Now that my arm is lying flat once again the doctor proceeds with the local freezing procedure and for once I wished I were in the dentist's chair...YEEEEOUCH!!!!! He didn't freeze a little at a time like my lovely dentist does...oh no...he just rams that needle in up to it's hilt and pours in the fire!!!!!
Well.. that's what it felt like...man was that a rough ride. He did it twice - each time from a different angle - and when the hurtin' was all over the nurse peered down at me, smiled and said, "Well, now the worst is over."
And it was... from then on I didn't feel a thing at the surgery site - my fingers and thumb weren't frozen at all. They left the surgery room and I laid there waiting for all the freezing to take effect and wondered if [as sometimes happens in the dentist chair] I'd be asking for more because I could feel the pain.
When he returned to me, the doctor was wearing binocular-type eye pieces and I commented that he looked like a jeweller. He said that he would be looking at something precious and we both had a laugh.
He sat on the lower side of my arm, a resident general surgeon sat opposite him and a resident plastic surgeon looked on forming what I call an operating triangle. My doctor described each step, what he saw and why he was doing what he was doing. The resident general surgeon assisted and made very few comments. I felt like an outsider listening in on a conversation although the doctor did make the offer to me to watch if I desired. I declined the offer. I have such a vivid imagination that if I did see the procedure, I'd remember it and perhaps psychologically influence the post-op main level...no thanks.
I could feel tugging and pulling but, thankfully, no pain at all. Approximately 30 minutes later I left the surgery room with my hand bandaged in a soft layer of cotton, wrapped further in a tensor bandage with the clips taped down and with instructions to keep the hand above my heart level for 5 days to minimize the pain. I wasn't given any medication but was told to take Tylenol extra strength alternately with Advil.
We parted as if we'd just had a nice chat and I walked down the hallway to see Bernard coming toward me. We walked to the van and I noticed I was shaking a little so I suggested we go to Tim Horton's for a hot chocolate. It did the trick and we continued on with our day.
For the next 5 days I kept my arm up and found that the pain was never terrible as long as I took my painkillers on a regular basis. Looking back I would have taken them steadily for 5 days instead of the 2-3 days I did.
Ok...now to see it it did any good...
About Me
- Diane
- I love my life. I'm contented enough to be relaxed and discontented enough to quest. I want to see it all, smell it all and touch it all and through writing I can. I'm especially grateful for the gospel in my life. I don't need to search anymore. I can get on with perfecting talents and abilities.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
They're Off!
The bandages came off on the 5th day - but not the one covering my incision. I decided to leave that one one for a couple more days. It is off now and ... well ... it's scary.
The incision is nice and straight and purple and shiny. It's purple because that's the color of the marker the doctor used to mark his cutting line. It's shiny because he coated the incision with clear glue. All my stitches are internal.
So - this is how it happened.
At 10:10AM, Dec 3rd, I laid down on the padded table in a small operating room in the Minor Surgery department of the Foothills hospital and extended my left arm onto a small support. The doctor cleaned my hand and had me touch my thumb to my little finger to mark the line he would cut.
Next he cleaned my forearm front and back as well as the back of my hand before draping my arm with a green cloth. The nurse clamped a cuff on my upper arm a few inches away from my elbow.
The doctor had me raise my forearm so it stood straight up and then he wound a pretty blue shiny piece of rubbery material around my fingers asking me to cross my thumb over my palm when he'd reached the crook of my thumb. He continued wrapping until he got down to the cuff explaining that he needed to drain the blood from my hand so he would be able to see the median nerve clearly. The nurse pressurized the cuff , off came the blue rubber material and I laid my arm down once more.
I'm glad I wasn't told of the next part of the procedure or I wouldn't have been nearly as relaxed as I was - which wasn't relaxed very much as you can well imagine.
To be continued...
The incision is nice and straight and purple and shiny. It's purple because that's the color of the marker the doctor used to mark his cutting line. It's shiny because he coated the incision with clear glue. All my stitches are internal.
So - this is how it happened.
At 10:10AM, Dec 3rd, I laid down on the padded table in a small operating room in the Minor Surgery department of the Foothills hospital and extended my left arm onto a small support. The doctor cleaned my hand and had me touch my thumb to my little finger to mark the line he would cut.
Next he cleaned my forearm front and back as well as the back of my hand before draping my arm with a green cloth. The nurse clamped a cuff on my upper arm a few inches away from my elbow.
The doctor had me raise my forearm so it stood straight up and then he wound a pretty blue shiny piece of rubbery material around my fingers asking me to cross my thumb over my palm when he'd reached the crook of my thumb. He continued wrapping until he got down to the cuff explaining that he needed to drain the blood from my hand so he would be able to see the median nerve clearly. The nurse pressurized the cuff , off came the blue rubber material and I laid my arm down once more.
I'm glad I wasn't told of the next part of the procedure or I wouldn't have been nearly as relaxed as I was - which wasn't relaxed very much as you can well imagine.
To be continued...
Monday, December 7, 2009
CTR
CTR stands for 'Choose the Right' and these initials are on a silver ring I wear on my right hand.
CTR also stands for 'Carpal Tunnel Release" which is the surgery I had on my left hand Dec 3rd.
Gotta go - can't type more than that today but I will attempt to tell you all the gory details tomorrow - I get to take the bandages off, then - the fifth day...
CTR also stands for 'Carpal Tunnel Release" which is the surgery I had on my left hand Dec 3rd.
Gotta go - can't type more than that today but I will attempt to tell you all the gory details tomorrow - I get to take the bandages off, then - the fifth day...
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
'Tis the Season
Christmas is my favorite time of the year. People are kinder to each other, the music is beautiful and there’s a spirit about the season that you never feel at any other time of the year.
In recent Christmas seasons I have experienced a series of what I have come to call ‘whiffs of the season’. I’ll be working at some mundane household task or be out in a mall somewhere or even be having a stroll around the village and I get it – a ‘whiff’ of the Christmas spirit. It doesn’t last long – it’s here and then it’s gone.
At first I ignored these ‘whiffs’ thinking that if I indulged myself, that I’d get lost in the spirit and, as these ‘whiffs’ start in early November, that by the time Christmas came there’d be no magic left – I’d be ‘whiffed’ out.
Well what happens is that by Christmas all the ‘whiffs’ are gone and my Christmas isn’t as wonderful as it could have been.
Long story short – this year as each ‘whiff’ comes along – I’ll indulge it. I’ll put up a decoration, sing a carol or work on a Christmas gift. Maybe I’ll eat a Christmas cookie, watch a Christmas movie or wrap a gift.
I think a lot of things in life can be missed if we look for the big moment and ignore the little ones. After all, it’s the little things that build into the big thing.
This Christmas season join me in enjoying the moments as they come. Let your hearts fill ‘whiff’ by ‘whiff’…mmm,…I think I’ll go have a Christmas cookie.
In recent Christmas seasons I have experienced a series of what I have come to call ‘whiffs of the season’. I’ll be working at some mundane household task or be out in a mall somewhere or even be having a stroll around the village and I get it – a ‘whiff’ of the Christmas spirit. It doesn’t last long – it’s here and then it’s gone.
At first I ignored these ‘whiffs’ thinking that if I indulged myself, that I’d get lost in the spirit and, as these ‘whiffs’ start in early November, that by the time Christmas came there’d be no magic left – I’d be ‘whiffed’ out.
Well what happens is that by Christmas all the ‘whiffs’ are gone and my Christmas isn’t as wonderful as it could have been.
Long story short – this year as each ‘whiff’ comes along – I’ll indulge it. I’ll put up a decoration, sing a carol or work on a Christmas gift. Maybe I’ll eat a Christmas cookie, watch a Christmas movie or wrap a gift.
I think a lot of things in life can be missed if we look for the big moment and ignore the little ones. After all, it’s the little things that build into the big thing.
This Christmas season join me in enjoying the moments as they come. Let your hearts fill ‘whiff’ by ‘whiff’…mmm,…I think I’ll go have a Christmas cookie.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Words of Wit and Wisdom
"Brick walls are there for a reason. They give us a chance to show how badly we want something." - The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
A very dear friend and her husband had many challenges and they parted many times. She felt like their marriage was up against a brick wall and she was tired of banging her head against it. Her friends kept trying to encourage her but it didn't seem to be working. She kicked him out, again.
This time her friends added tearful, from the heart prayers - a step up from the ones they had been offering which were sincere ones, too, don't get me wrong.
Then one day, one of them called another and then she called another until they all heard the joyous news. Their friend was asking her husband to come back, and he did, and they are trying again - only this time they've breached that brick wall. They want it bad enough to tear it down brick by brick - they want their family to be whole.
What is your brick wall and are you going to walk away from it or are you going to tear it down?
A very dear friend and her husband had many challenges and they parted many times. She felt like their marriage was up against a brick wall and she was tired of banging her head against it. Her friends kept trying to encourage her but it didn't seem to be working. She kicked him out, again.
This time her friends added tearful, from the heart prayers - a step up from the ones they had been offering which were sincere ones, too, don't get me wrong.
Then one day, one of them called another and then she called another until they all heard the joyous news. Their friend was asking her husband to come back, and he did, and they are trying again - only this time they've breached that brick wall. They want it bad enough to tear it down brick by brick - they want their family to be whole.
What is your brick wall and are you going to walk away from it or are you going to tear it down?
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Video problems
I didn't have any problems uploading this video to my blog BUT it won't always play for me even after buffering....so, if it doesn't work for you, please accept my apologies and feel free to email me and I will send you a working video. dmcg@airenet.com
Lest We Forget
I hope I never forget all those who, since the beginning of time, have fought for my right to love and live and believe in God as I choose - all those who have died trying to keep me free from oppression of every kind - that I might have a family and opportunities to grow and fulfill my destiny. I am so grateful - I will never forget.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
It's a Great Day to be Alive..
There's a song whose chorus goes -
"And it's a great day to be alive
I know the sun's still shinin' when I close my eyes
There's some hard times in the neighborhood
But why can't every day be just this good?"
And it IS a great day to be alive. I have an amazing husband, awesome children and grandchildren, loving family and friends. I can't ask for more...
"And it's a great day to be alive
I know the sun's still shinin' when I close my eyes
There's some hard times in the neighborhood
But why can't every day be just this good?"
And it IS a great day to be alive. I have an amazing husband, awesome children and grandchildren, loving family and friends. I can't ask for more...
Monday, November 2, 2009
Thanks
Thanks for the comments on the projects, so far. Trish did a great job, didn't she?
And thanks to Scrappin' Great Deals for the kit. There are still plenty of supplies left over after these three projects, too!
And thanks to Scrappin' Great Deals for the kit. There are still plenty of supplies left over after these three projects, too!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Ooops!!!!!
Ummm...ahhh...I'm not a blogger (don't throw keyboards at me) but it's going to be evident by my posts below....as they are not listed in the right order....
I don't know how to fix that...so please forgive my ignorance and scroll down to the "My Mom and Me post" and then work your way up ;)
Trish
Scrappin' Great Deals - Novemember 2009 Kit - Journal Book
Kaisercraft.....ohhhhh, this paper is A-Mazing!!! I really couldn't wait to play with it!! The deep hues and pop of sunshine called to me!!!
I knew I wanted to use it for a scrapbook page....but by this time I'm thinking of my mom.....sitting at home... nursing herself, while I slaved away....ok, so I was in my glory creating these projects and my mind was racing with thoughts of more to come.....but, I decided before I can make a scrapbook layout with this Kaisercraft paper (drool)..... I want to make a little something something for my mom...but I'll still use the paper!!!
So as you can see I did. Both sides of this paper are fantastic!!! It coordinated perfectly with cardstock in the kit as well. My inks even hit the spot in colour matching ;)
This is for you mom!!!
I knew I wanted to use it for a scrapbook page....but by this time I'm thinking of my mom.....sitting at home... nursing herself, while I slaved away....ok, so I was in my glory creating these projects and my mind was racing with thoughts of more to come.....but, I decided before I can make a scrapbook layout with this Kaisercraft paper (drool)..... I want to make a little something something for my mom...but I'll still use the paper!!!So as you can see I did. Both sides of this paper are fantastic!!! It coordinated perfectly with cardstock in the kit as well. My inks even hit the spot in colour matching ;)
This is for you mom!!!
