I met Shaune in the winter of 1986, wow when I write it that sounds like a lifetime ago! Was our first meeting and our first ski trip, Diann, Karen and Shaune knew each other, my anticipation meeting Shaune was high from all I had heard from Diann and Karen. Needless to say, we all hit it off and then many hours of laughter ensued. The following year Penny came along on the annual ski trip, another great fit to the ski team. Our first trips were pretty basic and close to home in Banff, either Sunshine or Lake Louise. Then we ventured further to Panorama, Kimberly, and Fernie, US bound to Montana and Idaho. All the trips were always a bundle of laughs, always looking after each other. Penny and Shaune were a perfect fit because they loved going on the ski trips and all the fun we had on them, but I think if they had their way skiing would only take place for a couple runs and then off to the lounge where it was safe, warm and a beer on hand. Or if it was a beautiful spring day sit by the side of the run and have a beverage or two and wait for the other girls who did a few more runs. One weekend coming back from Fernie, we decided to stop for a bite to eat and a beverage, we ended up booking a hotel room "there was a pool table" and the girls ran the table and each win came with a round and shots, so no one was driving after that!
We just didn't ski, we also got in quite a few ball tournaments usually in Hardisty or Czar, Alberta. Penny, Diann and I would drive from Boyle, and Edmonton, and meet Shaune and Karen coming from Calgary. We all set up camp, then sat by the fire, Shaune making bannock dogs, hours of endless laughter. Then struggling to get on the ball field the next day. Surprisingly we did pretty well consider that none of us had ever really played together except for one or two weekends a year.
Times we didn't go skiing, we would head to Calgary for a visit. Those always lead to something interesting as well. Our favorite place at the time was the Ranchman's. There was always a line up to get in, but Shaune had a connection and would get us in through the kitchen. First things first names on the board to play pool, right Diann, a few dance competitions to supply the girls with beer, and even some magic tricks from Karen. If anyone tried anything to one of us, or wasn't respectful they got the Penny glare and well they didn't bother us after that.
As we got older, going out all the time didn't seem so appealing anymore, so we would stay in at either Shaune's or Karen's for a night of catching up and always tons of laughter. We would occassionally go out to a local pub and play some pool. Funny there was always some guy who didn't think women should or could play pool or make some derogatory comment. I'm sure he wishes he had never opened his mouth because he ended up a little worse for wear and spent the night in jail, he never did show his face at court for his assault charges I can only assume because he did not want to face the women who taught him a lesson.
Trips to see Shaune always included a visit to see Gran, and oh my how I loved Gran's giggle and when the two of them laughed you couldn't help but laugh with them.
Mom, Penny and I helped Shaune move one Christmas, our family was visiting extended family for Christmas, and Shaune was also invited. We found out she had to move out of her basement suite and into another one by Dec. 31, and of course being Christmas, no one was available to help her, so on Boxing Day my Mom said lets to over and get Shaune packed up, Mom was an excellent organized mover to say the least and we had her out of there that night and into her new place.
Shaune came and spent some time with me in Edmonton years ago when I was going through a tough time. Always trying to make me laugh and just being there for me, telling me "Gin just listen to the raindrops on the window" . She spent a week with Penny after she got her new home and helped her paint and spent some quality time with her and my Mom and Dad.
Shaune missed a ski trip one year she was pregnant; Sydney was the best thing that ever happened to her, she Loved her Syd and was a great, kind, loving selfless mother who would do anything for her.
I am sure you are now laughing and giggling with Gran and got a hug or two from my Mom and Dad as well, and a "Hello Sunshine".
Until we meet again. Love Always
