PARTIES

We are continuing to party.  Today we drive out to see Oliver, Who is 4 today for his party.

Then on to Carol's party which is a pool party.

I am up early thinking of Shandel and Cameron heading out in the dark to travel home.
We sure enjoyed out time with them, getting to know them better.
`
I am so thankful for these moments of joyous celebrations

THANKS

Thanks Cameron for fixing my computer.  It looks better than new.  I will try to renew my face book.

Thanks Shandel and Cameron for visiting and bringing Daisy.  They both wagged their tails and liked each other.  Spenser has not been himself since his visit with the hair cutting lady.  Daisy made herself at home and is so very friendly.

Sandra immediately came in the house and put my flowers outside.  I did not know she was allergic to them.  They were looking a little sad anyway.

The time really flew by as we visited and got to know each other better.

Always fun to look at old photos that bring back many memories.  We all have grown and changed not only in our looks but in our ability to appreciate life and to love unconditionally.

Thanks you guys for spending time with us.  Sharing your hopes and dreams

Thanks Mary for your phone call.  Sad to hear your dog, Rillie is not doing so well.

Finding inner strength has not been an easy journey but so worth while!

HOME

We were so glad to have Spenser home after his time getting all spruced up.  He was not happy when we arrived home last night.  We did what we could to clean him up.  His hair was so long unwanted things attached themselves to him.

I was extremely worried and sure we would have to go to the Vets.  

Our new friend did a wonderful job and now we know who to go to and how often to go.

I find I do not handle stress that well.  This I am discovering about myself.

He looks a lot younger and seems very happy.

We thought we were doing a good job keeping him clean and exercised.

So good to have him home again!

DELIGHTFUL

                                   It was a delightful evening visiting with Shandel and Cameron.

Sandra was the first to arrive after a busy day at work.

Kim picked up Sandel and Cameron and Randy from 

Sandra's  and Randy's home.

Carol worked very hard preparing a delightful supper.

A little difficult when some are vegetarian and some celiac.

                                     Carol helps Kim with her home work.

Today Shandel and Cameron will come over with Sandra.

Spemser is getting a hair cut

He is getting a lot done so it will take over 2 hours.

We cancelled out visits.

BEGIN

                                  The first buds of spring are peeking out to cheer us up.

It was delightful to go out to supper with Shandel and Cameron, Sandra and Randy.  We were the first to arrive and no one was at the desk to greet us.  We arrive before the staff.  We sat a huge round table and enjoyed the food and enjoyed sharing funny stories,

I did not write yesterday as I was very weary after having to take Spenser out twice during the night.  He woke us up making a noise at our bedroom door.  I opened the door and he ranas quick as he could down the stairs.  I opened the front door to let him out thinking he would just go in our front yard which he sometimes does late at night.  Instead his little feet kept running down the street and I quickly   grabbed my coat and did my best to catch up to him.

I was happy to get home and crawl back in my warm bed.

I was just going to sleep again when he was at the door making strange noises.  This time there was no stopping him as he ran the route we take for our walks.  The early morning workers waiting at the bus stop gave us funny looks.

I slept in a bit but was still weary.  I had planned for dad and I to make soup and then if he felt okay to drive me to visit my elderly friend in White Rock.  She loves seeing Spenser and he visits everyone who is sitting in the front room.  After a big rest we both made an effort to follow the plan.

I was too tired to begin to write my blog.  So now you know why.

BARREN

                                                My garden is full of ugly barren sticks.

                                                  It is a slow process to cut them down.

Rained again this morning.  Dad and I spent a very lazy morning.  No we did not go to church.  We wanted to save our energy for Shandel and Cameron's arrival.  We are invited over about 4:30.  Carol also phoned to invite us over wow two invitations.

Earlier I had done some spiritual reading which included scripture reading.

"Yes my soul finds rest in Him and my hope comes from Him",  Psalm 62:5

Spirituality is found in paradox where we confront our helplessness and powerlessness, our weakness and woundedness to sick to understand our limitations but also our potential to be healed and restored.

There is no need to blame anyone for our errors, neither ourselves or a divine being or anyone else.

