LIFE

New life every day.

Yes life is about the living.

Dad had a good experience taking the M.R.I.

Waiting for results is hard.

I missed my doctor's call.

He was very late and I had to run to the washroom.

Another appointment will not be available until the end of the month,

I do not want to wait that long.

I will go to the walk in clinic doctor, he has done all of it anyway.

I phoned my doctor and the phone just rings and rings.

No one ever answers.

Sandra had the same problem

she phoned the doctor next to them.

I did the same and she transferred me over to my doctor.

She did not believe me when I told her the problem.

She said well you are talking tome now

and the phones are all working.

I am a little worried so I want to know for sure.

I need to learn to be assertive and stay calm.

Looking forward to sharing a birthday supper with Randy!

 

EARLY

Dad will have an early start in the morning.

Sandra is driving him to Richmond for an M,R.I.

Hopefully we will learn something.

The boys sent us a wonderful parcel with pictures and stickers and kind words and yummy cookies.  I will phone to-morrow.

I had another poor night of sleep and my mind is not working well at all.

I cannot deny it I have aged and will continue to age.

I hope I will always know what is important in our lives.

Each other.

Dad will be having an early start to his morning for the drive to Richmond.

Sandra will be here at 7 o'clock.

He is having an M.R,I, to look into the a cist.

Dad and I were so thrilled to receive a parcel from the Parson boys.  Happy pictures and loving words. And a tin of cookies and goodies.

What a loving thing to do.

I am hopeful we find out something helpful.

 

THE FAMILY AFFAIR

Two wonderful days.

Yesterday Rick set out to find out about cooking the salmon with mayonaise.  I suggested it first.  The family encouraged him by sharing their knowledge.  Rick did the shopping and the cooking.  It was delicious!  While Rick was busy doing this dad did some more clearing up in the yard.  It tires him out but hopefully he will start to get stronger.  He had a good night last night.  We all did.

Today Theresa and Ben dropped by with homemade soup and goodies for me.  We all enjoyed the soup for supper,  It is always so good to have family visit us.

Carol dropped by in the morning and drove us to Langley to the book store.  There were a lot of books I wanted to buy but just chose two.  I am enjoying finding books at the little book place.

This is the beginning of what Christians call Holy /week.  We read about the last words Jesus told his disciples.  They did not understand because they did not want to hear what he was telling them.

Very windy and storm today.  The heavy rain turned to hail.

Dad was at the Safeway when the power went out.  He had his buggy full and had started to unload it.  Everyone had to leave.  He returned when it came on but his order was not there so he quickly picked out a few things and came home.  

We are thankful for all our family and do appreciate their helpful advice,  

 

TIME

Everything takes time.

Another sunny day with a cool breeze.

Times like these when life seems 

More complicated.

Did I forget some appointment today?

Time to work outside and clean up the yard.

Dad did a good bit of work today.

Time to take notice of the wonders of nature.

Time for dad to have another blood test.

The lab was confused because the doctor that ordered it was the M.R.I. doctor not his specialist.

//Took time to get this cleared up.

Dad and I went from the blood clinic to the White Spot.

Our waitress has been missing us.

Always nice when they take time to chat with us.

"In the end everything will be okay.

If not it is not the end."

 

WORRY

 

I am not worried I know these blossoms will be out soon.

Dad was up in the night about 4 times.  He woke Spenser up so he had to go out and go too.

Today he seems better but I was worried in the night.

There seemed to be no reason for his upset.

Today dad is driving Rick to the Patterson Centre for a lung test.

No a fun test as you have to keep blowing air out until you are ready to faint

He was worried.

He could not do the test,

Sandra will pick him up and bring him home.

                                                               These tests are no fun.

Our thoughts have the potential to give us energy except when they are worry thinking.

Morning comes and I renew my faith in God's presence with prayer.

We have all come through difficult times in our family.   I know there was a time when I thought my marriage was ended.  It is hard when you do not feel loved.  I always have found the inner strength to keep trying as we renewed out love for one another.

I am happy we express our love for each other more.

SURPRISED

                                                Life is full of surprises.

                                              I am surprises at each new flower that is blooming.

                                              We had a visit from our very old friend Glen, husband of Cathy.

Yes we had a lot of catching up to do.  He has had some health problems too.  This was a surprise as he has always been so active and healthy.  All the girls are doing well as is his son Cole.  We have know this family since the youngest was born.  Now they are married except the youngest with children of their own.  Good memories.  Tragedy turned out better than anyone expected when the run away daughter uses her experiences to reach other young girls as she tells her story..  She is now a very brave young women.

