Marj Just went through all of your lovely pictures again and reread some of the blogs. I am so glad my dress is having the time of my life. I must admit, it is extremely flattering on you. It won't want to come home now. Next time, I will hide in the suitcase with it. d*** is now on spring break, as are Kay and KB, the latter choosing to go to Cuba. Midterms are done for both, and d*** will be starting his soups and sauces "block." Just finished meatcutting, so this upcoming one will be particularly more interesting to myself (love being the guinea pig). Damn dogs are making a slow albeit positive recovery (s***), thanks to expending a good portion of my two-legged kids' tuition. d*** thinks I'm nuts, but I do have to live with myself after their eventual demise. I can't believe I'm missing these freakin calls. We were playing Rockband (obviously too loudly) on Friday night and didn't hear the phone. And work is just hit and miss. Band is on Tuesday nights so that's out. Patti is having EVERYONE over for supper on Family Day Monday: AF, Uncle ER, Kath, Terry, BenE, Sues & Co, Marj & Co, UB, and perhaps KL and CG (forget what she said about them). Maybe you could call then? Enjoy your time. I'm thinking now that you're winding down, it may go a little too quickly, Keep posting. Never get sick of reading this over and over. xoxoxo

Michael, Connie & Erik And a Happy Birdy to youuuuuuuu And a Happy Birdy to youuuuuuuu And a Happy Birdy, Happy Birrrrrrdyyyyyyyyy!!!!! And a Happy Birdy to youuuuuuuu! Can ya dig it, man?! I'm sure you were "singing" rather than "reading" that little ditty, or at least that was my intent. I know you've "moved on" from your birthday by now, but we're just getting warmed up to toast you! So, another year under the belt, eh? Isn't it prime number time this year? Oh well, at least your age doesn't match the # of countries you've visited....ha! Not many of us can say that. You are a TRUE anomoly, Jeffy! I'm cozied up to the fire, in Fernie, after yet another great day of skiing....wish I could say the same about the drive down here. Winds were in excess of 100 kmh and Hwy 22 south of Nanton and Hwy 3 to Sparwood can't even be described as "less than desirable." No wonder they closed the 22 today and apparently, there are 7 semis in the ditch or flipped over between Fort Macleod and Claresholm on the #2. They must have given up counting the cars. You may recall it's my dad's birthday tomorrow. His 80th party was cancelled last year as Mom ended up in the hospital w/kidney problems, so the big bash is slated for tomorrow. I made a kransekage (google that one!) this week that's waiting for me at home to take out to the farm, but my sister's on standby to pick it up and get out there. The winds are meant to subside o/night, but the problem is the snow that's blown across the highways combines for that lovely polished effect you like to see on all your best silver, but not to drive on. I'm hoping to head out in the morning, but don't plan to risk life and limb in the process. I kinda like the view from this side of the dirt, and plan to keep it that way until I can get a few more countries under my belt, too. I'm sure Gus has kept an eye on the markets, but Michael was showing me this morning that the bank stock is back up to where it was at the peak b4 the crash. Coulda shoulda woulda......bought a batch more stock.....bummer when those nasty blackout periods interfere. He mastered the commute once more this wkd, but didn't get here until 10pm.....needless to say, we were all relieved when he walked thru that door. We get to "keep" him a little longer this wkd as he's planning to stay until early Tuesday morning. Teacher's Convention and Family Day will combine for a 5 day weekend coming up, so it'll be a short shift to be apart this week. Erik's got a "nerf gun war" planned for his birthday party after school on Monday with a mess of other willing soldiers/targets, depending upon your perspective, and location at the time. Michael and I are on "recovery and reloading" duty, or so we've been informed. Erik and I stopped in Nanton at the Old Candy Store and loaded up on a bunch of crap....read as non-nutritional fare...for his mates, but it was a lot of fun. I found "Sen Sen" and "Beeman's" gum there. Do you know they now call candy cigarettes candy sticks? Must have been too many nefarious transitions in the days since we "lit up" those little white numbers! We were all very relieved to get the news that you made it thru the cyclone safely. The things you two do for excitement! And then that nasty bite -- glad to see you're already putting a positive spin on it and will wear the scar proudly. You'd DEFINITELY win the playground bragging contest. We're loving the blogs and pic's. Glad to see Gus's cheery disposition among them as well. Can't wait to see you in April -- but so much fun to read what you're up to. Lots of love, and warmest birthday wishes, M, C & E P.S. I would have sent this in an e-mail to your blackberry, but don't have the address with me. Moreover, I didn't want the bill for your carpel tunnel surgery from scrolling that silly little ball either!