The spirituality of imperfection speaks to those who seek meaning in the absurd chaos that is life.

"The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.".  Psalm 34:18

With the change of seasons the barren will bloom again.

SIGNS

                                                                                                    Signs of Spring.
                                               Always restore my hope and faith in life.

             Life has been stirring deep down in the ground and now has to burst forth with beauty.

The mouse appears to have disappeared and only dad and I are getting caught in the trap.

I was hoping to do a little work in the garden this morning when I have a little burst of energy,  but the rain dampened my spirits.  Right now it looks like I am growing dead sticks and that is sad.  In the afternoon the sun came out but by the time we got home from lunch with our friend Cathy I had lost momentum.  I think it will continue to rain to-morrow.

We had lots of fun at lunch with Cathy our old neighbor.   Right away we connect.  Her mom has some of the same problems as I do.  She also had to go on the tread mill and did poorly.
We want to remember to ask Cathy to our next birthday party.  She invited us to lunch to celebrate her birthday and dad's birthday both in Feb.

I really believe that friendship is the gift we give to each other.

I feel very hopeful that things are going to improve for our family.  It is time.

 Worries can over stay their welcome.

Live and love each day as a precious gift.

HEART

                                       What do you do with all your old diaries and journals?

I am reading some over and have put a lot out for the garbage.  This is hard for me to do.

I really think it is important to keep learning in life.  Learning to be a better person.

Learning what it means to be a Christian.  It does not mean we become saints or perfect in any way.

I believe that one needs to study the Bible and there one finds answers to many problems.

I believe opening your heart with compassion and kindness helps on this journey  of faith.

I begin the day with prayer.

I was thinking about Jesus who called the fishermen to follow him.  It appears they answered immediately.  To follow Jesus means we are willing to learn from him and not be like the religious leaders at that time who thought they knew it all.

We need leaders who will inspire us to take on challenges that will make our world a little better for all.  This is not easy as we can all see things differently.

Live from the heart. Be willing to take risks and leave behind what is unimportant.

Jesus is a heart changer!

"Wisdom is knowledge plus knowledge -and the knowledge of its own limits."  -Victor Frankl

Dad went for a big bike ride in the forest.  He really enjoyed it!

Yes we need more people with big hearts!

ENJOYABLE

When you go hospital visiting you do not expect it to be enjoyable.  But it was.  Jean, our elder;y fried was sitting up on a chair and was so very happy to see us.  She is in hospice at the Peace Arch Hospital.  She jokes about being there to die and yet they get annoyed with her if she does not eat.

She always looked so elegant and took part in all the fashion shows we had at Colebrook.  She has kept active until the last few months.  She played bridge and had a good walk every day.

She remembers the story I read at a Christmas party; a story dad had written about finding a lost little dog.  We had lots of things to remember from our years at Colebrook.

We will visit her again next week.  It does us good.

Today we enjoyed lunch on our front porch.  It was very warm and sunny.  Very enjoyable,

Rick is feeling a little  better and is hopeful as he applies for several new places

Dad was going to ride his bike but got busy reliving the past on his computer.

I enjoyed several walks with Spenser.  He does need a hair cut so we will get that done soon.

Looking forward to an enjoyable supper at Carol and Panteli's.

"The  richness of the human experience would lose something of the rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome"   Helen Keller.

 

MAYBE

A good day foe both dad and I.
I worked in the garden for a short while, taking time to rest when I got tired.

Dad went for a big bike rise in the forest.  He enjoyed it but the trip home into the cold wind was very cold.

We went out for a birthday supper with Carol and Ponteli  and Ben.  We went to a new smaller place over in Tsawwassen Mall.  It was quiet and the food was excellent.  Good to hear how Ben is doing '

We know that there will be changes in our family in the future.  Dad has had a wonderful time celebrating his birthday!

We  were very happy to hear a message from Mary when we got home.

Today dad goes to the cancer doctor in White Rock.  He is a very good doctor.  Skin cancer is nasty.

No new word from Rick except he is waiting.

We may visit an old friend in hospital while we are there.  She is in Hospice.

I believe that without the help of a higher power we can become lost.  We are all human whether we are Christians or not.

