Year End Update 2024

 

December Journaling

1.     Church. Made a giant pretzel plushie for my new son-in-law at his request, for Christmas.

2.     Working on my homework for Thursday’s Bible study, then we’re off till January. I’m glad, it’s a busy time of year. Also, our friends coming over to help with our dishwasher. It was repaired; the motor was changed out, or the bearings or something, but there was a leak in the hose which my husband tried to fix, but he needs help, so we’ll feed our friends and play cards with them. My poor daughter, her VIA train to Ottawa took 10 hours instead of 5 so she had to take a sick day to sleep.

3.     Pain clinic, housekeeper. Finished a long, pocketed scarf using the drunken granny stitch.

4.     Made three ear warmers. Made Thai green curry chicken with rice and veg for dinner.

5.     Bible study. Took my mom for a liver test called a fibroscan, but the office was locked, no communication.

6.     Baked for tomorrow; a dessert called Christmas Crackle. Went to the Old Mill Restaurant and Banquet Centre for the TBS President’s Christmas Gala. Our church had a table of ten.

7.     Church Christmas Gala, but I wasn’t feeling the greatest.

8.     Church, only in the morning, because of the busy weekend. A woman at church went into labour; first baby. We went to play cards and have pizza at J and E’s house along with others.

9.     Chiro this morning. Got another idea for a book, a legacy journal. I wrote most of it today. That young woman had a baby boy, 8-1/4 pounds, named Leonidas.

10. Went grocery shopping with my mom. Then recorded two crochet tutorials for youtube. Began and finished my daughter’s crocheted yoga mat strap for Christmas. Wrapped some gifts to put under the tree.

11. Recorded another tutorial. Took my mom to a doctor’s appointment. Prayer meeting in the evening.

12. Going to self-publish a book on amazon.

13. Making a budget. Baked an eggnog bundt coffee cake and some mac and cheese to freeze. It’s my sister-in-law’s birthday, 55.

14. Attended a Christmas service at a retirement home with many people from our church and our former pastor to support and visit a 98-year-old lady who lives there now who used to attend our church. Brought her some ginger snaps.

15. Church, but I stayed home because I had a bad skin reaction to waxing yesterday. I have a bad rash on my face. I hope it will go away soon, and not leave scars. Trying to avoid scratching it even though it is so itchy.

16. The rash is improving with sauna, gold bond lotion, and Benadryl. Crocheting some Christmas ornaments: red stars and 18 dark green trees made with the puff stitch, which can be a garland. Also making a red touque.

17. Taking my mom to a liver test. My face is clearing up.

18. Trying to learn how to use book bolt but I’m neither a designer nor a techie, so it’s frustrating.

19. Went to buy a star for our tree.

20. Going to Hamilton to watch the grandkids since they have a PA day.

21. Housekeeper. Friends coming for dinner and to play cards.

22. Church, with refreshments after the evening service.

23. Got bloodwork done. Preparing for Christmas eve. Our daughter bought a new vehicle. Our other daughter and new son-in-law arrived.

24. Christmas Eve or Finnish Christmas.

25. Hosting the family for Christmas dinner. We got a new fancy coffee maker.

26. Clean up, the family left.

27. So much laundry.

28. Writing e-books, print on demand through Amazon kdp.

29. Church, my husband preached.

30. Went for a physiotherapy treatment. Grandkids overnight. They love their sauna. Taught my grandson how to make a stress ball.

31. Finished a dark brown pleated crocheted skirt for a child, a mauve lined bag, and a mega sized goose. New Years’ Eve spent at home, which I like.

Busy season

 

November Journaling

1.     Getting my Covid shot. Made a cream coloured scarf with the new waffle pattern I just learned. I also made a second cinnamon coloured teddy bear. I love it, it looks so old-fashioned. They take some time, so I’ll charge $25-30 each for them.

2.     Cooking and baking today for a new time of refreshments after the evening service tomorrow.

3.     I made devilled eggs, smoked salmon appetizers two ways, tuna sandwiches, nachos and three layer dip, and banana cake with brown butter frosting. It was a hit, everything went. I learned the waffle stitch and made an ear warmer to match the scarf I made. Also made a cup cozy and a micro pumpkin keychain.

