Christmas is how far Away?

Today is October 29th and already I have been busy planning the Third Annual Ladies Recipe Exchange for this coming weekend. Barb and I really enjoy putting gift baskets together, gathering ideas from other ladies to display small gift ideas; gathering craft & recipe books for copies to be made, but the best part is sharing with ladies there favorite recipe for an appetizer, cookie, square or anything edible to serve during this ridiculous, busy time of the year which is fast approaching. We as women plan and execute all the goings on during this busy time of the year and so a little help from our friends goes along way. Even though we all tell ourselves that we aren't going to let the Season get us all worked up, we enevitably find ourselves going down that same path. We try and have our Christmas cards or newsletters out in the mail on time; make that One last batch of cookies or squares, too only have them all eaten up before our baking trays are made up to be given away and the list goes on, and on. I am not a believer in taking time for myself nor have I ever done this, however this year I am busier than ever before Christmas is even upon us. I still have Breanne and Jack's birthdays to get through before year end and that takes a bit of planning. But I must say that I enjoy working on adreline and checking my list off for each and every event. I love to put my heart and soul into every ministry that I am part of and if I can share just one thing with one person then I feel that I have accomplished something. Sometimes I feel closer to people that I don't know and have more faith in them, then in others that I have known for a lot longer.
Last night at our Small Group we talked about mentoring and even though I never spoke out loud about this I am part of the Ladies Ministry with Barb and she has been my mentor. Even though she might not admit that she has mentored me, I truly feel very blessed to have her in my life. She has listened to me about family, friends, work and even ministry and together I always feel so much better knowing that I can always count on her for some comforting words, a helping hand but most of all someone that you can always depend on. God has truly blessed me with the best Christian friend.
November is almost here and so I must run to make my list up again for this week so that I can start crossing off all the things that I hope to accomplish. And I'm sure that if you are reading this, you're list is all ready written up and that you are accomplishing every task that you have set out to do. I truly wish you the best of luck with your list. As well, find a mentor that can help you along life's path - it makes everyday much easier to get through!

October Update

Well, I didn't know that I had people following this blog so I best be writing something in here. September went by like a blurr as with the CCOC conference in Kananaskis behind me and now I am starting to work on 2008 (20th Anniversary) conference perhaps out in Lake Louise. Jack and I will be going to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for our 16th Wedding Anniversary this coming weekend. I have a little work to do there for the conference and Jack will be relaxing. We can't believe that 16 years of marriage have almost come and gone. I must say that I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful husband that loves me, cares for me and places me beside him in every decision that I our life takes us. I love you darling and look forward to many, many more years to come.
Thanksgiving weekend took both of us to different cities as I had to be in Saskatoon to continue planning my parents 50 Wedding Anniversary and there 70th Birthdays, next May and Jack was at Western for board meetings to hear a great speaker, Gerry Rushford from Pepperdine University, Malibu CA. I was torn to go down and hear Gerry after all we have loved all five years at going to Pepperdine Lecturship but I knew that if I didn't get all my jobs done, this anniversary wouldn't be getting planned. Things came together rather well, and I got to spend time with my brothers, sister-in-law and one out of three nephews. My youngest brother, Mark had us to his house for dinner. He was very proud of his kitchen renovation not to mention he is quite the cook. My parents made the Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday, when Jack returned from Regina and we all got a great visit in. Thanks to Caren for spending some time with me and taking me to different shopping areas of Saskatoon. That city is sure growing! Jack and I left early yesterday to get back before the highway rush. This weekend marks our 10th Anniversary of our horrible house tragedy so I was just a little nervous about leaving the house alone. Nicole came home a couple of times to check on things so that made me feel better.
Well I must get some work done as this will be a short week. A very happy and belated Thanksgiving to everyone.

August Blurrrrr

It is hard to believe that August is almost over and we have not had the summer weather that July gave us. However, with all things that we have done I'm not sure that we could of enjoyed the outside weather. Let's start at the beginning - we got our fence, built and stained and it looks awesome. We have such great Christian neighbors, Patti & Kevin who made this job a fun one. Then we had all the wedding "stuff" to do. Jack married my younger cousin, Cody & fiance Ashley on Saturday, August 18 in Squamish, BC. I had the task of being wedding coordinator and chef...what a big job. The day was set (bad weather and all) and the kitchen was a buzzing with activity. The guest list was comprised of 160 friends and family. All of my mom's siblings (8) were there so it was like a family reunion. I was exhausted but quite pleased with all the meal etc. I missed my co-chef, Barb who was here in Calgary running her very, very busy Bed & Breakfast. But she was always a phone call away should I have needed that little extra pep talk. Jack and I got to visit in White Rock, BC and then down to Beachwood and Bellingham, WA for a short 1 day trip. Then straight up to Squamish for all the activities. My Uncle Dana & Aunt Rachelle were there and my uncle looked fantastic even though he wasn't able to have his chemo 2x over. For more, read his blog attached to this one.
The next big buzz is the talk of my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary plus the celebration of there 70th birthdays. This is all taking place in Saskatoon over the May 2008 long weekend. So I will be home at Thanksgiving taking a look at the hall, rental companies etc. Should be a busy time but productive in getting things rolling for May.
My kids have been busy - Nicole buying her fourth car...not sure where she gets that from! She & her boyfriend, Kris just returned from 2 weeks at Victoria and had a great camping trip. Breanne & Marc finally got there new furniture that fits the apartment and Breanne & her girlfriend Ashley are planning there next big winter trip to somewhere hot. Ryan and his roommate are each looking for new homes as there condo is being sold. Ryan wants to live more between both jobs CTV out in the deep SW and Starbucks on the fringe of downtown. He stayed at the house while we were gone and his car died so now he is without wheels. Always something with these old cars as we learned when we got home from BC. My 1989 Chrysler New Yorker (same as Ryan's) has seen better days and is soon going to charity of choice. Time will tell as to what I get.
With August almost over I am busy with the Oil Conference that is scheduled out in Kananaskis, Sept. 5-7. I am the person in charge of registration so 200 of my closest oil delegates will be mixing and mingling for a couple of days. Jack will have to attend to take care of spouses on the golf course...this is a couple of hard days to take out in the mountains but some how we will try and enjoy it.
So that's it - August has been a very cool, wet blurrrr but fall is almost upon us and then comes winter to start the new year all over again. I look forward to busy couple of months to come and hope that everyone has a great end to the summer months as we have had.