I like to believe the t about people, which is not always easy.

There is a way to tap into the awareness of spirituality, the spirituality of imperfection, that helps us to see the error of our ways and helps us to change.

BIRTHDAYS

Birthdays area time to express our love and appreciation that we share being a part of the life of another.
Dad had a wonderful time telling stories and sharing his experiences with the family one where able to come.

Sandra and Randy thank yo so much for the good food and the good time we shared.

We missed Rick knowing he wanted to be there.

We came home to hear that he is awfully sick.
He has the flu and pain in his stomach which he feels is the liver.
His land lord upstairs will take him to the hospital if he gets worse.

It breaks our hearts to hear the pain and suffering he is going through.

I pray that in this time of pain and darkness he feels the love and concern of all our family.

We prayed for peace during the night and healing to come in the day time.  Hopefully  he gets InTouch with the doctor to receive the treatment and reassurance he needs.

Dear God, be with our dear son Rick and restore his to health and wholeness.

The little ones are a real blessing.

Being a loving grandparent fills our hearts with joy!

I enjoyed spending some time with the little ones.

The two girls and I walked to the park with Spenser.  I was thankful that Carol came along.

Thankful Tasha came after her busy day at work.

Thank you to Justice writing in the card

thinking it was my birthday.

A good laugh about that.

Lord Jesus

in the name of the Father and the Holy Sporit

heal and restore Rick to health and wholeness.

Heal the deep wounds within.

The family love you and are with you too.

We are thankful for his landlord will drive him to hospital if necessary.

Love mom

Happy Birthday Dad!  !  !

RECONCILLIATION

Well battle was a very strong word. but we use it every day.  We battle the traffic , the weather too hot or two cold, We battle against  change and prejudice.  We battle germs that are life threating etc.

We did make it to church where a visiting minister spoke about  her experiences in living on the coast close to native communities.  At first there seemed to be a wall that separated them.  A wall of bitterness and mistrust.  Slowly as they heard each others stories the way for reconciliation opened up.

The church offered it's apology.  Change will not be easy and will take hard work an effort on both .

Last evening Carol and Panteli drove us to see the war movie dad had expressed an interest in seeing.
We seem to need to see the violence and destruction to remind us of the sacrifice of all those young men.

Why did the writers of the old Testament tell of the wars and violence that occurred throughout the story of the Jewish people.  They like others believed that God was on their side and to survive wars had to be fought.

When will we realize that senseless violence is not the answer?

Protesting that damages the lives of others does not seem right to me.

I have walked on peaceful marches with happy walkers beside it.

Life is full of questions and challenges.

We need to come together with forgiveness and humility.

THE BATTLE

Life is a battle just to keep moving.

I think if I were to give a message to my children it would be to tell them life is a battle.  We are fortunate if we do not have to battle alone.

I think of Rick whose life started as a tubal pregnancy and some how he battled his way down to where he was meant to be.

I spent many years battling poor health until the right doctor came along in answer to my prayers.
I remember crying out to God saying I need help.  He answered me by giving me a name of the doctor, I had to act on what I believe I heard and ask my own doctor to refer me.

In our family we have all battled difficult situations.  Life seems unfair.  We do not know what our next move should be.

We want to find out the truth that will help us to have the courage to fight and persevere.

We battle the forces of crime that takes  away our feelings of security.
Anxiety and worry can take away our peace.

This year I battled panic attacks which would come out of nowhere.
I am happy to be doing better.

We battle  for justice for all which can only happen if we do the right and honest thing.

We have to do our part if we want to get rid of all the plastic which polluting our rivers and our oceans.

I often have battled with stories in the Bible until I read the words of Rob Bell.

"Discovering that justice is the thread that is woven into the fabric of Biblical history helps us to understand how our failure can affect others."

Justice is at the heart of the Ten Commandments.

Justice is the cry that the prophets loudly proclaimed.

Jesus proclaimed the need for the poor and the sick and the lost to find justice.

His words have the power to change us deep within our souls.

We become fighters who fight together as a family as a community and as a nation,

The Bible tells us to fight the good fight and run the race until the finish.

