Missions Week

 October Journaling

1.     Washer delivery. Then heading to H-town to stay overnight to drive the kids to school and back and make dinner. Giving the school a giant teddy bear for the Christmas auction.

2.     I always do a craft with the kids and this time we wrapped thick yarn around toilet paper rolls and added a cinnamon stick to make pumpkins.

3.     Our new washer is installed and working beautifully. This past two weeks we had expensive car repairs, a new washer, furnace and air conditioner. Home ownership.

4.     Home day. I made another pocketed scarf, a puff stitch pumpkin and three yarn wrapped pumpkins. Cooking and baking for tomorrow.

5.     We had a Pastor’s appreciation luncheon. I brought Caesar salad and cake.

6.     Work is finally starting on the basement for my mom. They worked eleven hours and put in the subfloor and drywall. I made a granny square scarf and ear warmer set using the colour changing granny square yarn. I finally mastered the tension so it changes at the right spot each time. I like it.

7.     Crocheted a giant squid with dollar store plush yarn.

8.     Prayer meeting. Made another brown teddy bear with acrylic yarn and crocheted eyes.

9.     Bible study this morning. Made a large three shaded brown snake with plush yarn.

10. Taking my mom to the dentist. Our new furnace isn’t working. They’re coming to fix it today. Also more work done downstairs. My husband was awake until two a.m. because of a work water crisis, but prayer was answered.

11. The circuit board they installed is a dud so now we have to wait for the part, and it didn’t arrive when expected.

12. The grandkids et al arrived today for Thanksgiving up north tomorrow. It’s our daughter and son-in-law’s 13^th wedding anniversary today so we watched the kids and they went downtown for dinner.

13. Drove up to Muskoka for thanksgiving dinner at my brother-in-law’s. There were 24 of us. It was nice not to have to host either Thanksgiving or Christmas this year. By the time the guests arrive, I have nothing left. The kids went early to go to the fire station where my brother-in-law works as a chaplain. The drive back took an extra hour.

14. I have made two pumpkins, another scarf and giant blue variegated yarn snake and a child’s beanie.

15. Preparing to present the Ugandan orphan ministry on the Wednesday night of Missions Week. My mom has a follow-up appointment at the dentist. Our new furnace wasn’t working, so they came and replaced the circuit board and we have heat just in time for a change in the weather.

16. Made some large granny square pot holders for my mom, and nine mini stuffed pumpkins for a garland. Going to Costco, mostly for clothes. I got dress pants, a green long sleeved shirt, a windbreaker and a red short winter coat.

17. Baked some carrot cakes for the Missions Week kickoff dinner tomorrow. Also made some homemade chicken stock and crocheted a dark green tree garland.

18. Missions Week kickoff dinner.

19. Church. We went out to dinner with the speaker. Then home for a nap, then back to church.

20. Chiro then Walmart. Made dinner for a guest meeting with my husband.

21. Crocheted a butternut squash and a mini one with a keychain. Also another multicoloured pumpkin and mini one as a keychain, and a three shaded tree garland.

22. Presented the orphan ministry at church. Someone bought the one big teddy bear I bought as an example.

23. Bible study.

24. Flu shot.

25. Women’s breakfast at church. Made a tricolour green beanie and a third green Christmas tree garland.

26. Church during missions week. Went out for lunch with the speaker and his wife. I brought the salad and dessert.

27. Mom to chiro. Doing my homework. Made a tweed teddy bear.

28. Pain clinic. Housekeeper here today. She comes once a month, at least I know it gets cleaned well at least that often. No energy for such things.

29. Driving to H-town with my mom to help by picking up my grandson and bringing him to the dentist, and then cooking dinner for them.

30. Bible study. Made six preemie beanies, another pumpkin keychain and two pumpkin pie pot holders.

31. Reformation Day. My mom’s apartment is getting painted today.

Retreat Sales

 

September Journaling

1.     Labour Day. Made a fourth light saber and now will make a double sided red one for my grandson as requested.

2.     Booking some appointments and changing others. Made a rainbow turtle keychain; a real seven colour rainbow and a phone case for me, and a red and beige striped scarf. The grandkids are now in grade 5,3, and SK.

