Summer Fun

 August Journaling

1.      My husband is still on vacation so we went to Hamilton to see the grandkids. While there, my husband changed their three locks so they all use the same key. Our granddaughter was sick with a fever. My daughter baked individual peach pies with a crust I loved, which I don’t usually care for.

2.      Osteopath appointment, nap, dinner, and packing for Kingston.

3.      To Kingston with a couple from our old church. Checking out a few restaurants our daughter recommended from when she was there for law school. Gotta schedule in my nap time so I can cope.

4.      On the five-hour thousand islands cruise from Gananoque. We’ve done it before, years ago, but we’re doing it to spend time with friends and for their sake, since they haven’t seen it. They’ve made so many upgrades to Boldt castle, it’s so beautiful. Slept the whole way home. Also, after telling us about the over 200 shipwrecks, they went on to reassure us our boat was safe, all without a life jacket in sight.

5.      Church in Newcastle this morning, because of summer vacation. Nap, and then the grandkids arrive for four nights. Our daughter and son-in-law are travelling to Boston for a delayed fifth anniversary trip.

6.      Holiday Monday. We’re bbq-ing and my mom, sister, and nieces are coming over to play with the grandkids.

7.      I took my grandson to Jungle Cat World, a local zoo, which he loved.

8.      Rainy day, but the kids played in the kiddie pool anyway.

9.      Our daughter’s flight was delayed twelve hours and then flew to Hamilton instead of Toronto, so they’re picking the kids up tomorrow.

10.   Chiropractor and Costco. Nap and dinner.

11.   A beautiful summer Saturday at home.

12.   Church.

13.   Home day.

14.   Facial injections for pain, worn out, three hour nap.

15.   Massage, followed by a three hour nap. While you may think that sounds nice, I wish I had energy to live life like I used to.

16.   Packing for the Carey Conference this weekend. It’s our 25^th time, but Carey itself is 40 years old.

17.   Baking my blueberry pies, packing, prepping pills.

18.   First day of Carey, exhausting because of setting up the trailer, then shopping.

19.   This week in a trailer makes me see I could never live in a tiny house.

20.   Wow! I’d forgotten what a good preacher Don Carson is. He is one of the best theologians of our day, but also a great communicator.

21.   My husband got to go to a small group of pastors, elders, and seminarians to ask Don Carson questions. I slept three hours. So much rain.

22.   Today was our only busy day. We hosted a couple for lunch, napped, hosted a couple for supper, took in two services, then hosted two couples for a campfire.

23.   Daily long naps, and also went into town to have lunch with friends. So different to be here without kids.

24.   Home after stopping by London to visit my aunt and cousin. My aunt has been widowed a year now. She went to Finland for a long visit, which really energized her.

25.   Laundry day. Everything was so musty.

26.   Our youngest daughter is 26 today. That means it’s her champagne birthday. She’s away on a bachelorette weekend for one of the three weddings she is in this year. One down, two to go. We also are going to visit our other daughter and bring my mother in law to see their first home, which she generously helped them get.

27.   Booked my flight for my aunt’s memorial service. My mom and aunt are driving, but it would be too much for me to sit that long. I used aeroplan miles.

28.   Pain clinic, then a bbq at WINGS maternity home, which is closing.

29.   School prep.

30.   We thought our air conditioning was broken, but it was just shorted out, so my husband was able to fix it. It’s so muggy.

31.   Farm day with grandkids. They loved feeding the chickens and goats.

A Year of Gratitiude: July 2018

Today I am thankful for...

1.      My country of Canada, on Canada Day, such as it is with it’s not so latent hostility to Christians and their freedom.

2.      Ability to rest at home when I’m sick, and sermon audio to catch up on what I missed.

3.      My library, both fiction and non-fiction. I have a lot of good resources for research.

4.      World cup soccer; lots of upsets this time around, which makes it interesting. My team of Germany is already out.