Scrappin' Great Deals - Novemember 2009 Kit - Birthday card for DH
My DH is a fly fisherman through and through. He even ties his own flies!!! When I decided to make his birthday card with the kit I was having a hard time envisioning anything to do with fishing...I still had all my "girly" ideas racing through my head (as I handled that beautiful ribbon again ;) ) I shook off the thoughts of more pretty projects to come and got to the task at hand.A card for my husband!! See how I used that Havest Hayride from pinkpaislee again on this project? (The paper indicator is still on my desk for this one ;) ) I used a scrapbook layout featured in the current Scrapbooks Etc. magazine for this layout. I just loved the textured touch from the layers underneath!!! And look....I found the perfect place to stamp some fish images. Another birthday card for DH with fishing as the theme!!
I love how this kit has so many possibilities with the choice of papers it has. I still had pretty idea's (not that I don't think this card is pretty....but we won't say that to my DH ok...shhhhh) so next I knew just the paper I wanted to get my hands on. See below!!!
Scrappin' Great Deals - November 2009 Kit - My Mom and Me double page layout
Hello Bloggers!!!
Trish here. My mom did ask me to help her with making some projects and as she was so sick (H1N1 suspected) I took the "burden".....who am I kidding, I grabbed this kit packed with beautiful goodies and ran!!!!
The first thing in the kit I was drawn to was a sheet of paper that looks slightly distressed, has a dark bg and rich flowers on it. Sry...DS has taken out the recycling so I've lost the paper indicating strip...but it's gorgeous and it's in the kit!!! You can see it below.
My mom was originally going to make a layout I had helped her with. Though the kit was now in my hands to use I couldn't get the layout and colours out of my mind so I still wanted to do the page on my mom.Being that I am a double page layout kinda girl I wanted to make it a two page spread. So I made the layout on My Mom & Me!!!
It was a snap to put together (the hardest part was getting pictures for it ;) ).
I have enough of these papers to still make additional projects and I still have a snip of that amazing ribbon too, enough for another scrapbook page!!!!
The next thing I wanted to make was a card and since my DH's b-day was Oct. 28....I just HAD to dip into this kit one more time!!! See below!!
Scrappin' Great Deals - November 2009 Kit
This is what the November kit looks like.
Stay tuned for the creations...;)
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Testing
In advance of downloading the magnificient creations Trish has...well... created... I am testing my ability to add an image to this posting. And here it is...a gorgeous picture of Trish!
Looks like we're ready to add our pictures tomorrow...are you excited???
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Scrapbooking
A really neat opportunity came my way to create some items with a scrapbook kit from Scrappin' Great Deals! They sent their November 2009 kit ...AND...
I got sick...BUT...
I asked my daughter, Trish, who is an amazing scrapbooker/cardmaker, if she's help me out by taking the kit and working her magic...AND...
she did!!!
Perpare to be amazed when I post the pictures on Friday October 30th!
I got sick...BUT...
I asked my daughter, Trish, who is an amazing scrapbooker/cardmaker, if she's help me out by taking the kit and working her magic...AND...
she did!!!
Perpare to be amazed when I post the pictures on Friday October 30th!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
House/Cat Sitting Day Twelve - Sept 27th
Woke up feeling fine, had my ABC drink, and got ready for Church. On the way out of the gate I felt another 'brown out'. Hmmm...
Got to Church and about 1/2 way through Sacrament meeting I knew I'd need to ask for a Priesthood blessing - whew - lot's of 'brown out's - something's definitely up here and I don't like it.
In the blessing I was told to take comfort, that I'd have the energy I'd need to fulfill my responsibilities here and at home. That's reassuring.
I was able to attend the rest of my meetings and met up with Chris and another lady I met before - Kelly. I chatted with Chris about life and some of the hard times she's having. I really like her and hope to go walking with her, again, Tuesday night.
I had a nap in the afternoon and spent some time reading and resting.
Got to Church and about 1/2 way through Sacrament meeting I knew I'd need to ask for a Priesthood blessing - whew - lot's of 'brown out's - something's definitely up here and I don't like it.
In the blessing I was told to take comfort, that I'd have the energy I'd need to fulfill my responsibilities here and at home. That's reassuring.
I was able to attend the rest of my meetings and met up with Chris and another lady I met before - Kelly. I chatted with Chris about life and some of the hard times she's having. I really like her and hope to go walking with her, again, Tuesday night.
I had a nap in the afternoon and spent some time reading and resting.
House/Cat Sitting Day Eleven - Sept 26th
I started off the day feeling pretty well like my usual self energy-wise.
I had brought my juicer with me and I took this opportunity to have my ABC's for the day - apple, beet, carrot. The carrots and beets were from the garden and I used my favorite apple = Royal Gala...delicious!
I headed off to the 'Great Potato Giveaway' but never ended up there. There was at least a mile long row of cars inching along the side of the highway and after about 20 minutes and 2 blocks later I decided to give up the free potatoes! I got back into the flow of regular traffic, turned around and instead headed toward my favorite Farmer's Market at Strathcona ;)
I bought some nice nectarines, put a deposit down on three more wire daisies [the lady who makes them wasn't there that day and hadn't left any - I'll pick them up next Sat], and got a bag of my favorite Kettle Popcorn - fresh and hot!
I felt 'brown out's' all day and almost stayed home at night but I pushed myself to attend the annual RS dinner and General RS Broadcast from Salt Lake. Dinner was a great salad bar, I sat with people I didn't know - turns out some of them even knew where Linden was :D - and enjoyed the wonderful spiritual food of the broadcast.
I had brought my juicer with me and I took this opportunity to have my ABC's for the day - apple, beet, carrot. The carrots and beets were from the garden and I used my favorite apple = Royal Gala...delicious!
I headed off to the 'Great Potato Giveaway' but never ended up there. There was at least a mile long row of cars inching along the side of the highway and after about 20 minutes and 2 blocks later I decided to give up the free potatoes! I got back into the flow of regular traffic, turned around and instead headed toward my favorite Farmer's Market at Strathcona ;)
I bought some nice nectarines, put a deposit down on three more wire daisies [the lady who makes them wasn't there that day and hadn't left any - I'll pick them up next Sat], and got a bag of my favorite Kettle Popcorn - fresh and hot!
I felt 'brown out's' all day and almost stayed home at night but I pushed myself to attend the annual RS dinner and General RS Broadcast from Salt Lake. Dinner was a great salad bar, I sat with people I didn't know - turns out some of them even knew where Linden was :D - and enjoyed the wonderful spiritual food of the broadcast.
House/Cat Sitting Day Ten - Sept 25th
A lazy morning followed by another visit to the temple - I could certainly get used to this!
Afterward I came home, changed into walking clothes and headed to Beaumaris Lake for another walk. I was a little hesitant because it was starting to get dark and I wasn't really sure how safe it would be so I took it slow and looked around. It felt fine so off I went. I walked on the grass next to the sidewalk whenever I could - pavement is so hard on a body. About 3/4 of the way around I started to get tired...strange...
About 4/5ths of the way around I felt like I'd been hit by an 'brown out' - you know, like at home when the lights all dim, sometimes just before all the power goes out. It was really strange. It actually took all I had to finish the walk and get to the car where I could sit down. I felt a series of 'brown outs' come and go as I drove to the store to get a Gatorade - I figured maybe my electrolytes were low. Half the bottle later and not a drop more energy, I stopped at another store and got a banana - thinking maybe my potassium was low - nope. I dragged my tail home and went to bed.
Weird.
Afterward I came home, changed into walking clothes and headed to Beaumaris Lake for another walk. I was a little hesitant because it was starting to get dark and I wasn't really sure how safe it would be so I took it slow and looked around. It felt fine so off I went. I walked on the grass next to the sidewalk whenever I could - pavement is so hard on a body. About 3/4 of the way around I started to get tired...strange...
About 4/5ths of the way around I felt like I'd been hit by an 'brown out' - you know, like at home when the lights all dim, sometimes just before all the power goes out. It was really strange. It actually took all I had to finish the walk and get to the car where I could sit down. I felt a series of 'brown outs' come and go as I drove to the store to get a Gatorade - I figured maybe my electrolytes were low. Half the bottle later and not a drop more energy, I stopped at another store and got a banana - thinking maybe my potassium was low - nope. I dragged my tail home and went to bed.
Weird.
House/Cat Sitting Day Nine - Sept 24th
Back to Edmonton...and boy, did that drive go fast!!!
From my door in Linden to the Costco near Cristen's house - are you ready for this? Let's do the math...I left at 1:40PM and arrived at 4:18PM - WOW - 2 hours and 38 minutes...and NO speeding was involved - Cruise control all the way!!!
Are you wondering what I got at Costco??? I got something called, 'Super Sleep. It's a melatonin preparation that helps reset the body's sleep-wake cycle. I've been less energetic than I like for quite a while now. Maybe this will help.
I also got an amazing snack called, Mrs. May's Ultimate Crunch.' This is what it says on the front of the package - 'Cashews, Almonds and Walnuts in Perfect Harmony With Raspberries, Cranberries, Goji Berries, Blueberries, Pomegranate, and Acai.' It is absolutely nummy!
After I unloaded everything (I shopped in my storage room, stamp room and CD shelf at home) I watered the garden. It won't be long and I'll have to pick all the tomatoes. The weather forecasts are showing lower and lower overnight temperatures.
I went to the RS Sisters Temple Night and it was great...again...refreshed!
From my door in Linden to the Costco near Cristen's house - are you ready for this? Let's do the math...I left at 1:40PM and arrived at 4:18PM - WOW - 2 hours and 38 minutes...and NO speeding was involved - Cruise control all the way!!!
Are you wondering what I got at Costco??? I got something called, 'Super Sleep. It's a melatonin preparation that helps reset the body's sleep-wake cycle. I've been less energetic than I like for quite a while now. Maybe this will help.
I also got an amazing snack called, Mrs. May's Ultimate Crunch.' This is what it says on the front of the package - 'Cashews, Almonds and Walnuts in Perfect Harmony With Raspberries, Cranberries, Goji Berries, Blueberries, Pomegranate, and Acai.' It is absolutely nummy!
After I unloaded everything (I shopped in my storage room, stamp room and CD shelf at home) I watered the garden. It won't be long and I'll have to pick all the tomatoes. The weather forecasts are showing lower and lower overnight temperatures.
I went to the RS Sisters Temple Night and it was great...again...refreshed!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
House/Cat Sitting Day Eight Sept 23rd
A busy day - off to Linden via Red Deer where I picked up 4 pizzas at Costco for tonight's Relief Society meeting. {Relief Society is the name of the women's organization in the Church}
It was great to see my husband and my cat! {he - the cat - has a reasonable litter disposal method}
The meeting was awesome. Sandra Hawryluk, a sister from a ward I attended in Calgary, came and gave us a presentation on how she and her husband are working together to create a successful family based on living the principles of the Gospel as taught in the scriptures. She left us with a lot to think about and many things to try. She also gave us a handout showing her family's mission statement, guiding principles temporal, spiritual and family and some reference material.
One of the talks in the reference material can be found here -
http://ce.byu.edu/cw/womensconference/archive/2008/pdf/russellAndLollyOsguthorpe2008.pdf
I guarantee that if you read this talk and put these things into practice - you will be successful at anything you try.
Afterwards, I went to Trish's so we could work on a card making technique using a fancy paper napkin, saran wrap and an iron. Ask me about it and I'll gladly share.
It was great to see my husband and my cat! {he - the cat - has a reasonable litter disposal method}
The meeting was awesome. Sandra Hawryluk, a sister from a ward I attended in Calgary, came and gave us a presentation on how she and her husband are working together to create a successful family based on living the principles of the Gospel as taught in the scriptures. She left us with a lot to think about and many things to try. She also gave us a handout showing her family's mission statement, guiding principles temporal, spiritual and family and some reference material.
One of the talks in the reference material can be found here -
http://ce.byu.edu/cw/womensconference/archive/2008/pdf/russellAndLollyOsguthorpe2008.pdf
I guarantee that if you read this talk and put these things into practice - you will be successful at anything you try.
Afterwards, I went to Trish's so we could work on a card making technique using a fancy paper napkin, saran wrap and an iron. Ask me about it and I'll gladly share.
House/Cat Sitting Day Seven Sept 22nd
I went to the temple today. It is so peaceful there and the people so nice. It's wonderful to get away from the world for a while.
In case some of my readers are curious as to what the temple is all about, let me tell you. It's a sacred house of worship where members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints go to make sacred covenants and perform sacred ordinances for ourselves and our kindred dead that are necessary for our salvation. These covenants and ordinances help us live our lives more righteously and prepare us to live with our Heavenly Father again one day.
Some of you might be asking, 'How can you do things for the dead?" We stand as proxy for them.
