rose of Sharon

Everyone look up....

2012-01-23T21:29:00.001-06:00

The first picture is one of no one looking at me (with the camera)...except Matt. He saw me and heard my voice, I'm thinking, and stood looking at me with a huge smile while everyone else did their own thing.

Finally, we managed to get the whole gang looking at the camera (except one independent sort in the back row who was looking for his buddy)...and here we are, me included, celebrating The Year of the Dragon 2012.

The Studs and Peelers team made some cash from the event too, which was wonderful for the Cancer Society Relay for Life cause!

Happy New Year, to all the Chinese folks we know!

Yet another New Year...

2012-01-22T22:03:00.001-06:00

Monday is the Chinese New Year. We have three folks in our office directly from China and one person of Chinese descent. That should be good enough to have a celebration!

So we will have a luncheon together at noon....Canadian Chinese food. A dollar from each person attending will go to our Relay for Life team. A good deal all around.

It is the year of the Water Dragon, I believe....well, Dragon for sure...not positive about the water.

In a city of multi-ethnicities, we most likely could celebrate one thing or another every other week!

But tomorrow, we shall wear something red, eat Chinese food with a knife and fork and open up our fortune cookies to see what good thing will happen to us this year.

"Happy New Year" to Baosheng, Xilin, Cynthia and Xianhua!!!

An anniversary...of sorts...

2012-01-20T13:21:00.000-06:00

This exact time, last year, I was in excruciating pain. I had just fallen on my knee cap.

One year later and many, many hours of physio rehab, a few buckets of tears, loads of doctors appointments, X-rays, MRI and specialist appointments, I can walk normally....on flat surfaces at least...most of the time. Climbing stairs still is very painful and at times shooting pains fly across my inner knee but other than that, I can walk without crutches, cane or leg support. No ice packs every 45 minutes, no leg elevation, no pain while sleeping, AND I can turn over in bed pretty effortlessly.

What an amazing difference a year can make.

And this "accident" has been a bit like a major happening in my life....enough for me to remember it all today. It gives me a new perspective on pain and also an appreciation for the lack of it...although we are quick to take that for granted when it occurs over a long period of time.

So, I shall make this my little anniversary, of sorts. I will make it a time to reflect on how intricate our bodies are and when they aren't functioning at normal capacity, it can make us a bit uneasy. My body has healed quite well and I am thankful.

This anniversary also makes me a little more cautious about how I walk on ice!

So, be careful out there my friends. I think too, I have made a name for myself at work and hearing others speak of the accident I have heard the comment, "Remember the fall!" Many connotations to that! :)

Worth mentioning...

2012-01-17T21:09:00.001-06:00

Just in case you didn't catch the weather forecast:

Wind chill warning in effect. Tonight a few clouds. Wind up to 15 km/h. Low minus 37. Extreme wind chill minus 49 overnight.

Wednesday: Sunny. Wind becoming west 20 km/h near noon. High minus 26. Extreme wind chill minus 50.
Wednesday night: Clear. Low minus 32.; So keep those woolies on, stoke up the stove, cook up some fine spicy drink (preferably with several shots of rum), sit back with a good book and enjoy the next few days...indoors.; As for me, I shall brave the elements like a crazy Saskatchewan person and venture out to work in the morning. There should be a law......

Like an old shoe...

2012-01-13T21:51:00.000-06:00

I like it when those I love become as comfortable around me as an old shoe. No reason for shining it up or taping up the sole. It just fits well. It shapes around my foot like it was molded to it. It's a good feeling.

I like it when my children are comfortable in my home too. They sit how and where they like. They talk...or not. They help themselves to whatever is around for them to eat or drink. They do whatever they wish. I like that.

We haven't had Matt live with us for a very long, long time, and it's good to have him around for a season. He feels comfortable with us here, I think. We enjoy having him stay and live and just be...with us.

So, tomorrow, they will all be home for supper. Small things please me!

Snow is forecast too, in the next few days. That will be good...snow in January is comfortable too. Snow seems to fit January like a glove and they move together as one on the shimmering dance floor of winter with a great deal of grace and beauty in the rhythm of the season.

Take heart. January is close to being half over...for this year. Now we look to Valentine's Day....

Availability....and Epiphany...

2012-01-08T21:31:00.001-06:00

Seems like Jesus was always available to folks. Even if they were busy, preoccupied or disliked, he simply said he was coming over to visit and have a chat (as was the story with Zacchaeus, the short tax collector who had to climb a tree to see where Jesus was in the crowd because he wanted to tell Jesus he was selling his goods and giving half of it to the poor, and anyone he had cheated, he was going to pay back...it was an "epiphany" moment, I think, for Zaccheaeus...he recognized God in Jesus and it made him act like some kind of radical!!...who in their right mind, especially a tax collector in those days, would seek out those whom he had cheated just to pay them back????)

Today is Epiphany Sunday....the day the church celebrates the fact that some learned men from an eastern country came to where Jesus was, as a small child, and brought gifts to him, and recognized him as a king...not a king from their own country but "The King". It was enough to get them to travel for a very long time and an extremely long way just to acknowledge this particular child. It must have been an "epiphany" moment when they too, recognized God in Jesus.

I like to think about those visits....the wise men and their visitation to the child, Jesus, and especially the visit that Jesus made to the house of Zacchaeus during his ministry here on earth. We aren't always ready to receive company...you know, the house is a mess, haven't dusted in two weeks, dishes are unwashed in the sink, the bathroom towels need changing, not to mention that toilet bowl!!! Are we EVER ready to receive company????really????? When Jesus says he coming over, there's no time for all that preparation. He simply comes. Because he's coming to see US, to talk, to let us know some things and to tell us not to worry about unimportant stuff. He comes to listen and comfort and simply 'be'.

I know that Advent is a time of preparation, to prepare ourselves for the coming of God into the world but I believe that to be an inward preparation, getting our hearts ready and soft and pliable in order that something gentle and good can come in and dwell. But the times when God simply comes over, knocks on our door, we open it and invite him in....those are 'epiphany' moments...we recognize who we are and who He is and how God's love in us and through us and around us just flows...back and forth, until we become one with God and his Spirit.

It's all a mystery.

I don't know how it happens.

But when it does, it becomes an epiphany....that moment that says "Aaaahaaaaaaaaa....now I see!!!!"

Getting back to the availability stuff, ya, Jesus always seemed to be available to folks. I want to be like that. I want to be able to be so in tune to others that I know their need before it is expressed and I want to be available, totally, to them.

When son was asked how long he would be staying here in P.A., his response was "indefinitely". He has learned the art of being available. He sees a need and goes wherever the need is and makes his life available to those who need a listening ear, a word of wisdom, a moment of encouragement. Being available is a gift to others!!

So, I pray that you and I would recognize those epiphany moments in life and allow them to change us from the inside out...

Sleep well.....

Knock, knock...'Who's there?"

2012-01-05T21:59:00.000-06:00

"Wooda"......

"Wooda who?"

"Wooda figured it was spring by the amount of folks wearing shorts outside!"

Ya. Just totally crazy and bizarre.

Not that we all don't want a short winter.

I'm just thinking of spring and what we will need for growing crops and thinking of those nasty Mountain Pine beetles getting a grip on those poor unsuspecting jack pine in our forests. We need some mighty cold weather to squeeze the life out of those pesky little fellows.

So my thoughts have been turning to spring......how quickly we forget (Christmas)......

Happy New Year...

2012-01-01T19:00:00.001-06:00

Well it's a new year. Couldn't even stay up to ring it in. Flu bug has taken over my body and I have no control over it!

I'm writing from my Blackberry...resting in bed trying hard not to get dizzy

Hope your year is starting out well:)

A birthday and a reunion....

2011-12-27T21:00:00.000-06:00

Shannon decided that it would be good for all of us to gather together...my brother and his whole family and me and my whole family. We actually pulled it off...no planning, no fuss, no muss. It just so happened that everyone was "home" this Christmas so we traveled today out to Tisdale. All five of us in Shannon's little VW. Cozy:)

It was the first time we have all been together, complete with grand-children, in 23 years! There was a time of getting to know each other especially after that long a time. My parents would have been very happy about all of this! They were in my thoughts so many times today and it was all very nostalgic.

Ken had his 67th birthday today, too. AND we found out that our friends Eric and Michelle had a baby girl today! We won't forget THAT baby's birthday!

Here's our entire family. One snap. That's all it took (other than the first time when Matt couldn't get back to the group in time). I figured at least one person would have been looking down, away, eyes closed or something...but no, the first picture and all was good!

A fine-looking lot we turned out to be, too!

In the midst of the calm...

2011-12-26T22:23:00.000-06:00

I'm reading a book....and doing some serious thinking too. The book is a gift from son.

Well, we're eating leftovers too and watching a bit of telly and listening to some good guitar music.

Tomorrow another birthday...Ken's birthday! We will celebrate the early part of it by going out to Tisdale to visit my brother and his family. Should be fun. I don't think we've all been together in over 15 years or more!

The fam

Gifts

Sorry for the picture mess ups! I need to get this fixed!

Well, enjoy your quiet time these days. I surely am....

Gifts...

2011-12-23T20:12:00.001-06:00

I've been getting many gifts lately. My friend Tracy, gave me an angelic soap figurine scented with 'candy cane'. I received a bouquet of roses for my birthday from my supervisor, Penny and the big boss, Bob. Three co-workers sang me the birthday song, my co-worker gave me a humungous box of truffles PLUS a quart of her infamous home-made dill pickles. My children gave me two jars of Body Shop body butter, Kris Kringle popped into my Santa stocking at work $20 worth of gift certificates. Another co-worker gave me vanilla scented bath salts for Christmas, one fellow gave us Belgian chocolates, another a huge box of truffles, Managers gave us truffles too.....and another co-worker made me a beautiful black, white and silver scarf (who thanked me for being her mom all these years!). My Secret Santa plied me with delicious sweets each morning and ended up giving me a beautifully hand-crafted Intarsia box with a butterfly on the lid!

Ya, the list just goes on and on. I feel as though Christmas has already happened:)

Makes one feel a bit special....:) not to mention thankful for having such faithful friendships.

Today it was Matthew's birthday...28th birthday! We went for breakfast together and had a rib/shrimp/lobster home cooked supper for him complete with lemon and whipped cream cake for dessert. Pa and I stayed home while the youngins' went to "Mission Impossible". Sitting through that would have been a mission impossible in itself!

And tomorrow is Christmas Eve. Another round of good, family fun and eating and talking and eating some more....with several cups of tea in between. Candle Light service at 7:30 PM at church...Gateway Covenant, if you want to join us...15th and 15th East.

Think it's almost time for bed. Jellied salad prep in the morning!

Jesus....where are you?????? Please don't get lost in all the packages!

"Elroy, stop that!!!"

2011-12-22T14:18:00.002-06:00

Elroy was a sturdy little fir with long, bushy branches that stretched out onto the path that lead past him and into the forest beyond. Other fir and pine had to watch out for him because in his naughty moments he would spit out huge clumps of needles should they enter his space. It didn't appear to take too much effort on his part either. He was always thinking up ways to amuse himself...and others....but others most often didn't find his little tricks all that funny.

"Elroy, stop that!", his mother would shout sternly to him. Elroy couldn't help himself. He simply had to have some fun, standing there all day. He liked to stretch. It felt good. Often he would stretch out so far that folks walking past would trip and fall over his lower limbs and while getting up from their fall would say all manner of words that Elroy had never heard before. Mumbling, they would smell the aroma of fir gum which had attached itself to their pant legs and coats all the while attempting to remain somewhat dignified.

Now and then people with big machines would come into the plantation with snippers and pruners and saws and clippers, attacking his friends's branches with abandon. Not his though! He wondered if it would hurt much to have his branches pruned but no one ever complained about the procedure so he figured when it came time for them to do his branches, it would all be good. Maybe it tickled! He would wait and see....

"Elroy, stand up straight! You know you won't grow to be tall and strong if you don't keep your trunk straight!"

"OK, Mother." as Elroy pushed himself up high and made all kinds of sounds as his branches would squeek and slide silently up into the twinkling night sky above them. His mother said many good and helpful things, things that would make him a stronger and better fir, so he listened intently and followed her wishes.

And Elroy grew. The other trees around admired him. He stretched every single day. He grew taller than any of his brothers and sisters and his mother was proud of what he had become, a fun-loving, caring fir tree.

