ANSWERS

                                                Lots more snow.

I do not think we have ever had snow on Carol's birthday before.  I smile when I think of that tiny black hair little one who brought us joy then and continues to bring us joy.

I woke up very early with a very painful throat.  I was worried when I realized I could not swallow.

I spit in a keenex as this was the only way I could cope.

Fortunately Rick suggested a cough candy and a pain pill.  This helped and even though it was painful I could swallow.

Rick took dad to get his x-ray and I was happy.  Then he came home and insisted I go to the doctor.  Since I was feeling better I refused.  But he did not take no for an answer.  The clinic we went to was all booked up but they made me an appointment for the next morning.

Hopefully we will get answers from dad's chest x-ray and my visit with the dotor.

I started feeling much better and enjoyed a walk in the snow with Spenser in the late afternoon.

The Switch

 

I think now that we have to sell our house and move to an appartment.  I would like to be here until the end of April

Should we buy or rent?

We are willing to listen to our children and hope they can listen to each other.

Let us be calm and relaxed for awhile.

I am now concerned for dad's heath.  The doctor listened to his lungs and one has a different sound.  Rick will take him for x=rays in the morning.

Life is always stressful.

Rick took on the role of cheff to cook us supper on Sunday.  Lots of work but deliciois.

Afterwards we had a meeting by skipe.  Not really satisfactory.

We want our family to respect one another and be willing to listen to one another.

eeting by

AGREEABLE

                                            We are in the game called life and we are trying to be agreeable.

Yes we would like to stay in our home if we can make it a safe place.

We could get a chair to go up and down the stairs.

I talked to Laura this morning and she would agree to come Tues. and Thrusday. from 12:30 until 3.  We can talk about this at the meeting at oir house on Sunday.  Come and bring your ideas and some food.

I am trying to start each day with a positive and calm attitude.  We all have been stressed and that has not been good for oir family.  Our attitude towards life shaped our lives in the past and we want to try and continie to be agreeable.

FAMILY

                                             I am so proud and thankful for my family.l

                                             Rick came over and did a lot of running around for us.

                                             They all are very helpful and caring.

                                             Dealing with elderly parents can be a challenge,

                                              Love you all.
 

ENCOURAGEMENT

 Yes we all need a little encouragement.

We appreciate all the help the children are giving us.  

Sandra took us to the bank today and we got things all worked out.  What a mess when computers are hacked.

The garage door man came and we can now open and close our garage door.  His name was Cameron and he looked like Oliver.  We can drive if it does not snow.                      

Rick comes in the morning to help put the garbage out.  It all needs to be put in the right containers.

We need some shopping   too.      

A family meeting is planned for Sun.I believe at our house. 

Like all families we have our differences.

Be thankful and encourage one another.                                   

RENEW

                                                            Birthdays a time to express our love.

                                                                  In words and in deeds and gifts.

A place mat full of memories.

created by Panteli

              In stalling new computer

 

Loving cards

l

Disappearing/

 Three times it has disappeared.

Dad had a good day,  Avisit from Rick and a delicious lunch.

Sandra and Randy dewlivered the new computer,

He is very happy.

Lucus phoned today,  Dad was excitedf to hear from him

Mary also phoned on his birthday.  This makes him happy.

He still has a nasty cough..

THE BIRTHDAY

 

                                                Looking good for 88 years.

                                                Lots of good memories.

Dad had a good birthday enjoying visits from Sandra and Randy in the morning and later in the day Carol and Panteli came bring a light supper and cake and ballons.  He is still getting over his cough so we will have a big party for Carol's birthday the end of Feb.

Saturday morning Rick and /carol came over.  We had an awesome pancake breakfast making sure dad had enough.

He is now back in bed sleeping.  He seemed week when he was getting up this morning.  I am concerned.

He may be woried about moving.

I think we do have to start looking and also get rid of junk in this house.

We will not discuss it in front of dad.

Carol was a big help running back and forth to the shops.

Rick cleaned up the kitchen.  

Live each day mindful of it's beauty and promise that the future has potential.

THE OPINION

 We were happy to hear the doctor was going to phone.  Dad's cough seems worse.  After asking dad a lot of questions the doctor believes it is a virus that we both have.  Take cough medicine as perscribbed and use the inhalor every four hour.

I got it first and it is miserable.

Dad will not be going to any birthday party.

Laura has made us lunch and has left.  Dad is in bed sleeping,

I knew thad to be more than a cold.

Stress  is not goo\d for anyone.

The thought of moving stressed us all out.

