Friday, September 29, 2006

When I Grow Up I Wanna Be.......

Monday and Tuesday Chris and I were able to sneek away for a night - out to Cavendish. We were hosting the Atlantic Youth Leaders. We basically arranged accomodations and provided food. Boy - when people get away can they eat!!!!!!! It was a nice time to reacquaint ourselves with some of the other youth leaders around. Kinda weird when a couple of the youth leaders wives were once in our youth group. Weird but also cool to see them involved in ministry now. We were staying at Kindred Spirits Country Inn (my former place of employment) and we were in one of the cottages. Mon. afternoon I didn't have to attend any of the sessions so I did what I always saw the tourists doing and thought to myself "one of these days I am going to do that." I spent the afternoon on the couch, with snacks and watched the whole first Anne of Green Gables videos. Uninterupted (well, except for Chris coming in and out - but he didn't ask me to get up and do anything) WOO HOO!!!
We called home that night and Ashleigh told us that the kitchen sink was plugged. Her directions - put the liquid plumber in it! When we got home Tues. afternoon we found a note that said - "Mom and Dad, this house is sucky - everything is plugged!!!!!!!!!!!!" Yes, all the downstairs plumbing was plugged up, clogged, stopped up - whatever you want to call it. We tried more liquid plumber, plunging and staring at the drain to no avail. Finally, I pulled out the Readers Digest Home Repair book and looked up "clogged drains". We followed the directions and found the source of the plug in the pipes downstairs. It was locate din a pipe that was only about six inches from the wall and behind the furnace. Chris had to leave for volleyball and said he would fix it later. With everything stuck we couldn't do much so I set out to fix the problem. I carefully placed buckets under the plugged pipe so when the plug let go I'd catch all the water. With 2 pokes of a chopstick the water came gushing alright - all over me! Thankfully I was equipped with gloves and safety goggles! But I was wet and it began to burn a bit - liquid plumber I think. I took care of that and set out to declog the clog. Honestly - it was a good thing I did it because my dear husband was not blessed with the gift of flexibility and believe me, you needed some to get behind the furnace and next to the wall to do it. I poked and prodded with a hanger, chopsticks, plastic spoon and fork but couldn't seem to break it up. I was left with no other option but to stick my finger up there and find out what I was dealing with. IT WAS SO DISGUSTING!!!!!!! As I continued to work away at the monster in the pipe, nasty water still ran down my arm and occasionally in my hair. Then I found 5 popcycle sticks in the pipe!!! I had to use a pair of scissors to reach up there and cut them and then try to pull them out. I don't know how many times I had to stick my bare finger up there to find out if there was more "CLOG" or sticks. I"ve done my best to try to forget whatever it was I was feeling up there. But, I successfully declogged the clog!!!! Where did those popcycle sticks come from? In the end my shirts was ruined from all this black stuff that get dripping on me, and I had a raw spot on my finger from reaching up inside that nasty pipe, but everything was now running smoothly downstairs. I showered and rinsed the black stuff off of me that had run down my arm into my armpit and down my body and washed my hair. Then I was off to Lauryn play volleyball and only missed 1 set. A plumber I never aspired to be - and I'll stick to nursing! I've never had to put my finger inside anything and pull out something hairy and slimey!!!!

Monday, September 25, 2006

One Of These Days!
This week at work has been very interesting! As many know I work in an assisted living (community care) home for senior citizens. You know, they should be able to do their own basic care and we provide the rest. Well, we have this "couple" in the home. The man was offended by his "girlfriends" friend who told him to basically get lost and quite looking over his should and telling her how to play her cards. So, he called the girlfriend and was saying all these unpleasantries about her friend - which made her mad. The girlfriend then went and told her friend. Now, they are both mad. The girlfriend told the boyfriend she wouldn't take him back until he apologized to her friend and also to herself for the things that he said. Well, he hasn't apologized. They play these "games" as well. The girls wait in the sitting room on their way to meals and when he comes around the corner they wait until he comes toward them in the sitting room and they get up and leave. (Remember that this is all moving at a slower pace then we would normally see it happening and it involves canes and walkers) The girls are smiling at themselves as they stroll to the dining room. Today, the boyfriend made a play to make the girlfriend jealous and asked another lady resident out to dinner tonight ( I wondered if he was planning on acutally taking her out somehow - maybe pushing her on his walker seat - or just fine dining in our dining room?) The lady he asked out said "No" and then told me she thought that was GROSS! The boyfriend roamed the halls today because he was all out of sorts and maybe looking for another lady to ask out! Sounds like a page out of the soaps, doesn't it? If it doesn't, it should be?

As I watched this all unfold this weekend and couldn't help but laugh!!!!! Think about it - that could be us someday - playing the Jr. Hi games boyfriend/girlfriend games AGAIN!!!!! Oh Lord, I hope not!!!!!!

