THE RAIDER

Dad and I were in the front yard and just had a chat with Theresa and Morgan's  Uncle Shawna when slowly around   the corner by our bushes a a red card creeps and stops. in front of us,  She has come to raid our yard of everyuthing and everything.

Caught the act of digging up our tall grass with the feathers that come out later in the summer.  Dad calls it bamboo   This is the man who is going to take over my garden.  He does not know a flowerer from a weed.  His biggest achievement is pruning so the plant resembles his  bald head.  Just joking.

 



It is a very hard job and takes two of them, actually three as I sit near by to give advice.  Sandra left such a beautify garden and now she is starting all over again.  A hard job done by two though cookies!

Then also boarded up some holes in our fence which is just a stop cap measure for now.  We have to talk to the neighbors on both sides.

Panteli has invited him to a talk called Third Age Learning about becoming creative in your later years.  It is for people over 50 and yes dad did manage to squeeze  in!

A TIME TO SPEAK AND A TIME TO BE SILENT.

Return from my early morning walk on Friday.  Sky still cloudy but there is a promise of sunshine.
So this message is for me to remember.

I am listening to all the good advice I am getting but will
finish doing all the tests because I have made that commitment to myself.


A tiny flower by a rock that I have to stop and take a picture of!  Hope that sun shoes away those clouds.  Dad is doing hard work in the garden and Carol suggested Neuragen which helps nerve pain.  He went and got some and it really helps his painful feet.  Good Advice!

I am listening and hearing a lot from  people who care about me.

I have had a lot of health problems but my body is very good, excellent in fact, in healing itself.  When I was told I had celiac I was told that I may not heal that I was too damaged.  But I did.

When I had my lung operation I also healed extremely quickly but it took slowly regaining my strength through walking and prayer.

Now I have a new challenge and I do not want to feel helpless but to feel fully alive to the extend that I can be.  I have a feeling that this will be my hardest challenge especially if I am limited in what I can do.  Like most people I want answers especially when it comes to health issues.

I believe sometimes you have to live with it but always keep trying to find solutions.  Poor health reminds us we are not in complete control and I believe we all want to be in control of our destiny and our lives.

As a child I never had a lot of energy, I could play hard but not as long as some others.  My mother worried about me when I was very pale and always though my blood was low.  But it was not.

I usually have my day planned and also the week ahead with things I want to do but may not do.  Dad has things planed that he wants to build in our yard which will look good I think.

Dad had a good day today but did make a lot of mess on himself.  Eating an egg sandwich he squirted the yoke all over his face, the table and his clothes.  Later at Sandra and Randy's he squirted mustard from his hot dog all over himself. 

I love the book Small Miracles for Families that you sent Shandel as it is a big encouragement to me and it has come at the right time just when I needed it.  Many thanks.

Every step towards healing  is a miracle!

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."  Ecclesiastes 3

 It is Palm Sunday a very happy day when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey being praised and worshiped as the one who would free them from slavery!

No church, no breath, poor balance so no choice!

MY NEIGHBORHODD WALK ABOUT

 A perfect afternoon to walk over to the Post Office.  I am late sending a letter to my distant cousin in Australia.  She is nearly blind so cannot read a letter anymore.  Her life revolves around her dog and occasional visits by her daughter.

I talked to my feet as I go.  Okay you two behave, walk slow, and keep on the path.  The girl at the Post Office is a lovely East Indian girl who wears a head covering.  She always welcomes me with a smile.

Beside the Post Office is the Tea Room where we went with Jane and Geof.  The cherry trees are so beautiful.  The sky was bluer than blue.  I have even taken my Long underwear off but may need it again if the mornings get cold again.

Since I walk more slowly and carefully I do not warm up like I use to.

On the way I meet my Chinese friend who only walks in warm weather. 
She is a little sad after visiting family in China and so pleased to talk with me again.

                                                

                                                   Some of my favorite trees.

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I stop and talk to neighbors Ron and Dona (easy to remember their names.  They are a warm happy couple who sit at the end of their drive-way and drink a glass of wine.  This is the sunniest spot in their yard.  They love to tell me about their 2 year old grand daughter so I boast about all my grand children and my own children who have been so good to me.

My walks are very important to me and are healing even though tiring.

I will not be doing any visiting for awhile although it was great when dad and I could go together.

So I have my CAT scan on Wed. of my stomach and bowels  and see an internist about muscle strength the next day, who will certainly send me for new tests.  We are so fortunate we do not have to pay and  we have a good doctor and we are fortunate we have each other. 

Important to be sensitive to each other.  Some nights I do not sleep that well and that when worries grow as big as the biggest monster!  So I go for a walk and chase him away!

Sandra paid us a visit and both Carol and Ken phone.  You all make a great difference in our lives!

