Amazing what a haircut can do...

Okay so I had a lousy crabby morning - my nerves were even twinging. Went out to meet with a company about printing a document up fancy smancy for us, stopped to get a Booster Juice (those always make me feel better) and came back to find everyone at work standing in the Nutana Curling club parking lot (our meeting place when there is a fire alarm). I pull into the parking lot, roll up to one of the staff, roll down the window and comment - "So I leave for 15 minutes and you burn the building down hey?" LOL Turns out it was a false alarm.

This afternoon I went for a cut and color and now I'm feeling better. Girls got their hair cut too, Kristie's got her's shorter and she almost has bangs - Sarah just a trim.

Tonight (Murray is out of town - just got home a bit ago) I'm constantly getting the "mom"... "Mom"...."Mom" I finally told Kristie I'd never make it as a single parent being the only one that gets called for help and answers! Then 2 seconds later Sarah calls "Mom..." I couldn't help but burst out laughing - I mean really want else can you do???

Oh and the other thing that made me laugh - I was checking blog sites and reading Monica's. Roy is doing the bike thing for MS and is raising funds. Turns out the ladies he works with convinced him that if they raise a certain amount of money, he'll wax his legs. I burst out laughing when I read that. I'm going over and donating money cause I just have to see that!

Melancholy....

Yep I haven't posted lately I noticed, don't really feel like emailing people, just want to go to bed and pull the covers over my head but I can't sleep .... I'm tired but still up... people are annoying the .... out of me. What is wrong with me????

I know that Sept 1st is creeping up on me and maybe that is why. A year since mom passed away. In some ways the year has gone by quickly, in other ways it feels like so long ago. The memories of that day are still very close to the surface but my memories of mom as mom seem so far away. I would really prefer the memories of mom as my mom be close to the surface and not the other way around!! But we don't always get what we want (at least that is what I tell my kids all the time).

On Sunday I drove out with dad to Davidson to see the plague/marker (don't really know what you call them) for mom's grave site. It was really nice. My sister and bro in law also joined us. We decided to go into town and see if my Uncle Harold was around. Turned out his son and wife were visiting, so even though Uncle Harold was out at the farm, we got to visit Aunt Joyce, Wes and Evelyn. Hadn't met Evelyn before and it's been AGES since I've seen Wes. Very nice couple and it was nice connecting with them.

Tonight we were over at Dad's to see the marker/plague for my sister, Diana's grave site. Not as fancy and dad was disappointed in it and worrying if it was too big, etc. He is taking it to Edmonton this week to have them install it - 45 years later but better late than never I told dad. I always thought they never did one back then was because they couldn't afford it, turns out they just never got around to it. Go figure on that...

sigh....

Okay, enough wallowing in sadness. Tomorrow I get my hair colored again and that, if nothing else, should brighten my day :-)

Back from Camping...

Well for me it was a successful camping trip, even with rain, a mattress that kept deflating, and my non-stop headache. I got to catch up on some of my reading PLUS my youngest not only finished a book she has been trying to finish forever but read another entire book! My favorite moment of the camping trip was stopping to talk to Kristie in the car and having Sarah in the back seat ask us to quit talking because she can't read when we are talking and she is trying to read! The weather was so so - some hot days (we only went to the beach once), one canoe outing but we had lots of fun on it, some rain which meant we spent the next day drying out everything, worry that the van was broke (we had an interesting and loud noise erupted from it during the night but thankful it was nothing serious and we got home okay). took the dog for lots of walks so I got some exercise in along with my reading and a camp fire every night. Funny story is out canoeing and there is this person on a seadoo just tearing up the water, going around and around all alone. I was thinking how boring it must be to be out on it by yourself. As we got closer we realized it wasn't some young man goofying around but a grey haired elderly lady, who stopped and asked if we wanted some waves - of course the kids said yes and she gave us waves before she headed back in.