Friday, September 15, 2006

OH!! What a Week!!!!!!

This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad!!!!!

It is a gorgeous sunny day!!!! It's like a summer day - 22 celcius (that's about 74 fahrenheit) There are clothes on the line and enjoyed a cup of coffee in the sun on the deck - that's the life!!!!!!

A perfect ending to a crazy week - We all survived. Monday began with school and I went to church to work on the clothing depot and cleaning out the "closet" that the clothes are stored in. After school Chris and Hannah had volleyball. 5:30 dinner and Ashleigh was off with friends. Her friend Laura came in and told us about her new hamster that her parents STRONGLY opposed to her having (due to past pet experiences), so she was looking for a home. Molly's eyes got really big and she looked at her Dad and said "Oh please, Dad". He quickly responded with "NO, we don't need another animal". Molly, the family drama queen, immediately welled up with huge tears that ran down her cheecks and she was going to make a dramatic exit from the table. As she was storming from the table she tripped on the chair, stumbled and became more upset. We could hear her up in her room weeping and wailing!!!!! Hannah then reminds me her new jeans need to be returned. I don't know what did it, but then Chris says that Molly is very responsible and it was o.k. to have the hamster (we didn't tell her though). Tuesday - school - back to the "closet" to continue organzing and sorting clothes - Chris, Hannah and Lauryn have volleyball. I pick up newest family member and bring "it" home to surprise Molly. She saw the hamster and started jumping up and down and crying and saying "I can't believe it's mine." The little thing is cute and she has done a very good job taking care of it. Dinner at 7:30. Chris misses dinner for church meeting. Hannah reminds me again - her pants need to be exchanged. Homework. Chris home around 10 and we have a bit of time before bed to sit and talk.

Wednesday - Chris has early serving practise for his team. After everyone leaves I go to computer to check on e-mails and find out our motherboard is FRIED!!!!!! I spend most of the day putting programs, etc... onto another computer we have - I hate that because it always takes so much time. I finally take the clothes off the line that I hung up on Tuesday sometime. At least I think it was Tuesday I hung them out there. Volleyball practice for everyone, supper at 5:30, homework, youth group leaders meeting, Hannah hockey game. At 10:50 p.m. I was off to work! Thankfully I was able to sleep in a little bit Wed. morning since I had to work that night. It's always so peaceful at work when everyone is sleeping. Thursday morning I go straight to bed and Chris gets girls off. Up at 2:30 p.m. and shower. When Hannah got home we were heading to the mall to FINALLY return the jeans when we realized we didn't have the van. Ashleigh had to be at work as well. Had to call for the van. Ashleigh goes to work, the other 3 have volleyball practice and I am home with Molly and the hamster - who is having a name crisis. A name can not be found to suit Molly's likings. Supper at 7:30 and right when we were about to sit down, Hannah has to leave to meet her groupies at the mall to buy a birthday present. AAAHHH!!!!!! I had a little melt down and was trying to get the girls to understand how frustrating it is to have things popped on you at the last minute - especially since it is 7:30, no one has eaten and I WAS HUNGARY!!!! Chris took her to the mall (she was mortified because we made her go in her volleyball clothes - NO SHOWER!!!!!) then picked up Ashleigh and I sat at the table until they came home to eat. Lauryn comes up and has a melt down because we were all laughing and talking about our bodies and how some are blessed in certain areas more than others. Lauryn took this personally. I had just about had enough then - trying to convince her to just relax, laugh and have fun wasn't going well and I was getting more frustrated because it was so silly. Then we all partook in a delightful, fattening, yummy dessert - I made the $1,000,000 Oat-N-Honey Pie that was on the Oprah rerun the day before. It was soooo good and everyone was happy again so then I went off to work. I haven't slept since I've been home this morning because I HAD to catch up on some housecleaning before the dust bunnies carried everything away. At 11:40 we had 20 plus high schoolers for Kraft Dinner Day and they have just left. It is always fun having the kids here and they sure eat lots of Kraft Dinner. Chris and Hannah are off to a volleyball tournament at 4 p.m. (home at 11;30 p.m.) Lauryn has practice, Ashleigh has to work, and Molly is having a friend over after school. I think tonight I will sit on the couch and drift in and out of consciousness while watching a ball game!!!!!! We'll see! I love my life!

Monday, September 11, 2006

September 11
I haven't written anything in a few days. I had to work (6:30 am to 2:30 pm) 4 days last week - and as many of you know - a morning person I AM NOT!!!!! I am enjoying my job - a nurse in a community care facility! I love the residents and being able to care for them, talk to them and listen to them! It's proof to me that everyone truely has an amazing story!

