Our Family & Our Life

Dear Diary, We went to a Garden Show at Hillsborough Castle this past weekend. The world's largest rhododendrum plant is located at Hillsborough Castle (this isn't it). Colin, my navigator... There is not much new news although today we were in Manchester and to discuss the possibility of taking GPC to North America. Well, as it is now, Colin and I have been assigned to determine the scope of the market, if any. Before any commitments are made we are required to get at least 6 customers, or at least very interested customers, which would make the North American taxi market profitable. There is one in Chicago so we have five more to find before the end of next weekend. Hopefully, we won't have a problem but we'll start making more calls in earnest, tomorrow. As always, we'll keep you all informed. Hope all is well. With Christian greetings, Heather and Colin

Dear Diary, We enjoyed a lovely day off on Monday and these are the photos to prove it... Newcastle, County Down - about one hour south of Larne: We travelled along to a National Trust Site called Bloody Bridge: After we did a bit of hill walking at Bloody Bridge, we continued our coastal journey through a town called Annalong which had another spectacular view of the Mourne Mountains: As we drove we came across a site called the Silent Valley which were created to provide Belfast with water. As you can see, there was a massive slope just begging me to roll down, so I did but by the time I got to the bottom, the world wouldn't stop spinning... I recovered enough to watch the ducks and a ferret that was teasing them... Colin and I like to think we saved the ducklings from the ferret.. We had a great day together and it was nice break... If only we had another week... Til next time.. Enjoy the weather wherever you are... Heather

Dear Diary, You may or may not have heard but Colin and I have been presented, by Colin's boss, with the opportunity to take GPC Software to the USA. It has been agreed in principle to move us to Pennsylvania, more specficially, the greater Philadelphia area. This is an exciting venture, and we are really excited about it, as we would be starting the company, and our lives, from scratch (again!!!). Customers and clients are already lined up so all we have to do is let them know we're there and ready to do business. I don't have much else to say about it at the moment ie timing, but hopefully in the next week or so after we have had further discussions in Belfast, I'll be able to provide more information. Hope all is well with you all, We'll be enjoying a lovely N. Irish long weekend, Heather (and Colin)

Dear Diary, Click on the link to the right called "Canada, eh?" ... it's good fun... As for my score, I'm a little embarrassed,but at least I have a good excuse - how can I remember everything when I live 4,000 miles away from home?!!? Add a comment and let me know how you did... My score was 11! Have fun, Heather

Dear Diary, We've been busy painting and all that goes with it around the house but in the spare moments, Colin has been busy working in the backyard. These photos are about a month old: This photo was taken today and although Colin doesn't think much has been accomplished since the first photos, he's gotten a lot done! Hopefully the next photo will feature the finished product! Oh yeah, since Mother's Day is in March in this part of world, I didn't realize it was today in Canada and therefore, we didn't send a card, but Mom, Colin and I wanted to wish you a Happy Mother's Day today, we love you and we hope Dad did the lunch dishes today before his afternoon nap!!!! Speaking of Mom and Dad, they are coming to visit us in September for a couple of weeks and we are looking forward to their visit. With Christian Greetings, Heather and Colin

Dear Diary, Yes, we are still here, we haven't gone anywhere. The last 7 or 8 weeks have been too nice to spend the evenings and weekends in the house so we've been outstide working around the backyard. Would you believe that we hit the 27 degree mark and only one day of rain?!?!? We've been terracing a horrible slope in the rear of the backyard. We thought it would take us 3 or 4 weekends but it's been a lot longer than that and I'd say we still have another 4 or 5 to go. Poor Colin is getting discouraged 'cause he doesn't think he is getting anywhere but I see the difference. I have some photos on the camera and I will try to find some time this weekend to download them. Hope you are doing as well as we are, Love, Colin and Heather

Dear Diary, Here we meet again... Colin and I had a mini-weekend break on the west coast of Ireland in a city called Galway which is famed to be the most beautiful city in Ireland. It was a lovely city and surrounding area and it is nicer than Belfast and Dublin... A piece of real estate we fancied just outside of Galway The weather was lousy. It rained everyday and late Sunday afternoon there were gale force winds which continued until Monday morning. We were getting cabin fever just being in our hotel room so we decided to drive home a day early. Colin was especially happy as he could now have his own pillow! Between the wind pounding the windows and an uncomfortable pillow, the poor boy didn't sleep much... However, before we left Galway, we did enjoy a lovely Italian dinner in the heart of the city with a nice bottle of vino blanca followed by a stroll around the city on the cobblestone streets (it was dry at this point!!). The next day we walked along the beach and board walk...

Dear Diary, After recovering from the mid-winter blahs, it's starting to get warmer and the days longer so it's time to fill you in on what we've been up to. "The Girls" are now 8 months old and losing their kittenish look, however, not kitten actions; now they just look like small cats... Here are their close-ups.... Dixie Pearl The front window is one of their fave places to look for birds, other cats and bugs... We've recently had the kitchen and bathrooms tiled and whilst we still have to install new light fixtures, paint and a few other finishing touches like putting the kicker boards back up, it's all starting to come together.... Kitchen: Ensuite: Colin, conquering the 11th century world from his 21st century office: In case you missed it in an earlier blog, we have finally received our permanent house # and street address. Funny things is, our site number was 22 and our permanent number is 23 but our neighbours are the exact opposite of that...

Hope you enjoy them! Colin and Heather P.S. Mom & Dad, I will be mailing to you a CD with all the photos ...