Back from France

January Journaling

1.     Happy New Year! Our youngest daughter is returning from France and her contract work in Lyon. Her husband had to go to the US where his parents live so he can work. They aren’t happy about being apart.

2.     Final day of the grandkids on Christmas break. We were using my school teaching materials for them to play teacher to us. We ordered in because it’s Friday. Made a strawberry turtle keychain and a few more preemie beanies.

3.     Cleaning up the house after the ‘storm’ of grandkids. So I have osteoporosis, and will start on injectable medication.

4.     Church. Then undecorating from Christmas.

5.     Dropping off my car because of an air leak in one of my tires. Then a massage.

6.     Pain clinic. First VBS meeting of the year. I made a giraffe snuggler and a baby seal pup.

7.     Getting ahead of tax preparation by adding up all my health care receipts. I spend over $300 a month out of pocket.

8.     My first children’s book was about to be ready for amazon when we found out it needed 7 more pages, so I prepped those today. I think it makes it more interesting.

9.     My mom’s stair lift is going back in today, then we can put the last of the furniture back in order. She’s happy about that.

10. Going out for dinner to Planta, the Vegan restaurant our daughter’s wedding was held at.

11. Going to publish another word search I have ready; this one is on Medical Terminology. Laundry day, and helped my mom shower. Her new bathroom is so nice.

12. Church.

13. Chiro appointment.

14. To the dentist for a new mouth guard fitting. I made my go-to teddy bear. Last year I made twelve of them.

15. Lots of snow, so our first class on the book of Daniel was canceled for tonight. Our travel buddies are safely home from their usual Christmas trip to Tenerife.

16. I was part of a panel at church for the teens to ask anything. Surprisingly, most of their questions were theological. It went well, though it went long, four hours.

17. Took a Nigerian family from our church out for breakfast.

18. Church. Made another teddy bear, this one from seven different colours. I call it a scrappy bear. Got a Costco order delivered. I spend less this way.

19. Dentist to pick up my mouth guard.

20. Housekeeper. It’s nice to know that my house gets properly cleaned at least once a month; I can’t do it.

21. Prayer meeting. Found out our prof at TBS fell and broke four ribs, so our class on the book of Daniel is cancelled. Too bad, it would have been nice.

22. Working on a rather big polar bear. My first one. It started as a panda but the pattern was ridiculous to follow so I had to wing it. Women’s Bible study starting up again today. Going for dinner at J & E’s and to discuss the trip. Purchased the thermal spa package for the entire cruise.

23. One of my winter tires needs replacing because of a leak.

24. Women’s breakfast meeting, then a Kids’ Church leader’s meeting. I’m starting to be a helper every three months starting in February.

25. My sister will come from B.C. to watch our mom for part of our cruise this spring. She is booking her flight. Church this morning. A big snow storm is coming. Morning service was online, the rest of the events were cancelled. We ended up not so bad out here but downtown Toronto got hammered with two feet of snow.

26. I made a light beige teddy bear. Working on my Bible study homework. We finished Ecclesiastes and started Song of Solomon.

27. I made a light sabre over a pool noodle.

28. Prayer meeting. Rejoicing that the government paused their plan to pass Bill C-9, criminalizing parts of the Bible as hate speech. But because it’s just paused I think they will call an election, and if they get a majority they will push it through then. They just don’t want to go into an election with so many people upset at them.

29. Bible study, starting the book of Song of Solomon.

30. Going to dinner at a friend’s from church.

31. Going to a meeting at church about possibly starting and ESL program there.

Five books published!

 December Journaling

1.     I have an appeal health questionnaire by phone this evening because they denied my application for life insurance for our line of credit; that’s the first time it ever happened. I appealed because I have stable chronic illnesses, nothing life threatening. And so many of my health symptoms have improved.

2.     Pain clinic.

3.     Received an updated copy of the Legacy Project to upload.

4.     Bible study. Put up the Christmas tree. I made a moose snuggler and more preemie beanies.

5.     Got our Covid shots. Elders’ and Wives’ Christmas dinner. I brought apps.

6.     Our church Christmas party. I’m bringing Caesar salad and dessert. Sold $100 in toys just like that.

7.     Church. No evening service.

8.     I’m down 16 pounds. Will continue on this dose.

9.     Seeing my family doctor today. I made a big blue triceratops for a friend’s grandson, and four flag colored mushy pops. Not a fan of making custom orders, it takes the fun out of it.

10. Doing homework. Prayer meeting was focused on praying against the proposed bill C-9 which sees parts of Scripture as hateful and people who use it liable to prosecution.

11. Bible study, last one till the new year.

12. I made a lion stuffy and a smaller Christmas silly goose, and more mushroom poppers.

13. I’m cleaning my mom’s kitchen cupboards and drawers and lining them with shelf paper. I also made a gingerbread man keychain and another teddy bear. My husband is at a men’s breakfast.

14. Church. Had blookdwork at the doctor’s office and all 31 results came back normal. First time in 13 years. So thankful.

