A good time was had by the 6 of us who attended the Globe Theatre's production of the musical Bittergirl. What a great performance...so enjoyable. I would have loved it if all they had done was sing the songs they sang, all familiar, some really great oldies, but the play was witty and fun as well. It was so well cast and the acting was excellent. I am always amazed when a total cast of only 4 actors, working on the simplest sets and props in the world, can keep me so entertained for nearly 2 hours. I will certainly keep an eye peeled for any upcoming plays in this city that feature such stellar actors as these:
Sarah Carle, presently living and working in theatre in Victoria BC
Ma-Anne Dionisio, veteran young actress who has appeared in well known stage, tv and film productions all over Canada
Kaitlyn Semple, regular Globe Theatre performances and well known performer throughout western Canada
Robbie Towns, well trained in Scotland and Canada, performing on stages around the world
The live musicians were so cool, so laid back in their '60's style dresses and GoGo boots and black geometric cut wigs. They were so talented and rarely over played the singing of the actors....thanks to the sound techs who made sure of that. It was only once or twice I felt the lyrics were being drowned out by the instrumentals. In this day and age that is nothing short of a miracle!! haha
Before the play the 6 of us had dinner at The Capitol on Hamilton. The meals the others ordered looked and apparently tasted delicious, so were much closer to being worth the price than my tasty enough, but HUGELY overpriced caesar salad with a half a chicken breast for which I paid an additonal $7. In the end I paid a total of $24 for a small pile of lettuce, a dozen capers and that barely seasoned chicken breast. Sigh....shades of our past attempt to eat at the only Greek restaurant in the city......at least this one came with dressing on the side so I didn't have to eat slop that was parading about as a salad. It would have been nice also, cholesterol count aside, if the cheese that was supposed to be on the salad had actually been on the salad. Everyone else was quite delighted with their meals, so I didn't want to be the lone complainer and I said nothing, just munched away on my bowl of shredded lettuce and vowed never to order that salad again. Sometime when I can have a cheat day on my diet, I will return and try one of the hot meals. They looked and smelled delicious. Unfortunately every single one, right down to the burgers, included ingredients I shouldn't have. BUT I will return and try one sometime. We were all glad to discover we arrived before the end of Happy Hour, so paid what is a regular full price for a glass of wine at other local establishments. The service was excellent and that was much appreciated. When they found out we were on our way to the theatre they all bent over backward to make sure we could be done in time to make it to the play. So, kind of an interesting first visit to the Capitol, but there were good elements so the place is worth a second chance.
Got home in time to visit a bit with my husband before he fell into bed.
This morning I headed over to Home Depot to replace the large mat that sits in my kitchen between the back door and the sink. The one I purchased nearly a year ago has become so wretched I can't stand it any more. I was so happy to discover the kind of matting I want on large pull out rolls at the store. The clerk cut me a 6 foot length. I paid less than 2/3 of the price of the same matting pre-cut. It looks very nice in the kitchen and I tossed the other grubby mat into the outdoor bin before my husband could come home and figure he had a use for the horrible, filthy thing. hahahahaha
This afternoon I am going to destress from all the medical "stuff" and catch up on a couple of tv programmes I recorded on the weekend. I can do a lot of exercising while they are playing and wear off last night's expensive lettuce! hahaha
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
The Cutiest Patootie!
Oooh, I am such a sucker for cuteness! It happened again last evening just before dinner time.
I opened my back door after a loud knocking and discovered the African kids who live across the court from me, a family of 1 son and 4 daughters. They were each carrying a plastic bag with a large book of coupons to be used at various restaurants and businesses around town between now and next April. However, the young fellow selling them, about age 11, seemed rather confused about the whole process and that made for great hilarity for me!
The conversation went like this:
Me: Oh, hello. I did hear someone knocking at my door. What can I do for you?
Him (sounding severely burdened): O please, can you buy this book from me for $25?
Me: Maybe, what kind of book is it?