There are many of Father's children who pass through this life without ever hearing the gospel and having the opportunity to accept it and live by it's principles. When they die, they are taken to the Spirit world where they are taught the gospel and given a chance to accept it. They don't have their body back yet so in order to receive any of the ordinances the Savior - they need someone to act as proxy for them and receive these ordinances. That's where we come in. Once we have attended the temple for ourselves, we go back often and perform these ordinances for them.
Each time I come away from the temple, I feel refreshed and centered - ready to live even better than I did before. I want to treat my family better, to show them love and compassion - to help them in any way I can. I come away with a greater sense of love for my brothers and sisters and my friends.
Later that night I went for a walk that the sisters in the ward I attend here go on every Tuesday night. I met a lady, Chris, there and her 'date' joined us , too. We had a blast! Nigel is so funny and the way he is courting Chris is so cute. They were kind enough not to make me feel like a third wheel and we really enjoyed the evening. I'll tell you more about where we walked in another post.
In case some of my readers are curious as to what the temple is all about, let me tell you. It's a sacred house of worship where members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints go to make sacred covenants and perform sacred ordinances for ourselves and our kindred dead that are necessary for our salvation. These covenants and ordinances help us live our lives more righteously and prepare us to live with our Heavenly Father again one day.
Some of you might be asking, 'How can you do things for the dead?" We stand as proxy for them.
There are many of Father's children who pass through this life without ever hearing the gospel and having the opportunity to accept it and live by it's principles. When they die, they are taken to the Spirit world where they are taught the gospel and given a chance to accept it. They don't have their body back yet so in order to receive any of the ordinances the Savior - they need someone to act as proxy for them and receive these ordinances. That's where we come in. Once we have attended the temple for ourselves, we go back often and perform these ordinances for them.
Each time I come away from the temple, I feel refreshed and centered - ready to live even better than I did before. I want to treat my family better, to show them love and compassion - to help them in any way I can. I come away with a greater sense of love for my brothers and sisters and my friends.
Later that night I went for a walk that the sisters in the ward I attend here go on every Tuesday night. I met a lady, Chris, there and her 'date' joined us , too. We had a blast! Nigel is so funny and the way he is courting Chris is so cute. They were kind enough not to make me feel like a third wheel and we really enjoyed the evening. I'll tell you more about where we walked in another post.
House/Cat Sitting Day Six Sept 21st
An uneventful day if memory serves me right. I cleaned out the cat litter...
...an amazing contraption, that ! These three trays are the new way of cleaning the litter and are supposed to save you from getting your hands icky but, for what it's worth, you get your hands ickier - those are words aren't they? icky and ickier?
Anyway, first you prepare a bag to put the used litter in. Of course it will consist of 5 or 6 grocery bags as you layer them together, one at a time, making sure the one hole each seems to come from the factory with isn't directly over the one hole in the other bag.
Then you face the litter box. You snap up little end pieces to release the surrounding 'wall' part, which is covered in litter, I might add. You tap that off into the litter below [pieces going AWOL all over the place] and set the 'wall' aside. You loosen the top tray lifting it off the one below, just a bit as I came to learn, and slowly start shaking it from side to side. This is to loosen the little 'packages' and encourage the loose litter to make it's way down through the grate in the bottom of the tray you are holding into the tray below. If they don't loosen, then you shake harder - sure some of the litter and...whatever that chunk was might fling themselves off the edge and land on you but just remember - this is a 'new' way and you can't expect to learn it all at once. Anyway, if that doesn't work [and it didn't], you set the tray down, battle two spiders to the death, wrest the screwdriver from their cold dead legs and use that to poke and pry the stubborn pieces from their strongholds. This takes about 5 minutes - you can't rush technology...
Once the sifting is done and the 'gold' revealed, you tip the nuggets into the garbage bag which is never, I repeat NEVER open wide enough. Mountains and molehills alike- no prejudice here - tumble to the floor some of them not as compact as others breaking open and spilling their contents even further afield - ick!
Now you take the tray with the grated bottom and set it on the floor. [Hope baby doesn't need to crawl here for a while...ick!]You remove the second tray, which is now full of the sifted litter, and set it on the floor. [Don't worry, I'm not going to play a shell game and ask you where the little nuggets are...I can see them, and smell them, plain as day!]
You now put the grated tray inside the third tray - which bless it's little heart has been sitting there all along minding it's own business and causing no trouble at all. Poor thing - it's about to get a 'dirty' done to it because you now take the sifted litter in the second tray and pour it into the grated tray which is sitting in the third tray. You pick those two up together and slip the second tray beneath the third tray and put this cute little sandwich[ ick] together on the floor. [I think I'm ready to attack the Rubik's Cube now!]
You put the 'wall' back on - pausing just long enough to wish you could add few more stories to it and when the kitties jumped in you could hold them hostage until they promised to clean up after themselves...or no food again EVER [maniacal laughter] ...oops - did I say that in my outside voice?
Now to gather up all those little packages on the floor, coax them into the garbage bag and sweep up and wash up the floor where the packages and trays left their 'mark'. Then you have to sweep yourself off and and have a wash up! Oh yeah...a newer way is a better way...oh yeah, where'd you ever hear that tripe???
That took care of the entire morning. I spent the next little bit gathering up the squash and cleaning up more of the garden beds... Ahhh, fresh air and clean dirt ;)
...an amazing contraption, that ! These three trays are the new way of cleaning the litter and are supposed to save you from getting your hands icky but, for what it's worth, you get your hands ickier - those are words aren't they? icky and ickier?
Anyway, first you prepare a bag to put the used litter in. Of course it will consist of 5 or 6 grocery bags as you layer them together, one at a time, making sure the one hole each seems to come from the factory with isn't directly over the one hole in the other bag.
Then you face the litter box. You snap up little end pieces to release the surrounding 'wall' part, which is covered in litter, I might add. You tap that off into the litter below [pieces going AWOL all over the place] and set the 'wall' aside. You loosen the top tray lifting it off the one below, just a bit as I came to learn, and slowly start shaking it from side to side. This is to loosen the little 'packages' and encourage the loose litter to make it's way down through the grate in the bottom of the tray you are holding into the tray below. If they don't loosen, then you shake harder - sure some of the litter and...whatever that chunk was might fling themselves off the edge and land on you but just remember - this is a 'new' way and you can't expect to learn it all at once. Anyway, if that doesn't work [and it didn't], you set the tray down, battle two spiders to the death, wrest the screwdriver from their cold dead legs and use that to poke and pry the stubborn pieces from their strongholds. This takes about 5 minutes - you can't rush technology...
Once the sifting is done and the 'gold' revealed, you tip the nuggets into the garbage bag which is never, I repeat NEVER open wide enough. Mountains and molehills alike- no prejudice here - tumble to the floor some of them not as compact as others breaking open and spilling their contents even further afield - ick!
Now you take the tray with the grated bottom and set it on the floor. [Hope baby doesn't need to crawl here for a while...ick!]You remove the second tray, which is now full of the sifted litter, and set it on the floor. [Don't worry, I'm not going to play a shell game and ask you where the little nuggets are...I can see them, and smell them, plain as day!]
You now put the grated tray inside the third tray - which bless it's little heart has been sitting there all along minding it's own business and causing no trouble at all. Poor thing - it's about to get a 'dirty' done to it because you now take the sifted litter in the second tray and pour it into the grated tray which is sitting in the third tray. You pick those two up together and slip the second tray beneath the third tray and put this cute little sandwich[ ick] together on the floor. [I think I'm ready to attack the Rubik's Cube now!]
You put the 'wall' back on - pausing just long enough to wish you could add few more stories to it and when the kitties jumped in you could hold them hostage until they promised to clean up after themselves...or no food again EVER [maniacal laughter] ...oops - did I say that in my outside voice?
Now to gather up all those little packages on the floor, coax them into the garbage bag and sweep up and wash up the floor where the packages and trays left their 'mark'. Then you have to sweep yourself off and and have a wash up! Oh yeah...a newer way is a better way...oh yeah, where'd you ever hear that tripe???
That took care of the entire morning. I spent the next little bit gathering up the squash and cleaning up more of the garden beds... Ahhh, fresh air and clean dirt ;)
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Back in a Bit
Not feeling great just now , so I'll post more of my adventures on Monday the 28th. See you then!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
House/Cat Sitting Day Five Sept 20th
The day dawned cloudy and windy - I really expected rain, but was pleasantly disappointed.
I attended church in the Castle Downs Ward and renewed an acquaintance. I attended the 'Investigator's Class' - a class for people interested in learning about the Church and for people newly baptized to learn more about the church they now belong to and their duties as new members. It was great. We studied about the millenium - the 1000 years reign of the Savior on earth before the final judgement of all people. I learned new things and was able to share things I'd learned in the past and had a testimony of.
I was glad to get the bulletin and the announcements - there' a few activities I'd like to go to while I'm here. The ladies meet at 7PM on Tuesdays to walk around a lake I've never seen before, there's a ladies Temple night planned and we were all given info on a very cool event coming up this next Saturday. It's called -
I attended church in the Castle Downs Ward and renewed an acquaintance. I attended the 'Investigator's Class' - a class for people interested in learning about the Church and for people newly baptized to learn more about the church they now belong to and their duties as new members. It was great. We studied about the millenium - the 1000 years reign of the Savior on earth before the final judgement of all people. I learned new things and was able to share things I'd learned in the past and had a testimony of.
I was glad to get the bulletin and the announcements - there' a few activities I'd like to go to while I'm here. The ladies meet at 7PM on Tuesdays to walk around a lake I've never seen before, there's a ladies Temple night planned and we were all given info on a very cool event coming up this next Saturday. It's called -
"The Great Potato Giveaway"
"The Edmonton Potato Growers and the Greater Edmonton Alliance have teamed up to bring Edmontonians (hey...I'm a temporary one...!) to their own 'Local Harvest' on some of our city's most spectacular farmland"
They will be giving every person tools and reusable bags to dig up their own 50 lbs of potatoes They are also offering a class on growing your own potatoes on your own city lot! There will be a farmer's market, too.
I spent some time on the Church's YouTube Channel watching some very uplifting videos and now I'm ready for bed - it's early but I'm ready. 'nite
House/Cat Sitting Day Four Sept 19
I drove to Red Deer today to meet my husband, Bernard, and my parents to attend a concert featuring Marvin Goldstien and some local performers. It took me a little longer than I thought and, on arrival, quickly hopped into our van in the Value Village parking lot.
The drive to the Red Deer College only took a few minutes and Bernard dropped the three of us off at the door. We found our seats in no time and what great seats they were! We were about 4 rows from the stage. What an amazing view we had.
The show was opened by 'Precious Cargo' - 4 sisters that sing beautiful harmony accompanied by their mom Pat on the piano. This family, and indeed all the performers including the star of the show, are all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [Pat attends our branch in Three Hills and her daughter Amy - who I know well - is a dental hygenist in Three Hills.]
It was a really good show. Brother Goldstien is a great comedian and his fingers literally fly over the keyboard. It was a pleasure to watch and a joy to hear.
Most remarkable was Amy's performance of a song she wrote. Marvin played, she sang and it was marvellous. Music is truly a gift from God.
After the show, we went to Mom and Wes's favorite Chinese buffet and I was pleased that I contained myself. [I'm trying hard to respect my body by watching what I eat.] After that, we found a gas station that had air [for $1.00 - I wonder if taxes on air are coming soon...;)] and Bernard filled the rear passenger side tire on Chris's car that I had driven down in.
We hugged and parted ways - I had wanted to do some shopping in Red Deer but decided that I'd rather get back to Edmonton while there was still some light - and off I went.
I arrived home about 8PM and settled myself in bed with a good book. Ahhh...what a sweet day.
The drive to the Red Deer College only took a few minutes and Bernard dropped the three of us off at the door. We found our seats in no time and what great seats they were! We were about 4 rows from the stage. What an amazing view we had.
The show was opened by 'Precious Cargo' - 4 sisters that sing beautiful harmony accompanied by their mom Pat on the piano. This family, and indeed all the performers including the star of the show, are all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [Pat attends our branch in Three Hills and her daughter Amy - who I know well - is a dental hygenist in Three Hills.]
It was a really good show. Brother Goldstien is a great comedian and his fingers literally fly over the keyboard. It was a pleasure to watch and a joy to hear.
Most remarkable was Amy's performance of a song she wrote. Marvin played, she sang and it was marvellous. Music is truly a gift from God.
After the show, we went to Mom and Wes's favorite Chinese buffet and I was pleased that I contained myself. [I'm trying hard to respect my body by watching what I eat.] After that, we found a gas station that had air [for $1.00 - I wonder if taxes on air are coming soon...;)] and Bernard filled the rear passenger side tire on Chris's car that I had driven down in.