4.     Endocrinologist follow-up appointment. My T4 levels are normal but my TSH is very low. My body needs to start producing its own thyroid. She is adjusting my thyroid medicine. But no underlying problem, she says this can just happen. Made salmon, cilantro-lime rice and stir-fry vegetables for dinner. Made six watermelon coasters.

5.     Housekeeper here. Getting ready to stay at my grandkids’ place for two nights to help out. Working on my Bible study homework. So different when I’m not the teacher. It’s the U.S. election today. However it turns out, I hope there is a smooth transition of power. We take it for granted here, but considering how the last one went…

6.     Since our daughter’s house was put up for sale, they are stayed at a friend’s condo so the place would stay clean. As a treat she offered the kids pop tarts and watching tv. Robin said, “Wow, mom you’re being so nice to us. You’re like Mimi.” I guess I’m the gold standard for spoiling. We had ribs and hassleback potatoes for dinner.

7.     This condo is beautiful. It is a penthouse apartment in a new building; three bedrooms, three bathrooms. I am sleeping on a murphy bed in the office/third bedroom. I dropped the kids off at school, which is just ten minutes away from here, and I stopped at the grocery store across the street, and joined my Bible study class online. Breakfast for dinner. The youngest grandchild’s report card said, “What a delight to have M in our JK class! She is expressive, loving, and very funny. She often makes me smile or laugh out loud! She always arrives in the morning with a big smile for all of us. M is obedient and respectful, mature and articulate. This week M made me laugh out loud when she firmly suggested to the class, “I just think everyone should stop saying they miss their moms and dads.” (Several of her classmates say this often).

8.     Today I’m watching the youngest. Crocheted a touque with the letter R on it which my middle grandchild claimed for herself. Their house sold today so they are moving on January 9^th. We’ll pay for a moving company to help them out. Then they only need concern themselves with packing and unpacking.

9.     I made a striped scarf, three ear warmers, four cup cozies and a fuchsia and pink penguin out of cheap chenille yarn from the dollar store.

10. Church at a friend’s place in Burlington then lunch with them in Ancaster. Got back in time for the evening service. A very good day. It was therapy visiting our friends since they have known us so long and have been through similar circumstances.

11. Remembrance Day. My husband always gets his tires switched over on this day. I made a baby Yoda for my grandson’s friend, a pink flamingo and a dark purple pumpkin. I posted pictures of our daughter’s wedding.

12. Chiro and massage, it was in the evening, which was strange for me. I don’t like night driving. I do like that my Christian masseuse plays instrumental worship music and I sing the songs in my head. She said some of her patients sing out loud. Not me. Made a scrappy bear.

13. Prayer meeting. Had to use some investments to get on top of our credit debts. Breathing easier now. Made a mauve water bottle holder, phone holder, plant holder cover, and a granny square lined canvas bag. The bags are only $1.50 at the Dollar Tree.

14. Bible study. Finally posted another episode of my podcast; 272 episodes now. Just two chapters to go in the book of Joshua.

15. Seasonal tire changeover for me. The friends we visited last weekend are coming to spend the night and have breakfast here tomorrow before they head farther east to visit their son and his fiancée. It is too much travelling for one day and we have a guest room for them.

16. Women’s ministry breakfast and Christmas cookie exchange.

17. Church. Made another teddy bear, this one in café au lait colour. I love them sooo much!

18. Doctor’s appointment for me, refills on meds, and starting on a med for my high cholesterol. Made another cute corn on the cob.

19. Doing homework. Paid off some debts. Boy, those things feel like a noose.

20. Dishwasher is noisy; getting it looked at today. Made another teddy bear but I placed his ears too high and his neck strengthener moved out of place so he has a floppy head.

21. Our friend Heather had an aortic aneurysm repair today; it was successful and no complications. Bible study. Leftovers for dinner. Making scarves for some of my toys so I can display them along the staircase at Christmas.

22. Christmas dinner at our Pastor’s house. I’m bringing apps: stuffed mushroom caps, whipped feta dip and vegetables, and veggie samosas. The grandkids are coming for one night, but we’re out this evening and my husband is out tomorrow morning. Starting a scarf out of variegated grey yarn in the drunken granny stitch I just learned. Also making a dress for my youngest granddaughter out of the same yarn.

