Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Just Another Day
In spite of my sniffles and low energy yesterday I decided I needed to get outside for some fresh air and exercise. I walked as far as the railway tracks just before the hospital. On my return journey I stopped at Super A Foods to warm up and have a cup of coffee and a muffin. I had been sitting briefly when an elderly woman began to put her things on the table next to mine. When she saw me sitting by myself she asked if she could join me. On her white cardigan she wore a button which said "All kind words will be gratefully accepted." She had a $50 gift certificate from a family member for the grocery store. I discovered that both she and I had four children. Whereas I first had two son, then two daughters she had her daughters first followed by her sons. Her daughters were born before her husband went off to WWII. Her sons were born after the war. She said that she used to tease her husband that the war made a man of him. In those days people said you were a real man if you could produce sons! Three of her children are in B.C. and one in Calgary. She asked if I could guess her age. I was reluctant to try. She said she was 85 years old, and that her secret was to be mentally and physically active. We discovered that we both lived near Holy Family School. I offered to carry her groceries home for her. She guided our trip, knowing all the shortcuts and ice-free patches. I asked her about her plans for Christmas. She said it was just another day! (Due to winter conditions and distance she is not able to be with her family for Christmas.) Today my thoughts are with Anna Bachmeier and others like her who will spend Christmas alone.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
The Spirit of Christmas
(This picture was taken one year ago at our family Christmas Celebration at Laurel's. We are feeling the loss of Reuben who passed in May 2006. Mom was still with us. Aunty Bea and Uncle Norm were visiting. Soca was enjoying the family gathering. We lost Mom the day after Mother's Day in 2007. Soca was run over and had to be put down. Rita and Glenn were married in Cuba. Three new children have arrived since then: Nadine and Franco's first, Aliyah; Kaitlyn and Trevor's first, Nevaeh; Jarl and Rebecca's second, Parker Anders. Our family celebration this year will be at Nadine and Franco's on December 29th. We will be missing Vanessa, John, and Zechariah who are in Australia.)Trevor, Aina's boyfriend, is up for the weekend. He brought two snowmobiles, and all the necessary gear for himself and Aina. They are off to Canadian Tire first to purchase a helmet for Madison so they can all go snowmobiling for the afternoon. They couldn't ask for a nicer day to be outside. It is not too cold, the skies are blue, and the sun is shining. Aina prepared a lovely breakfast for all of us with fresh fruit salad and waffles. The waffles were delightful with a hint of spice (cinnamon) and egg nog used in place of milk or buttermilk.
Yesterday I took Madison to an old-fashioned community Christmas celebration at the Pioneer Village Museum at Lac Cardinal just outside of Grimshaw. The museum consists of several historical buildings set up to look like a little village. Some of the buildings are original: the schoolhouse, the Catholic church from Worsely, a couple of log houses, and the old store. Some are re-creations : the old railway station, the bakery, the UFA, and a few others. The museum is clearly a labour of love. All the work has been done by seniors whose average age is about 70 years. They are having difficulty finding volunteers to continue this project.
We went to the old hall first for Pancake Breakfast. The hall was kept warm and cosy by a wood fire. We enjoyed pancakes and scrambled eggs prepared by the ladies in the kitchen, and sausages grilled on the outside barbecue by some of the men. Beverages included cold juice, coffee, and hot apple cider. A highlight was music provided by Wayne Archer of Weberville. He entertained by playing the guitar and singing Christmas carols. What made it so special is that he wandered from table to table, stopping for a while at each table to entertain. He asked for requests from adults and children. He had a warm personality, clearly enjoyed himself, and had a beautiful voice, too.
Throughout the afternoon Madison and I had several rides on horse-drawn sleighs. The first was on a cutter pulled by one caramel-coloured horse (whose name was Hawaiian for Cathy) and driven by a Mr. Pimm whose father, interestingly enough, had settled in the James River area which is near our home by Caroline. We also rode on a sleigh pulled by the Percheron cross horse team of Mavis and Maude and driven by Chris McLaughlin, and the Canadian team Pete and Pal driven by Chris' Dad. We were told that Chris' Mom Sue works for the Grimshaw Town Office and is a wonderful quilter. We met the delightful Janelle and her three children, ages 4 - 9. I told her I was going home for Christmas as I missed my home and husband. She said she understood as her husband works in the oilfield and is away a good deal of the time. Today I was thinking about the old-fashioned sleigh ride compared to the modern one (snowmobile). I told Madison that she was very lucky to experience both in the same weekend.