Thankfully good can come from the bad experiences we all have experienced.

Carol and Panteli were surprised  when they opened the door to come in,  with hands full of food. to met Glen on his way out.

I was surprised when was able tp cut the lawn.  Determination helps.  Dad finished the last tiny corner.

Rick is taking the bus into town to meet friends for supper.  I noticed he was looking very dressed up. 

Thankful for yesterday.  

Thankful that that we each can do our own thing as we face each new day!

"Whatever challenges  life sends your way, you need to know and nurture your inner strength."

You may be surprised!

ONENESS

What bothers one of us bothers both.

Dad had a bad night and now he is having a bad morning.

My friend insists I should phone and see if the M. R.I is booked.

It seems it has not been booked.

Dad made us French toast for breakfast..

Rick is working and Spenser and I are out the door.

"Go where you are wanted

and stay away from where you are not wanted."

Demi Lovato

                              Actually Jesus told his disciples the same thing.

We are family and if one is hurting we all hurt and try to help the best we can.    

I also phoned Dr. Chang to see if there is a cancellation because dad is not doing we...  He phoned back and said he was sorry on the answering machine,

BETTER

"Above all else we want to know what we can do to feel better."

Mark Epstein

It is another cold dreary wet day.

Spenser and I e]went out earlier before it started raining hard.

Trying not to let my thoughts become negative.

But they seem to come anyway.

Life seems uncertain at this moment in time.

Dad is having another bad morning.

I am thankful that Sandra came to visit yesterday to cheer us up.

She laughs at the way I walk.

It looks funny when she does it.

Dad went out and got us Chinese Food for supper.

We all enjoyed it.

We enjoyed watching the hockey.

It was a good game but too bad we did not win.

Every goal we get is exciting.

We watched a special on Salt Spring Island.

Then the day ended with Heartbeat.

Life at times seems unpredictable.

We all like surprises when they are happy ones.

I take my funny walking in my stride (ha ha)

I walk as much as I can and try to do as much as I can.

I know whee I am and where I am going.

I know how to get there.

There is a loving healing presence that goes with me.

 

 

RYTHM

Very handsome

                                                      Young looking grama!

                                          Yes we did take our masks off.  Smiles all around.

Even Hati is happy to see Ben.

Dad is making pancakes. 

I am not feeling so tired.

We are all a little better.

We have found our rythum .

Rick is doing  the cooking, except this morning.

He does most of the shopping too, except this morning we go to Shoppers.

Dad is building shelves for the bathroom.

Dad does the dishes and uses the cleaner.

I walk Spenser twice a day.

Happy it is Saturday! !

It is raining.

The flowers are peeking out from the dirt.

Spring has its rhythm too!

 

TIME

Good to have a visit with Ben. 

It was great he took the time to come to Carol and Panteli's house to visit.

We enjoyed talking  to him.

He is on Spring break which lasts 10 days,

He hopes to find a better place than where he is billeted now.

The food is foreign to his taste and the lady does not speak /English.

I am finding it hard to find the time to write.

More later.

Had a good visit  with Rick eating out toast together.

Cold day but looks promising.

Off with Spenser.

 

TIREDNESS

 

Both dad and I felt very, very tired today.

May be a reaction.

We walked around Art Naps with Spenser

could not find anything to buy.

Dad wants to buy me something for Easter.

Came home and Rick is not to well either.

He feels very hot and tired.

Live your dream by spreading love where ever you go.

Yes even loving the unlovable.

I am not lovable when I am over tired!

"Be the living expression of God's kindness

Kindness in your face

Kindness in your eyes

Kindness in your smile

Kindness in your speaking."

Mother Theresa

To-morrow is a new day.

LOST AND FOUND

I found some new rock paintings.

It gives me something to smile about.

I am falling down on doing my blog.  My days seem very full which is good.  We enjoy our morning talks with Rick. Our visits on the front porch with Carol eating muffins she made for dad, and cookies for me.  

Today Sandra came and picked us up to get our shots to protect us from the virus.  We had time to visit on the way there and the way home.  The trouble was she had a long wait in the car.  She and Spenser had one little walk.

We expected to be taken in to the place according to our time we had booked.  There was a line up outside and we were told to join the end of the line.  Things got worse when we sat down inside to fill out papers.  People in the chairs in front of us all seemed to keep getting ahead of us.  It was a very cold building.  The young people were all very kind and helpful.  The shot did not hurt very much and it was over quickly.