I would like to get dad a computer for his birthday,  What are your opinions?

ORDINARY

Just another ordinary day taking out the garbage,  Happy to have Rick arrive and take over this chore.  Next he went over to the store to get us milk and food that we needed.  He bught food for our lunch too.

Dad was on the computer when I left to take Spenser for a walk.

Rick had just finished putting the food away. when I got back.  Dad came downstairs looking for his wallet and credit card.    We asked why he needed it.  His buddies who had hacked into his computer wanted to charge him for a service. 

IT was hard to convince him thay were scam artists.  We suddenly realized they could get into our bank and take out the large amount of the line of credit.  Dad had not been happy about this.

Rick drove us to the bank as we still could not open the garage door.  He was a good help expaining the situation. Our accounts are now forzen and no one can use  them,  We go to the bank on             wed. to get things straighten out.

We made Sandra aware of what we were doing,  She agreed.  

Rick took us out for lunch at White Spot.  Eating helped us feel better.

I am thankful that most days are ordinary!

IRONIC

 Another lovely sunrise.  Roofs are covered in white frost. Feels like winter.

Yesterday we were worried about dad getting his driver's license.  All went well and he cqn drive legally now.  This afternoon we decided to drive to the store.  Only the garage door would not open.  Dad went up a small ladder to see what was wrong.  He cannot fix it.  \\

To-morrow is garbage day so it will be a nuisance to walk to the front door to take out the garbage.

We will wait till the morning and maybe find the man who fixed it once can come again,

TIME

The day seems to be a bit brighter,  The day seems longer,  We went over to Boundary Park about 4,.

 IT vwas very cold and windy. Could snow any day now.

Dad still has a very bad cough and he is not improved by to-morrow we may have ti take action.

Our plan in the morning is to take Spenser at 8:30 for his shot.  Then dad wants to go to the Motor Vehical Branch to see what he has to do to renew his license,  I hope he can keep driving for another year at least.

Time is a funny thing,  Sometimes it creeps along and at other time it flys by

Peace is when time does not matter as it passes by,     -Maria Schell
 

GOOD

 Yesterday was a good day full of love and happiness. (this is an old picture)

I woke up and the power was on.  Spenser and I went on an early morning walk.  It felt good to be out in the fresh morning sir.  It felt good to be doing what I love doing,

Rick arived early to make us a pancale breakfast.  He is becoming an expert,  There was also bacon and eggs and hash browns. 

Sandrra also shared in the feast.  She came over to start working on dad's tax.

It was a happy morning wih many good moments.

I was over joyed when Panteli phoned to take Spenser for his last walk of the day.  Carol came to visit with us.  It was a fun time,  

Loving moments of family together.

I did not get to church but felt God's love and his presence.

I went to bed feelimg loved and happy.  I woke up to hearing dad coughing.  He had a miserable time,   Then I stated coughing too.

Thankful we can have a restful Monday,  We will do to-morrow what we had planned today.

HELPERS

                                                  I hope the sun comes out to warm up the day,

                                                                       It certainly helps our spirits.

It helps to count your blessings and it helps to allow other to help you.

Our helpers are great.  We appreciate the help walking the dog and getting us groceries.  Dad is thankful for Sandra's help doing his taxes. Boy that cough medicine tastes awful  but it sure did help!  

Carol has been busy helping others and Ken is a good help to hjis family.

We know we need help as we get old and forgetful and tirred.

I am thankful for the gift of faith that the Holy Spirit brings to life within me.  

Unconditional love and endless forgiveness flow from the heart of the Father within us all.

To help one another reveals the heart of compassion that Jesus revealed in his words and teachings.

We are thankful for times when we could help and we are thankful for times we need  help now.  

Prayer is the way to ask and to receive.  

Jesus said :Follow me and I will make you fishers of me.  Helpers and healers.

BETTER

Yes I am feeling much better today.  My nasty cough has left and I just feel weak and drained,

Dad now has the nasty cough and should see the doctor.  He is much older than me.  He is skinny and frail.  He needs to keep drinking.  He does not have a good appetite like me.

I had a bad dream last night and I keep thinking thjis morning how important it is in our families especially to forgive, forget and change and be healed.  Why do old memories resurface at times

Why won't the question mark work

Sometimes physical healing is easier than emotional healing,  one helps the others.

Rick is comong over again this morning.  Our family is very supportive!

Dad needs to renew his driver's license before his birthday.

STAY AWAY

 

WE have lots of germs

lots of food

lots of candles.

My cough is better

I feel weak

Dad has the nastt cough now,

I do not want anyone else to get this.