5.      Not having to worry about finances, only health.

6.      Facetiming with the grandkids.

7.      A beautiful summer Saturday.

8.      Being back at church.

9.      Spending a day with the grandkids at their new house. They have a little blow-up pool.

10.   I wrote a report card for my grandson.

11.   Air conditioning at home.

12.   Acupuncture seems to be helping.

13.   Flowers and my herb garden in the backyard.

14.   My dishwasher. Not a fan of handwashing dishes.

15.   The new home my mom, sister, and nieces are renting.

16.   My mom being able to spend time with her great grandkids.

17.   My washer.

18.   My dryer.

19.   Garage sales at church, where I have a chance to offload clutter.

20.   My reference books which help with Bible studies.

21.   My mom and sister’s new rental home.

22.   Black-eyed Susies, which I planted in front of our house. Perennials and potted plants are my kind of gardening.

23.   I bought some more black eyed Susies for my daughter’s yard.

24.   My crops.

25.   Coupons to completely pay for our meal tomorrow.

26.   32 happy years of marriage.

27.   Lobster.

28.   Festival at church.

29.   Sunshine.

30.   The beach. I feel more relaxed near the water.

31.   Getting honourable mention for my novel in the first writing contest I’ve entered.

Happy Canada D-eh!

July Journaling

1.      Happy Canada D-eh! Although I’m not a very proud Canadian this year with all the attacks on the freedom of religion and expression, but I suppose it could be worse. I missed church today.

2.      Still sick. No energy. Changed the sheets on a bed and had to rest. Too tired to shower.

3.      A few errands and a chiropractor appointment. Watched some world cup soccer and that’s all.

4.      Dental appointment.

5.      Osteopathic appointment, trying acupuncture for another area of uncontrolled pain.

6.      Home day. Date night, but at home, which is my speed.

7.      A nice summer Saturday. So this Trudeau groping incident; there seems to be a double standard depending on who the accused is. This one seems to be disappearing without comment. Other politicians are expected to step aside, but he gets on his high horse. Golden boy. Not cynical at all, just sarcastic.

8.      Nice to be back at church after being sick last week.

9.      Visiting the grandkids. My grandson asked what letter we’d learn today. It’s summer, so nothing but fun. I bought them a pool to enjoy in their new backyard.

10.   Still with the grandkids, stayed overnight.

11.   Home day.

12.   Osteopath appointment. Acupuncture seems to be helping.

13.   Shopping with my husband. Last chance to get summer clothes on sale. They already have winter coats out, during a heat wave.

14.   Third place game in World Cup between Belgium and England.

15.   Church, then picking up my mom to come with me to Hamilton tomorrow.

16.   Day with the grandkids. My granddaughter is learning new words. She also has a temper.

17.   Home day.

18.   Massage appointment.

19.   Home day. For lunch I made pizza on Italian bread, with pizza sauce, chive cream cheese and fresh basil. Delish.

20.   I heard that my novel got honourable mention in a writing contest. That’s helpful in cover letters to show that other professionals have taken a look at it and believe it has some merit. Now to submit it to the two agents who requested it once it was completed. They asked for it based on the idea, back when it was still a work in progress and I was healthy. Five years later it’s done. I hope there’s not a time limit on the request.

21.   A bbq at my mom and sister’s new rental house.

22.   Church day, long nap.

23.   Day with grandkids.

24.   Osteopathic treatments helping somewhat, with energy. Sat by the lake at Rotary Park. Just being near water relaxes me like nothing else.

25.   The grandkids came for the day and we took them to Rotary Park to the water park.

26.   Our 32^nd anniversary. Out for dinner at the Keg. Ate a lobster the size of my head. I’ll include a picture.

27.   Pain clinic this morning, and a rare movie night. It was still too loud even with earplugs, though.

28.   Our church hosted the Festival today, with games, bouncy castle, dunking booth, garage sale items, food, live music, face painting, fire engine, and ice cream truck. We stayed for a while and helped with the garage sale table. It’s to raise money for a missions trip that four couples are going on in the fall to Tenerife, Canary Islands. This evening we went to a friend’s place for our quarterly dinner party.

