We still read aloud

One of the things I've really appreciated this past year is that both of my kids have been living with me. It's been really good to get to know them as young adults, and I've appreciated the opportunity.

Last night Bram drove me over to the Vance's where there was a get together and farewell for Lloyd and Elaine Jacobs, as they move to Weyburn. When we got home, Bram and I discussed what homework he wants to get done over the long weekend (he has two essays to write; one for Christian Ethics and one for Chemistry). He's writing his CE essay on Menno Simmons, and his Chemistry one on organic acids, and he's got some books out from the library to help him with both.

Then we read to each other. We've been reading aloud since they were preschoolers, but hadn't done it nearly so much since they've gotten old enough to read for themselves. However, I wanted to introduce Bram to a book I was sure he'd enjoy - and the best way to do that is to read it aloud. Now we take turns reading aloud, stopping to comment on the book, the author's writing style, etc. I am thankful that we're never too old to enjoy being read to.

Spring Cold

I've had a bad cold the past couple of days, as well as what I thought was a really bad sore throat. Figured out that the sore throat was actually a canker sore on the underside of my tongue really far back. Doesn't make it any less sore. Anyway, woke up this morning and have absolutely no voice - not even a whisper. Not feeling very well either; I think I'll stay home from church, and not invite everyone home afterwards the way I normally do. I need to be feeling better for school tomorrow.

I've gotten into the habit of carrying my bedding plants inside every evening and back out every morning. None of my tomato plants survived though - I'll have to buy new ones. I'm waiting to purchase new plants until I don't have to cart them outside and back in twice a day though. When it's warm enough that I can just worry about watering them - then I'll purchase them. It was a shame though - I had so many beautiful tomato plants, and none of them survived. (To be honest, Bram does most of the carrying out and back in for me.)

I purchased a new bbq from The Brick - it was a display model and I got it with a good discount, brought it home and tried it out for the first time for Ruth's birthday. It didn't work! However after talking to The Brick and then to 1-800 number that they gave me, we've got it working now, I think. Walter did most of the phoning and checking out for me, and I'm grateful.

The flooding around Wascana Creek has gone down a lot. Bram and I went out for a walk the other evening to see for ourselves. The path has reappeared in most locations, and although the water is still high, it's nothing like it once was.

Bram found his learner's permit - he thought it had been in the jacket he had lost, but it turned up (even though the jacket didn't). So he drove me to pick up Rose from work the other night. He needs lots more practice, and I'd love to not be the one to give it to him, but I guess that's part of parenting too. Oh well, I guess it's good for my prayer life.

Update

Last night at The Party we had about 65 kids; that counts three boys that we had to ask to leave. I think that's a new record - we may have had more kids on a feast night, but for an ordinary night, that's definitely a record. We only had about 15 helpers, so it was a fairly wild and crazy time, but nothing out of the ordinary. We had more of the older kids (Grades 6-8) than we normally have, which is really good. We're really trying to reach out to that age group, and it looks like it's working.

I finally found my census form and started filling it out. I didn't manage to get just the short form, and I always get to those questions about how much did I spend last year on heating, and electricity, etc. - and I have no idea. I don't track that. So I decided it was time to quit and go to bed and think about it another day.

I hear my mother-in-law has been transferred to an different nursing home in Moose Jaw (the better one), but is finding the change a little difficult. Hopefully it will be a good move for her. I need to get over there to visit her again. I haven't been able to write her for the past couple of weeks because my printer hasn't been working properly.

I had a tenant wake me up at 2:30 am last night so am feeling a little tired - I think it's time to quit and go to bed.

More Procrastination

I did put my bedding plants out on Monday as it was a beautiful day. According to the weather office, the coldest it got Monday night and last night was +7. Apparently that's still too cold for my tomato plants - the peppers and everything else seem just fine, but I don't know if any of my tomatoes survived at all. Sigh.

We went to the spa yesterday. Ruth had never been before. Had fun. Came home. Went to bed.

I still don't have my taxes done - but am working on them. Got my bills out and sorted, so that I can catch up on my bookkeeping for the rental property. That's step one.

Had a guy come over and do my yard work both front and back. Cut down all the unnecessary trees in my back yard - I now only have 19 trees in the back yard! That's a great improvement as there were many more than that. He also dragged away all of the brush he cut down! I'm happy.

The woman who was having surgery had it yesterday. Double mastectomy. Is due to be transferred to Moosomin today, so the son left this morning. Done up the laundry already. That was easy.

Pay Day and a Holiday!

I realized this morning that today is both payday (I get paid once a month on the 25th) and it's a holiday! What a great way to start my day. They were also reporting on the radio that it should warm up to 19 this morning! That's another real plus. It goes downhill from there - I have to do my taxes today and finish working on report cards - but it's definitely a positive first thought.

