August is definitely a better month!!

Wednesday night at work I was going to do a post, can't remember about what, and I couldn't believe it!!! We are not allowed to access any blogs once again. Hmmm. I don't know whats going on there!!
I've enjoyed my Thursday and Friday. Yesterday, I slept till almost noon. Then after having lunch, the boys and I went to the elementary school in town and finished painting the playground equipment, along with Andrea and her kids. The PAC had done most of the painting in June, but due to weather and such, the finishing was delayed until now. So we finished the tops of the swing sets and the soccer posts. It all looks wonderful!!! When we got home, I actually lay down again, and had a nap. Made homemade pizza for supper, and then I went outside to spray Round-Up on the weeds that are trying to take over my yard. It's dark so early-by 9! Once I got in I remembered that work had a bake sale in the morning to raise funds for cable and tv's for all patient rooms. So, I baked cake and cupcakes. Good thing I had that nap. Today we went out for breakfast and then the boys went to my parents to help my dad with his garage sale. My parents are bringing them home sometime soon. I've washed floors, done laundry, cleaned my kitchen, cleaned up some fruit and cucumbers. No I didn't eat them all. I have the fruit all peeled and cut up in the fridge to eat along with a lemon dip I made. The cucumbers are sliced and sitting in a brine on the counter for Fridge Pickles. The steak is marinating and the baked potatoes are on the counter, ready for BBQing for supper.
Tomorrow its back to work for the start of 3, 12 hour day shifts. What timing! Start of harvest and I'm stuck at work. Then it'll be 9 days off to-harvest, start moms chemo, and clean out moms garden.
Del is out swathing barley at the present. The majority of the canola is down. The remainder of the canola is too wet to swath.
And.......we are getting culverts and a ditch for our yard. They are actually working on it right now. They started yesterday. They have one more culvert to put in, and then they're making a ditch the length of our yard. Hopefully this will help some of our drainage issues. Then its up to us to landscape the yard appropriately so the water drains to the ditch. I can hardly wait to see the water drain next spring!!! :-)
What awesome weather yesterday and today. Temps of 22/23 and sunshine. Perfect summer days. Light breeze. I love it!
Had a discussion at work the other day about relationships. What makes a couple seperate after 30 years of marriage? Whats an appropriate reason to leave your spouse?? What does it take to make a marriage last?? Is it good to stay together 'for the kids'? I don't know all the answers. I'd be rich if I could answer those questions. Or maybe if I could make people do what I think it would require. Relationships aren't easy. They don't happen by themselves. Constant work. Give and take. Forgiveness. And more give.....Love is an all encompassing word. There's a song, remember it?? Love is patient, love is kind, .......based on a Bible passage. Did I mention, I don't have all the answers?? Just lots of thoughts and questions. Makes for an interesting discussion. Right, Mich??
Two more days to go this month. Feeling much better about August. Still not wanting the kids to go back to school next week, but its coming regardless. I'm going to go make a to-do list for them for this weekend, while I'm at work. Have a wonderful long weekend!

this **** weather

Yay! I can access blogs from work, once again!! It is 0545, and I've got 1 hr and 15 minutes till this shift is over. Only one more 12 nour night to go...... Have I told you lately how enjoyable nights are for me??? :-) On Tuesday, I managed to sleep off and on till 11 am, when I recognized the ring tone of the phone as being Del's cell phone calling. So being the good wife that I am, I answered. What's new?? He's stuck at the field, with the swather. Could I or Jayde come rescue him? Off I go outside to find my big boy, who is playing basketball. I put an end to that game and off he went to pull out his dad. Jayde ended up staying at the field all day to pull out Del. The fields are a little soft, to say the least. The boys had dug my moms potatoes, and so I took some time in the afternoon to dig the carrots and onions, cuz the forecast was for rain. I checked her corn, and found a bunch of cobs ready to go. Pulled them off as well. She's going to love her fresh produce. I called them and they said they'd come by later for the stuff. The carrots I dug were gross. I guess with being so wet, they rotted off, so theres just small stubs remaining. Once in a while there was a good one. BBq'd some supper. Then I went to the field to stack some hay bales, before the 'lake' was going to rise again. That was a frustrating exercise. I was hauling them together on a dike beside a ditch/drain. The area was BUMPY and it was windy out. So I tried to stack them while the wind worked against me. I had stacked a nice bunch together and there was a nice gust of wind and a bunch toppled over! I'm the world's worst bale stacker! I did manage to at least put them all in the same spot! Went home to get ready to go to work, and here I am, almost ready to go home!
Agriculture-hmmm, don't know if I've spoken to anyone recently, who is involved in farming, who is optimistic about their choice of trade. In our little neck of the woods, where it seems there is no end to the showers, farmers levels of frustrations are mounting higher and higher. How much can the industry handle? I laugh when I read agricultural headlines in the paper today-booming harvest, best crop in years, yada-yada..... Good for those who are doing well. Our little area is so not a blip on anyones radar. I'm a natural optimist, but I'm sounding awful pessimistic these days. What are we trying to prove?? Going to work for a guaranteed check every two weeks, with a lot less 'gambling', sounds wonderful right now. (Anyone want to get some cheese to go along with my 'whine'?)
Blessings-yes there are some, alot actually. Let me think. How about -comfy beds, blankets, pillows. And pj's. Ha ha. I'm definitley ready to sleep!
Off to the ward, my patients are calling!

