When Is Summer Getting Here

Calgary has had nothing but rain, rain and more rain. We haven't seen this much rain in a couple of years. The first year we moved here, it rained liked this. Poor Ryan was a goalie for soccer and had to stand outside in ankle deep water. It will be nice to get through this and into warmer, dry weather.
We are off to Regina to see Lorne being inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. Bob and his wife Caren will be there to acknowledge this prestigious event as well. It's hard to believe that only 2 years ago both of them were inducted in. Such an honor to have this bestowed upon such athletes. We look forward to the quick trip in and out. Then when we get back we have got to get some yard work done before Jack goes back to the hospital for more tests and a little surgery. I pray to God that things can get resolved and that we can get our life back on track of being "empty nesters with a plan". We have many things to accomplish and try and get booked in.
We have been busy though spending time with Jaelyn's kids at their wind up dance recital - this was wonderful. These are very talented little girls and we look forward to watching more of them. Then we went to Edmonton to celebrate Bernie, Dana and Richard's 60th birthdays. This was a 50's theme so we had to dress the part and boy what a great time. Everyone looked so good and festive...all good sports even the birthday folks who were blindfolded and didn't know what was going on.
Anyway life is busy and so we just race along with everyone else. So having said that I must get coffee on to start another day finding "real treasurers" for the kids church garage sale. I'm sure that this house is holding all kinds that need to be shared with everyone. Until next time.....please God, enough rain!

Happy 50th Anniversary, Mom & Dad

Jack and I got home around 3:30 this afternoon from probably one of the longest weekends ever. This weekend was such an emotional high with all the family, friends and of course the best - my siblings & parents. We all got together from Thursday until last night. We had the best time wishing mom & dad a very happy 50th Wedding Anniversary and a double 70th Birthday celebration on Sunday. Jack and I are used to setting up and taking down tables, chairs etc. but this was a new thing for my siblings. My kids pitched in and we had a hall set up; taken down; re-set the next day and then taken down. So many people came to wish my parents congrats including some of my high school friends, which was awesome to be able to have my kids meet old friends. As children grow up and become adults it's fun for them to see what a parents friends were like. The dvd was a success for many reasons of sharing and the photo albums as well. We as a family have so many memories to share and to thank God for all the fun times together and the stressful times that make us a family. We have endured two bouts of cancer with my parents and yet we still can come together and be one big family. We love our siblings spouses and all our nieces/nephews and include everyone in everything that we do....so refreshing! I must thank Jack to helping make this weekened a true success and standing behind me with all the months of planning and pulling everything together. I was very stressed over the past month with so many things going on, and yet he was there to support me and best yet he stood by my side through this complete weekend helping do whatever he could. I love you honey and I truly admire you for you. You were my ROCK during this complete weekend. I also thank God for bringing my grandma's sister all the way from down east when I know that it isn't easy for them, as my uncle is under going cancer treatments. It was amazing to have them there with everything they are under going, but also that they are an inspiration to others as they celebrate 60 years of marriage this summer.

Time Moving On

We had a very hectic weekend last weekend and I am glad that it is over. The best part was seeing all of Jack's little granddaughters playing together. The years have zoomed by for when my 2 girls were so small. By Sunday I really felt the stress of the complete weekend, so I made some decisions about my life in general and now feel much better. I am now going to try and eliminate as much stress in my life as possible. Life has lots of burdens and so if we work at eliminating them, we can feel healthier and happier. I know that another stress in my life will be done when the anniversary and birthday celebrations are completed. Not that I am not looking forward to the weekend, but this has been a lot of work and I just want everything to be perfect. God has blessed me with the ability to organize and coordinate events, which I love doing for others but too much in a short time frame, has proven to be "too much" for me at this time.
Jack has been recovering very well and has returned to work. Thank you God in providing him with an excellent outcome from his surgery.
Everyone have a great long weekend and drive with care if you plan to travel.