3.     Head massage, eyebrow shaping and facial, then fall dine and pray at church to pray for the ministries beginning again now. Made a Caesar salad. Made a baby blue pumpkin.

4.     Our buddies came over for dinner and to receive a birthday gift from us. Their birthdays are both in September so we bought them a Finnish pizza oven called Ooni. They loved it. The real word for oven is uuni but they wanted people to pronounce it correctly so they spelled it that way. I know they’ll get a lot of use out of it for ministry. Made a peach pie. Making Pino sausages, mac and cheese, and mango salsa for dinner.

5.     Going to get bloodwork done. Made a large pink pumpkin.

6.     Made a small beige pumpkin to go with the pink and baby blue pumpkin. The basement reno is starting today. All the kitchen cupboards have been taken to the dump.

7.     Church. We had watched the video of a baptism that was done at a friend’s pool because the guy was moving out west in a matter of days. His father, who witnessed his birth, took part in baptizing him, acknowledging his second birth. Then we had a baby dedication and luncheon. I brought two salads and a tiramisu cake. Headed to H-town to help with the kids since their dad is in Montreal for a conference.

8.     Drove the kids to and from school. The youngest was off today so we painted, and went to a park. I almost fell; my balance has been really bad lately. I made my grandson a double sided long red light saber. Also made another squid. My granddaughters, 8 and 5 were both saying they didn’t want to have a baby because it hurts. So I told them it’s not so bad, you forget it afterwards, you get a reward for your pain, and there are medications to help. I told them about epidurals, a needle in your back that takes away the pain from contractions completely. Then they changed their minds. The five year old wanted to have a baby right away. The next day when she found out one of the teachers was pregnant, she told her about epidurals. Hilarious.

9.     Doctor’s appointment, to increase Wegovy. So far I only lost five pounds in eight weeks, but also lost two inches, my double chin, and a hump on the top of my spine, so that’s something. My cholesterol is normal now, since I’ve been on crestor, as is my CRP, which is an indicator of inflammation. My thyroid is low, which explains my tiredness. Also got my final shingles vaccine. Made another squid.

10. Began a shell stitch scarf in variegated yarn, very nice. Woke up in pain from the vaccine, which was different from the first, as my doctor warned me. Charlie Kirk was assassinated. I watched him on Instagram. I agreed with his views on faith, abortion, etc. but not his politics. So sad.

11. 24 years since 9/11. Hosted the youth for the appetizer portion of the progressive dinner. I made mango salsa and nachos, devilled eggs, and watermelon and feta skewers. They all disappeared.

12. My husband is away this weekend for a men’s retreat. Crocheted a hot pink owl pillow. Finished the scarf.

13. Baking for lunch tomorrow. We will have lunch with the guest speaker at J and E’s.

14. Church. Lunch with our friends. They made osso bucco.

15. Botox day; new doctor. So sleepy since my thyroid is off; when I nap or sleep it’s so hard to wake up.

16. Quiet day at home.

17. My mom had a chiro appointment. We were treated to a concert featuring Mac Powell, the lead singer from Third Day. He sang God of Wonders and Lord of Glory, among others. So nice.

18. Bible study. Endocrinologist’s appointment. Adjusting my thyroid medicine down. Confirmed I do have Hashimoto’s Disease, which is the cause of my hypothyroid. It’s another autoimmune illness to add to my other two. I made a blue double sided light saber for sale.

19. I bought a square reader for business. It should arrive soon.

20. Baking for church tomorrow.

21. Church. I will be bringing books and stuffies to the retreat. Made a giant teddy bear but accidentally got two similar colours on it. Hopefully some kid will love it anyway.

22. Chiro appointment for me and my mom. Mentoring this evening.

23. Pain clinic. Learning to use the square point of sale terminal for this weekend. Housekeeper here.

24. Maintenance appointment.

25. Bible study. Big car repair bill for my husband’s car.

26. Packing up for tomorrow’s retreat.

27. At a one night retreat. I brought my crochet products to sell. I recently bought a square terminal for point of sale purchases.

