell phone to stay in contact with the branches, suppliers, and head office in Calgary. He has agreed to work seven months a year. Ernest managed to golf three to five games a week all spring, summer, and fall. We still had our winter months to vacation in Arizona. I guess he was semi-retired! The final retirement whisper was in 2005 when Ernest told me he was going to give his notice that he would retire in April and his last day of work would be April 30Th 2006.

Wolseley hosted a retirement dinner for Ernest in October 2006. Although Ernest was recovering from an infection and had just been diagnosed with Diabetes he managed to enjoy his special night. I have always been proud of my husband and his accomplishments but I have never been more proud of him than that night as I listened to the speeches that were given in his honour.

After the wonderful speaches it was time to open the gifts! Our daughter Jennifer helped her dad with this and she looked after all the cards for him as well.

A final few words from Ernie and a big thank you to all who attended!