We hugged and parted ways - I had wanted to do some shopping in Red Deer but decided that I'd rather get back to Edmonton while there was still some light - and off I went.
I arrived home about 8PM and settled myself in bed with a good book. Ahhh...what a sweet day.
Friday, September 18, 2009
House/Cat Sitting Day Three Sept 18th
The kids are on the ship and cruising by now. I am so excited...you'd think I was there, and then who'd take care of the cats?
A walk this morning then home to chat with Trish. I manicured the tomato plants - the fruit the have now will be bigger and ripen better with the tops of the plants chopped off this time of the year. I watered the gardens and will clean out some beds next week.
And...I rescued some lady bugs. They are absolutely everywhere today! I heard that they would come in as large a number as the aphids we had and it's true. I was wondering how they were getting in the house. Well - there's a gap at the front door, a gap at the back and some window screens with small holes in the screening or gaps where the screen doesn't fit properly - like every house.
Now I'm off to get some vacuum bags, nail polish remover and some vitamins...bye for now!
A walk this morning then home to chat with Trish. I manicured the tomato plants - the fruit the have now will be bigger and ripen better with the tops of the plants chopped off this time of the year. I watered the gardens and will clean out some beds next week.
And...I rescued some lady bugs. They are absolutely everywhere today! I heard that they would come in as large a number as the aphids we had and it's true. I was wondering how they were getting in the house. Well - there's a gap at the front door, a gap at the back and some window screens with small holes in the screening or gaps where the screen doesn't fit properly - like every house.
Now I'm off to get some vacuum bags, nail polish remover and some vitamins...bye for now!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
House/Cat Sitting Day Two Sept 17th
Cristen and Chris are in Vancouver at the Inn at False Creek. I know...I left a message for them to call me...not a frantic one...not in a frantic tone, anyway...more about that in a minute.
Getting up at 4:30 wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be considering I hadn't gotten to bed until 1:15AM. [I don't know what time the kids went to bed, I could still hear them as I drifted off.]
We were all out the door by 5:30 and while Chris got gas at the 7-11, Cristen and I got some cash out of the bank machine.
On the way to the airport I remembered that we probably wouldn't be able to have breakfast together - turns out they were thinking the same thing. Once they got their luggage on the cart it was hugs all around and then I hopped into the driver's seat so they could see how to adjust the passenger side mirror for me. Someone had smacked it and it no longer would keep it's position. Cristen held the mirror where I wanted it and Chris taped it in place with a bit of clear packing tape along the top and along the bottom. Waves all around and we were both off- in different directions.
I stopped at Timmy's on the way home and ate my breakfast in the rapidly approaching dawn in the parking lot of Zellers.
On the way home I wondered where the registration and insurance was for the car. I'm a good driver but there may be a policeman out there who needs more paperwork to do and I sure don't want to be the mother-lode for him.
At home, I quickly went through the glove compartment - nope, not there. Starting to hold my breath a bit. I went through the console - nope. Less breathing. The compartment below the radio - nope. Ok, definitely low on air now.
Thought - Hmmm... my car is still here - granted it's now in a fenced yard but, if worse comes to worse, I can reinstate the insurance {I came up with only one day insurance as Cristen is buying the car} for a month. I'm still obsessed with finding these documents, though.
So...now back to the beginning of this post. In case you don't feel like scrolling back up or in case you were so caught up in this post that you forgot about it's beginning - here's a recap - I called and left a message for them at their hotel in Vancouver.
It took forever for a return call - ok, so I did leave the message before they'd even left the ground here, but this is the modern age, isn't it, where everything moves faster than the speed of light?
Anyway, when Cristen called back we chatted about their flight (I'll let her tell you about turbulence, airplane restrooms and flashing lights...on her blog), the zippy, scary cab ride and the fact that she was now chatting to me while laying across one of the two beds in their room. {Chris was on the other all stretched out}.
She didn't seem concerned that I had phoned - this is good - this means they trust me...no fires or escaped animals crossed their minds - this is good.
She laughed when I told her I was concerned that I couldn't locate the documentation for their car. She directed me to a somewhat secretish compartment in the door of the glove compartment where I was relieved to discover the nervously sought after papers...ah, no more wondering how to get that section of fence out of the way of my half-sold car (no paperwork done on that yet...hmmm paperwork seems to be plaguing me doesn't it...?) And, hey...is that some 0's rushing back into my lungs??? Ah, pure bliss...
Anyway, all is well. It's back to the phone to chat about a Stampin' Up! order with Trish. Apparently there is a gigantic sale on...sale...did someone say sale...?
Gotta go...!...and breathe...in and out...this paperwork is the good kind!
Getting up at 4:30 wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be considering I hadn't gotten to bed until 1:15AM. [I don't know what time the kids went to bed, I could still hear them as I drifted off.]
We were all out the door by 5:30 and while Chris got gas at the 7-11, Cristen and I got some cash out of the bank machine.
On the way to the airport I remembered that we probably wouldn't be able to have breakfast together - turns out they were thinking the same thing. Once they got their luggage on the cart it was hugs all around and then I hopped into the driver's seat so they could see how to adjust the passenger side mirror for me. Someone had smacked it and it no longer would keep it's position. Cristen held the mirror where I wanted it and Chris taped it in place with a bit of clear packing tape along the top and along the bottom. Waves all around and we were both off- in different directions.
I stopped at Timmy's on the way home and ate my breakfast in the rapidly approaching dawn in the parking lot of Zellers.
On the way home I wondered where the registration and insurance was for the car. I'm a good driver but there may be a policeman out there who needs more paperwork to do and I sure don't want to be the mother-lode for him.
At home, I quickly went through the glove compartment - nope, not there. Starting to hold my breath a bit. I went through the console - nope. Less breathing. The compartment below the radio - nope. Ok, definitely low on air now.
Thought - Hmmm... my car is still here - granted it's now in a fenced yard but, if worse comes to worse, I can reinstate the insurance {I came up with only one day insurance as Cristen is buying the car} for a month. I'm still obsessed with finding these documents, though.
So...now back to the beginning of this post. In case you don't feel like scrolling back up or in case you were so caught up in this post that you forgot about it's beginning - here's a recap - I called and left a message for them at their hotel in Vancouver.
It took forever for a return call - ok, so I did leave the message before they'd even left the ground here, but this is the modern age, isn't it, where everything moves faster than the speed of light?
Anyway, when Cristen called back we chatted about their flight (I'll let her tell you about turbulence, airplane restrooms and flashing lights...on her blog), the zippy, scary cab ride and the fact that she was now chatting to me while laying across one of the two beds in their room. {Chris was on the other all stretched out}.
She didn't seem concerned that I had phoned - this is good - this means they trust me...no fires or escaped animals crossed their minds - this is good.
She laughed when I told her I was concerned that I couldn't locate the documentation for their car. She directed me to a somewhat secretish compartment in the door of the glove compartment where I was relieved to discover the nervously sought after papers...ah, no more wondering how to get that section of fence out of the way of my half-sold car (no paperwork done on that yet...hmmm paperwork seems to be plaguing me doesn't it...?) And, hey...is that some 0's rushing back into my lungs??? Ah, pure bliss...
Anyway, all is well. It's back to the phone to chat about a Stampin' Up! order with Trish. Apparently there is a gigantic sale on...sale...did someone say sale...?
Gotta go...!...and breathe...in and out...this paperwork is the good kind!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
House/Cat Sitting Day One Sept 16th
Here we go again...;) I love doing this. It's like a mini-vacation for me and it feels good to be able to help out, too!
Cristen and Chris are at work, I'm taking a break from doing up some dishes and the cats are...well, doing what cats do...sleeping the afternoon away so they have enough energy to sleep the night away too.
It's a hot one today but there's a breeze blowing. Autumn is ever so delicately dancing with Summer right now. I hope the dance is a long, slow one.
We have to get up very early tomorrow AM so the two 'cruisers' can get to the airport by 5:30AM. I'm looking forward to a hot chocolate, muffin breakfast with them at the airport before I come home and join the cats in their early to mid-morning nap - you know, the one they use to get ready for the afternoon nap...!
Cristen and Chris are at work, I'm taking a break from doing up some dishes and the cats are...well, doing what cats do...sleeping the afternoon away so they have enough energy to sleep the night away too.
It's a hot one today but there's a breeze blowing. Autumn is ever so delicately dancing with Summer right now. I hope the dance is a long, slow one.
We have to get up very early tomorrow AM so the two 'cruisers' can get to the airport by 5:30AM. I'm looking forward to a hot chocolate, muffin breakfast with them at the airport before I come home and join the cats in their early to mid-morning nap - you know, the one they use to get ready for the afternoon nap...!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Happy September the 1st!
I really like Fall and though I don't feel it in the air just yet - it's coming.
One day soon I'll wake up, go outside and just know - regardless what the calendar says - it's something in the air and something in my bones. The smells are richer, the colors are deeper, and my energy levels just surge!
Soon it'll be time for soup making, baking and scrapbooking. All these things that take a holiday for me in the Spring and Summer.
Mmmmmm...isn't life grand?
One day soon I'll wake up, go outside and just know - regardless what the calendar says - it's something in the air and something in my bones. The smells are richer, the colors are deeper, and my energy levels just surge!
Soon it'll be time for soup making, baking and scrapbooking. All these things that take a holiday for me in the Spring and Summer.
Mmmmmm...isn't life grand?
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Heart of my Heart
My Mom had a heart attack in July.
She wasn't in Church that Sunday. That was odd so after Church I went to her place to see what the story was. She told me what happened - you'll read her account below - but wasn't convinced that what happened to her was as serious as I was making out. I wasn't fully convinced of the seriousness of the event either, but I did stress that at her age, and with her past health history, things like this need to get checked out sooner as opposed to later. Anyway here is her story sent in an email to her female friends and relatives...
THIS COULD HAPPEN TO YOU
I am writing this especially for the ladies. This is what happened to me.
I got up in the morning and went to the bathroom and while I was sitting there, suddenly I experienced a series of weak spells lasting about 10 mins accompanied by a cold sweat which was dripping off my chin. When I felt able to move, I got up and fell across the bed and slept for about an hour. Wes woke me up to see if I was getting up for the day and I told him what happened and fell back to sleep again. A couple of hours later I got up and dressed and proceeded to get on with my day, but I felt so weak and unstable I was unable to continue. After Wes made supper that evening, I went to bed and had a good sleep.
The next day, I had an appointment with my doctor to renew a prescription, so I told her about my experience. She had a blood test done and informed me that I had had a heart attack. I did not recognize it as such because there was no pain, but the blood test showed that certain enzymes had been released that indicated the heart attack.. She immediately had me shipped off to the Three Hills Hospital where I remained for 4 days while awaiting admittance to the Foothills Hospital for an angiogram.
Everyday they did blood tests and gave me bloodthinners. On the 4th day they said I could go home because the enzymes had diminished and they had cancelled the angiogram. Horray for me!!
So you see, a woman’s heart attack is not like a man’s.
Just goes to show you that you never know who the next one will be. I’m just happy that my name was not on the Lord’s daytimer that day.
-Pat Campbell
During this event my parents got their Personal Directives done and she and Wes along with the Executors named in their wills are getting together to share all plans, wills and directives.
It usually takes something like this to get ourselves in gear to make sure we have our affairs in order... after all we never know when our name will be in the 'Lord's daytimer'.
She wasn't in Church that Sunday. That was odd so after Church I went to her place to see what the story was. She told me what happened - you'll read her account below - but wasn't convinced that what happened to her was as serious as I was making out. I wasn't fully convinced of the seriousness of the event either, but I did stress that at her age, and with her past health history, things like this need to get checked out sooner as opposed to later. Anyway here is her story sent in an email to her female friends and relatives...
THIS COULD HAPPEN TO YOU
I am writing this especially for the ladies. This is what happened to me.
I got up in the morning and went to the bathroom and while I was sitting there, suddenly I experienced a series of weak spells lasting about 10 mins accompanied by a cold sweat which was dripping off my chin. When I felt able to move, I got up and fell across the bed and slept for about an hour. Wes woke me up to see if I was getting up for the day and I told him what happened and fell back to sleep again. A couple of hours later I got up and dressed and proceeded to get on with my day, but I felt so weak and unstable I was unable to continue. After Wes made supper that evening, I went to bed and had a good sleep.
