Physio initial appointment...

1.  Life history from when I was a child.
2.  Medications I'm on.
3.  Name all operations I've had.....I could only remember 5....but Mr. Physio said that was good enough.
4.  Where does it hurt.
5.  Why does it hurt.
6.  Walk down the public hallway in your bare feet with your pant legs rolled up so Mr. Physio can watch me walk.
7.  Lay on flat surface on my back....while anything that isn't attached firmly to muscle, falls either to the left or the right.
8.  Tell Mr. Physio if it hurts when he puts his weight on your thigh;-)
9.  Roll over onto my stomach (with a great deal of trouble.....while telling Mr. Physio how much you need to lose weight and how awful post-menopausal weight gain really is a pain - in the butt)
10. While Mr. Physio rolls up my shirt, I'm praying that all my fat rolls aren't too obvious....knowing, of course, that they are...
11. Lie there while Mr. Physio pushes in tender areas on lower back, whereupon, I try hard not to let fly with a leg hammer lock on him while he is maneuvering my SI joint.
11.  Roll back over on my back while Mr. Physio takes hammer to  hip and knee joints....at least that's one thing I impressed him with...good reflex action.
12. Smile and listen to Mr. Physio tell me all the things that need to be done for my back to improve...one being "sloppy push-ups".  (I think he's taking pity on me in my senior years and not making me do the real deals....not that I could!)

So, if you ever plan on going for your first trip to the physiotherapist, go prepared to stay a while and answer some embarrassing questions and for a man to observe and handle whatever lumps and bumps you may have attached to your person.  Even at 62, life can be interesting and humiliating.  To make me feel better, I came home and looked at my flowers....

Breaking the Chains....

Our denomination - the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada (and America) - is attempting to make people aware of the slave trafficking that is taking place today in our world - right now, as you read this.  Women, men and children of all ages are being used in this degrading, humiliating and inhuman manner.  Our church and denomination wants to do something about it.
"Break the Chains 2010: Hope and Restoration for Freed Slaves
The third and final emphasis on modern-day slavery will focus on human trafficking in North America (NA). It is estimated that 300,000 girls ages 10-17 are trapped in sex slavery in NA today. This lucrative "business" is on the increase surpassing selling drugs or weapons.

New Day for Children is a faith based organization developing a program and facility to provide hope and security for girls from the ages of 10 - 18 caught in the desperation of sexual exploitation for commercial purposes. These modern-day slaves, estimated to be 300,000 - 400,000 in number nationwide, have nowhere to turn to find a future free from their slaveholders and those who prey upon them on the streets of communities all across America.

The facts . . .
- Owning sex slaves is very lucrative, and slaveholders are seldom prosecuted.
- Rapidly escalating profits, the Internet, limited police resources and a blind community have created a brutal growth industry employing sophisticated business practices.
- Freed girls are most often retaken by the slaveholders and returned to the streets of our communities, creating a deteriorating cycle of hopelessness and despair."

It seems as though life for some, continues to get worse, instead of improving.  Many have no hope of getting out of their cycle of despair.  This Sunday during our worship time, we will be listening to a video regarding the "Break the Chains" project.  It should be enlightening and challenging to all of us.

I wonder where God will lead us in this effort?

Happy Mother's Day....

There.

I just shared our Mother's Day rose bouquets with all of you.  Hope you enjoyed them.  The white ones are my daughters and the pink ones are mine.

Can't.....get.....enough.....of......such.....beauty.........

Beauty in a bowl.....

My co-worker's uncle, Wayne Turner, made this lovely bowl from some jackpine burl wood.  Such interesting shapes and swirls to the grain...and this fellow is just learning the art of wood turning.  (We thought he should change is name to Wood.....as in Wood Turner.....).

Here is a bit about this type of wood and the reason is is prized by wood turners.

"Burl wood is a type of wood used by artists to create sculptures and other items, such as clocks and even some forms of furniture. It is highly prized by artists because of its unique shapes and ring patterns. Burl wood is a type of fast growing, abnormal growth found on some trees. Burl wood grows because the tree has experienced some sort of environmental stress or damage. This is often caused by either a fungal attack or an attack by insects.

