My blog

A little bit about me and a lot about the things we do.

Tuesday 30 September 2014

Different Kind of Weekend

On Thursday we were all kind of excited.  Dan, one of the members here, was expecting his parents. When somebody comes to visit one of our little northern family we all feel like we are having company.  They are from Nova Scotia and Dan brought them over in the evening for tea and leftover birthday cake.

On Friday morning the two Dans and Dan's parents came for coffee and cinnamon buns.  What a treat to visit with another lady.  For supper she invited us all over for a spaghetti dinner and then we roasted marshmallows over a campfire.  We were invited over the next evening for lasagna but plans changed.

On Saturday morning Ron responded to a call and came back with terrible back pain.  The pain was so intense that it caused extreme nausea.  He was so sick and I was extremely worried.  Here we are so far away from a hospital and family.  Thankfully the team here kicked in.  The nurse from the clinic came over and admistered and prescribed medication.  The boys checked on us and the sergeant called to tell me to get what ever help I needed.  We stayed close to home since Ron was not able to go anywhere.  

On Sunday we said goodbye to Dan's parents and Ron was still in too much pain to go anywhere.

On Monday morning we headed to Flin Flon to the nearest hospital...1.5 hours.  Ron handled the ride thanks to good pain killers.  I left him at the hospital and got our groceries since it had been ten days since our last shopping day.  This was my first time actually driving around Flin Flon.  I picked up Ron and we headed home.  He has a pulled muscle and needs to be off work for awhile.  I went to bed with a migraine...perhaps caused by stress????
 
Oh, and our new member moved in yesterday.  We don't have a dog but this is what we found in our backyard when we got home yesterday.  He has three dogs plus both Dans have a dog.

Tuesday, Ron woke up still in pain and spent most of the time sleeping due to the medication.  I was called into substitute teach and it was a good day for me.

So our weekend was a little different...good and then not so good.  

Thursday 25 September 2014

Over The Hill

Another birthday has come and gone....that means that I got OLDER!  I was treated pretty special though by the "guys" with flowers, cake and a new specialty tea.

I got phone calls from family and greetings from over sixty face book friends.  Who knew that I had that many friends?
I got thinking about being over the hill and I have come to the conclusion that it is always easier to walk down a hill so I guess life should be a lot easier now.



Monday 22 September 2014

Cloudy Moods and Rays of Sunshine

The sun is shining outside.  It is a beautiful fall day and yet I struggle with a sort of sadness.  Is it depression?  Is it loneliness?  Is it my age or the knowing that winter is on the way?  Could it be the uncertainty of what lies ahead? 
I once read a book and the main character struggled with a "dark hole" in her life.  It was the dark days of depression that she fought so hard to escape from.  I don't like the feeling because I know that I have so many things to be thankful for.  Yes, I am lonely living here but I am thankful for the opportunity and especially that Ron and I are here together.  Two of the other members came without their spouses.  I would think that would be truly lonely.
So I look around and realize that I have a lot of "rays of sunshine" that help to blow the stormy clouds away.  I have a husband that tries to understand what I am going through and calls to take me on a drive just so I can take some great fall pictures.  A husband, who is very tired, but is able to acknowledge my little accomplishments through the day....especially when it is making an apple pie.
I am thankful for Cheryl who seems to know just when I need a chat even though she is over 2,000 kilometres away.  When I get off the phone I don't feel so alone and breathing comes a little easier.

Having a face time/tea date with Catherine and catching up on life as I use to know it is always fun.  I can share my feelings and she just seems to understand and then even wants to set up another time.  Perhaps, she is doing psychology work on the side????  Maybe I will get a bill in the mail.
Another "upper" for me is to get a phone call from my children or grandchildren.  To hear their voices give me a joy; of course it comes with a little longing to see them.  But yes, life just seems a little brighter.
So I guess I need to look at Paul's words in Philippians 4:11-13 and start applying it.

11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

After all, I really don't have any reason to complain.  I have so many, many things to be thankful for.  So I will try and put those cloudy moods away and dwell on the sunshine in my life.  Shouldn't I be happy to be surrounded by nature especially when it includes a beautiful lake.
 
“Happiness is not a goal...it's a by-product of a life well lived.”
“Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is richness of self.”
May Sarton
“Just tell yourself, Duckie, you're really quite lucky.”
Dr. Seuss


Saturday 20 September 2014

Terrible Twos???? No!