The next day, I had an appointment with my doctor to renew a prescription, so I told her about my experience. She had a blood test done and informed me that I had had a heart attack. I did not recognize it as such because there was no pain, but the blood test showed that certain enzymes had been released that indicated the heart attack.. She immediately had me shipped off to the Three Hills Hospital where I remained for 4 days while awaiting admittance to the Foothills Hospital for an angiogram.
Everyday they did blood tests and gave me bloodthinners. On the 4th day they said I could go home because the enzymes had diminished and they had cancelled the angiogram. Horray for me!!
So you see, a woman’s heart attack is not like a man’s.
Just goes to show you that you never know who the next one will be. I’m just happy that my name was not on the Lord’s daytimer that day.
-Pat Campbell
During this event my parents got their Personal Directives done and she and Wes along with the Executors named in their wills are getting together to share all plans, wills and directives.
It usually takes something like this to get ourselves in gear to make sure we have our affairs in order... after all we never know when our name will be in the 'Lord's daytimer'.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Stay tuned, I'll be right back...
Ouch, ouch and ouch... I spent a great weekend scrapbooking with 5 dear friends and my wrists are certainly telling about it - AND - the microphone in headset that came with the voice recognition software has stopped working (I'm on the hunt for a new one sooo it'll be a bit slow in the posting dept for a bit) - SO - please hang in there (you too, Joni ) I'll be back on line soon!
I need to finish telling you about my Edmonton trip; tell you a picture taking story and share not only an amazing talk by a humble 19 year-old but also, a conversation about energy, chemistry and why we need to feed relationships!
So stay tuned...great things coming up here!
I need to finish telling you about my Edmonton trip; tell you a picture taking story and share not only an amazing talk by a humble 19 year-old but also, a conversation about energy, chemistry and why we need to feed relationships!
So stay tuned...great things coming up here!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
House/Cat Sitting Day 8 - July 6th
I went to the Edmonton Telus World of Science today. Interesting...it's just like the one in Calgary - a lot of exhibits weren't working. That was always such a big headache for us in Calgary. With so many hands-on things to do and very little staff - things just get neglected. Hmmm...now that I think of it -I don't recall seeing any staff at all after the ticket counter.
One of the exhibits was about how our bodies work. I totally backed out of one room in record time!!!! It was full of jars - sealed, I hope - of fluids and excretions and...well, you get the idea. I didn't need to look at those. When you think about it - the body is pretty amazing - and pretty...well... of the earth, so to speak. I learned that every time you learn something new - your brain reshapes itself in that area - I guess we are a lot like nanyites - creating and building and inventing as we go.
I also saw an IMAX film called, "Fly Me to The Moon." (I love the way Frank Sinatra sings that song!) It was a cute film about 3 flies who tag along on the famous 1969 trip to the moon. It was cute. One thing, though...I thought the screen was supposed to be gigantic?
I remember when they were first bringing this technology out. A couple of my brothers, some friends and I were at the Calgary Stampede and we were in this tent. They showed a short movie of a roller coaster ride and of a car ride. In both you felt like you were in the front seat and wow! was it great! Because you had to crane your neck so far back to see everything, you got real dizzy and a lot of people were falling down. It was great!! This IMAX was like being in any cinema...(pout).
In the evening I went through some of Cristen's scrap booking paper pack, that she, Trish and I all bought from Costco back in the fall, (we are having a scrapbook weekend in Linden near the end of the month and we all need to prepare a 2 page layout for each of the others) looking for some paper to borrow. We're supposed to make our layouts from our stashes but I don't have 12 of any one patterned paper.so...
And yes, I did read some of the 3rd book...I don't know if there are anymore in the series. I hope not - I hate to be left hanging...even if it's done gently...lol!
One of the exhibits was about how our bodies work. I totally backed out of one room in record time!!!! It was full of jars - sealed, I hope - of fluids and excretions and...well, you get the idea. I didn't need to look at those. When you think about it - the body is pretty amazing - and pretty...well... of the earth, so to speak. I learned that every time you learn something new - your brain reshapes itself in that area - I guess we are a lot like nanyites - creating and building and inventing as we go.
I also saw an IMAX film called, "Fly Me to The Moon." (I love the way Frank Sinatra sings that song!) It was a cute film about 3 flies who tag along on the famous 1969 trip to the moon. It was cute. One thing, though...I thought the screen was supposed to be gigantic?
I remember when they were first bringing this technology out. A couple of my brothers, some friends and I were at the Calgary Stampede and we were in this tent. They showed a short movie of a roller coaster ride and of a car ride. In both you felt like you were in the front seat and wow! was it great! Because you had to crane your neck so far back to see everything, you got real dizzy and a lot of people were falling down. It was great!! This IMAX was like being in any cinema...(pout).
In the evening I went through some of Cristen's scrap booking paper pack, that she, Trish and I all bought from Costco back in the fall, (we are having a scrapbook weekend in Linden near the end of the month and we all need to prepare a 2 page layout for each of the others) looking for some paper to borrow. We're supposed to make our layouts from our stashes but I don't have 12 of any one patterned paper.so...
And yes, I did read some of the 3rd book...I don't know if there are anymore in the series. I hope not - I hate to be left hanging...even if it's done gently...lol!
House/Cat Sitting Day 7 - July 5th
Last week I called the Bishop of the Castle Downs ward to get some phone numbers so I could arrange a ride to church today. He gave me the numbers of the RS President and her two counsellors. He told me he'd be away and he thought the RS President would be away but Thursday afternoon I started by calling her anyway - you never know. I got her answering machine.
Then I called the 2nd counselor as her name was familiar to me. Her little girl answered and said her mom was at work and no, her dad couldn't come to the phone because he was at work, too. I left a message that I would call back. Each time I did, I got the answering machine. I found out later that she had gone away for the weekend, too.
After my first phone call to the 2nd counselor, I called the 1st counselor. Another answering machine. I wondered - what's the chances of all three of these ladies being away at the same time? I found out later that this sister's mother had just got her visa to come to Canada and that they had been busy picking her up and getting her settled in.
No luck with phone calls I turned to the transit map. It only took me 2 hours to decide that no matter how I configured it, I would have to spend 2 hours and transfer 3 times jut to get there 30 minutes late! Incredible - this is a 12 minute car ride. I threw that idea out.
I debated walking, then I passed on that. It would take me at least 2 hours just to get there.
Then I called about taxi rates - $15-20. I'd spent a lot more on things of a lot less worth. I figured I'd try to get a ride home from a member but if that didn't work out I'd take my walking clothes with me.
The cab ride was interesting - from the website and yellow pages ad all these cars were supposed to be equipped with a GPS. I guess they missed this one. I had to direct his first major turn. It was hilarious! He stopped right in the middle of a usually busy street, backed up and headed the right way! From then on I knew I'd have to watch him.
We got the the church parking lot safe and sound for $15.60. I debated handing him cash and, instead, gave him my MC. He tried three times but it kept saying 'invalid expiration date'. How is 08/09 invalid? He did put it in right...it was a good thing I'd finally listened to the still small voice telling me to get cash out yesterday.
Church was great - my spirit was truly fed. I met a nice lady who gave me a ride home, too!
I spent the rest of the day journal ling... and yes, I read - and finished - The Shunning. I also finished the next book in the series. The plot resolutions were a little contrived but pleasant stories nonetheless.
Then I called the 2nd counselor as her name was familiar to me. Her little girl answered and said her mom was at work and no, her dad couldn't come to the phone because he was at work, too. I left a message that I would call back. Each time I did, I got the answering machine. I found out later that she had gone away for the weekend, too.
After my first phone call to the 2nd counselor, I called the 1st counselor. Another answering machine. I wondered - what's the chances of all three of these ladies being away at the same time? I found out later that this sister's mother had just got her visa to come to Canada and that they had been busy picking her up and getting her settled in.
No luck with phone calls I turned to the transit map. It only took me 2 hours to decide that no matter how I configured it, I would have to spend 2 hours and transfer 3 times jut to get there 30 minutes late! Incredible - this is a 12 minute car ride. I threw that idea out.
I debated walking, then I passed on that. It would take me at least 2 hours just to get there.
Then I called about taxi rates - $15-20. I'd spent a lot more on things of a lot less worth. I figured I'd try to get a ride home from a member but if that didn't work out I'd take my walking clothes with me.
The cab ride was interesting - from the website and yellow pages ad all these cars were supposed to be equipped with a GPS. I guess they missed this one. I had to direct his first major turn. It was hilarious! He stopped right in the middle of a usually busy street, backed up and headed the right way! From then on I knew I'd have to watch him.
We got the the church parking lot safe and sound for $15.60. I debated handing him cash and, instead, gave him my MC. He tried three times but it kept saying 'invalid expiration date'. How is 08/09 invalid? He did put it in right...it was a good thing I'd finally listened to the still small voice telling me to get cash out yesterday.
Church was great - my spirit was truly fed. I met a nice lady who gave me a ride home, too!
I spent the rest of the day journal ling... and yes, I read - and finished - The Shunning. I also finished the next book in the series. The plot resolutions were a little contrived but pleasant stories nonetheless.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
House/Cat Sitting Day 6 - July 4th
Well, well, well. I guess I showed those cats who was boss...yep...oh yeah... I lured them out of the living room...and shut the door...oh yeah...it was a thing of beauty to behold...a great night's sleep was mine...Ahhhh...the only thing I don't understand is why I didn't think of it before my 5th night here?!?!?!?!
Okay...deep breath...one more... there that's better.
So - today I finally did it. I took my courage in my hand, put my backpack on my back, got my feet into my shoes and all of me out the door! (loud rebel yell...WHOOOOO!!)
Ever watched 'Mantracker' ? It's a reality show where this guy on a horse has to track human prey while they run for their lives trying to beat him to the finish line. They do NOT want him to catch them. Well my bus run this morning was like that - with a 'twist'. I was pretty sure I'd gotten to the bus stop a bit ahead of the next bus, so I started playing a game I used to play all the time during my busing it days. I walked from stop to stop trying to see how far I'd get before the bus came. The 'twist' is I wanted the bus to catch up with me - and guess what, 8 blocks later it did...thank goodness - I wanted to get to the Strathcona Farmer's Market before the popcorn guy was gone!
The market was great - lots of samples and the popcorn guy!!!!! I bought a couple of cool, inexpensive (cheap applies to quality - inexpensive applies to price - at least that's what my husband keeps reminding me) necklaces and an...interesting ...almond...bar... well, what did I expect for 75 cents? But it was absolutely miles ahead of the two chocolate ... things ... I bought.
They looked great - two chocolate creations poured into cute mini muffin cups and topped with nuts; one was a peanut butter cup, the other a Turtles...mmmm. I nestled them carefully in my backpack until I'd get home where I could do them proper justice. (Not like the popcorn. I had to stop at a bench and eat it down so I could at least close the backpack zipper which kept opening up as the bag bobbled while I walked.)
Anyway, back to the chocolate. Ick, ick and ick...did I say ick? Because I really wanted to say ick. Ick. ick. ick! Two treats never hit the trash can so fast. The chocolate reminded me of a time I was given Ex-lax and told it was chocolate. Here my mouth was already for this nummy, chocolate deliciousness to ooze its way over my tongue and what did I get? Waxy, no flavor, no cream ick! Ick, ick and ick!
I may need a recovery program to get over that experience.
Anyway, it's off to bed to read some more of ... you know. lol!
Nite, nite...
Okay...deep breath...one more... there that's better.
So - today I finally did it. I took my courage in my hand, put my backpack on my back, got my feet into my shoes and all of me out the door! (loud rebel yell...WHOOOOO!!)
Ever watched 'Mantracker' ? It's a reality show where this guy on a horse has to track human prey while they run for their lives trying to beat him to the finish line. They do NOT want him to catch them. Well my bus run this morning was like that - with a 'twist'. I was pretty sure I'd gotten to the bus stop a bit ahead of the next bus, so I started playing a game I used to play all the time during my busing it days. I walked from stop to stop trying to see how far I'd get before the bus came. The 'twist' is I wanted the bus to catch up with me - and guess what, 8 blocks later it did...thank goodness - I wanted to get to the Strathcona Farmer's Market before the popcorn guy was gone!
The market was great - lots of samples and the popcorn guy!!!!! I bought a couple of cool, inexpensive (cheap applies to quality - inexpensive applies to price - at least that's what my husband keeps reminding me) necklaces and an...interesting ...almond...bar... well, what did I expect for 75 cents? But it was absolutely miles ahead of the two chocolate ... things ... I bought.
They looked great - two chocolate creations poured into cute mini muffin cups and topped with nuts; one was a peanut butter cup, the other a Turtles...mmmm. I nestled them carefully in my backpack until I'd get home where I could do them proper justice. (Not like the popcorn. I had to stop at a bench and eat it down so I could at least close the backpack zipper which kept opening up as the bag bobbled while I walked.)