28. Returning home. Sold $520 in toys and $100 in books.

29. Had to buy a new washer. So many expenses this month.

30. My car is in the shop for regular maintenance. Made a yellow, white and black snake, a mini eggplant keychain, and a squid. 

Light Sabers

 

August Journaling

1.     Heading over to H-town and leaving my car there for the week.

2.     On the road, stopping for northern blueberries and corn on the cob in Sudbury on route.

3.     Sunday, drove into Thessalon to get groceries; it didn’t open till noon, there was a lineup to get in, and it was crowded, plus they didn’t have a lot of the things I needed. Chili for dinner.

4.     The kids were kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, swimming, saunaing, and tubing.

5.     My cousin and his wife came to visit, bringing Pino sausages for us from town to save us a trip.

6.     To the trading post for ice cream; I had butter pecan. Pino sausages and corn on the cob with Caesar salad for dinner. Our grandson (10) kayaked over to a nearby store for ice cream.

7.     I made a baby yoda, and began a teddy bear. The kids are having a great time with campfires, kayaking, and tubing. They have lots of kids to play with here. Family hike, they saw bears.

8.     Final day here, the kids went tubing and had another campfire, played with the kids and had sparklers at night. They’re sad to leave.

9.     Travel day; eight hours of driving. Then I drove home, forgetting my medication.

10. Church, then my husband drove to Hamilton to pick up my meds. Pino sausages for dinner.

11. Foot massage appointment. It was lovely.

12. I have so many book ideas, I could write one every week. But the cost of formatting and covers slows me down to one a month. So far on amazonkdp I have The Legacy Project, Giant Military Word Search, and Senior Living Word Search.

13. Went to J & E’s for a men’s retreat planning meeting. The wives came along for dinner. I crocheted a covered bag in a shell stitch I just learned in a tutorial. I also made two squids and a little ghost.

14. Going out for lunch to celebrate the 75^th birthday of a lady at church. Home group this evening. Made my first cherry pie.

15. Crocheted a colourful beanie and scarf. Made my first cherry pie.

16. Had a telephone health interview for life insurance.

17. Church, nap, then cards with our buddies, whose trip was delayed four days because of the Air Canada strike. Made four squids.

18. Moved up a dose of Wegovy. So far only four pounds lost in a month. Mentoring a young couple this evening. Pino sausage, new potatoes, carrots and peas from a farm, and Portuguese tarts for dessert.

19. Pain clinic, but my mom’s bp was too low. She is getting so forgetful. I will dispense her meds from now on.

20. Blood work for my mom’s upcoming appointment.

21. Writing another word search book, this one is a phonics wordsearch for kids or those new to English as a second language. Home group and Bible study, even though our pals are on vacation. They opened up their home to be used.

22. Writing. Crocheted two hats and a scarf with pockets for a phone and glasses.

23. Crocheted a big pink doily.

24. Church. Made a red pocketed scarf.

25. My mom had a nephrologist appointment that I attended with her. Pedicures.

26. Our youngest daughter is 33 today. She is the one who lives in France. Going out to teppanyaki for Japanese dinner.

27. Chiro, then picking up the grandkids. Event at church for them.

28. Finnish pancakes (crepes) for breakfast. Taking the grands to the Nordic bakery and Indigo.

29. Took the kids to Dollarama to buy pool noodles. I used them to make three light sabers by covering them with yarn. I’ll post a picture. Potluck dinner at church. Final home group.

30. Our friends were on their way home from Curacao when they were on the runway picking up speed, and had just started to lift off when there was a loud bank, it fell to the runway and swerved from side to side. An engine failed. They returned to the gate and were delayed a further 24 hours, but if it had happened even a minute later it could have ended differently. So thankful they’re alive. Thank God!

31. Church. Made a fourth light saber.

No A.C. During Heatwave

 July Journaling

1.     We had a booth at a community event at Ajax Downs. It was hard for me because I had to park so far away, and there was very little shade.

