It seems I have been absent from this blog for 5 months and have missed 12 "Posts" that I had planned to do.

Well, I guess that means that nothing exciting has been happening my way, I've had no great thoughts or epithanies, or what has been happening is either too painful or too personal to talk about on a public blog. I would say the reason is a little of all.

Good things that I am thankful for...

1. My youngest graduated from Grade 12. Memories of that:
- as we were driving to the ceremonies we past a car accident and my youngest commented that it was 2 of her friends from school. Part way through the ceremonies, these two young people were introduced and got to do their "walk to receive their diploma's" along with the announcement that they were in an accident but okay. I talked to the young lady afterwards and told her she now had an interesting story to tell when she is older. While the rest of her friends would remember - yeah went to the ceremonies, stood in line forever, walked across the stage and sat and listened to speeches, she could say "You know what happened to me?" Not sure if that made her feel better or not
- went out for supper with the family and 2 friends. We took funny pictures of ourselves at the table.

2. Holidays with my hubby -memories of that:
- he took me to the dump - never been there before, found it kinda interesting.
- traveled through Manitoba and saw how the flooding was impacting tourism
- learnt that when you cross the provincial border your smartphone automatically changes the times and ... your appointment times. Did not know that - ended up being 45 minutes late for a memorial service.
- fresh fish cooked by Farmer Don is delicious! Which is major as I don't really care for fish.
- I can be brave enough to go over the edge and down a steep hill as a passenger on a quad.
- when cows "moo" I think it means "move" - discovered this when we were fixing a quad by a pool of water that a bunch of cows wanted to get too.

3. Had another birthday and anniversary.

4. Friends
- who tape Big Brother for me so I could catch up when I got back from holidays
- who walk the 10K marathon with me - yep did it again this year. Memory of that was Roy yelling our names out as we did the last bit up the hill to the finishing line. I think the neighbourhood heard him yell as he sprited past us up the hill. I was trying to breathe from the exertion of walking up the hill... would have tripped him if I didn't like him so much
- who come over to the house to play Munchkin and have a potluck
- who willingly take my extra "starter pack" of the Amish Friendship bread

5. Books - read about 7 over my holidays.

6. Good Lord who continues to put up with me. Even though I seem to be one of those crisis prayer'ers lately - He still listens and He still comforts and He still helps.

"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within."
Elizabeth Kubler Ross

Post Eighteen My Wedding Well... my wedding happened just shy of 22 years ago. I had a good day, and I hope everyone else did too. My sister Holly was my Maid of Honor and a good friend was my other bridesmaid. I knew I wanted Holly up there with me but I couldn't decide which of my friends to ask - I only wanted Holly and one more person. Then one evening I was out with a friend and like a bolt of lightening it was duh ... this is who I should ask. I had stood up with her when she got married and she was a good friend and the perfect choice. Murray asked his brother and his good friend. I don't really remember what we did that morning, I remember getting dressed and having pictures taken on my parents front lawn. Gave the neighbours something to watch. I remember repeating my poem over and over in my head on the way to the church - I didn't want to mess it up. And then being downstairs waiting to go up and marry my love. I remember wanting to stop and check out who was there and say hi but I had to stick to the "program" LOL I remember that I thought Murray wouldn't want to do a big kisso as he isn't really into public displays of affection - so I went for the quick kiss and he went for the big kisso awkward LOL I remember starting to cry once we hit the foyer, I remember standing in the receiving line forgetting peoples names as I tried to introduce them to my parents. I remember being at the hall welcoming people as they came in - even Murray's friends that I didn't know as Murray was upstairs in the Elks lounge having a drink - I think I had to go up and tell him to come to the hall. I remember when it was my time to talk I couldn't but Murray the guy who isn't into talking in front of big groups and not a big talker did most of the talking - which several people mentioned. I remember laughing, smiling, hugging and being very happy. I am very thankful that the good Lord gave me such a great guy. It hasn't always been easy but I wouldn't change it.