Books read:
The Da Vinci Code - Heather (completed Sunday night at 10:00 by flashlight in front of the camp fire because Kristie wanted me to hurry up and finish it so we could talk about it).
It's Not About Me by Max Lucado - Heather (good read and will most likely read it again)
Keeping Quiet - Sarah
Vampire Beach Bloodlust - Sarah
Can You Keep a Secret - Kristie, Heather (who burst out laughing on several occasions)
I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince - Kristie
The Preachers Daughter - Heather
The Fairy Godmother by Mercedes Lackey - Kristie (finished on the way home)
Books attempted but gave up on:
Wuthering Heights - Kristie and Heather (we both thought it was too weird)
The Secret of the Stonehouse - Sarah (2 attempts at reading it both times said she didn't like it)
Books started but not finished:
Love Worth Giving by Max Lucado - Heather ( got to about chapter 6 - very interesting book)
Unstoppable Force - Daring to Become the Church God Had in Mind - Heather (into the last 1/4 of the book, another interesting though provoking book)

"The local church is to be God's expression of his radical commitment to change. God is about changing history, or perhaps better said, about making history. His ultimate goal for the church is not to follow cultural change, like a water skier behind a boat, but to be the dynamic, catalytic community that brings change in a world that is so desperately needs the God of change.

We must never forget that we serve the changeless God of change. God is not statisfied with the status quo. He is not trying to keep up with culture. His greatest ambition is not for the church to become a great imitator of generational trends. He is the God of creativity, the God of imagination, and the God that chose - through his Son - to ignite a revolution. " Unstoppable Force

Love is Patient, Love is Kind...

Still haven't left for camping due to my stupid head cold. Kids are getting antsy but we figure cold or no cold we are leaving first thing tomorrow morning. My sister Twyla left on Thursday - the day of the terrorist threat but luckily her husband had called and given her the low down so she knew what to expect at the airport and packed her luggage accordingly. I was reading the "memo" they were handing out to all passengers and it talked about checking footware and thought "I'd hate to be the person that has that job". They did check her sandals though - as she is going through she had to take off her sandals and walk through without them. Still haven't heard if Holly has arrived home safe and sound. Loved to hear that before we leave but if not I'll call when we get back.

Reading a book by Max Lucado - " A Love Worth Giving". Using 1 Corinth 13 to describe what love is and what our love should be. What I have learned this week is that when I'm sick my love is neither patient or kind - especially when the kids are talking about wanting to go camping but not doing anything to prepare to go camping. Especially when I am finally sleeping and the phone rings and rings and rings and rings and no one picks it up, so I do to discover it my family calling to ask me a question about lifejackets.... and now I have a headache AGAIN.....

Anyway packing the book for the trip. Still reading The Da Vinci Book - not really my kind of book to read and with all the talk about it I'm still struggling to read it. Kristie keeps telling me it gets better and more of a "page turner" as you go along. Here's hoping it does. I have my stack of books picked out for the camping trip so here's hoping I get to read them all.

A day of stressors and blessings...

Well it's been a stressful day for me. Started by having to get up at 5:00 to help Sarah deliver her friends papers - only took us 1/2 hour and I went back to bed afterwards. Sarah was so concerned about getting up on time that she kept waking up during the night. When she says she is going to do something for a friend she wants to make sure she does it right. I am thankful that I have a daugther that is willing to do stuff to help out her friends and follows through. A blessing.

Then Kristie's dentist appointment. I am very thankful for our dentist and her staff, I can not imagine any other dentist we have dealt with in the past that would have accomodated us as well as this one did and have so much patience. After drugs, our dentist praying for her, talking to her about how she knows Kristie wants to do this and that she knows Kristie has the strength to over come her fears, spending 1/2 hour in the dentist's personal office so Kristie could cry in private and me finally telling her that she is having this done because she knows she wants to, Murray helping her back to the chair, we held her hand and she consented and got the needles. In fact, we all agreed to have all 4 pulled out since she had come this far and Kristie again pulled that inner strength I know she has and had three more needles. I am really proud of her - she was so scared and frightened and wanted to run, and she could have choosen to say no - we told her she had that choice - but she perservered and went through with it. She was even laughing at the end as we carried her to the car (yes her dad carried her to the car). She also wrote the dental staff a note thanking them before we left, which I thought was so sweet of her. The Lord certainly blessed me with amazing kids!