29.   Church.

30.   Beach day with my husband. So relaxing by the water.

31.   Home day, in the rain. Three and a half hour nap today. So exhausted.

June: a year of gratitude

June; Today I am thankful for…

1.      My car’s a.c. was fixed. It’s cold enough to make ice cream in.

2.      Annual flowers in my yard.

3.      My husband being 20 years cancer free! As an oncology nurse, I know there aren’t a lot of happy endings, especially with sarcoma. But God is faithful.

4.      Spending the day with my granddaughter, bonding. She said her first two word sentence. When I’d ask, “Where’s Robin?” She’s answer, “I’m heeeyah.”

5.      Dollar stores. So many good deals. Although I only ever go in intending to buy one or two items, I come out with three bags. I should own stocks in them.

6.      Dental care every three months, covered by my husband’s benefits.

7.      A new provincial premier.

8.      Prepping for the party, also smart to get the salads and cupcakes catered.

9.      The party for my husband. Exhausting but good.

10.   A day with my grandkids.

11.   Dental work.

12.   My mom brought me a tea towel as a gift from South Carolina. It says, Mimi is the name, spoiling is the game. Appropriate.

13.   Benefits for all my health care costs.

14.   World cup soccer starting today. Go Germany!

15.   Yoga for sleep class.

16.   A lady at church is hosting my women’s ministry team for a high tea as a thank you. Very nice of her.

17.   My husband’s 55^th birthday and father’s day.

18.   A quiet day at home.

19.   School prep day.

20.   Massage; I really needed it.

21.   My daughter’s job offer for the next four months. An answer to prayer.

22.   Getting rid of the piano. The room feels more balanced and spacious now.

23.   My daughters beautiful new home. I especially love the attic.

24.   Church dinners. Appreciation for two elderly sisters who are moving away.

25.   A new roof!

26.   My daughter’s call to the Bar and a thank you dinner from her to celebrate.

27.   Pinterest. I couldn’t teach my grandson without its help.

28.   A new member of my health care team, an osteopath.

29.   Air conditioning, especially as we’re heading into a heat wave this weekend.

30.   Summer time. My favourite season, even with the heat.

New house/Call to the Bar

June Journaling

1.      Bought new lawn chairs and potted plants.

2.      Planted some impatiens in the front yard. Prepping for my husband’s party next weekend.

3.      Today my husband is 20 years cancer free!  He is also preaching this morning.

4.      No school, but my daughter is working today so I’m babysitting the one year old. My grandson will go to daycare.

5.      Chiro appointment. Exhausted today, and my balance is off again. Also noticed my scalp is puffy again, or boggy as my chiropractor calls it. Wonder if there’s a connection?

6.      Dental appointment.

7.      Prepping for my husband’s party.

8.      Cooking and cleaning for tomorrow.

9.      A bbq for 30 people at our house to celebrate my husband’s 20 years cancer free. Burgers, jerk chicken, rice and peas, salads, grilled veggies, cupcakes.

10.   Church and a loooong nap to recover from yesterday.

11.   A day with the grandkids.

12.   Dental work.

13.   A home day. Bible study and nap.

14.   A procedure. Drains me. World cup soccer starts today. Go Germany!!

15.   Yoga for sleep class. I don’t expect it will make a difference because my sleep issues are related to my illnesses.

16.   A lady at church is hosting our Women’s ministry team to a tea to thank us for the past two years.

17.   My husband is 55 and it’s also Father’s Day.

18.   Home day. Sore back. School prep for the new year.

19.   They’re decommissioning our cul-de-sac. Good bye free parking, hello noise, shaking and four new direct neighbours.

20.   Massage, then heading over to the grandkids. Sleeping over, then bringing them back to stay with us while their parents move on Friday.

21.   Great news day. Our daughter and her husband picked up the keys to their new house. They are now homeowners. And it’s the same date as the move in to our first home. And my youngest daughter who is now a lawyer was just offered a four month contract position where she has been articling, and it was thankful because the new Ontario premiere announced a hiring freeze just this week, but her job was approved before the freeze, and only announced today. She’s happy to be employed, and of course she’ll get a raise to a lawyer’s salary.

