Retirement?

Retired again…sort of!

How many times is this?  Well, let’s see… we moved from Swift Current, Saskatchewan in 2013.  We lived on a reserve in northern Saskatchewan and there were no jobs for me.  I did contract work for HR with Innovation Credit Union for the first year of the post while completing my HR Management Certificate.  The second year, I did some supply teaching in the schools.  When we left the north in 2015, I felt at 52 I didn’t want to learn a new job any more and thought early retirement was a good plan.

We moved to Three Hills, Alberta.  There was a Bible college there with a job posting for an Admin Assistant for the Intercultural Department.  I had been a pastor’s wife and a school secretary.  It sounded like a good fit and I was offered the position.  I worked there for the time we were in Three Hills and one more year after we moved to Pincher Creek. It was an interesting position, being a part of sending student around the world to experience missions.  While at the college, I had the privilege of sitting in worship services led by Brian Doerksen or hearing Phil Callaway preach. After a year on working from home, I  decided that I should finish up and thought retirement sounded great at 56.

Well, a year later an Admin Assistant position opened at the school just around the corner from our house.  I applied and got it.  I worked for a couple of years and then it was getting close to Ron’s retirement.  This time it would be the real thing.

After Ron’s retirement in 2023 we travelled and once our house sold, we moved to Ontario.  I stumbled into a job at the church office.  For the past year, I enjoyed working at our home church.  I’ve always enjoyed doing finances and it was fun to be doing what I enjoy. Last week I turned 63 and decided that this time I should really retire.

Today was my last day.  It was quiet in the office with no one else there.   It felt good to have everything left in good order for the person to take over.  Ron came in to take me for lunch.  I worked until almost 5:00 and locked the office up and walked out the door.  I know I will be back to church soon so it didn’t feel too strange.  We celebrated at the Black Cat.

So retired…well, kind of.  I won’t be tied to a desk but I’m still needed to help for a while so Monday morning, I’ll be back in to count the offering, do the deposit and run off some reports but then the rest of the week will be for colour touring…watch for the blogs.

Recovering

The night went well for all of us.  I thought I might have been so tired that I didn’t hear anything through the night but in reality, there was nothing to hear.  Dad slept well which meant mom and I did too.

At 9:30, we headed for dad’s appointment and all was well.  He was moving well and feeling good.  Mom and I walked to get his prescription and happened upon the car show in town.  I took a few pictures to share with dad.  There were lots of cars and tonnes of people.  

When I got home I made a German pancake for lunch.  While mom and dad rested, I went to the church for a couple of hours to do some work.

Barry and Judy stopped in for a visit and they treated us to pizza for supper.

Although it was a much quieter and less stressful day, we were all tired and went to bed early.  We are so thankful that dad’s recovery is going so well.

Many Emotions

What a day! Dad was scheduled for surgery and we were on deck to be his support team.  Ron drove and dropped the three of us off at the door of the Belleville Hospital.  

We made our way down to Day Surgery.  They took dad in pretty quickly.  It was before 11:00.  They told us that the surgery was scheduled for 1:00 pm and that he should be ready to go home by 3:00.  We went to Zwicks Park and went for a walk along the water.  

We decided to grab some lunch before heading back to the hospital.  We went back and waited.  3:00 came and went.  After some anxious waiting, I called into the day surgery area.  They said that some people take longer in recovery due to the anaesthetic.  We waited.  Two other people were waiting for their family member.  We thought the niece could have been in the world’s Guinness book of world records for talking without taking a breath.  We, on the other hand, were kind of quite worrying why it was taking so long.  Finally, a nurse came out to talk to us.  Dad’s blood pressure was 200.  They were trying to manage that.  It was pretty scary and we were very worried about the consequences of such a high number.  We waited and waited.  I called into the area again for an update and they said that they would be transporting him over to the step down recovery area soon.  Around 5:00, they finally came out to talk to us.  His blood pressure had actually gone up to 220 but it was now better.  We got to go in and see him.  He looked good.

The next concern was that he didn’t have feeling in his legs and feet enough to stand.  They weren’t going to let him go home until he could stand a little more steady.  They set a time for 20 minutes to try again.  We went to Tim’s in the hospital to grab a snack while dad was wrapped with a heated blanket.  We came back and waited.  At 7:30, after a few more tries of steadiness, he was wheeled out to the car and managed to get into the front seat.  

Thirty minutes later he made his way into the condo to his chair.  After a bagel and a drink, he was ready for bed. 

I took a sigh of relieve and then I got a text from Stephen.  Kylie’s dad was in the hospital, not doing well.  Kylie will be staying longer with her parents.  He also said that Lily, their beautiful cat passed away yesterday.

 My heart is heavy.

Happy Birthday to Me!🎈

This morning I woke up and as usual my coffee was waiting.  It’s a great way to start any day but especially on your birthday.  He gave me the GOAT cup.

I received a birthday greeting from Stephen.  Balloons floated across the screen as I read his message.  A little while later, my beautiful daughter-in-law sent me her wishes.

We had breakfast date with my cousin, Philip who somehow celebrates his birthday on my special day.  We enjoyed a nice breakfast and caught up a bit on each other’s lives.

We then decided to go for a drive.  What’s better than going to a lake?  West Lake, along Lake Ontario is a beautiful spot with all the sand dunes.  

The weather was perfect for a fall day.  We drove to another beach and just breathed a little deeper.

As we drove around the country, we stopped at a few places to check things out.  A freshly made apple cider hit the spot as we took in more of the scenery along Lake Ontario.