My other stressful note today was my sister leaving. I managed to only breakdown in tears when I gave her a goodbye hug at my house and kept it together at dad's when she finally drove away. I love that sister of mine and of course as a bigger sister I worry about her. But I must continue to remind myself that she is in God's hands and he is quite capable of looking after her - way better than I can. Her love for the Lord and for other people was a great example for me this past month. My sisters are my other blessing today. We had another picture taken of us four - still looking for the perfect picture for us all to have. Gail bought these really nice "sister" frames for us all and now is trying to get the best of the pics for us to have to put in the frames. On Saturday we also brought Carol (our sister in law) into the picture so Gail plans on sending her the picture of the 5 of us. What a sweet sister I have. Anyway here is a picture of today of the four of us....

PS - the full picture shows that we are all barefoot except Gail LOL - another hot day here.

Thank you Lord for family, for the support of family, for the love of family and the love you have for us all.

Family wedding is over....

First off I almost kissed a priest on Saturday - I didn't have to carry that book! My prayers were answered! It was a really nice wedding, the bride was beautiful, the priest was quite the funny man - joking about the shoes the wedding party was wearing, asking the parents/grandparents how long they had been married, etc. All in all a very nice service and my reading went well and was over right at the start so I could enjoy the rest of the wedding. Got to visit with family before and after. We took some sister and family shots though my camera picture's didn't turn out very well. Hoping my sibling's pictures were better. Here's a shot of the 4 sisters....

Holidays are already off to an interesting start!

I was officially on holidays as of 12:30pm Thursday morning. Started off good as I went for lunch with my sister.

Today has been interesting to say the least. Didn't sleep in as much as I wanted to - up at 8:30; went shoe shopping with my daughter and was unsuccessful (we're blaming it on my dad, we got his wide feet); picked up my sister Twyla at the airport in the afternoon and hung out with her all afternoon and evening which was great; my beautiful daughter arrived home from camp much to my delight and happiness; and we had a huge thunder, lightening and massive rainfall in the evening as I'm driving my sister back across town to dad's. I don't normally like driving at night and this just made it worse. But the most interesting was the dress rehearsal for my nephews wedding. Last night the bride called asking if I would do a reading. Sure I said. Go to the rehearsal to find out when and what. I'm the only reader that was able to attend so I got nominated to do the first reading. Turns out it's a catholic wedding - which I don't have a problem with except the first reader gets to carry the Book of Scripture to the front and place it on the podium. I'm like, okay I can do that. Then she hands me the book and explains I have to carry it in front of my face but above my eyes, down the aisle (slowly) and I'm the first one in the processional. Let me just say that this is not a light book, it's bloody heavy!!! And I have to walk down the bloody aisle!! FIRST!!! Slowly!!! Tomorrow will involve me trying on my outfit to see if it looks funny when I'm carrying the book and making sure I won't be showing off any tummy parts!!

If anyone reads this before 4:30 Saturday - please keep me in your prayers that I will not trip going down the aisle. Thank you......

God's majestic power!

Well Sarah has left for camp, hubby driving her up, sister downstairs doing her cross stitch and oldest daughter out for the lunch - all this is leaving my house strangely quiet and empty. I don't like it LOL Considering all the days I complain about the noise in my house - especially when Sarah has her friends over - I don't like the quiet. She has only been gone 20 minutes and I already miss her. I'm such a wuss. But she is my light on cloudy days, my joy every day - she brings the most laughter to this house and has the best hugs. I'll miss her playing with my ear, giving me her mischevious grin, telling me her dreams - oh bother Heather - it's only a week for crying out loud!!! Yep I'm a wuss when it comes to my children - how on earth am I going to let go of them when they move out???? I think it's that control thing of mine - after all I'm the ONLY one who can look after them and keep them safe right?? Wrong dear Heather wrong. At camp I know all the people working there and trust them all and yet I sit here worrying about her.... just like I sit and worry about my sister.