Live with truth and compassion and love and be bold when you need to be.
That for me means to say no and mean it!
Keep asking questions and demanding answers so the solution arrives.

Growing older and weaker is tough and seeing friends battle cancer and  mental issues along with failing health is not easy.

PERSEVERANCE  !  We all need it.

VALENTINES DAY1

Dad likes to be romantic.

A funny romantic card and some flowers.

tulips to be planted.

We are both a little tired so did not plan a big outing.

.He thought he was in doggie heaven.

Every tree had to be sniffed on and watered with pee!

We drove from there to the pub in Ladner and dad had fish and chips.

He came home and walked over to the Safeway to get his eye drops.

He us   tired out.

We fall in love and get married little realizing that is just the beginning of creating a loving relationship.  We have much to learn about each other in an effort to create a meaningful relationship.

"With a loving heart the back ground of all we attempt  all that we encounter will open our hearts and keep us connected."   It has a calming affect!

--Jack Kornfield

APPRECIATION

                                  I appreciate the sun coming out even when it is late in the afternoon.

Dad and I appreciated thenice long l from Ken.  

They would like to move but it is important to move close to where the children will go to high school.  This starts next year for Mathew.

There neighborhood is changing too.  Some people are hard to get along with I agree.

We are fortunate to have good neighbors although one of our neighbors complained about Kore and Natasha feeding the crows.  They had a visit from the police complaints department.  They sent around a letter saying sorry but  did not think what they were doing was wrong.

The crows got into the blue boxes this morning I think in protest.  What a mess.

Dad really appreciated his eye specialist who did a good job and removed his stiches painlessly.
He also ordered him eye drops which have helped his eye feel better.  He goes next month to get his
bottom eye lid raised.

A friend from church mat drop by this afternoon.  It is so easy to lose touch.
We appreciate a visit.

I miss our monthly get together when I went with dad to the doctor.

"How far you go in life will depend on how tender you are with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong.

Because some day in life you will have been all of these,"
 -George Washington Carver.

GOOD INTENTIONS.

We had good intentions of taking Carol and Panteli and Kim and Ben if he was home out to supper.  It finally worked that we were able to have a visit with them and then have supper at Mario's in Tsawwassen.  Panteli could just join us for coffee and Kim had school work to do.  Ben was not home yet.  We enjoyed   a heart to heart talk with Carol.

Everyone is busy with their commitments.

Watched a good Hockey Game when we got home.  Canucks Won!

Dad waited to phone his eye surgeon until Monday the only day he is in Surrey.  Yes we had missed an appointment for taking out stitches and to see how it is healing.  We were supposed to have had a note for this appointment but we did not receive it.

Dad is not looking forward to getting these stitches out as they will be imbedded in the scar.

I questioned the time which dad said was 12:30 on Wed.  They close the office at 12 until 1.  I confirmed that time but now we are wondering what office.  In Surrey? or in Van.?  We will phone before we go.

 I will be missing my monthly get today with my Colebrook friends on
Wed. afternoon.
 I had good intentions of going.


"It is the power of connection with others that helps is thrive (and survive) in every sense of the word."  - Dr.. H. McCloud

                                                            Our drive to Tsawwassen

RESTING

A drive in the country.

Pools of water everywhere.

The sun breaking through the clouds.

Sunshine

                                                                    Signs of Spring!

Dad and I did not attend church as we felt extra tired.

• Dad also had a bad nights sleep and a miserable stomach ache.

Looking back I realize I have not been writing much about the God I believe in whose love created this world of beauty and also created us with the potential and the knowledge to continue to create beauty and peace for all.

This will only happen if we fight for justice for all.

I do not need to go to church to find a 

God who I trust and put my faith in.

I still am interested in understanding the Bible better.  Some people call it outdated and primitive but there are messages in the stories we read.  Human nature does not change.

We had a visit from the bi-law officer we thought he was here about the water running over the sidewalk.  It turned out he came here by mistake.  While he was here he looked at it and took note of it.  Dad has promised to phone the city hall on Monday.

We were invited to Carol and Panteli's but decided Monday would be a better time after we rested today.

I am making a lot of errors.

Time to stop.