[email protected] Well, a big old howdy, hi, and how are y'all! Greetings from Fernie where Erik and I just enjoyed an EPIC day on the slopes. Nothing like a 25cm+++ DUMP of champagne powder, still untracked at 2pm to get ya jazzed up about being here, and not "dreaming" about that impending move. The drive down here on Friday aft was dicey at times (it's gotten cold again -20s and a return from the bananabelt to the snowbelt--aka reality--but at least we did it during daylight. Michael was off to Golden for the wkd on his annual boys trip but he'll get a sampling of the haul down here next wkd as he starts up in "Da Nort Country" on Tuesday. We're enjoying Sunday nite down here as Erik's off school tomorrow. It also gives more time for the roads to get in better shape.....that's the story we're spinning anyway. But back to the subject at hand ..... Wow! What fun, and what wonderful adventures you're continuing to have! I'm sure the "little bit up, little bit down" comment was there JUST for me, so how could I not comment on that?!?! What a time we had, Jeffy......just hope neither of us is EVER that dirty again! Perhaps we should have employed some willing FISH to clean us up.....that was HILARIOUS!!! How did you keep your feet in the water? I'm so ticklish I was squirming just reading about it! Too funny. Trust you to track something like that down, tho. As for the fines in Singapore, they were absurd back in '84 too. One I remember in particular was for watering your plants....houseplants, that is......on the wrong day. Don't know how "they'd" know.....can you imagine a group of young people sitting around conversing about what career path they'd take......"Oh, I hear they're hiring houseplant spies these days." Perhaps you'll find one someone in the batch to represent your court date ;-) 6 mos hence... Your pic's from the botanical gardens were FAB! I visited that in '84 as well and still wear my 24K gold dipped orchid earrings and bracelet occasionally.....they'd go SMASHING w/the Marj dress pic's.....what a hoot! Thank GOODNESS you bought that, Marj....saved Jennifer the excrutiating task of shopping for herself. Glad to know you branched out to t-shirt shopping, Jeffy. What, no shoes yet this trip?? And my last comment has been reserved for that "snatch thief" sign. Words fail me........ Keep on keepin' on, as they say, and keep on writing and posting those photos. Hugs to you both, Connie

Dad and Patti We just caught up on all of your entries since Vienna. Happy New Year! and what a year it is. We thoroughly enjoyed each stop, both the pictures and the eloquent blurbs. Keep them coming. Hope your dive goes well, cyclone and all. Looking forward to all the H2O blogs, including the Great Barrier Reef. Love to you both!

Lisa Hi Uncle Gus, I hope you can log into your emails. Please read the one I sent you today. Hope you and Jennifer are having an amazing trip. Love L.

Connie Hey guys. Greetings from -20ish + (or should I say -?) wind chill.....brrrrr..... We were in Fernie skiing on the wkd where it was +7 when we left -- no good tho as that means rain....and LOTS of it!....all the way up the hill. Got about 20 mins. up Hwy 22 and we watched the temperature gauge on the truck go from +7 to -20 in no time flat....kinda like watching the bale counter go on the old rectangular baler on the farm, if'n you know what I mean.....frickin' freezin'....'nuf said. FINALLY got the chance to go onto your site to read/aka enjoy/aka savor/aka live vicariously! The photos are great and as usual, Jeff, your take on things is, well very-Jeffy!! aka descriptive, visual, entertaining; i.e. keep 'em coming!! And don't you DARE cut back on the content.....how anyone could in Africa is beyond me.....there's just too much going on. I love the leopard shots. As you know those elusive leopards were, well....elusive when we were there, as we didn't see any of them. Wild shot of that previously alive impala, as well as the wild dog w/an impala hoof in its chompers. Perfect description of the vultures. The sound they make hammering away on those bones is unlike any other. Congrat's on your 100th country, missy. What's the count for you Gustav? Stay safe and pls report in again soon. Lol(ove and aughter), C.

Marj And, yes, I spelled "unbelievable" incorrectly but I couldn't go in after the fact and edit.

Marj I absolutely love the pics and the comments. I can't believe how freakin ugly hyenas are, maybe partly due to their nature, too. That canyon is unbelieveable. And I've never heard of a "temporary river" before. Too cool. I'm picking up a parcel today at the post office and am betting dollars to donuts it's your stuff. Will let you know. Keep on dunin' what you're dunin' (bahahaha).

Gary and Stephanie Very cool. So, just why are you planning on returning????? Enjoy yourslves and try to stay out of the "Kill" category. See you when you are back. Gary and Steph