23. Ordering Lion King tickets from my mom for our daughter’s family from her for Christmas. Their house sold; they are moving in January. They booked a local moving company; we will pay for it as our Christmas gift to them.

24. Church. I was on coffee; made Christmas crackle, chocolate chip cookies, and mini carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. My husband is preaching tonight.

25. Friends came for dinner; we ordered pizza. They changed over our taps in the powder room for free. Then we played cards. I’m packed for tomorrow.

26. Went to Hamilton to help out. It was our eldest daughter’s 34^th birthday, so she and her husband went out for dinner. My grandkids are learning to crochet, which makes me happy.

27. Back from H-town. Prayer meeting tonight.

28. Bible study. Hair cut. Bought cookie containers for my daughter. My husband has his work Christmas party tonight.

29. Dishwasher finally repaired; motor changed. Cardiologist telephone appointment for my mom. Daughter coming tonight for three nights. Made another Yo-Da Bomb toy. First flurries, though nothing stayed on the ground. But our friends who just moved to Canada from Venezuela are thrilled, especially their nine-year-old daughter.

30. Finished a dress for my four-year-old daughter, which I’ll give her at Christmas. My daughter bought a turtle.

Second daughter married

 

October Journaling

1.     Made the largest pumpkin so far, this one is light green made out of Bernat Blanket yarn. Made a water bottle carrier for my aunt, since she asked for it. I’ll get it to her at Christmas or the wedding.

2.     Prayer meeting. Sold $100 worth of pumpkins and mushrooms to the church for a Thanksgiving centrepiece. And another woman asked for a giant pumpkin pillow, so I made one. Made another butternut squash.

3.     Made a trinket dish and a small pumpkin. Also started another giant pumpkin. May have spent a lot on yarn…oopsie. Went to the endocrinologist. She doesn’t think it’s a drug interaction, but that I was on a medicine I didn’t need, so my body stopped producing the hormone on its own. To keep on same dose, and bloodwork in a few weeks and follow-up.

4.     Making egg salad sandwiches for 50 people for a baby shower on Saturday.

5.     Baby shower. All she asked for was diapers of all sizes and wipes. So I bought a big package of wipes. It was a high tea theme, and I forgot to wear a hat or fascinator. Made a gourd and another big mushroom.

6.     Church.

7.     Chiro and massage. A new massage therapist; I recognized the instrumental music as worship songs. It was nice to hear. Our daughter is coming from Ottawa for two nights.

8.     Cardiologist appointment with my mom. Housekeeper. Our daughter is speaking at U of T where she did her undergrad, speaking to first year students about a career in law.

9.     Zoom medical appointment with my mom’s liver doctor.

10. Taught my lesson; we decided that we would study Colossians and Philippians next instead of Revelation. I’m glad. I also sold more fall crocheted items. Sent $250 to Uganda. My mom went for a stress test.

11. Going to check out a venue for a possible change for men’s and women’s retreats. My husband had a chance to talk to my mom yesterday and today about the gospel. She still feels so guilty and unworthy of being forgiven. He showed her some Bible sections and they prayed ‘I believe, help my unbelief.’ As he was leaving she said, “Don’t give up on me.”

12. Our eldest daughter and her husband’s 12^th anniversary. They’re getting their house ready to sell. I made carrot cake mini cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.

13. Church, two baptisms. My mom came along.

14. Thanksgiving Day. We’re not doing a family dinner this year since our daughter’s wedding is next weekend and we’ll see everyone then.

15. Sending another parcel to a woman in Nunavut because of free shipping Tuesdays. Went to Walmart this morning; they have a low sensory period where they don’t play music or do announcements.

16. I made a dark brown teddy bear and a teal water bottle holder, and a smaller pink flamingo, three ear warmers and a large touque. Working on a smaller one like the one my daughter bought as soon as I made it. Prayer meeting.

17. Bible study. One more. Then I began packing for the hotel for our daughter’s wedding.

18. All packed and heading downtown. Out for dinner at a restaurant.

19. Meeting my daughter’s in-laws for photos, then the wedding.

20. What a lovely wedding. The power was off for the whole building for the first two hours, so there was a bit of a delay. Then to church in the evening for Missions Week.