Madison spent most of her time yesterday at the old schoolhouse making Christmas decorations. She can entertain herself for hours being creative. The building was not much larger than our little cabin in Caroline. It, too, was heated by a wood fire. The east wall was mostly large windows so there was a lot of natural light. Not far from the schoolhouse was a large bonfire and a smaller fire in a pit for roasting weiners and bannock. Large cups of hot chocolate were also available. I prepared lunch for some of the adult helpers in the schoolhouse as well as for Madison and myself. I also joined in the singsong with Suzanne and Tom McCann around the fire.
Being in the schoolhouse reminded me of one of Mom's stories. Mom said that her Mother had the contract for cleaning the Miquelon School. On a day-to-day basis my Mom would arrive early at school to stoke the fire, sweep the floors, and dust the desks. Even at an early age Mom was very entrepreneurial! Of course, I shared with Madison that her Great Grandma had gone to a school like the one we were in, and that winter transport for Great Grandma was a horse-drawn sleigh.
We left Pioneer Village around 2:30 and headed back to Grimshaw. We stopped at the Super A Food Store to buy cheesecloth to wrap my homemade fruitcake in, and we stopped at the Dollar Store to purchase, believe it or not, more craft supplies! Madison spent the evening with her Mom and Trevor. I went to Berwyn for the Lac Cardinal Regional Performing Arts Society presentation of "A Dickens of a Christmas," a musical based on "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. All the performers were children who were directed by Bill Sheets, the principal of Berwyn School. It is such a joy to see the wonderful effort put forth by young children! Dickens' tale has always been one of my favorites. As a youth I never missed watching it on TV at Christmas. When I was in grade 6 at Kingman School, my class performed a version of this play, directed by our very warm and caring teacher, Mr. Lyle Erga. A favorite Christmas song is one performed by Maria Dunn who stars as Tiny Tim in the Christmas Carol Project in Edmonton. I have never seen this performance but would surely like to. I like the words of the chorus of this song: "God bless us everyone with the riches of the soul and may hopelessness ne'er be the demon standing at your door!"
Yesterday I took Madison to an old-fashioned community Christmas celebration at the Pioneer Village Museum at Lac Cardinal just outside of Grimshaw. The museum consists of several historical buildings set up to look like a little village. Some of the buildings are original: the schoolhouse, the Catholic church from Worsely, a couple of log houses, and the old store. Some are re-creations : the old railway station, the bakery, the UFA, and a few others. The museum is clearly a labour of love. All the work has been done by seniors whose average age is about 70 years. They are having difficulty finding volunteers to continue this project.
We went to the old hall first for Pancake Breakfast. The hall was kept warm and cosy by a wood fire. We enjoyed pancakes and scrambled eggs prepared by the ladies in the kitchen, and sausages grilled on the outside barbecue by some of the men. Beverages included cold juice, coffee, and hot apple cider. A highlight was music provided by Wayne Archer of Weberville. He entertained by playing the guitar and singing Christmas carols. What made it so special is that he wandered from table to table, stopping for a while at each table to entertain. He asked for requests from adults and children. He had a warm personality, clearly enjoyed himself, and had a beautiful voice, too.
Throughout the afternoon Madison and I had several rides on horse-drawn sleighs. The first was on a cutter pulled by one caramel-coloured horse (whose name was Hawaiian for Cathy) and driven by a Mr. Pimm whose father, interestingly enough, had settled in the James River area which is near our home by Caroline. We also rode on a sleigh pulled by the Percheron cross horse team of Mavis and Maude and driven by Chris McLaughlin, and the Canadian team Pete and Pal driven by Chris' Dad. We were told that Chris' Mom Sue works for the Grimshaw Town Office and is a wonderful quilter. We met the delightful Janelle and her three children, ages 4 - 9. I told her I was going home for Christmas as I missed my home and husband. She said she understood as her husband works in the oilfield and is away a good deal of the time. Today I was thinking about the old-fashioned sleigh ride compared to the modern one (snowmobile). I told Madison that she was very lucky to experience both in the same weekend.