Home is a better place to rest

Jack realized a long time ago that home is a better place to rest. He doesn't have to listen to annoying visitors (not his); noisy cell phones ringing all the time (not his) and then his bed is bigger (his), however on Thursday they gave him a brand new hydraulic bed that adjusted in all the right places every time he shifted...I'm sure for patients that have long term care, this is great for not getting bed sores.
Anyway we are home now and things are a little quieter. Jack can rest as much as he likes and no one will be in to check his blood pressure, or give him some pain medication. We are just busy watching movies and getting caught up in the news that we missed out on this past week.
Life will be a big quieter this week as I will be returning to work and Jack will continue to rest. If I could just get him to finish up some of the things for my parents 50th Anniversary/70th Birthday's then I could accomplish a few more things. But I still have a couple more weeks so I should be done in time.
Thanks to all the friends and my family that have sent emails and best wishes to Jack - you truly are there in good times and bad times. I needed to see this as much as Jack did. We love all of you for being part of our lives and for brightening our days. God Bless All of You!!!!

Wed. April 23/08 - Update on Jack

Today was a tiring day for Jack. He had some discomfort to which morphine helped him out - which put him out - which was a good thing. Between all the doctors they decided that they would not attempt to put dye into his kidney as his welts & swelling were gone this morning, after being on benedryl all night. So this morning he had a x-ray of his kidney and then this afternoon they sent him for CT scan. We should hear something tomorrow from the surgeon.
Hospitals are tiring places to be with all the noise and comings & goings all kinds of people. But Jack has been receiving excellent care and Marshall even managed to come down to his room for a visit. Jack will probably be able to go home on Friday. God has truly been watching over him and blessing us with the best medical care, and for that we thank God for this.

Jack surgery update

Just a short note to say that the surgeon was able to get the kidney stone out of Jack's right kidney. However, when Jack was in the recovery room he took a bad reaction to either the drugs or dye that was injected into his kidney. Jack ended up being in recovery for four hours and had several doctors, nurses and anesthesiologists looking at him and taking pictures for a dermatologist to consider there options. When I left him tonight, they still had Jack on benelyn, iv and hooked up to several draining tubes. The surgeon suggested that they would like to proceed with his injection of dye into the kidney tomorrow afternoon, but with this outbreak of hives they won't be able to do that. Jack's spirits are really good and he would like to thank God for having many incredible doctors and nurses provide such good care. He also thanks God for so many good friends that have provided many prayers and best wishes. We both thank God for a successful surgery and pray that he will continue to recover and be back to his healthy self.

April Winter

This is Calgary when you get as much snow in one weekend as we had all during the winter months. I thought that I could hold off entering a blog until Jack has his surgery, but this has been unbelieveable. Last weekend Jack and I were sitting outside catching some great sunshine rays, and this weekend we were digging out our driveway. We even had to cancel out dinner downtown last night,as the roads were so bad. My car is very light and so you really feel the icy road conditions (that was Jack talking) as today I took my turn driving to church and as long as you don't drive to fast it was okay - still icy but okay.
The poor robins have been huddled together and near our garage door so that when you open or close the door, it seems they want to hop right into the garage. But the real sad thing is that there is nothing for them to eat. Last weekend we saw several robins eating the dried out berries on the neighbors tree. But this weekend, there is nothing for them.
So we are in the count down for surgery and last night we got a call from Marshall Hare who is having 2 differnt kinds of surgery. He asked if Jack got a room yet at the hospital, and when I explained that we won't know anything until Monday afternoon, Marshall said that he would put a word in for Jack and try and get Jack a bed in his room. Now that would be good for visiting and for both of them. However, this is not a hotel so I'm not sure how that works...but a good thought, thanks Marshal!
Well the 1st intermission is over in the hockey game and Calgary leads 1 to 0, so I must get back to cheering. The next blog should be when surgery is over...stay tuned!