One night on the dark, cold plantation, he felt a chill, something he couldn't quite explain but it was something that ran through his branches, all the way to his upstretched leader. He wanted to ask his mother what this extraordinary feeling was all about, but he didn't want to wake her. Elroy took good care of her and each night she huddled and slept peacefully under his strong trunk. And as she slept, he looked up to find an unusual light in the dark sky....a light so bright that he wondered what it could be. Elroy had heard songs being sung about a special heavenly kind of light but he figured this couldn't be that kind of light....but he wondered nevertheless. He hadn't seen one quite that bright before. And then before he could spit another needle, he heard it. It sounded like a bunch of folks singing. Limbs stretched up and over all the other trees in the field. He needed to see what was going on but nothing was visible in his line of site, at least. Nothing at all. The music continued on....he could hear the words...."Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, good will to all people!" The melodic voices blended and joined into one as Elroy rested and finally slept in a heavenly peace.

Was it a dream? Elroy was awakened suddenly to the buzz of trucks and saws and many people hovering around him. The sound he heard in the night was not at all like the sound he heard now. It must have been a dream, he reasoned. A beautiful dream too, he thought to himself.

Now he was being pruned and trimmed and he could hear his mother silently weeping beside him as the saws and snippers whirred and clipped. She told him that this was his very special time and was being prepared for what he was destined to be. His trunk shook...his limbs quivered....he was beginning to topple over but was caught up in a net. "Motherrrrrrrrrrr", Elroy called out before he was wrapped and hauled onto a truck that awaited him. "Don't worry, Elroy. This is what you have been waiting for, all these many years!" She would remember Elroy's branches as a young fir, their softness, their sweet aroma and the gentleness of her dear fir son snuggling into her branches as a tiny seedling. Mother knew where Elroy was going. She had heard stories about a place that was being prepared for him, a place where he would wear beautiful garments, where he would be a prince, of sorts. She also knew that when it was her time to leave the plantation, there would be a place for her as well. She would be there too, with her son and she was excited to know that this would not be the last time she would see him.

Elroy arrived. Many people cared for him and took great pains to see that he had enough water to satisfy his great thirst. Then came his robes...all golden and beautifully adorned with red on his top branches. It was a nice place, a heavenly place and he knew this was what his mother had been speaking to him about...a place of peace, and rest and beauty.

What was that??? Music! It was the same music he had heard as a fir on the plantation that dark, starry night. It was louder this time...much louder, and even more beautiful. A light shone too. At first he didn't really know what the light was.......but then, he knew.

He knew the light was for him and the words being sung were for him...it was a party...ALL FOR HIM.

Elroy was happy. He saw things that he had never before seen and heard music that he had never before heard. It was hard to take it all in...but the party continued...and the words that were sung spoke about heaven and rest and this beautifully perfect place. He would enjoy it all. And the chill that he had once felt back on the plantation on that dark, starry night swept over him again and again and it was very good. Here, there was no darkness, only the warmth of the Light.

Elroy had reached his resting place and would wait patiently for his mother, and siblings and friends who would eventually join him. But for now, he would simply sit, all adorned, and watch the Light and listen to the songs....songs about a Baby being born and about angels and shepherds and joy and peace. It was a day of true celebration.

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned." Isaiah 9:2

May your Christmas, like Elroy's, be filled with the Light of God and the blessings of peace on earth, good will to all!!

In memory of Elroy Linton... (Twila, my friend's dad)

Zing....

2011-12-21T23:01:00.001-06:00

Another week has almost slipped by and I'm reeling from the pace of it all.

After a day of "Ugly Christmas Sweaters" at work, and a doctor's appointment in the afternoon where I find I have Achilles tendonitis in my left foot, then supper and an evening of croissant baking with Brittney (watching "White Christmas" and drinking peppermint tea and eating cherry cake while croissants are rising), I find I am at a loss for words as to just how tired my body is.

So, we shall end on that note...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Waiting.....

2011-12-19T23:12:00.001-06:00

Not only is Advent a time of preparation, it is a time of waiting.

Waiting....

Always waiting....

In long line-ups as we finish our shopping....

In traffic as people hurry and scurry to their next "Scheduled Christmas Event"....

And we wait for the celebration, the birthday celebration.

We'll be celebrating the birthday of a man named Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah. The One the prophets spoke of in the annals of history. He was coming into this ordinary, messed up, chaotic world to show folks how living should be done. Unfortunately, we have not paid too much attention to this Messiah. We don't seem to be able to catch his rhythm of life....the "doing to others as you would have others do to you", the "putting others first" bit, the "giving up of our selfish selves to be of service to others" kind of thing. He has shown us how to do it but we just don't seem to catch it.

Oh, sometimes we manage to give a halfhearted attempt at doing good and we really catch on to what Jesus was telling us, but then our tongues get in the way. We talk about this one and that one, we become unforgiving, we spit out curses like venom and expect to have good results of our "doing good".

Wrong. Won't happen. I've tried....and dang, I fail every time.

There is something that goes deeper, much deeper into the very core of our soul that God offers to us. It's from another realm, another dimension I think. It is the world of Spirit...unseen, alive and life changing. How it works is a mystery to me...but it involves making conscious choices, of looking beyond ourselves, of taking up with a Messiah who is looking for radicals to change this world into something more useful and beautiful and, shall we say, more environmentally friendly. We are the ones left here to care for it all, are we not???

Anyway, getting back to the waiting thing....we're waiting in our house too.

Waiting for Brittney's exams to be finished Tuesday so she can come over and make croissants with me. Waiting for Matt to arrive home on Thursday to stay for a month or so. Waiting for Shannon to have some time off to join in whatever we will do as a family, over the holidays. And so we just wait...

Wait for promises to be fulfilled in the coming of Jesus, the Christ.

We did some waiting last week too at Kid's Klub. We waited on tables for 70 helpers, children and their parents. It appears everyone had a good time, too! Dave got all spiffed up and waited on everyone, serving turkey and dressing and helping in the kitchen. He's a good influence on people around him. I liked his tie:)

So, waiting can be a good thing. Let's try to do it patiently and expectantly....full of hope. It's how to change the world a bit at a time:)

I'm behind....

2011-12-16T22:09:00.001-06:00

In most everything right now!!! People would like to see the pics I took of this event and that event in order that so-and-so can see them. Pictures are pretty powerful tools, alright!!

Here we go. First was our Branch Meeting where our very own Forest Service pipers, piped in our Honour Guard.

My friend, Carole, is the only female amongst the group!

Here they are left to right: Bryan Frazer, Darrell Hanson, Marty Ferguson,

Chris Brown, Carole Stewart and Michael McLaughlan.

Other than the one Scandanavian (Hanson), they sound like a wee bi' o' Scotland, ta me, laddie!

Nite all....perhaps I'll have enough moments in my day tomorrow to share more events!

It all started with a birthday...

2011-12-13T20:01:00.000-06:00

The birthday itself was good. You know, you turn another year older, you look in the mirror and say, "Yep, another year older alright...few more wrinkles, several more bulges, sags, and bags, but overall, I feel good!"

That's how the birthday started out.

We had daughter and granddaughter over for supper and birthday cake with cards and presents opening and the like. It was a party!! Small...but a party it was, with the four of us. The birthday song was sung and candles were blown out for another year.

THEN came the tree decorating.

Have I mentioned previously, over the past years, how much we are in need of a new Christmas tree stand?
No???? Well, if I haven't mentioned it here, I have mentioned it many times to various 'persons'.

I digress....Shannon, Brittney and I began the tedious and fun project of tree decorating. The lights, the old, tacky gold garland, the many old trinkets and balls and home made creations of bygone days when children made home-made decorations. All went on the tree.

Just when we were about finished I stood back and began watching, ever-so-slowly the beautifully lit and decorated Christmas tree begin to head north. I reached out and grabbed the Balsam fir with a firm grip around his trunk. Husband began his diligent work of attempting to 'fix' the old tree stand with various chunks of wood as leverage around the tree stand. It wasn't working. We lifted the tree out of the stand and back into the stand and after 10 minutes or so of trying to get the tree to stand alone we decided it was a futile effort.

Away went husband to the nearest store.

Meanwhile, Brittney and I are left holding the tree, literally, all lit and decorated, while husband does a quick trip to nearest box store to save the day.

Half an hour and four tired arms later, a new tree stand is placed not so gracefully in it's rightful spot. In goes tree trunk. Perfect. New tree stand holding decorated and lit tree and two happy women who can now let go of said tree!

But while husband is off on his stand trek, Brittney and I have loads of fun making crazy, zany and unflattering faces into her blackberry camera. Much laughter peeled through the living room while Christmas carols played on and our arms began to be numb from the weight....well, a bit of an exaggeration, but it was tiring!

So, that was a memorable moment, shared by a granddaughter and her Gram and Gramps.

Brittney held on while I took pics. It just got better after that:)

Opposites and splashes of red.....

2011-12-10T22:05:00.001-06:00

I'm thinking of my two grown children this night.

One is at a staff party where there will be fun, chatter, great food, smoothe drinks, and most likely a great deal of laughter and frivolity as they celebrate the season together.

The other is a very long way away, sitting alone, no chatter, not much food, just water and entering into a time of deep meditation...a 24 hour meditation marathon.

Both of them making individual choices of where they want to be in life and with whom and how they will go about doing those things.

It's sometimes difficult watching, but I trust their judgment in what they are choosing. I think both of them have a great deal of maturity in dealing with life so in that, I can relax a bit:)

It's been a day of baking in our place today. Five fruit cakes (with brandy), four iced cherry almond cakes, three cherry bars, one pineapple square.....and a partridge in a pear tree.....heeheehee

I'm pooped and am off to dream land with visions of sugarplums dancing in my head......

Hohohohoho.....

Decorations are going up too...and cleaning...and vacuuming....ya, the list just goes on...and on...and on....

It's Christmas Charlie Brown....

2011-12-08T21:39:00.000-06:00

And our office has a tree in his honor. We all like it because of it's imperfections. I think a tree cut right from the bush has a great deal of character. It is forced to grow in it's own unique way because of outside variables of which it has no control.

Kind of like us. We grow up in a particular home, some of which have a good many positive influences and we become self-confident and satisfied with life while other homes give us "side effects" where our imperfections become a real part of us, ones we simply can't hide from the world, but make us who we are nonetheless. Either way, when we stand in front of the window, dressed up in our finest duds, we are what we are, imperfections and all.

And here is one such tree...

Our friend and co-worker from Creighton, Donna Lundquist, sent all of us a beautiful Christmas bouquet today too. Simply divine and festive...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....everywhere you go......

The PAR....TAY.......

2011-12-07T22:08:00.001-06:00

Great meal for the most part, super conversation with friends, funny little games, music and watching my boss and his lady friend on the dance floor (far out!!!) A good time was had by all but with this cold, it exhausted me...

The newest married couple-to-be...Christine and Jeffrey:)

The young folk table!

Now for more parties....:)

Thinking random Christmas thoughts....

2011-12-05T20:42:00.001-06:00

I'm beginning to panic. House needs a good cleaning. I have no baking done to speak of. A couple of presents have been bought. No tree yet. Not one decoration is up. Nothing. Zero. Nada. No thing. Zip.

Then I get to thinking about all this hoopla.

What am I celebrating? Why am I celebrating? Do I need to do all this stuff?

It's a birth that I'm celebrating. I'm celebrating that birth because I believe the birth of that baby changed the course of history and I am a part of that history...as is everyone else on earth. There are some things that God has done, I believe, because he has needed to get our attention. This birth caught the attention of the people of His day too...King Herod, according to historical accounts, feared his kingship would be eventually taken over by this baby they called Jesus, so he had all babies two years of age and younger in Judea, murdered. That's a pretty reliable account of the importance of the birth of Jesus, I should think. The stories have been recorded and passed down through the centuries and this Christmas we will again recount that story...the birth of a baby in Bethlehem of Judea....a Baby God thought important enough to be born into a world of darkness.

God is still trying to capture our attention. Jesus shows us a way of living, of becoming more than we think we can be, of making a choice to change into something better. Every Christmas we remember that story of Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and kings and stables and angels..... and how Jesus came into the world as a light, a way, a path. We can choose to walk that path...or not.

I think a lit path is much easier to follow than one that takes me into the darkness.

So, in that, I shall put up lights this Christmas as a reminder that we have a Light to follow as we walk through the darkness, a Light that will bring us closer to God.