Madison spent most of her time yesterday at the old schoolhouse making Christmas decorations. She can entertain herself for hours being creative. The building was not much larger than our little cabin in Caroline. It, too, was heated by a wood fire. The east wall was mostly large windows so there was a lot of natural light. Not far from the schoolhouse was a large bonfire and a smaller fire in a pit for roasting weiners and bannock. Large cups of hot chocolate were also available. I prepared lunch for some of the adult helpers in the schoolhouse as well as for Madison and myself. I also joined in the singsong with Suzanne and Tom McCann around the fire.
Being in the schoolhouse reminded me of one of Mom's stories. Mom said that her Mother had the contract for cleaning the Miquelon School. On a day-to-day basis my Mom would arrive early at school to stoke the fire, sweep the floors, and dust the desks. Even at an early age Mom was very entrepreneurial! Of course, I shared with Madison that her Great Grandma had gone to a school like the one we were in, and that winter transport for Great Grandma was a horse-drawn sleigh.
We left Pioneer Village around 2:30 and headed back to Grimshaw. We stopped at the Super A Food Store to buy cheesecloth to wrap my homemade fruitcake in, and we stopped at the Dollar Store to purchase, believe it or not, more craft supplies! Madison spent the evening with her Mom and Trevor. I went to Berwyn for the Lac Cardinal Regional Performing Arts Society presentation of "A Dickens of a Christmas," a musical based on "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. All the performers were children who were directed by Bill Sheets, the principal of Berwyn School. It is such a joy to see the wonderful effort put forth by young children! Dickens' tale has always been one of my favorites. As a youth I never missed watching it on TV at Christmas. When I was in grade 6 at Kingman School, my class performed a version of this play, directed by our very warm and caring teacher, Mr. Lyle Erga. A favorite Christmas song is one performed by Maria Dunn who stars as Tiny Tim in the Christmas Carol Project in Edmonton. I have never seen this performance but would surely like to. I like the words of the chorus of this song: "God bless us everyone with the riches of the soul and may hopelessness ne'er be the demon standing at your door!"
My car is at the autobody shop until Wednesday. I am using a loaner, a blue Ford Station Wagon. Hopefully all goes well with getting the work completed and paid for. So far I have no sub days booked for this coming week. My plan is to do some more baking and some packing. I hope to head for home (Caroline) on Thursday or Friday. I plan to attend Madison's school concert on Thursday morning.
Jarl and Rebecca and Spencer and Parker were here on Friday evening. We shared pizza that they brought from Panago. We had planned to go to the live nativity at the Mile Zero Evangelical Church in Grimshaw. However Spencer was not feeling well, Parker was ready for a feed, the evening was cold, and we were all a little tired from a busy week. We enjoyed a quiet evening visiting indoors. Sonja called. She was looking forward to going out with Ben, a new fellow she had met. She had one exam left to write on Saturday morning. On Monday she plans to go to Edmonton to spend a few days with Kai and to go shopping. Helge also called Friday evening and talked with family. Even though we are separated by distance we try to stay connected. Aina wrote her Module 1 Accounting Exam on Saturday so is greatly relieved to not have to worry about studying for a while!
I have a sniffle today so plan a quiet kind of day. That might include a nap and some correspondence. However, I should make the effort to get outdoors for a walk as it is such a lovely day! Though I am missing my home and husband and old friends my heart has been warmed by memories of the past and sharing good times with my children and grandchildren and new acquaintances.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Returning Home
After a restless night with little sleep I made a major decision. When I return to Caroline on December 20th, I plan to stay there. Twelve days from now I will be homeward bound. Thus, this year, the twelve days of Christmas takes on a new meaning for me. I will be counting down the days until I return home.
