Much better

Sheldon is feeling much, much better. In fact, I am quite amazed at how well he's doing.

For three days last week, he slept pretty much 24/7... could barely stay awake for even 5 minutes, couldn't eat because of the swollen, sore throat. The glands in his neck were hugely swollen, and his spleen was enlarged. On John's recommendation, I got some olive leaf extract. He started taking it on Thursday, and by the evening the swelling in his glands had gone down noticeably, and he was starting to feel better -- much more alert, wanting to eat, etc. By Friday, you wouldn't know he was the same kid who could hardly move just 2 days before. He has continued to improve drastically, and the doctor was quite amazed yesterday.... lol.

The doctor wanted him to stay home from school for the rest of this week, too, but I let him go back today and will see how he does. He has been feeling good, not even fatigued. I don't want him to push it, though, so will keep a check on things.

In other news..... lol. My brother flew out from Vancouver the weekend of May 12-14, to see my grandma. I went down to MJ on the Saturday to see him, and to visit Grammie again. She wasn't doing as well as the last time I went. She is still in pretty good spirits, but health-wise she is slowly getting worse. The pain seems to be managed, but she still gets nauseous and I don't think she's eating much. She does seem to be more relaxed, though, being in the hospital. I'm sure it was frightening for her to be alone before. She's still waiting for a palliative care bed in the nursing home..... not sure if she's make it there or not......

Anyway, my brother and I had a good visit with Grammie, and I had a really good visit with him and my aunt & uncle. It was a good day. :-)

Mononucleosis

Sheldon hasn't been feeling well lately -- sore muscles, headache, bit of a sore throat and cough. We thought he had the same flu that I had, but over the weekend he started feeling really rough. He was terribly fatigued despite getting lots of sleep, headache got really bad, his throat got worse, and then the glands in his neck started swelling. Ugh.

Went to the doctor today, and he has mono. He is very unhappy. In addition to feeling rotten, he will have to stay home from school and work, and will miss Grad this weekend. Many of his friends are graduating, so he's really bummed about that.

Unfortunately there is nothing they can give him for mono -- it's a virus, and antibiotics won't do a thing. In fact, they could cause a severe rash. Basically he has to get alot of rest and drink lots of fluids, and wait it out. His throat is so swollen now that it's almost closed. Swallowing hurts. He's got a fever. Poor kid. :-(

I went to see Lana on Sunday evening. They are doing okay... as well as can be expected. The funeral will be on Saturday, back "home" for them (they aren't originally from here).

My brother will be flying out to see my grandma this weekend. He'll only be in MJ for a couple of days, so won't be coming here. I might go down on Saturday to see him, but it will depend if this stupid cough goes away. I was sick with the flu last week, and am still coughing alot. I don't want to to see Grammie if I'm not well, so we'll see how I'm feeling later in the week.

Grad is in on May 20th -- two of my nephews are graduating, one from each side of the family. Grade 11 parents have to help with many aspects of grad (organizing the banquet, setting up and taking down, etc.). Sheldon's class is very small, and I ended up on the Social Committee by myself!!! Yikes. I have to round up some help from somewhere for that day. Blech, I hate doing that.

Tired today, and the dull, dreary weather is not helping any (are we ever going to get nice weather?!?!). I'd love to curl up under my blanket and have a nice long nap. Too bad I still have 2 1/2 hours of work left.... lol.

I was surprised today when Kris G. walked into the library to use the public computers! Kris is a young man that I attended my first TEC weekend with, and we worked together on TEC 1 here in SK. Turns out that he's working in town for the summer (he's a university student), so that is pretty cool.

*Yawn*

Suppose I should get back to work...... ;)

Lana's dad died tonight.... It's been a long struggle, and he was definitely a fighter. He finally gave up the fight tonight. My heart hurts for them.... :'(

Grammie is back in the hospital. She was very sick to her stomach and in a great deal of pain again. She's not been keeping her meds straight at all, and because of the pain and nausea she wasn't eating, either. Once they got her into the hospital and got her meds straight again, she's feeling better and is eating again. She's still a bit confused -- and my aunt says she keeps asking where I am, she thinks I'm there somewhere in the building... lol.

The upside to this is that the doctor can see how sick she is and that she isn't managing at home alone, so they are keeping her in the hospital until a palliative care bed comes open at the nursing home across the street from where she lives. That is a relief.

My brother is coming from Vancouver next weekend. I hope he'll have the chance to have a good visit with her.

Feeling blechy today.... I have a sore throat and my voice is mostly gone. It hurts to talk. I'm really tired, and tonight I have a headache and kind of hurt all over. It's not real bad, I'm just being whiney.... :P I haven't been sick in over a year, so I shouldn't complain.

Mom let me know that Grammie was in the hospital again -- she's been in alot of pain. If she's taking her meds properly, she shouldn't be, so I don't know what's up, if she's gotten confused with them again or what. *sigh*

My kids are all heartbroken tonight.... the Calgary Flames lost game 7 in the playoff series tonight. I don't even watch hockey, but they are all big Flames fans. Mucho disappointment tonight.

Okay, this was a depressing post... lol.

Some of you will have read this elsewhere, but I'll post it here anyway...

Grammie is doing okay, but it varies from day to day. She was having a really good day when I was there last Monday. She seems to be getting mixed up on her meds -- either not taking some, or thinking she's taken them when she hasn't, etc. She has several meds, to be taken at different times, and she thinks she has it straight, but then gets confused. A home-care nurse was coming to see her to help get all that straightened around for her. When she has the meds straight, then she feels quite a bit better. Otherwise she's in pain, nauseous and can't eat. She's lost a ton of weight, is down to maybe 100 lbs.

She lives on her own, in a small suite in a senior's "complex" I guess you'd call it. A number of suites, with a common lounge area. The other residents keep an eye on her and are wonderful to her, but she knows that she is at a point now where she needs more care. After being violently sick to her stomach at 4:00 in the morning, alone...... she doesn't want to be alone anymore. So she's waiting to get into palliative care in a nursing home across the street from where she lives.

As I mentioned in a previous post, the doctor says that the cancer may have spread to her lungs.

One funny point -- or at least my family with our warped sense of humor thinks it's funny -- is that the doctor told her that she is eligible to qualify for medicinal marijuana (which is legal here) for the pain and nausea. So we've had numerous and ongoing laughs about Grammie smokin' up.... lol. (I have no idea if she'll actually apply for it, but it's made for some laughs, anyway. )

I'm glad that we had a good visit, I feel more at peace now. Thanks everyone for your prayers and hugs. They are very much appreciated. :)

Oh, and my brother is flying out in a couple of weeks to see Grammie. I may go down that weekend as well.

On another note, I've been trying to do more walking lately. At this time it's more for my physical health than my mental/emotional/spiritual... although it helps with all of those, too! :D In the past, I'd say it was more for those reasons. Anyway, I bought myself some new shoes the other day, and I'm going to try keeping a bit of a fitness log, just to (hopefully) keep me motivated. I really would like to lose a few pounds as well. Darn, but that middle-age thing has a way of sneaking up on a person.... :P

I'm working on some summer vacation plans... a couple of weeks in Arizona. I've never taken two full weeks off from work.... lol. I used to just take a week in the summer, and use the rest of my vacation time up here and there throughout the year.