Part of the usual school day routine is the TV is turned on to the news in the morning (usually after Molly watches Clifford The Big Red Dog). First images this morning were those of 9/11 - 5 years ago! I remember where I was. In Lauryn's hospital room waiting for her to return from surgery. A nurse came in and told us to turn on the TV we would probably want to see what was happening. I was in shock when I saw what was happening! The images today remind me of how precious life is and the time we have now! My heart always aches for those you see who have experienced such grief and pain in such a hateful way. The way each person has dealt with it and the impact the lives of many of those who died have played on those of us who are still here.

Today I looked over my "life list - 100 things I want to be or do" to see how I am doing! Some things - I'm doing good, other things - eeeeekk!!!! It is so good for me to look over that list to remind myself of those things that I want to be in life. One thing I've done pretty good at lately is "learning one new thing each week". That's how this blog got started. I also learned to crochet a quilt and the 5 strangest things ever sold in a vending maching (emu jerky, live shrimp, holy water, and I'm trying to think of the other two).

Family is doing good. Ashleigh had to opt out of playing volleyball this year to work to pay for her trip to Paris & Spain. Hannah made the volleyball team. Lauryn is running cross-country and starts volleyball. Molly is starting curling. Chris is coaching volleyball besides working! I am keeping all of them in the right place at the right time, feeding them at the appropriate times, and making sure all their socks, jerseys, kneepads and school clothes are all cleaned and in the right rooms! WHEW!!!! I'm lovin' it!!!!!!

Tuesday, September 05, 2006


1st Day of School
It finally has arrived - the 1st day of school! Everyone was up and going by 7:30 a.m. (some earlier than others). Lunches made the night before, back packs packed and clothes set out. Everything went smoothly and out on time. After everyone left I walked down to the library to return some books and took some time to read the newspaper and choose a new book to read (it's a sports autobiography so probably wouldn't interest to many). I needed to escape the loud "quiet" in the house. When I arrived back home I kind of stood there for a moment to think about what I should do next. Laundry was the chosen activity. (1st picture - Hannah & Ashleigh, 2nd picture - Molly & Lauryn, 1st day of school)

Yesterday we were so fortunate to attend the wedding of a special friend. When we first met Heidi she was a member of the youth group. The wedding was beautiful, despite the rain, and we had a wonderful time. We got to connect with old friends from around the Maritimes, eat, spend time with good friends from the island, laugh and eat chocolate cake
and then dive into the chocolate fountain - a first experience for many of us.
(Hannah used the most skewers of anyone at the table) And how do you eat a
Rice Krispie Treat that has been soaked in milk chocolate with NO fork?????

Weddings always make me think back on my own wedding and how amazing it was. When I got married I hade all of these ideas and dreams about what I thought marriage would be like. When advise was offered I thought, that will never be us or we won't do that. HeeHee!!!!! To me, marriage is an amazing thing. How 2 people, usually very different people, can love each other and make it work. It might not be just as I once dreamed or thought it would be, but I know, because of each other - we are better people. I might once have had all these great ideas of what my marriage would be like but in the end it's the security of knowing he is there and cheering me on in life! There are plenty of others out there implying that one should be this way or look that way but to know beyond a shadow of doubt that there is something there to love you and cheer you on - just as you are - PRICELESS!!!!!

Now - I better get up and get going - Have to bake our annual "Back to School" cake for dessert tonight!

Saturday, September 02, 2006

Good - Bye Summer!
Chris & Hannah at Cavendish Beach
This past week has been a blurrrrrrr.....With Hannah's birthday and her birthday party on Tuesday night, work, school supply shopping, school clothes shopping, still chauffering girls around and trying to get the laundry done. We've had a few nice days - cool - but nice so I did some gardening. Picked some beans in the garden, tomatoes and marvelled at my very pathetic beets and corn. Don't know what happened there this year!!!! We had a cold, windy but super time at our last family beach night last night. The surf was incredible (due to a storm somewhere). We even got to see a large seal upclose (he had fishing line and a hook stuck in his mouth and I think he was dying). Back at the campfire we had lots of laughs (the best about "chicken bacon" and good conversation. We stayed the longest we've stayed all year - I don't think anyone wanted it to end! I was changing calendars in residents rooms yesterday from August to September - I couldn't believe I was looking at September already!!!!! (One resident asked me if it was March yet - oh heavens no, not yet!!!)
As the first day of school quickly approaches it always makes me kinda sad! Every first day of school makes the girls another year older, a little more independent and the quietness of the house after they all leave is deafening!!!! Ashleigh will be starting 12th grade this year. The oldest - in 12th grade! It makes me look back and pray that I have made an influence - a positive one - in her life some how. I find in quite sobering. This summer we've had some honest conversations with her about how she goes about things here at home and stuff which I find tough. I want this last year of being guaranteed being at home a good one. She is an awesome, good kid that I am VERY proud of.
So, as they all walk out that door on Tuesday - I know one thing for sure - I have 4 great daughters that I am soooooo proud of. They are great, kind, friendly - AWESOME - girls! Thank the Lord for such 4 precious gifts.