Him (looking confused and agitated): I don't know for sure. I think it is so you can save money on some stuff somewhere.
Me (stifling a giggle as I remembered my own son at the same age): Weeelll, is this a fundraiser for your school?
Him: Ummmm....Yes, I guess so. (4 sisters standing below the deck nodding like a group of bobble head dolls)
Me: What will your school use the money for?
Him: (looking harried and as tired as if the whole weight of the world was on his young shoulders): O lady, I have no idea.......no idea......
Me (shoulders shaking, suppressing the worst case of the giggles EVER! and without even looking at the coupon book to see if I will ever use any of them): Well, I think I could come up with $25 for that. (Giggling again at the look of relief on his face and the excitement of his 4 sisters as they congratulated him on his sale)
Him: O lady, I thank you again and again for helping me out.
Me (after stepping into the living room with my wallet to take out the money so they wouldn't see me nearly collapsing with laughter: Okay, here you go......hey (as he flew back down my back steps and headed for home), don't you have to sign something to take back to school with the money?
Him (grinding to a quick halt at the bottom of the stairs and turning to look at me as if I was asking him to come back and haul garbage or slop out a barn): O...yeah.....thanks. (as he grabbed a form from my hand and took off for home, his sisters in hot pursuit)
I shut the door, and discovered he had not taken any sort of proper form, but instead had taken the sheet from the school that explained to me, the buyer, what the purpose of the fundraiser is and where the money will go. hahahaha I scanned through the large coupon book until I found the form, filled out my part of it and then went over to his family's suite for his signature and to explain to his mother that he had to return the forms and the money together.
The boy's father was there as well, gave a big sigh, rolled his eyes and said, "You bought this from my son didn't you? Not one of the girls, but from my son."
"Yes.", I said, "I did."
"I am sorry for his inability to pay attention to the details.", said his father.
"No worries! I once had an 11 year old boy.", I said. "Wait until he is about 18 or 19 years old. He will figure it all out by then...maybe even by the time he is 17."
"I hope you are right! He is so different from his sisters", said his father rather resignedly.
"Thank you for taking the time to straighten this out.", said his mother.
"No problem. It has been a pleasure finally meeting your family. We are glad you are our neighbours and your kids are really great!", I replied. His parents gave me a weary smile and we parted ways.
Their kids really are great. Their parents work 2 jobs each so the kids take care of each other. They are friendly and kind to the other kids in this complex who don't always deserve such consideration. My husband and I enjoy talking to them occasionally out in the parking lot.
BUT, I suspect I am now doomed for repeat customer sales for every fundraiser their school has. I have the 4 sisters to who I now "owe" a purchase. PLUS, I cannot resist, CANNOT resist cutie patooties like this!
As it turns out I will easily save far more money than I paid for this coupon book if I go ahead and use a few of them. I can recoup my money and then some just by using 4 or 5 coupons and the rest of what appears to be several THOUSAND of the things can be passed on or let lapse. I was having so much fun with this situation I almost made myself late for dinner and the theatre with my friends. hahahahaha
I opened my back door after a loud knocking and discovered the African kids who live across the court from me, a family of 1 son and 4 daughters. They were each carrying a plastic bag with a large book of coupons to be used at various restaurants and businesses around town between now and next April. However, the young fellow selling them, about age 11, seemed rather confused about the whole process and that made for great hilarity for me!
The conversation went like this:
Me: Oh, hello. I did hear someone knocking at my door. What can I do for you?
Him (sounding severely burdened): O please, can you buy this book from me for $25?
Me: Maybe, what kind of book is it?
Him (looking confused and agitated): I don't know for sure. I think it is so you can save money on some stuff somewhere.
Me (stifling a giggle as I remembered my own son at the same age): Weeelll, is this a fundraiser for your school?
Him: Ummmm....Yes, I guess so. (4 sisters standing below the deck nodding like a group of bobble head dolls)
Me: What will your school use the money for?
Him: (looking harried and as tired as if the whole weight of the world was on his young shoulders): O lady, I have no idea.......no idea......
