WONDERFUL

 

Yes it would be wonderful if it raned.

Dad will need to water again  tonight.

.Spenser refuses to go for a walk this evening.

In the morning dad took me for a ride in the wheel chair.

It was wonderful fun for me but hard work for dad,

Spenser walked with us.

Nice to talk to Shandel as she was driving home from work.

We are looking forward to their visit in Sept. and celebrating their wedding anniversary.

I have been thinking about growing old and it does not seem so great.

But then I think of all the sonderful grand children and great grandchidren that I am meeting.

I love the energy and enthusiasum they bring to kige.

I love to listen to them talk and listen to them laugh.

I love to listen to their stories.

They make life wonderful !  !

THANKFUL

Thankful for our air conditioner.

It is great to have one room that is cool enough to rest.

So rest we did.

Rest means healing for me.

Early in the morning we cancelled Spenser's walk because it was already warm.  He does not like the warmer days. Fortunately  the young boy Paten came by later and took him for his big walk around and through the park.  Tonight he goes at 8 instead of 5.  Warm weather changes many things,  I am thankful for all the friends who walk our dog.

Sandra dropped by to change my furniture,  It looks good now.  Better  .Evidently people at her home are changing hers.  I find that hard to believe as it looked perfect the way it was.  Now we just have to look before we sit.

I find it hard to accept the changes I have to make.  I guess it takes a courage to accept change,  It takes patience to heal.  Life at times can make me feel crazy.  I am thankful my family still loves me, unconsitionally.  I do not need to earrn love and approval.

 

LONGING

Baily looks sad as he walks off without 

Spenser.  He is a lovely dog.

Spenser does not lke to wake up early some mornings.

I am longing to go for walks.

Even a little walk.

But I do not want to get worse.

So dad and I drove over to the park where dad walked him.

I also stopped in to see my friend Hilary to give her her jam jars back '

She has missed me.

She came over to the car and dad now has met her.

Dad loves the warm weather but Spenser and I do not.

Sara had a difficult day finding mouse pooh in our big chair.

She took it out side for us,

how an we get rid of it?

It needs to go to the dump.

We took Sara out for lunch.

She needed to get out of our kitchen.

I long for the good old days but I know things will never be the same.

 

YEARS

 It has been years since we have seen Ava.

She and the fanuky are planning to move to Kamloops

to build a home on acrage and raise cattle.\

Lots of things to be worked out.

They want to design their own home.

We spent a lovely visit in our back yard catching up.

 

CHEERS

Three cheers for 'randy who knows how to pick out balloons\

and make an old lady happy on her special day

He has a very good heart!

 Three cheers for all who made my day the best birthday ever!

Three cheers for Miyelce  who came back twice to take Spenser for his walk when he refused the first time. She  is a very gentle soul and loves Spenser.  She broght me a few flowers and candies for my birthday. She has a kind heart!

Three cheers for the man who picked me up the previous day when I was anxiously looking for'Spenser.

I was just down the street after checking to see if he was at Natahs's.  He thought I looked lost.

Three cheers for Dr. Nolte who phoned to see how I was coping with the pain.  My answer is to rest a lot.  The problem is I am gtting weaker,

Three cheers for dad driving me to the little book library,

I am missing doing even little things.

I know the better I am now I will get better sooner,

Three cheers for my brother Brian who is very concerned for me.]

He said a comforting prayer for me,

 

 

AWESOME

 

What makes life awesome?

LOVE

The love of family and friends.

We have shared many of life's experiences of worry and laughter.

Yes I helped look after the children when she was a single mom.

They were a challenge but I enjoyed the time I had with her five girls.

I admied Cathy for many reasos, her honesty, her determination, her love for her girls and how she taught them to become capable and hard working.

Most of all her and Glen shared my spiritual values.

CELEBRATIONS

Kim and Hamlet ordered our lunch.  This was instead of us eating out, which may have put strain on my back.  We enjoyed eating oat a table under shady tress, warm sun shine with birds and bees and buterflies cooming to check us out.  We both enjoy our meals with the beauty of nature all around us.

Thank you Kim and Hamlet.

Carol dropped by and offered to buy us some mouse traps.

I woe the new top she and Panteli had bought for me.

I love getting new clothes.  Thank you.

SURPRISES

Three of the boys.  

Shawna looks great.

Baby Remington is adorable.

Shawna's mom joined us too.

Flowers as well as balloons,

They all were fascinated  by the running stream.

Sandra also provided a cake.

I love cake any time but especially on my birthday.

I should have taken a picture of Sandra cutting the cake.

I thought she looked awesome and very happy.

Phone calls from Ron and Ken and Theresa and Rick and Jane andKim ansd Hamlet and greetings on faceblook bby Oliver, Ranu and Lucas added to the love I was feeling.

What better gift than feeling the awsome love of family!