And the answer to the question "Do I need all this stuff?"...ie. decorations, trees, food, presents etc. etc.....probably not; but then again, I'm a sucker for parties. I love to get things all ready for guests and treat them royally! I love to celebrate with friends and get all spiffed up and let them know they are loved!

I'll do that for Jesus on His birthday too.....let the party begin:)

"Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, good will toward men."

A missing Sunday...

2011-12-04T19:51:00.000-06:00

When I don't get to church to worship and see my friends who are there on a Sunday morning, I feel like I have missed out on an important facet of my life. Sunday is a day of reflection, of connection, of seeking, of renewing my strength and a time of worshiping God. Not only that, it was my friend Grace's birthday today! Dang. So, that's two important birthdays I missed this weekend.

I just slept off and on all day long for the past two days. Yikes...I really must be tired. I could feel myself kind of withdrawing from things, even though I knew I had certain responsibilities, but I just couldn't help myself. It just happened and I suppose this being sick is the culmination of a very busy past few weeks....I just simply shut down. Bodies are funny that way....they know things.....;)

Spent some time in prayer for my friends who are sick with cancer, having operations, grieving, disappointed with life, making important decisions....the run-of-the-mill kinds of human events.

I'm off to bed. Don't think I'll make it to work tomorrow either. I think I need another day to get these antibiotic pills under control and my breathing back to normal.

Sleep well, friends. Another week is upon us and we begin the second week in Advent.

Just breathe....

2011-12-03T22:54:00.001-06:00

A cough began at work yesterday mid-afternoon. Just a cough...cough...cough.....

No runny nose, fever, sore throat, sweating....just a cough....cough.....cough....cough....

Not sure what that was about really, other than it kept up it's pace all through the evening. Managed to get to bed with a bit of cough....cough....cough....medicine and I slept well - until 1:43 AM!!!!

I kind of scared myself...me with my claustrophobic tendencies and all. I awoke with a start. Tried hard to catch my breath and the more I tried the more I panicked. So, I got up quickly and began walking and taking slow deliberate breaths, trying to get air into my wind pipe. I was pretty successful in that except I felt it wasn't what it should be. The air just wasn't going in like it should and my cough turned into a fierce mechanical-sounding bark. And the more I coughed, the more difficult I found it to breathe. I new it wouldn't be prudent to drive myself to the emergency room, so I woke up my poor sound asleep man. Off we went to the hospital at 2:15 AM. And my day ahead had been planned out beautifully but on the way to the hospital, I knew those plans would not come to fruition. No breakfast out with husband, no ringing Salvation Army bells at Superstore with husband, no 90th birthday party at Amy's on Second, no shopping, no nothing.

Disappointing.

The ER nurse got me on some oxygen, then some Ventelin, next an X-ray and the doctor gave me some pills and refills for my puffers. Back home to bed and breathing much better. We slept until 11:15AM!!!!

I stayed in bed for most of the day and have begun to feel somewhat better. But I have never had bronchitis come on that fast in my entire life!!! Ten hours from a tiny cough to almost not breathing .

Thank God for nurses and doctors who care for us! I appreciate them!!!

Not to mention husbands that take mid-night trips to emergency rooms with their wives...YAY!!!

My man outdid himself today and took over many of my responsibilities....ringing those bells for two hours, getting Communion ready for tomorrow's service, etc. etc. etc. He's a good man, yes he is!!!!

Going deeper...

2011-12-02T21:52:00.003-06:00

We're financially supporting son a bit as he enters into a Meditation Marathon. He feels this would be of great value to him as an individual, to go deeper into himself where there are no distractions of "things" or emotions or feelings...to go to a place devoid of all but Spirit. I'm attempting to understand his perspective and to come to a perspective of my own as he delves into places I have never been. I believe they are good places, just not ones that I am used to yet, places that challenge my own perspective on life and spirituality and everything in between.

This is not an easy project!

I shall follow him and not set my mind against what he is doing. I shall support and encourage where I can and then perhaps learn from him some new thoughts that I can grasp and use to better myself and others.

Matt is out to make a difference in this world, one learning experience at a time. I think what he is doing is more than commendable....it allows me to see some (as in 'many') inadequacies in my own spiritual journey and since we are here on earth to be vessels in God's hands, I need to do this daily....and to encourage others along the way also.

So, his journey is taking him on a Meditation Marathon next weekend. He has a donation page on Facebook if you wish to support him financially in this endeavor...

It's a great cause...as he searches out life's answers....and most likely finds more questions......

Our prayers go with him....

Good times...

2011-11-29T20:29:00.002-06:00

We celebrated the first Sunday in Advent....the Sunday of Hope. Candles were lit. Carols were sung. Music wafted through the sanctuary like a sweet smelling offering to Jesus, the greatest example of hope that is offered to this hurting world. He showed us a way to live....and he left it to us as to whether we would follow.

In the evening, the youth of our church hosted everyone in a short program, followed by delicious desserts and games of skill:) It was a full day....so full, I think it all did me in (as the saying goes).

Advent is also a season for preparation.....preparing our hearts and minds for the coming of Christ into the world. His life reflected light....and the darkness has not been able to put that light out. So, in preparation for the coming of Jesus into my own life, I have decided to take some time for fasting and praying and thinking and reflecting. Our senses are heightened after a certain point in a fast, when that "hunger pang" period of time is diminished and a time of "awareness" begins to take over. It is very interesting to be a part of that process. I'm not sure of the physiological aspects of it, but mentally and spiritually it becomes an intense time of "seeing" more clearly. It seems as if we can take on more of our friends hurts and burdens and take them as our own. It becomes a time of easily asking for forgiveness and accepting it, where we are able to love without judgment. It changes me on the inside. I know I don't constantly reflect those changes outwardly, but at least they are evident where God sees. There is so much more changing I must make and realizing that keeps me in a state of humility of what God has done for me and of the things that need revamping....which, after the last few days, I realize are many...

Here are a few pictures of my weekend. First, there was a birthday party.....

Then the Advent Program happened in the evening...

Lin spoke about the Inkeeper in Bethlehem...

Virginia played devil's advocate....put up more lights,

buy more stuff, etc. etc.

All in all, we had a lot of fun and the food was most excellent!!!

A day...

2011-11-26T19:57:00.000-06:00

We had a leisurely morning....well, until we got out of bed at least:)

Breakfast at A&W, spoke with a few friends there...

Rushed over to the Co-Op to see if we could get one of those free car timers that Sask Power were giving away....too many people so we didn't even go in. Husband said he didn't know why he was going to get one anyway as we already had one:)

Off to look for purple or mauve candles at Adam's Book Store on Central. It's the first Sunday in Advent tomorrow. The colors of the Advent wreath are purple (mauve) for three Sundays - "Hope", "Love" and "Peace", one pink candle for the Sunday of "Joy" and a white "Christ Candle" in the middle for Christmas Eve. I found mauve ones that will have to do. I sent poor husband off to look for purple candles every day this week. He phoned me at work to say he found some mauve ones and I said that that color would be quite adequate if there were no purple ones anywhere. They were reasonably priced so he brought home a bag of them...some for home too. His mauve and my mauve are two very different colors. His mauve is a "burgundy" shade of red whereas my mauve is the lighter color of purple...like lilacs, I told him. A color conversation ensued with words that included "stubborn", "teachable", "refuse" and the like. He was a good sport to have gone to so many shops to find his "mauve" candles though. If he had known what color "mauve" was to begin with, he would only have had to go to the first shop!!!

The afternoon was spent in good conversation with daughter.

So, I think tomorrow morning is all set. Practice at 8:30, prayer at 9:15, worship at 10 - 11 and the evening the Youth will host an Advent Program...with dessert to follow....and games! If you're wondering what to do on a Sunday evening, come on out. It should be quite entertaining!

Sleep well, friends.....

Between meetings....

2011-11-24T18:46:00.000-06:00

If you work 8 to 5.....

then eat supper from 5:30 to 6:30...

have a meeting or practice of some sort from 6:45 to 9....

get ready for bed and zonk out....

you barely have time to floss!

Tomorrow it will be work plus a HUGE birthday party for a friend who will turn the big FOUR O!!!

He's 40 today actually....happy birthday Yaounde!

I'm off once again to have a chat with Mr. Busy. I may have to hit him over the head with a 10 foot candy cane!

Dang....

2011-11-21T22:00:00.000-06:00

They're at the door again.

You let them in for a moment and they stay.

I told Mr. Busy I had no time for him today...and did he listen?

No.

But I let him stay so it's my fault.

I did get a Sunday Worship Service planned though so his visit wasn't a total bummer.

But I know he'll be back tomorrow....and Wednesday....and Thursday.

Some days I just can't say "NO!"

Think I'll just take some time out though to pray right now...for Win, and Pat and Penny and my family.

Hmmm...I don't see Mr. Busy anywhere. He must have ducked out when I mentioned the "p" word:) He knows he can't compete...

The 'Busy' Family.....

2011-11-20T22:09:00.000-06:00

Busyness can be our enemy I think. We want to do good things. We think about those good things. We go over them in our minds....and we agree with ourselves that, yes, they are good things to pursue.

And then one little thing after another comes and knocks on our door. These little things need to be addressed and so we invite them in. We sit with them and chat and give them our time. Then the next little thing comes and we do the same thing....again and again. Those little things didn't give us their name when they knocked but we find out later that all those little things names were the same...Mr. and Mrs. Busy, their family and kinfolk.

We didn't want to be impolite so we gave them our attention. After all, they had great stories to tell as to how their wants were important. And I sat with them, nodding my head in agreement. Yes, I can do that. Yes, I know how important and vital that issue is. Yes, we can help you out with that....and on and on and on....

When we collapse into our beds at night we realize how much time has actually been given to the Busy family. When I realize just how much time has been afforded them, I see them for what some of them they really are. They have become my enemy. They really don't have my good at heart. They simply want my time...time that can never be given back.

I need to become a bit more savvy and discerning when it comes to listening to all of them. As I say, they all are worthy of my time but I cannot possibly do all of their bidding or nothing will be accomplished. I must learn to choose wisely to which ones of the family I will offer my time.

They all clamor for it but I shall put my foot down.

At the end of our book study tonight we spoke of taking time out for God. It seems that for many of us, that Busy family even horns in on the moments we would like to reserve for God. We read the 23rd Psalm a few times too which speaks of God "making" us lie down in green pastures. We really don't seem to be able to do that for ourselves with any great ease. We try. We fail. God knows we need to lie down. We just let that Busy Family have their way with us but God says that he makes us lie down in green pastures. He knows what we need and why because he knows we allow that Busy Family in every time they knock! So, to help us with that he makes us rest. I like that thought!

I really hope He makes YOU rest this night. And in these days of pre-Christmas everything, be on the watch for that little knock on your door.....maybe you shouldn't answer it........

Fun and games...

2011-11-18T20:41:00.001-06:00

There was fun to be had too, at Kid's Klub on Wednesday.

Action. Excitement. Discipline.

One seems to always lead to the other:)

The T-shirts were a huge hit. I'll have to wear mine too next week. The glitter first had to dry;)

These kids have found a home in which to have a lot of fun. Along with the fun, there are rules to obey or they aren't allowed back for a week or so. Just how it is.

Life is like that too. We can go along having all kinds of fun until a few rules are broken and we end up having to be accountable...to ourselves and others. It can be an opportunity to improve how we live or we can deny our mistakes and go on making them.

Same as the kids at Kid's Klub. No different.

So, when we mess up, let's not get in a huff, shrug our shoulders and turn away like those 8 and 10 year olds. Adults should know better. If we face our inadequacies, our stubbornness and our immaturity, we can become better people. If not we continue to be inadequate, stubborn and immature.

But as the old saying goes, "Oh, to see ourselves as others see us!" THAT could be scary.....

The Silence of the lambs....

2011-11-16T21:20:00.001-06:00

Just that scary title reminded me of the beauty of a quiet home without 25 excited and boisterous children.

Walking into the apartment with absolutely no noise was nearly deafening. The lambs were nowhere to be seen or heard. They all had returned home from whence they came.

Kid's Klub was a T-shirt making Family Night. Over thirty T-shirts had their 'Kid's Klub' transfer ironed on and then their own colorful decorations followed. Quite an evening!

It wasn't easy getting them all sitting quietly together for a group picture.

I even tried my hand at ironing on the logos:)

Other than that little boo-boo, it was a fun night....lol

Some sound advice....

