all work and no play....

Another week has just 'flown' by! Tuesday evening the REMS PAC met at the school to focus on action areas. I was so impressed with the group; they all had positive attitudes, and were ready to make a difference! One girl had done so much research on fundraising projects!!! It was amazing! So, our first official project will be an event to celebrate i love to read month; a bake sale/raffle/book swap/story reading event. Doesn't that sound like fun. I love to read, and so to volunteer to read to a class of kids, is no problem. And baking, well, what better way to raise some quick funds to support buying new books for the library!
Wednesday, off to work I went for a 12 hr day, and after work I zipped over to Riverton to pickup Kyle from his practise. Thursday, another 12 hr shift, and I think I even went home right after work. Oh, yeah, I was home for a whole hour when the phone rang, and one of Kyle's coaches called to say he had hurt his arm at hockey, and would need to be seen in ER. So, Del & I met the Handivan(that's how the kids go to practise from their rink to the other rink), and off we went to my ER. His wrist was edematous, tender to touch, unable to rotate, and looked a little deformed. So, xrays were done, and the dr was called. As it turned out, the xrays ruled out a fracture, and a sprain/contusion was confirmed. Home by 11, and Advil/tensor/ice were in order. Friday, I went to work for a 8 hr shift, and Kyle stayed home from school to follow dr.s orders.
I was so embarrassed at work on Friday. I felt good all morning, and we were busy as usual. Friday mornings are always busy! At 10, my vision went bad-I lost focus in one eye. I haven't had a migraine for awhile, and what bad timing! It took my eye an hour to get back to where it could see properly. Then the headache, nausea, etc..... started up. How embarrassing! So, my partner at work did all the work, while I directed at times, and I also lay down for a bit. It's a good thing I got to leave at 3. Home I went to nap, and throw a pizza in the oven for supper. All of us were back on the road at 530, for Jayde's hockey game. Of course, things don't go as planned, and there were no linesmen for Jaydes game, so people were scrambling to find someone to officiate, cuz the two teams had travelled to meet for this game. They started 45 minutes late, but at least they started. I watched the first period, and then Kyle and I went to the Ice Dawgs game. That was an excellent game, they won 8-3. A win is always more fun than a loss, isnt it?? By the way, Jayde's team won as well!!! Yay!! Home by eleven, and I fell into bed.
So, today, i'm feeling like doing nothing. And to top it, the boys have no hockey today. It must be the first winter Saturday in years, where there is no hockey for us!! I plan to clean the kitchen/dining/living area, and then I plan to relax and watch tv, and read. Oh, and do laundry! And eat Advil, for the lingering headache/sore neck/shoulders. We should have shares in the ibuprofen/acetaminophen industry! Between all four of us, we go through a great deal of the good stuff! My philosophy is-if there's a way to cope with it, use it!
On a different note, I looked out the window this morning, and seen the sunshine. And the trees are glistening/sparkling with frost. How beautiful! For anyone stuck in the city, who can't enjoy the beautiful country look-i do feel for you. But you can go shopping!
Alright, I'm rambling. I get so carried away-I'm off to find my kitchen countertop! Have a good day everyone!

another 'wintry' day

I love winter-especially when its getting closer to spring!!! I don't know about everyone else, but as I'm getting older, I look forward to spring temperatures, more than ever before! But, it sure is beautiful to look out of the window, from a comfortable, warm spot, and see the beautiful sunshine on the frosty trees!
So, we made it through another weekend of hockey. The boys teams did not fare very well this weekend, if you look at the scoreboard. And Jayde's team didn't fare so well in the injury department this weekend, either. They lost a couple kids with some major injuries. That leaves the rest to pick up their game a level or two, to make up for the injuries. Sometimes its good for kids to have to do that, i guess we'll see how this group of kids will cope. Kyle's team just kind of fizzled out. I guess better during tournament play than during league and playoff games! I'm sure they'll bounce back just fine for their next game.
Del & I went to the Big & Rich concert last night, along with Garvis & Andrea. What a night of good entertainment! It started at 7 and was not over until 1130! Emerson Drive, Terri Clark, Cowboy Troy, and Big & Rich. I love music!!!! It speaks to my soul. It's like a 'church' experience for me! (when i go to church, i could just sing, and leave, and i'd get what i need!) The sound and feel of the combination of drums/guitars in my chest......ahhhhhh, that's so good! Get the picture??? And what an awesome light show!!! Excellent dollar value last night!
Today I'm trying to get on top of laundry, kitchen, bathroom cleaning, baking buns, meeting at school tonight, and getting it together so I can leave the house the next 3 days for work, again! I've been trying to pick up some shifts, as well as trade some of my nights to work day shift. The work is crazier during the day, but its so much easier for my body to work day shift. When I work nights, I find it really difficult to sleep during the day. Give me a day off and I could nap all day, but when I work at night, its like my body can't switch off to sleep during the day! Its so frustrating, because I'm feeling like a zombie after a few nights. When I'm busy at work, its okay, 'cuz adrenalin keeps me going, but when its quiet, its like a sickly feeling!!!! Those of you who have never done it should try it! Its hard to put into words what it feels like when you're body is working against you! Especially at my age! =)
So, off I go to scrub the bathroom, its one of my less favorite jobs. Lyss, wouldn't it be nice if you were close and we could trade jobs??? I'd love to cook for you and you could do my BRs. Maybe someday!
Have a good day everyone! Enjoy the sunshine!
Oh, I have to add, again! Friendship-it's such a blessing! There's nothing like friends who love you for whatever and whoever you are. You know who you are-I love you!