We were instructed to sit and wait for 15 minutes.  We left within 5 minutes.  We did not want to keep Sandra waiting any longer.  The lady who was behind us remarked that we had not stayed our fifteen minutes.  Her voice was very annoying.

We seem to be going through a time of losing things so I may start a lost and found.  I am getting more and more use to forgetting where I put things.  The good thing is I find things I did not remember losing.

Carol and Panteli brought supper over again.  We had taco's with all the trimings.  Rick made strawberry shortcake for desert.  No gluten and no lactose!

Dad had a good day and I hope we have a good night.

"How we talk to ourselves is as important as how we talk to others."  Mark Epstein.  

 

EGO

 

 

                                                The ego, we all have, wants to be right.

                                                     The heart wants to be loving.

Dad had a bad night starting just as we were going to bed.  He would jump out of bed and run to the bathroom.  I had been feeling hopeful that he had turned the corner.  It was a tiring night for us both

I believe it may have been the Greek food and also some stress he is under.

I believe that all families have their disagreements.  That is the normal part of being human.

I feel that we need to stop listening to the false messages of our ego's and let out heart and soul speak.

We all carry some hidden emotions that have wounded our soul and broken our hearts.

I know from experience that pain that was buried can come to life again even more painfully.

We are in this place in our lives to work through any misunderstandings.  Not easy.  

How we talk to ourselves and to others is all important.

"Our personal past history cannot be changed but we have a choice to find the hidden inner strength to let go and let God heal and redeem and change our hurts that the ego refuses to let go of.  We have all failed and cause problems in our relationships. When we can see the pain of another that brings compassion and healing.

We all have to ask for forgiveness at times. 

OPTIMISM

Yes I am still trying to learn to be more optimistic.

''An amazing life requires optimism"

Optimism is not a blind and thoughtless belief that everything is going to be okay.

The very fact that we are alive means there will be good days and some not so good.

Today I forgot it was Friday so forgot to take Spenser over for his shot.

They phoned and I rushed right over.

We went out for supper with Joanne to the Greek place.

None of us was worry but we did follow the rules.

Wear a mask until you sit down.

Wash your hands and keep a distance.

We went for a very early supper.

Rick join us and even paid the bill!

He finally got a pay check.

I am now on an official list for eye surgery .

Dad seems to be better and I feel a little more hopeful about his health.

I am making mistakes so I will say good-night.

 

HUMAN

What are the rules for being human?

You receive a body.

You have lessons to be learned

in this school called life.

There are no mistakes only lessons.

A lesson is repeated until learned.

Learning lessons never ends.

Here is where you are meant to be.

Others are only mrrors of yourself.

What you make of your life is up tp you.

Your answers lie within you.

-Carter Smith

Today I walked Spenser.

Dad and I went to Shoppers.

Carol brought supper over.

Baked fish and baked potatoes and salad.

We watched one documentary on T.V.

Fell asleep watching.

Off to bed!

Dad had a good day.

Dad had a good visit at the Lab.

/Dad talked to Ken.

 

FEELINGS

                                                                   Spenser loved it.

He wanted to sniff every tree.

We all enjoyed the walk in the fresh air

Lots of tree branched have fallen down.

We met lots of other dog walkers.

And lots of kids riding bikes.

Dad's feet were a little sore today.  He fixed a new handle for me to grab as we come in from the garage.

I did a little cleaning up in the back yard and took Spenser for his two walks.  We really do love our little guy.

The park was a mass of fallen and tangled branches.  I think that is like my feelings some times.  Some of my feelings make me feel uncomfortable.  I also know that trying to feel how others are feeling is so important.

Instead of how are you today? How do you feel today?  I think I am feeling sad but I know that everything will work out in time.

Dad had another good day and night .   I feel so happy for him/

We had pizza for supper and watched the news.  We are all going to bed before 8.  

We hope Rick continues to improve.  His work takes a lot out of him.  He wants to be able to head home but that will not be for a month or so.  It is good that he helped us so very much when he arived and it is good we can help him to recover.

I find it very hard to write as I am a little confused and tired.

IMPERFECT

We are all imperfect.

I am finding it hard to think

and the computer is not doing what I think it should.

Imperfection is the basic reality of being human.

Life sometimes asks more of us than we can achieve.

Taking tome to be aware of how others feel is so important.

I feel a little unsure of myself and I know the bladder infection is a part of that.

We appreciate  all the family is doing to support us and encourage us. 