When used in woodcrafting, burl wood is removed from the tree, preferably after the tree has already died in order to avoid killing the tree. It is then cut open in order to review the pattern inside. Sometimes, a single burl wood offshoot can produce several different pieces for an artist to work with.


Some burl wood offshoots develop regular growth rings that simply grow at an accelerated rate. This type of burl wood is not as sought after by artists as other forms of burl wood, because the patterns on this wood are not as interesting to look at. The majority of woodworking artists prefer burl wood that grows in irregular patterns that swirl and contain what are referred to as eyes – small spots that develop on the wood. While pieces with unusual patterns are the most desired form of burl wood, they are also the most difficult to work with. This is because the irregular patterns of burl wood make it harder to saw, chisel, and cut without splitting the wood or accidentally cutting it in the wrong direction."

Thought you would be interested in having a look at this lovely piece of art by someone who is just learning the craft.  Beautiful.  Simply beautiful!!

I got a new cat!!!!!

Shannon and Brittney just knew I'd love a new cat for Mother's Day.  I told them I really didn't care what color it was or shape or breed, just as long as it was sweet and cute to look at.  They also knew that I couldn't have a cat where we presently lived as the land lord doesn't allow pets.

Well, at any rate, they went out for ever-so-long looking and looking and trying to decide which cat I would best be suited for.  They wanted me to be happy with their purchase and just to be able to say that I owned a cat again would make me the happiest person in the whole world.  After all, I could keep it outside and no one would even suspect it was mine.

I saw them coming into the house carrying something in a blanket.  I could see the tail moving about.  It looked like quite a bundle.  I thought I'd act surprised since it was a gift and all.

I WAS SURPRISED!!!

He was a cute brown kittie with a long tail and big feet.  His body was very plump and I knew at first sight he'd be just the beautiful cat I had always wanted.

I thought I'd name him Begotunivy - as he looks to be somewhat of a Russian breed with his rotund tummy and long, black whiskers.  I shall now introduce you to him....my very own cat......not terribly cuddly though, but cute....

Oh, and his back is full of Begonias, petunias and an ivy.  He really is lovely and I can keep him outside if I want to.  Right now he's sitting on my shelf at work looking all sweet and handsome and blooming all over.

Here's his other end...

Such a lovely long tail.  I shall feed him and water him and take exceptional care of him  and let him grow as much as he likes.  Oh, and another thing...he won't be shedding!

Pictures of those I love...

It is good to have people to love and to appreciate and feel their love for me too.  I am blessed....

She must have read my previous post....

Husband and I woke up to "Mom and Dad, do you want go to Waskesiu for breakfast?"  And away we went.  Elk Ridge Lodge it was...sore back and all.  Lovely hotel and the food was not too bad either.

Next we saw a bear poking around in the park looking for anything green...and preferably lots of it!!!

He was a bit shy but managed to peek out for a moment while checking out my camera...with me behind it in the car, of course.  Not sure I particularly wanted to be a bacon breakfast for any bear!

Shannon walked with me down by the lake....very cold wind with all that ice still moving about.  But the ice breakup was very much ahead of this time last year.  Wind and warm temps would contribute considerably to that, I'm sure.  So much will change in the next six weeks!!

Ice, ice and more ice.....there were many and various ice crystal formations.  I could have sat there all afternoon and just looked at them...

After a walk on the beach, a pit stop at the Hawood Inn and a drive around the town and trailer park, we were away...via the old highway and a leisurely trip back home.  It was a beautiful way to spend an afternoon with two people I love.

Oh, I nearly forgot to mention....husband and I went to the show last evening....yes, I said theatre!!!  And we had popcorn, candy and a drink!!!  We then went to Shenanigans Coffee Shop afterwards for tea and a latte.  I could get spoiled even more if things continue on at this rate.

God is good to me....