21. Working on my final lesson for the Women’s Bible study before Esther takes over for me.

22. Went for pizza at J & E’s to celebrate the birthday of a new convert to our church. Made a brown chicken, a brown snake, a big yellow chick snuggler and a colourful water bottle holder.

23. Prayer meeting this week is part of missions’ week so we are hearing from our Chinese church plant pastor. Learned the waffle stitch and am using it to make a scarf and ear warmers.

24. Final lesson today, which is a summary of the book of Exodus, and a quiz of vocabulary words (matching), an ordering of the ten commandments and the plagues of Egypt, and a diagram test of the furniture in the tabernacle complex. All for fun, just to challenge themselves. Then they took me out for lunch.

25. Made two medium sized pumpkins at the request of a lady at church, a red basket and a teal and confetti water bottle holder. I also finished the second watermelon water bottle holder. They’re my favourite.

26. Tidying up the house. Our daughter and son-in-law are coming by tomorrow on their way back from their honeymoon. They were at the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon.

27. It’s still missions’ week so we have guest speakers. In the morning it is our friends, so we’re going to have lunch with them at J & E’s. I’m bringing red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting for dessert. I’m also on coffee time at church so I baked chocolate chip cookies, carrot cake cupcakes, and eggnog bundt cake.

28. Visiting with the newlyweds before they return to Ottawa and real life. My daughter saw the brown teddy bear and had to have it. She promised her husband she’d put it on her desk at the office, since she has bought so many. Made a peach water bottle holder and a blue, white and purple one.

29. Pain clinic, and bloodwork. Made a cute teddy bear and an owl hat. Sent a fifth box to Nunavut; I sent her some yarn since she crochets, and five amigurumi toys for her five granddaughters. My daughter paid for the cost of the toys; sent another $100 to Uganda. My mom gave me money to cover the cost of some of the things I’m sending through Helping our Northern Neighbours.

30. Botox clinic. Flu shot.

31. Booked my Covid shot for tomorrow. So many injections this week, good thing I’m not afraid of needles. My mom gets her Covid and flu shots on Saturday. My husband got both yesterday. It’s Reformation Day!

Crocheting factory

September Journaling

1.     Church. So encouraging to see so many new families out.

2.     Attempted to host friends for dinner for the holiday. Could barely manage. We have food for the week at least, but my guests washed the dishes. I would have never allowed that if I was healthy but I was too weak to protest. Got an order for a large maple leaf wreath like the smaller one I made.

3.     My mom got a holter monitor on today for 48 hours. I got a call from my hormone doctor (not the endocrinologist, yet), and she theorized that my problem may stem from a drug interaction, so we stopped two and increased the thyroid medicine. It makes sense based on when I started one of the meds to when my symptoms began. I hope that’s what it is. Less ominous. Prayer meeting. Crocheted more mushie pops and a mallard duck.

4.     I sent an update to my family doctor. Working on a peacock, but not loving the pattern. Quiet day at home. Even just doing laundry is exhausting. At least we have meals for the week.

5.     First day of school for our youngest grandchild. Junior kindergarten.

6.     My husband is going to the men’s retreat for the weekend. Our daughter and her fiancé and their dog are coming for the weekend.

7.     Home day; still lack energy to do much of anything.

8.     Crocheted six keychain sized axolotls, a pink pumpkin and scrunchies.

9.     Crocheted two zucchinis and an eggplant. Made a clownfish and bumblebee hat.

10. Housekeeper came today. She is awesome.

11. Anniversary of 9-11. Went to my chiropractor. Sold another $35 worth of toys indirectly at my hairdresser, more money for Uganda.

12. Resumed my Bible study. It went well. Exodus 32, the golden calf incident. My husband got called in for a water main break emergency and worked all night, 12 hours of overtime, he was awake 26 hours.

13. Our daughter and fiancé and dog arrived for the weekend.

14. Wedding shower for our daughter. It was held at a brewery in Hamilton.

15. Church, then a newcomer’s luncheon. There were thirty people there. We are growing.

16. Working on my lesson for this week. Online debrief meeting about this year’s VBS. Going to dinner at a friend’s place and my husband has a meeting there.

