Year 2000 - 10 years ago

I was thinking about how quickly the past 10 years have gone. It does not seem to be any time at all since the year 2000 starting with its major worldwide celebrations and computer updates. On the other hand Y2K seems like a distant memory.

I was thinking about the year 2000 and how my life has changed since then. So here is my Christmas 2000 letter - after a year’s activities.

*****

I have had a busy but satisfying year at work, in my house and with my horse. I even managed to take an extended trip, which is unusual for me.

Work is particularly hectic as we are in the process of moving out of our current facility, which will be renovated. We are also combining 2 libraries into one. We have been busy discarded a lot of books in the past year. The 2 project leaders have been doing a fantastic job at organizing everyone. My staff have been much involved in labelling shelves and making sure that the books are in the correct order after the movers have taken them out of boxes.

I have three really great staff. One is a term employee but her term has been renewed for another year and we are all pleased about that - she is a great worker. The chief librarian who has been on sick leave for 18 months will not be returning to work with us so that is sad because we all liked her.

Now that I have paid off my mortgage my house began to demand some more attention. My appliances are all about the same age and several of them died at once. Then I replaced a couple of windows - an expensive undertaking. That led to having my roof replaced. Fortunately the federal government librarians got a very nice pay equity settlement which certainly helped. I did replace my 13 year old Toyota with another Toyota - an Echo. He is mica green - so his name is Michael. I also bought a computer to play with at home - mostly for Internet access.

I was able to take a trip out West this year as the Canadian Library Association annual conference was in Edmonton. I visited some friends as well while I was there and then I went on to Vancouver to stay with my sister and her husband. They have done some major renovations on their house so it was good to see that. On Canada Day we took a drive to Whistler for lunch but the weather was not the greatest. The day we went to see the local historical site it was also pouring rain so we did not even get out of the car.

My mother has been well. She had cataract surgery early in the year. There was some difficulty after the first one but after the second surgery she was doing much better. Her driver's licence was renewed so she decided to replace her car. She also bought a Toyota Echo. She is still enjoying her garden and her house. At the age of 84 she is really doing very well.

My horse had his 8th birthday in May so he should be sensible and grown up. Usually he is. He had somewhat of a rough summer with his allergies. The hot humid weather did not agree with him. He was stabled in an outside stall with better ventilation and he is still there. There was to be built a new extension to the barn but with the red tape, things got held up. He is quite happy where he is and the vet said that it is the best place for him.

We had a lovely service at St. John's in November when we rededicated the warriors' chapel after extensive renovations. For the occasion we invited our bishop and also the Governor General. She had attended St. John's as a young girl with her family. She gave an address and everyone was most impressed by how well she spoke.

I do not plan to take too much time off at Christmas but I will spend it with my mom. If the weather cooperates I will bring her to Ottawa for a few days.

*****

Work was taking up much of my time and energy. It was a full time commitment.

I am still enjoying the same car that I bought in 2000.

Going West was a big event in 2000 for me. I did not know at the time that was to be my last trip until April 2007. I was recently using the tote bag I got at that library conference in Edmonton. I am still in touch with those friends.

I enjoyed my sister’s major renovations then and I still do. That was when they finished the basement. That is where I sleep when I stay in Vancouver. The local historical site - Fort Langley - which we had not seen in 2000 we visited in October 2009. It was much better weather then.

When I see the pictures of Whistler and the upcoming Olympics I remember our trip there - on July 1st actually. It is quite a highway to drive up there from Vancouver.

My mom was moving into her last year of good health. She was hospitalized in July 2001.

I continued to enjoy Bishop but he did struggle with his allergies and shoe removal and visits from the vet and the blacksmith.

*****

Events from 10 years ago still touch my life now - people and places and things.