Me (shoulders shaking, suppressing the worst case of the giggles EVER! and without even looking at the coupon book to see if I will ever use any of them): Well, I think I could come up with $25 for that. (Giggling again at the look of relief on his face and the excitement of his 4 sisters as they congratulated him on his sale)
Him: O lady, I thank you again and again for helping me out.
Me (after stepping into the living room with my wallet to take out the money so they wouldn't see me nearly collapsing with laughter: Okay, here you go......hey (as he flew back down my back steps and headed for home), don't you have to sign something to take back to school with the money?
Him (grinding to a quick halt at the bottom of the stairs and turning to look at me as if I was asking him to come back and haul garbage or slop out a barn): O...yeah.....thanks. (as he grabbed a form from my hand and took off for home, his sisters in hot pursuit)
I shut the door, and discovered he had not taken any sort of proper form, but instead had taken the sheet from the school that explained to me, the buyer, what the purpose of the fundraiser is and where the money will go. hahahaha I scanned through the large coupon book until I found the form, filled out my part of it and then went over to his family's suite for his signature and to explain to his mother that he had to return the forms and the money together.
The boy's father was there as well, gave a big sigh, rolled his eyes and said, "You bought this from my son didn't you? Not one of the girls, but from my son."
"Yes.", I said, "I did."
"I am sorry for his inability to pay attention to the details.", said his father.
"No worries! I once had an 11 year old boy.", I said. "Wait until he is about 18 or 19 years old. He will figure it all out by then...maybe even by the time he is 17."
"I hope you are right! He is so different from his sisters", said his father rather resignedly.
"Thank you for taking the time to straighten this out.", said his mother.
"No problem. It has been a pleasure finally meeting your family. We are glad you are our neighbours and your kids are really great!", I replied. His parents gave me a weary smile and we parted ways.
Their kids really are great. Their parents work 2 jobs each so the kids take care of each other. They are friendly and kind to the other kids in this complex who don't always deserve such consideration. My husband and I enjoy talking to them occasionally out in the parking lot.
BUT, I suspect I am now doomed for repeat customer sales for every fundraiser their school has. I have the 4 sisters to who I now "owe" a purchase. PLUS, I cannot resist, CANNOT resist cutie patooties like this!
As it turns out I will easily save far more money than I paid for this coupon book if I go ahead and use a few of them. I can recoup my money and then some just by using 4 or 5 coupons and the rest of what appears to be several THOUSAND of the things can be passed on or let lapse. I was having so much fun with this situation I almost made myself late for dinner and the theatre with my friends. hahahahaha
The Other Good News
Some of the test results I received yesterday were the final followup tests for possible bladder cancer. I am thanking God that all tests from the last 3 sessions have turned up negative. There was another cause for my symptoms and after eliminating that cause earlier in the summer, no more reactions, no more frightening symptoms, no cancer. This has been going on since the end of March, so I am relieved to finally be free of that stress.
Grateful as I am, I wish everyone who is tested for any kind of cancer could receive the same results I just did. Life on this earth is definitely not fair, is it? In a small way I am grasping the concept of "survivors' guilt" that often happens to war veterans who watched their comrades in arms badly injured or killed, while they themselves survived the disaster for sometimes unfathomable reasons.
Anyway, enough of those ruminations! As my paternal grandfather used to tell me, "Ya' think too damned much kid!"
Grateful as I am, I wish everyone who is tested for any kind of cancer could receive the same results I just did. Life on this earth is definitely not fair, is it? In a small way I am grasping the concept of "survivors' guilt" that often happens to war veterans who watched their comrades in arms badly injured or killed, while they themselves survived the disaster for sometimes unfathomable reasons.
Anyway, enough of those ruminations! As my paternal grandfather used to tell me, "Ya' think too damned much kid!"
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
Another Step Down in Diagnosis
Just back from the doctor's appointment for my test results. Again with the cholesterol problems, sigh!!! And after I have tried SO hard....drat! Blast it!! Poop!!!