The youth held 30-Hour Famine at our church this weekend. We only have a couple of youth at our church. My niece (she's 22) leads a youth group at the Baptist church (which kids from all denominations attend) -- and she has organized and lead the 30-Hour Famine for the past 4 years at our church, with kids from the youth group participating. There were 17 kids and 3 leaders taking part this year. They did the readings in church this morning and had a short presentation. It was really good. They got fed tacos when they were done fasting, later this afternoon. ;)

*~*~*~*~*
Currently playing: The River ~ Live
Tonight's walk: 40 minutes

Good day

I'll probably write more later, but for now I wanted to say that I had a really good day with both my grandma and my aunt. Grammie was having a better day -- I think they got her straightened out on her meds -- so that was good. It was just a good day all around. :-)

Grammie update

I posted this on the Ship, but for those who don't go there...

Grammie was in emergency for 6 hours yesterday -- she'd been very sick to her stomach during the night, hadn't eaten for a day and a half, was dehydrated, potassium levels were low... She's down to about 100 lbs.

The doctor thinks the cancer may have spread to her lungs. :'(

I'm going down to see her tomorrow.

Tagged...

I just read Carmel's xanga, and I see that I've been tagged... lol. I have to tell you 6 things about myself....

1. Other than a weekends/summer job that I had when I was in high school, my current job is the only (paid!) one I've had. I was a stay-at-home mom for many years, and started working as an assistant librarian in1997, for one year. I then moved to Branch Librarian, and have been in this position for almost 8 years now. I love my job -- most of the time! ... lol.

2. I have two middle names. My brother and sister, my three kids, and my sister's three kids all have two middle names. :-)

3. The past few years were in many ways ones of difficulty, but they were also ones of great learning, growth and new life. I have faced fears, had to look at my own faults and failings, been reminded of the need to forgive, stepped out in faith (despite the fears), learned a great deal about myself and others, found strength and courage as well as acceptance and love and friendship. Life is good. :-)

4. Unlike my daughter (who Josh calls my gyspy), I've never been very adventurous. I still live in the same small town I grew up in, and never went far from it -- definitely didn't venture anywhere alone... lol. In the past two years, though, I've travelled 3 times to the States to see friends, and those have been some of the most special times of my life. I miss my friends, and hope to one day see them again. For now, though, my excursions will be taking me only to Arizona. ;-)

5. I don't drive, have never driven in my life. Most people think that is so weird, and you have no idea how many people have told me that they could teach me, they could get me to drive.... lol. Well, it hasn't worked yet, but it is something I at least think about now... It is weird, it's really a phobia, but maybe it's one that I can overcome. We'll see...... ;-)

6. I am not a morning person. Even as a baby, I was up half the night -- my poor mom, because my older brother was a morning person, and would be up at the crack of dawn. I don't think she ever got any sleep. (Sorry, Mom!) I'm still a night owl, and love to sleep in whenever I can. Mornings can be made better, however, with a good cup of coffee. :D


Oh, almost forgot.... I need to tag some others. I tag Amy, John, Kathy, Alan, Slyvia and Steph. (Matt, in case you haven't seen, Carmel tagged you as well. ;-) )

As I mentioned in my comment for the previous post, Robbie and I didn't get down to see my grandma... we were both sick. Will try again.

Lana's dad fell today, and had to go by ambulance -- first to hospital here, then to Saskatoon. He hit his head, and they thought he might have had a stroke. He's not getting enough oxygen (he has terminal lung cancer), and from what Randi understood he is sort of in a coma. I don't really have details, but it is not looking good at all. Lana will stay up in Saskatoon with him.... Randi said that they were told he may not make it through the night. :-( For those so inclined, prayer would be welcome.

Holy Week

Sunday was Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. We were doing a dramatic reading in church that morning, and I was thinking about the movie "The Passion of the Christ". Those scenes play in my head now when I hear or read the related scripture. I'm not sure if that is good or not. It is someone else's visualization rather than my own. And yet, it helps in some ways to make it more "real". I dunno...

I watched "The Passion" last year on Good Friday. Still gut-wrenchingly emotional. I hadn't seen it since the year before when it came out, and I went opening week in the theatre. That was interesting. I went by myself, but at the same time as a long-distance friend, and then we discussed it later that night. It was very good, an interesting discussion.

We have 3 services this week -- Maundy Thursday, including the foot-washing (we never have very many people out for that service, and it looks like there will be even less this year, possibly only a handful), the ecumenical Good Friday service (this year at the Pentecostal church), and the Saturday Easter Vigil. One of my favorites (that one and Christmas Eve). We have two churches in our parish, and our congregation has the Easter Vigil, the other congregation has the Easter morning service.

Robbie and I might drive down to see my grandma on Friday, since we have the day off. We've been trying to find a weekend when he's not working/not away. It hasn't been working out so well. I could go down by myself, but she really wants to see Robbie, she hasn't seen him for years, so I'd like us to go together. Sheldon and his dad went this past weekend.

My mom called me yesterday morning to let me know that my grandma has made the decision that she is not comfortable living on her own anymore. Between the cancer and the possibility of her bad hip giving out at any time, she feels she needs to be somewhere where she can be taken care of. She has her name on a waiting list for a palliative care bed in a nursing home.

She got pain and anti-nausea meds less than two weeks ago, and is already having to up the dosage on both of them.... She is able to eat now, at least, but is still losing weight. As much as I hate to lose her, I also don't want this to drag on for a long time if she is in pain..... :-(

Chantelle's plans for Australia are coming together. She should be able to book her flight soon. She's planning to come home for a visit in August, and then leave forAustralia in Sept. Man, I am going to miss her. I already miss her, being 7 hours away, but at least now we can talk on the phone any time (thank goodness for a great long distance plan!). Oh well... I know that she is going to have an amazing time, and I am very happy for her. :-)

I'm going to a meeting at the school tonight. There is a young woman who moved to town recently who will be speaking -- she's a recovering crystal meth addict. The local school board has put on a number of drug information presentations in the past few years, but I think that hearing it straight from someone who has been there and lived it is very powerful. Her mom and an addictions counsellor will be there for support. I hope that there is a good turnout.

Okay, back to work. I started this update on Sunday but got interrupted and didn't finish it.... lol. I decided I should get it posted today.

Smilies

Hmm... added some code to put the smilies in, but I'm not liking the little box around the images. That didn't happen when I previewed it. Hmm.... not sure if I'll keep them or not.

Does anyone else think or write (handwrite/print) with smilies and internet lingo? I can't handwrite a note or letter without adding happy faces and LOL's, etc. It's pretty bad.... and I think that way, too. :P

I feel like I should update, but there doesn't seem to be much to say....

Sheldon went snowboarding this past weekend -- school trip to Fernie, B.C. They had a great time, and he came back all in one piece.... lol. Always a good thing. ;-)

Chatted on the phone with my girl last night. Did I mention that she got a part time job? Can't remember. Anyway, she got a part time job... haha. She's working some evenings and weekends at Chapters (large bookstore chain). For someone who loves books, you'd think it would be perfect!!! She's not really one for working in retail -- as she's discovered -- and she was finding it pretty boring at first, but I think it's going okay. She's only been there a couple of weeks, and they had her cashing out four tills on her own yesterday. They seem to like her. She's saving up all the money from this job for her Australia trip.

It finally feels like spring! Let's just hope it lasts. It has been so nice the past few days. Today was just gorgeous, with the sun shining and the snow melting. I went for a walk this afternoon (dodging the puddles), and might go again tonight when I'm done posting this.

