Home -What's that?

I have said I have 3 jobs. Unfortunately, I only get paid for one and I seldom have that work to do. The other two jobs are helping the deaf and my homemaker duties. Most days, the last job leaves a lot to be desired! I am seldom home.

A week ago some very wonderful people from the other congregation invited us to dinner after our annual pioneer meeting. They really out-did themselves! Awesome meal-and amazing desert! We all appreciated their hard efforts VERY MUCH!

The right side of this picture are 7 of the 8 of us that pioneer in our congregation. (One missing-wife of the tall guy on the very right). I spend the majority of my time with these people. We try to make our days as enjoyable as possible. And there are stories that connect from one day to the next!

Our spouses were invited to enjoy with us. We felt so warm and appreciated!


So many of my days are spent with the other 7. And, up here you need good boots, mitts, hats AND good coats! I am the "Mother / Grandmother" of the group, so I take the responsiblity to tell them -"Wear you hat, where are your gloves!" And... "That coat will never do, it's not a -40C coat!" So, on the defense two decided to prove their coats were warm, by such comments as, "My coat is so warm that...." Well, I have to give cudos to the best line.

My coat is so warm that I need to apologize to Al Gore for global warming. It's an

"Inconvenient Coat".

Yep that one wins the prize.

So, with friends like that to be with, you can understand why I am NEVER home and my homemaker skills are taking a huge hit. I might work on it tomorrow. Today was a lazy, study, do laundry day. No pressure!

Before and After Bragging Rights

I truly believe that people only live in Winnipeg because they have

Bragging rights!

This was taken a week ago. We "thought" we were dumped on then with snow.

This is yesterday. After 2 days of snow and Jim shoveling the driveway.

This was taken in August. We were inudated with Mosquitos and complaining that we could hardly use our deck because of them.

This was last week.

And yesterday!!!

Nope, won't be using the deck for probably 6-7 months!

And my point about bragging rights! You could live in Russia and be warmer!!!! Here are the temps today around the world and where my family lives:

Quito Ecuador +12 C (or 54 F)

Sarajevo + 6C (or 43 F)

Moscow, Russia -1C (or 29F)

Arvada, Colorado +1C (or 34 F)

Omaha, Nebraska -6C (or 20 F)

Yucaipa, California +7C (or 45 F)

Las Vegas, Nevada -2C (or 27 F)

Abbotsford, BC +1C (or 34 F)

And the winner is!!!!

Winnipeg -12 C (or 9 F) Feels like -19C ( or -2 F)

Just the beginning, for sure!

They told us it was going to happen. And it's not like we didn't expect it to, or that we have never experienced such a thing before. But when it happens for the first time in, oh, lets say 5 months, you have this false sense of security, like , maybe it won't snow?

How Naive!

So, we woke up at 5:30 ( as per normal in our household) to this:

Beautiful? For sure! Not a track or a footprint in the snow! So peaceful! I would welcome being snowed in for a few days, not able to go anywhere!
But it has that ominous look, also. I knew we both had to work today, and what that meant. We couldn't sit in our warm snuggly home under a blanket reading a book. NO! We had to venture out into this-in cars!
My hubby's commute was at 6:30 and I asked him to phone me to let me know what it was like. Give me the official warning. His call would usually be , "No worries, not that bad!" But today he said, "Give yourself PLENTY of time!" OH NO! That is really bad news.

I live about 25 minutes from work. Well, that was 75 minutes today! VERY VERY SLOW.
The drive home, the same. Except to add one more thing. Had a flat tire in the snow!

Welcome to Winter in Winterpeg!!!

Wild week of fun

It went by so fast, but it was an awesome week with some new friends. We learned so much from them. I learned that it doesn't pay not to volunteer because I ended up in front of the service groups 2 days doing the 10 plague game in sign language.

This gives you and idea of the week-ASL week and he is trying to figure out what to do with the microphone. Obviously not used all week.

Our pioneer meeting included a huge box of chocolates that he insisted had to be emptied. he wanted to keep us hyped up on chocolate for sure! He said the pioneer meeting was his favorite. He didn't pass out chocolates at the elders meeting.

And of course, this was his idea for the picture.

It always amazes me how you can spend one week with people, actually 5 days and end up loving them and missing them! Only Jehovah could do that.
Omaha--your next on his list. Enjoy!

She's up and away.

This is my baby girl. Well, not my babiest, but still one of my babies. She is off to Ecuador.

I remember a lot of steps in her life........

Off to school I watched her the entire way. So tiny!

I watched her learn to ride a bike, both times!

We lived on a farm and she walked to the one room school-past the cows!

I took her to many doctor appointments and hospital tests that she was terrified of.

I watched her go to high school, take the bus alone to gain some independence.

Driving by herself-I always watched the until I couldn't see her anymore.