this'n that

So, after not posting for a while, here I am. I'm trying to follow up the last entry with something not quite as deep! Deep, is alright, but it does need to be balanced, just like anything else! Yes, another week as 'flown' by. Is everyone else feeling this way? I'm to the point where I'm loosing track of which day of the week we're on. I wake up in the morning, (sometimes, as I do shiftwork), and I just look at the calendar and see, hmmm, where are we off to today??? So, yes, this last week has been spent at work and at the rink. The boys teams are playing regular league games, tournament games, provincial playoffs games, and fitting in regular practises. This weekend should be interesting. It is the annual Reggie Leach tournament in town, which involves both the boys. Each team is playing four games, as part of the tournament. There is a supper/auction/social, on Saturday evening. and, yes, the Stanley Cup is supposed to be in town for Saturday & Sunday! This is a once in a lifetime experience for some, and should draw large crowds. This whole tournament requires all parents to chip in and volunteer where needed. Canteen shifts, silent auction & door shifts, and volunteering as team hosts. Del will be responsible for helping Kyle's team, and I will help out Jayde's team. Not that its a big deal, it just requires making sure the team is looked after regarding dressing rooms, and such, and being in the penalty box to open the door. So, doing this for our home team is easy. It's the away team hosts that have a little more work. I am also Jayde's team's 'safety' coach, so the penalty box will be a good spot for me. It brings me close to the team, should the need arise. This whole schedule is making me give up my Ice Dawgs obligation for this weekend. And of course, they'll be fine! I have to say, I love helping out the Ice Dawgs! They're a great bunch of 'kids', and I've learnt so much from the experience!
Sunday it will be back to work, as there is no one available to work my day for me. Oh well! That's life when you work my kind of job. So, I will miss the boys in their final weekend games.
I had Onyx for a couple hours today. He's such a treat! I know his mother has her moments with him, but for me, its easy to have him for a few hours. His beautiful eyes, and his smile are awesome. He keeps us on our toes. I remember the days when he didn't talk, and now thats a distant memory. His vocabulary is increasing at an amazing rate! It's so much fun to see him develop. What a doll!!!
Anyone wishing for a southern vacation right now? I/we have never gone on a hot winter vacation, and as I'm getting older, I'm starting to want to go on one. This cold is great for hockey, and snuggling in bed, but I'm missing going outside without shivering! No, I'm not complaining. Just stating reality. I heard its supposed to be -45 with windchill tomorrow morning-that should be interesting at the rink!
So, Del has left with Kyle for his first game of the tournament, and Jayde and I will be leaving shortly for Jaydes game. I guess that means I should get presentable! I hope everyone has a wonderful & safe weekend. Dress warm!

Emotions...