Well another birthday happened this past week.  Our only grandson turned two...but definitely not the terrible two's, no, no, never!  He is my little sweetheart, with a smile that can warm anyone's heart.
He is surrounded by girls.  He has two older sisters and a baby sister but he is all boy.  He is the one that loves wheels that turn, big trucks that make loud sounds, rough play and being independent.
He's quite okay with his sisters.  I think he missed his big sisters when they were visiting us for the summer.  He loves to play with them and be a part of the group especially if they are going to go for a ride in the car from Uncle Stephen.
So now the problem is how do we get him away from the "sister" police so that we can have some time with him????  And then there is another problem....
Oh well, we will keep working on the issue because I think it would be quite fun to get to know our little "tank."


Friday 12 September 2014

This and That

Living on a reserve in a northern Saskatchewan post has given us many new experiences.  This past week I was asked to TEACH a grade 5/6 class and I did.  Interesting!

Last night Ron called me from work and said that the northern lights were dancing so he arrived to pick me up in the police truck to go and see the best skies yet.
Today he went to pick up our slippers made by one of the ladies here.  Made out of moose hide  and fur to fit us personally.  The bead work is very detailed and the fleece lining makes the slippers perfect for the winter months ahead.
And then tonight Ron calls to say that Staffing is coming to talk to him on Monday.  This will start the talks about where we will end up next summer.  More interesting times ahead!

And that is just a little this and that!

Wednesday 10 September 2014

Happy 3rd Birthday Emma

Three years ago today I was extremely tired...because the night before I got called by Jenn and off we went to the hospital.  Three hours after we arrived at the hospital I was introduced to Emma Marie, our second granddaughter.  It was exciting to take Sarah to see her new baby sister.
Emma had the same light complexion as her beautiful big sister.  Of course she won my heart immediately and Grandpa too.  So tiny and sweet.
As Emma grew we started to see her personality develop.  She was a happy, cuddly little one.  If she hadn't already won my heart she would have at this point.  Her bright eyes and wonderful smile would make anybody just want to hug her.
This summer we had the blessing of having Emma with us all summer and we really got to know her personality.  And oh...what a personality.  Emma is a goer.  She wakes up in the morning with a little bit of cuddly time.  Once that passes she gets moving and moving she does.  Recently she was asked her name and she responded with "Emma, ram rod."  That was one of our nicknames for her this summer. There are many reasons for that nickname.  I have a dented lampshade and a broken lamp as evidence.  She has so much energy and I miss that energy this morning as I type.  Another name we gave her was "Fingers Clark."  She liked to touch everything.  The speakers in the house got turned up and down a lot over the summer.  Her blue grass station got added more than once on the truck favourites when she let her fingers do the walking.  She even changed our desk top image on the computer.  She heard more than once, "Emma, don't touch."

Emma cemented her place in our hearts this summer.  She is such a sweetheart.
And anything her big sister can do, she wants to give it a try.  If Sarah can canoe with Grandpa, so can Emma.  It is so cute hearing her ask.  "Can Emma have a turn now?"

Emma's favourite movie is Snow White and she would sing throughout the day, "Some day Emma's prince will come."  When we took the girls back to Ontario I bought Emma a Snow White doll and then ordered the prince to arrive as a birthday gift.  So hopefully when she opens her parcel she will be able to sing, "Today Emma's prince arrived."
Happy Birthday Special Three Year Old...love you lots!
 

Thursday 4 September 2014

Home

Just north of Regina...beautiful harvest time.
If home is where your heart is...then I have many homes.  We arrived back "home" on Sunday.  This home has our furniture and all of our belongings.  It is good to be back to our space but there is an emptiness here now.  I don't have Sarah and Emma to tuck in and read a story to.
Sarah's selfie with Emma
In the morning Sarah isn't standing over me at 6:30 a.m. waiting to be pulled into bed for a little snuggle.  Emma isn't calling from her bed...."Nannnny."  I miss their little voices and enjoyed the summer so much.  I now have to make bread and do my dishes all by myself.  It may be quicker but not as much fun.  What am I going to do with myself?

I know....FaceTime with the little ones.
Abigail with a beautiful smile
Jacob enjoying a nap in Sharbot Lake
Sarah and Emma chatting on the phone
It's not quite the same but I am so thankful for technology.  I got to see pictures of Sarah's first day of Sr. Kindergarten and then had a chat after school about her adventures and see Emma and Jacob being excited for her.

Oh and as far as our time in Ontario, it was great.  We had lots of family and friend time.  We got home on Sunday night and Ron got called out that night but then he called me to tell me to look outside.  There are some positives to living in the north.
Northern Lights from my back door