My girl will be home in 9 days! Christmas in 11 days! And vacation after that... woohoo! :-D

I got the Christmas tree up a couple of days ago. Can't convince they boys to help any more, so I ended up doing it myself, but Robbie chatted with me while he played a video game, so that was alright. A few weak moments, but for the most part.... okay.

I got a very welcome financial "bonus" yesterday, which was awesome. And I may have an extra hour a week at work starting in the new year. That is nice, because I don't work full time hours, so anything extra would be much be much appreciated.

I need to go eat supper and then make a couple of loaves of sandwiches for the Advent service/lunch tomorrow. I love the Advent noon hour services -- which all 6 of our churches host ecumenically -- but I ended up missing two out of the four this year. Tomorrow's service is the last one.

Sorry for such a brief update, but I can't think of anything else at the moment..... lol.

"Remembering You" added to my videos

I added Steven Curtis Chapman's video "Remembering You", from the Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia to my playlist (scroll down to the bottom to see). Great song! The movie looks really good, I hope to get a chance to see it. Waiting for a review from you, Slicer! ;-)

Robbie and I went to Saskatoon yesterday and finished up our Christmas shopping. Yay! I even wrapped a few presents last week, so I'm ahead of the game there. The tree isn't up yet, but we usually do that just after my birthday, so maybe on Sunday or Monday. Seems like I'm the only one interested in doing the actually decorating of the tree anymore, so it's not quite the same. Oh well, I'm going to enjoy it whether the boys want to help or not. Put on some Christmas music, have some eggnog.... ;-)

I received my first Christmas card the other day... thanks, Joyce! I should really get a few sent out. I was thinking about it a few weeks ago, but it seemed too early to do them, and now of course it's only a couple of weeks until Christmas!

Okay, off to get a few things done before I have to go to work this afternoon. Have a great weekend everyone!

*~*~*~*
Currently playing: Do You Hear What I Hear? ~ Third Day

You know, I always feel bad when I turn down those young people who come into the library trying to sell merchandise (especially after reading about eVe's experience with the job on the SCC boards). I know they are only doing their job, they need the money, and they probably get turned down soooo often. But I don't want to get suckered into buying stuff that I really don't need at "a great deal!" I still feel bad, though.

Speaking of money, I got a cheque in the mail today -- from the government, no less! It was back payment on a tax rebate, and not a real large amount, but definitely welcome! :-)

I'm hoping to finish up my Christmas shopping next week. I'll likely take Thursday off and Robbie and I will go to Saskatoon. Not alot left to do, just need to get there to get it done.

And I should get started on a bit of Christmas baking soon. I don't do alot, but we have our favorites, and Chantelle has a few requests in.... haha. Not just for baking, but other things, too. Things she only gets when she's "home". ;-)

Is it Friday?

I decided to go with your recommendations, Joyce. ;-) I got both Third Day ~ Wherever You Are and Music Inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia. I had a 25% discount coupon, and a $25.00 gift certificate, so it was a good deal all around. I've only listened to the Third Day one, and I am pleased with it. Am just about to put the Narnia one in for a listen.

Our day of shopping went well. God bless Sheldon, he was pretty patient.... lol. I didn't get all my Christmas buying done, but a good percentage of it. Will likely make another trip to Saskatoon in the next couple of weeks or so to finish up.

Yikes, only 37 days till Christmas!!!

Random update

Well, the snow we had last week melted, and we had some really nice days. Today, however... I woke up to about a foot of snow. O.O Nice and fluffy, though, and easy to shovel. Sheldon's been out there working his butt off... lol. (I did shovel a little bit, but he's done most of it.)

The election of the new bishop went well on Saturday. It was an interesting process. It didn't go as some of us had thought it might, but I'm sure it is as it is meant to be. ;-) Our new bishop-elect is Gregory Kerr-Wilson, from Edmonton, AB.

I'm going to Saskatoon on Thursday to start on my Christmas shopping. I have one gift certificate for Parable Christian Store left from last year, and I have to use it up right away before it expires. I'm not sure what to get, though. As much as I love SCC's first Christmas album, I'm not really leaning toward the new one yet. I heard that Third Day's new CD is really good... I guess I'll have to take a listen in the store and see what strikes me. I'm still finding that I'm not really struck on any of the new Christian music lately....

"Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" opens on November 18. I am so excited... lol. Planning to see it over the holiday season. Yay! I'd love to see "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", too, but I'm not sure if that's gonna happen. Might have to wait till it comes out on video.