I watched her pioneer, knowing this kid was petrified of dogs, but loved Jehovah more.

I felt the pain when her engagement broke off, and wanted so bad to heal it for her.

The first time she left for Ecuador I was so nervous! But this was her dream!

She left Denver, flew to San Francisco. Got off the plane and on a train to the consolate to get her visa. Then back on the train to get her plane by 5PM that day. Then off to LA over nite and then to Panama, then to Guayquil. Yep, you bet I was a nervous wreck! I made her call me every step of the way. A long way away from her momma!!

I always watched over her when she was growing up. She is such a tiny thing and I never wanted her hurt or anyone to hurt her. I have watched her go through many trials in her life from the time she was born. Sometimes I wanted her to learn to do things so that she would be more independent.

Now she is off to another adventure. A totally new life awaits her.

I would love to be with her to start this life, to help her with her plans, to watch over her. But I have had to learn to let her go... alone. I so want this to be one of the happiest times of her life and I'm sure it will be.

She is a very strong woman now.

I know she relies heavily on Jehovah, so she is not really alone, ever.

The Denver Trip

One reason I love to visit Denver.

And some more reasons to love Denver.

And the Top reason I love to visit Denver

Tired and Happy

VERY Quick trip through Omaha on our way back from Denver.

This is the hard working Daughter in Law that helped get it all together:

Seriously?

Wishin you had one of these mustaches?

And let the games begin. Goin for gold.

And goin for Bronze.

Thanks guys! It was awesome!

OLD FRIENDS IN A NEW WAY

We had one busy last 4 days! First off, I was mistaken in believing that Chicago is one day away. Well, it is, technically. It is 14 hours. But with bathroom breaks and meals, and... a little shopping in Albertsville, MN it is really 19 hours! 19 LONNNNGGGG hours, that is. If ya have to drive that, it's good to be with people who are fun to be with. Which meant the trip was do-able.

So, we made the long drive to go to an ASL Special Assembly. And one really fun part was that this ASL Assembly, I actually knew people! Many friends I know from Omaha were assigned there also! So, I managed to get a "few" pictures of them. Wishing I had gotten more!

Wait, I didn't know, Fred was in Sign Language? But where is his family? And... who is that sister? This really threw me. Until I had an oh!!!! moment. This is Fred's twin brother!!?!?!!? Forgot he had a twin brother! So, I told him he looks JUST LIKE Fred! He said, "No! Fred looks like me!"

And, new ones in ASL!!!! And, old friends who visited us last winter. We became good friends from that visit when I found out who they were related to. Well, they became good friends because they are awesome people! It was so great seeing them all again!

Our Hailey

We had a super busy weekend, as usual. And it's 7:15 AM Monday! I should have been in the shower ...and dressed by now. YIKES! Story of my life!

We had our Circuit Assembly and the Pioneer meeting on Friday. I must go in English for this information to sink in like it should. So, I came home knowing I have TONS of stuff to work on!

Part of our busy weekend was a visit from our youngest Granddaughter-Hailey:

She is in a French-Imersion school, so she is learning French! I won't be able to understand her, but she will do awesome I know, she already is!

She just started Kindegarten this year and when I saw her in August her hair was really long. She has a new hair-cut now and is adorable, for sure. But she told me the reason she cut her hair was to give it to kids who have cancer so they can have hair!
It just makes her even more adorable!

Changed it! FIxed it???

Hey Angie! I did this all by myself! (I think?)

Whatever the problem with the picture showing up, by changing the background it seemed to disappear!

Whatcha think of the new background?

Retirement process, step 1

In preparation for "the Retirement", I have been scaling down and pushing things out! Our plan is to move to a smaller house. Which also means, less junk! So, looking around, we have LOTS and LOTS of junk!

I was blessed to be home 3 days this week and my goal, other than prepare a sign language talk and study for our sign language meeting (that was 1/2 of 2 of the days) was to clean out a couple closets. What is left here is amazing compared to what it was before!

And if you knew that most of that will also be gone by then, well, I did pretty awesome, right!
One thing in the closet is a pair of my hubby's pants that he bought last Jan and I "promised!" to alter for him. I can hear my voice now, "Oh, honey, don't you pay to have them altered! I can do it for you...free!"

Well, the 1st step to that would also be to get out the sewing machine. And you see, the desk that was originally for my sewing machine has been loaded with .....junk also. So, I am so excited now! After years! My sewing machine is back on the desk!!!

One step closer to pants altered!

Retirement? For Who?

275 days

39 weekends

6596 hours

395,795 minutes

23,747,758 seconds

9 months, 1 day, 20 hour, 36 minutes, 23 seconds

For my hubby, it's all about the countdown.

For me it's

"What in the world will I do with that man when he retires????