Post Seventeen An Art Piece

I like a variety of art pieces. I do tend to have more First Nations pieces on my walls but I also have a few pieces that I purchased and framed just because they make me smile. Janet Williams art is one of those. She is from Saskatoon and I came across her work at one of the many craft fairs my sister and I go to. They feel so joyous to me and no matter how I feel, I smile when I look at them.

This one is called Sing Dance Play - I finally got this one framed but I haven't got it upon the wall yet- still looking for the perfect place

This one is called Poetry in Motion- not framed yet but hope to soon.

Post Sixteen A Song that Makes You Cry "Its Not Far" by NewSong - for about 2 years after my mother passed away I couldn't even attempt to listen to this song though I love it - I would instantly start crying. It's the song that was going through my head as we sat by her bedside waiting for her to pass from this world into Jesus' arms. "It's not far from here to Jesus His loving arms are open wide Close your eyes and he will lead you Safety to his side There's no need for you to fear him You can trust him with your heart And it's not far It's not far."

Post Fifteen

Your Dream House

This post in some ways I’m not too happy about doing. I’ve spent a lot of my energy in being content … with the media telling us what we “need” to have to be happy, I’ve tried really hard to be happy with what I have. Really, I think I’m pretty blessed. A home with a roof that allows me to entertain family and friends, a great job that pays well, not all the modern conveniences but a lot of them, I’m not living paycheque to paycheque. I have 2 wonderful daughters, a good husband who loves me regardless of my faults, extended family and some wonderful friends. A God that has my name written on his hand. Really what more does a person need?

Okay if I have to describe my dream house, what the house looks like doesn’t matter but it would include a cook and housekeeper, oh and maybe a library with lots and lots of books…

Post Fourteen

A Non-Fiction Book

Between a Rock and Hard Place.

I read this book way before the movie came out and really enjoyed it. Not really into non-fiction books but I had read IceBound and found it interesting so thought I would try this one. I wouldn't say it's stellar writing but still a very good read - too get a glimpse into what went through his head during that time and the decision to cut his hand off. It has pictures too! I still have the book which says something about how much I enjoyed it.

I am relunctant to see the movie, since movies never seem to be as good as the book. Their vision is never the same as my imagination.

Post Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen

Post Eleven is a recent picture of yourself. Well the only one I liked is a picture of me and my older brother and dad and since I don't have permission to post their pic's on my blog I will not be posting it. I wish I lived closer to them.

Post Twelve - Something you are OCD about - Facebook - in particular Fronteirville - it sucked me in and now I spend way too much free time, planting crops, trying to figure out where my fictional spouse and child are hiding and chopping down trees. It's addictive. I just have to go on when I know my crops are due, I have to go on and collect my bonuses. I obsess about what to plant, where to put things and which quests to do next. Ugh!!!!

Post Thirteen - A Fictional Book

Burned by Ellen Hopkins
My daughter is not a big reader but she has read quite a few of this author's books and I int urn have as well. Ellen Hopkins has written several verse novels about teenage struggles. I find them quite fascinating to read.
Burned is about a young girl brought up in an abusive family where women are not treated as equals. She is sent away to live with her aunt where she learns what love is really about. Unfortunately it doesn't have a happy ending, it quite shocked me actually.
I planned on including some quotes but I can't seem to cut and paste into this blog... so go read the book!

Post Ten - A photo taken of you more than 10 years ago...

Well I had to look through the slide show of my mom's service to find a photo of me more than 10 years ago. I don't have any digital photo's older than 2004 and I don't have a scanner to turn my photographs into a digital photo.

So here is a picture of me, one of my sisters and my mom. I was a brownie, sister was in Guides and my mom was a brownie leader. Wasn't I a cutie??? ... okay don't answer that! Notice the paint by number pictures of dogs on our living room wall? I think this picture was taken in Edmonton.