Besides there are always mundane tasks waiting for me.

.

DREARY

A wet and dreary day so we made an effort to go to the library.  Something I always loved to do and I have fond memories of mom taking me to the library.


Spenser woke us up in the middle of the night last night barking at our bedroom  door.  I jumped up to take him downstairs.  I opened the front door and told him to go out but he just stood beside me looking out.  Then I went to the side door and he did the same thing.  I thought he needed some water but he just looked at his water and food dish.   I was getting annoyed.

On an impulse I took his bed from downstairs up to the bedroom where he settled right down in it.

We have been getting to know what his bark means but this was a mystery.

Becoming old has some benefits which I am thankful for; but it also has a down side.

We learn to take the good with the bad.  Spenser is cute even when he is annoying!

                                                           Yes that picture was of the library.

NO WAY

                                               No way Spenser was going to go for a walk.
                                                     I could not blame him.
                                                            It was a wet mess.

                                                Yes we did go later in the afternoon.

Many were disappointed that Tuesday had not been a snow day.  A day to stay home especially from school.  We drove to White Rock and were very happy to get home.  It was still snowing then.

Dad dropped me off at my doctors office and drove to his eve doctors.  I was a half hour early.  I would have liked to do better on the tread mill.  I started out okay but as the speed increased I had to quit.  I was thankful the man who was monitoring it stopped it right away.I did the best I could.

  I then had to wait another half hour for dad to come and pick me up.

He will be getting his cataracts removed in May.  That is when we both will be doing it.

We were so thankful to have Kim arrive with some corn  soup,  She also cheers us up.

We are now watching the Royals after watching the Crown.

Today we went to the White Spot and the Pet Store.  Spenser has a new leash.  I am sure he will want to show it off to-morrow.

The impeachment trail is now over and has revealed not only the guilt of the president but also those who were afraid to stand up for what is right or wrong.

No way Trump was innocent.

                                                                          The park this afternoon.

A SNOWY DAY

Light snow falling.  Been for a walk with Mr. Spenser.

Off to White Rock.  Dad to see his eye doctor and me to have a stress test.  I do not need a test I already feel stressed!

LOST AND FOUND

                                                    This antique family vase was lost.

                                                     After a long search I found where I had hidden it.

                                           This happened just after I lost my gold chain with the cross on it.

                                                Losing things makes one wonder if they are losing their minds.

When you find things you feel so good especially when I found a lost 50 dollar  bill as well as the vase.  I have given up on the necklace which my or my not turn up some day.  I have loots several things over the years and some times they do turn up.

W e enjoyed watching the football game with Carol and Panteli.  They are good cheerers!

Reading the history of the Hebrew people they were often lost and in captivity because they turned from the God of love and healing and restoration and became rebellious instead.

Jesus came with this message to give them hope and courage.

When one realizes they are lost they can then discover a new way to proceed from then onward.

HAPPINESS is waiting to be FOUND!  !  

UNINVITED

Early morning freight as a mouse runs out past me and startles me; as I am making my coffee.

I escape to the living room.

We are all, including Spenser glad to welcome a friendly guest!

Spenser settles in beside her.  

We have lots to talk about with all that is going on in our family.  As mothers we always worry about our children and grandchildren and our great grandchildren.

Health issues and work issues are difficult.  Stephen is still looking for work in Alberta.  Right now he is helping with the moving company his dad runs.  With three small children and another on the 

way the bills can start piling up.

Mary is settled in her new apartment for now  with a future move to Edmonton being discussed.

Rick is waiting to hear answers about his deeply concerning health issues.

I am reading about the Hebrews in the book of Exodus.

They had become slaves in a foreign country.

They had lost faith in their God.

(I know that feeling of saying to God "What are you doing?"

They follow Moses after a harrowing escape to travel in the desert to freedom.

A  stressful journey.

They find a home back where they came from and build a home for God where they now gather to pray and worship and find joy in the fellowship of being free and together.

A cold and frosty morning.  Dad turned off the water to see is it made any difference with the growing patch of wet on our sidewalk.

It will be freezing so I put salt on the wet sidewalk so people do not slip.

Off to church.