2.     Chiropractor, then a few errands. Still no A.C. It will be fixed on Friday. Made a pink flamingo.

3.     Bible study quizzes, then a combined prayer meeting and home group at someone’s home. Packed up my toys and other crocheted products in preparation for my mom to take that room. Also moving my mom upstairs while they start reno/repairs for water damage to three rooms.

4.     Our a.c. is being repaired today. It was only the capacitor that starts the motor so no cost. Now we will be cool.

5.     The grandkids are coming today for a week, for VBS next week, while their parents go to France to visit our other daughter. Downstairs is being torn up for mold remediation.

6.     Church, then the older kids went to see How To Train Your Dragon, live action at the theatre with their friends and my husband.

7.     First day of VBS, it went well. Then swimming at our friends’ place.

8.     Second day of VBS, then lunch and swimming. Spoke to their parents on facetime.

9.     Third day of VBS, snacks going smoothly. Found out one of my helpers is a drummer in the production of the Lion King we saw.

10. Fourth day of VBS, so far so good.

11. Final day of VBS, then a bbq lunch. Kids dropped off at the other set of grandparents. The black mold is completely gone from the basement now. Then we need to begin the renovation.

12. Big clean up day after a week with the grandkids. We bought my mom a mini fridge for her upstairs room. She may be there a few weeks while the reno goes on. We also brought up her microwave and coffee pot. It’s like a dorm room.

13. Church, with a recap of the VBS.

14. Bank appointment to get financing for the reno. Seems to be hopeful.

15. Got my weight loss medication approved. My doctor will call on Saturday with the prescription. Taking my mom to pick up her meds and go to a doctor’s appointment. Then to dinner at a couple from church.

16. Bloodwork, while my husband is at the optometrist.

17. Home group and prayer meeting had 22 people attending. It got very cool recently.

18. Getting a plan together for the basement renovation.

19. Got an order for an approved weight loss medication. I hope it works when 10 diets have not. I decided to make a Spanish translation of my book, The Legacy Project. AI is amazing to do that in seconds. My friend, Anna has agreed to read through it and check that it sounds conversational.

20. I wrote the draft of a children’s book for my youngest granddaughter about when she lost her stuffie in Jamaica. Started the weight loss medication. Hope it works.

21. Housekeeper. I love her work.

22. Pain clinic for back injections.

23. Going to Fair Havens to check out the venue for retreats, then lunch.

24. Making lemon squares for dessert tomorrow. Then I see my endocrinologist. Home group tonight.

25. Had a young couple whom we are mentoring over for dinner.

26.It’s our 39^th anniversary. We went to The Keg for dinner. Also we have an event at our church today for the community.

27. Church. Salmon burgers for dinner.

28. Home day. Began packing for up north next week.

29. Made Caesar salad enough for 20 people, then we went to see a baptism in a pool since he is moving away this week to go out west.

30. Premade bacon for up north. Chiro, then nap, and pedicure. Still packing.

31. Banking for funding for renovations. Packed to go. Home group prayer meeting.

New Senior Living Wordsearch

 

June Journaling

1.     Church. Looking after a little boy at church again as his newborn brother is still in the ICU at Sick Kids Hospital. Guest speaker in the evening, then refreshments after church. I made devilled eggs and chocolate chip cookies as my contribution.

2.     Took my mom to the cardiologist. Her bloodwork and echocardiogram were fine, but her bp meds needed changing, and she will have an angiogram to check out why she has been having chest pain.

3.     Today my husband is 27 years cancer free! An anniversary work marking every year. Not everyone has a happy cancer story.

4.     Prayer meeting.

5.     Bible study, then endocrinologist appointment. She decreased my thyroid medicine again because I’ve been having heart fluttering and body aches.

6.     Took my mom to two other appointments. A plumber was supposed to come to assess the problem downstairs but they never showed up.

7.     Today was a one-day women’s retreat at church. It was awesome. Baking for tomorrow.

8.     Church.

9.     Dinner and mentoring.

10. Cooking for Wednesday at church. Housekeeper is here today. I sure do appreciate her. Just preparing the house for her is too much for me. VBS meeting online.