22.   Moving day!

23.   Piano finally going to my daughter’s house. It was a wedding gift almost six years ago, but they didn’t have space until now. Then we dropped the kids off. It takes a little longer to get to them now that they’re in Hamilton.

24.   Church, and a going away dinner for two elderly sisters. Slept over three hours today.

25.   Getting the roof re-shingled today. The noise is impeding my nap. Then a cupboard door shook right off its hinges.

26.   It’s my daughter’s call to the Bar ceremony at Roy Thomson Hall. Then she’s taking us out for dinner as a thank you for all the years of support.

27.   Our daughter and grandkids are coming for an overnight visit.

28. Wondered why I looked so fat in pictures, then came to the conclusion that I'm fat. Who knew? Facing facts. 

29.   Watched an action movie on Netflix, but fell asleep.

30.   Heat wave, plus I’m sick. Staying in.

A Year of Gratitude:May 2018

May journaling; I am thankful for…

1.      A getaway trip to Niagara Falls

2.      Hotels, especially our suite. Someone to make my bed, clean the bathroom.

3.      WINGS maternity home ministry gala.

4.      My dishwasher prepared by my husband.

5.      Our eldest daughter has been accepted to grad school (social work)!

6.      A bbq luncheon at church.

7.      Dinner downtown with my youngest daughter, as an early Mother’s day gift. She took me to El Catrin, an authentic Mexican restaurant in the Distillery District.

8.      A once a year pedicure.

9.      My kindle to read to me.

10.   Being able to rest/pace myself/not work/concentrate on my health.

11.   Our garage door cable snapped, but we were able to get it fixed the same day.

12.   Being well enough to attend the Millions Missing event. Also my sister’s birthday.

13.   A supportive network of family, friends, and medical team that accepts me and my illness.

14.   My mother-in-law, whose birthday is today. We ordered Ethiopian food takeout.

15.   BOTOX, even when he nicks my facial nerve, like today.

16.   A home day to write.

17.   I had to drop off my car because of a flat tire. Thankful for car care.

18.   A 29 year career in nursing.

19.   My washer/clean clothes/effortless.

20.   My dryer/soft towels.

21.   Homemade soup.

22.   Crocuses and tulips.

23.   Daffodils and lilacs.

24.   My daughter’s family being able to buy a house.

25.   The generosity of my mother-in-law to give my daughter the down payment for their house.

26.   Women’s retreat weekend.

27.   Potted plants and seedlings; the extent of my gardening abilities.

28.   A local cupcake company I used for my 50^th party, and now I’ve ordered some for my husband’s celebration bbq.

29.   The faithfulness of Marion Cozens over 9-1/2 years running WINGS maternity home, but she will be closing out the ministry at the end of August.

30.   The mental clarity to revise my manuscript.

31.   Actually completing the revisions of my manuscript in time to send it in tonight for a writer’s publishing contract contest.

Millionsmissing

May Journaling

1.      Still in Niagara Falls with my husband. We enjoyed another nice dinner out, but I can’t eat as much as I could when I was healthy. I had room service for breakfast, read and showered, went downstairs for a salad, where my husband joined me, then I took a cab for my once a year pedicure, and then napped.

2.      I went to listen to my husband’s presentation at the conference. He did a good job. Stopped to see the grandkids on our way home from Niagara Falls.

3.      Recovery day, then the WINGS gala.

4.      Another day of high winds. We lost another 12 shingles. Good thing we’re due for a new roof this month. But the wind took our gate right off its hinges. See the picture. It landed in the driveway right where my husband’s car usually is, but this time he had parked on the road. Thankful it was spared. We didn’t lose our power like many in the region did.

5.      A beautiful Saturday. My husband is running errands and doing work around the house. I prepped a salad and dessert for church tomorrow, then napped two hours.