Three of the boys.

 

THE DREAMER

The first to arrive fir the party,

Still fighting colds

Carol brought us a fantastic supper.

Taco's with lots of trimings.

Like Carol would dsay yummy yummy delicious!

It was a great party with my favorite couples there.

It was true I had said not bother with a party.]

Everyone is busy working.  Carol is doing some counseling

Randy had the day off but would be up bright and early in the morning for work..

Sandra had worked from home.

Panteli has work at the colledge.

I had woke up dreaming avout making it more of a party with ballons and pary napkins.

Dad waited for over an hour for a phone dall from his doctor so it got too late.\

It was fun anyway.

Spemser refused to go for his walk this morning.

I am not sure if he is not feeling well or just wants me to go.

He fussed a bit later in the day but did go.

He likes both the other dogs.

I am feeling weak and so is dad.

He feels he has a bladder infection.

The doctors left at 2 so we have to phone again in the morning.

I put some expensive cream on my face last night and I dreamed all my wrinkles were gone.

That dream did not come true either,

 

This was an early birthday bash.

Dad slept well.

Too bad Sandra did not.

I thought the cats had there on room.

 

a little better picdtures.

 

THE SLEEPER

Dad slept all night.

His feet did not hurt.]He got up once.

I have to make a list of things for him to do.

He wants to know.

Today is party day!

 

THOUGHTGUL

A beautiful morning.

Spenser's dog walker arrives.

Spenser waits at the topof the stairs.

Eight is a little early.

But he loves it,

Wa;ling with a big gentle dog.

At five he walks with a

hyper Jack Rssell.

He us happy.

Both girls make a big fuss over him.

I was thinking in the morning I must just relax I do not want to end up in a wheelchair,

Free of pain all morning.

Afternoon was an uncomfortable ride in the car 

amd shopping at the store inWhite  Rock. Dadwill try his drops to-night,  

 I am now in a lot of pain.

Will rest up for my party to-morroww!

 

WALKERS

I have koved walking Spenser to the park and cecking the book place.

No more for awhile.

Evendoing a few things this morning has given me pain.

So thankful for Dawn who walked /spenser this morning.

with her big dog.

Battery no working so no picture.

Spenser looked so happy.

I wrote some cards yesterday but was not happy with them this morning so did them again.

Life is full of imperfection the trick is do not let it get to you////////1

 

LISTEN

Is it blurry?

I feel Blurry.

Sorry we did not inform Samdra of what we were doing,,.

At the hospital I was told I had all the dates mixed up.

 Dad said I had a lot of pain when I fell but I do not remember that.  I should have

 written things down,

It was funny being wheel=chaired all around.\Carol is a good driver!

I was thankful she could drive me home.

I too was worried about dad.  It was stupid to tell him to sit in a hot car.

All the advice I got was to take the pain meds.

It will be eight weeks for recovery.

Pills and prayer will help.

Hope we can get the mice prople to come today.

The mice have made more mess this morning.

 

 

SURPRISED

I do not know who was more surprised me or dad when I said I wanted to go to the emergency.  The pain was getting worse although I tried to tell myself it was better.  Yes it had been a exhausting day cleaning up places the mice had visited.  Have I told you I Hate mice,

It is amazing how things work out.  Carol and Panteli were just driving by as dad and I were getting ready.  Spenser had been on a very short walk which even though it was short was painful/

Carol drove dad and I to the emergency at I was happy to have her stay with me.  I think we were there about four hours.  I had a hear test and blood test and an x-eay.  It showed up a moderate to severe compression fracture of the Ll veryrbral ody.

{ have new pills and new stuff to rub on.  No heavy lifting and no long walks.

After dad made s a light snack of scrambled eggs.

Very tired now and in pain sp will join dad on the couch and probably fall asleep.

 

DISASTERS

The bees have made their homw under that empty space.

Right were we all walk.

No sitting there now.

The bee people have been notified by Sandra.

The world seems to be one disaster after another.

I can see disaster on Sara's face as she comes out of the laundry room.

She has been frightened by a mouse.

We both hate mice.

Saturday I find mice droppings everywhere.

I feel sick.

I clean and I clean.

When I get mad I get some energy.

We are always happy to see /randy and /sandra arrives.

She leaves withmy drugs.]

No more temptation.

My back is killing me.

I think I am going to the emergency.

I am walking very bent over.

It is the pain I know.? ?

WE all have pain of some kind.

I know God has promised us to be with us.

We live in hope and a new day of renewal and healing.

Yes I will now do a few excercises.

HAPPY SUNDAY TO ALL. 

Why am I in pain.?

 

FRIENDSHIPS.

Our good friends Eric and Jan dropped by.

Jan has feet problems like dad.

She also has dibeties.

She just had another toe rmovrf.