But watching the storm last night and hearing how Stan is doing I am coming around to letting go and trusting God can do all. He can look after my loved ones when I can't. The storm with all it's thunder, lightening and hail - something so enormous, powerful and potential deadly was yet so beautiful to watch. God can put beauty in the dark stuff. Stan holding on to life by a single strand has been held so gently by God, and the beauty of seeing the faith of the family/friends rallying around him and the impact it must be having on the medical staff ministering to him would be a sight to behold.

So I can let God look after my sister. I know He will be with her and her family. Thank you Lord for your power, for your tender love, for your strength.

Feeling tired:

Feeling tired these last few days and not wanting to do much or do much with people. Hubby went away for a couple of days to Regina (took Kristie with him) and I got the bed to myself! Had a really good sleep both nights but it didn't seem to impact my lethargic feeling. I think I know what is bothering me these days - I work best at helping people by problem solving and in this particular case I can't do that. So I think I'm feeling a little depressed about this, just need to let go and place it in God's hand... hard for me to do but something I need to do.

But with all that - I still was able to have the family over for a bbq tonight to celebrate my dad's birthday. Went really well, ate outside - forgot how much I like sitting outside, enjoying a good burger and visiting. Only problem was our pesky non invited intruders - the dreaded wasps!! Hate them, hate them, hate them....uncle killed 5 while we were eating and still more came. We figure there must a nest nearby.

Tomorrow we send the youngest off to camp for a week, my sister is sending her son there too so we will be without children (okay I'll still have one but she basically looks after herself *g*) for the week. My other sister is suppose to be in the week also, so it will be great to visit with her also. Get the four sisters together for a photo shoot - Gail wants to get a picture of us four and then have t-shirts made with the picture on it!

I'm thankful for an older daughter that goes to the Taste of Saskatchewan and brings me back a deep fried mars bar, a younger daughter's hugs, sunshine, beautiful flowers and a soft bed. Even my dog I'm thankful for and the laughter he brings to people as he runs around the yard pushing the basketball that is bigger than him. Here's a pic of him chillaxing (my oldest daughters expression). Somedays I wish I could be him LOL

Thoughts for Sunday:

Went to the pool with the family on Monday afternoon as it was hot and the kids needed to get out of the house! I took a couple of books with me to read as I wasn't in the mood to hang out in the pool and was in the mood to read. I tend to take 2 or 3 books with me incase I get bored reading one I can switch to another - which tends to be the norm for me. This time though I started with a book called "Revolution in World Missions" and couldn't put in down except to ponder on what I had just read. It's a fasinating book which I would recommend to all. Really makes you think about missions and third world countries and our role. Three things that made me think the most:

1. Native missionaires - the writer is an advocate for native missionaires oppose to missionaires from the west going to the east. It makes a lot of sense as people tend to listen to someone who is like them (looks, culture), lives like them, understands them and their present belief systems and culture. They would have more of an impact because they would stay there for longer terms to help mature the new believers. It reminds me that Jesus was the first "native missionary". He came to earth as one of us, looking like us, lived our lives, toiled along beside us with all it's hardships, frustrations, and temptations; growing up in the culture and worked with people where they were to show them God's love and lead them to God.

2. A comment about why the West is so blessed and the East (3rd world countries are not blessed with wealth, etc). He said it was because the West is a "christian" socieity and therefore blessed by God, whereas the east is still worshipping idols, other god's etc and therefore not blessed by God. But to be aware that as the west turns more and more from God - we may not be as blessed.

3. About the economics of India - kinda goes along with #2. They worship cows and rats and allow them to wander freely and are not allowed to kill them. Therefore these very same cows and rats are eating the food supply and causing the food supply to be contaminated leaving less and less for man to eat. I had never thought of that before...interesting observation.

