He is Risen!

He is risen indeed! Such a joyful time - to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. Yesterday was Lloyd's birthday; the first time I think it's ever been before Easter that I can remember. We had ham and scalloped potatoes, veggies and salad. Very nice. I had also made Easter bread (paska, or babka), so we had all traditional foods, except I didn't make a cake. I'll make that tomorrow.

This afternoon we went by Walmart to see what we could do to make Lloyd's walking a little easier. He has an aircast on his broken foot, which makes that leg about 3-4 inches longer than the other leg, so it forces him to walk with a limp. What we ended up doing was purchasing a cheap set of runners and a cheap pair of summer sandals (the kind that velcro onto your foot). We put the sandal overtop of the runner, and bought some extra velcro so it would still fasten. This builds up his foot without the cast so it's nearly the same length as the other one. He's hopeful that will help him walk without such a strong limp. He has graduated from crutches to a cane, but with his legs closer to the same length, he doesn't even need the cane.

Rose has come home for the long weekend, and has died her hair a brilliant red colour. It's supposed to wash out after 10-12 washes, but I think we should call her Ruby instead of Rose. She's been working at Reitman's nearly every day since she got back, so hopefully that will help her build up her bank account a little. She arrived home on Wednesday and still has another week at home.

It seems strange to have two four-day weeks after just having a week off, but I'm not complaining. I'd like to get some more baking done, as well as some lesson planning. I've applied for a new job, and am hopeful that I'll get an interview. Working as part-time as I am is just too hard on our bank account.

Bram is continuing to work hard on his homeschooling. I've given him today off, but he doesn't get the long weekend - he's just got too much to get done before the end of the school year. He's into Chapter 3 of his Grade 9 math and only has one more lesson left to go in Bible, but still has lots of Science, English and Social Studies to do. He wrote his Social Studies mid-term Thursday. One of my co-workers generously invigilated.

Don't look back

Well, I registered for my Grade 6 piano exam today. I'll be taking it in late June, but I don't know where yet - I registered for Edmonton, but in the comments field I wrote that I really want to take it where I can take it the latest date possible in June, whether that's Grande Prairie, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina or Saskatoon. So I'll have to wait and see what response they give me. My plan is to take my exam then pick up Rose from school and come back home. I was a week late registering, so I had to pay a $30 penalty. Now I really need to buckle down to practicing (which is why I'm busy procrastinating).

Lloyd's getting to be pretty good on his crutches. He's going back to work tomorrow, so I'll be ferrying him I guess, as I don't want him to walk the two blocks to the bus.

I've been reading other people's blogs about how nice it is that the snow is melting. It's still definitely winter here. -34 this morning. However we had a balmy week, with temperatures as warm as -4, and it didn't cool back off to "normal" until all the outdoor competitions had been completed for the Arctic Winter Games. I do need to remember to make sure the van's plugged in before I go to bed though.

AWG Last Day

It's been a good week, if a little hectic. I've mostly enjoyed myself - and it's been a good change from school, although there's just as much running around, I think. Normally, when I'm teaching school, I teach from 11 to 12 and from 3 to 4, and do the shuttle run between times, to help Bram with his home schooling, and to make meals, etc. This week, I've been doing medical most days, but yesterday and today I was wearing my other hat as co-chair for volunteers. So I've spent a lot of time at mission HQ, answering phones, printing out accreditation badges for people who've lost theirs, and generally doing whatever needs doing. Between times I've been running home to help Bram with his home schooling, making meals, etc. (Some things just don't change.)

Today is closing ceremonies and then everyone goes home. The transportation guys have been busy for two days working out schedules and making signs for the different buses that will transport the athletes to the airport.

For those of you that really like pictures, here's a link that will show you some of what's been going on this past week: http://www.cbc.ca/north/features/awg2008/gallery.html

"I've got drugs for the premier"

Saturday, when Lloyd and I were waiting (6 hours) for his foot to be casted, in walked the premier and his wife. Lloyd was going to be the next one called, when they came in and he got bumped. The premier had done a number with a sharp knife and his forefinger.

