The Stuff We Miss Most

Hi folks. Past time for another post. As mentioned in the previous couple of postings, we're wrapping up here, so weekends have been spent socializing and organizing. My days are now spent cleaning and packing.

For this post, we'll focus on the stuff we've missed the most while here in Oz. And up at the top of the list is family and friends.

This week Mum & Dad celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. We obviously knew when we left that this would occur - but that doesn't make it any easier. It was posted very kindly by Joanne/Mark and Robin/John in the Hamilton Spectator. Above is a copy of what went in - and at right is a photo similar to the one on November of our family calendar. It's been very nice to have a different combo of the Wotherspoon family greet us as we turn each month.

And of course we've missed a year of birthday celebrations with family and friends (except for the couple we were able to share with George & Marucia). That includes Joanne's birthday which just passed!

And we'll also miss two weddings - one on each end. Daren and Alison will wed in Mexico over the Christmas break, and Anne Maree and James hook up in January down here. Unfortunately we'll be nomads for both events - but best wishes to both couples - married life has been good to us - hope it's the same for you!

And there are babies that have been conceived and born in our absence!!! In addition to a few more which will arrive just after we return - so looking forward to seeing those brand new bundles.

And on a more basic daily level, here are some of the other things we've missed - in no particular order:

cruise control on the car, bacon, maraschino cherries, graham crackers (for cheese cake crust and Nanaimo bars), bacon, being able to go more than 3 km over the speed limit without getting a speeding ticket, our hot tub, shopping after 6pm or on a Sunday, bacon, coffee cream, Canadian butter, and did I mention bacon?

Next time we'll summarize some of the stuff we'll miss from here - and I'll try not to shed any tears as I post that one, but it'll be hard! After all, we'll return to the Canadian stuff we've missed, but no telling if we'll ever revisit down here (sigh).