My A1C is at non-diabetic levels, hallelujah!! Good thing #2 is that all my other blood tests, specimen analyses and what-have-you are testing well within range.
So.......since my weight is not going up, or DOWN, despite the very strict diet (mostly) and the massive amount of daily exercise, the next thing to check is my thyroid. I am going to undergo several tests over the next 3 months and see what is going on there. There is often a correlation between thyroid dysfunction and an otherwise unexplainable rise in cholesterol, so away we go with this next possibility. I am also starting immediately a daily aspirin regime, as so many of us with poor heart histories have to do. I purchased my first bottle of baby aspirin after my appointment. There is a history of thyroid issues on my mom's side of the family, so there is certainly the possibility that I am among the "blessed" descendents to have those issues, just as some of my cousins do.
I am feeling good about all this. My doctor is loathe, VERY loathe to start me on statins if there is any chance that even more strict dietary measures will bring the LDL's down a bit more, or if it is actually my thyroid causing the issues. Although my cholesterol numbers have dropped in the past 3 months, I am still way over acceptable limits.
My heart is certainly behaving itself again. Since dropping out of all but one of my weekly committments and reducing other stresses as well, I am feeling much better. All my heart tests have shown amazing results, very happy results, despite the murmur getting worse. So, again, the thyroid is a good next thing to check out. Lots can be done to help if my present problems are indeed thyroid related.
It was a very positive appointment. I so like my doctor. She is always willing to try natural processes to help me before resorting to medications. She hopes I can avoid using statins at all and is willing to wait for my thyroid test results in a few months before writing any prescriptions. Thank you God for this wonderful, intelligent and understanding woman. Thank you that there are more tests and more possiblities to discover, all problems for which there are solutions.
My A1C is at non-diabetic levels, hallelujah!! Good thing #2 is that all my other blood tests, specimen analyses and what-have-you are testing well within range.
So.......since my weight is not going up, or DOWN, despite the very strict diet (mostly) and the massive amount of daily exercise, the next thing to check is my thyroid. I am going to undergo several tests over the next 3 months and see what is going on there. There is often a correlation between thyroid dysfunction and an otherwise unexplainable rise in cholesterol, so away we go with this next possibility. I am also starting immediately a daily aspirin regime, as so many of us with poor heart histories have to do. I purchased my first bottle of baby aspirin after my appointment. There is a history of thyroid issues on my mom's side of the family, so there is certainly the possibility that I am among the "blessed" descendents to have those issues, just as some of my cousins do.
I am feeling good about all this. My doctor is loathe, VERY loathe to start me on statins if there is any chance that even more strict dietary measures will bring the LDL's down a bit more, or if it is actually my thyroid causing the issues. Although my cholesterol numbers have dropped in the past 3 months, I am still way over acceptable limits.
My heart is certainly behaving itself again. Since dropping out of all but one of my weekly committments and reducing other stresses as well, I am feeling much better. All my heart tests have shown amazing results, very happy results, despite the murmur getting worse. So, again, the thyroid is a good next thing to check out. Lots can be done to help if my present problems are indeed thyroid related.
It was a very positive appointment. I so like my doctor. She is always willing to try natural processes to help me before resorting to medications. She hopes I can avoid using statins at all and is willing to wait for my thyroid test results in a few months before writing any prescriptions. Thank you God for this wonderful, intelligent and understanding woman. Thank you that there are more tests and more possiblities to discover, all problems for which there are solutions.
Monday, October 2, 2017
More Test Results In....Now What??
And so, on this gloomy, dreary, rainy day, the expected phone call about my last week's test results came in early this morning. I see the doctor tomorrow afternoon. Now what? More cholesterol disasters? High blood sugar? More blood appearing where it oughtn't to be? Something completely new that is going wrong with the aging bod? Guess I will know soon enough.