17. Pain clinic for back injections. Finally got an appointment with the endocrinologist for consult. October 3^rd.

18. Worked on my podcast; I’m at Joshua 21. Cooked a bit. Telephone appointment with my family doctor. Prayer meeting.

19. Bible study.

20. Dentist appointment.

21. Went to have lunch with our friends from our old church. Some people are just so easy to get along with; we just picked up where we left off. I gave her a gift of three pumpkins and a penguin rear view mirror hanger which she loved.

22. Church; our former pastor preached in the morning, and my husband preached in the evening. Made a few more pumpkins and mushrooms, penguins and an owl.

23. Working on my podcast and lesson. Made micro pumpkin keychains and rear view mirror hangers. Finished my lesson for the week.

24. Made two penguins as rear view mirror hangers. Working on a big flamingo and a small chicken.

25. So behind because of my brain fog. I can only post one podcast episode per month these days. Recorded Joshua 21 today.

26. Taught my class this morning, then bought my shoes for the wedding. Making mashed potatoes for tomorrow. My mom had chest pain yesterday so I called to move her cardiology appointment up.

27. Went with my mom to spend the day with the grandkids because they have a PA day. Took them to Dollarama for crafts and toys and treats. I also let them choose new backpack buddy keychains. They chose a sloth, a water drop, and an angry coffee cup.

28. Buying my husband’s suit for the wedding.

29. Church.

30. Made a giant toad, a wine carrier, and a candy corn rear view mirror hanger and candy corn keychain. I crocheted 62 items this month, that's two per day. Only one appointment this week; the endocrinologist I’ve been waiting to see, that will be on Thursday. Otherwise, catching up.

Thyroid Crash

 August Journaling

1.     I sold $45 in stuffies to the kids at the camp, plus $50 from selling indirectly at the hair salon, so $100 more for Uganda. I’ve made a grinch, a leggy froggy, a pumpkin, a hippo, a cat, and two mushie pops. I also worked on my lemon peel grey sweater. My cousin Sari and her husband Harry came to visit and have dinner with us and they brought gifts for the kids including a Twister game. She also brought wine, more sausages, and everything needed for potato sandwiches. Gave them one of the fish.

2.     Final full day at camp. They hiked over to see a popular waterfall. Packing up then heading over to Desbarats (Debra) Lake to visit with family and friends. They took the pontoon boat over to a giant tarzan swing that the kids loved. I also sold another $40 in toys.

3.     Travel day; stopped at Sudbury again for corn and a larger package of blueberries. Made another pumpkin and leggy froggy on the way home.

4.     Church. Went to J and E’s for dinner again with other families. They are so hospitable. Made nine mushie pops.

5.     Civic holiday. Crocheted a letter D and a grinch legs and feet scarf. Repackaged and froze the sausages and blueberries.

6.     Started a Squid fidget toy. Botox.

7.     I’m still so tired for some reason. I spoke to my doctor today and she ordered bloodwork and an ultrasound. Got our alarm system updated with a proper camera. Eating the delicious fish my husband caught. Edited some testimonies for two new members. Prayer meeting. Met with the new members.

8.     Drove to H-town to visit a friend in hospital who had a stroke, then attended our youngest granddaughter’s daycare graduation. So cute to see her in her little graduation gown. Then my cousin brought my mom back from her two week visit to my aunt in London while we were away, and then we drove home. I made a pumpkin while I was a passenger princess. Watching the Olympics.

9.     Drove up to Muskoka area to visit my husband’s brother and his wife. We brought sausages. Made ten maple leaves for a garland on the way. Our daughter and future son-in-law and dog came for the weekend to finalize some wedding plans and do some social things like a baseball game and Shrek the Musical with the bridesmaids.

10. Baked cherry mini cupcakes for church tomorrow. We have a service, communion, two baptisms and two new member testimonies, followed by a luncheon to celebrate.

11. Long morning at church, but it’s been really encouraging to see what’s been happening since our recent trouble. New young families attending too.

12. The Olympics are over.

13. Pain clinic. My Botox last week at the other pain clinic has already stopped working because he didn’t put it in the right spot, so it will be a long three months. Isn’t the point of paying $200 the fact that I’d get relief where I needed it? Frustrating.