I phoned Barb Johnston this morning to let her know of my decision and also to ask for Susan Yantz's phone number. I talked to Susan today and informed her that I am interested in returning to Bowden in whatever manner they can accommodate me. It appears that there is a high need for subs, and the sub rate is currently $180.00 per day which matches what I'm earning here.
I didn't realize how homesick I was until a couple of days ago. When Aina suggested that I could go home if I like as she can manage during tax season without me I felt a great deal of enthusiasm for the idea. Aina writes her Module 1 Accounting Exam on December 15th. Then there will be no more study for a while. From January until April she will be busy with taxes and feels she can manage without my help. I'm sure she will, based on her record. In addition she will enjoy returning to the routine she and Madison had before I moved in.
With the passing of my Dad and all his siblings, and the loss of Mom in May I have felt not only the loss of parents but the loss of "home." In 2007 I have been away for the better part of the year, and lately have been feeling an overwhelming desire to return to my home where Helge and I have raised our family and where he waits for me. Indeed home is where the heart is. I look forward to spending quality time with my hubby and to making our home near Caroline more comfortable and attractive. I also look forward to my children and grandchildren "coming home" for many years to come.
It has been a busy day! Aina and Trevor are in Grande Prairie at the Meyers-Norris Penney Christmas party. I have been at home in Grimshaw with Madison. In addition to Barb and Susan I have conversed by phone with Helge, Jarl and Rebecca, Kai, Sonja, Laurel, Alice, and Andy from Australia. As the day comes to a close I feel very contented with my decision.
I phoned Barb Johnston this morning to let her know of my decision and also to ask for Susan Yantz's phone number. I talked to Susan today and informed her that I am interested in returning to Bowden in whatever manner they can accommodate me. It appears that there is a high need for subs, and the sub rate is currently $180.00 per day which matches what I'm earning here.
I didn't realize how homesick I was until a couple of days ago. When Aina suggested that I could go home if I like as she can manage during tax season without me I felt a great deal of enthusiasm for the idea. Aina writes her Module 1 Accounting Exam on December 15th. Then there will be no more study for a while. From January until April she will be busy with taxes and feels she can manage without my help. I'm sure she will, based on her record. In addition she will enjoy returning to the routine she and Madison had before I moved in.
With the passing of my Dad and all his siblings, and the loss of Mom in May I have felt not only the loss of parents but the loss of "home." In 2007 I have been away for the better part of the year, and lately have been feeling an overwhelming desire to return to my home where Helge and I have raised our family and where he waits for me. Indeed home is where the heart is. I look forward to spending quality time with my hubby and to making our home near Caroline more comfortable and attractive. I also look forward to my children and grandchildren "coming home" for many years to come.
It has been a busy day! Aina and Trevor are in Grande Prairie at the Meyers-Norris Penney Christmas party. I have been at home in Grimshaw with Madison. In addition to Barb and Susan I have conversed by phone with Helge, Jarl and Rebecca, Kai, Sonja, Laurel, Alice, and Andy from Australia. As the day comes to a close I feel very contented with my decision.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Creating my own Blog
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
I have been thinking about creating a blog for a while now. I have enjoyed John and Vanessa's blog and think it is a great way for people on the move to keep in touch. So today I took the plunge and was amazed how simple it was!
I have been shovelling a lot of snow this week. Yesterday I spent at least 2 hours with the shovel. I have also been chopping wood regularly in this cold spell. There is a wood heater in the living room and we all enjoy the warmth of wood heat. My bedroom is in the basement so I also get a lot of exercise running up and down the stairs. I have a gym membership in Grimshaw and plan to go there when the weather is not so bitterly cold, and when there are no major home chores to attend to.
Aina and Trevor went to Trevor's Christmas party at West Edmonton Mall last weekend. She left on Thursday after work. I subbed at Madison's school on Wednesday and Thursday so that was convenient for us. (On two days I taught origami to ten different classes.) After school on Thursday we went out for supper, returned to school for the Book Fair, and then I took Madison to her hip hop dance class. Friday we went out for supper again. Then I took Madison to her Musical Theatre class. I watched my first ever Santa Claus parade on the freezing streets of Peace River. Up above me Madison's class watched from the Studio windows. After dance Madison and I went to the movie theatre to watch "Enchanted" with Renee Zellwegger and Patrick Dempsey. We both enjoyed it a lot!