We are trying to figure out, what and where after he retires. (Notice it's "He" retires! Don't think it will ever happen for me-I don't get a retirement check) We know we want a change, we drive about 1/2 hour to the hall 7 days a week and it would be nice to be closer.

I also desperately want to be closer to my kids and my grandkids.

So, I asked them, "What's your best offer?"

My youngest said, "When you move here....". She wants some of her own family nearby. Can't blame her, I feel the same way!

My oldest son says, "When you move there, you will see us more often!" Wait a minute?!? Was that a promise or was that a "Don't move here!!!!" Not sure about that one.

My other daughter is in the process of making a life changing decision to live in Ecuador for the rest of her life. That story another day. She would also like to have family near by....in Ecuador!

Her offer is Ecuador with all it's peaceful simple life.

Then there is my younger son and his wife. They have 4 children and gave the most fun offer yet. "Unlimited evenings and weekends with no roaming charges!" Wow! Don't even get that with my cell phone!

Tough decisions. Mainly we just want a simpler life. Less house to take care of. Less stuff. Any and all offers will be considered!

Speaking of less stuff.
Put 3 bags on the back porch last Monday to be picked up for charity. Different charity called the next day. I always agree to donate, that way I am motivated to clean out!

I have FIVE more bags!!

They are reproducing in my house!

Scary!

I know, I know.

I really have been wondering if everyone has just given up on me posting! Probably should have.
My summer has been CRAZY!
~Working everyday
~ASL Assembly in Michigan
~ Visit with family in the states
~Service, Service-LONGGGGG Days! Finished the year with 841!!!! Yipee!
~C.O. last visit (that was a week we loved!)
~Courtney had surgery so her family stayed with us for a week. (Same week as C.O. visit, and finishing my time for the year!)
~Anniversary trip to Jessica Lake in the White Shell!!!! YIPPEE that was a de-stresser.
~Breathe (had to be scheduled or I'd forget!)
~Clean, cook very badly, and try to keep on truckin!

So, now after next Tues, things will slow down to a quiet riot, hopefully!
We are now down to 2 in the house, which helps to slow my life down as well.
So this is my official effort to get back on track.

Have 30 minutes to get ready for work.
Hope to see you next week!

Books movies and life

I have been on a role lately with reading books. My problem is, once I start a book I can't seem to focus on anything else until the book is finished! So, many things are put off and late!

I grew up reading books and loving it! I even worked in a book store for my 2nd job and it was very distracting! I was able to take any book home, read it and return it! As good as a library! But all the new books and magazines were at my disposal. I took my kids to the library each week and we would check out books by the dozens so that they could read or I could read to them.

When we lived in California, I didn't always have a car. So, on the bus we would go-my 5 kids and me! They had a weekly goal for the kids in their book club and if they met the weekly reading goal, they could get a prize like lunch at Burger King. Now that was awesome for the mom because it was "Take the kids to lunch, FREE!" time! Loved that one!

I volunteered at the school in the library so that the kids could check out books. I always wanted to encourage the kids to read!

I haven't been reading much the last few years until recently. I thought I need to focus first on my spritual reading, then I can read the others. But, I am doing okay with that, so I wanted some new reading.

So, where to start. I always liked Nicholas Sparks books. I bought "The Last Song." SAD! Then I read "Dear John" Sad again! Then "The Choice" and last one "The Bend in the Road." I think my all time favorite though is "The Wedding. I won't give away the endings but that one is awesome. We discussed his books this week and some said, someone always dies in his books! Well, true. But there are some really happy endings, too.

My last book was Still Life. WOW! Now, here I was in deep anticipation of the ending on Monday night. Only a little left to finish but I need to go to bed. But here I was up Tues morning at 5:30 reading, trying to get ready to leave by 8:30. I did finish the book at 7:30-which made me late getting ready for service.

I'm a little afraid to get my new books from the library because I get SO distracted! This is one very busy month and it does help me find some relief from the day-to-day stress. I always want books that other people I trust have read because then you don't get deep into them only to find junk you don't want to read about! So, then I don't finish them and I'm really frustrated!

I don't like books or movies that hit home too close. I remember growing up thinking "Dr Zhivago was the most awesome movie! Even wanted to name my 1st child "Lara". Then I realized, HE WAS CHEATING ON AN AWESOME WIFE! O My! Or the same thing with "Bridges over Madison County" Like YIKES! Her husband was working so hard for the family and she just wanted fun! With another man!!!! Or, Mrs Doubtfire. That is too close to my life with my Mom not wanting my Dad to see us.

We went to see "Bounty Hunter" last night. Not the most intriguing move. And there was the gambling problem that was obvious.
I think too many times I let my brain think too much. I mean really, after all, it's just a movie or a book! But, I want a release from the day-to-day stress and not think about things that really are happening. Books are a great way to do that.