Yes, its another evening drawing to a close...... I've worked the last two days, and I'm working again tomorrow. Work has been quite the circus lately! Between lack of MDs, vacation schedules, short on nursing staff, on call duties, covering another facilities pt base, and just general 'stuff', each day/night at work brings new adventure! I'm so grateful for the people I work with during my shifts. I have wonderful co-workers, and the team effort that everyone puts out, makes each shift possible. I didn't say we always get it all done, or do what we would like-but we do what we have to. Rural nursing is all about coping with the workload you get, the supplies you have at the moment, and the challenge of juggling all the aspects of surprises you get in working a small town hospital/ER situation! I've often said-All city/urban/large hospitals MDs and Nurses, should be required to work a stint in a small rural hospital at some point in their careers. Theres something about no patient assignments, dealing with everyone/everything at once, a revolving front door, a revolving staff door, coping with management and politics, and then answering the phone-this combines to make for some tense, crazy, and humorous moments! And, you also get to know your co-workers well-b/c at 5 am, everyone spills their guts at some point. Everyone becomes vulnerable dealing with certain medical situations! You respect each other for being different, and you rely on each other for everything! It's one happy family-some days! =)
So, a 12 hr day tomorrow, and then its the weekend. And at our house, you know it means hockey. There are 7 games to be played between the boys this weekend. And one game to be reffed! In four different towns, at different times! It's a good thing the boys love the sport, and its a good thing mom and dad love the sport, and love the boys even more!!!
So, i've put off posting all week, because i've been thinking! I told a close friend of mine that we were downsizing the farm. He asked me how that made me feel, and I had to answer honestly! Anyone who knows me, knows I'm an emotional nut job! Anyone who shows any amount of genuine caring, is usually in for my glassy looking eyes-yes, I can cry quite easily. I thought I pulled myself together quite well. No I did not give into tears. But I did have to admit that there were mixed emotions! I've struggled/dealt with a roller coaster of emotions regarding this farming operation. Anger-at the system, frustration-at the system...., happiness-at the prospect of 'free' time, relief-maybe, less stress, ........ and on and on it goes, like a swinging pendulum! I even had a positive gardening thought the other day! I entertained the thought of putting in a garden this year! We'll see. For information purposes, we are selling the cows/bulls, cutting back on feeders, cutting back on grainland, and Del will be freed up to work full-time, and try to catch up on this ridiculous mess farming has created for us. A free weekend in summer to camp, that sounds so wonderful!!! It's sad in a way-the boys are getting to an age where they are starting to show an interest in what we're doing on the farm, and have been helping out. Actually, they've had to help out alot on the farm/yard/house, in the last few years. It's good for them to have to know its good to work to earn a living, but it seems to be a little overdone, when thats all people expect you to do when you farm. I've often wondered why the boys would even consider farming, if they watched us farm. Long hours, endless fixing, bills,... unpredictable weather, with no guaranteed at the end of the year for all the labour! Why sign on for that?? for fun???? NOT!!! I've loved farming- I grew up on a farm. I've now 'farmed' for 35 years. It's tough to think of letting go! I love working with cattle, I enjoy running the machinery, I love working with Del-sometimes! But, in this day and age, farming is not made for the regular farmer, trying to farm on his own, paying his own way for land and machinery, on the income and expenses incurred/required. so, decisions have to be made, business decisions! Easier said than done, isn't it??? So, there's relief. Because, I'm looking forward to working on the yard with my boys & Husband! I'm looking forward to evening drives again, without worrying about 'should I be in the field?" I'm looking forward to spending more time with family and friends. I'm looking forward to wiener roasts in the back yard, with the mosquitoes. The list goes on....no, I'm not whining. I'm counting my blessings.
I love my husband. I love my boys. I love my family. I love my friends. God has blessed me with a wonderful family. I have the best friends,ever!!! In the end, its not about money, or what you have, or where you've been. It's about the time you've spent with people, serving others, connecting with others. Spending time with family, friends, making people feel special!
Yeah, I do love all of you!!
Enough said??? I'm logging off, I do need to sleep for a couple hours before I head to work in the morning-the circus as it probably will be!
Have a good weekend everyone!

A New Year

A new year-2008, I wonder what it will bring. The last couple of days have been a great start! On Jan 1st, we went all the way to Gimli's Lakeview Resort for one night, before hockey starts up. Garvis & Andrea, and their family joined us. We had a great time eating, relaxing, fooling around by the pool, movies, games, etc....... When you spend time with good friends, you can do just about anything or nothing, and have a great time. On the 2nd we went home to get back to reality. Jayde had hockey practice and Del & I went to visit his uncle & aunt for the evening-farm discussions. Kyle was so beat, he stayed home and went to bed early. On the 3rd, I took it easy at home, with general cleanup and such. I had a wonderful nap, in anticipation of heading to work for night shift! And yes, my shift is now almost over and I'm gearing up to go home and sleep. You know, our bodies, actually my body, is not made for staying up all night!
So, this weekend should be fun-hockey, hockey, and more hockey. The Ice Dawgs play tonight, Jayde & Kyle play a game each on Saturday & Sunday, and I have to be in attendance for the KJHL all star game/events in Arborg on Sunday. I'm looking forward to this experience.
So, it's official. Del has been slowly telling people, and I can get it off my chest; our farming experience will be changing once again. We have decided to take steps towards cutting back in the farm. Del has accepted a full time position with a local employer. This will involve cutting out the cattle operation, I think, or drastically reducing it. The grain aspect will also be cut to a lesser degree. It's been such a challenge to come to a decision that makes sense! You know, I need to log off for now, it's time to get end of shift stuff done. I'll follow up with more thoughts sometime when I've had a little sleep! =) Have a good day everyone!