I have reached the age I have dreaded ever since I was old enough to understand there IS an "old age" and that it is a time when you spend as much or more time seeing doctors as you do anything else. Like poor Job from the Old Testament, the time that I have greatly feared is "come upon me."
At least I have enough experience now to know that problems like high blood sugar and cholesterol are problems that can be dealt with one way or another over time, using a variety of meds. Although I am not jazzed about those meds, better to take them than to create a huge disaster for myself that could have been avoided if I wasn't so anti-medication in my thinking as a rule. I have sincerely tried to lower my cholesterol on my own through diet and exercise for the better part of the last 6 months and if it isn't working then I do need help.
At least when the call came I was in the middle of a very, very, very happy visit with my Egyptian friend. What a nice way to start off an otherwise dreary day. We talked and laughed and had a great time over a cup of tea. She has her drivers' licence now so will be able to visit more often.
One reason she planned last week to come see me today was to ask us over for dinner next weekend. Then the call from my husband to hers last evening, asking them to come here, pre-empted their original plans. The way we left it is that, since they have so many extended family living with them right now, we will split the cooking. I will take a couple of things and she will cook a few things, so neither of us has to do it all. Fine with me and I don't care about the food as much as I do about the visit.
My husband is not quite on top of feeling well today. We are suspicious there may have been just a bit of cornstarch in the gravy of the stew we so enjoyed the other night. He isn't terribly ill or anything, just exhibiting some of the more minor symptoms of that sensitivity. He is tearing one of the small bedrooms apart to reinstall the desk and computer system in there in such a way that he will have more light and feel less like he is working in a cell when he does computer work.
So, a quiet day for him and subsequently for me. It was a busy weekend so I think I am rather glad about that! I have a tiny roast thawing to cook for dinner tonight and some potatoes and those fresh carrots from the Estevan Farmers' Market, some baby peas and a fresh head of lettuce. I think it will be a nice dinner, simple but tasty. Only the problem of what to have for lunch to solve and that shouldn't be difficult.
On with the show.........
I have reached the age I have dreaded ever since I was old enough to understand there IS an "old age" and that it is a time when you spend as much or more time seeing doctors as you do anything else. Like poor Job from the Old Testament, the time that I have greatly feared is "come upon me."
At least I have enough experience now to know that problems like high blood sugar and cholesterol are problems that can be dealt with one way or another over time, using a variety of meds. Although I am not jazzed about those meds, better to take them than to create a huge disaster for myself that could have been avoided if I wasn't so anti-medication in my thinking as a rule. I have sincerely tried to lower my cholesterol on my own through diet and exercise for the better part of the last 6 months and if it isn't working then I do need help.
At least when the call came I was in the middle of a very, very, very happy visit with my Egyptian friend. What a nice way to start off an otherwise dreary day. We talked and laughed and had a great time over a cup of tea. She has her drivers' licence now so will be able to visit more often.
One reason she planned last week to come see me today was to ask us over for dinner next weekend. Then the call from my husband to hers last evening, asking them to come here, pre-empted their original plans. The way we left it is that, since they have so many extended family living with them right now, we will split the cooking. I will take a couple of things and she will cook a few things, so neither of us has to do it all. Fine with me and I don't care about the food as much as I do about the visit.
My husband is not quite on top of feeling well today. We are suspicious there may have been just a bit of cornstarch in the gravy of the stew we so enjoyed the other night. He isn't terribly ill or anything, just exhibiting some of the more minor symptoms of that sensitivity. He is tearing one of the small bedrooms apart to reinstall the desk and computer system in there in such a way that he will have more light and feel less like he is working in a cell when he does computer work.
So, a quiet day for him and subsequently for me. It was a busy weekend so I think I am rather glad about that! I have a tiny roast thawing to cook for dinner tonight and some potatoes and those fresh carrots from the Estevan Farmers' Market, some baby peas and a fresh head of lettuce. I think it will be a nice dinner, simple but tasty. Only the problem of what to have for lunch to solve and that shouldn't be difficult.
On with the show.........
Sunday, October 1, 2017
And Again With the Lost Fedora!