2011-11-15T20:55:00.001-06:00

on a cold and windy night....

And if you happen to be over ohhhhhhhh......say.....60....you can sing along....;)

Button up your overcoat,
When the wind is free,
Take good care of yourself,
You belong to me!

Eat an apple every day,
Get to bed by three,
Oh, take good care of yourself,
You belong to me!

Be careful crossing streets, ooh-ooh,
Cut out sweets, ooh-ooh,
Lay off meat, ooh-ooh,
You'll get a pain and ruin your tum-tum!

Wear your flannel underwear,
When you climb a tree,
Oh, take good care of yourself,
You belong to me!

Button up your overcoat,
When the wind is free,
Oh, take good care of yourself,
You belong to me!
Boop-boop-a-doop!

When you sass a traffic cop,
Use diplomacy;
Just take good care of yourself,
You belong to me!

Beware of frozen ponds, ooh-ooh,
Stocks and bonds, ooh-ooh,
Peroxide blondes, ooh-ooh,
You'll get a pain and ruin your bankroll!

Keep the spoon out of your cup,
When you're drinking tea,
Oh, take good care of yourself,
You belong to me!

Don't sit on hornet's tails, ooh-ooh!
Or on nails, ooh-ooh!
Or third rails, ooh-ooh!
You'll get a pain and ruin your tum-tum!

Keep away from bootleg hooch
When you're on a spree,
Oh, take good care of yourself,
You belong to me!

And that's about all I have to say for tonight. I thought the advice was pretty good anyway.....

the Eagle????has landed.....

2011-11-13T16:53:00.002-06:00

so the saying goes.

This fellow perched himself on the old flower pot and one at a time, picked out peanuts to store in various trees.

I peeked out the window when I heard him screeching and snapped as best I could. Quite pretty...and noisy!

It was a day...

2011-11-12T21:28:00.000-06:00

of snow...

and showers... (baby, that is)

meet Miss Ellie...

and her cousin, Austin...(just like a guy...sleeping through the parties)

meet Ellie's and Austin's folks....

A double shower for Marcus (and Alison) and his sister Molly (and Aaron) who both had babies born in September!

It was good to share in that joy...the second of the day.

The first one, of course, was the 10+cm. of snow.

11/11/11...

2011-11-11T21:33:00.000-06:00

Eleventh day of the eleventh month of the eleventh year.

Don't know that those numbers indicate anything of great significance or value but I suppose if one were the least bit superstitious, one might go out and buy a lottery ticket or something like that.

We didn't.

We did however, chat about things today, things that are of value and encouragement to one another.

We spoke too, of how sometimes things we say can be misconstrued by another just because we present our thoughts in a certain way. Nothing really can be done about that, other than attempting to correct the person in what your intentions were....but if a person is thinking in a certain way about what you said, the thought pattern is probably there and won't be broken no matter what you say. I know this all sounds vague and confusing but it is difficult being misunderstood. Misunderstandings can cause hard feelings and that is not my intention.

I don't know. I guess it is my fault for not being more direct and clear. One part of our church Behavioral Covenant is to communicate clearly and completely. Perhaps I wasn't as clear as I could have been and perhaps I expanded on my thoughts more than I should have.

I don't express my thoughts all that often to folks but when I do, I feel they are important enough to allow myself to be vulnerable with those thoughts and to actually verbalize them. And so I shall live with the consequences of that.

Oh well...blah....blah....blah....I'm just going on about nothing.

On a different note, I remembered my dad specifically today...his willingness to die for a cause that he thought was important. He didn't die....then....but he was willing. My dad was a very good and gentle man. War was not who or what he was about but he was amongst the millions who gave up a part of themselves so we could live without fear. I think that is pretty significant.

Sleep well...snow is approaching on this night of elevens.......

Reeling....

2011-11-10T21:30:00.000-06:00

This past week has had me reeling....for various reasons.

Extra busy at work....followed by helping and meetings and thinking and praying and finally.....exhaustion.

Normally, going to the dentist is cause for a bit of anxiety. Not today. I gladly took those needles and being placed nearly upside down. It was a rest!!!

I will be walking around with my head leaning more to the right now that I have two gold teeth on that side. So don't make fun of me when you see me like that. After all, my teeth will be worth probably a lot more than yours:)

May the God of peace watch over your night and keep you safe and warm...

A sense.....

2011-11-08T22:36:00.000-06:00

I really enjoy it when I sense things....correctly. Going into a church budget meeting can be pretty daunting but for the past few days I sensed that this would be a good meeting, one in which we could all sense God's presence. I think that happened this evening.

It is always good when we can go beyond what we think is doable, giving us a sense that we are depending on God to provide for the church's needs. Whenever we can offer a 13% missions budget to the congregation, I think that is a very excellent indication that God is in our deliberations.

Figuring out what to do with the congregation's Sunday offerings is a difficult task, but I really believe when the "living on the edge budget" is presented to our congregational Annual Meeting, they too, will see how God is at work in our midst.

There were some other really good things about the budget too, but those will have to wait to be mentioned at a later date. There is no limit to what we can do when we all begin to tithe our resources. Over the years, we have found again and again that we just can't out give God. Living off $9. of every $10. we make shouldn't be all that difficult, right? But it takes us a long time to really believe in this truth....and we thank God he has patience with us until we come to this point.....and beyond.

Tonight, I believe I shall sleep well.

Ssssssssssss.....

2011-11-05T21:20:00.001-06:00

24-Hour Precipitation Outlook

close to 5 cm of snow from Saturday Overnight to Sunday Overnight

Not much more to be said for that statement.

Got your scraper, brush, shovel, mitts, toque, boots, scarf, hooded-jacket ready?

Not to mention winter tires, plus your usual array of emergency trunk accessories - sand, candle, snacks, blanket, hazard signs, flashlight, batteries, and a huge slab of Toblerone chocolate.

As the Scouts always say "Be Prepared"!!!

Hope your night is ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssnowy:)

Worth a lot more...

2011-11-03T21:26:00.000-06:00

Yep, I got a 45 cent per hour pay increase, not to mention my new capped tooth will be gold-filled.

I'm going to be worth a lot of money at this rate.

I just hope my children don't count on much financial gain after we've left this old earth. Husband and I figured our mouths will be worth a lot more than all of our possessions put together. A bit scary to think of but a harsh reality of life.

Just goes to show you how much we depend on material wealth. If we have loads of cash to hand over to the next generation, then we're considered good solid people. If we don't have that kind of cash, we're considered duds.

But I would like to change that perception, right here and now. We may not leave our kids a great or even a good amount of money when we die but we hopefully have left our children the things that money can't buy....memories (hopefully good ones), appreciation of the gifts we've been given, a good sense of who we are as people, and hopefully a faith that will one day sustain us in our time of need. Can't buy those things.

So, low-income old age...here we come. Perhaps not having a lot of money will put our children in good stead as they progress in life too. You learn lessons of trust when you don't always depend on the god of money. God is their provider and I believe they have learned that.

Nite all. Even if we aren't in the 61% of Canadians who will have a winter in the "south", we're content with what we have....and by many people's standards, that's a whole load of stuff.

In a fog...

2011-11-02T20:21:00.000-06:00

My poor head has been in some kind of drug-induced fog since my double root canal yesterday. A few pills to calm me down before the procedure then a few pills afterward with codeine to take the pain away plus four needles to numb the area during the procedure.

I made it to work....I think....but by 2 PM my head was on the desk and I was flat out sleeping...but only for a few seconds....I think....the phone rang and I was shaken into reality. Scary stuff.

I actually got up with the alarm too this morning, although I really could have slept for another 8 hours, I'm sure.

Needless to say, I'm ready to slide into those comfy warm sheets and hit the pillow.

Perhaps I will experience more of tomorrow than I was able to experience this day.

It bit me...

2011-10-31T21:23:00.000-06:00

Yep, after I was all smug and everything...I managed to acquire a flu bug. Thought I would be good and not get it this time. Haven't had flu for a couple of years. Guess I must have been a bit run down. I'm on the road to recovery now though and will attempt work tomorrow morning....just in time for a root canal in the afternoon.

It's just one jolly time after another, eh?

We put our little lit-up 'pumpkin head with a witch hat' on our balcony tonight for any little goblin that happened to wander by our apartment building. It's different not seeing the little ones all dressed up with their costumes and moms and dads standing close by to catch them when they trip.

Brittney's picture (and several others) will be in the Herald tomorrow. She was one of the 101 Dalmatians at Carlton High School today who was captured by the photographer. I'm sure she was the most lovely of all the Dalmatians there.....:)

So, Happy All Hallows Eve....tomorrow is All Saints Day! I shall be thinking of all those dear saints who have gone on before and who have positively affected my life....Dad, Mom, brother, aunts, uncles, friends...and many of whom I won't meet until I get to where they are!

Now go and brush your teeth....you've been eating much too much candy tonight!

One more time...

2011-10-27T21:48:00.000-06:00

I'm going to try this sleeping thing once more. Perhaps tonight I'll make it past 3:10 AM without waking....and remaining awake....:(

We received our flu shots today too! Now I can face those flu bugs with a bit of confidence.

Nite all.....sleep tight....dont' let the flu bugs bite!!!!

Insomnia...

2011-10-25T21:46:00.000-06:00

I suspect it is the fact I'm having to take thyroid pills is the reason behind my insomnia.

I sleep really well....'til 3 AM.

Then it's tossing and turning, fluffing up the pillow, counting sheep until about 15 minutes before the alarm goes off. That really is annoying.

Wonder what this night will bring. As I type, my eyelids are slowly closing. Had better run and have my shower before I fall asleep in this chair.

And it's "Relay for Life" Cookie Day at work tomorrow. We made some pretty fine puffed wheat squares. If you stop by, you can have one for a buck.....good cause and all.

A subtle reminder that it's 60 days 'til Christmas. My name doesn't have any ornaments (above). Hope I wasn't too bad a girl!

Sleep well...I hear ice pellets on my window....:)

Death aftermath...

2011-10-24T21:47:00.000-06:00

Experiencing the death of a loved one can be bitter-sweet. We will them to stay with us...and yet...because of their constant suffering we will them to something better than this life affords.

And death can allow us to become one of the ones who knows first-hand of it's sting...it's unbearable pain.

We can't take a pill to make it go away.

We can't run away.

We can't busy ourselves into forgetfulness.

The pain is constant and it strikes harder in moments of sweet memory. We can't make those memories leave us either and most often we don't want to...it's really all there is left.

A bed made for two that now holds one in loneliness...a chair at the table is empty...the laughter, the jokes, the quirky humour, the teasing....gone. We find ourselves left with one tangible thing. We remain alive....and alone. Our hearts keep beating. We swallow some food to nourish our miserable bodies. We attempt to have a sense of being normal again but find that sense is illusive. We need it but we don't really want it...not yet. We don't want to be normal just yet because we think being normal means leaving all those feelings of our loved one behind. In fact, we get to feeling that our lives will never again be the same. And there is truth to that. The person who has died has left a huge gap in the life of the family. There is no one who can fill that void and we don't want anyone even trying.

Crying is exhausting and yet it becomes our way of beginning to heal the pain of loss. As days go by, the feelings of loss wash over us like huge ocean waves...uncontrollable, drowning us in our own tears, smashing us down again and again until we think there is nothing more.

Weeks pass.

We hear someone laugh and we find we are able to not cringe at the thought of such things amidst our sorrow.

The sun peeks in through the window and we notice it's warmth...it's not gray outside after all.

We are able to have a conversation with another without tears pouring down our cheeks.

The pain becomes less and the memories become more vivid. We think of our loved one with a smile on our lips instead of weeping.

Yes, the aftermath of death is painful and it hurts to our very soul but we find eventually that life begins to take us to the next level of being human....we have experienced death and know. We have become one of those who can go on to help someone else in their pain. We learn to sit and listen and hear the stories of the one who has gone. We learn that life will not always be as painful. We learn empathy.

Our faith can bring healing too. There is a "peace that passes all understanding". It is when we allow God to carry our burden of pain and to allow him to walk with us through the valley of the shadow of death, that our burden becomes lighter.

Jesus said "Come to me, all you who are weary and brokenhearted and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." To me, that is the best possible remedy for "death aftermath".

May my friends be comforted this night with the peace of Christ and by the fellowship of those who love them in their time of sorrow.

Time for bed...

