Ruminating...

Time does not stand still......that is the one sure thing in life! You may think it does, but life goes on around you, even if yours seems to be centered on one moment!
Christmas-2008-I worked at work. 4 twelve hour nights the week of Christmas. Del worked at work and he worked at home. And he was sick as a dog! Don't know where he picked up that awful flu, but it hit him hard! The boys got to laze around home. Kyle picked up the slack outside, and Jayde did my inside work.
The 26th-we went to Del's parents for Christmas family gathering. The whole family was there, with a new addition from last year. Del's last single brother brought home a special friend. She was a wonderful addition to the group!
The 27th-we worked at home in the morning-like feeding cattle, hauling hay, cooking, cleaning, laundry........-before we headed 1/2 hour down the road to a hotel, to spend the evening/night with my cousin, Kathi, and her family. We had a wonderful time together-visiting, shopping, playing games........
The 28th-packed up and headed home, to cook perogies to take to our Friesen family gathering. Friesen family get together at Rol and Laureen's. Wish I had taken a picture of all the food! The kitchen counters were covered buffet style with all the good stuff! The whole family was there, including boyfriends! Lunch, girls bonding time in the basement, program, gifts, and more food at faspa...... Friesen get togethers are simply not a get together, without way too much food! Thank you Rol and Laureen for letting us take over your space!!
The 29th-Del went to work, while the boys and I were at home. Kathi and Gerald and the girls came over, and we had a good time visiting. Well, Kathi and the girls did, while Gerald installed my garage door opener. What a sweetie!!! He offered to install our opener! He's Mr. Handyman!! They stayed until 330, and then we prepared for supper. Del's 2 brothers, their wives, and kids, came for supper and evening. It's a little Christmas tradition we started years ago, where we eat, exchange gifts, and play games. Had a great time together!!! Poker until 2 am!
30th-Del went to work, and we stayed home. time to do some catch up on routine stuff!
31st-Del worked till noon. Some EMO guy came to do an assessment of ruts in the field. More on farming later..... We headed to Andrea & Garvis for New Years Eve. This is becoming an annual tradition where they open up their home to friends, including kids. It's so nice to celebrate with the whole family!
Jan 1st-slept, and slept some more. I went no where. Wonderful!!! Then, last evening, we played games till 1 am. Had a wonderful time, the four of us. The kids are such a fun age to play games with!!!
Today-well, its back to reality. I have to work the next 3 nights!! Del is back at work.

Jayde's face is doing well. I'm a little disappointed with the results. And Jayde admits he is too. The skin below his eye is pulling a bit, therefore the lower eye lid is pulled down more than the doc would like it to be. Its still tighter than it was, but not as tight as it should be. Jayde can tell that he's tearing more, but I'm not sure if that's because his eye is tighter, or because of the eye still coping with the intrusion it had. He has a follow up appt with his surgeon on Tuesday. Other than that, Jayde is doing well. He's getting a little frustrated. Cuz he feels so good, its difficult to remain relaxed. But his surgeon gave him strict instructions on 'no contact'!!! So, hopefully after Tuesday, he will be back to regular activities!

Farming-hmmmm, I'm trying not to be too sarcastic or bitter. Submitted an application for farming program in October, and yes, we're still waiting on that reply. How is it that the government has declared this region a disaster area and all applications are supposedly expedited along, and ours is now 3 months in the system???!!! Yes, I spent some time on the phone the other day, calling some powers that be. I'm sick and tired of people in offices, telling others how it should or could be done!! I'd like to see some of these people get out there and try to cope with the conditions and try to 'get ahead'. Or say, "oh, you owe more money after this last year, how could that be?" Like, did anyone make money in this area??? Maybe farming pot! I'm a wonderful gardener in January! I plan all these wonderful plants, and dream of the bounty, and then in July when the weeds just won't die, and the rains just won't stop-well, there's not much I can do to stop the rotting-it's like a bigger scale in farming. There's just no guarantee in what the weather will do. The input costs go in, the work gets done, and then the ulitimate gamble happens-you wait, and watch.........what will happen??? You don't know. Yes, the government shouldn't be depended on to survive, but then let us market at will. They've created a dependent system. Or, maybe the farmers should unite in this country-how long would businesses succeed if the farmers united and withheld their services???? But, how could you get everyone to get on board for that one??? Not all farmers are on the same page! Yes, I've vented. If you're still reading, wow, I'm impressed! Yes, I've become quite cynical of powers that be. I don't want reminders of how many blessings I have-I know. This is my venting, and thats how it is. The initial intent of this blog-when I started it a year ago-was to write out some thoughts and be honest. So, honesty it is. There's a peek into some of my thought processes!

My mom is doing.......well, okay, I guess. I think she's looking good,considering her disease process. She is going for a CT on Monday, where they will do a comparison to the last one. She has an appt with the oncologist on Jan. 20, where results will be discussed, and options laid out. Some days she is up, and other days she lays on the sofa. She had a 'bad' day yesterday, where she said she had no energy and actually lay on the sofa when she had company. Very difficult for her to concede fatigue publicly.

Resolutions for the New Year??? I'm not a big believer in resolutions at the beginning of the year. But, its a good time to consider what we're about and if we're working towards achieving our plans, I guess. My motto becomes something like-do as much as you can for the people around you, because they're what matter in the end; It's not about me. Do I always achieve that?? Certainly not, but it's something I strive for.

I'm so grateful for my husband and boys. God has blessed me so much be giving me the privilege to be their mom and wife. I'm very proud of my little family.
I'm also so grateful for my extended family. They have pulled together this last year, and I'm so proud of them!
And, I have awesome friends. You can't pick your family, but you can pick your friends-I've picked the best!!
I love you all! I wish a blessed and prosperous year to all of you. Yes, there will be ups and downs, but my hope is we come out at the end of the year, together and closer than ever!