Thankfulness Challenge Week Three

Last week started with an anniversary of my first date with Shirley 56 years ago.

On October 20, 1962 at CUC on a Saturday night entertainment, we spent our first evening together in a progressive party on the campus. We were both in 11th grade.  All the students met in the chapel to divide into groups of about 20 kids. I made sure to gravitate into the group where Shirley was. We were both 15 at the time... and I thought she was incredible! I am very thankful for the beginning of a most amazing relationship.

A plumber I am not, but I was thankful for the encouragement of a plumber friend who loaned some of his tools... a crimper and pipe cutter, etc. and instructed me how to do this little renovation project. We are putting a shower into the church. Not a difficult job for a plumber who does this kind of work every day... but a real challenge for some one who hasn't done it before.

I learned how to use Sharkbite fittings to connect pex pipe to copper lines. It took us a couple trips to the both Ace and Home Depot to finally get the right parts. 

Working in a dirty cramped crawl space is not fun. Could not have done it without the help of Norm Chabot.  Here Norm is putting teflon tape onto the clean-out plug that we had to remove to make the tie into the sewer main. We worked for more than three days (part days), and believe me, we were both very thankful to get this job done.   We were most thankful to pass the water test without a leak. 

We got the shower valve installed into the new wall we built, and the first coat of mud is on the drywall. This week I will tackle the tile job. I was hoping to find some tile guys who work of us to do this, but they are swamped, so I will do it. I know how to do it.

October 24 was Shirley's birthday. This was the first formal photo that she gave me in 12th grade. It is one of my most treasured memories. I am thankful for my sweetheart. 

I worked this week on some graphics and quotes to update the bulletin boards in the fellowship room where Dr. Sid Kettner and pastor Angelo Nugent will be doing our mini series, LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE. I am thankful to be able to work on the evangelism team and help with the advertising materials, tee shirts and signage. On Friday November 2 the meetings will be under way.

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart

Roses are not always red...

And violets are usually some shade of blue...

Sugar is not the only thing that is sweet.

In fact, it doesn't even hold a candle to you!

Happy Birthday, Shirley Ann.

My all time favourite photo of my sweetheart is this one she gave me at the end of the 12th grade school year.

Why do I love you?

Let me count the ways.

You will most often see Shirley smiling... she can always find some reason to be happy.  This was at Canon Beach last Thanksgiving/Birthdays and Christmas celebration with our family.

I love Shirley because she not only loves to walk but we encourage each other to take the time to get out add walk every day.  This arbutus tree is behind her is near the end of the trail at Edith Point.  Photo taken Dec. 30 last winter.

Shirley showing off her new pantry cabinet... before we got the granite countertop.

Shirley is here holding the granite slab secure as we used the tractor to move it from the truck to the front door.  Always willing to help.

Once again Shirley with her perpetual smile.

This photo was taken to show the BlueSkin water deterrent product we used.  It was a pretty cool January day... and Shirley is trying to keep warm as she is getting ready to pass the window thru the opening so I can nail it into place.

With the exception of six windows that were too heavy and too high on the front elevation , Shirley helped install all of the other 30 windows.

We did a Caribbean cruise in March.  Trying to take a photo of the bridge on the ship I caught Shirley's reflection in the window... smiling again as usual.

We usually walked the track on Deck 14 of the ship... but on a couple of rainy mornings Shirley and I went to the gym.

We had four days in New Orleans after the cruise... walked a lot of streets and saw a lot of sights.

Our favourite hiking trail in Tucson is Sabino Canyon.  We often hike this track several times a week.

Shirley always enjoys going to Butchart Gardens... an excellent opportunity to capture some beautiful flower photos.  On this visit we had my sister Dolores and Merritt with us.

Another sunny day at Butchart Gardens.

When I look back on the year and all the photos I have taken I realize that I don't take as many photos of my sweetheart as I could.  That is one thing I am going to change in the days ahead.

With each year I'll love you more.  The best years are still ahead and I'll be there for you for every up down and in between.