2011-10-23T23:11:00.000-06:00

It's been another full day. Church and a class following. Baking a bit this afternoon. Darning a "family member's" sweater, book club this evening all kept me busy...and it's supposed to be a day of rest! Think I'm not quite into the practice of "Sabbath".

And Elroy has now passed from this life to the next...a sad time for his family...a good time for him. My boss's mother died too this past week. So there will be some heavy hearts at work and there will be time made for these grieving friends.

May God go with you into the night, helping you to sleep well and peacefully.

The remains of the day...

2011-10-22T21:26:00.003-06:00

Say, that's the name of an exceptional movie staring Anthony Hopkins...a must see!!!!

After a good day, I find myself in somewhat of a melancholy mood. The stress of the past week is over and I find myself appreciating the "little" things in life again....good health, my family close to me (most of them!), driving to Elk Ridge for breakfast, seeing the tamaracks in their yellow coats, having coffee with a good friend, animals wandering about, the hues of autumn becoming less and less vivid....and the warm, brilliant sun in a soft blue sky. I appreciate these things so much! God has been merciful to me!

During my day I also took time to remember folks who are suffering and sick and recovering from illnesses. May God in his wisdom have mercy on each of them. Life isn't always a bowl of cherries; sometimes it has a few chunks of rotten peaches and pears thrown into the mix. But we take the good and discard the bad and we still have a pretty good fruit salad!

The sun is beginning it's decent as winter approaches. The shadows are much longer...only 60 days until the shortest day. But the building where I work is constantly displaying those beautiful shadows which I attempted to capture Friday morning as the sun rose.

Then this morning we headed to Elk Ridge for breakfast. A co-worker's sister was being married there today as well. The chairs were all set for their big event.

On our way back we stopped to watch this foxy fellow with his enormous bushy tail.

It was a very good day. I pray you may say the same....

Missing.....

2011-10-21T20:36:00.001-06:00

Ya, I'm already missing those luscious green leaves and grass. They've bit the dust. To think we won't see that shade for yet another six plus months makes me want to put some new pictures on my walls....of greenery and flowers.

I will turn to these pictures and many more like them in the weeks and months to come when the temps dip down to -35C and snow and frost blanket the earth here in Saskatchewan.....'til next spring.....

Results are good...

2011-10-20T21:20:00.000-06:00

In a sense I can breathe more easily! The results of my endometrial biopsy were good. No cancer. Doctor was very concerned and I was too. I think worrying takes its toll on folks....

In another sense, I can't breathe more easily with this dang head cold. Last night around midnight I tried to get comfortable enough to breathe and finally I took a big pillow and stuffed it under my head on top of my other pillow......ahhhhhh......breathing relief. I slept well after that. Antibiotics should begin to kick in soon too.

I feel a restful weekend coming on.........night all.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Oh, and God, please be with Elroy this night....he just may be with you very soon but I guess only you know the exact time. Thanks. Amen.

Is it a cold????...

2011-10-17T18:14:00.000-06:00

Just not feeling normal today. A bit of nausea, low-grade fever, sore throat....another day in the life of ME!

I could sleep and sleep and sleep....

Ya, good idea. I think I will.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Country Store...

2011-10-15T20:18:00.000-06:00

It was a good sale today. I wasn't involved like I usually am but I managed to sell some good baking and have great conversations with several folks. Our Conference Superintendent, Jeff, was passing through P.A. too, so he stopped by and had lunch and visited with a few folks and the pastors.

One of our church women, whose daughter contributes to our sale each year by sewing many wonderful items, did so again this year....except this year, besides sewing various articles to put in the sale, also sewed every woman working at the sale, a beautiful bib apron...red and beige. I'll show you some pics...

Tracy, Marg and Marian unknowingly model the new aprons.

The tables were full of delicious choices!

Ken, Linea, Sara, Janet, Supt. Jeff, Seth and Stacia

gathered around the table for tea and a chat.

The Youth had their own table of great items, too!!!

I bought some of Pastor Stacia's lovely hand-crafted cards:)

It was a good day but I had to come home and rest....

Country Store...

2011-10-14T22:47:00.000-06:00

I've been resting up for tomorrow when the women of our church host the city at their Country Store. Baking (and good baking too), crafts, and a luncheon (sandwiches, dessert and coffee). It's always a great way to serve the community and to meet all the regular attenders who have been coming to this event for many years.

Hope we will see some of you there, too....from 10 AM to 2 PM.

People who attend say it's one of the best of it's kind in the whole city! I think those people may be right:)

Artsy friends...

2011-10-13T18:09:00.003-06:00

I have many good friends who would be in the category of what today is known as the "artsy-fartsy" group of folks. Not sure where exactly that term originated but it's there nonetheless.

A couple of them, a mother and daughter, went on a trip to Italy together last year. They took some fabulous pictures and got a real feel for the country. They also paint. So, when they returned from their trip they began painting some of the photos they had captured. Not sure how the rest of the story went, but as far as I could gather, a lady asked them to put on an Italian art show in her coffee shop in the little town of Birch Hills, just south of Prince Albert. They accepted....and a great amount of work began.

Friday night last, we ventured out with two good friends onto a rain-slicked highway and drove to our "Night of Italy". Candles were lit, table cloths on the tables, Italian music serenaded us and gave us just a taste of what it would have been like to actually be there. And most importantly, they were there to greet us as we entered the tiny shop...with their art interspersed along each wall. Beautiful work. Explosions of vibrant colors and detail of the mom's paintings while the daughter expressed subtle, full hues with a more abstract feel. I loved all of them!!!!! Such talent. I was so proud of them too...using their gifts to make the world a little better place to be.

Here are some of their works....if they show up here....

I think that's all I can get up on here. But you get an idea of the caliber of professionalism here.

And it was a truly warm and fun evening, with cakes, biscotti, punch and coffee and great friends to share in the excitement of the event.

Thanks so much, Alecia and Mary Jane!

Get enough...???

2011-10-12T20:05:00.000-06:00

If you are queasy about female anatomical stuff and a tad sensitive about discussing these issues, this blog post is NOT for you! Go have a cup of guava juice and some celery instead!

It's what I asked my doctor following today's procedure of snipping parts of my female inner-most parts of my being.....I didn't want to say uterus but I guess I will:)

Having an endomitrial biopsy is not the most fun thing in the world....but it's doable. You just take deep breaths, do some counting exercises while trying not to scream out, scaring the poor little gal who is his assistant who has taken to a chair before collapsing on the floor. I apologized to her afterward for not being the epitome of bravery for her faint of heart senses but it was the best I could do. After all, women have this done every day, right? I need to work on bravery.

The doctor, by my calculations as to just how many times I had to hold my own head in a vice-grip and take deep breaths, did get enough tissue for the biopsy which will be whisked away for further scrutiny.

The big deal began last night when I took pills that would make this procedure more "accessible", shall we say. One just wonders about the things they are prescribed, especially when one reads the little papers that come with the medication. "May cause severe cramping." "Used for abortion procedures." You begin to get the picture when the long-forgotten menstrual cramps begin in earnest, keeping you awake long into the night...and even when you do fall asleep, you are dreaming of trees falling on your mid-section and you're unable to move...or something biting at your middle as you attempt to run away....you know, stuff like that. So that's how the night went. Then came the morning. Oh my. I didn't think it could get worse...but it did. What the heck were these pills doing to me anyway. All I can say is....well, I won't even say it.

When I walked into the examining room at 11 AM, he asked me how I was feeling. So, I asked HIM if he had ever taken those pills he prescribed.....no, of course not. He has no bloody idea what it feels like. (No pun intended)!

Through all of this, I do recall having this procedure done...oh, probably 15 years ago. It was painful then, too. But this time, the doctor had to make sure he got enough tissue. Three snips and I'm down for the count. For a few moments I really figured I was going to lose it, but looking at that poor nearly-fainting girl holding the tray of "utensils", I got my stiff British upper lip going and dug in for the long haul.

Thinking about it now, 15 minutes of pain really is nothing compared with the pain some folks I know are enduring at this very moment. So, I thank God for small mercies and people who upheld me in their thoughts and prayers during the day.

Now for pills to stop the cramping and everything that goes along with THAT....only four more days to go. By Monday I should be feeling pippy.

So, that was my last 24 hours in a nutshell. Managed to have brief stints of sleep this afternoon, without dreams of being beaten up and eaten alive. All good.

Let's go and have a good sleep tonight. That was enough fun for one day, in my estimation.

October mists....

2011-10-11T21:14:00.001-06:00

When I saw the Weather Network this morning telling us there was fog on the river, I went out the door with Mr. Olympus on the ready. I did casually mention this fact to husband so he wouldn't be too surprised when I yelled "STOP THE CAR!"

Driving by the boat launch area he pulled right in and down to the waters edge we went. I jumped out and took a moment to enjoy a misty morning on the river....and snapped a few shots. Oh my. I wished I could have stayed until the sun came out but alas, work awaited me.

I think it was worth the diversion...IF they show up on this blog at all....:(

Picture #3 isn't coming out here. Oh, maybe I'll put it up on the top....ya......

Another busy week ahead...

2011-10-10T19:30:00.000-06:00

Good thing I did some baking today for our upcoming Country Store this Saturday! Tomorrow is a church Council meeting, Wednesday will be tests and Kid's Klub and another meeting following, Thursday and Friday we will see how the test results are...maybe I'll be in Saskatoon, who knows. Saturday, of course, is the big bake/craft sale at the church. Throw in 8 hours of work at my daily day job and I feel tired already.

I was still thinking about our time with the family yesterday and how much work my sister-in-law did to make a beautiful meal and to make us feel welcome, as usual. They are like that, my brother and his wife. No put-ons, nothing phony...just real people who treat their family well. I feel blessed. Wished Matt could have been there, too!

Helen and Garry

Helen and Raelene

Raelene and Shannon

Kylie and Brittney

Rovelyn, Kelly and baby Taylor

Me and the little beauty, Taylor

And our little extended family just keeps on expanding with little ones springing up! A true blessing!

I pray for God's special presence during this week of busyness.

Thanksgiving...

2011-10-09T23:08:00.001-06:00

It was a day spent with family...family we hadn't seen in quite a long while...and one member whom we had not met yet! If these pictures even show up....

Ryan

Ken and Kylie

Seems my pictures aren't uploading or downloading or whatever....they aren't showing up on here. I'll have to do more posting tomorrow....nite all.

The wait...

2011-10-08T22:15:00.000-06:00

Normally I have patience to wait for things. But some things I wished would just happen quickly already.

The results of tests have placed me in a position to have "further investigations"....as quickly as possible... then be referred to a specialist in Saskatoon.

So, here I wait. Wednesday will not come soon enough.

But, God is in it and whatever comes my way, I shall walk the path...and learn once more the art of patience. Makes one so much more empathetic.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Sunday. I shall lead worship and gather the men, women and children together to offer our thanks to God, who gives us life and sustains us in the midst of trials and sorrows; who encourages us to go on.

Then we'll head off to Tisdale for a mini-reunion with my brother's family and to meet the new member of our clan...Taylor Rosa Benson!

God is good....all the time.

Great flapping goose wings, Batman!!!

2011-10-06T22:35:00.000-06:00

There are perks to traveling out-of-town on a fall day, even if it is to get some tests done!

As Saskatchewan is a major fly-way for the goose population, it was a great sight to once more see migration in action. Geese everywhere! Snow geese, with their color-phase relatives amongst them, the Blue geese.

Husband is quite used to me yelling "STOP THE TRUCK", while traveling down the road at 110 km/hr. Last I checked though, we may need a brake job some time in the near future.

The fields were like a snow storm had hit. We managed to find a little spot to drive off the highway and I "crept" up on the flock. Well, crouching as low as I could with a bum knee anyway. I clicked as I progressed. Up and over the rise I came, Mr. Olympus in hand, surprising the whole gang. They were squawking and honking and making all manner of "frightened to death" sounds. When they saw me coming at them, up they flew, with a sleigh full of toys and St. Nicholas too.....oh, I think I should wait a little longer for that story...but it rhymed!!!

Here they are as I stood in wonder at the sight of them....

We continued on down the highway and got to the point where they had all landed a few miles away. They sat on the road, covered it actually, so I got out of the truck and walked towards them.

Aren't they just grand!

And the noise....much worse than the Batmobile!!!

Winning....