The next day, while waiting for the Arctic Winter Games' opening ceremonies, I met Shawna again. I know them from church, so I was visiting with her, asking how Floyd was feeling. She explained that he was supposed to have some pain killers, which she had in his purse, but she had not way to get through security to get them to him. (Security was really tight as the PM was there.) Because I was wearing a medical coat, she asked if I could get them to him.

So I went back to the head RCMP guy in our section and asked how I would manage to get drugs to the premier. (Isn't that a great line?) I explained that his wife had given them to me. His first question was, "Do you know her personally?" (As they were just wrapped in plastic wrap, he wanted to make sure I was confident in what I was giving to him.) I assured him, yes I did know her. Then he directed me downstairs, where the security was even tighter, talked to one of the head RCMP guys there, who assured me he'd get them to the premier. After the opening ceremonies I met Floyd and Shawna at the entrance and he said yes, he had got his drugs.

Yesterday I did first aid for indoor soccer. It was just practices because the games didn't start until today. I was supposed to be there from 8 to 12 am. However, it was really quiet and there was three of us first responders, so I backed out at 10:30 so I could get Lloyd's pain killer prescription filled and go to church. Today I was doing medical for badminton. No injuries, not even anyone needing a bandaid. I was interesting for the first little bit, but I was there from 8 to 4, and after the first several hours, it was much less exciting. Tomorrow I'm at figure skating (which would likely be more interesting, I hope) and Thursday I'm doing table tennis (I've bought myself a book to read).

Bram was a ticket taker today at the Arctic Sports venue (which has to be some of the most interesting sports). He said he took Rick Mercer's ticket. He has tomorrow off and then is back on Thursday. Lloyd has been sitting with his foot up for two days. I cut his pants off him this morning, as they were the same ones from before the accident and they wouldn't come off over this cast. He's now wearing sweats, and I went out and bought him two pairs of track pants with zip off bottoms so that he has a change of clothing. He's much better with his crutches than he was on the first day, but I don't think he's ready to brave the outdoors where it's slippery yet.

AWG Update

Well, Lloyd has turned out to be one of the first casualties of the AWG. Yesterday I was working at Mission HQ at Sissons School, doing volunteer accreditation. Lloyd was going from venue to venue, helping to set up beds. He was helping to load a semi trailer at Con Mine. Coming out of the trailer, putting his foot on the bumper, he turned his foot over and heard it go crack. So he came and picked me up and I took him to the hospital. We sat there from 2 pm to 9 pm, when he finally got a cast put on and we could go home. He broke the fifth metacarpal in his left foot. He says it's not really painful, but he's in a fair bit of discomfort. So he's not going to be doing anymore volunteering - he was supposed to be driving for the cultural contingent, and taking down beds at the end of the games. Not anymore.

Bram went ice fishing yesterday. He caught two pike (we're having one today) and had a lot of fun.

The Games Arrive!

The Arctic Winter Games will start (opening ceremonies) on Sunday. I have tickets. However, I've likely been putting in at least 20 hours a week in preparation for the past six weeks. We're nearly there! I've got lots of stuff to do yet. I still need to create the sign-in/sign-out sheets for volunteers. I've got the master sheet made up. I've also got alot of the spreadsheets sent to me from each of the committees, I just have to meld them into one for each venue. (Probably about 20 hours alone, there).

Lloyd is helping set up beds for the athletes this evening and tomorrow night. The athlete villages are in the local schools. Every school becomes an athelete's village. He will likely be doing some security as well. Bram will be taking tickets and serving as an usher. I'll be mostly be doing medical (first responder) but as co-chair of the volunteer committee, I'll also be putting out fires and putting in two days at the HQ. We'll all be pretty busy this coming week.