Wow, it's been a long time since Hallowe'en and so much has happened.

Our winter was really good.  My sister Jacquie came down to Texas to join us for 2 1/2 weeks and then come home with us.  Her friend Todd from the Eagles Club was driving down to South Padre Island where he has a condo and dropped Jacquie at our place on March 16th, 2013.

Unfortunately for both Jacquie and me, the day they arrived I had been taken by ambulance to the hospital.  That wasn't good.  I had a severe asthma attack that they called a mucus bloc and it cut off my airways.  Joe managed to get home and leave a note for them to call our friends, Mercedes and Norm, who then told them what happened.  I was doing alright by then and came home only to go back to emergency a few days later with another attack.  This time they kept me in for 3 days.  Not much fun for Jacquie, fending for herself for the most part while Joe was visiting me in the hospital.  By the time I got back home I was on medication and a new pill called Daliresp (Daxas in Canada) and it made me so spaced out, I could hardly function.  Thank you to all our friends for their support.  Mercedes, who stayed all night with me the first night.  Marcella who sat with me during the day and offered her support.  Betty, who came over and kept Jacquie company when she was alone.  Also Norm, Wayne and Andy who I knew were there to lend a hand.

We got home safe and sound on April 7th and my respirologist suggested I stop taking the pill which I did with pleasure!  After that, having finished taking  the required medication, I was feeling pretty good.  I am back to exercising and feeling great.

By the way, Joe went through a rough time worrying about me and being loving and supportive as always. Thank you Joe, you are my rock.

We had a surprise 25th Anniversary party for Laurie and Rob on April 28th.  We managed to get in touch with friends and relatives who attended and it was a great success.  Matthew, Jamie and Sarah helped out, and Christine, my niece made beautiful centrepieces which we gave as prizes for a "scratch and win".   Rob's co-worker Teresa made a great video, and we had pictures on a screen of the family over the years that Joey set up for us.  Thanks to all who came to help Laurie and Rob celebrate.

So now we are getting things together for our trip to Italy.  We will be gone for 3 1/2 weeks and will write in this blog while we are away.