I'm going to have watch some movies with Chantelle when she's home. The boys and I just don't like the same kind of stuff generally, so it will be nice to have someone to watch "my" movies with. ;-)

It's almost time for my favorite TV show for this fall, "Prison Break". At least this is one thing that Sheldon and I both like... lol.

ttyl

~*~*~
Currently playing: Better Days ~ Goo Goo Dolls

It's beginning to look alot like... winter!

Yup, it's been snowing since sometime during the night, and is still coming down a bit. It's actually fairly mild temperature-wise, and the snow is melting a bit. It's very wet and sticky. Snowball fight anyone?! :-D

Still don't like winter, but it's inevitable. I'll try not to complain today, but no promises for the rest of the winter... LOL.

I think that Sheldon and I are going to go to Saskatoon on Monday to do some Christmas shopping. I actually have 3 gifts purchased -- all online. One was a great eBay purchase that I'm pleased about -- not only the product, but the price! ;-)

On Saturday I go to Regina for the election of our diocesan bishop. There are 6 candidates, and 2 of those are women. I have a strong feeling that one of those women could get elected -- and I think that would be great. She would be wonderful. I think if she is elected she would be only the second Anglican woman bishop in Canada. We shall see how it goes.

You guys just don't let up, do ya?! :-P

Fine, I'll attempt an update. ;-)

On Tuesday, as I opened the door at the library, the first thing I noticed was an ominous ticking sound coming from under/near my desk. Not a good sign. Turns out the network hub had fried over the weekend, so no Internet. Now, in order to circulate, I need Internet. Long story -- that involved numerous phone calls to try to locate a switch (all but impossible in a lil place like this) -- but in the end, someone from HQ drove all the way out here (an hour) to bring me a new switch. Took all of about 3 minutes to connect it and get us up and running again, but she stuck around for awhile and did some updates on the public computers, etc.

Now the reason I'm telling this story... The woman that came out from HQ is someone who I know only through work, and who I only see a couple of times a year and talk to on the phone/MSN/email for work-related stuff, but I've always liked her and we get along well. Back at the beginning of this year, she had emailed me, saying that she hadn't heard from me in a long time, and was everything okay?

About this time, I'd been going through a whole lot of stuff, and sometimes just functioning at work and getting through the day was a real challenge. I had emailed her back and explained -- very briefly -- some of my situation. She replied with understanding and support, and in turn she opened up and told me about some major stuff that she was dealing with -- multiple miscarriages and all the sadness, depression, etc. that goes with that. I had no idea that this had happened to her. Having experienced miscarriage/loss, I was able to empathize with her and we talked back and forth some. It was very good.

Fast forward to Tuesday.... It wasn't real busy at work that day, so as she went about doing work on the computers, we chatted. She asked how I was doing (good) and we talked a bit about that, about how things were going, and I asked how she was doing, and she shared with me. And it was just really, really good to talk with her.

I'm pretty sure that the whole thing was not about needing a switch for my computer networking..... ;-)

*~*~*

(for privacy reasons, this is kinda vague... bear with me... lol.) Today, someone asked me to do something for them. At the time (for various reasons), I hesitated, but then reluctantly agreed to do it. I did not feel good about it all day, though, because it was something that was not my responsibility and that this person needs to take care of themselves. Not only for them, but for someone else. I didn't do what I was asked, but instead decided that I would talk to this person later and explain why. Before I had a chance to, this person called me at work late this afternoon and asked if I had done it yet. I said "no", and they said not to now.... that they would take care of it themselves -- and in a way that was exactly in line with what I was thinking I would tell them.... but I had not said a word. I hung up the phone quite speechless.... lol.

Yeah, God, I know You're still there. Thanks. ;-)

*~*~*~*

Happy Birthday, Chantelle!

It's my girl's 21st birthday today. :-D

Hmm, I guess it's been awhile...

I've been pretty slack here.... but then things have been relatively quiet. Work, a Bible study, a couple of meetings, and just the day-to-day stuff. Quiet is okay, though. ;-)

So this may be just alot of randomness....

My grandma was back in the hospital again last week. You may remember that a few months ago, her hip went out (she had hip replacement surgery some years ago). She had the option of having the replacement completely redone, but because of heart problems there are some risks involved, and she had not made a decision about it. She had done some physical therapy and that helped for awhile, but last week it went out again and she spent several days in the hospital. She's back home now, and she has made the decision to go ahead with the surgery. Hopefully she gets a surgery date fairly soon, and that all goes well. (She has the heart problems, plus she had a mild stroke last year.)