Fence Building

I know that it has been awhile since my last blog. We have been busy getting through weekends (golfing) and visiting and now have finally started on re-building the fence. What a job! With the weather being as hot as it has been, we are trying to only go out when the temp. is under 30. I think that Jack got a bit of heat stroke on Sunday and so we only managed to get 1 section done. But on Saturday we worked for 8 hours taking down the old boards; hammering out the old nails or screws and then cutting and reattaching the new boards. Now I know why people measure twice and cut once! Before I started our job on Saturday, Jack gave me my very own tool belt with a hammer (which hangs from the pocket on the tool belt). Plus I had real leather work gloves that fit me, so no wood splinters in these hands. I also got lessons on how to use the 18v drill for the screws...slow and steady! I think I can now go into construction work (lol), but I won't give up my day job!
Summer is almost 1/2 over and things are hectic. We have seen no relatives and probably won't until the wedding in Squamish. This will be a busy time with having to help Jack for the ceremony plus make the food for the dinner. But should be a great time.
My kids are busy working lots so I have only seen Nicole. Ryan has been working lots of night shifts and some days so we hope to hook up for lunch tomorrow. Breanne is busy with her job and some clients coming to the apartment for various nail applications..so she is enjoying her career. Jack's son Todd was supposed to come out for a visit with Michelle & Ireland but we haven't seen them. Jack's other son Darin, Donna and granddaughter's should be out in August for a visit as well. We were over at Jaelyn's place to see the youngest granddaughter Lacey, on her 2nd birthday. They just returned from a couple of weeks in Saskatoon.
So I will try and attach the picture once we figure it out. Take care and enjoy the rest of summer, I know we will once the fence is down, up and stained...not too much more to do!

Prayers for Many Sick Family Members

We got a call last night from my mom to say that Uncle Elliott suffered a heart attack on Monday in Macrorie. He was with Lorne and Sean shingling a roof and said that he didn't feel well. The boys managed to get him down a ladder and took him back to the farm. Maxine came home and took him to the Outlook hospital, and from there a doctor went with him in an ambulance to the Saskatoon Royal Hospital. The doctors performed an angioplasty and said that he probably needs another one, but do to the fact that the nurses are on strike, only emergency surgery is going on. Well if this isn't an emergency then what is!! I find it so ironic that this Uncle who never smoked, drank and was physically fit could fall to such an ailment. We all wish him a speedy recovery.
Life can throw a real curve at people - some say that it comes in three's so we have had our share. Between Uncle Eliott and his heart attack; Uncle Dana going through his bought of surgery and cancer treatments to follow; but one of the most trying is that my Grandma, who suffers from Alzheimers took a second fall and needed surgery for her broken wrist. My mom and dad are in Edmonton helping to care for her at the home. They have reported that when you look into her eyes, they are blank. She can no longer remember people in the family pictures and no longer wishes to engage in a conversation. Very heart breaking disease with many different reactions - as Brian's mom (Jean) was a very volitile patient with the same disease and suffered for more than 10 years. So for me, if Grandma is silent and quiet, then I feel better then thinking about how Jean suffered with the demons of Alzheimers. No matter what we can all remember Grandma as a much loving women with so many happy memories. But most of all we will still love her for the lady that she is. I love you Grandma.

Father's Day - Thankyou to Fathers

Yesterday was Father's Day and at our house with no kids around, it was a quiet celebration. However, it did make me relive some of the more special days of celebrating over the years. Some years I felt like both Mother's Day and Father's Day were my celebration of surviving another year as a single parent. Then when Jack was in my life he took over the Step-father role and helped me with raising my kids. This is a tribute to him for surviving those years as I know that they weren't easy. He not only nurtured my kids but he helped me to nurture in more of a motherly role than in previous years. Jack, thank you for being the kind of man that you are and thank you for being my children's step-father when they needed that male role model growing up. Love you!

Jack's to Rest

Jack went to the doctor and there is nothing that he can do for Jack. The tests showed 2 kidney stones about 4.7 mil. in diameter on the left side. The end result is just drink plenty of water and wait for them to pass...a good thing or not! I guess that depends on who is doing the passing. But we are relieved that there is nothing more serious. So there is no golf or strenuous work for him to do for a couple of days...just rest. Not my kind of excitement but Jack is fine with this. I will keep posting should something change for the worse. Have a great weekend everyone and thanks for the prayers.