Saturday morning we were on the move again. Madison's Day Care had a Christmas Party with Pancake Breakfast and the arrival of Santa. After this we went to 10000 Villages at the Catholic Convention Center and found some beautiful Christmas decorations. Following this we headed to the bank. My vehicle was hit by a truck on the right front while we were going through the intersection on a green light. The young man driving the truck stopped right away and accepted responsibility so that was a pleasant surprise and a blessing indeed. Nevertheless it is a nuisance to have a broken car. The right signal light does not work properly, and although the headlight is working now the body shop owner said it could quit anytime because of moisture on the lamp due to the broken headlight unit. Luckily the timing is good. I only have one day of subbing booked for this week and one for next week. This is unusual because I have been subbing 3 and 4 days a week until now. My car is booked in for body work at the end of next week. Last Sunday Madison had a birthday party at the Peace River Pool. So we had a pretty busy time while her Mom was away!
Apart from the lack of resources I am enjoying a little break, especially since it is so cold. In addition I have barely had a moment to myself since I moved. Yesterday I went through my paperwork for the first time since moving. My goal is a little bit of correspondence everyday. In addition, I plan to do a little extra housecleaning job, chop wood, shovel snow, and try to fit in some baking. I can hardly believe the year 2007 is coming to an end! More later....
I have been thinking about creating a blog for a while now. I have enjoyed John and Vanessa's blog and think it is a great way for people on the move to keep in touch. So today I took the plunge and was amazed how simple it was!
I have been shovelling a lot of snow this week. Yesterday I spent at least 2 hours with the shovel. I have also been chopping wood regularly in this cold spell. There is a wood heater in the living room and we all enjoy the warmth of wood heat. My bedroom is in the basement so I also get a lot of exercise running up and down the stairs. I have a gym membership in Grimshaw and plan to go there when the weather is not so bitterly cold, and when there are no major home chores to attend to.
Aina and Trevor went to Trevor's Christmas party at West Edmonton Mall last weekend. She left on Thursday after work. I subbed at Madison's school on Wednesday and Thursday so that was convenient for us. (On two days I taught origami to ten different classes.) After school on Thursday we went out for supper, returned to school for the Book Fair, and then I took Madison to her hip hop dance class. Friday we went out for supper again. Then I took Madison to her Musical Theatre class. I watched my first ever Santa Claus parade on the freezing streets of Peace River. Up above me Madison's class watched from the Studio windows. After dance Madison and I went to the movie theatre to watch "Enchanted" with Renee Zellwegger and Patrick Dempsey. We both enjoyed it a lot!
Saturday morning we were on the move again. Madison's Day Care had a Christmas Party with Pancake Breakfast and the arrival of Santa. After this we went to 10000 Villages at the Catholic Convention Center and found some beautiful Christmas decorations. Following this we headed to the bank. My vehicle was hit by a truck on the right front while we were going through the intersection on a green light. The young man driving the truck stopped right away and accepted responsibility so that was a pleasant surprise and a blessing indeed. Nevertheless it is a nuisance to have a broken car. The right signal light does not work properly, and although the headlight is working now the body shop owner said it could quit anytime because of moisture on the lamp due to the broken headlight unit. Luckily the timing is good. I only have one day of subbing booked for this week and one for next week. This is unusual because I have been subbing 3 and 4 days a week until now. My car is booked in for body work at the end of next week. Last Sunday Madison had a birthday party at the Peace River Pool. So we had a pretty busy time while her Mom was away!
Apart from the lack of resources I am enjoying a little break, especially since it is so cold. In addition I have barely had a moment to myself since I moved. Yesterday I went through my paperwork for the first time since moving. My goal is a little bit of correspondence everyday. In addition, I plan to do a little extra housecleaning job, chop wood, shovel snow, and try to fit in some baking. I can hardly believe the year 2007 is coming to an end! More later....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)