Not really anything new on my grandma. A couple of my aunts went with her to the doctor last week, to make sure some things are being taken care of. She got a pain patch to help control the pain she's been having, and other medicine to help with the nausea, so she's been able to eat better. The rest of the family stuff... I'm trying not to let it bother me (at least at the moment!).

If anyone is so inclined, prayers for one of my best friends and her family would be appreciated. She is caring for her elderly dad in her home, and he is dying of lung cancer. It's really, really hard on her and she is pretty overwhelmed, to say the least.

I hate cancer. :-(

Think I'll go for that walk......

Edit: I think I'm going to buy a new bike soon. I've been saying that for the past couple of years... lol. Now I really do need a new one. They should be on sale soon. :-)

Family

A serious illness in the family seems to bring to the forefront all those issues and dysfunction that people have managed to avoid/bury/ignore for years. My family has members who have cut each other off at various times in the past (and in the present), and there are alot of secrets and numerous sides to every story -- to the point where I have no idea what is truth. I sort of feel like I'm expected to take sides, and I can't do that. I listen when people talk, but I try to stay out of it. Not only do I not want to take sides, but I simply can't -- it's all so messed up, I don't know who or what to believe. People may have been able to ignore each other or the issues at one time, but now they are being thrown together whether they want to be or not, and it's rather ugly. Unfortunately, it's bound to get uglier. At a time when we should be drawing closer to each other, they are instead driving one another further apart. It's not what my grandma would want. In fact, no one is telling her of the difficulties, because she would be very upset that they are fighting, and she absolutely does not need that now.

I hope for reconciliation, but I tend to think that it won't happen. I know I should be hopeful instead of negative, but I've seen this go on for so many years that I don't have alot of hope of things changing. I think what will happen is they will get through this time ahead, and then once again go their own ways.

Some of the family are going with my grandma to her next doctor appointment. She won't ask questions to make sure that things are being managed well, so others will have to take charge. She's starting having some pain, and she has lost so much weight. :-(

*~*~*~*

Currently playing: Great Are You ~ downhere

Basketball

Sheldon's basketball team played in Regional Playoffs this weekend (out of town). They lost their game last night, but won today. Unfortunately, though, because they lost last night they are now out of the playoffs. Disappointing, but I think they were pretty excited and pleased to have made it to Regionals.

The girls' team hosted Regionals here in town this weekend, and won both their games, advancing to Hoopla -- which is the Provincial Playoffs, a pretty big deal!

Online Lenten Devotional

Journey to the Cross

I had a really nice conversation with my grandma last night on the phone -- for about an hour and a half. Only the second time we've talked in the last year, but I think I've worked through much that was hindering our relationship. I'm glad I called her (finally).

My aunt called me tonight. Again, a really good chat. Both conversations brought some much needed healing, and I feel good about things.

It's positive

My grandma definitely has pancreatic cancer. :-(

Waiting for news about my grandma

(Decided to edit this post somewhat.)

Some of you will have already read about this (briefly) on the boards, but I decided to post here, too. I found out yesterday that there is strong possibility that my grandma has cancer -- we are waiting for results. I've posted prayer requests for her before... she has very painful arthritis in her shoulder, she had hip replacement some years ago but was recently having major problems with the one hip and there was the possibility of another hip replacement there. However, she also has heart problems that are a factor in whether to have surgery.

She had been doing better as far as the hip was concerned, but the shoulder was still extremely painful and I believe she was on some strong medication for that. She's lost a fair amount of weight, and my mom took her shopping a few weeks ago because she wanted some new clothes that fit better. What I didn't know until yesterday was that she hasn't been able to eat much, and that combined with the weight loss was of concern to her doctor. He sent her for tests, and then she got a call at 8:00 yesterday morning that they needed her to come back in again for more tests. She has a cyst on her pancreas.... but they won't know if it is cancerous until it's removed, and I'm not sure when that is going to happen, she is just waiting at this point. She told my mom that if it is cancer, she will not have any treatments (she'll be 87 this May).

*~*~*~*~*~*

Currently playing: Mountain of God ~ Third Day

I hate numbers and accounting and budgets and all of that stuff!!! Blech! It's not even that I'm poor in math, cuz I'm not, but accounting/recordkeeping/etc. just drives me bonkers. Stresses me out. Some work-related stuff is totally stressing me out. Blahhhhhh.

*Takes a deep breath* Okay, I'm done venting for the moment. :-P

I have such a busy week ahead, between meetings and church services and suppers and other various things. I don't like weeks like that. I used to run like that all the time, but I don't like doing it anymore. Must be getting old.... lol.

Talked to my girl for awhile tonight. She's making plans to go to Australia this fall -- hopefully she can work it all out. She's applying for a passport here right away, and is looking for a second job in order to save up the money she needs (she has some saved already). Man, I will miss her tons, but it will be a great experience for her.

She got notice this week that she has to move out of her place by the end of May. She rents a basement suite, the house is being sold and the new owners do not want to rent it out. So she'll have to find someplace else for a few months until she goes to Australia. What a pain, but I'm sure it will work out okay.

Anyway, must go to bed -- and I'll try not stress too much tomorrow. ;-)

Not much to update, but I'll try...

I was gone for a couple of days -- I had a library workshop out of town. It was alright. Most of the sessions were stuff I already knew (digital cameras, scanners, some online databases, etc.), so at times it was kind of boring, but outside of that it was a fun time. They fed us well, and the fellowship was great. And it was all expenses paid, including getting my regular pay for both days. If nothing else, it was a nice break from work... ;-)

I've been talking with some HQ staff about setting up a message board for our library region -- this came about after discussion of some methods of effective communication. I've set up a sample one for them to have a look at, and we're talking about setting up a permanent one. I love this stuff, and my experience with the other board(s) has served me well. I'm excited about setting this one up. (I'm such a dork... lol.)

I'm going to do my income tax this weekend. It shouldn't take long, I just need to get at it. :-P

That's it for now... have a great weekend!

*~*~*~*

Currently playing: When the Night Feels My Song ~ Bedouin Soundclash

I am quite annoyed with iWebTunes, which is what I was using to add music to my blog. (I had videos before from another site, but that seemed to be loaded with popups so I scrapped it.) I can't log into iWebTunes -- it keeps telling me I haven't verified my registration (which I've done numerous times), then even after I've verified it -- yet again -- it won't let me log in. I even tried registering a new account, and it tells me that it has sent my verification email, but I've never received it. I'm not impressed at all. >:-(

*~*~*~*~*

Currently playing: Flawed Design ~ Stabilo

Flawed Design

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you. :-)

Hug someone you love today -- whether it be a "significant other", a child, a parent, a friend.... someone needs a hug and needs to know that you love them.

I send out *virtual hugs* to each of you. You guys are awesome, and you are loved. Thank you for your friendship, your love, your support, your laughter, your tears.... I appreciate you more than you can ever know.

*~*~*~*

Currently playing: Sunlight ~ DJ Sammy :-)

"May we exist like a lotus, At home in the muddy water. Thus we bow to life as it is."

The lotus, a symbol of Buddhism, grows in water, and appears to float on the surface. In reality, though, its long stem holds the flower just above the water. As the water moves, it tugs on the stem, so that the blossom seems to bow.

The sermon at church yesterday related to this concept of "being at home in muddy water"-- that may seem strange to some, because it is from Zen Buddhism. But I found it very interesting.

There was reference to the book "At Home in the Muddy Water: A Guide to Finding Peace within Everyday Chaos" and an experiment that is described to demonstrate this concept of finding peace within the chaos....