11. We are having a Father’s Day dinner and prayer for fathers, like we did on Mother’s Day. I’m bringing enough macaroni and cheese and Caesar salad for 70 people.

12. Bible study is taking a break for the summer, so today was a party.

13. Going to H-town to help out. I made salmon, rice, green beans, and salad for dinner, with butter tarts for dessert. I have a cold.

14. My next word search book is ready for uploading. Also I saw that my memoir guided journal, The Legacy Project, sold 50 copies in one day!

15. I stayed home from church this morning because of my cold, but watched online. Made a light green snake and a turtle keychain.

16. Going to a visitation for a friend who died suddenly in his sleep. He was a 67 year old accountant /pastor.

17. Went to two appointments with my mom today. She can hardly walk a few minutes in the mall.

18. Prayer meeting. Made a koala and corn on the cob.

19. Made a shawl. Went to my doctor to get a shingles shot and forms filled out to apply for a medication. Then out to dinner downtown and to The Lion King; a gift from our amigos for my husband’s birthday.

20. Took my mom to get her driver’s licence renewed. She only drives two blocks max to the grocery store, otherwise I drive her everywhere. My newest book arrived; a Senior Living word search. I’m pleased with how this one is formatted, unlike my military word search, which needs to be redone.

21. Went to church for a Plan to Protect seminar and VBS meeting and pizza lunch. Steak and Caesar salad for dinner. Made an octopus with multi-coloured tentacles. No A.C. during heatwave. It won't be fixed till July 4th.

22. Church. No power, so we sang from hymnals.

23. My mom had an angiogram today; hopefully this will help with her chest pain, bp, and shortness of breath. She didn’t need any new stents.

24. I went down to TBS to sit in on a free class by a world class scholar. It’s on Biblical Theology, which I love.

25. My mom has another doctor’s appointment today.

26. Back to TBS again, this time with my friend.

27. Pain clinic injections. My doctor is on leave, possibly permanently.

28. A phone appointment with my mom’s doctor, then took her grocery shopping.

29. Church.

30. Helping out in H-town. Made burgers and corn on the cob for dinner. Also a strawberry shortcake for Canada Day. Made a big orange cat.

Mother in law's 80th party

 May Journaling

1.     Bible study. Having a few people over this evening for a meeting and refreshments.

2.     Went to H-town to help out. My mom came with me. She’s doing much better.

3.     Home day, laundry. Crocheted a faux wasps nest.

4.     Church.

5.     Home day, booking appointments, prepping pills. Crocheting a dark brown teddy bear.

6.     Pain clinic, nap, dinner. Setting up my mom’s meds because she’s been taking them wrong and has had too much of her bp med, so it was too low.

7.     Pedicures for me and my mom; her mother’s day gift. Then a mother’s day dinner at church and prayer for moms. I’m bringing the Caesar salad.

8.     Bible study. Guests for dinner; a family of four from church. We’re doing raclette again.

9.     To H-town with my mom again to help out. Our daughter gave my mom and I flowers.

10. Taking my mom to ultrasound and kidney test appointment.

11. Mother’s Day; I also got her a map of the world puzzle since she enjoyed doing one with her great-granddaughter.

12. My mom had an echo-cardiogram today.

13. Spring cleaning done today by our housekeeper and a friend of hers.

14. Bible study homework. Steaming the curtains I washed yesterday.

15.Bible study. Doctor’s appointment for me.

16. Pain clinic for my mom since last time her bp was too low.

17. Women’s breakfast.

18. Church, we’re taking the guest speaker out to a restaurant. Dinner and cards at our friends.

19. Yard work for my husband. Dinner at a young couple’s from church. We are mentoring them.

20. Crocheting two sets of three peas in a pod.

21. Our youngest granddaughter is already five today! Blood work.

22.Bible study. More blood work today. I forgot to fast yesterday.

23. Laundry day, since tomorrow is too busy. Went to Ribfest. Yum.

24. Baby shower; made an appearance and dropped off the gift, but then we had a photo shoot for my mother-in-law’s 80^th birthday. Still celebrating. Then a dinner at the Mandarin restaurant with 35 friends and family.