Laura should not come

and neither should Rick.

I do not feel stressed.

Taking Spenser out for a little pee now.

We can rest together,

I will not be phoning anyone today.,   We do not need a doctor. Jut prAYERS.

TRUSTING

                                                   Daffodils one of my favorite flowers

I woke up early as usual trusting the furance to come on and warm up the house.  I soon realize we had a power failure.  Turn on the gas fire place and hunt around for andles and matches.  None of the matches work so I have to keep looking for ones that will work.

I am hoping it will not be for long.  I was happy to see Rick drive up.  He takes out the garbage and comes in to our cold house.
  

The T.V. room warms up.  Rick takes a drive around to see what stores are open.  He is trying to find a doctor I can go to.  He cannot get me in anywhere.  I just want to rest.

Spenser is very trusting as different family members are taking him for a walk instead of me.  Penteli, Rick and dad. He is happy just going for short walks.  I do miss my early mornng walks

I have been confused with the talk of selling and buying.  I agree with dad that we will be happy here for the summer at leasst and maybe more.

I wake up this morning determined to be more trust worthy.  I will try to do what I will say I will do.

Dad seems to be catching my cold.  I hope he will not get too miserable.

Trustong to-morrow will be a good day,

BETTER

 Yes I am so happy to be feeling better.  I told myself I had to get better and stop worrying people.  My cough got worse but it was good to cough up stuff.  No infection. I slept well with less coughig. My sore throaat got better when I took Alee.

Laura made me go back to bed yesterday and she brought me up a warm drink.  She make chicken soup for lunch.  I slepy most of the day.

I feel very weak this morning but good food and rest will help me get strong again.

It is a rainy miserabe morning.

Timr for me to get in touch with the silence  within my self and be thankful

Thankful for a loving caring family.

PROBLEMS

 Yes problems have come to the surface.

Everything has been stopped for now.  We are a problem too.

  Dad definitely does not want to leave.  Cleaning out our junk will be a big task.  I know Sandra and Carol will help.

I feel very badly about all the work and effort especially Sandra has put into it.

Rick came over I think it was Sat. mornng and we had a long talk about ot all.

It is Sunday and I have a bad cold, sore thorat and cough.  Sandra took me to the doctor.  I saw the nurse and I will make another appointment of my cold gets worse,   

Dad had a cough at night but is doing better.

My throat seems to be getting worse.  Hope it will improve in the morning.

We all need a good night's sleep.

We all are taking Melitonin.

APPRECIATION

 We appreciate everyone in our family who want the best for us. 

We understand why it was decided we should move out of our home.  Sandra took on the task of finding places for us to look at.  Dad got tired right away and then I got tired and I was worried that it was stressful for Sandra.  I told her I was interested in the first place we looked at.  She took us back to have a second look and dad also went to look.

This morning Rick came over to share what was in the minutes of the last meeting of the complex.

He gave no suggestions and left the room to let us decide ourselves.  We do not want to burden him with this problem at this time as he is still having health issues.

We are okay with just taking things slow.

Should we sell first?  I find it stressful.  Sandra knew that.  Dad is worrying about the fiancing that would be needed if we buy before we sell.

We are blessed to have a caring family.

It was all my fault.

SIGN IN

                                                    Cold with snow covering the bushes.

I look out and I am glad I can just stay home and keep warm and comfy.  It was not to be as Sandra and Randy came in and telling us to put on our jackets we our off to the bank.  We arrive and were directed into a back room.  There appear a stack of paper sitting there.  And guess what there are dozens of them all that we need to sign.  To be honest no one really explained to us what we were signing.  It all seemed complicated

Even dad was worried when we got back home.  Since we were buying the new place before we had sold the home we have now we need a loan to pay for it before the sale goes through.  It feels like we are going into a lot of devt with big payments

WE  both feel like we do not know what we have signed and are now are in debt.  Sandra and Randy sign that they will support us.

To-morrow night we sign the last og the pappers and we will own our new home.

It has two bedrooms and dad can have one for a study.  I hope my computer will go in their two.An elevator takes us down to the under ground parkimg. We will be learning a new way of living.  Laura will not be able to come and help is.  We will miss her and her cooking but also her interesting conversations and her laughter.

It has a big balcony with big trees to give us privacy.

Rick has been coming over on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Carol invites us for supper at least once a week.

Ken has made plans for Melina's birthday.  I keep forgetting to sign and mail her card.  I will do that in the morning,

I also will be busy cleaning out our place.

I will miss our friends and maybe God has some new friends for us.