If you take a glass of water and add mud to it, the mud will eventually settle to the bottom of the glass, and the top of the water will be clear. But if you stir it up, the water becomes muddy and unclear throughout -- chaotic in a sense. Stop stirring it up, let it calm down, and the mud will again settle. It is still there, but it is not permeating everything. There is clarity, there is peace, even though the mud -- the troubles, the difficulties, the grief, the uncertainty, etc. -- is still there. Being at home in the muddy water is about being able to live in the moment -- not in the past, not in the future, neither stirring up things from the past nor worrying about the future -- but being able to find peace in this moment. To me that doesn't mean that you avoid or ignore those things, but that you can find peace even within them.

I don't know if I am explaining this as well as I had hoped (sometimes the things in my head don't come out properly when I try to put them into words). I wish I would taken notes of the sermon, because there were a number of things that I wanted to remember, but as always they escape me within a short time.

It's still Friday... ;-)

Sheldon's basketball tournament started tonight. His first game was at 7:00 -- they won, 80-35. Nice! :-) I have to work tomorrow, but will still be able to make his other two games. I'm making soup tonight for the canteen tomorrow, and he and I have to work at the canteen from 9:30-11:00 a.m. His next game is at 11:30, so I'll get to see about half of it before I have to go to work, and then his final game is at 7:00, so that gives me plenty of time after work. I was worried I might not see him play much -- with most of his games out of town this season and me working, I've barely made it to a game. I don't like that.

His birthday is tomorrow, so we gotta find time to celebrate that, too. ;-)

His birthday fell during the home tournament last year, too... that was a rough time... I'm glad that things are different this year for me. I hope that they are okay for him. And I hope his dad makes it to the tournament this year, and sees him on his birthday......

~~~~~

I'm listening to some Rich Mullins tonight. (Thanks, John!) It's been a long time since I listened to Rich -- I need to do so more often. I'm thinking that I should add him to my iPod. ;-)

I'm going to have to go find a snack. The smell of soup cooking is making me terribly hungry... lol.

Have a great weekend, my friends! :-)

*~*~*~*~
Currently playing: Let Mercy Lead ~ Rich Mullins

I feel like a fake.

For so many years, church was such a big part of my life. I taught Sunday School for 15 years, I was involved with a healing ministry for a number of years, participated in and led Bible study for years, was involved with youth stuff -- and heavily involved in and devoted to Teens Encounter Christ -- taught and helped with Vacation Bible School, participated in nearly every ecumenical service, have been on local and parish church council for many years, took numerous lay ministry training workshops, led (and still lead) some Sunday services, and so on and so on and so on......

I don't say all of that to boast, I hope it doesn't come across that way. The thing is... so much has changed. That stuff -- for the most part -- doesn't matter to me anymore. Church in general doesn't matter to me. I feel like I'm just going through the motions most of the time. It's not my basic faith, but the rest of it. Some things I just don't do any more, and other things I do because of a sense of obligation more than anything. My heart is not in it. Do I continue to fake it, and maybe some day I will find the heart for those things again? It gets harder all the time...

Some of it has to do with just being burned out -- too many years of the same stuff, with less and less people to carry the load. Some of it has to do with being "burned" -- from people I thought I should have been able to count on. It has left with me with an "I just don't care anymore" attitude.

And it's left me confused and uncertain... and hurt. One of my main reasons for sticking it out has been because I don't want to abandon one of my best friends when she is needing the support (and she's feeling overwhelmed and burned out herself). But it doesn't feel right any more. I don't know if I can keep doing it.

*sigh*

I think I need some chocolate.... :-P

(As depressing as all this sounds, life in general is good. This is just my angst of the moment... lol. ;-) )

I always dislike this time of year.... financial and annual reports for work, annual meetings for work and church, and some of the junk that seems to go with that.

I won't say much about work, except that there's some stress related to the need to find a new treasurer for the library board. Have to leave it at that, as this is a public blog...

Every year I dread annual meeting time for our church. Well, I didn't used to -- but for the last few years I have. I really have to make a decision about whether to stay on in my current position. I haven't particularily wanted to have it for the past couple of years, but there are so very few of us that I end up feeling "obligated", and that is not a good reason to be there. I've stayed in this position more as a support to a friend than because it's either where I want to be or think I should be. I'd feel bad to leave her without support, and at this time I'm really unsure as to whether anyone else would be willing to fill the position. Blah...... I don't know what to do. I don't *feel* like it's where I want to be. I think I got burned out. Among other things. *sigh*

Sheldon should have his car fixed this weekend. Poor kid has been waiting for over 3 weeks. At least it wasn't as bad as they first expected. He's going to help his dad with it in the morning.

He's got a busy week coming up, between semester finals, a Nickelback concert (which, had I known that Live was opening for them...!!! I would have loved to have gone. Not that he'd have wanted his mother there! lol), work, his home basketball tournament on Friday/Saturday, and his 17th birthday on Saturday. ;-) I think I'm going to go to Saskatoon on Monday to get the rest of his birthday present and do some other shopping.

So yeah.... that's about it for an update from me.... lol. :-P

*~*~*~*

Currently playing: You're Beautiful ~ James Blunt

Happy New Year!

I'm back...... :-D

I hope everyone had a great Christmas, and I wish you all a wonderful New Year!

I had a fantastic holiday season. I've been on vacation since December 24th, I go back to work tomorrow.... blech. I always hate going back after vacation.

Chantelle got home on December 23rd. It was so great to have her home. :-) The kids spent Christmas Eve with their dad and that side of the family. More relatives than usual were home for Christmas this year, so that was cool for them. They had a good time. Chantelle, Sheldon and I went to church that night -- one of my favorite services of the year. Love it!

Christmas Day was quiet, but very relaxing and very nice. We slept in -- we are all night owls, lol. We opened gifts and just kinda lazed around a bit, I got the turkey in the oven for supper, and we played some board games in the afternoon, including our annual round of Trivial Pursuit. I think we need an easier version..... hahaha. Of course, there was the obligatory munching of goodies and snacks while playing games. ;-) It was a wonderful day -- I am so very thankful for my kids, and for the time we had all together. They are awesome. :-)

Chantelle went to Winnipeg to visit friends for New Year's. She planned to leave on the 28th, but things didn't work out as planned, and she left on the morning of the 29th instead.

And speaking of plans not working out..... in the end they did, but they started off with a big hitch. I went on vacation after Christmas -- to Arizona for a week. Or almost a week. I was supposed to fly out on the 28th, but unfortunately on the way to Saskatoon (an hour away), Sheldon's car broke down!!! We managed to get back to a nearby town to call home (no cell). He ended up having to get it towed back to town, and I had to get Robbie to come pick us up and try to get me to Saskatoon in time for my flight. We hit snow and unbelievable traffic jams in Saskatoon, and when I got to the airport, the flight was just departing. Arrggghhhhh........ So frustrating.

I spent the next hour making new arrangements for a flight the next morning, being told that the plane hadn't left after all (weather delay) and that they'd get me on the flight -- but all my info in the computer had to be changed back (since I was now booked for a different flight), and that took FOREVER. They finally got it done and were about to send me to the plane (my luggage was already sent), only to be told that the plane had just left!!!!! After they had promised me that it wouldn't leave without me. Man....... what a stressful day!!!!

I ended up getting put back onto the flight for the following morning, and staying in Saskatoon overnight at my dad's. Had to be at the airport at 5:00 a.m., and there was no way I was going back home! lol

My vacation itself was awesome. :-D I got home a little after 2:00 this morning -- coming from Saskatoon in dense fog. So I slept in this morning and am being lazy today -- my last day before work. Just unpacking and doing some laundry, catching up on emails/boards/blogs, etc. At some point I need to take the Christmas tree down, but not today. :-P

Gonna call my girl tonight and see how her time in Winnipeg went. :-)

*~*~*

Currently playing: Always There ~ Todd Agnew

(can't wait to get my iPod updated with all my music :-D )

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.)

Today had the potential to be a difficult day, but so far so good. ;-)

Thanks for the chat this morning, Carmel. :-) Thanks for the email this afternoon, Joyce. :-)

I even got rid of the noisy cricket that was driving me crazy this morning with his chirping.... lol. Actually, once I located the lil guy, a patron who was in the library goes "Do you want me to get rid of that for you?" Sure! So the lil guy has a new home in the grass outside. Oh great... he's likely to be back! LOL! She thinks that there is a Chinese or Korean superstition regarding crickets so she didn't want to kill it. ;-)