Anyway, I'm now unto "It's not About Me, It's All about Him" by Max Lucado - into chapter 3 and so far very interesting - started reading it to my oldest child as she was driving us to church this morning. Just read the chapter that talks about it's all about glorifying God - started to sound like God was pretty selfcentred but Max made a good point - like a life boat pilot/captain - you want that person to be loudest and everyone to point to him, so others out in the sea can find him and the boat, and know they will find safety with him and his boat.

Otherthan that life has been chugging along. The weather here is hot hot hot and we are all hiding out in the basement watching movies.

Last thought for this post - I just turned my keyboard upside down and shook it to discover we are eating way too much at the computer.... ew!

Good Weekend:

Garage sale Friday night - made $20 and got rid of a bunch of books!!! Visited with good friends!!! Garage sale to continue next Thursday.

Soccer game Saturday morning - Sarah's team lost in over time by a fluck goal, up to that point it was 1:1 - but a great game. Almost finished reading my book - that's how much the tension watching was - I have to read or I get too riled up and excited.

Finished reading Lineage of Grace, Divine (couldn't stop reading it) and Artemis Fowl.

Sunday - lunch with friends and my "little" sister who came home with us for the afternoon. Evening - good conversation with my real little sister and watching a movie.

All in all - excellent weekend!

Thank you Lord for it all!

A week of ups and downs:

Been a long week for me with some stressors but some good stuff too. I think I will ignore the stressors because when I talk about them I get all stressed again and I think I've finally found that "serenity" place and acceptance that God is in control and I just need to let go.

So what were the up's?

Well, my youngest daughters soccer team made it to the finals Yippee! Of course it means getting up early Saturday morning to get her to the game but it will be worth it. Hard game for them and the parents on Wednesday night - it felt like the temperature was 300 degrees and us parents were sitting facing the sun. I dressed with the least amount of clothes that still kept me respectable and acceptable by my daughters standards (as I didn't want to embarrass her *g*) but I still felt like I was melting away. I felt so bad for the girls wearing their hot jerseys and wool socks with shin pads. There's us parents yelling at them to run after the ball and I'm sure all they wanted to do was lay down on the cool grass...but they perservered and won the game. Sarah did some awesome goalie saves - I was so proud of her and one of the other parents commented on what a good goalie she was. She has been such a great kid this week. I just love her smile....I smile just thinking of it. I cannot imagine my life without her - how boring it would be. She made an angel food cake all on her own one day - first baking attempt and it was good!! I need to go and buy some more cake mixes for her *g* I was reading someone else's blog who just had a baby girl and she was commenting on the joys and experiences of it and soaking it all up. I feel the same with my girls - they are growing up so fast but each stage is so interesting. God has certainly blessed me with 2 great kids.

My sister went out of town for a few days but came "home" on Wednesday, so it's nice to have her and her son back again. I'm thankful for the time I get to spend with her and Caleb.She is a fun to hang around with and her son is such a goof - love it. She makes me smile - yesterday when I came home from work and was dealing with my frustration and anger, she looked across the kitchen table at me and politely says "So, have you talked to God about your anger issues today?" I replied very primly "Yes I have and we are still working on them." LOL

Going to work at a friends garage sale tonight and tomorrow, my friend invited me to bring my stuff over - I am really hoping I come home with a lot less stuff than I take over. I just glanced out the window though and it's not looking good, weather wise - hmmm.....hope it doesn't rain on us - I really want to get rid of my junk! But the one joy of glancing out the window is seeing the rabbit run across the yard (I'm at work on my break - we have a wild rabbit living in our "Serenity Garden" area).

Well, Thank you Lord for rain storms that my daughter and husband get to marvel at together, thank you for family members who cheer you up with just the right words, thank you for great books to read and thank you for being a God that is so worthy of worshipping and praising. Thanks for helping me deal with my stressors - for your strength and peace.