25. Church times two. Picked up more chicken and ribs from Ribfest to serve to our guests tomorrow.

26. Baked a cake and made macaroni and cheese as a side for the chicken and ribs. Also a southwest salad. Booking appointments for my mom.

27. Seeing a dietician this afternoon.

28. Chiro today.

29. Bible study. 3^rd John.

30. Home day.

31. Fifth birthday party for our youngest granddaughter.

Together for the Gospel Conference 2025

 

April Journaling

1.     Finishing up rearranging my library. Our daughter is still here waiting on her French visa and passport so she can start her new life abroad.

2.     Her visa arrived, flight to the US booked for Friday, where she’ll join her husband, awaiting his visa.

3.     Bible study, working on the library rearranging and cleaning. Then a nap, then dinner and our penultimate class on Hebrews.

4.     Making many colourful chicks. Finished 38 shelves of books, all dusted and arranged by subject or author. Also purged our cd’s and dvd’s since we have no way to play them anymore. Dropped off my daughter at the airport. There may have been tears.

5.     Preparing food for tomorrow evening at church; egg salad sandwiches, cucumber and smoked salmon bites, and banana cupcakes with brown butter icing.

6.     Busy day at church, a large group of us went out to a restaurant for lunch with our guest speaker for the evening. We had refreshments after the evening service; it was encouraging to see more people out, but then food is also a good draw. Made 12 colourful chicks so far, in pastel colours.

7.     Home day, working on my homework for Thursday’s class, and getting my lists ready for a pharmacy to make me a 7-day blister pack of meds for Indianapolis at the end of the month.

8.     Dropped off over 125 books and many cd’s at Value Village. Requested the blister packs, and went to pain clinic. My mom and aunt are still in London till Friday.

9.     My husband had a very late elders’ meeting yesterday so he’s working from home today. Working on my podcast. Judges chapter one.

10. Bible study. Sold some chicks and a bunny. Final class of Hebrews. I gifted our teacher with two copies of my book, The Legacy Project.

11. Botox, then I drove out to H-town to get my mom and aunt. Got to see my other aunt and two cousins. Took a group picture.

12. Went to a teppanyaki restaurant with my mom, aunt, and six other friends. So delicious. Made a black and white penguin and a squishy chicken.

13. Church, a dedication for a baby, then lunch at church.

14. Home day; doing homework. My aunt heads back to Finland this evening. She plans to return in two years, but we’re not sure if my mom and aunt will be around.

15. Dentist appointment. Made a purple floppy-eared bunny.

16. Finishing my homework. Prayer meeting.

17. My mom had chest pain again at 11 pm last night, thankfully it subsided after three nitro. I left her a few tracts. I’m concerned for her soul. Working on my podcast. No class today.

18. Good Friday service.

19. Packing for Indiannapolis.

20. Sunrise breakfast at church, then our Resurrection Sunday service. Off to Indiannapolis for the Gospel Coalition Conference. Dropped my mom off in London on our way.

21. We are at an Air B & B house with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. It’s walking distance to the conference centre. Today is a touring/shopping day.

22. First day of the conference.

23. Second day of the conference. My mom was taken to hospital with GI bleeding. Sent home the same day. My cousin went with her.

24. Third day of the conference.

25. Travel home. My cousin turns 50 today. I arranged an appointment with my mom’s family doctor to follow up on Tuesday. No more bleeding.

26. Laundry and unpacking. Grocery shopping and prepping food for our guests tomorrow.

27. Church, and we served raclette for dinner today.

28.Last night my mom had more bleeding, but it was dark blood. Also an hour later at 1 am she had more chest pain, relieved with two nitro. This is my one day free this week. Doing a mini mental test on my mom as a baseline.

29. Doctor’s appointment with my mom; it was too much for her, plus her bp was very low. She ordered bloodwork and several tests but we’re not sure if they’ll do a colonoscopy because of her age.

30. It’s my birthday. I’m 61! Hard to believe. I had a chiro appointment, then drove out to H-town for grandparents’ day at the kids’ school. They put on a play about the little red hen. I made 44 crocheted items this month.