~~~

Currently playing: Life Is ~ Sarah Kelly (great voice!)

Spammed

Arrgghhh.... my comments got spammed.

I still want to allow anonymous posting, since not everyone who reads is a Blogspot member, and I want them to be able to post. So I've added word verification for posting, which is a bit of a nuisance, but will hopefully stop the spam. If it doesn't, I may have to turn off the anonymous comment posting. Blah.....

Don't people have better things to do?

~~~
Edit: I took the word verification off because some people couldn't post with it on, and I got spammed again, right away. So I've left it off, but disabled anonymous posting. Sorry... I know that most of you have accounts, those that don't can comment in the Tag Board I guess. ;-)

2nd Edit: Still getting spammed... grrr... Will leave it as is for now.

Back to school... summer is gone again...

The first day back to school, and now the weather gets nice again... lol. Isn't that always the way. :-P

Sheldon is in grade 11 this year. Man... it's hard to believe. Every summer seems to go so fast, and every year... before I know it my baby will be graduating. Yikes.

I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, the whole "empty nest" thing is sad -- letting your children go is tough. Life changes so much, and you miss them so much, even while you are excited for them. And yet... at the same time, reaching that stage in life is.... liberating (good word, Joyce). I love my kids beyond words -- they have been my life -- but in the natural progression of life, as each child grows up, I become more comfortable with that time when they will have all left home and made their own lives. And while I certainly don't want the next years to go quickly, in a sense I do look forward to it. To what life holds in store. This probably doesn't make much sense to alot of you (as most of you reading this are much younger than me or don't have older kids), and it's kind of hard to explain.

Anyway........

Last year around this time, I had alot going on, alot of uncertainty and confusion and pain, especially for several months. During that time a friend from church got cancer and died very shortly after, and there were just so many other things... The past few days have really brought alot of those memories up, and I'm working through some of that. I'm okay -- I am in a much better place now -- I just have some difficult moments now and then. But life is good. :-)

Okay, so something less depressing..... lol. Gonna see my girl next Monday! :-D

Chantelle is going to Regina for the Labour Day weekend, to spend time with some friends from Winnipeg that she hasn't seen for a year. Labour Day weekend is the traditional Saskatchewan Roughriders/Winnipeg Blue Bombers football game, and her friends are going and invited her to join them. She has very little time so she won't be able to make it home, but Sheldon and I are going to go down on Monday and hang out with her for the afternoon before she heads back to Calgary. Should be fun! :-) (and then it's only a few months till Christmas and she comes home for a longer visit! Woohoo!)

Yikes! Christmas!!!!! O.O

~~~

Currently playing: Everything Changes ~ Staind

Thought of the Day

Yesterday's "thought of the day" in my inbox:

For every step you take toward God, God takes two steps toward you; and if you come to God walking, God comes to you running.
~ James Martin

Blah... kind of a bad day, on various levels. Wishing I didn't have to be at work today.

~~

ETA: No worries, I'm fine. Just one of those days. ;-)

What is REAL?

An excerpt from The Velveteen Rabbit:

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"
"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."
"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.
"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."
"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"
"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

~~~~

One of my favorite children's books. It was an excerpt in a book I was reading a few days ago. This is a quote from that same book:

"... we find that we are most 'real' in connectedness to others. At the core of our beings -- our innermost selves -- we long to feel special, understood, cared about. Loving and being loved makes us feel recognized, that we matter, that we're real."

I've been thinking alot about that recently, having had a recent exchange with a good friend on the topic, and including the above in a group email yesterday. Yesterday was again a reminder of just how much my friends mean to me, and how -- even though so many of them I know only through the medium of cyberspace -- they are the friends who are Real. They are the ones who have allowed me to be Real. Allowed me to be me... not who I think people want me to be or expect me to be. They are the ones who accept me for who I am, and don't "put me in a box". They are the friends who have taught me to trust, and with whom I have grown in so many ways. They are the friends that I know I can turn to when I need a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on or someone to pray for me, and they are the friends I can laugh and be silly with. And they know that I am here for them in the same way. Always...

And all but two of these friends I met in the same place. Is there a purpose in that? I believe so. :-)

To my friends: Josh, Alan, Amy, Carrie, Carmel, Trish, Christy, Ruthie, Sherry, Susanna, John, Matt, Dallas, Shauna, Lana, Joyce....

You have each touched my life in ways you will never know, and I am a better person for having known you. Some of you I've met {and you were just as Real in person ;-) }, others.... not yet. But maybe one day. :-)

Okay, enough sappiness for one day... lol. Have a good one. Much love to you all!

~*~*~
Currently playing: Wherever You Will Go ~ The Calling

Got it!

Yup... the Todd Agnew CD arrived today! :-D

That's all for now... lol.

EDITED:

First listen, still not through the whole CD yet. But I have to say that I think "Always There" is going to be my always-makes-me-cry song of the album, just like "Still Here Waiting" and "Wait for Your Rain" were on the last album.....

My favorite is still "My Jesus". Love that song.

Well, I tried... but the nice guy at Parable wouldn't sell me the Todd Agnew CD a day early... lol. Perfectly understandable, he had concerns about the store being sued. I didn't really expect to get it, but thought it would be worth a try. ;-) So instead, I prepaid it and they will mail it out. Unfortunately it cost me an extra $5.50 (!!!) just to get it mailed out. Now, another CD I would have just waited until I was in Saskatoon again, although it could be awhile. But I really wanted this one. Should be here in a couple of days. Yay! :-)

After a few glitches, Sheldon has his car. We took Robbie's car to S'toon yesterday and his dad picked up his car and brought it back , so it was here when we got home last night. Well, technically it was in the garage cuz the brake pads needed to be replaced -- and he freaked when we got home and it wasn't here -- but he was able to pick it up, go cruising for a bit, and all is well. He's a happy camper. ;-)

So we went to S'toon to get some clothes, etc. for Sheldon. What does he come home with? One pair of jeans and a belt.... lol. He couldn't find anything else he liked. I tried... dragging him around to several places, but nothing interested him. He said he'd get something another time. Okay, whatever works... haha. Silly boy.

I got a few things for myself -- jeans, two pair of pants, couple of long sleeved t-shirts, a pair of shoes. I needed new pants quite badly. Some of my old ones don't fit, but some of them are just old and out of style. It was time for something new.

Chantelle called last night and we chatted for awhile. She always makes me laugh. She was telling me how she'd gone to Safeway on her way home from work to get the ingredients for this salad she wanted to make, plus some fruit, etc. She got off the C-train near her house and was walking home, and was thinking about how hungry she was, and all of sudden she realized that she'd left her bag of groceries on the C-train!!! LOL. Poor kid. Fortunately only about $9.00 worth of stuff, but still.... that's enough when you're on a tight budget, plus she needed that food for supper. She said she hoped someone who really needed that food found it. ;-)

Someone just returned a copy of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to the library. Everyone keeps telling me that the ending is sad and that they cried. Oh no..... :'( I'm only about halfway through, I haven't been spending enough time on it. But I'm sort of trying to make it last, too. It's always so long till the next one!

Well, I'm at work so I should get something done. ;-)