Finished reading Lineage of Grace, 3/4 through Divine, 1/2 through Artemis Fowl.

Oldest child is home!!!!!

A friend was mentioning those moments you have when you just can't help smiling and I'm having one tonight. Kristie has been away at teen camp all week and I've missed her. Not as desparetely as I have in the past though I think that was because my sister and her son are in town and keeping me distracted. But all the same I was thrilled when she came home. The part though that is making me smile as I type this, is when Sarah comes home and I tell her that her sister is back. Right away it's "Where is she" and I can hear Kristie in the background calling for Sarah. Sarah runs in there (Kristie is laying in my bed watching tv after a nice long hot shower - which she needed) jumps into bed and they are hugging and rolling in bed :-) Then Sarah drags Kristie to her room to show off her new quilt and all, which her sister admired. Back to my room to visit and watch tv together. I feel so blessed to have these two girls that like each other and care about each other. Thank you Lord!

It's been a good week with my sister and nephew here. Worked mornings all week except Friday (which I worked all day). Seemed to be something to do every afternoon to keep us busy. Went to the dentist on Tuesday with Sarah (new dentist for us both) and found out that we are both "tongue tied" - never knew this. And as the dentist says to me (she is a friend) "I've never known you to having problems talking!" LOL Anyhoo Sarah is off to see a specialist incase this may interfer with braces, me - I've been this way for ... lets just say alot of years.... and it's never been a problem - so I'm not going to worry about it.

Read Ephesians this afternoon and discovered that I really really really like this book. My reading plan said to read only chapter 1 to 3 today but I read the whole thing - couldn't stop. In fact it might even beat Psalms in my preference now....

I am thankful for this hot weather - with burnt nose and all, I'm thankful for the variety of color and beauty that God created in this world, I am thankful for the dragonflies that are eating those pesky mosquitos, I am thankful for friends that hold you when you cry about your mother, I am thankful for my daughters who constantly bring joy to my life, I am thankful for the opportunity to get to know my nephew better and to share with him the fun of catching a crayfish (and thankful that when I told him he could not bring it into my house he was okay with that).

Currently reading: A Lineage of Grace (on the last story in the book - about Mary), Artemis Fowl
Currently listening to: Mercy Me and the lastest Casting Crown cd, and I still enjoy Kelly Clarkson
Favorite TV shows: Anything reality show (yes I'm afraid I do) - latest Big Brother 7 All Stars

Trying something new - I quiz I took....

"Mischief is your middle name but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh." Do you think I'm a snapdragaon because my favorite cooking utensil was a telephone????

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

Ecc 3:11 "He has planted eternity in the human heart..."

Before I go into that verse, I just want to say that I am enjoying having my sister and her son stay with us. Having a young boy in the house is quite different for us, all that energy is not what we are use to. He reminds me of my younger daughter with his imagination. It paid to forget to take stuff to the garage sale - I still had some dress up stuff for him to play with.


Caleb reminded me of the time Sarah and her friend dressed up as a creature from outer space - with body paint (all over) and did a newscast for us...

The other day he reminded me of the beauty of God's work by drawing me to a dragonfly he had discovered in our hedge...

Okay back to the verse ... I thought that was an interesting statement, exactly what did it mean? How is eternity planted in our hearts? Here is how the cheat note explains it:

"God has "planted eternity in the human heart." This means that we can never be completely satisfied with earthly pleasures and pursuits. Because we are created in God's image. (1) We have a spiritual thirst (2) we have eternal value, and (3) nothing but the eternal God can truly satisfy us. God has built in us a restless yearning for the kind of perfect world that can only be found in his perfect rule. He as given us a glimpse of the perfection of his creation. But it is only a glimpse; we cannot see into the future or comprehend everything. So we must trust God now and do his work on earth."

Makes sense - I especially liked (2) we have eternal value - not just value in this life - through our job, family, friendship but eternal value which is way more...

She's here!!!!