2011-10-05T21:58:00.004-06:00

Our Relay for Life "Studs and Peelers" team had a raffle for an Ohio Buckeye tree. Today we picked a name from a coffee can and our big winner was a Forest Service employee from Creighton, Donna Lundquist. She happened to be in the area today and picked up her prize...a lovely shedding tree:)

Here are some team members, L->R Dave Stevenson, Nadine Penney

Twila Gola and the winner, Donna Lundquist.

Then at noon, another winning event took place. It was a retirement luncheon for two over-thirty-five year folks of the Northern Support Services, Stan Mamczasz (it took me a good many years to be able to type Stan's name without looking!!) and Dianne Gervais. It was good to recognize their service to the government and to join with other folks to celebrate their accomplishments. I trust their retirements will be fruitful and filled with fun and good health!

Stan and his wife.

Dianne and her husband.

This evening was Kid's Club....we crafted bracelets with beads and bells as a precursor to the story of Isaac and Rebekah. I began to tell the group of pre-schoolers the story of Abraham sending his servants to his home land to find a suitable wife for his son, Isaac and how the servants had to travel by camel over the desert to go and find Isaac a wife (Rebekah was found for him!!!). So, I had a picture of this camel walking in the desert. I showed the class the picture and asked them what the camel was walking on. "His legs!", was the first comment. I was hoping for "sand" as an answer but instead, I got what I asked for!!! They are just too funny!

The day has ended with a long phone conversation with Matt and texting with Shannon. All good.

So, besides work, it has been a busy day. Nite all.........

A week of thanksgiving...

2011-10-03T21:10:00.000-06:00

I'm attempting to be thankful for various things as I progress through my week...in anticipation of the coming weekend...Thanksgiving.

It all boils down to people. Oh, I can be thankful for my job, my beat up old vehicle I drive to get me from point A to point B, my coat to keep me warm, water to drink and food to eat.

But when all is said and done and the dust settles on the ole' parched prairie, there really is only one major thing to be thankful for.....family....friends....people.

I wonder how many times I've blogged on this very subject, the one on "relationships". Probably too many to count and yet I keep saying it over and over again...if we don't have relationships with others, we really don't have much. When I'm pushing up daisies under the shade of the ole' pine tree, I hope I will have left this place knowing my life made a difference (in a good way) to at least one person. Not much to ask. But I could be a positive influence to that one person, and if that person left earth the same way, having a positive relationship with another person and it just kept on and on, that would be very good. That must be how we make the world a better place, by leaving a legacy of something positive. Just leave all those mean, negative, selfish things behind!

So, today I shall be thankful for the people in my life. I am a truly blessed person because of them....and so, I thank God for each of them.

A deer...

2011-10-02T21:24:00.000-06:00

Well, that's meat for the freezer. One deer, so far....and we thank God for his provision.

It will be a week of cutting and trimming and packaging...for husband, at least. As for me, it will be one of 'those' weeks.

Here's a picture of a cake daughter baked and brought over. We cut into it and kept a few slices for ourselves but shipped the rest back to their house. It even had a lovely blue bow!

And it tasted just as good as it looked!!! She used my mom's recipe...:)

Tired.....

2011-09-30T20:55:00.000-06:00

Is it a certain time of the year when we get so tired we can barely move?

I'm convinced that the animal in us wants to beef up for the cold days ahead and look for a cozy, warm cave to plop down in. I'd prefer it having a little wood stove and some snugly blankets, with Mr. Cave Man bringing me the occasional snack and cup of tea. But dang, it would be grand to just curl up and sleep away the winter.

Well, that's how I feel this evening. And in the midst of all my glorious dreams of a luxurious winter, I must face the harsh reality of working 5 days a week and coming home each night to a variety of important "other" tasks, not to mention the battery of physical tests that will take place in the next week...blood work, etc., X-ray, ultrasound...you name it, I'll have it. We are so fortunate to have these many diagnostic tools at the doctor's disposal. So the week coming up is looking positively daunting. One day at a time.....

Perhaps that's why I'm feeling extra tired. Lots to think about and much to do, not to mention praying times for friends.....Andrea, Elroy, Pat, Twila, Val....and my own family.

Think I'll lumber off to bed and if I don't wake up in bed tomorrow, don't call in the troops.....you will know I've found that cave I was talking about. Nite....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Crazy week...

2011-09-28T22:04:00.000-06:00

I've been out every night so far this week...well, Monday I spent thinking and planning for our Thanksgiving Sunday worship service in a couple of weeks. Still lots to do with that one!

Had a Skype conversation with son after supper today too. That was good...and a good talk with granddaughter this evening as well but not before being challenged at Kids Club..."challenged" being the operative word. It was fun though but tonight I felt somewhat rushed as I didn't want to miss Matt's call either.

Life seems to be heading at quite a fast clip. Hope I can keep up.

But I need more sleep.

Good night friends...may the good Lord's blessing fall on you and those you love.

We ate pot-luck...

2011-09-25T21:30:00.000-06:00

That's what the Covenant Church does best. We all bring food, put it all together on two long tables, line up and feast. A great way to celebrate a very honest and engaging weekend of the Veritas Pathway Seminar.

Food brings us together. We sit around tables and talk and develop relationships...so vital to any community. I sat and watched various tables...some with Gen-X-ers and seniors, some with young couples and their children, others with single folks and their friends. Everyone seemed to be talking and laughing and enjoying their time together.

We're attempting to get small groups together too. Some will read books together and discuss them as they go about how that book can help us in our every-day lives. Another group will study a book of the Bible and have discussion and fellowship. There will be groups gathering too, to share their various gifts of quilting, painting, photography and anything else that may be of interest. A morning women's group will gather for study and a men's group also at various times. Not only that and regular Sunday school classes, there again will be Kids Klub, children from pre-school to grade six every Wednesday where we feed them supper, have a story time, play a few games and do a craft. There are also several visits to care homes in the city as well as taking part in serving soup to the hungry on various Saturdays. The seniors gather together too, to enjoy taking part in various special activities.

So, besides being on the worship team, chairing the Spiritual Care committee and being a member of the follow-up vitality committee to our Veritas weekend, I shall have my work cut out for me. I believe though this past weekend has given me a new sense of strength I haven't felt in a while. Perhaps it was my inability to move around much for these past several months and I lost a lot of energy just attempting to get my knee back to normal...if it ever will.

But on we will go, as a community of Christ followers, attempting to be Christ wherever we find ourselves. The Bible talks about when we are weak, then we are strong because we must depend on God for his strength, not our own to get any job done. The guest speaker for our Veritas Seminar, Gerald Froese, said that when we know for sure that we are unable to do something to help or change our community for the better, that is when God takes that something and gets that something done....with his strength, not our own. The Bible is full of people who told God they couldn't possibly do what He was asking of them...and that is exactly what God wanted to hear....that THEY couldn't do it, but with God's help, they could...and did!

Dependence. Desire.

Dependence on God with a desire follow him.

That's about my weekend in a nutshell.

Sleep well, my friends. There is work to be done tomorrow...:)

Just a couple of pictures showing us developing our relationships...by listening and encouraging.

Veritas weekend...

2011-09-24T19:44:00.002-06:00

Veritas. ("truth" in Latin) For months the leadership of our church has planned, prayed and prepared for this weekend. The Veritas Pathway has ended but our church now begins the work of discerning the Spirit of God regarding 'next steps'...an action plan, as it were. A strategic action plan. That sounds very much like the workings of government, to me. But looking beyond the words and even our discerning, there was a sense that Gateway has a very real desire to be broken...broken enough to allow God's Spirit to change us into the likeness of Jesus. As a body of "Christ followers", it is He whom we desire to imitate and I get a sense that we are in a place to move forward, into a next phase of community life.

We realize also, that going forward requires us to actually move. We cannot sit and do nothing and wait for some (as my friend described it) brick falling from the sky with a note attached, giving us Phase I of our new adventure. No. It involves each of us, in community, talking and praying together, making one another accountable for our actions, and getting into relationship with God and each other. When relationship happens, it gets us trusting and caring, and loving and doing...together.

I must confess, there are days when I am so tired I would just as soon flop down and never get up. But the Bible reminds me that "they shall rise up with wings as eagles, we shall run and not be weary, walk and not faint"!! That gives me a great amount of hope because left to my own strength, as I say, I'd just flop down like a beached walleye and croak.

We are God's people and over this weekend, I saw a theme throughout the entire time....desire. No, we probably don't have the strength to accomplish much, but the desire is there. God has said that he will "give us the desires of our hearts"....he also says to "trust in the Lord with all your heart and don't lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your path". Another great promise as I sink down into my comfy chair and put my feet up. But it's OK. God knows we need to rest and take time to be with him, to commune with him, to talk or be silent in his presence.....and to be real before him.

Ya, it was a good weekend. I learned so much more about God's people, my friends....the people I love.

By the looks of those papers hanging on the church basement wall, we said a lot of good things, things that would make us a healthy, missional church...now, to do them. By God's grace, we shall!

It's almost fall....

2011-09-22T21:25:00.000-06:00

Colors are now muted. Cloud shapes are forming differently...from a different wind, a wind that will sweep into our country bringing with it darkness, snow, cold and a yearning for warmth.

Gee, that was quick. It's supposed to be +25 tomorrow and over the weekend.

We'll just hold off on that cold wind for a bit longer.:)

One thing I've missed....

2011-09-21T21:11:00.001-06:00

We haven't had a boat to go fishing for the past two years. Ken and I have really missed that opportunity. We always enjoy getting out on the water on a warm, calm morning and heading to a "good spot" to cast our lines...or we just troll a while. I think he misses the fishing but I really miss the picture taking of all the birds, animals and scenery that surrounds us every minute of the day no matter what lake we take to.

Around noon we stop for our "fishing lunch", consisting of a sandwich of some sort, some fruit, a drink and perhaps a cookie or two. Then it's back to the task at hand...catching those illusive walleye or pike.

It is always so peaceful to me just to sit at the front of the boat and take in the sights, sounds and freshness of being on the water. The colors amaze me. The reflections of sky on water always take my breath away.

I wonder what next summer will bring, Lord willing. Perhaps a boat will show up in the scheme of things, who knows. I can only hope...

Sleep well. We're in for another short heat wave.

Riders vs Bombers....

2011-09-19T22:01:00.001-06:00

One of our fellows at work is a Winnipeg Blue Bombers fan - it's his hometown. He's outnumbered, of course. But he was courageous enough to display a Bombers sign on his office window. No fear...

A Riders fan figured that a sign like that needed a bit of a touch-up...you know, to reflect a bit of rivalry.

Hope he doesn't mind!

I wonder what the Riders will do this weekend????!!!!

She sings...

2011-09-18T20:38:00.002-06:00

Tonight, our friend's daughter, Charlotte, is one of the opening acts for The Braids concert at the Roxy Theatre in Saskatoon. Charlotte is beautiful and talented and we are all proud of her. She has CD's too!!!

http://seaoleena.bandcamp.com

OK something is wrong...and has been for a while now...when I upload my photos....sometimes they show up sometimes they don't and other times they're extremely large and other weird things are going on.

Sorry.

Moments.....

2011-09-17T20:41:00.004-06:00

There were father and son moments this past week too.

Two very different men....and I love them both. Although they do have some similarities...facial hair, glasses and they wear size 12 shoes.:)

Too short....

2011-09-16T21:13:00.001-06:00

Visit with son was much too short but greatly appreciated. Talks. Quiet. Walks. Meals. Presence.

I savor those times more than I care to admit. He's soothing, calm, peaceful and wise. I wonder where this path will lead him. Difficult and challenging decisions are ahead. May God go with him and around him, before him and behind him.

Before he left we took a river walk....the day began though with a great mist rising off the water......the rest of the day was sunny and warm...and most enjoyable.

It was good to have both children over for supper!

The many faces...

2011-09-12T20:47:00.001-06:00

of the girls I love. Sometimes serious. Sometimes amusing. Sometimes crazy.

They make me laugh....and so pretty, too....while I'm at it, I should mention brilliant!!!

9/11 and friends who are sick...

2011-09-11T21:06:00.000-06:00

Today has been a reminder of how humanity can act inappropriately. September 11, 2001.

Of course humanity has acted very inappropriately in the past too....the Holocaust for one. Innocent people have died. It would be fine if folks died for a particular belief or cause, but to take innocents with them is simply not right. I think we could say the same for leaders of countries who allow their populace to starve while they rape their own land of resources for their own personal gain. It's just not right. Innocent people die!