~~~~

Current weather: Cloudy, rainy, cool. (blech)
Currently playing: Numb ~ Linkin Park (on Launchcast)

Okay, so the new Todd Agnew CD comes out on August 16. Yay! Trouble is, Sheldon and I are going to Saskatoon on the 15th!!! That day works out for us to go do some shopping for clothes, etc. for school, cuz he's not working and it's my usual day off. Blah... Maybe I can convince the nice staff at Parable to sell it to me a day earlier. They did once before when I was in a day or two before a release. I forget what CD it was, but I had asked if I could pay for it and have it mailed out to me since I was from out of town (they charge $3.50 shipping), and the guy goes "Well... we're not supposed to do this... but don't tell anyone... " and he slipped me a copy. ;-) If I tell them what a HUGE Todd Agnew fan I am, do you think that would help? LOL

Oh, and I have a number of gift certificates to use up at Parable. I'll have to figure out what else I want to get. There hasn't been alot in Christian music that has really caught my interest lately. We shall see... I might wait and use them another time.

Anyway, back to work... ;-)

~~~~

Currently playing on Launchcast: Holy Is the Lord ~ Chris Tomlin

New SCC single for Chronicles of Narnia

Check out the new single from Steven Curtis Chapman for the Chronicles of Narnia movie:

mms://66.186.0.101/allaccess/stevremb.wma

Good stuff!

Okay, fine.... I'll see what I can come up with.... lol. My life just lacks any kind of excitement. :-P

The Homecoming weekend in town seemed to go well. I didn't attend the festivities, other than the fireworks on Saturday night. They were awesome!!! The guy that did them is a professional who has been in many competitions, and it was just excellent.

I skipped the school reunion, too. I felt bad the next day when I got an email from an old friend (who only lives an hour away but that I've only seen 3 times in the last 25 years). She had come down for the reunion, and was very disappointed because the few people that she really wanted to see weren't there. I think she was quite hurt. And she went on to say that I need to give her a call when I'm in Saskatoon or maybe she needs to come down again because she really would like to see me, etc. Which is nice.... but on the other hand, I've been here all along and she's known how to get in touch with me. So why now? Just because a reunion sparked a temporary need to get in touch? Don't get me wrong, it would be good to see her, but I think it's just a passing thing, you know? Maybe I shouldn't be so cynical... :-P

Sheldon has been busy trying to locate a vehicle to buy. It's hard to find something that is decent and will be reliable within a reasonable price range. (Thankfully his uncle is a mechanic and can check out potential purchases for him.) If he can find something reasonable, he will need to take out a loan -- his dad is willing to co-sign for his first one, as he did for Robbie. Sheldon is very organized and efficient and has been checking things out quite thoroughly as far as what it will cost him for loan payments, insurance, gas, etc., and what he can expect to earn at his job once he goes back to school in the fall. Right now he has quite a few hours, but that will be cut back once school starts. He's already put some money away, and overall he's done quite well... I'm pleased with his initiative in handling it.

Speaking of co-signing.... Chantelle called last night. She's been talking for some time of going to school this fall, and has been tossing around a number of ideas. She is looking at going to Mount Royal College and taking a course in Reflexology Therapy. The classes are 2 evenings/week + Saturday mornings, which would work well because it would allow her to keep her current job (which she loves). She's applied for a student line of credit, but as she has no credit rating she needs a co-signer -- thus the call last night.

I agreed to co-sign for her -- which is kind of scary for me. At this point in my life I have no debts, and hope not to have any. I don't make alot, but it is enough to make ends meet. I have every confidence that she will find work when she is done and will be able to pay off her loan just fine, but still.... there is just that niggling "what if....." thought rolling around in the back of my mind. However... I will trust that it will all be fine. :-)

Have had to learn alot about trust in the last few years. God has been very good, and has provided some amazing people in my life, who have helped in ways they probably will never realize. Know that you are appreciated beyond words. :-)

~~~~~

Currently reading: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

As mentioned in the TagBoard, feeling a little better, although still not well. I'm coughing quite a bit (and yes, I am now taking some cough medicine... lol), and the sore throat is gone, but yesterday the headache came back and I was just really tired. Had a 2 hour nap in the afternoon and that helped. Aside from the cough, I feel okay today.

This weekend is our town's big Homecoming (as part of Saskatchewan's Centennial celebration). It's a big deal and the committee has been working very hard on it for a long time. I've lived here since I was 10, so this is home, but I have no great enthusiasm for attending the festivities. You have to pay to register in order to attend any of it, and it wasn't worth it to me... although I think that for those who are coming home for it, it will be good. The fireworks should be cool, but I can see that from my house.... haha.

There is a parade, and the library will be having a float. So guess who gets to ride on it? Oh yay.... lol. Since it's a "then & now" theme, we will have a former long-time librarian as well as myself and the assistant librarian. Oh joy..... :-P (Should I be practising my "queen wave"?... hahaha)

It's also my 25th high school reunion on Sunday, in connection with the Homecoming. I've pretty much decided not to go. (Don't I just sound like an old stick-in-the-mud!) The few friends I'd actually be interested in seeing aren't going to be there, and the rest of my classmates I'm not friends with, and after 25 years it really doesn't matter so much anymore. Our 10 year reunion was kinda cool, but after 25 years, if you haven't ever kept in touch with these people and weren't friends to begin with.... it's really not important. I thought it was just me, but I was talking to my sister-in-law, wondering if she was going, and she felt the same way (although she was a little hesitant at expressing her feelings at first, feeling like I was that "I shouldn't be so negative").

