Saturday, December 8, 2018

Merry Christmas, 2018

John and Carolle
Carolle Trembley & John Palmer
#602, 19 King Street
London, Ontario, N6A 5N8
eclectecon@gmail.com
carolle.trembley@gmail.com

December 8, 2018

Hello there,

Merry Christmas. What a year it has been for our family with so many changes and almost everything has been positive, indeed wonderful.




Elise and Lara
   First, Jacob, Melinda, Lara and Elise all moved from Houston, Texas to Mississauga, Ontario in early June this year. We are all so pleased to have them so near that regular visits are doable. The girls got a month of schooling in, and met and made friends. Melinda is enjoying her job and Jacob is doing free lance computer consulting. One of our favorite things to do is to take the train (first class) to Mississauga to see them all. First class involves free liquor and meals. Carolle loooooves trains, but then her grandfather used to work for the railway when she was a kid. John’s proud immaturity (“you are never too old to be a kid”) shows up very quickly with the girls, as he loves playing their games with them. He and Elise and Lara built 2 snowmen and went sledding with Jacob in the newly fallen snow when we were there last. And we all had a great time learning and playing new kids’ games in front of the fireplace.


Matthew and Laura


   Matthew and Laura were married at a lovely ceremony in July. Phebe and Cordelia were bridesmaids. Laura’s Romanian parents attended. Phebe sang and played songs with her ukelele, and Cordelia read some of her writings. After the meal and speeches, everyone danced. It was a great time. Several weeks later, they also had a marriage ceremony in Romania with Laura’s family and friends. Matthew had learned enough Romanian to hang in on conversations, and he also found an app for his phone that translates in the present. Matthew and Laura both work at 3M in London, where Matthew was recently promoted.



Cordelia



   Cordelia is in her second year of University at Western and is loving it. She took extra courses in the summer and is carrying a heavy load. For extra money, she is an awesome tutor with the most interesting kids. She needs the money because she is planning to study in Italy next summer.




Phebe and Nick


   Phebe and Nick moved into their own apartment in October. In the first month, their experience with the landlord left a lot to be desired, but they are enjoying having their own place. Nick is taking computer courses at Fanshawe College. Phebe has signed up for more education in the adult education realm. She and Carolle are going to work on some crocheting.




Paisley


Paytyn

   Rachael is doing well and has been promoted to a supervisory position in her job with Freshco. Veronica is kept busy with Paytyn and Paisley. And Jodie’s job is going well, though sometimes his hours pile up. Still, more hours mean more money, so that is good. Paytyn started Junior Kindergarten this year and Veronica and Paisley get to walk her to and from school each day. Paytyn seems to enjoy school and is making more friends. Paisley keeps on smiling!!

Jodie and Veronica




Brandon and Kayla
   Kayla is living in Whitby with her partner, Brandon, and they see his son, Jacob, on weekends. She has a part-time job at a pet store but is still trying for a full-time job. Lucky us, we get to see her more often now compared to when she lived in Regina.







   John has written and published his first novel, which has been very well received. It is called 2605 and is available on Amazon (“hint, hint,” John says). He loves writing and has begun a second book. John is still in the acting business, with many a mystery dinner theatre scheduled for the next month or two. Check him on Facebook if you want to see photos of some of his characters. He also acted out the first chapter of his book in the One Act Festival in London.




   Carolle is gathering a collection of recipes which fit the Atkins Diet, and has added riced frozen cauliflower to the menu in place of pasta, but her best recipes are still Red Pepper Soup and Carrot Cake. She is still working on knitting some scarves for friends. She now has a walker, which means she can walk to nearby restaurants for lunch/brunch and we don’t have to drive everywhere.


   We have had a full and interesting year. In October we had a great party with friends and family for John’s 75th birthday. Carolle still says her age is “almost 80,” after her 78 th birthday this year. These days we recognize the aging symptoms but still are in awe at what a wonderful life we have. We hope you also have days of wonder and we wish you a Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year.


with hugs
from John and Carolle