I believe one day there will be an accounting of our actions and words to others. When justice will be meted out by a just God.

On another note, my friend Andrea is recovering from her surgery. Nauseousness was pretty bad today, says husband, but once that settles, she will be on the road to recovery. These things take time and much prayer. Tonight I pray her stomach settles, that she sleeps well and that God will continue his healing on her body. It's rough being operated on...especially in the first post-op days!!!!

Sleep well my friends. The weather has cooled to allow that to happen....

And the harvest continues to ripen on the vine.

Flowers continue to bloom with no frost....yet.

We had a brunch...

2011-09-10T22:19:00.005-06:00

We did a lot of eating and chatting and laughing and cooking. It was a great time and all the food was so tasty! It's good to be together in community.

One house had an indoor breakfast and the next house had an outdoor brunch....and so many flowers and plants to capture on my camera.

Ken cooked a steak supper tonight too! Oh my........

In the arms of God...

2011-09-08T21:08:00.000-06:00

That's where I enjoy being....safe in the arms of God. A place where he is my comforter, my protector, my refuge and source of peace.

As I enter this night of rest, I am thinking of friends who need to know they are taken care of by something much larger than themselves. They need not worry. They are cared for by a source of great love.

A friend is having surgery tomorrow. Serious cancer surgery. The prognosis is very good for her but she will be away from her normal routine for up to six weeks...recovering. Life is not easy as we approach serious life and death circumstances, when we are faced with our own mortality and the fact that we really have no control as to what comes our way. The great test comes in our reaction to these life and death scenarios. How do we face cancer? How do we even say the word? How can we be a source of hope to others in the midst of our own uncertainty and pain?

I know Andrea has a deep faith. She knows about God and his provision and love for her. This faith will do her well in the days and weeks ahead. She knows too, that I speak to the Father about her and ask for mercy and grace and healing on her behalf, as do many others. It's what friends do.

May God be with the doctors as they operate, giving them sure hands and wisdom as they go about their delicate procedures...and may God whisper his words of comfort to her as she enters this difficult time.

And as her family joins her on this journey, may they be strengthened and uplifted as they watch and wait. It isn't easy watching those we love walking past 'the valley of the shadow of death'.

And so, "May the Lord bless her and keep her, the Lord make his face shine upon her and be gracious to her, the Lord turn his face towards her and give her peace." Amen

Good night dear Andrea....sleep well in the arms of God.

It's a beast...

2011-09-07T22:19:00.001-06:00

How did you manage the heat today? As for me, I worked in an air conditioned office all morning then exercised like a mad fool in the gym for most of the afternoon. Perhaps I lost a pound or two of sweat!

It is lovely out though. Warm evenings and cool mornings...what more can a person ask for.

But the weather, as gorgeous as it is, has not been on the front burner of my thought processes these days.

More friends are sick or having serious operations or getting MRI's to find out what's wrong. I thank God for a simple knee injury. It could be so very much worse.

Then there are those parents who have children starting school for the first time...and parents who are experiencing an empty nest with their child off to post-secondary school. And SIAST is on strike!!!

Busyness is happening too. Meetings to chair, attend and be accountable for to others.

And in the midst of it all, Matt is heading home to P.A. for a few days. That is always good. I look forward to his presence.

Sleep well...and know you are thought of this night....God never slumbers nor sleeps.......

Try to remember...

2011-09-05T21:31:00.001-06:00

"Try to remember the kind of September
When life was slow and oh, so mellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When grass was green and grain was yellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When you were a tender and callow fellow.
Try to remember, and if you remember,
Then follow....follow...follow....follow....." Song sung in 1965 by Ed Ames...my high school grad year!!!

Ya, it was that kind of day. Off we went for a drive to Waskesiu...in September...the grass WAS green and the lake was oh, sooooo blue. Shadows have grown significantly since July. It was slow paced and simply lovely. We had to top it off with a Big Olaf Sundae!

We hit the Trading Post for pizza buns!

The still-messed-up boardwalk from the July storm. The Feds

won't cough up the cash to repair or replace it...so they just nail up a 2 x 4! I'll bet

one doesn't see a boardwalk boarded up anywhere east of Manitoba!!! (I could go on!!)

The blues are so.....blue.....

Piles and piles of drift wood along shore.

The only calm, cloudless day on our vacation was the day the beach

was closed! But look at today...calm and beautiful!

Folks ventured out on the breakwater...preferably without shoes!

Sun is lower....well, not really, but you know what I mean...

It really was a beauty of a day!

Long shadows....

A mom and daughter chat...with iced mint tea from The EverGreen

Gramps joined the discussion.

Back home. Everything is so green....still!

I love little mini vacations...even if they last only a few hours. This one was perfect!

Honoring...

2011-09-03T19:37:00.002-06:00

Tomorrow we will take time to honor a friend on her 85th birthday. Her family has come great distances to share in this special event. We were at the church today doing some pre-church stuff for tomorrow and there were many of her family busy fixing, setting up, icing cupcakes, getting flowers ready and music to be played by one of her grandsons during church in the morning. She is one great lady and her family is here this weekend for her giving her honor and praise and the royal treatment because of her faithfulness in life.

How beautiful for her to be the recipient of such love and kindness.

May she be blessed greatly in the years to come. Happy Birthday, Birdie!

Be Prepared....

2011-09-01T23:13:00.000-06:00

It's the Boy Scouts motto.

I try to be prepared.

Sometimes all the preparedness in the world won't help if the plans change in mid stream.

We can prepare for a meeting. The chair phones to say they are ill. Meeting is canceled until a more suitable day and time.

We can prepare for a night out with friends. Someone comes to your home for a visit and your plans change to accommodate your visitor. Night out is toast.

You can prepare yourself to go to university. Funds aren't available so you end up working instead.

You can plan and prepare to get married.. I guess you can go in many directions with that one. Perhaps your partner changes their mind or you find that marriage really isn't what you're wanting.

Lots of stuff can get you heading off in another direction than what you had prepared yourself for.

So, yes, be prepared.....for a change of plans.....

Routine....

2011-08-31T20:36:00.001-06:00

I'm a sucker for routine. When I go on vacation, where I really think I'll be away from routine, I end up having one anyway.....same only different!

What is it then that makes us feel refreshed? When we go from one routine to another...the same routine only different surroundings what is it that allows us to be invigorated. Is it our visual senses, or hearing...feeling??? Perhaps a combination of things surrounding the same routine makes us feel like we have experienced something new. I find it all very interesting...how our senses and inner thoughts, spirits and mind can make us feel like we've been on a vacation...how does that work anyway? You read stuff about 'virtual reality' and I think it must be something like that.

Whether it's home....

or work.....

or vacation...

it's always good to get into some kind of routine.

I think it keeps us human:)

Tickle, tickle, tickle.....

2011-08-30T21:33:00.000-06:00

Sleeping away peacefully, I am awakened by a fluttering of sorts on my back.

My hand goes towards it and it stops.

I fall back to sleep.

Awakened again by a tickling on my lower back.

This time I shoot straight up...slide over to the outer regions of this enormous king-size bed, pull the sheet up over the bottom sheet and whack the daylights out of whatever is between those sheets and fall back down onto the bed and back into an oblivious sleep.

Waking up in the morning I go about my usual morning routine....but before getting dressed, I remember the episode that took place in the night. Must have been a dream, I'm thinking. But just to make sure, I pull back the top sheet and begin a sweeping motion with my hands on the bottom sheet.

Yep, there had been a spider in my bed. There was a viewing of the body...but no funeral.

I got an A+...

2011-08-29T22:00:00.000-06:00

Yep. My physiotherapist returned from two wonderful weeks at Waskesiu and gave me the once over. Measuring my injured knee, making me do stairs, walking straight lines, etc. etc. seeing how hard I worked in her absence.

She was very pleased with my progress so I got an A+ !

That made me very happy!

A few more intense sessions to go at the centre and she will leave me to my own devices.
I shall miss all the folks I've met there, too....Dorothy, Shelley, Jim, Nicole, Lisa, Travis, Halecia....

I will be getting a program of various exercises to bring home with me. Perhaps I will learn to make these a habit...and a priority!

Lord help me to make it so.......for my own good health, of course.

"The Help"...

2011-08-27T20:53:00.000-06:00

The girls and I went to the movie "The Help", this afternoon. A story of courage, determination and the old south. The south when "the help" (African American women) raised and cared for their employers children, cooked, cleaned, laundered and in general, ran the home while the privileged "white folk" played bridge, learned how to be condescending from their mothers, and neglected to treat "the help" as fellow citizens in the human race....the '50's and '60's in the U.S. of A.

In some respects, we have come a long way. But I suppose as long as there is bigotry and intolerance, injustices will continue long into the future and will become a part of history that no one really wants to talk about or take responsibility for. I believe the same things apply here in Canada!!!! We have a problem. A real honest problem with inequality...in every sector of our economy and culture. When one group of people get treated differently...better or worse.....then we have injustice and inequality. Who will address these issues? Who will have the courage to stand up and say that "no, we are all in this country together...we need to live...together, not some of us off into little portions all sectioned off where we live in poverty, misery and ignorance". There is inequality amongst white people. There is inequality amongst First Nations people and everyone else that isn't "like us"! That shouldn't be. It doesn't have to be. It needs to be addressed. Will politicians take on this task. Hardly. Will we go about in our own little groups complaining and watching from the outside and not making any decisive decisions about anything at all? Probably. But we know that doesn't change anything.

Yes, Canada has a problem...and Saskatchewan....and Prince Albert....just like the U.S. and probably 90% of the the earth's population.

It takes a great deal of courage to change the world....even the world right around our neighborhoods. I like to think I could be one of those people and perhaps if my attitude changes, I could be.

The movie today made me at least revisit our current situation...right here in P.A. How can I be different from what I am currently? How can I be a positive influence instead of a negative one? I think I know the answers...I just need those answers to find their place deeply in my heart. Then I will know that I can make a difference.

I think it was a terrific movie! Should you get the opportunity to see it, please do.

It should happen to you.....

2011-08-26T21:06:00.003-06:00

Just watched this movie. Staring Judy Holliday, Peter Lawford (of the Rat Pack) and a new, rising star, Jack Lemmon.

A perfectly good, decent, funny, romantic comedy. No murder. No swearing. No sex (other than kissing and a few racy innuendos.

Just about an ordinary girl who gets what she wants!

It's really worth watching! Of course, you'd have to catch it on Turner Classic Movies or rent it "somewhere" as it was filmed in black and white in 1954!

If you copy and paste this into google, it should come up.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Should_Happen_to_You

Or copy and paste this one - I'm no good at this kind of stuff!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCJ0fJX1i8Q

From above...

2011-08-24T21:10:00.002-06:00

There are glorious scenes when one looks down from above. You get a very different perspective. New shadows and shades.

The top three are looking down into Canmore, Alberta from atop the Rockies. (Matt Kent)

The fourth one is in Nepal, looking down into a valley. (Matt Kent)

The last one is from a height of land around Waskesiu.

The world is really an amazing place...

How's the view from where you sit this warm summer's eve?

A storm...

2011-08-23T22:38:00.003-06:00

In black and white...

The way a storm should look.

Hope you have a serene night...

Ice cream...

2011-08-21T21:54:00.002-06:00

Besides having a ball game, afterward there was an ice cream social. Good stuff. We didn't make the ball game but we surely made our appearance for the ice cream! Linea and Leo opened up their home and offered many flavors of ice cream while everyone else brought various toppings.

Mine had maple walnut and strawberry ice cream with almonds, pineapple, fudge bits, home made chocolate sauce, plus chocolate/raspberry sauce, blueberries and bananas. A few calories...

It ended with a beautiful sunset which I captured across from their home.

'Nite all.

Wheeeewwwwww...

2011-08-20T21:01:00.000-06:00

Conversations with son are always stimulating as well as provocative. Sometimes we come at things from different perspectives. When we discuss philosophy or religion I feel like we are in different spheres...or kind of like I am a grizzly bear and he is an eagle....I see things from the ground while he flies above it and sees far beyond the mountains....having some things in common like eating and loving fish but....we just go about fishing in a different manner. Make sense?!

Ya. I'm beginning to understand a bit about how he is thinking and it challenges me to think "outside the box". New philosophical thoughts are always difficult for me to grasp.

So, it was two hours of dialogue to varying degrees.

Interesting....so interesting....