But yeah, I don't really have any desire to sit and spend hours trying to converse with people (not my strong point anyway) that I either haven't seen in 10-25 years, and/or don't really care if I do. I'm really not a negative person, it's just that some things in life are important, and some aren't. And I'd rather not spend my time on something I really don't enjoy just because "I should". Me, the "people pleaser", is trying to break out of that mindset of doing things "because it's expected".

~~~~~

Currently playing: You and Me ~ Lifehouse

Not much to update, but I did play around and added a Tag Board to my blog. ;-)

I was upgrading some software on my computer at the library today (Microsoft Office), and I thought I lost all my email. Yikes! Fortunately, I got it working. Man, what a mess that would have been.

I've had a cold the past few days and am just feeling really tired and blah. Blah, blah, blah.... At least it's the weekend, and tomorrow is my Saturday off. I also haven't been walking at all this week. Doesn't take much for me to start slacking off. :-P

Played a few games of Literati with Amy lately. She's good, people! Kicked my butt a few times... lol.

Well, work is almost done. I need to figure out something to make for supper. Hmmm....

Tonight's walking music: Jason Ingram (Self-titled).

Great CD. I've been digging out some of my old stuff that I haven't listened to for awhile. I don't know what ever happened to Jason, he wasn't really very well known, and it's a shame... good stuff!

BTW, if you're reading, Joyce... three great walks in a row. ;-)

My girl called tonight, right after Sheldon left on the bus, just to let me know he'd gotten away. They had such a good time -- I'm glad. Sheldon is more convinced than ever that he wants to move to Calgary when he's done school. He loves it there, and is very confident -- took public transit all over the place to shop, etc. (on his own, while she was at work). Now, you gotta realize that this is a kid coming from small-town Saskatchewan (population 1,100 on a good day), buzzing around a city of almost 1 million people (that he's only been to 3 times before). He did well. ;-)

I watched Big Brother earlier tonight. I rarely watch reality tv shows (used to be a big Survivor fan, but only for the first few seasons), but we started watching with Big Brother 2, and it kind of became our summertime thing (two of those summers Chantelle was home). So yeah, last week they said that the next episode was on this Thursday, and after that they'd return to the regular schedule. Robbie just happened to change the channel and it was on tonight! What was up with that? Yeah, I know it's kinda silly, but I watch it anyway. :-P

I hope you are all having a great summer. It goes by so quickly... make the most of it! :-)

It was a nice evening for a walk. Still fairly warm out, and the mosquitoes were only mildly annoying tonight... lol.

I did a bit of yard work yesterday (blech!), and spent much of this afternoon cleaning out cupboards/pantry. I've slowly been working at de-cluttering and clearing alot of junk out of my life... and that seems to relate not only to my physical surroundings, but mentally as well. They seem to go hand in hand. A couple of weeks ago I totally cleaned out a closet (I am such a packrat!!!) in my bedroom. Tossed some stuff, packed other stuff up to give away, and then had to reorganize what was left. Put up some shelving (that was an experience in itself), and then got all the rest of the stuff reorganized. It felt good, and of course I wondered to myself why it took me so long to do anything about it. Story of my life.... :-P

Sheldon comes home tomorrow night on the bus. Well, he leaves Calgary tomorrow night, gets home early Wednesday morning. I only talked to the kids once since he left, but they were having a good time.

I really want some ice cream. That kinda defeats the purpose of walking, doesn't it? Well, technically no... because I'm not walking to lose weight specifically (although that would be a bonus), but to be more physically active and fit. So yeah.... I have some Breyer's Strawberry Shortcake ice cream just calling my name.... maybe just a small dish... ;-)

Oh hey... anyone play Scrabble? I play Literati (which is the same as Scrabble) on Yahoo games with Josh. Last night we were playing with another friend, and my first word on the board, I used all my letters -- 53 points! Included 35 bonus points for using all the letters! I beat his all time single scoring of 43 points. Now it's on.... lol.

Okay, ice cream time.... ;-) Have a nice night peeps!

Currently playing: Alive in This Moment ~ Starfield (who are going to be touring w/ Todd Agnew!)

*waves* Nice to see you've joined the world of blogging, Amy! ;-)

So, I've just spent the past few hours playing a couple of online games. Arrrggghhh..... challenging, but frustrating, too. Unfortunately, I needed spoilers to finish. If you have some time to spare/waste, check these out:

The Crimson Room: http://flash.qbol.net/pl;p/youxi/images/04042203.swf

The Viridian Room: www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/viridian.php

There's another one, too, The Blue Chamber, but it looks kinda disappointing compared to these other two.

It's not even Friday yet!

LOL!

Not much to say, just thought I'd do a quick post. I just got back from a 45 minute walk. It is soooo nice out tonight -- well, except for the mosquitoes! I had to wear a light jacket -- it was really too warm for it once I got walking, but without it the mosquitoes were driving me crazy. But yeah, it was a hot day, and a beautiful calm night. Now, if you live in Saskatchewan, you understand that is rarely ever calm here.... lol.

Work has been busy, which is a good thing. Everyone's stocking up on their summer reading. It was funny, the last day of school, I had a number of teachers stop in. They loaded up on books and were heading for the lake as soon as possible. Lucky them!

Sheldon headed off to Calgary yesterday to spend his week with Chantelle. I know they'll have fun. They have a couple of concerts to see during Stampede Week, including the Stabilo concert tomorrow night {so probably only Alan has any clue who Stabilo is, but that's okay. ;-) }

Fortunately Sheldon was able to get a ride out to Calgary with his dad in the truck... that saved quite a bit on bus fare. It would be nice if he can get a ride back, too, but if not he'll be riding the bus.

I'm hungry, time to go find something to eat. *yawn* Such boring updates.... hahaha....


Currently playing: Heaven ~ DJ Sammy (cuz it's stuck in my head)
Currently reading: Monster ~ Jonathan Kellerman (only one of several books I have on the go)

Happy Canada Day!

LOL... yeah, Amy, it's Friday again. :-P

And I have the day off! It's Canada Day, so no work today. No plans for the day, either. I slept in this morning (yes!), and Sheldon and I are just hangin' out. Might barbecue if the weather holds out. It's really warm out, but is getting pretty cloudy and looks like it may rain.

We've had alot of rain this month, but at least we're not flooding like so many places. Calgary has been flooded and Chantelle's basement suite got wet -- she had to move all her stuff into the empty bedroom and the landlord had to clean up the water and dry everything out. Not fun. Hopefully next week will be nice when Sheldon goes out. Calgary Stampede starts on the 8th, and it would be nice if things were dry then... Chantelle is really excited about him coming out. They should have a great time.

Well, not much to update on at the moment. Maybe I'll be back later. :-P

Happy Canada Day to my fellow Canadian readers (all 2 of you.... haha). Have a great day!

Currently playing: Last Saskatchewan Pirate ~ Arrogant Worms {just for fun ;-) }

What is it about Friday's that leads me to post? Boredom, mostly... lol. It's the end of the week, and I want the day to be done. Actually, what I'd really love is a nap! :-P

We had another wild thunderstorm a few nights ago. WOW! The lightning was incredible. I'm sure something hit here in town, you could hear it. And the thunder was awesome!!! :-D I love night-time thunderstorms, the only thing is that with "tornado season", it's kinda worrisome. At least during the day you can see the changes in the weather and have a better chance of knowing if something is coming, but at night... :-S

Sheldon started work this morning. He was tired at noon... lol. Not because the work is hard, but because he had to be up quite early (and didn't go to bed very early!), and it's just different than his usual day. He should be real tired by Sunday night. He goes shingling at 7:00 tomorrow morning, then works again on Sunday morning.

Anyone seen "The Notebook"? I was kinda disappointed. I had decided at one point not watch it, cuz I'd read a couple of Nicholas Sparks' books, and while they weren't too bad and they made me cry, I found them kinda predictable and not really my thing. But then everyone kept saying how "The Notebook" was SOOO good, the best movie, etc., etc., so I broke down and rented it last weekend. It was okay. Not bad, I was just disappointed -- it didn't live up to my expectations.

I really want to see "Hotel Rwanda" -- it's supposed to be very powerful. Maybe I'll rent it when Sheldon's gone to Calgary and Robbie's working, since no one else will wanna watch it with me. We don't agree on many movies in our house... haha.

There's been some scandal at our high school -- a female teacher & and a 16 year old male student. :-S All I've heard is some rumors, I'm not really sure what is truth, but I do know that the teacher was let go. Although all this apparently came about a couple of weeks ago (at least), I only just heard about it -- which is odd in a small town where everyone knows your business practically before you do! I asked Sheldon about it, since I was suprised that he hadn't said anything. But he didn't have much to say, just that he'd heard lots of rumors and didn't know what was true. Considering that the student in this alleged situation is a friend of his.... I guess he'd rather not be involved....

On another note entirely, I'm thinking about letting my hair grow out a bit. It is actually kinda curly once it has some length, but every time in the past that I've considered growing it out, it has driven me completely crazy and I'd go and get it all chopped off again... :-P I don't want it very long, just "longer"... If I can just hold out during that in-between stage when it looks lousy and drives me crazy. We'll see how I do.... lol.

Is it 5:00 yet?! *checks clock* Apparently not... I still have an hour left. I guess I'll go shelve some books and try to keep busy. ;-)

Till next time... :-)

I got a lil reminder that I haven't updated in awhile.... :-P Doesn't seem like there's much to write about, but I'll try... ;-)

School's almost done, Sheldon started writing finals today. He has a couple more this week, then one more next week. Report cards are out on the 30th. And it's finally feeling like summer! I was beginning to wonder if it ever would!

We had an awesome thunderstorm a few nights ago! (I love thunderstorms!) Unfortunately, with the storm came some tornadoes. I didn't know until later the next day that one (some?) had hit around here. Some farmers lost barns, sheds, other buildings, even livestock (sheep and chickens). On one farm, several power poles were ripped right out of the ground, so some areas were without power for some time. I had been watching a movie and not even paying attention to any weather warnings... way to go, September! :rolleyes: I was just enjoying the thunder.... what a goob.

Sheldon applied for a summer job a few weeks ago, and he got a call tonight. They want him to start on Friday morning (pumping gas). He needs a week off to go out to Calgary in July, but other than that he should be available most of the summer. He was also asked to go help shingle a roof on Saturday -- one of his teachers was looking for a few students to help out, he'll pay them each $100 for the day's work, so that is pretty cool. He's going to enjoy having some spending money this summer, and hopefully a start on saving for a inexpensive first car. ;-)

I've been trying to keep up with my walking. I usually manage to get in at least 4 times a week, need to try for more. I don't know the actual distance I've been walking, only that it's usually about 40 minutes. Gonna see if one of the boys will clock it so I know how far I'm going. I've added in an extra bit to what I was doing before, but am now at the same amount of time, so I must have picked up the pace a bit.... lol. I was attempting to do an aerobic workout several mornings a week, but I have an even harder time sticking to that. :-P I like walking because I can put on my tunes and just go -- usually letting my thoughts wander where they will. It helps to work out alot of stuff in head, and I feel better both physically and mentally.

I work 4 or 5 days a week (it alternates), but only 2 of those days include mornings, so I'm looking forward to having some days for sleeping in just a bit this summer. We don't have any special plans for the summer, but I like the relaxed atmosphere and the temporary freedom from meetings, etc. I only wish it lasted longer!

Is that enough randomness? LOL. Till next time... ;-)