This is Saskatchewan Library Week. Even if you're not in Saskatchewan (which covers all but 2 of you.... lol) -- go out and visit your local library this week! :-D

Suprisingly enough, I am actually starting to think about Christmas shopping. When my kids were little I used to start my shopping early, but every year it got to be later and later. Last year was a one-day whirlwind shopping day in Saskatoon, a couple of weeks before Christmas (not a good day for several reasons.... ugh). Not recommended!!! I'm hoping to get started earlier this year, and spread the spending out a bit. Things are alot tighter this year.

I came across a link on another site yesterday, http://organizedchristmas.com/ -- now this is just FAR too organized for me.... lol. I could only dream... :-P But looking over the site kinda inspired me a bit. It feels good to look forward to Christmas, as the past number of years I haven't felt that way. It should be a good holiday season. ;-)

I'll be attending the election of our new diocesan bishop on November 12. I am the "alternate delegate", so while I won't be voting, I will be there to discuss the options with our voting delegate. It could be very interesting. There is alot going on in the Anglican church at this time, and it will be interesting to see who the people (both clergy and lay) elect.

It's funny living in a small town.... Here at work, I get people bringing me all kinds of little things.... from fresh flowers from someone's yard, to baking, fresh fruit, chocolate bars (at least once a week from a regular... lol), even elk sausage and bison jerky from one patron. Hardly a week goes by that someone doesn't bring in something. It always makes me smile and brightens my day. There are things about small towns that sometimes make me a little crazy, but there is much that is good about them, too. :-)

Okay, enough randomness for now. I hope everyone is having a great week so far! Catcha later.....

Yesterday was rather a blah day. Not really a specific reason for it, just blah and totally nonproductive in any way. Some days are like that.

It was Worldwide Communion Sunday yesterday, and during our service we each lit candles and prayed for countries of our chosing. As I was sitting there watching people light their candles and watching the candles flicker and burn, I was suddenly reminded of some things from several years ago -- and how "on fire" I was then. And how different I feel now. I have never doubted that God was with me, and I've never lost my core faith... I'm just in a different place than I used to be. I'm not exactly sure just where that is some days. The only thing I am sure of is that He is still there... waiting...

So I guess that spun my thoughts off into a million other different directions yesterday. Reflective thinking.

Sometimes thinking is exhausting.... LOL. :-P

Anyway, today was a much better and more productive day. Well, it was only housework, but it had to be done. :-P

Went to sign papers at the lawyer's today. Had a bit of a knot in my stomach for awhile -- not because of doubts, but still some of that fear-of-the-unknown-future stuff. On the flipside, also a certain sense of empowerment in that I have made decisions and have moved forward with them. And I believe that I am going to be okay. Kind of a weird day in that way...

Yeah... so not much else happenin' ... :-P

I haven't responded to all the prayer requests on the Pirate Ship, but know that you are all in my prayers. *Big hugs* to all!

Saturday update instead ;-)

I'm thinking it's time for an update, although I'm not sure I have much to say.... lol.

I was watching some of the coverage of Hurricane Rita last night. I finally stopped -- it just made me worry even more about Carrie & Kent and the kids. Praying that they are all okay. I haven't watched anything today, just checked a few reports on the Internet.

Set up the Pirate Ship this week... that's been fun. :-D I love this stuff, and haven't done any website-related creating since I did the Teens Encounter Christ site a few years ago. This was minor compared to that, all I did was sign up for the board and then make some changes to the skins -- color schemes, etc. But still fun. I'm a dork.... lol.

I'm glad you guys are enjoying it. It really does feel more like "home", like the "old days". I'm very happy with it.

Talked to my girl earlier in the week -- that's always good. She makes me laugh. :-) The kids and I have talked about Christmas, and we all feel that we want to spend it by ourselves this year. Just us, no extended family. I think we need that. I'm sure that they will spend Christmas Eve with their dad and his side of the family (which is when they always celebrate), although Chantelle did mention that she still wants to go to church that night -- that is important to her. Christmas has been kinda rough for me for some time now... I don't know how it will be this year, but I think it will be okay. I actually feel better about it now than I have for a long time.

Had to go over some legal stuff this week, and have papers to sign next week. It went fine -- things are okay -- I'm okay. :-)

Well, once again I'm posting at work, so I should get back to it. I hope you all have a great weekend!

(Please keep Carrie and her family in your prayers.)

EDIT: Received an update from Carrie, and they are fine. Heavy rain and high winds, but no major damage.

Hurricane Rita... praying...

Please pray for all of those in the path of Hurricane Rita. Some of my friends will be effected, and I'm especially worried about Carrie and her family, who have not evacuated. Praying they will be safe....

The Back of a Smiley

Ever wonder what the back of a smiley looks like? ;-)

Find out here. :-D

Photojournal of Katrina

This is a very cool photojournal from a New Orleans resident -- before, during and after. It's long -- 197 photos -- but along with the descriptive captions is very interesting and worth the time to view.