Change does not happen over night.

Dad and  enjoyed having supper with Carol and Panteli.  Lots of good veggies.

Dad's driving was perfect and he had a good day and a good night last night.

 

SOMETHING GOOD,

                                              I love children's books.  A child goes shopping with their dad and all he is buying is healthy food.  If they had a choice they would buy ice cream, chips and dip and cakes and cookies.  Sounds like dad's shopping list.

Dad was up very early and made bacon and eggs for breakfast. Something good.  

I was not happy when he bought the bacon.  He continues to sleep all night which is something good.
 

I was thankful the wind was gentle, on our early  walk, as I was feeling wobbly.  The sun was shining so that too was good.

Rick walked over to pick up my prescription and some food for supper.  He also cooked it too.  That was something very good!

The Canucks won their hockey game,  We were all cheering them on.  Something good!

Dad was pretty good.  Too bad his feet are so painful.

Spenser is eating again and seems to be okay.  He gets a trim on Monday.

Just finished watching Heartbeat,  It is something good we look forward to.

"Life should be celebrated everyday!"  Loretta LaRoche.

Good memories!

RELAXED

 Very very windy in the morning.  We started walking into the wind and it was a struggle.  Then the wind pushed us from behind and boy was it pushing us.  At one point I stopped to hang on to a pole.

It was sure good to get home and relax for a while.  Evidently some people feel guilty when they relax but I am happy to rest and to read,

Along with moderation, laughter, creativity and responsibility a little rest and relaxation is good.  

It was good of Sandra and Randy to deliver Rick's car and now it is parked right in front of our house again.

I am now starting some more antibiotic to get rid of this bladder infection.  I am trying to drink more water,  I was sure I was all better and that had made me feel better.  Now I know I am not better I feel worse again.

I believe we were meant to enjoy life even when we feel out of sorts.

Dad has had a good day with no rushing to the bathroom.  I hope he has a good night too.

HELPERS

Many people were helpful to me today,

Rick was very helpful creating the chicken rice dinner.

I started cooking the rice and the chicken

and Rick finished the end product.

When we arrived at the store I was trying to get out of my door in a hurry

especially as a man was waiting to get into his car,

Instead of getting annoyed with me he came and helped me out.

In the store I dropped several items I was carrying and a young boy helped me pick them up.

I found a book about Healing Food at my book place.

I know it will be a good help for dad and I to plan his meals.

I was packing our groceries  into our bag

and as soon as the girl said I was doing a good job I messed up.

She ended up helping me.

Supper turned out great.

Rick also went to the Safeway to get some things to make a salad.

Dad even ate some with his favorite dressing.

I am trying to be more accepting of the things that happen in my day.

Each moment a blessing in different ways.
 

 

BEGINNING

                                              Beginning the day walking around the bright flowers at the Safeway.

                                             Meeting a friend from Colebrook was a happy moment too.

                                            I went to buy the chicken and rice for supper.  Plans changed when Carol and Panteli brought over salmon and noodles and vegetables.  We all enjoyed every bite.  Chicken will be on the menu for today.

I seemed to be running late all day.  Late taking Spenser for his first walk and late for supper.

I like to hope that life loves to surprise us in many different ways.  

I am trying to be more aware of my feelings.  What is really troubling me?  "Embracing the  uncomfortable and the crankiness."  Wisdom from Sandra.

Rick walked over to the Post Office with his walker.  A big step forward.

Dad's has been making a few extra trips to the bathroom today.  We really have to watch his diet.

I am praying for wisdom to make better choices.  We will work on this together.

 

TRAIL AND ERROR

Signs of Spring.

Very warm and sunny today.

Dad had a good night on Sunday and a good day today until now.  We did eat out at Brown's.  Dad had a  hot roast beast sandwich.  He only ate half of it.  His stomach is complaining now.  I am planning chicken rice casserole for to-morrow.  I will make it up.  

Dad had a nice friendly talk to the doctor on the phone.  She will wait for the results.   We know it can be a cyst or it can be cancer.  Dad was very cheerful but not realistic I think.  

He now wants to ride his bike again.  I am worried about him standing on one leg trying to get on it.  His balance has not improved.  I tried t do some work in the front yard and my balance was too poor.  Right now it looks sad but once things start to green up it will better.

We went over to Brown's.  Rick did okay but it was not easy for him.

In life we seem to go along taking things for granted until we can not do what we once did.

We learn from the difficult times.  We live with the hope that we can change when we have to.

 Change is inevitable.