Anyway, back to the chocolate. Ick, ick and ick...did I say ick? Because I really wanted to say ick. Ick. ick. ick! Two treats never hit the trash can so fast. The chocolate reminded me of a time I was given Ex-lax and told it was chocolate. Here my mouth was already for this nummy, chocolate deliciousness to ooze its way over my tongue and what did I get? Waxy, no flavor, no cream ick! Ick, ick and ick!
I may need a recovery program to get over that experience.
Anyway, it's off to bed to read some more of ... you know. lol!
Nite, nite...
Friday, July 3, 2009
House/Cat Sitting Day 5 - July 3rd
During the night, the cats joined me. I was wondering how long that'd take. They're not used to sleeping without someone to snuggle up to - or so I thought. But it was only to make sure that I was otherwise occupied before they began their midnight games.
They made so much noise, I actually woke up. Part of me lay there sleepily debating whether I should get up and see if it really was just cats creating that ruckus and the other part of me struggled to keep my heart rate under control while mentally trying out and rejecting hiding places should I hear footsteps coming down the stairs.
Then, of course, like any other normal responsible person in charge of the well being of 2 felines and their home - I fell asleep.
I continued the day in the same pattern established yesterday - working on my assignment, ripping out my hair, screaming aloud, "Tom, why did you keep the cat?!!?", interspersed with Spider Solitaire, and cleaning. I did vary the routine, though, - I watched some woman take credit and debit cards away from couples in serious debt instead of a home reno show.
I also found a goodie bag Edmonton Transit sent around a few days before I got here. It has 2 adult transit tickets, a pen, a pad of paper and a transit map. This fits in nicely with my plans to visit the Farmer's Market tomorrow... now if I can only figure out the shortest route there - so far I'm down to 3 buses in 64 minutes...hmmmm..
Off to bed to read - you guessed it - more of The Shunning...shhhhh
They made so much noise, I actually woke up. Part of me lay there sleepily debating whether I should get up and see if it really was just cats creating that ruckus and the other part of me struggled to keep my heart rate under control while mentally trying out and rejecting hiding places should I hear footsteps coming down the stairs.
Then, of course, like any other normal responsible person in charge of the well being of 2 felines and their home - I fell asleep.
I continued the day in the same pattern established yesterday - working on my assignment, ripping out my hair, screaming aloud, "Tom, why did you keep the cat?!!?", interspersed with Spider Solitaire, and cleaning. I did vary the routine, though, - I watched some woman take credit and debit cards away from couples in serious debt instead of a home reno show.
I also found a goodie bag Edmonton Transit sent around a few days before I got here. It has 2 adult transit tickets, a pen, a pad of paper and a transit map. This fits in nicely with my plans to visit the Farmer's Market tomorrow... now if I can only figure out the shortest route there - so far I'm down to 3 buses in 64 minutes...hmmmm..
Off to bed to read - you guessed it - more of The Shunning...shhhhh
House/Cat Sitting Day 4 - July 2nd
Let's see... what did I do today?
Well...I watered Cristen's garden.
Then I ... picked some parsley and ... found some raffia to hang it by ( yeah, I know...pretty rustic, eh?) and then I ... hung it from this awesome spice cabinet she has on the wall (pretty artsy, too, eh?)lol!
Let's see... oh yeah and I did my best to break up a couple of fights in the back yard and then...
Okay, okay...I'll tell you about the fights.
I was taking the hose from the main garden area over to the raspberry patch when I noticed this little piece of chain on the sidewalk. It rolled and then moved sideways and then rolled again. Getting down on my knees I saw that the 'chain' was three ants.
At first glance I thought the two ants were working together to bring some dead bug to the nest. Wrong - on second glance I could see that two ants were tugging on opposite ends of a third ant. At first it looked like the ant in the middle was a different type until I saw it struggle and saw how hard the other ants were pulling it. It wasn't different, it was just stretched right out!
I tried to use my fingernails to pull them apart - no luck. I grabbed a pair of nearby twigs and, trust me, it took a lot of MY strength to separate one end. I quickly tried to get the other end separated but no luck there, either. Instead the two ants left formed a circle - head to head. I guess they were copying the dance another pair of ants was making to the left! Weird...
I spent the rest of the day toggling between cleaning, Spider Solitaire (yes, again), home reno shows and my writing assignment.
That assignment is driving me crazy. I guess it's just not my fortune to be a naturally gifted writer that never has to work at her craft...whine, sniff, wince.
I hit the sack a little earlier. I want to get up earlier, finish the cleaning, finish the assignment and get it in the mail!...and I need to get in another few pages of The Shunning...nite, nite.
Well...I watered Cristen's garden.
Then I ... picked some parsley and ... found some raffia to hang it by ( yeah, I know...pretty rustic, eh?) and then I ... hung it from this awesome spice cabinet she has on the wall (pretty artsy, too, eh?)lol!
Let's see... oh yeah and I did my best to break up a couple of fights in the back yard and then...
Okay, okay...I'll tell you about the fights.
I was taking the hose from the main garden area over to the raspberry patch when I noticed this little piece of chain on the sidewalk. It rolled and then moved sideways and then rolled again. Getting down on my knees I saw that the 'chain' was three ants.
At first glance I thought the two ants were working together to bring some dead bug to the nest. Wrong - on second glance I could see that two ants were tugging on opposite ends of a third ant. At first it looked like the ant in the middle was a different type until I saw it struggle and saw how hard the other ants were pulling it. It wasn't different, it was just stretched right out!
I tried to use my fingernails to pull them apart - no luck. I grabbed a pair of nearby twigs and, trust me, it took a lot of MY strength to separate one end. I quickly tried to get the other end separated but no luck there, either. Instead the two ants left formed a circle - head to head. I guess they were copying the dance another pair of ants was making to the left! Weird...
I spent the rest of the day toggling between cleaning, Spider Solitaire (yes, again), home reno shows and my writing assignment.
That assignment is driving me crazy. I guess it's just not my fortune to be a naturally gifted writer that never has to work at her craft...whine, sniff, wince.
I hit the sack a little earlier. I want to get up earlier, finish the cleaning, finish the assignment and get it in the mail!...and I need to get in another few pages of The Shunning...nite, nite.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
House/Cat Sitting Day 3 - July 1st Happy Canada Day!
Well, as the saying goes, "late to bed- late to rise"... that may not be how the saying goes but that's certainly how it goes. So why do I feel guilty sleeping in? I mean, it's not like I have any specific agenda. This is a holiday of sorts, isn't it?
That's not how the human spirit works, though. Take my son, Brent, for instance. Always acting up in church and at school. One day, on one of my many trips to the school at the beckoning of the principal, I arrived to find Brent in a room devoid of furniture, books, and, well, completely empty - except for my son who was quite busy as it turns out. He'd fashioned a toy out of fluff, an overlooked paper clip and some bits of paper. That's the human spirit - always looking for something to do, some way to create, something to say - "I've been here and I made my mark."
Well, I made my mark today, alright. Boy, wait until those two get home...lol! No, it's not that bad - the pantry and the spice/baking supplies cupboards look good...really.
The cats think I'm nuts, although I think Jade secretly wants to be me when she grows up. I saw her peeking around the corner as I danced wildly around the living room to some 70's music on a cable TV music station. When I looked at her, she found her paws to be rather interesting
Tigger - he just disappeared. He's no fool...lol!!
I thought Jade would follow him when I performed my 'Stomp" routine with an empty 18L water jug and an empty 4l beverage container. That was soooo much fun. I think I really might have some talent in that direction...just ask Jade!
I saved $ again today by making my own pizza instead of calling Pizza 73. I used some Costco pizza that I brought and added orange peppers, vidalia onion, Parmesan, cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. I even made some dipping sauce with mayo, BBQ sauce and a little honey...mmm
I won a game of Spider solitaire (2 suits) and gave my lungs a real workout singing along with Otis Redding on the dock of the bay, Aretha Franklin looking for a little respect and Jim Croce's old friend bad, bad Leroy Brown. ... guess it's a little late to see if I left any windows open...
...ooops...
...blush...
...hey, what's all that clapping out there...
...hold it down, I'll sign the recording contract tomorrow...
...lol!!!!!!!
Ok...off to bed. It's after midnight and "The Shunning" awaits!
That's not how the human spirit works, though. Take my son, Brent, for instance. Always acting up in church and at school. One day, on one of my many trips to the school at the beckoning of the principal, I arrived to find Brent in a room devoid of furniture, books, and, well, completely empty - except for my son who was quite busy as it turns out. He'd fashioned a toy out of fluff, an overlooked paper clip and some bits of paper. That's the human spirit - always looking for something to do, some way to create, something to say - "I've been here and I made my mark."
Well, I made my mark today, alright. Boy, wait until those two get home...lol! No, it's not that bad - the pantry and the spice/baking supplies cupboards look good...really.
The cats think I'm nuts, although I think Jade secretly wants to be me when she grows up. I saw her peeking around the corner as I danced wildly around the living room to some 70's music on a cable TV music station. When I looked at her, she found her paws to be rather interesting
Tigger - he just disappeared. He's no fool...lol!!
I thought Jade would follow him when I performed my 'Stomp" routine with an empty 18L water jug and an empty 4l beverage container. That was soooo much fun. I think I really might have some talent in that direction...just ask Jade!
I saved $ again today by making my own pizza instead of calling Pizza 73. I used some Costco pizza that I brought and added orange peppers, vidalia onion, Parmesan, cheddar and mozzarella cheeses. I even made some dipping sauce with mayo, BBQ sauce and a little honey...mmm
I won a game of Spider solitaire (2 suits) and gave my lungs a real workout singing along with Otis Redding on the dock of the bay, Aretha Franklin looking for a little respect and Jim Croce's old friend bad, bad Leroy Brown. ... guess it's a little late to see if I left any windows open...
...ooops...
...blush...
...hey, what's all that clapping out there...
...hold it down, I'll sign the recording contract tomorrow...
...lol!!!!!!!
Ok...off to bed. It's after midnight and "The Shunning" awaits!
House/Cat Sitting Day 2 - June 30th
Awake 7ish, we stayed in bed snoozing until the kids left for work, then up and at it.
Got to the Temple for 9:30. I love it there. I wish I could stay there forever - it's so peaceful and beautiful and free from worldly cares, but life cannot be avoided or circumvented so it was back out the doors and to Costco about noon.
We ate a quick lunch, did a bit of shopping - strawberries, blueberries, cherries and this very cool salad. It's called Ancient Grains and it's absolutely nummy. You can eat it as it is or add peppers, cucumber, red onion (or whatever) and serve it on top of lettuce or add it to a wrap....mmmmm.
Back to Crissy's where Bernard got his things together and left - first to go to a job site to check out measurements etc. and then he's back home to Linden.
The kids finished packing, making lunches and left around 4.
Hmmm...on my own...in a strange city...no around to watch...hmmmm what do you think was the first thing I did?
If you said "watch TV", you'd be right! All those channels, a PS3, DVDs, ... the mind was boggled!
I watched a DVD, then some TV. I found "The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency" and was in my glory. Precious Ramotswe is a wonderful detective and her Mr. JLB Maketoni is the wonderful owner of Speedy Motors. They live in Botswana, Africa and I'm going there to visit them one day!
Ok...I know they aren't real...sigh... but it is a great series of books and, now, a mini series as well.
I wanted Chinese food for supper but felt that will all the food in the fridge - I'd save my $ and eat in. I made a great wrap, had some of that amazing Ancient Grains salad and lots of cherries!
Remind me to never again...ever again...eeeewww...make and eat a bag of Act II sugar-free kettle corn popcorn!!!! Nasssty stuffsss that isss!
Off to bed...later than last night...1ish to read more of "The Shunning". I am noticing a trend in these novels by this author. There is always someone rebelling or wanting to rebel against the Old Order in the Amish community. They also seem to revolve around unplanned pregnancy, the death ( or supposed death) of the infant and a suspicious adoption of an infant. I don't mind reading predictable stories but if I sense this series is going to be a repeat of the previous one...well, I guess I'll have to go sit in the lobby and read a Movie magazine...lol!
Got to the Temple for 9:30. I love it there. I wish I could stay there forever - it's so peaceful and beautiful and free from worldly cares, but life cannot be avoided or circumvented so it was back out the doors and to Costco about noon.