Okay God....watcha' doin' with this whole crazy lost hat business????
A couple of days ago we both realized we had finally given up the whole upsetting misplacement of my husband's expensive fedora and its subsequent loss to another person and regained our peace about it all. It felt good to be free of the overwhelming emotions that accompanied a loss due to our own inattentiveness.
So, early this afternoon my husband received a phone call from the pub where the hat was taken by another patron after he forgot it there....about 6 weeks ago now. The waitress that called my husband today is the one who knew who took the hat, located him and has persuaded him, apparently, to return it when he comes into the restaurant in a couple of days. UNBELIEVABLE!!
As my husband says, "We will believe it when the hat is actually back in our possession.", BUT wouldn't it be great if it actually does happen?
We are so hoping to be able to get the hat directly from the person who took it, thank him profusely for returning it and buy him a meal as an act of extreme gratitude for being willing to bring the hat back. We would like to give the waitress a giant tip for all the trouble she has gone to trying to get it back.
Well.....we will see if any of this does happen, or whether we are going to be disappointed once again. This is really crazy, isn't it? hahaha
Our emotions and maturity, (both age and spiritually related) have been well tested, that is for sure. What lesson have we had to learn/ what regrouping of what we know to be true spiritually when it comes to holding on too tightly to possessions of any kind, is now going to stand us in good stead when the next, much bigger test arrives in our lives. (and it WILL arrive, of that we have no doubt) It is one thing to have to get our poop in a group over a lost hat, no matter the expense or emotional attachment...but, in the end it is "just" a hat. It may be quite another when the next, likely bigger, more scary loss of something or other, material or otherwise, comes along. Any kind of loss tests our reliance on God, the worst for me being the loss of a sense of security. So, Lord, if losing the hat and jumping through all these hoops in this situation is simply the first step/the first test/the preparation/ for a different kind of situation that tests our reliance and trust in You even more, please help us (especially ME) to remember the lessons we had to learn (actually, we are ashamed to say, RE-learn) over the lost hat.
Please, also, in Your great mercy, parlay this whole hat incident into some kind of ongoing relationship between ourselves and the staff and patrons at the pub where this all has taken place. They are such dear young people and so in need of some adult nurturing. Please bless that waitress and please bless the person who took the hat whether or not he actually does return it.
So, whether or not the hat actually makes its way back to us, please let this odd little blip on our horizon turn into something Kingdom building. Amen!
A couple of days ago we both realized we had finally given up the whole upsetting misplacement of my husband's expensive fedora and its subsequent loss to another person and regained our peace about it all. It felt good to be free of the overwhelming emotions that accompanied a loss due to our own inattentiveness.
So, early this afternoon my husband received a phone call from the pub where the hat was taken by another patron after he forgot it there....about 6 weeks ago now. The waitress that called my husband today is the one who knew who took the hat, located him and has persuaded him, apparently, to return it when he comes into the restaurant in a couple of days. UNBELIEVABLE!!
As my husband says, "We will believe it when the hat is actually back in our possession.", BUT wouldn't it be great if it actually does happen?
We are so hoping to be able to get the hat directly from the person who took it, thank him profusely for returning it and buy him a meal as an act of extreme gratitude for being willing to bring the hat back. We would like to give the waitress a giant tip for all the trouble she has gone to trying to get it back.
Well.....we will see if any of this does happen, or whether we are going to be disappointed once again. This is really crazy, isn't it? hahaha
Our emotions and maturity, (both age and spiritually related) have been well tested, that is for sure. What lesson have we had to learn/ what regrouping of what we know to be true spiritually when it comes to holding on too tightly to possessions of any kind, is now going to stand us in good stead when the next, much bigger test arrives in our lives. (and it WILL arrive, of that we have no doubt) It is one thing to have to get our poop in a group over a lost hat, no matter the expense or emotional attachment...but, in the end it is "just" a hat. It may be quite another when the next, likely bigger, more scary loss of something or other, material or otherwise, comes along. Any kind of loss tests our reliance on God, the worst for me being the loss of a sense of security. So, Lord, if losing the hat and jumping through all these hoops in this situation is simply the first step/the first test/the preparation/ for a different kind of situation that tests our reliance and trust in You even more, please help us (especially ME) to remember the lessons we had to learn (actually, we are ashamed to say, RE-learn) over the lost hat.