We stopped for lunch at The Inn on Lake of the Mountain.  Mom called to wish me a happy birthday.  When I told her where we were she said that way back in the day, a Frizzell family owned a lodge there and my aunt had worked there.  It was a little bit of history to add to my day.  Ron enjoyed squash soup and I had a ceaser salad.  The building was old and beautiful.  

We made our way into Picton and stopped at Slickers for an icecream cone.  Slickers is owned by a couple that Ron married a number of years ago.  They weren’t around but we still enjoyed our visit there.

We made quite a circle around the area and finally headed back to Napanee.  Ron had a worship practice so I did a few things in the office.  Mom called and invited us down for dessert.  When we arrived, she had chocolate brownies with whip cream.  I finally got my birthday cake.

We headed towards home after with one more stop.  Tim Hortons had sent me a birthday greeting this morning and said that I could get a free drink.  We went through drive through and ordered an extra large steeped tea for us to share on the drive.  The girl scanned the app, handed Ron the tea and said happy birthday to me.  How special is that?

The day is almost over and this old gal is already in bed but I received one more birthday wish from a special friend in Pincher Creek. Yesterday I received one from a friend in Swift Current.  So, I’ve received greetings from B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan and, of course, Tim Hortons too.

My Rescue Family

There once was a little boy who said to his parents, “all I want for Christmas is a puppy and snow pants so I can go outside to play with my puppy.” That Christmas, that little seven year old boy got his snow pants and a puppy.  He called the puppy, Curley and she lived a long life.  From that time, that boy loved animals and was destined to have a houseful of rescued animals.  The good news is that he found a partner for life that loves animals as much as he does.

On Sunday, the boy who is now a man, and happens to be our son, sent a text that said, “Guess what I did.”  We figured it must have something to do with an animal. 

When we were visiting with Stephen and Kylie in August, their pets included Beemer, Murphy and Lilly.

There were a couple of neighbourhood dogs that came for regular visits.  Koda and Mika would come to the door, waiting to be let in.  If we went for a walk, they would join us for the adventure.  

If we drove away, they would wait for us to return and usually beat the truck to the house or already be there waiting.  

The owner of these two dogs would ask Stephen and Kylie to look after them went he went away.  These two visiting pups were soon spending more time at Stephen and Kylie’s and would go home only to be fed.  Well, you can imagine where my story is going.  Stephen and Kylie are moving soon to their next post and they have fallen in love with these two neighbourhood dogs.  They were going to be sad to leave them.  Stephen joked with the owner that they might find their way into the moving truck.

Over the weekend, Stephen got a call from someone in the community.  Their dog had lots of puppies and they knew Stephen would do his best to find homes for them.

With help from another friend, the puppies were getting spoken for.  He reached out to his neighbour, the owner of Koda and Mika to see if he wanted a puppy.  He told him that it was funny that he should ask that.  He talked to his daughter about a new puppy and asked Stephen if he wanted Koda and Miki.  He knew that they were happier there and so just like that the neighbour got a new puppy and Stephen and Kylie’s rescue family added two dogs. 

Some people collect oil lamps, key chains or even tea cups…some collect rescue animals.

I think Stephen has the best wife to not only go along with his fur family but actually encourages it.  He also has really good parents that are still willing to go and animal sit even when he doubles the count.

A Perfect Day For A Wedding

The day was perfect…not too hot, not too cool.  The sun was just warm enough to make it very comfortable.  Add to the great weather, a gorgeous waterfront, a couple in love and you have the perfect ingredients for a beautiful fall wedding.

Five years ago we got a message from Kathy, Ron’s cousin.  Her girls, Kayla and Jess, were going on a western adventure and we were part of their tour.  I remember how fun it was to have family come and visit.  We did some hikes and sightseeing and enjoyed their company.

Oh look, Beavertails!

Fast forward to today and another adventure was happening.  Kayla and Steven were getting married.  We, of course, arrived early for early but it was such a beautiful place to be so all was good.  When we got there, the wedding pictures were happening.  

We were able to have a little visit with Kathy before things got too busy.  

We wondered around the perfectly manicured lawn thanks to Todd! The wedding was supposed to start at 3:00 but no one seemed in a rush.  At one point, a plane flew around, taking pictures.

Around 4:00, they asked everyone to have a seat and we waited.  The stepdad’s brother received a phone call and he put it on speaker so all of the guests could hear.  Everyone was ready to go but the minister had not arrived.  We wandered around while the wedding planner tried not to look too worried.

Around 4:30, they asked everyone to find a seat.  The minister came in with a flurry scrambling to prepare herself.  The bridal party made their way from the house and the wedding proceeded.  

Some kids went by on standup boards and a canoe and stopped to take in the celebration.  A sailboat sailed by and two swans were close to shore.

No one minded that the wedding started later than expected.  Everything seemed to be happening at just the right time.  Soon we were being asked to sit in the beautifully decorated dining tent. Every little detail of this wedding was planned.  

The meal was delicious with choices of salads, potatoes, rice, chicken, salmon and beef.  Then came the desserts.  The speeches were emotional and heartfelt.  There was a lot of love and tears happening.

As the sun was setting, the photographer rushed the bride and groom over to the lake to take some breathtaking photos.  

From start to finish the day was perfect…as Jess would say, “pray real prayers for a good day.” After the dinner and speeches, we said our congratulations and goodbyes and headed to the car.  The party was just starting.  If we hadn’t been so full from the delicious meal we could have stayed for a beavertail.

This wedding had it all..including the Beavertail truck!

We were so happy to be a part of Kayla and Steven’s perfect day!