We ate a quick lunch, did a bit of shopping - strawberries, blueberries, cherries and this very cool salad. It's called Ancient Grains and it's absolutely nummy. You can eat it as it is or add peppers, cucumber, red onion (or whatever) and serve it on top of lettuce or add it to a wrap....mmmmm.
Back to Crissy's where Bernard got his things together and left - first to go to a job site to check out measurements etc. and then he's back home to Linden.
The kids finished packing, making lunches and left around 4.
Hmmm...on my own...in a strange city...no around to watch...hmmmm what do you think was the first thing I did?
If you said "watch TV", you'd be right! All those channels, a PS3, DVDs, ... the mind was boggled!
I watched a DVD, then some TV. I found "The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency" and was in my glory. Precious Ramotswe is a wonderful detective and her Mr. JLB Maketoni is the wonderful owner of Speedy Motors. They live in Botswana, Africa and I'm going there to visit them one day!
Ok...I know they aren't real...sigh... but it is a great series of books and, now, a mini series as well.
I wanted Chinese food for supper but felt that will all the food in the fridge - I'd save my $ and eat in. I made a great wrap, had some of that amazing Ancient Grains salad and lots of cherries!
Remind me to never again...ever again...eeeewww...make and eat a bag of Act II sugar-free kettle corn popcorn!!!! Nasssty stuffsss that isss!
Off to bed...later than last night...1ish to read more of "The Shunning". I am noticing a trend in these novels by this author. There is always someone rebelling or wanting to rebel against the Old Order in the Amish community. They also seem to revolve around unplanned pregnancy, the death ( or supposed death) of the infant and a suspicious adoption of an infant. I don't mind reading predictable stories but if I sense this series is going to be a repeat of the previous one...well, I guess I'll have to go sit in the lobby and read a Movie magazine...lol!
House/Cat Sitting Day 1 - June 29th
Bernard and I arrived here around 11:30, stopped to get house keys from Cristen only to be told that Chris was at home getting the house ready. I didn't want to interrupt his groove so we just dropped off a few things and I had Bernard drop me off at Costco wheile he went to a business meeting.
Costco is a great place to wander around and get your 'steps' in, especially when you KNOW you aren't buying anything (until tomorrow when there'll be room in Crissy's fridge for your stuff). I really wanted to buy some books, though...but I didn't. Money is tight (when isn't it...lol!)and I do have a library card.
Bernard snuck up on me in Costco - I was in the process of calling him - he'd dropped me off an hour and a half previously - and 'poof' there he was at my side with his phone ringing! He was full of good news - the fellow he'd gone to see has work for him and while he was there another fellow he'd wanted to talk to called the first fellow and Bernard was able to get work from the second fellow, too! (Was that to many fellows to follow...? lol!)
Next, we decided to use a 'free' movie pass so we saw Night at the Museum - Battle of the Smithsonian. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT was your valuable time and money. That is just under an hour that I will never get back. You heard right, just under an hour - because that's all I could stand before I elected to go to the lobby and read the Movie magazine. Bernard followed shortly after. You know what they say about sequels? Well, this one proved the stereotype. Seriously, only go if you want your intelligence to be insulted and you just can't wait to be bored to death.
Anyways, off to find a Walmart - a quick call to Chris who jumped on his Blackberry to find the nearest location - where I got a backpack to carry things in as I'm on foot this trip. We were in and out of the store in 10 minutes with ONLY the backpack - some pretty serious hunting, I'd say. Get in , get the goods, get out...yup.
We all went to Swiss Chalet for dinner - pecan pie is great...when it's warmed up...which it wasn't...but it was still good.
Stayed up late watching TV and talking and making Banana Bread Muffins...off to bed 11ish to read 'The Shunning" by Beverly Lewis.
ZZZZZZzzzzzzz......
Costco is a great place to wander around and get your 'steps' in, especially when you KNOW you aren't buying anything (until tomorrow when there'll be room in Crissy's fridge for your stuff). I really wanted to buy some books, though...but I didn't. Money is tight (when isn't it...lol!)and I do have a library card.
Bernard snuck up on me in Costco - I was in the process of calling him - he'd dropped me off an hour and a half previously - and 'poof' there he was at my side with his phone ringing! He was full of good news - the fellow he'd gone to see has work for him and while he was there another fellow he'd wanted to talk to called the first fellow and Bernard was able to get work from the second fellow, too! (Was that to many fellows to follow...? lol!)
Next, we decided to use a 'free' movie pass so we saw Night at the Museum - Battle of the Smithsonian. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT was your valuable time and money. That is just under an hour that I will never get back. You heard right, just under an hour - because that's all I could stand before I elected to go to the lobby and read the Movie magazine. Bernard followed shortly after. You know what they say about sequels? Well, this one proved the stereotype. Seriously, only go if you want your intelligence to be insulted and you just can't wait to be bored to death.
Anyways, off to find a Walmart - a quick call to Chris who jumped on his Blackberry to find the nearest location - where I got a backpack to carry things in as I'm on foot this trip. We were in and out of the store in 10 minutes with ONLY the backpack - some pretty serious hunting, I'd say. Get in , get the goods, get out...yup.
We all went to Swiss Chalet for dinner - pecan pie is great...when it's warmed up...which it wasn't...but it was still good.
Stayed up late watching TV and talking and making Banana Bread Muffins...off to bed 11ish to read 'The Shunning" by Beverly Lewis.
ZZZZZZzzzzzzz......
Monday, June 22, 2009
I Have to Say it...
Bernard, you are one awesome guy.
I first met you 25 years ago in Sidney, BC at a corn roast at the Church. You and I shared many a laugh as you helped me wallpaper my newly rented home. After one of your many visits, I'd wake up Trish and we'd follow you a bit. You always went to the 7-11 to pick up a snack for the road home - we'd giggle and hurry home to our beds.
I waited and waited for you to 'pop' the question and in June of 1986 you finally did. I was both amazed and took in my stride the fact that you married me and became the father figure for my three children all on the same day.
Adjusting was hard - in fact, in some ways, we are all still adjusting but then, that's what families do as they grow. You brought a calm 'even-ness' to our family. I had tried to ride both horses at the same time and was mighty saddle sore by the time you came along. I was grateful to leave some decisions completely with you. Other ones we fought over. It seemed I was constantly choosing between you and the kids.
Because you didn't show your emotions like I did, the kids and I had a hard time 'reading' you and trying to figure things out. One time you explained - to Trish, I think - it may have been to Cristen - that although you weren't jumping up and down on the outside, you were jumping up and down on the inside.
I think once I figured that out, I supported you much better as a wife and as a mother. I knew the lives, well being and hearts of all of us were safe with you.
You have certainly gone the extra mile. You have fed us, sheltered us and clothed our mortal bodies. You have provided strength, love and encouragement to our spiritual bodies as you have held the priesthood of God with honor. You have worried with us, laughed with us and hugged us with your strong arms.
My heart swells with love each time you are called upon for advice from one of the kids and I look forward to raising the ones we lost to miscarriage in the life to come.
Happy Father's Day my 'handsome man!'
I first met you 25 years ago in Sidney, BC at a corn roast at the Church. You and I shared many a laugh as you helped me wallpaper my newly rented home. After one of your many visits, I'd wake up Trish and we'd follow you a bit. You always went to the 7-11 to pick up a snack for the road home - we'd giggle and hurry home to our beds.
I waited and waited for you to 'pop' the question and in June of 1986 you finally did. I was both amazed and took in my stride the fact that you married me and became the father figure for my three children all on the same day.
Adjusting was hard - in fact, in some ways, we are all still adjusting but then, that's what families do as they grow. You brought a calm 'even-ness' to our family. I had tried to ride both horses at the same time and was mighty saddle sore by the time you came along. I was grateful to leave some decisions completely with you. Other ones we fought over. It seemed I was constantly choosing between you and the kids.
Because you didn't show your emotions like I did, the kids and I had a hard time 'reading' you and trying to figure things out. One time you explained - to Trish, I think - it may have been to Cristen - that although you weren't jumping up and down on the outside, you were jumping up and down on the inside.
I think once I figured that out, I supported you much better as a wife and as a mother. I knew the lives, well being and hearts of all of us were safe with you.
You have certainly gone the extra mile. You have fed us, sheltered us and clothed our mortal bodies. You have provided strength, love and encouragement to our spiritual bodies as you have held the priesthood of God with honor. You have worried with us, laughed with us and hugged us with your strong arms.
My heart swells with love each time you are called upon for advice from one of the kids and I look forward to raising the ones we lost to miscarriage in the life to come.
Happy Father's Day my 'handsome man!'
Monday, June 15, 2009
Sheesh!...(lol!)
Okay...okay...quit pushing will ya? Sheesh. A girl just can't get any rest around here, can she?
Just kidding... I'm glad there are a few of you who enjoy my blog enough to let me know I haven't been keeping up as well as you'd like me to be doing. And come to think of it, they do say that there is no rest for the wicked and as I really don't want to be seen as a wicked I guess I better start writing.
Actually it's more like speaking than writing. I have this new voice recognition software called Dragon Naturally Speaking that I'm using and it's really kind of neat. After you have the software set up all you really need to do is speak into the microphone and away it goes. It will type about 40, no sorry, it will type about 140 words a minute.
I'm using it to get my hands a rest. Some of you might know I have carpal tunnel in both wrists and am playing the doctor game until I can get surgery on them and get my life back to normal.
Anyway, the microphone on the headset that comes with the software decided it was going to work anymore. So I contacted the company through e-mail to find out what I should do about getting it replaced. If any of you dealt with tech support in any measure you will know what I've been through. They sent me a whole list of things to do including calling their helpline for my one and only free call. Before I went through any of their list of things to do, I did what I thought was smart and checked the software with another microphone I have. And lo and behold that microphone worked so that tells me that the microphone on the headset that came the software does not work.
Just kidding... I'm glad there are a few of you who enjoy my blog enough to let me know I haven't been keeping up as well as you'd like me to be doing. And come to think of it, they do say that there is no rest for the wicked and as I really don't want to be seen as a wicked I guess I better start writing.
Actually it's more like speaking than writing. I have this new voice recognition software called Dragon Naturally Speaking that I'm using and it's really kind of neat. After you have the software set up all you really need to do is speak into the microphone and away it goes. It will type about 40, no sorry, it will type about 140 words a minute.
I'm using it to get my hands a rest. Some of you might know I have carpal tunnel in both wrists and am playing the doctor game until I can get surgery on them and get my life back to normal.
Anyway, the microphone on the headset that comes with the software decided it was going to work anymore. So I contacted the company through e-mail to find out what I should do about getting it replaced. If any of you dealt with tech support in any measure you will know what I've been through. They sent me a whole list of things to do including calling their helpline for my one and only free call. Before I went through any of their list of things to do, I did what I thought was smart and checked the software with another microphone I have. And lo and behold that microphone worked so that tells me that the microphone on the headset that came the software does not work.
I then went through the list of things they had sent me to do and, so I could say that I had performed all the tests, I performed all the tests. Guess what? The microphone became at the headset is dead.
I decided not to call the helpline and use my one and only free call because I'd already determined through the other tests that the microphone that came at the headset was indeed dead. I e-mailed customer support and reported that I had performed all the tasks and that the microphone was indeed dead. Let me say at this point that it was very interesting that at the end of the list, the very last of all the tests they wanted me to do was to try another microphone to see if it worked. Now why they didn't start with that test is beyond me.
Anyway, they e-mailed back suggesting I call tech support to verify that the microphone is not working. I e-mailed them back to say that I preferred to use my one and only free call on a matter that I could not resolve but, if they wanted, I would call tech support.
Their reply to me was that I have 90 days free support - so where did that come from? Does that mean every time I contact them warranty grows and grows and grows ? After all it's gone from one free phone call to 90 days free support in four e-mails.
Let's just say I'm glad I have that in an e-mail from them.
I am now off to call tech support... this should be fun... sort of like a rope burn I'm thinking.
Ah well, what else is a gal supposed to do on a hot summer day besides getting hotter under the collar?
I'll keep you informed.Friday, May 29, 2009
Spring/Summer at last!
Last Monday, as we made our fifth trip from the rear shed to the newly remodeled front flower bed with one of many armfuls of perennials gleaned from a local garage sale, my husband stopped suddenly and I nearly ran into him. With a look of apprehension on his face he turned to me and said, "It feels so...strange today." He paused, looked slowly around and, with guarded wonder shining from his eyes, said"...it's warm out here!"
Isn't that the truth here in Alberta? When Spring finally comes, it's like summer follows so quickly on it's heels that it almost overuns it and we can scarce believe our good luck! No more parkas and mitts - it's time for flip-flops, t-shirts and all the cream bronzer we can slather on!