15. Got an x-ray and bone density test to see why I have bone pain. With all of the different kinds of chronic pain I’ve had, bone pain was never one of them. The concern I have is that after the technician did the three required x-rays of my spine, he did a chest x-ray. As a cancer nurse I know that those are done to check for spread of cancer to lungs. It made me wonder if he saw something as he was doing it that made him think they’d be asking for it and went ahead and did it. Most people wouldn’t notice the difference, but the same thing happened in 1998 when my husband had bone cancer in his leg. He even knew what it meant because of me, and wondered, ‘why, I don’t have cancer,’ but he did.

16. Publishing a Spanish version of The Legacy Project. Making a big giraffe. Botox today was rescheduled since I was literally trapped inside when my garage door opener broke.

17. Getting the garage door fixed. Chiro. Ordered copies of the Spanish Legacy Project to give as gifts for Christmas. I made a blue light sabre over a pool noodle.

18. Final electrician check for the basement apartment. Potluck at J & E’s.

19. Daughter’s family coming to help with the clean up and move back into my mom’s apartment.

20. Mostly moved in, we just need to clean up our area, covered in dry wall dust. Also her stove didn’t fit because the top of it widens, so we had to buy a new one. She is beyond happy to be back in. Also made a neon green curvy snake to replace the one that I sold. Sent cash to Uganda for their Christmas, and am spending the day cleaning the basement.

21. Church. The illustrator has finished the children’s book, so I can get that formatted now. I currently have another wordsearch with him in production. It’s a culinary word search for foodies. I gave out books I wrote as gifts.

22. Got to buy some food for Christmas. My Spanish language version of The Legacy Project is ready.

23. Cleaning lady. The basement is 90% back to normal. We will have to get the stair lift put back after the new stove arrives.

24. Christmas Eve, aka Finnish Christmas. Candlelight and carol service at church.

25. Our eldest daughter’s family hosted Christmas and they did a great job.

26. Cleaning and writing and crocheting. I enjoy two out of three of those things. Guess which two? Made three teddy bears this week.

27. My mom’s new stove is coming today. Then we are going to Jysk to buy her a table and chairs. My next book is ready to upload; A Giant Culinary Word Search for Foodies.

28. Church. Made a squid and a snake. My husband cleaned out the fridge. I love him for that.

29. Year-end stuff. Made some preemie beanies for the local NICU.

30. Botox. Grocery shopping, ready for grandkids for three nights.

31. The kids went to play with friends for a few hours. Got copies of all my books now.

Selling at Craft Market

 

November Journaling

1.     Hosting our friends for dinner and cards. The downstairs is being painted today. Made another classic teddy bear and added a red scarf for Christmas.

2.     Church. Made many more accent scarves for my toys.

3.     More work on the bathroom downstairs. Made Christmas mushy pops in red, green, and white stripes and red with white spots.

4.     Appointment with my other hormone doctor. Home depot rep coming to see about blinds.

5.     Home day. Prayer meeting in the evening.

6.     In place of Bible study, since we just finished the book of James, we are having a brunch and celebrating the birthday of one of our ladies. Making my first monkey.

7.     Mammogram, or as I like to refer to it, squishogram.

8.     Church, Remembrance Day service, our Pastor, former military, played Last Post on his coronet. Then my mom got her flu shot.

9.     Home day; getting my toys and crochet products categorized and photographed. Our daughter and son-in-law in France are in the Netherlands for a week as a belated first anniversary trip.

10. I will be sending a bunch of toys to the school to sell at the Christmas craft fair on Saturday.

11. My husband got his snow tires on today, I went for a pedicure.

12. Made a waffle stitch neck warmer and a turquoise waffle stitch scarf. It’s a nice stitch.

13. Bible study. Final prep for the craft fair. I will send books, too.

14. Getting my snow tires on today.

15. Craft fair, and watching the grandkids. It was a great success. I knew once the kids at their school saw the toys they would want them.

16. I calculated that my books and toys and auction items earned $1,300 for the school. I will send $1,000 to Uganda, too.

17. Massage today; lovely. I’ve got to replenish my stock, so I made a turtle and  a squid.

18. Home day, doing homework. Made an orange and black striped snake, my snakes are so popular. Homemade chicken noodle soup for dinner.

19. Virtual appointment with my thyroid doctor and then a chiro appointment. My thyroid is finally normal, so I was discharged from her care.

20. Bible study. Made three peas in a pod.

21. Grocery shopping and errands. Made two more multicolored potholders.

22. Had a nice walk with my husband. Made a giraffe snuggler and a neon green curvy snake.

23. Church.

24. Homework. Errands.

25. Housekeeper.

26. Decorated for Christmas, all except Christmas tree. I need to do these things in stages. Today is our eldest daughter’s 35^th birthday.

27. Making my go-to teddy bear as well as 10 mushy pops. I need to replace my stock since I sold thirty of them at the grandkids’ school craft show.

28. Dental appointment. Getting our blinds installed in the great room. Attended the President’s Banquet (Toronto Baptist Seminary) in the evening. We had a table of ten from our church.

29. The Finnish church Christmas market. I got some baked goods and Christmas tree decorations and some knitted socks for my mom to add to her massage gift certificate for Christmas. Baking for church tomorrow.

30. I made Christmas Crackle and butter tarts for church. Made another teddy bear and more mushy pops.

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.