Alvaro's Gallery

EDITED on Sept. 30/05: I believe this link should work now. The original album looks to have been moved, maybe because of so many hits. Dallas found this new link and posted on the Pirate Ship. Thanks Dallas!

Flash presentation for Cry Out to Jesus

Thanks to Joyce for this link to a presentation of Cry Out to Jesus .

(A nice presentation, but I found Emi's to be much more moving. Just MHO.)

Update

I suppose I should update with something other than songs to download and videos to watch. ;-)

So yeah... on Monday Sheldon and I went to Regina to see Chantelle before she headed back to Calgary. Picked her up about 1:00, and went to the closest mall. We were going to have something to eat, but decided to see what was playing at the cheap theatre. The only show that worked for us time-wise was Madagascar. What a great movie! Fuunnny! We quite enjoyed it.

Afterward we went for a late lunch, and spent considerable time yakking. ;-) A few stops in the mall, then we drove her to the bus station. Made a 7-11 run, then sat in the bus station coffeeshop and visited until it was time for her to leave. It wasn't a long time (a little more than 5 hours), but it was so great to see her and to just be able to relax and enjoy. Only a few months now till she's home for Christmas. :-D

Yesterday I got a wonderful surprise at work! My friend Joyce only lives about 3 hours from me, but we haven't seen each other in..... I don't know how long, but several years. She stopped in to see me yesterday! Totally unexpected. I was in the back shelving videos, and I turned around and there she was walking toward me! :-D It was a very brief visit as her and Fred were just passing through, but it was awesome! Joyce has been my rock and my sounding board and one of my main sources of encouragement in the past couple of years, and I've missed her so much. A real live hug was long overdue, and much appreciated. ;-)

That's about my excitement for the week... lol. Have a great weekend, everyone!

Praise You in This Storm

I want to share with you a moving tribute to the Katrina victims that a young member of the SCC boards has created. Thank you for sharing it with us, Emi. It is wonderful.

Praise You in This Storm

Cry Out to Jesus

I got an email from Third Day a few days ago, but didn't read it until tonight. I want to post it here. Check out the free downloads of their new single Cry Out to Jesus -- the album version as well as the extended media version. Good stuff....

~~~

Three weeks ago we all decided our first single from Wherever You Are would be a new song called CRY OUT TO JESUS. Little did we know at that time there would be a larger purpose. Originally scheduled to go to radio September 16, we want to let everyone know that the single, "Cry Out To Jesus," was rushed to radio stations earlier this week in the wake of the tragedy throughout the Gulf states. The band, the label, management and everyone involved have been shaken by the devastation that has occurred to our brothers and sisters in the south. Â Our hope is that this song will be like salve on the wounds of those who are hurting"We can't turn on the news without our hearts breaking for the people suffering through the devastation left by Katrina. Our sincere desire for this record and "Cry Out To Jesus" is to offer hope to hurting people. We know people's lives will be forever changed by the storm that hit this week. Our prayers and thoughts are with our brothers and sisters and their families in the Gulf States. We hope this song can bring even a small amount of hope and light to this dark hour." - Mac Powell
Third Day and Essential Records are happy to allow you to download the song 'Cry Out to Jesus.' free of charge. If you are at all inspired by this song, we hope and pray that you would translate those feelings into acts of compassion for those that are suffering on the Gulf Coast. Please consider making a donation to an organization such as World Vision or the American Red Cross that is already on the ground responding to this crisis. None of us will ever look back and wish we had done less to help those suffering at this horrible crossroads.

Click here for download information and links

Mac, Tai, David, Brad and Mark
http://www.thirdday.com

Not much to update, things have been pretty quiet. Which is okay -- no complaints here... lol.

Sheldon and I are leaving shortly to go to Regina to see Chantelle. Yay!!! :-D

She was able to meet up with her dad in Moose Jaw on her way down on Saturday, and they went to visit my grandma, which is good. I imagine Grammie was quite thrilled. He then drove her to Regina. Robbie went to the football game with a bunch of friends yesterday, so he and Chantelle will have hooked up there for a bit. And we're going down today. So, even though this trip was to see her friends from Winnipeg and she wasn't able to make it home, we all get to spend some time with her. Kind of an odd way of accomplishing it maybe, but it's working and that's all that counts. ;-)

I hope everyone has had a great weekend!

~~~

Currently playing: Lightning Crashes ~ Live

Pray for all those affected by Hurricane Katrina.... :-(

http://wnharrell.com/hurricanekatrina/katrinadocumentary.wmv

(Thank you, Carrie, for this link.)