Why the cream bronzer you ask?
Well, on the prairies it's been known to snow in August so with that short of a summer facing us we need to get our tans in asap. Just make sure you put it on evenly. There is nothing nastier to look at than orange streaks on lily white arms and legs competing with blue sunblock on the noses that our Hollywood-style sunglasses sit on .
That is unless you count Uncle Leroy's ensemble. Plaid quilted shirt done up to the belly button, a two-hole-in-the-front-t-shirt from "I ate at May's Restaurant" underneath, with a cheap gold rope chain peeking out through a mound of salt and pepper chest hair. His grease stained khaki's are ripped off mid-calf and he wears those grey wool socks with the little red line around the top - one down around one skinny ankle and the other reaching just to the botton of a knobby knee barely covering up a bad case of exzema. Top that off with a pair of faded green alligator cowboy boots with last year's barnyard sludge still on them and a sweat stained, dust dyed Blue-Jays ball cap shoved on top of thin greasy grey hair tied in a 5 day-old ponytail and you have one sad looking camper, yes siree!
So get out there and get the sun while you can - don't worry about sunburn, the snow'll take care of that soon enough!
Isn't that the truth here in Alberta? When Spring finally comes, it's like summer follows so quickly on it's heels that it almost overuns it and we can scarce believe our good luck! No more parkas and mitts - it's time for flip-flops, t-shirts and all the cream bronzer we can slather on!
Why the cream bronzer you ask?
Well, on the prairies it's been known to snow in August so with that short of a summer facing us we need to get our tans in asap. Just make sure you put it on evenly. There is nothing nastier to look at than orange streaks on lily white arms and legs competing with blue sunblock on the noses that our Hollywood-style sunglasses sit on .
That is unless you count Uncle Leroy's ensemble. Plaid quilted shirt done up to the belly button, a two-hole-in-the-front-t-shirt from "I ate at May's Restaurant" underneath, with a cheap gold rope chain peeking out through a mound of salt and pepper chest hair. His grease stained khaki's are ripped off mid-calf and he wears those grey wool socks with the little red line around the top - one down around one skinny ankle and the other reaching just to the botton of a knobby knee barely covering up a bad case of exzema. Top that off with a pair of faded green alligator cowboy boots with last year's barnyard sludge still on them and a sweat stained, dust dyed Blue-Jays ball cap shoved on top of thin greasy grey hair tied in a 5 day-old ponytail and you have one sad looking camper, yes siree!
So get out there and get the sun while you can - don't worry about sunburn, the snow'll take care of that soon enough!
Monday, May 4, 2009
I'll be right back...after this station break...
Life has been it's usual mad gala social whirl...ahem. I will post again soon and I give thanks to those of you who continue to check this blog - I will post some neat things soon!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The butcher, the baker, the yummy donut maker!!!
Cristen, my Edmonton daughter, and I made donuts following a very cool recipe from http://www.instructables.com/ . Go to 'Easy Recipes' and choose 'Donuts'. The recipe uses Pillsbury refridgerator dough and takes all of 15 minutes from start to finish...unless you include the time it takes to make the tea, sit down and eat them after you've made them, too! lol!!
When we were shopping we couldn't remember which type of dough the recipe called for, so we bought Biscuit and Flaky doughs.
When we were shopping we couldn't remember which type of dough the recipe called for, so we bought Biscuit and Flaky doughs.
They fried up differently - the Flaky dough took longer to begin to puff up and slightly longer to finish cooking.
The Biscuit dough puffed quickly and, had the oil been deeper, would have turned over on it's own when the bottom halves were cooked - like the donut holes did.
It turns out that we didn't have enough sugar to completely coat each donut, so we spooned it on the top and rubbed the donut bottom into the sugar/cinnamon mix.
To avoid getting the sugar mixture full of oil and still have enough oil on the donut for the sugar mix to stick to - take the donut out of the oil, lay one side down on paper towel and quickly take it up and repeat for the other side, then dip it in the sugar mix.
Next time we'll use lots of sugar/cinnamon and put it in a paper bag, put the donut in and shake it for an all over coating.
Our taste tester, Cristen's husband, Chris, is such a good guy - like a teddy bear with moveable arms and legs - he's very poseable! Anyway, he said he couldn't taste any difference between the two and, happily, ate them both!
We could. Cristen preferred the Biscuit dough donut (L) and I preferred the Flaky dough donut (R) - especially since I could peel off the layers. Each layer had a crispy edge and a soft middle...mmm!
Next time, we'll try the Cinnamon Swirl dough and, maybe, a drizzle icing!
Until then - we're on the hunt for more dough!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Sing, sing...sing a song
I have a song to sing. You have a song to sing. It flows through your veins and is undeniably yours and yours alone. Find it and then sing it. It's okay, at first, to sing someone else's song. That's how you learn what a song is all about. Eventually, though, you need to find your own voice.
"Let other people decide who you are and you will always be their prisoner."
Think about that for a bit. You are not here to be somebody's somebody. You are not here to fulfill someone else's dreams. You are here to experience your own potential.
Finding out who you are and why you are here is a life long quest. This life truly is a 'Choose Your Own Adventure' - remember those books? I loved them. They were pretty safe - if you made the wrong choice, you could always turn back to the page where you first went wrong and choose again. Real life involves risk - but it's ALWAYS worth it - if you truly want to find and sing your song.
Something to think about - something to reach out for - now, let me hear you sing!
"Let other people decide who you are and you will always be their prisoner."
Think about that for a bit. You are not here to be somebody's somebody. You are not here to fulfill someone else's dreams. You are here to experience your own potential.
Finding out who you are and why you are here is a life long quest. This life truly is a 'Choose Your Own Adventure' - remember those books? I loved them. They were pretty safe - if you made the wrong choice, you could always turn back to the page where you first went wrong and choose again. Real life involves risk - but it's ALWAYS worth it - if you truly want to find and sing your song.
Something to think about - something to reach out for - now, let me hear you sing!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
N-O...W-A-Y...!
I was typing in the web address for my blog and was redirected to a Google search...I found ME!!!!! How cool is that... I didn't even need a Search Engine Optimization program to get me to the top of the list!!!!!
How funny is that???!!!
My few seconds of fame...lol!
How funny is that???!!!
My few seconds of fame...lol!
A Muse From Days Long Past...
I write all sorts of things - poetry, short stories, articles...and ramblings. Here's one of the latter. It may not be something 'up your alley' (writers are strange people) so stick with me here...
Aimless, shameless...there are so many thoughts inside of me. I wonder when I am released from the confines of mortality and this veil of forgetfulness is removed - will I remember all? Will I know all? Will I be able to be in touch with all my thoughts at once or will I still play hide and seek with myself - sometimes looking, sometimes drifiting, sometimes so unaware?
Will I need to ponder? Will I be able to sit and gaze and become 'lost' in thought? There are certain pluses to being lost. It's like a mini-vacation - dreaming while awake.
Where do all these thoughts come from? Movies and books and conversations - yes - but there is more. Am I like a sponge, or a static strip, picking up everything around me? Sometimes I don't recognize my thoughts or know how they're connected - they're there and gone before I can 'see' them clearly.
It's incredible, fantastic, worrisome, thrilling, lonesome, staggering, sweet, simple...
Thanks for reading my blog. As you 'stick with me' you'll see a writer's mind unfold...or maybe just me crumpled in a sobbing heap on the floor as I struggle to express what's inside...lol!!!
Have a great day!
Aimless, shameless...there are so many thoughts inside of me. I wonder when I am released from the confines of mortality and this veil of forgetfulness is removed - will I remember all? Will I know all? Will I be able to be in touch with all my thoughts at once or will I still play hide and seek with myself - sometimes looking, sometimes drifiting, sometimes so unaware?
Will I need to ponder? Will I be able to sit and gaze and become 'lost' in thought? There are certain pluses to being lost. It's like a mini-vacation - dreaming while awake.
Where do all these thoughts come from? Movies and books and conversations - yes - but there is more. Am I like a sponge, or a static strip, picking up everything around me? Sometimes I don't recognize my thoughts or know how they're connected - they're there and gone before I can 'see' them clearly.
It's incredible, fantastic, worrisome, thrilling, lonesome, staggering, sweet, simple...
Thanks for reading my blog. As you 'stick with me' you'll see a writer's mind unfold...or maybe just me crumpled in a sobbing heap on the floor as I struggle to express what's inside...lol!!!
Have a great day!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Busy, busy
Yes...aren't we? Always busy. I will post some writing tomorrow. Today I'm off to Edmonton to celebrate with Trish and Cristen! Please tune in tomorrow!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Somehow I Did It!
I managed to get the font color of the poll changed...happy day!
Can you do this - with your right foot make clockwise circles on the floor.
Okay...that's good. Stop that and with your right hand make counter-clockwise circles.
Okay ... that's good.
Now do them both together...
Can't do it...I see...me neither...
Have a great day!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Color help requested
I am unable to change the color of the poll responses. Anyone know how to do that?
I'm willing to pay...willing...but not able...lol!
I'm willing to pay...willing...but not able...lol!
Merlin
I wrote this poem about a cat I owned ...well, okay...no one really 'owns' a cat but he let me think I did...anyway, he was a great cat and we hated to have to give him away when we moved from Vancouver Island to Toronto in 1992. I have many stories about Merlin and will post them as time goes by...onto the poem...
Note: Please excuse any punctuation/capitalization errors - when it posted all the line spacing between the verses disappeared...
Note: Please excuse any punctuation/capitalization errors - when it posted all the line spacing between the verses disappeared...
To Merlin
Hello, my lovely cat,
catcher of mice and birds.
watcher of cows and keeper of the fence.
You are so beautiful, my
licker of fur, twitcher of tail,
master of stretches and scratcher of fleas.
I love to sit and watch you,
archer of backs
preener of fur and wiper of whiskers.
And I wonder, my
pouncer of leaves, meower of nights,
purrer of tales and gazer on endless realms
Where it is you go when you leave me?
Never mind, you wonderful
lounger of couches,
sleeper of sunny days and cuddler of cold feet...
It doesn't matter
As long as you come back
day after glorious day...to me.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Ouch and Clarification
OUCH!!! My arms are rebelling and I'd love to lop them off - anyone know where I can get replacements??? I'm dealing with a flare-up of tendonitis/carpal tunnel in both wrists, elbows and shoulders...so I will make this short and sweet and get off the computer (which we all know aggravates it...)
CLARIFICATION - I have received a couple of comments correcting grammar in my post. The grammar corrections ( and punctuation etc) I was speaking of apply to the pieces of writing, both from the course I'm taking as well as free-lance ones I may be working on, that I will post in the future - not my regular posts...silly people...lol!
Have a great day - I think I'll go read...
CLARIFICATION - I have received a couple of comments correcting grammar in my post. The grammar corrections ( and punctuation etc) I was speaking of apply to the pieces of writing, both from the course I'm taking as well as free-lance ones I may be working on, that I will post in the future - not my regular posts...silly people...lol!
Have a great day - I think I'll go read...
Sunday, March 1, 2009
A Block on the Blog?
Welcome to my world!!!
I get all these great ideas to write about and then I get stuck. Imagine...getting stuck on your own blog...lol!
Maybe I should start by publishing a book on 'Story Starters' or "Possible Plots' for other writers to buy! Maybe that's my niche...?
I am taking a course through the Institute of Children's Literature and am about half-way done. I find it hard to write to someone else's specs so to speak but it is good training so I will persevere.
My blog posts will, undoubtedly, be filled with various efforts and ideas and I will WELCOME your suggestions and criticisms. I'm striving to understand that criticisms are not directed at one's person but are directed at the work - grammar, clarity, consistency etc...right??? lol!!!
I will also post other things that I find interesting or controversial - that's for Sylvia - because life is full of these kinds of things.
Come along for the ride...it should be a good one!
I get all these great ideas to write about and then I get stuck. Imagine...getting stuck on your own blog...lol!
Maybe I should start by publishing a book on 'Story Starters' or "Possible Plots' for other writers to buy! Maybe that's my niche...?
I am taking a course through the Institute of Children's Literature and am about half-way done. I find it hard to write to someone else's specs so to speak but it is good training so I will persevere.
My blog posts will, undoubtedly, be filled with various efforts and ideas and I will WELCOME your suggestions and criticisms. I'm striving to understand that criticisms are not directed at one's person but are directed at the work - grammar, clarity, consistency etc...right??? lol!!!
I will also post other things that I find interesting or controversial - that's for Sylvia - because life is full of these kinds of things.
Come along for the ride...it should be a good one!
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