My Dear Readers,

The above photo was taken in September at the Snowbird RV Show that occurred in the Abbotsford Tradex buildings. The Show attendance was up every single day and everyone was happy, including me!

Congratulations to Mona Lisa Thompson of Harrison Hot Springs who won the knitted music doll I had on display at my booth. Mona was one of the new RVT subscribers who signed up at the Show.

I have decided to change the rules on my doll giveaway next time, as numerous Subscribers mentioned their disappointment in not being able to win, since they are already signed up members.

SO, if you are a Subscriber to the paper edition, either existing or new at the Show, you can enter the draw for the next doll, IF you fill out a form at the Show. My booth will be in the same place as always, by the washrooms. I’m busy knitting the next one. . . a girl this time, with lots of knitted candy on her!

Wayne and Karen Radee of Sands RV & Golf Resort asked me to pick a winner for their draw.

 Congratulations to Barry & Wendy White of West Kelowna who won one of the four one-week stays in the Sands Resort in a deluxe park model home, with a 12x20 sunken sunroom, covered outdoor gazebo with beverage fridge, fish pond, fruit trees, use of a custom golf cart and free rounds of golf.

I have partially moved again – just my office. I moved into what was my “rec/craft room” in the front of my house on the main floor. I found most folks coming by were using my front doorbell anyway, so it is a natural. A few years ago, I had decided to move this column to the back of the magazine and a wonderful woman came at me at an RV Show and strongly suggested I put my column back in the front, saying to me “Sheila, you do NOT belong in the BACK of the bus!” Feels like the same thing with my house. The front space I am now in is sunnier, warmer, faces the front of the house and the street where all the action is and feels very right.

I emptied the two upstairs extra bedrooms of their beds and moved my craft supplies into one and the exercise equipment into the other. Now the back of the downstairs can be converted into a suite, if the Distict of Sooke agrees that is. . . still waiting to hear.

I have lived here one year, and still feel like I am moving in and making this house my home. I already love this town . . . filled with awesome friendly people. Last Saturday I was at a neighbourhood block party with a whole group of folks. We visited getting to know each other, and also chatted about emergency preparedness as many believe we will need to lean on each other for support if Mother Nature deals us up one of her temper tantrums. Many seem to feel it is inevitable.

Christmas is coming next and it is still my favourite time of year. Mine is always filled with gingerbread houses, gifts, visits, love and good cheer. I hope yours is too.

For those not going south this winter and who enjoy coming to the Tradex RV Shows, in 2010 the Abbotsford Earlybird RV Show is scheduled for February 4 - 7 so mark your calenders for sure. The Chilliwack Humdinger Show will be on March 18-21.

About my NEW WEBSITE. I hope you all have checked it out at www.rvtimes.ca. Every RV Show, the main complaint readers of this magazine have is that it doesn’t come out often enough. So, rather than do that with the paper edition, I am going to do it with the website version. Every week, subscribers will be able to read articles and letters scheduled for the next edition, and more. All the details of the “more” are being organized now that I have a handle on all the changes going on in my life.

 Check it out and join in the fun!