Please, also, in Your great mercy, parlay this whole hat incident into some kind of ongoing relationship between ourselves and the staff and patrons at the pub where this all has taken place. They are such dear young people and so in need of some adult nurturing. Please bless that waitress and please bless the person who took the hat whether or not he actually does return it.
So, whether or not the hat actually makes its way back to us, please let this odd little blip on our horizon turn into something Kingdom building. Amen!
Rain, Rain.....PUHLEEZE Don't Turn to Snow All Ready!!
The forecast rain began early this evening. The day was fairly cool, the skies a steady grey all day, so we knew it was really coming this time. Uck! The furnace went on again this evening after being able to shut it off completely again for several days. Guess this is the end of being able to fool ourselves in any way about the arrival of cold temperatures and eventual winter weather. Well....the fantastic summer weather was a total blessing for us for all the weeks it lasted, so we aren't actually complaining about the return to seasonal weather.
So glad we are not in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan because that is where the first snowfall of the season is arriving tonight and tomorrow. Very, very grateful to likely be missing out on the 10cm to 20cm dump of snow coming to those areas. Thank you Lord for putting me RIGHT HERE WHERE I AM! We will get our turn for heavy snowfall, but I am so not ready, not quite yet anyway.
Also very grateful we were not in Edmonton during that city's possible terrorist attack this weekend. So grateful that our relatives there would have been snug at home when it happened....or at least rather unlikely to have been in the general vicinity of the two attacks. Since we have not heard otherwise from them, we will assume all is well. Praying for the people of Edmonton....I suppose to cities around the world who have experienced far more devastating attacks in recent years, the attack in Edmonton must seem like a tempest in a teapot, but it is the closest to home for a terrorist attack that Canada has seen in many years.
Grateful as well we are not currently living in Puerto Rico and are praying and doing as much donating as we can to those afflicted by the wake of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma and Jose and Maria and on and on and on. What a terrible disaster so many of those island nations are facing.
I know we will get our turn here at some point. No one place or group of people is ever singled out for constant blessings when it comes to natural disasters, attacks on their persons by those of a different politcal bent etc. For now, while I cannot understand why we here have been so well protected thus far, I am not taking it for granted and am grateful as it is possible to be that so far we have been safe.
It has been a good day today. I woke up in time to attend my church service this morning and stay for coffee and visiting afterward. It was good to reconnect with those folk. My priest seemed quite delighted to see me, so that was a nice bonus. It was a good service with her usual good, humorous but pointed preaching.
Choir practise went very well today too. The 2 hours seemed to fly past far too quickly. There isn't a practise next weekend as it is Thanksgiving holiday weekend and many will be away or have families visiting from out of town. I look forward to the following Sunday afternoon when we resume singing together.
My husband had a very quiet day of recovery from all the work of the past 2 weeks. He is taking 2 days off in a row out of absolute necessity for his health and managing quite well this evening after a very sleepy and somewhat unproductive day. He did work a bit on writing his course on world views, but it was good to see him taking his time, enjoying it instead of stressing about how much time it was taking from other work related projects of more immediate urgency.
We are excited to have made plans to cook for Thanksgiving Dinner this year. The past 2 years we have had glorious times with other friends at their homes, but this year we are cooking a huge dinner and then transporting it to the home of our Egyptian friends for consumption! With 5 children in their home they decided our little suite will be too crowded and it will likely be cold and dark too early for the kids to be able to play outside after the meal. It has been 3 months since any of us have had time to get together, so it is going to be a great deal of fun. In fact, my friend has decided she cannot wait until next Sunday and is coming over very early tomorrow morning after she drives her kids to school, so we can start our part of the visiting early. I LOVE it!! Can't wait. It means she finally got her drivers' license and it will be a good celebration with hibiscus tea and cookies!