It is Easter break from school. Unlike the NWT, where the break is always two weeks long - and the last two week of March - break here follows Easter and is one week - and is whenever Easter is. Bram is back in Yellowknife for the break, where it's a balmy -16 (oh I really miss that), while I'm thinking that here in Regina I may be able to bring my bedding plants outside for the day. Rose and Betty are still in bed - I likely won't see them before noon. (In fact, I may not see Betty all day.) I know I'll see Rose because she has to work this afternoon.

The snow is gone from the back yard - and very nearly gone from the front. The front yard has been raked, and looks really good. Not so much with the back yard (I can't compete with the 18 trees there!) I may get ambitious and rake it again, or then again, I may not. We'll see.

I had a much smaller crowd over for sunday dinner yesterday - just around 20 people. It meant that we were able to visit with everyone. That was nice. I was also able to practice piano for the first time in months yesterday. I think I'll have to give up on my dream of getting my next few grades in piano, but at least I can play for personal enjoyment. I was sightreading several pieces and could even tell what I was playing, which is a real plus!

Seeing as I have the week off school, Rose and I are planning to make a trip to Moose Jaw and hit the spa - probably tomorrow. Ruth is wanting to come with us as well. We've invited Betty but she's declined. That's the extent of my plans for this exciting week off work (do taxes, hit the spa, do yard work). Oh yeah - go to Saskatoon for my Dad's 80th birthday on Saturday. You're all invited (it's a potluck).

I'm also hosting someone this week from the Wawota area; in town because his mother is having major surgery. He's supposed to arrive this evening - and it's only supposed to be for a few days. He'll have Bram's room as Bram's out of town. I daily thank God that he's blessed me with a home large enough to be hospitable without a lot of extra effort on my part. I'm taking on a role I've never done before, and I love it.

Homecoming

This past weekend was Homecoming at Western. The honoured classes were any year ending in 11 - 51, 61, 71, 81, 91, 01 and 06. My cousin Leslie graduated in 81, my sister Ruth in 71, my Aunt Verna in 61, my Aunt Alice in 51. I probably had relatives in 91, 01 and 06 - but I can't think of who they were off hand.

My cousin Janice (Boatwright) Pringle also graduated in 71 and came up for Homecoming and stayed with me for the weekend. She left this morning to head back to Ft. Worth. I'm sure I haven't seen her in at least 15 years or so - and it was really nice to get a visit in. I hosted the class party for 71 on Saturday night. There was a really big turn-out - maybe 35-45 people. The house was full; but I'm so happy that I have a big house and can host that many people without difficulty.

Saturday Rose, Bram and I also headed over to Moose Jaw and visited Mom Thiessen in the nursing home there. It's not a good nursing home and we're really hoping that she'll make it closer to the top of the list to be transferred to another one soon. That being said, she's doing her best to make the best of a poor situation, and I'm happy we were finally able to visit her again. We also had a quick visit with Doug and Darlene. We met at Bonanza and ate together before we had to dash back to Regina for the Homecoming program Saturday night. We arrived back in Regina at 6:50 - the program started at 7 pm and the first item on the program was the chorus singing (and Bram's in the chorus). We were a little rushed.

Some of the highlights of Homecoming was the tribute given to Uncle Roland and Aunt Lois for their years of service - and that Aunt Alice was honoured as Alumna of the Year! All in all it was a very special time.

Sunday morning was the monthly cleaning at Old Navy, so Bram and I got up shortly after 5 - were there by 6 to help Al and Nancy do the cleaning. We finished before church, then went to church. We ate at Jamdon's after service; the first time I've had their Sunday brunch, and it was amazing! Very good. Then it was time for an afternoon nap.

Rose's arm and hand is doing much better - I can't say enough good things about physio. She now has a full range of motion in her arm, and is using her hand without any difficulty. She's allowed to go back to work (but not more than 4-5 hours in a shift) and not to lift anything over about 5 lbs, but that's such an amazing improvement over the start of last week! She still has exercises to do (I don't think she's doing them) to help rebuild her strength.

Bram has come down with a really bad cold and stayed home from school today. I don't know whether he'll be well enough to go tomorrow or not. He's been feeling pretty miserable. I think Rose is also coming down with it and I just hope they don't feel like they have to share with me. I dashed out this morning and bought a large package of boxes of Kleenex because we were down to one box, and it wasn't sufficient.

Tuesday Update

Rose saw the orthopedic specialist first thing yesterday morning. He essentially said, "it's soft tissue because nothing shows up on an x-ray; go see a physio." So, I phoned around until I found a clinic that could see her the same day - not in two weeks. The physio massaged her arm and shoulder, put her hand in hot wax and gave her exercises to do. The good news is, she has gone from being unable to do anything at all with her arm or hand, to being able to raise her arm, make a fist with her hand, and use her hand. The bad news is, all of this hurts, and it's hard work - but it's a good start. The physio also says that there seems to be some nerve damage somewhere because while she can feel touch, she can't distinguish between hot and cold or sharp and dull. (This means she's not supposed to do dishes, or anything involving hot temperatures for awhile.)

We had 52 kids and 26 helpers at The Party last night. As usual, it was a fairly wild and crazy time, but everyone enjoyed themselves, I think.