He's out to be a source of light and change in the world. May God be that Source, as he goes.

Dragonfly....

2011-08-19T20:34:00.001-06:00

I like the looks of this fellow.

Very delicate and quite amazing!

I wonder where they go when it pours rain?

Two years ago...

2011-08-18T19:13:00.002-06:00

We enjoyed Brittney being with us at Waskesiu this year while she worked at the ice cream place. But it was two years ago she had with some of her friends stay with us as well....two, in particular.

Every time I think about all the laughter, fun, bike riding, tubing, swimming, beaching and the like, I smile. These three have journeyed through their 17 years of life, mostly together, and that makes me smile too:)

Brittney and J are 17 now and both have worked for most of this summer, 2011.

The pictures below were taken in 2009 and they were much younger....then. Now, they are mature young women who, at times, still find time to see one another. No matter which direction their lives will go after next year when they graduate, I will look back on these pictures and remember the fun they had and their friendship .

This one was taken in 2010...still together....still having fun.

I pray these three will always find time for their friendship....even when they go their separate ways in life. They are three beautiful young women!

Trees...

2011-08-17T18:51:00.000-06:00

We live in a city with an abundance of many types of trees. I think that makes us very fortunate people. The summer time is so much more beautiful with the varying species and their hues of green.

But when winter comes along and all the deciduous trees have shed their leaves, leaving all the many coniferous trees to take over to add color to a drab winter, it is good to have pictures to remind us of what we do have in the summer.

Not only that, they give off the all-important oxygen, leaving us healthy and breathing right.

There are no trees around our apartment complex but the neighbor's yard makes up for it. He has many elm, ash, poplar and birch and just enough pine, spruce and fir to keep us happy during the winter months. So, birds abound! I like that!

So plant trees. A great legacy to the next generations. And if you don't like raking, hire a summer student to do it for you!

I'm a big mouth...

2011-08-16T20:54:00.003-06:00

Yep. That's me. A big mouth.

It's not that I very often open my mouth but when I do, watch out!

Some things are worth being a big mouth about, right? Like when you want to say something of great importance to you and you want everyone to know about it.

Or it could be that I open my mouth when I shouldn't. And it most likely gets me into trouble.

But tonight, I just couldn't help myself. I sat down at the table and I just opened my mouth so wide I could have put my shoe right in there. Ken didn't seem upset or anything. He just sat back and watched me be a big mouth!

Well, really. Who wouldn't be a big mouth...

packing one of Ken's home made burgers in there! I didn't think I could do it...but, alas, I could....

Being a big mouth can get you into all kinds of trouble - gaining weight is what I'm talkin' about!

A person could get lock jaw, couldn't they???

Yummmmmm........:)

Still summer...

2011-08-15T19:14:00.000-06:00

Dare I say it, but the days are shortening, shadows lengthening and in the midst of the humid heat, there is that certain "tinge" in the evening and morning air.

Still summer.

But uncontrollable, unavoidable things are happening in the weather. It's changing...

I like the looks of the evenings now though, especially here by the river. It's warm and fresh and attempting to make up for the weather in July.

It's all soft and gentle looking...kind of like the calm before the storm.

But for now, it's still summer....

Weekend fun...

2011-08-14T18:57:00.000-06:00

We plopped our trailer into a spot at Waskesiu for our friends to use. No big deal. It was one of the things we said we would do with the trailer when we bought it. Like children, we are learning to share what we have with others:)

We are learning that doing things like this should be second nature to us, as Christians. But more than sharing, it's really about loving our neighbor. Jesus said in Luke 19:19b "love your neighbor as yourself." In other words, I guess it means showing mercy and grace to all and to accept others, unconditionally....because that is what we would like for ourselves.

Hmmmm.....how would I want to be shown love by a neighbor. Perhaps they would just say "hello" over the fence, or maybe they would come to my rescue when I needed to get somewhere and offered a ride when I had no vehicle. Little things can mean life or death to our neighbors, in a sense. A plate of cookies to your neighbor who has a lot of company, or using whatever gift you have to help someone else out....giving your coat to a person who hasn't one, some groceries to a family in distress, some time just sitting and being with someone. There are a kazilion ways to be of help to our "neighbors".

I know people who do this "loving your neighbor" thing really well. They go out of their way to be of assistance...much more than anyone knows. But that is the way it should be done, with a sense of humility and not telling anyone else about your good deeds. I, on the other hand, have a very long way to go in this regard. But I shall keep watching others do this type of loving, and perhaps then I will learn too.

So, it has been fun this weekend. Helping our neighbor, saying farewell to a friend, having a potluck together and trying to keep cool. I hope yours was good too.

Phil, getting organized.

Relaxing....at last!

Church group picture for Mike (seated centre with Rider football in hand)

Enjoy your evening....the days surely are shortening up, eh?

Cherries...

2011-08-12T21:56:00.000-06:00

Sometimes life isn't a bowl of cherries.

It's a kick in the head....

I think I need Advil.

'Nite....

The Three Amigos...

2011-08-11T18:52:00.000-06:00

How many people on this earth (a rhetorical question)....have three of their friends sharing the same birth day????

I am one! Quite unusual I should think. I mean, I don't have a myriad of friends but to have three out of the several I do have blowing out birthday candles on August 11, well, that's something to blog about. They are all between one and four decades behind me age-wise but it's good to have friends in all decades!

So, here's wishing a blessed birthday to three wonderful, beautiful women in my life.

Loretta

Tracy

Stacia

Enjoy your day today, girlfriends! You are loved!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Oh, Hulk Hogan celebrates today, too!!! Amazing......simply amazing....

Intense physio....

2011-08-10T20:40:00.000-06:00

It can drive you to drink.

So, I polished off a can of beer.

Intense physio....intense drinking:)

What did you say???

2011-08-09T22:31:00.000-06:00

Every time I look at this picture I laugh out loud...lol

Really.

There should be some kind of contest to see who can come up with the best caption for what this cow elk is expressing. She's lying there beside someone's cabin just enjoying the day.

If you can think of something, let me know. Click on the picture to get a good look at that face:)

"Is this pose enough fer ya??? Huh?? Huh?? Is it???"

Rising up...

2011-08-08T21:46:00.000-06:00

Sometimes we face great storms in life where the smashing waves attempt a coup. Everything they have is thrown at us, coming from every angle and direction. There are some days they actually overtake us and we begin to sink. But in the midst of our drowning, we find we are made of much stronger stuff. We begin to kick and push ourselves to the top, gasping for air and sucking back a gallon of water! In fact, we kick so hard we kick sand. Imagine. The waves are crashing around us and we simply stand up on the sandy bottom. We find we've been thrashing around in two feet of water, not realizing how silly we must look as we rise like a phoenix over what we believed to be waves that were out to get us!

Life is just like that sometimes, isn't it? We think we're in the most difficult of situations....until we take on a different perspective and realize our folly. Our thrashing about didn't get us anywhere, other than a shmucked-up ego.

Just like these waves during one of Waskesiu Lake's storms this summer. They smash and pound that breakwater, like a banshee. The waves even attempt to get around the breakwater by making their own little river. But that solid cement breakwater isn't going anywhere. It knows that wind and waves will pummel it each year and even when the water goes around it, it is standing it's ground!

God gives me an internal strength of sorts. He comes and sets up house right down in my deepest self. He stays there too, during the storms of life, like that breakwater. He's solid stuff and He's not going anywhere. Our ego or pride gets us all wound up and we kick and make all kinds of weird noises while He waits for us to calm down and listen to Him. He's solid and sure, when I'm acting like a crazy person. Good thing too! I need an anchor!

Ahoy there matey! How many feet of water would you be a thrashin' in??? Arrrrrrrrrgggghhhhhhh

Health care system...

2011-08-07T21:02:00.000-06:00

The entire system is beginning to concern me. You attempt to see your own doctor but alas, he is away for several weeks. You then go to a walk-in clinic, get some meds that don't seem to be doing anything at all the way they should within a few hours....you go back to same clinic but they say the doctor won't see you because he has already seen you once today and he won't get paid for seeing you the second time! You come home, wondering how you're going to get feeling better. You think that perhaps if you go to the out-patients at the hospital you may be seen within 4 or 5 hours, depending on how many drunks, stabbings and overdoses are waiting ahead of you....but you don't look like any type of emergency like the ones mentioned...so you wait, and wait, and wait and wait.....And just being in these places you wonder what you will come out of there with. I once went to a walk-in clinic and was going to get a cortisone shot but the doctor there said he wouldn't do it because it wasn't clean enough to do that type of procedure there. I would have to come into a doctor's office to get it done! NOT CLEAN ENOUGH!!!!??? And when you get to the hospital ER, and you finally get into an actual bed, you sit and wait and wait and wait again while doctors, nurses and staff are chatting up a storm in the 'central communications' area....

Don't mind me. I just need to rant, but I know that some of you will sympathize with what I have said because you also have experienced some of these very frustrating things. Seems like people who really need to see a doctor don't....and those that find themselves in an out-of-body experience, get to see a doctor very quickly. Of course, this is coming from my perspective only. I am certain there are some very logical reasons why one has to wait so long to see a doctor at the hospital ER....I just don't know what those may be. And I know doctors will have every reason under the sun why there is such a long waiting line too. But really, when a person finds themselves not wanting to go to the hospital for those kinds of reasons, to me, that is a very bad sign. I had one person suggest that anyone drunk, disorderly or stoned, should be sent to another type of institution altogether to handle those things in particular and that would free up some doctors who could actually look after some people who really are ill. I hate to say it, but it just may boil down to $$$$$!!!

So, if I end up in the ER department tonight with daughter, I'm afraid by then, I will have run out of mercy....and patience. She is one sick person and I am very tired!

A busy week...

2011-08-06T20:21:00.001-06:00

It's been busy this week with working and physio-ing, and attempting to put together words to reflect some things about our church...

When I get feeling like I'm overloaded I react strangely. I seem to withdraw. I withdraw into myself I suppose in order to get some of these "other" things accomplished that need completing. It's when I'm able to think more clearly or more pointedly in an effort to put my thoughts down on paper. I suppose most folks are like that but sometimes doing the 'writing' thing terrifies me. I don't mind blogging here because it's only my own thoughts on various things...and who would be crazy enough to criticize anyone for thinking their own thoughts anyway? And even if they did, it wouldn't matter much to me. This is my space. This is my place to express me. However, when I get to expressing things that many other people will read, things that are not on my own blog, that becomes a tiny bit more intimidating.

But I feel I was given the opportunity to express some things on behalf of our church and being a part of that church, I expressed those things as best I could. I suppose I can expect some criticism for not saying enough or too much or not expressing this thing properly or saying something that could be construed differently. I shall just take what comes. I ain't no college grad, ya' know! :) I have another kind of paper to do too, but I have a bit of time to complete that.

So, that has been my week. Putting words to paper, doing more physio than I ever thought I could possibly do and going to work a few mornings a week. And even coming back to work is a very difficult thing for me. There are things that are unspoken and I get a 'feeling' at times that life is not what it was before I was off work. Those kinds of things are the most difficult to face. It is difficult when you feel you are a disappointment to people, when you haven't really pulled your weight for so very long. I feel badly about that...

I am in a 'secondary physio program' along with several other folks, five days a week from 1 PM to 4 PM. I am at the gym more than I am at work. A relationship is being built with these people who, like me, have either been in an accident, fallen, had surgery or some such thing. We are all in this together. We all begin our program by walking on the treadmill then we're off to do our own exercises specific to our individual injury. I know their names and they know mine. We greet one another daily and ask how one another is doing that particular day. We encourage each other along as the weeks progress into yet more difficult and tenuous exercise patterns. We come from very different backgrounds but we all have one thing in common. We are attempting very hard to get back to our normal selves, without pain, without limping, without any type of constraint. And we all feel a certain amount of unnecessary guilt. None of us wished these various things to happen but they did. The therapists are intuitive. They know. They attempt to bring out some of our feelings about what happened, to let us know that how we feel is normal. They also tell us the only thing we should be concentrating on is getting back to the way we were and to not lose patience with ourselves. They keep reminding us of how far we have come and what our condition was when we first came to see them.

Anyway, I have some positive things happening too. My potted petunia that was hailed out at Waskesiu is now coming back to life! Guess there's hope for me too! The geranium though, has officially bit the dust:(

I hear thunder. Storms are expected this evening. Hope we don't get anything too severe!

Enjoy your night. May it be blessed.