The picture to the right was taken at the EarlyBird RV Show in February where I presented the first of my glossy covered Issues. One gent said the magazine was new and improved just like me! (Because I have lost so much of that extra weight I have been packing around these past few years.)

Other fun comments from readers included:

“I like the change in the magazine, but I know it’s hard to improve on perfection.”

“I know you would love to go full gloss someday Sheila so when I win the lottery I’m going to give you two million dollars so you can make that happen.”

One other comment happened twice which surprised me until I realized the sign above my head was not clear enough. Twice came, “Sure I’ll give you my name and address so I can have a free subscription.” Guess maybe I need to add the word PAID before the word subscription. (The form is on page 65 this time.) For those of you who have been reading the magazine from the beginning years, you remember subscriptions were NOT available in the beginning as you can always get the magazine at your friendly RV dealership, Lordco, Save-On-Foods, Overwaitea, PriceSmart and Cooper’s Foods, etc. (Locations are on pages 53+74.) But I still remember the gent who insisted I offer Subscriptions because he did not want to go find the magazine each time. I actually argued with him, saying no one should want to pay for something that is free! Nowadays, happily there are about 850 of him, plus the 700 RVOABC folk who also receive their magazines through Canada Post. Well Done!

Back to the February Earlybird RV Show. The attendance was so high it broke all records! So I bet the upcoming Chilliwack Humdinger Show will be busy too, so come early if you can! Their ad with dates and times is on page 7.

Eleonore Hamm, Executive Vice President of the RV Dealers’ Association of Canada asked me to let you know that the RV Industry is going through tremendous growth. More people are adopting the “Go RVing” lifestyle than ever before, and employment opportunities are popping up in this industry all over Canada. Their website, which explains this in detail, is at www.rvcareers.ca. Eleonore can be contacted in Richmond BC at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 604-718-6325.

Plus in our Classified Ads on pages 62-63, there are more Help Wanted ads than ever before. If you’re bored, have nothing to do, read all about where your help is needed.

Remember that CHANGE topic I was addressing in my column last Issue? Well, in late January my Mom fell on her way home from the grocery store, and broke her left wrist, needing three screws and wires, etc., and a cast that comes off on her 90th birthday, March 12th! Lots of bruises and a few extra stitches here and there for cuts, but she has survived, and was able to return home from hospital one week after the fall. My two sisters and I have been able to assist with dressing and meal preparations and Mom’s spirit has regrouped so she has not given up and continues to enjoy her life, with a few alterations of course. One of the hardest adjustments for Mom has been admitting that the use of walkers and canes is something she should embrace. They are symbols of the aging process and who among us wants to embrace that?

To assist me with maintaining my own health, (I was not showing up at Curves, the exercise place, like I originally intended), I hired Astrid Whiting of Synergenix Fitness, a personal tough expert trainer here in Victoria. Her website is www.SynergenixFitness.com. I met Astrid at a group I joined called WBN or Women’s Business Network which meets twice each month: once for a networking lunch and then once for dinner with a guest speaker. Astrid has given me a personalized exercise program that I do at home three mornings each week (in my pj’s), meeting the needs of my own lazy body! What a bonus this has turned out to be. Every three weeks she changes it to keep me from getting bored! I am finally down to a Size 10 in my slacks! It’s been YEARS since I have seen that low a number! Come by the Humdinger RV Show and see if you can notice!

Another women’s group I joined is the Victoria Evening Women’s Newcomers’ Club, and I have already ended up as their volunteer Newsletter Editor! Fun stuff. The main group meets monthly with sub groups that meet more often, to play and explore Victoria. Also the executive meets once a month to plan the meetings and the newsletter content. Can’t make new friends if you don’t get out and about! Right?

The office I am renting (with two other companies) at 945 Alston, has decided to do some remodeling this Spring, to move walls and doors and shelves and such as one of the companies needs more space and the other needs less. All this activity is happening all around The RV Times and me!

My Monday evening Tai Chi classes and my home practice keep me sane, I think, combined with time with my kids and grandkidlets! My life is full, just the way I like it to be!

~ ~ ~ Luv ya,
Sheila