Yep my sister, Holly and her son, Caleb arrived here yesterday at 3:30. That's all I need to say. Life is good, God is good!

"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense" Prov 19:11

Have that scripture taped on my wall (have a daily calendar with scripture on my desk that a friend had sent me - I rip off the ones that I need to keep in mind - so far I have 3 on my wall). Anyhoo, this one really applys today as the whole JJE is back in my face again and I'm finding it really hard not to be anger at SAHO and SHR. I got my letter stating how much I owe them and some repayment options - from supplying them with my visa number to agreeing to automatic withdrawals from the bank (minimum of $100 a paycheck!!) Also the promisory note that I'm suppose to sign says that I agree to pay for any legal cost the district would incur in collecting from me. (sounds like a threat to me) No answers to how this will be applied against my income tax so I can get a tax credit on wages, or how it will affect my Child Benefit cheque that drastically got reduced last year or any other tax questions. Just this is what we overpaid you, pay us. I didn't get all that money - the government took 1/3 of it, yet they expect me to pay it all back erg and double erg. I was all calm about it and now I feel all worked up again and a touch of bitterness is climbing up or is it down? my throat. Anyway the union told us not to meet with the "powers" or sign or agree to anything as they haven't answered any of the union questions (which are probably what my questions are). So now we sit and wait again. Of course Payroll sent the letters in a "timely" matter as per usual (got my letter today because I went home at lunch) - I have "no later than July 3rd" to set up a meeting and they are only meeting people from the 3rd to the 14th. Oh with Friday off that gives me so much time to think about it and so much time to even book a meeting - what if I didn't get my letter til I got home and had Monday off (which alot of people are doing)? What if I was on holidays for those two weeks!!!! ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh .... must deep breath, must calm down, "serenity now" as Kramer would say.

So what do I have to feel thankful for today???? Okay I can still be thankful that even with this problem I still love where I work, the people and management - not sure how I would deal with the above if I didn't feel that way. I can be thankful that the group of us affected in my division all feel the same and are agreeing to a unified front on how we will proceed (so I'm not in this alone). I can be thankful for air conditioning - it's bloody hot outside. I am thankful for co-workers that are always willing to give me a lift to pick up the work vans or get the work vans without any hesitation. I can be thankful for a three day weekend to "cool down", sleep in, maybe go to an outdoor drive in theatre. I am thankful I have a job that pays well - alot of people don't. I am thankful I have a nice house - alot of people don't have a home never mind a house. I am thankful for 2 great kids - there are people who have lost their children. I am thankful for my hubby who has put up with me for 17 years and did a great job on finishing the basement. I am grateful that I have a God who is every forgiving when I'm not. "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." Luke 6:27,28

Weekend away....

Had a great weekend visiting a friend. Funny part is that I arrived Friday night, and the first time I left the house (even to go outside on the deck) was when I left Sunday night We spent all our time visiting, a little bit of dusting, and watching the movie Elizabethtown (which I do believe her teenage daughter ended up watching 2 1/2 times - the show still makes me laugh when I see it). We have come to the conclusion that we need to visit each other more often. In my last post I mentioned that 10-1 it was going to feel comfortable being around her again and it was, just like time hadn't past. I even slept in until...get this, a record for me...until noon! Yep noon! Back didn't bother me, hips didn't bother me, just slept and slept and slept. I didn't even have that "ugh I slept too long" feeling. Got a visit in with her husband who came home Sunday morning and proceeded to bake cookies all afternoon - which were very very very good! I need to live closer to those two for the conversation and cookies. I also had a great drive back home, picked up another friend, Linda, at the bus depot in Regina. As usual it was a fantastic time, the trip back home went very fast. I got a little nervous when I picked her up though, as there were cops outside the building and I didn't even get out of the car before I had someone asking me for money... I was nervous after that sitting in the bus depot waiting for her and I really dislike having that feeling...it makes me feel like I think I'm better than them or something - which is so untrue. Maybe I just need to hang out at bus depots more often to get past that feeling???