6.      We had a bbq at church today.

7.      School day. The letter Z, and the story of Zaccheus.

8.      Bible study, and nap, then meeting my daughter and family downtown for dinner at a Mexican restaurant in the Distillery District. Can guacamole change your life? Yes!

9.      Chiro and massage today. In agony in the afternoon.

10.   Home day, finishing up Bible study homework.

11.   Prepping school for Monday.

12.   Today I attended my first Millions Missing event. It was downtown at Bay and Bloor. Of course nothing ever goes smoothly for me. My husband was going to come with me but he had a home inspector coming to check about damage to the house because of the new construction. Of course I got turned around and ended up walking for blocks, which is very draining on me. But once I got there I was able to sit in the chair I brought along. I met fellow sufferers and a medical doctor stopped to tell us she believes us and that she is also frustrated by the way we are treated by the medical community. Then my daughter stopped by, as she was working that day. Draining, but a profitable day. It was during my prime nap time, but I slept once I got back home. I posted about it on facebook.

13.   I posted a thank you to my family and friends for being so supportive of my illness; I know that is not always the case. We went to my mother in law’s house for Mother’s Day, and ordered Ethiopian take out.

14.   School day, learning about Blind Bartimaus. We also went out to eat lunch, and my son in law was there and paid for us. Also it’s the birthday of my mother in law, and my daughter’s mother in law.

15.   Bible study this morning. The final one except for the summary of Esther next week, then a break for summer for us. Then I went for my Botox injections for pain, and he nicked my facial nerve and it caused my face to droop and my eye not to close for a few hours.

16.   A home day, finishing up my summary of Esther for Tuesday.

17.   Had to bring my car in because my tire was flat, although there was no nail in it.

18.   Pain clinic for back injections, a few errands and a nap. I’m alone overnight. My husband has gone fishing and our daughter went camping for a few nights with friends.

19.   Alone again. Trying to tidy up for our daughter’s family coming tomorrow. I can only manage to vacuum and clean the bathrooms once a month. So different from when I was well.

20.   Grandkids are visiting. I bought sidewalk chalk, water balloons, and bubbles. We will also do a campfire, go for a walk (my husband will) and build a fort. My daughter and her husband will go out on a date tonight.

21.   Victoria Day weekend. BBQ with the fam.

22.   Presenting the summary of the book of Esther, then lunch out to celebrate. Then a break till the fall. Looking forward to it.

23.   Our eldest daughter and her husband bought a house today in Hamilton! I’m so happy for them. It happened quite quickly. They were thinking about moving this summer to another cheaper rental since she’s not working right now, but then my mother in law graciously gifted them with enough for a down payment to help them get a start. Then they looked and fell in love with almost the first house they saw, a renovated 1928 house, 2-1/2 stories, three bedrooms, two bath, backyard, basement, and attic. It was renovated beautifully. They move in a few weeks. Will try to help out as we are able.

24.   Just made a decision to try to send in my manuscript to a publishing company to win a contract. It was written long ago, but I have to tidy it up and apply some of the suggested edits from a California editor. I hope I can get it done, considering I have the women’s ministry retreat this weekend, and school on Monday.

25.   Heading to Elim lodge for the weekend. My mom is coming with me.

26.   Good weather, great teaching, lots of rest.

27.   Home again, always good.

28.   Final day of school, since they’ve got the move coming up. He is just over three but already knows most of his letters, counting to ten, colours and shapes, his right and left, his address, how to find where he lives on any map or globe, days of the week, months of the year, seasons, and how to spell his name. Pretty successful nursery school I’d say, even with just one day a week for 9 months.

29.   Dropped off my mom, now scrambling with edits. Heat wave, a.c. on. The a.c, is broken in my car, so I’ll get it fixed on Friday.

30.   A full day of revisions. Tomorrow is the deadline.

31.   Another full day of revisions. I’ve now read through the whole book. Finished with an hour to spare. Sent in. Now we wait. I don’t know what my chances are, I guess it depends on how many submissions they get. I feel it was a great accomplishment to get it done.