She was in the hospital 10 days

the first waiting for the surgery,

No meals

She hsd been home 2 weeks and travels by scooter.

She is keeps a happy face.

She takes Spenser to the park for a walk.

He was very anxious to go for his second walk.

Eric takes Rags their dog.

We had a great visit with these dear friends.

I am suffering withdrawal and it is miserable.

No energy at all.

Maybe just three more days to go.

I am so thankful TO hve good friends,

I will do my excercises in the morning before dad gets up.

I have hidden the pills.

 

                                                         AS a rule Spenser does not sleep on our bed.

                                                       He just looked so cute I deciced to jpin him.

HONESTY

Honestly I do read your comments.

I take them to heart.

This is my early morning garden moment.

My goal for the future is to try to be more open and more honest.

Of course that begins with yourself.

We did our usual Thrusday trip to Shoppers.  They too are happy to see us.

We dined out at the Catus Club.  They are so very happy to see us.  It has been over a month I think.  They know what we want and we end up with having our meal free.

We leave a generous tip.

Rested up so I could enjoy the visit with Carol and Panteli.

Chicken salad and fruit a nice healthy light snack.

I take time to write in my journal about honesty,]

Starting with myself.

Muddy motives are not good.

Trying to please others is difficult.

Hearing the truth hursts.

Honesty takes awareness and effort!

Jane and I were always honest with each other.

We had a good relationship

andstill do to this day,

 

LIGHTHERTEDNESS

Best buds hve a rest!  !

I wantto live today with a light heart today.

First say prayers for the family.

Nice quiet morning.

My first excercise is getting out of bed.

Ouch back hurts.

Next go down and eat breakfast.\\

Do sitting excercise.

Carrry books from one romm to the next.

Climb stairs,

Make bed.

Covers are very heavy.

Back hurts.

Lie down and let the pain ease off.

Happy to have Pathen walk dog.

Yell at dad to take out gargbage.

I hear the truck coming.

Old age is a time when we feel very low in energy.

I write my thoughts down in my journal.

I do not think exactly like my parents or my children.

I am Me.

My prayers are my kind thoughts expressed with love and full of hope.

 

PROGRESS

Lif is good when thungs seem to be progressing.\

Dad made very good progress on fixing the old bench.

It even has a little cushion on it.

It was hard work but he is happy.

Ken is home from the hospital.

He was lucky he got to the hospital on time as the Uber taxi got lost.

Time to take it easy and recover,

Rick I hope your medicine starts to help,'

Will hot or cold help?

We have made progress with Sara.

She will come in Mon., Wed. and Friday for 5 hours.

We save a bit and she now has another job for Tues, and Thrus. so she makes extra.

The gift of old age has to be discovered as we slow down and have many aches and pains.

Slowing down can make you appeciate the little things.!

 

PRAYER

                

                                                          A  MOTHER'S PRAYER IS ALWAYS HEARD.

                                            OUR HEARTS ARE TUNED INTO THE HEART OF GOD

                                                  WHO LOVES ALL HIS CHI;DREN AS DOES A MOM.

                                     

DAD AND I PRAY AS WE GIVE EACH OTHER A MORNING 

HUG FOR KENNY.WE ARE CLOSE TO TEARS.

RAYER IS ALL AROUND US.  ALL NATURE PRAYS

EVERY BREATH WE BREATH IS AN ANSWER TO PRAYER 

EVERY HEART BEAT.

EVERY STEP WE TAKE.

EVERY WISH WE WISH.

We pray that Ken's knee surgery will go well.

His doctors will use their skill to do the best job.

Their skill has been a gift from God to help

 Thank you for these skilled workers.

We pray for courage for Ken and Melina.

Thank you for their love for each other and their family.

My prayer is that the presence of God will be in that operating roomg

transform skills into actions of perfection.

We pray all will go well!!!!!

Ken we love you so very much!!!!!

Dad needs prayer too his feet are extremely painful.

He is not feeling well.

Paenton is here to walk Spenser.

The mice have returned.

I am very upset.

 

FEASTS

One of the perks of being old is getting invited out to eat.

Sometimes a simple healthy snack or at other times a feast!

Sandra and Randy prepared such a feat to welcome Carol home.

 a fabulous salad, a salmom from the barbecue, hot rice, corn on the cob, and shrimp jumble.

Topped off with Chocolate cake and ice cream.  Dad could not resist it.

Even Spenser had a little taste of my salmon.

Stting outside with a cool breeze wonderfu..

No camera no picture.

I had had a bad time with nausea and dizzyness.  I am not taking drugs anymore.

On Friday Sara and I took her dog and mine to the park.

They liked the shade.

Her daughter MarryAnne came to help and met us.

This is her little dog.

Cleaning up the garage,

This Monday morning I expected Dr. Nolte to phone but either he is very late or he forgot.