~~~~~

Currently playing: Grace and Love ~ Kutless

Yay, it's Friday! :-D Well, I still have to work tomorrow, but still... it's Friday!

The week went by quickly. The month is going to go by quickly I am thinking. Sheldon only has a couple weeks of school left, then finals to write.

His grade 10 hiking/camping trip is coming up, they leave early Sunday morning. They camp and hike through Cypress Hills park -- their longest hike is 17 km. Through the forest and bush, with only a topographical map and a compass to find their way to their destination. Carrying all their supplies on their backs. Should be fun... glad it's not me! Hahaha. It's not a big deal to him at all, having been in Scouts for many years, but for some who never even walk anywhere let alone go camping/hiking, it could be very interesting to say the least. Some of the girls are freaking out already, and one of the teachers who is going has never been hiking either. She's like "what do you mean I can only take one pair of shoes?!" Good grief....

They are put into groups of mostly 3's. Sheldon ended up with only one partner, and of course it is with someone who he really doesn't get along with. Isn't that always the way? The thing about this trip is that it is a great learning experience for all of them, and a good bonding experience for the whole class, too. The teacher leading it has done it for a number of years, and always has great things to report. I'm sure Sheldon will have a wonderful time. :-) Now, if only the weather will be nice...

It's Robbie's birthday on Sunday. *Gulp*. He's going to be 25 years old. How did that happen?! Makes me sound old. I don't feel old... haha. It just makes me sound old. :-P No special plans. I'll bake him a cake (mmmm), but he's working this weekend and it will just be the two of us at home, so it will be quiet. I think he and Rachel should celebrate together... they are only 10 hours apart, her being the older one. 25 years... yikes..... seems like yesterday that I was there.....

Speaking of 25 years, my 25 year high school reunion is this summer, to be held the same weekend as the town's Homecoming/Centennial celebration. I haven't decided if I'm going yet. If a couple of old friends from out of town come back for it I might, otherwise probably not. Much of my class is still living here (or moved back), and I see them around all the time, but I'm not friends with them, so... We'll see....

Well, since you asked, Matt.... ;-)

The surprise was great! Actually, Sheldon was quite sick that day (and the day previous), but I didn't know that at first. He looked like he wasn't really enjoying himself and I was a wee bit bummed, but then when I actually talked to him I found out he was feeling really lousy. He had an awesome weekend, though -- and he was suprised and happy to see me ;-) -- and can't wait to see his friends again. He's already getting "So when are you moving to Calgary?"... haha. And he's talking about doing so. I knew this would happen. It was Chantelle's strong tie to her TEC friends that drew her to Calgary, and it is a big part of what keeps her there I think. I was quite certain that if Sheldon felt the same way about TEC and made the same kind of friends, he would feel that pull to go there as well. We shall see what happens.... he has 2 years of school left yet. ;-)

I had a good day in Calgary before going out to Closura. Kevin picked me up at the airport and we spent the next several hours hanging out at the zoo. It was alot of fun. . :-)

It was so great to see Chantelle, too. It was pretty brief, but good. I miss her so much. She's doing really well, working her two jobs, and she now has a new boyfriend. Scott is also a part of the TEC community, and she's known him for some time -- he was on the worship team on our TEC weekend 4 years ago. Nice guy. :-)

My grandpa passed away last week. I went to his funeral on Monday -- went down to Maple Creek with my sister and brother-in-law. It was a very déjà vu experience.... so eerily like 8 years ago when we went down for my grandma's funeral. It really struck me, the two days that I was there, how emotionally disconnected my family seems to be. I'm not going to get into all of that here, but it gave me alot of food for thought, as did a few other things. Every once in awhile I learn something that is kind of like a "piece of a puzzle" falling into place, helping to make the "picture" just a wee bit clearer. Okay, this won't make sense to anyone but me... but that's okay. :-P It helped to talk with a friend about it last night.

My grandma (on the other side of the family) has been in the hospital. She had hip replacement surgery a number of years ago (first one hip, then the other), and one of them went out on her last week. It is back in place, but it's temporary. She needs to have a whole new hip replacement done, however she has heart problems that puts her at a high risk. It sounds like she is going to risk it, as otherwise she will be completely bedridden. She is fiercely independent and does not that to be the case. I don't know what kind of a waiting list there is for the surgery... I'm just waiting to hear more. And praying that all will go well. She's 86 years old, had a mild stroke last year, and with the heart problems....... =
*looks at the clock* Oops... must get back to work. :-P Have a great day, all!