14. Chiro, prayer meeting. Made more maple leaves, a corn on the cob, a carrot and a large gold pumpkin.

15. Still recovering from last month. I went for an ultrasound and bloodwork. Our other daughter’s family came to stay for the night.

16. Watching the kids in the morning so the parents can get some work done. They’re on the way to a friend’s farm for the weekend.

17. Learned how to make wind spinners so I made four along with tassels for them.

18. Woke up to find our upright deep freezer door open, and everything thawed but still cold, so after church we had to cook all the meat and throw out mostly everything else, but we’ve got food prepared for a month. Taking my mom for an MRI.

19. Got called to speak to my doctor about my test results, so I looked them up online. My pelvic ultrasound is fine, but my bloodwork is crazy abnormal, especially my thyroid function. Nine results were abnormal, most significantly my TSH, or thyroid stimulating hormone. It measures how hard my thyroid is working to make the thyroid hormone. Normal is .35-5.0, mine is 76.8! It’s like a hamster wheel, nothing is accomplished despite the effort. What should be produced is T4, or the free circulating thyroid hormone which controls energy, metabolism, and heart and liver function. Normal T4 is 11-23, mine is <1. My doctor said she didn’t know how I was functioning without a thyroid. I have extreme exhaustion, I can hardly wake up from my nap, then I’m groggy all evening. I have brain fog, visual disturbances, heart palpitations, muscle cramps, hoarse voice, no appetite, low metabolism, which is why I keep gaining weight no matter what I do. Yet she didn’t order any thyroid medicine. She did give me an urgent referral to an endocrinologist and a thyroid ultrasound requisition, so I did it today. An annoying thing she said, I guess to ‘comfort’ me was, “This is not in your head, this is real.” First of all, I never thought it was in my head. I live at 25% energy level every day, and have for ten years, so when I say it’s worse, it’s worse. Secondly, that implied that it was real since there was a blood test for it, unlike my ME and fibromyalgia, which she probably thinks are in my head. Gaslighting me even though she has known me for 25 years.

20. Trying not to feel too anxious as I wait for results. Crocheted a penguin and a lime green snake, and a plant pot holder using $2 t-shirt material I got at Dollarama.

21. Beginning a basket out of the t-shirt material. Prayer meeting.

22. Ultrasound report came in and I opened it nervously. Good news and more questions. No nodules on thyroid or parotid glands, so no thyroid cancer causing my non-functioning thyroid symptoms. Yet we still need to know the cause. Also the lymph node in the right side of my neck is enlarged. We need to find out why.

23. House guests from New York City for the weekend to help out friends from church whose mom died.

24. Attended the funeral today. She was a believer.

25. Church. Nap. Made a gold coloured chicken and an apricot pumpkin and more maple leaves for garland. My doctor started me on thyroid medicine. I also started calcium gummies because of my palpitations and leg cramps.

26. Our guests left today. They bought a big mushie boy. Our youngest is 32 today. She is getting married next month.

27. One appointment today. Beautiful weather to finish up the summer.

28. Eye appointment today, my vision is suddenly worse. No problems, but I ordered new glasses anyway; my prescription changed a bit. Crocheted some larger mushrooms.

29. Crocheted a cream coloured pumpkin, an orange snake, and a light blue pumpkin.

30. Siesta, then fiesta. Words to live by, except by fiesta I mean sitting on the couch crocheting.

31. Made a tear drop key chain and a large blue pumpkin.

Busy month

 

July Journaling

1.     Happy Canada D-eh! Stayed home, bbq’d and sauna’d. The parcel arrived in Uganda in under two weeks. So nice to see their smiles and receive a thank-you letter from one of the sponsored girls.

2.     Work day; writing and crocheting. Making individual crocheted letters to spell out B-inspired. I have a yellow and black B and a green snake S so far.

3.     Haircut and appointment with my hormone doctor. She keeps adding new pills. Arrgh. Made two snow cones and a brown and green mushie boy plushie.

4.     Going to the doctor with my mom. Ordering a new phone. Going from an 11 to a 15.

5.     Made a penguin, an eggplant, and a mini reversible octo. Working on my first sweater, although its without a pattern and I fear two things; I’ll run out of the yarn and the size will be off and I’ll end up frogging (undoing) my hard work.