I was up very early.

No early enough for the sunrise which would be beautiful to soo.

The quiet early morning with the door open and birds chirping seems like a sacred time.

I spend time in prayer.

  

 

 

MAGICAL

I know I am looking very old.

It takes an effort to go out to lunch at Brown's/

We park and go and peer in the door.

It does not look open.

As soon as dad opens the door Michelle is there to give him a big hug.

She is so pleased to see us she puts fresh coffee on.

She remembers what we usually order.

It comes quickly nice and hot.

We sit across from the bar.

The friendly young bar tender comes over and cracks joys with us.

So good to feel welcome and to enjoy laughing and talking.

Just like old times.

Evidently we are one of their favorite costomers and they have missed us.

Then we are informed some one has paid ourbill!

Michael brings us the free brownie desert to take home.

Yes it is gluten free,

Michaell walks us to the car.

She hurries back in to light the small candles at each table.

She has lit the light within us.

Life is good.

Randy and Sandra arrive this morning to take our big pile of wood away.

We are invited for supper.

Life is good! !

 

HOME

Dad and I are home bodies now.

Home is where we can relax and be comfortable.

I am slow waking up these mornings.

Not rushing out to water the thirsty flowers.

I do open the door and let the fresh air in.

I pray for our family.

Also for Jane who is not well.

We had a wonderful viist with Carol and Panteli

Carol is happy to be home.

Treasurers from her trip.  Chimes.

Panteli has been working hard.

Sundeck all decked out!

W are all so fortunate to have a place called home. !!

 

ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES.

My fruitie breakfast.

Carol has arrived safely.  She is very tired we will see her to-morrow.

Mary and Simome and Sebastien are leaving.

Good bye and have a safe journey.

Ken has his surgery booked for next Wed.

We talked to him on the phone.

Praying all will go well.

Recovery may be slow but it will need time to heal.

I am trying to stop my pain meds.

I walk a shorter distance.

Dad drives and picks us up.

I had a restful day.

Life seems to be full of arrivals and departures.

 

VACATIONS

Walking Spenser gives me lots of time to see little flowers hidden among the bushes.

Vacations are wonderful times especially when family can enjoy them together.

I do miss going on vacations.

The excitment of packing and travelling.

/My family always went by train.  I loved every minute of it.

Geting reay for bed, bunk beds was fun to.

We were tucked in and then a curtain was pulled across.

The wheels made a happy sound as thy carried us on into the night.

We stayed with an elderly couple that had once been our neighbors in Saskatoon.

They were like grandparents to me.  I loved sitting in Jennie's kitchen and listening to her stories.

She always had a funny story to share.

She wanted to know everything I was doing.

Stan heer husband was very quiet.

He drove us around to many different beaches and out to Cultus Lake.

We also went to the border and had a picnic there.

Dad and I have enjoyed many trips to visit our children and our parents.

It was harder as they grew older and my parents lived in a care home.

We have had several hodays at Harrison too.

Today we may a trip to White Rock.

We couldn't find the one place and the other placed was closed on the 7th.

Came home and cheered on our team in the finals.

So often one goal can make a difference.

Shorter walks today.

Try ing to manage back and hip pain without pain pills.

It is mostly my back now.

I will do my exercisces now which I never seem to find time to do.

Happy times live on in our hearts.

Lookimg forward to seeing Carol to-morrow.

Difficult decision for Ken to have knee surgery.\

Pray all goes well.

Rick's birthday to-morrow.

Thia year has taken a lot of  courage and inner strength with many health issues.

Pray he will find some answers in this year coming.

 

ADAPTABLE

This year we have been learning to be adaptable.

Not always easy.

Yesterday I heard from two old friends, Cathy and Caroline.

We have helped each other through many difficult times.

We often prayed together.

Cathy prayed for me last night and I woke up with NO pain this morning.

Today walked over to the Post Office with Spenser and had pain.  It maybe was a litle too far.

We expected Carol today but the day has been changed until Thrusday.  The rules are very strick.

Ianother good friend when I went out to take some pictures.  She is younger and walks farther than I can, much farther than I can now.  She tells me she too is having back and hip pain.  She is on medication and likw me needs it to do her walk.

Dad and I are fortunate Sara is here to help us but things will change when she gets a better job.  That may not happen until Sept.  She will come Monday and Firiday if she gets a better job.

The only way to accept life is to adapt to the changes,

ant pray and ask God to help us with chamges.

It is important every day to make life affirming choices.

THE CAMERA

The camera is the favorite thing right now

We have a visit from Sandra and Randy and Mary and Simone and Sebastien.

Spenser isone of the favorite subjects.

Mary gets ahug from Sebastien

What kind of a smile is that?

                                              She is growing up so fast.

Dad and I had a lazy day.

Had left overs for lunch and supper.