Did you learn something new this week, I DID!

Lucky me I got to see this beautiful Mercedes up close, and personal. But for some reason the owner, a very nice person would not let me take it out for a drive! The talent to create such an art piece is overwhelming to me. I took several pictures of the headlights, the details are beyond belief. Last year the headlight on my car had to be replaced, it took 2 race car drivers 45 minutes to try to figure it out. I can only imagine these headlights being changed!

Eddrick, Dee, Walt, and Woolfe (1926 Bentley) were at the same place as me, what a great treat. 

Quinn and I went to Storybook reading at Chapters in Langley, BC. Quinn got a scary tattoo, she was so pleased with it. Then to Costco for our hot dog lunch!

The things I learned so far this week, people can build cars that are more art than machine, life goes on when someone passes, seeing life through a 2 year olds eyes is exhilerating. Which makes you appreciate everything all the more.

Don't get so busy with your life, that you miss the smell of the roses, a child's laughter, friends or  family who need a hug, someone who needs you to just sit with them, even if nothing is said.

Hugs always

Karen and Charlie

Canadian Thanksgiving, Royal Victoria Marathon, and being Thankful

In our family, since we are from Victoria BC, when it's Thanksgiving, it's also the Royal Victoria Marathon weekend. Most of the family come home from far and wide, we participate in the race from the kids 1.5K, 8K, Half Marathon, and Full Marathon. One year the Times Colonist Newspaper sent a photographer to take a picture of us all. We ended up on the front page the the newspaper, what a way to start race day! Yes there are several very gifted runners, and walkers in our family.  

This year numerous family members will be taking part, and those that don't will be watching, cheering, or minding the very little ones, who are not quite ready for the race. I think next year, even Quinn who is 22 months old, will be ready for the kids race.

After the race, we get to rest, shower, nap, then it is time for us all to meet at the James Bay Inn for dinner.  The Inn kindly gives us a banquet room, where everyone can mingle, chat, say what we are thankful for, walk about, laugh etc. without bothering anyone else. We did this a few years ago, and the family is still talking about it.

On Sunday after a full day, and a full belly of turkey we say goodbye to each other as tomorrow most of us will be travelling to our homes.

The hardest person for me to say good bye to is Mum.

 Thanksgiving with family, and friends, is what I am thankful for.

Hugs Always

Karen and Charlie

My sister and brother in law, are very special people!

As I write this I am already crying, my sister and brother in law are wonderful people, that it is a joy to know. Yes, I am the emotional one is the family.

  Neither person wants to be known with real pictures put out there. The compassion they have is overwhelming. No matter what silly, what was she thinking thing I have done now, they are there for me no questions asked.  

W. would like a fine glass of wine, a good book, crossword puzzle, friends, family, travelling, and helping where ever she can, but there is so much more to her.

S. would like a fine beer! Friends, family, motorcycles, running, biking, helping, travelling, and again so much more, then realizes by default I am his favourite sister in law.  

I have such GRATITUDE for my sister and brother in law.

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL SIBLING, MAKE SURE YOU TELL THEM HOW MUCH YOU LOVE THEM WHENEVER YOU CAN.

Hugs always

Karen and Charlie

Making memories is more important than a clean house!

 LIFE IS SHORT, SCREW HAVING A CLEAN HOUSE, GET OUT AND MAKE MEMORIES, TELL PEOPLE YOU LOVE THEM, AND THAT THEY ADD HAPPINESS TO YOUR LIFE.

September/October is a racing month, here there, and everywhere, should I stay home, and have a clean house, or pack the car up, an make memories. 

Memories wins every time, as people come to see you, not a spotless home that has been cleaned within a inch of it's life.

Below is Pat she is making lunch for her race team, and anyone else who comes by who needs a meal.

  Like a lot of race people, at lunch time, you could drop in at many paddocks to have lunch without an invitation, just come for the food, fun, laughter, bench racing, and friendship.

Below is Jake, the crew chief on the #95 Yellowjacket Corvette, why this picture, because Jake  rarely sits and not work on the car.  He had a football accident yesterday, and we are all grateful he is going to be alright.  A talented young man.  

I am off making memories with Quinn for the next three days,  first off lucky me, memories galore to say the least.  Storybook hour, then the craft we made, the red is from a red stamp pad, we made mummy a popcorn holder (it's her birthday).  I could care less about the red stamp pad on my hands, the laughter, and joy of watching her and the other children was awesome. We are washable and portable! We read about a baby golden dragon today!

This month has been sad, joy, laughter, crying, but I did get through it, my friends, and family saw to that.  We lost Elise to Neuroblastoma Cancer at age 17, the memorial service was wonderful.  We raced, and then at one of the races we lost a good volunteer Dave suddenly.  My dear friend Ken is having heart surgery today, praying like mad for him. 

 LIFE IS SHORT, SCREW HAVING A CLEAN HOUSE, GET OUT AND MAKE MEMORIES, TELL PEOPLE YOU LOVE THEM, AND THAT THEY ADD HAPPINESS TO YOUR LIFE.

Hugs Always

Karen and Charlie