My parents have been invited by some extended family members to come to their home for a special Thanksgiving meal. I am delighted for them since we are unable to get to Calgary for only the 2 days my husband will have off work. Our hope is to get there for a brief visit in November when my mother turns 90, on one side or the other of my husband's trip to Victoria for the national Executive Archdeacons' meeting.
It is absolutely lovely to have some exciting "people" times to look forward to! It makes up for the upcoming lousy weather!!! hahaha
So glad we are not in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan because that is where the first snowfall of the season is arriving tonight and tomorrow. Very, very grateful to likely be missing out on the 10cm to 20cm dump of snow coming to those areas. Thank you Lord for putting me RIGHT HERE WHERE I AM! We will get our turn for heavy snowfall, but I am so not ready, not quite yet anyway.
Also very grateful we were not in Edmonton during that city's possible terrorist attack this weekend. So grateful that our relatives there would have been snug at home when it happened....or at least rather unlikely to have been in the general vicinity of the two attacks. Since we have not heard otherwise from them, we will assume all is well. Praying for the people of Edmonton....I suppose to cities around the world who have experienced far more devastating attacks in recent years, the attack in Edmonton must seem like a tempest in a teapot, but it is the closest to home for a terrorist attack that Canada has seen in many years.
Grateful as well we are not currently living in Puerto Rico and are praying and doing as much donating as we can to those afflicted by the wake of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma and Jose and Maria and on and on and on. What a terrible disaster so many of those island nations are facing.
I know we will get our turn here at some point. No one place or group of people is ever singled out for constant blessings when it comes to natural disasters, attacks on their persons by those of a different politcal bent etc. For now, while I cannot understand why we here have been so well protected thus far, I am not taking it for granted and am grateful as it is possible to be that so far we have been safe.
It has been a good day today. I woke up in time to attend my church service this morning and stay for coffee and visiting afterward. It was good to reconnect with those folk. My priest seemed quite delighted to see me, so that was a nice bonus. It was a good service with her usual good, humorous but pointed preaching.
Choir practise went very well today too. The 2 hours seemed to fly past far too quickly. There isn't a practise next weekend as it is Thanksgiving holiday weekend and many will be away or have families visiting from out of town. I look forward to the following Sunday afternoon when we resume singing together.
My husband had a very quiet day of recovery from all the work of the past 2 weeks. He is taking 2 days off in a row out of absolute necessity for his health and managing quite well this evening after a very sleepy and somewhat unproductive day. He did work a bit on writing his course on world views, but it was good to see him taking his time, enjoying it instead of stressing about how much time it was taking from other work related projects of more immediate urgency.
We are excited to have made plans to cook for Thanksgiving Dinner this year. The past 2 years we have had glorious times with other friends at their homes, but this year we are cooking a huge dinner and then transporting it to the home of our Egyptian friends for consumption! With 5 children in their home they decided our little suite will be too crowded and it will likely be cold and dark too early for the kids to be able to play outside after the meal. It has been 3 months since any of us have had time to get together, so it is going to be a great deal of fun. In fact, my friend has decided she cannot wait until next Sunday and is coming over very early tomorrow morning after she drives her kids to school, so we can start our part of the visiting early. I LOVE it!! Can't wait. It means she finally got her drivers' license and it will be a good celebration with hibiscus tea and cookies!
My parents have been invited by some extended family members to come to their home for a special Thanksgiving meal. I am delighted for them since we are unable to get to Calgary for only the 2 days my husband will have off work. Our hope is to get there for a brief visit in November when my mother turns 90, on one side or the other of my husband's trip to Victoria for the national Executive Archdeacons' meeting.
It is absolutely lovely to have some exciting "people" times to look forward to! It makes up for the upcoming lousy weather!!! hahaha
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