6.     Made a big purple axolotl, but not pleased with the result. Canada is in the Copa America soccer tournament.

7.     Church and the final meeting before VBS. Picking up the grandkids for their week with us.

8.     First day of VBS, slept poorly last night. Snacks went well; dirt cups and green fruit and juice. Creation theme. Swimming all afternoon at J and E’s. The kids were exhausted, as were we. My husband was Dr. Noah Tall and he did a simple circuit, first showing all the parts necessary but when he shook it up it didn’t assemble itself into something that worked, it took intelligence and design, like creation.

9.     Second day, much smoother, slept well. Theme chaos and catastrophe. Snacks were snakes made of mini powdered donuts and grapes. Dr. Noah Tall did a volcano to show catastrophe. Then swimming and bbq dinner at J and E’s to thank the worship team.

10. Third day, theme confusion (tower of Babel), so the snack was mixed up trail mix and shades of pudding parfait. No experiment today.

11. Fourth day, theme Christ and the cross, so the snack today was a brownie with white icing and a red cross, and white yogurt with strawberries. Dr. Noah Tall lit some flash paper and he used a whole sheet so it was quite a flame. But it represented Christ’s complete sacrifice because there weren’t even any ashes.

12. Fifth day, theme consummation, so the snack was a butterfly bag of goldfish crackers and babybel cheese to represent our change and lemon bites and lemonade to represent the golden streets of heaven. Then a hot dog bbq for lunch. Sooooo exchausted, the kids are gone back home, now the clean up begins, tomorrow.

13. Such a busy day, beginning to prepare for our out of country guests; we bought new sheets and pillows and are assembling a bed in the other guest room. Also doing lots of laundry and cleaning up.

14. Church, there was a video recap of VBS. So much work but so much fun for the kids. Still exhausted. Trying to tidy up. Assassination attempt on Trump in the news.

15. Running errands.

16. Housekeeper coming. Perfect timing; after the grandkids and before the out-of-country guests.

17. Grocery shopping for our guests. Rooms are ready, but I’m still so exhausted.

18. Made some homemade salsa and prepared some bacon for breakfast.

19. Final physio appointment. Met most of my goals; they’ve been very helpful.

20. Our guests are easy, which is helpful since I’m still so exhausted. They spend a lot of time at J and E’s since the sisters haven’t all been together for years.

21. Church, then lunch with the missionaries who are staying with us; they gave an update.

22. Crocheting many birds.

23. Crocheted 10 mushie pops.

24. I gave some free plushies to the kids; they were thrilled. They are heading back to the U.S. They left us a giant gift bag of thank you gifts; Kentucky bourbon, yarn, lotion, and tea. So generous.

25. I ordered a new iphone which arrived today. I drove my mom out to Hamilton and my daughter took her the rest of the way to London. Packing for our cottage trip up north for a week.

26. It’s our 38^th wedding anniversary. Life is going by so quickly.

27. Off to Thessalon. Long drive but I’m a passenger princess so I’ll be crocheting. Picked up some blueberries and corn in Sudbury. We are in two cabins so each of the grandkids will take turns staying over with us, otherwise they’d have to sleep three to a bed.

28. Power outage for part of the day but we managed. Made the mistake of driving into town to try to get groceries; it was closed. Went sauna and swimming and ate karjalanpaistia that my mom made and mashed potatoes that I premade. Bought some local artwork from the campstore.

29. We drove into the Soo and went to my dad’s gravesite which is terribly overgrown. We need to pay someone to clean it up and maintain it. A Finnish woman was there who worked with my mom and knew our story. Then we went to Station Mall for lunch and shopping and then grocery shopping at Pino’s where we stocked up on their sausages. Had some with corn on the cob and salad for dinner back at camp.

30. Our friend Harry flew into our lake with his plane and took my husband fishing on an inland remote lake. From the air they saw a forest fire beginning so they called in the location. They caught seven speckled trout between them, all over four pounds. We gave one to the couple that owns the camp. He stayed overnight even though that’s not usually allowed, the fish helped.

31. Before he left the kids sat in the plane for a photo op and then other kids from the camp did the same and then they watched him take off. Campfire.