Watched my youngest daughter's soccer game tonight - mosquitos were out in FULL force - but it was worth it to watch them win the game. She had an excellent kick during the game too, she plays defense and turns out she spent quite a bit of her time visiting with the goalie (they won the game 9-2). Her team was also in a tournament this last weekend and they won the silver. They also played in a kickoff tournament, they won (she got 2 goals) $50 which will go towards their windup.

Well, nothing else is new and no deep thoughts from me. Wait - I did read a line in Exodus that got me thinking "No one may appear before me without an offering." (Exodus 34:end of 19). What do I offer God when I go to him in prayer - am I truly offering him my life, my will? Am I giving him the best "first fruits" or what's left over at the end of the week?

Isn't it Strange???

Got this in the mail from a friend and sure did make me think...

Isn't it strange how a 20 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church, but such a small amount when you go shopping? (yep, went shopping with my daugthers Wed night and didn't blink that much at the til but I know I would have been thinking twice when writing my cheque for church for the same amount)

Isn't it strange how 2 hours seem so long when you're at church, and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie?

Isn't it strange that you can't find a word to say when you're praying, but you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend? (yep, this applies to me too!)

Isn't it strange how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel?

Isn't it strange how we need to know about an event for Church 2-3 weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust it for other events in the last minute?

Isn't it strange that everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games, but they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in Church? (yeah, we have the kids sitting at the front, I have noticed lately that the teens are sitting further back...what's with that??)

Makes you pause and think doesn't it? Well at least I hope it does.

I'm running away from the family this weekend, no hubby, no kids, just me, all alone, by myself, in the car, on the highway, alone.... for 3 hours....hmmm...am I nervous about that or happy? Isn't it strange - haven't done this for ages and I don't know how I feel about driving alone. I use to do it all the time and loved it, never bothered me before but now...

At least I can listen to whatever I want to listen too, at whatever volume I want to, and stop when I want to stop and I'll probably miss the kids! I'm off to visit a friend which I am looking forward to doing, haven't seen her for ages. Isn't it strange though, that we haven't seen each other for ages but 10-1 it will feel like it hasn't been that long, feel comfortable right away - always been this way and I love it.

Mom and my Africian Violet:

Woke up to sunshine!! Love it but of course that means I need to plant my rhubard plant and the hosta's I got....must get motivated!! My africian violet though is in bloom again. Last year it bloomed at Mothers Day, this year at Father's Day. It reminded me of last year where it bloomed at Mothers Day, and then quit during the summer, then started blooming after mom passed away - as if to tell me that mom was blooming again, no longer bound by this earthly body but blooming in God's presence. I like that thought. I still get choked up (like now) thinking about mom...I almost lost it at church a couple of weeks ago when we sang Fly to Jesus, the song that my younger sister sang at mom's memorial service. A beautiful song but the picture of Holly singing always comes to me and all the emotions of that time. I wish I had more memories of my mom in the good days, it depresses me that I tend to think of mom in the last days instead of when she was "mom". I remember her hugs, the time my younger brother brought his baby son home when no one knew about Kyle - we are standing there with our mouths open and mom just naturally accepts this news without blinking an eye and picks him up, I see her in the kitchen alot cooking meals, baking cakes - her chocolate sheet cakes - shopping for clothes with her and her wanting to buy shoes, I told her I didn't care what shoes she bought cause she always bought old lady shoes, she informs me she is an old lady and I inform her back that she to me she'll never be an old lady! I remember mom in her garden, sitting watching tv and knitting. I remember a time when we were talking about kids and marraige or something like that, I teased her about what if I had the kid first before the marraige - she said it didn't matter, she'd still love me and the baby, she had a lot of love for her family... I guess if I really think about it, I do have a lot of good memories of mom I just need to work at remembering them. I just wish my children did, they remember her more when the dementia was taking over, they never experienced mom's "grandma love".... Love you mom but I miss you.