WISDOM

Being a parent can take a lot of wisdom.  It is good for children to have choices.  I believe from the beginning of time this has been God's  plan for us to choose good or evil. 

This was the whole point of not eating the apple (which may or not been an apple) was to give us choices and help us learn from the.  Which we have to do if we wanted to get wise!

Dad and I went to the clinic to wait patiently to see Dr. Nolte. He is now thinking it is nerve damage or muscle weakness.  I do not know exactly but two more appointments to go to and I cannot chancel anything.
As we head out the door I ask him what he thought of a drive to Chilliwack would be good for me.  He suggested only if I had a wheel-chair.  No way I said I have a cane.  Larry hurries me out the door saying come on Honey time to go.  Dr. Nolte says Yes Honey way you go.  One patting me on the bum and the other on my back.

We had a late breakfast out at the White Spot because dad was hungry and we had hurry out first thing in the morning.

I decided I would have a little rest and see how I felt about visiting but then the door bell rang and our neighbor Cathy and dog Murphy came over for a visit.  We have not talked to them in ages as she is working and also taking extra courses.  She is great fun to talk to and it got too late to think about visiting.  It was not a wise thing to be doing anyway.

I was so anxious to leave the hospital I left with the needle for the dye still attached to my arm.  Dad decided to cut the end off so it would not bother me sleeping.  I climb into bed and feel something running down my arm.  It was decided we should pull it all OFF AND HOPE IT WOULD NOT BLEED TOO MUCH.   Dad did a very good job getting it out very quickly



This is the most dangerous thing I do in the forest and it is hiding in the big old tree.  I still can get lost in that place.

Another sunny day and yes we are making progress.  I am to rest and eat hearty! 

Today I will do a short walk before dad is up and then we can have a walk in the forest together. 

CATCH 22 THRUSDAY UPDATE

I came home after a very short walk looking pale and out of breath and with a wee voice that could barely talk.  That its says dad we are going to the emergency.  I went because I did feel crappy and did not want to worry him.

So I did get a lung scan and blood tests and my vital signs monitored.  My lungs are getting plenty of oxygen, which is good news but what is wrong with me.

I have had another fall but nothing was broken but my chest hurts so I guess it is bruised,

Dad ate my lunch and read my book and got a new battery for his phone in White Rock so the waiting was not too too hard for him.

We came home to the house looking sparkling clean thanks to Leah.  Clean and beautiful and even some snacks in the frig.

I think I could get use to being spoilt.

I am feeling very discouraged and dad wants me to see Dr. Nolte to-morrow.  I am thankful my lungs are okay, one lung operation is enough.

I had planned to see if Leah would drive me to Chilliwack for the play and she said she would have.

Thanks for the phone calls you guys.

Thursday update.
The catch 22 is you want to hear if something is wrong so it can be fixed but you are happy you are okay.  Still knowing you are not.  I did look better after my day in bed but I still feel exercise is necessary.

"So in spite of uncertainties, insecurities and questions, the believer (that's me) clings to God."

Today we will see Dr. Nolte about if I need to cancel the test for next week. 

I want to catch up on visiting and see if Jim is better and back at the home.

WORTHWHILE

“Real joy comes from not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwhile.”   - W. Grenfell
Anytime dad and I spend time with our family we consider it very worthwhile.  Having a visit with Oliver and his friend John proved to be one of those times.  It is amazing to see their friendship so strong after many many years.
Oliver seems very happy with his job at the Coast Guard and is taking further courses to improve further advancement.  First aid was one of them and we cannot remember the other.  He stopped in to see us before he leaves to ride the surf in Mexico where he will be camping and surfing.
Yes this is an old picture I forgot to take a picture but he is still just as handsome as ever.

Dad had a worthwhile day, going for his walk, putting out a few items for junk day and building a little shelf for the shade deck.  Most of the junk that he put out has been picked up all ready, and that is good to see.

Tuesday we went to visit Gordon who is in care now.  He and dad had several good visits driving to the airport.  He loves airplanes and we had several books to take to him.

I want to go and see Ben in a play at Chilliwack but dad feels I am not good enough.  I may see if I can get into the doctor and get an inhaler.  I know dad is worried about me.  Dad is tired and his feet hurt.  I am suppose to lead our bible study to-day but it is over at 2.  Very difficult study but will try to focus on the positive.

Only one  more week until my big scan and then waiting for the results!!

GRACE JOY AND FREEDOM

Lots of joy.
at Charlie's Chocolate Factory last Saturday.

Dad still likes to show off to his sweetheart!
He still is a bit of a dare-devil.  I hold my breath thing it is not a wise thing to do.

This was on Sunday.


We love to come across these little arrangements.  Dad decides to add a few on top and then has to remake them because they were falling down.


This path leads to a very steep hill as we near the end of our walk.
Yes, I still get lost with all the different paths
We are so fortunate to live in freedom and to enjoy the grace of each moment!