Family

The last three days of holidays.......
well, we cleaned the house on Friday. Like we vacuumed, swept, washed floors, bathrooms are clean, garage got done, etc....... but, how long will it last?? Should be done again today probably! :-)
Saturday, I took Jayde to hockey tryouts. 35 minute drive down the road. One hour skate in the morning, 3 hours of down time, and then another hour skate. Del & Kyle went to town for parts and then Del worked on fixing, with Rol coming to give him a hand. Thanks, Rol. At 5, my Friesen family met at my parents for supper. Not everyone could make it, but the locals here did, as well as my sister and her kids made it. It was very relaxing. A little odd. First get-together since Kate's passing. In a way its easy to ignore it and pretend like maybe she's busy somewhere else, but then it hits again, and she's just not there!! We did have an enjoyable time together. Certainly more emotional. Good-byes get more meaningful!
Sunday, we all went with Jayde as he had a 1 1/2 hour skate/scrimmage. This was a look see/tryout for a AAA hockey team for the region. All players are assessed and told what to work on for next year, as the team is comprised of kids that are 15 and up. You have to be darn good to get a place at this age. So, Jayde was given his instructions on what to work on. Skating, as always. Then he was told he's a 'gritty' player. What does that mean?? It made me laugh. I guess it means he's the kid who : hits/checks his friends during scrimmage, flails arms and legs when hes down, hates to lose, ....... Wonder where he gets it from??? Yeah, he loves the game. Wish he was that 'gritty' with other things too. Great experience for the kids to skate with other kids of the same age in the region. Instead of playing against each other, they get to know each other in a different way, develop friendships/relationships, and learn how to play hard with and against each other on the ice, and be friends off the ice.
After Jayde was done, we went to Roger & Anita's for the afternoon. My cousin was out from a couple hours away, and had come with her family. My parents were there as well. Had a wonderful afternoon, re-acquainting with her. For those of you who don't know the story-my mom was raised in a difficult, unstable home. She was the oldest of many children, and when she was 13, all the children were removed from the home and placed in seperate foster homes. She had one brother who got to stay with his father. Her parents had issues and had seperated as well. All the foster homes were Mennonite homes. My mom married very young, and had her siblings all spend time in mom and dads home, throughout the years. She was like the 'mother' of the family, as her birth mother didn't fulfill that role. So my mom and all her siblings have had to deal with many issues through the years, including siblings that they hadn't known they had originally. My mom also had sister who was diagnosed with Schizophrenia as a young woman. This was after she had married, divorced, given up children for adoption, had another baby she kept........yeah, long story. She died suddenly about 6 years ago, from a heart attack. Anyway, the cousin who we visited yesterday, was her daughter. She married 15 years ago to a wonderful man, has 3 beautiful girls, and is doing quite well. She helps other struggling young girls who are having trouble during their teen years. How fitting, hey??

This spring/summer has been rather interesting regarding extended family. Needless to say, my parents siblings (both sides), are not close. But this years events seems to have awakened that extended family, and I have 're-united' with aunts and cousins I haven't seen/heard from in years. Pictures and emails have been passed around, and years of 'absence' have been talked about. Now just to plan an actual, physical get-together. We discussed this yesterday and laughed about the possiblity of it. would it actually work?? Could the family meet and get to know each other again? It's probably been about 23 years since my moms family has been together. And that wasn't everyone either. Hmmm, it will need alot of thought!

It's hard for me to imagine my siblings and I becoming like that. But, it could happen, if we don't put effort into it and appreciate the time we have together. Families don't stay together by themselves. Family isn't self-chosen, it's what you're born into. You don't have to think the same, you don't have to look the same, you don't need to do the same things, but you're still family. Respect and acceptance because that's what family needs to stay together.
When I logged in today, I didn't realize I had these serious thoughts inside. I thought, what will I write about??? And then I got carried away on my tirade of family. I have to add, I have a wonderful family. I don't really fit into this family. I'm emotional, I love to talk, I don't look like them, I embarrass them all time. (Maybe I'm adopted??) But, anyway, I love my family dearly. I have two brothers, with their wives, a sister, and a bunch of nephews and nieces, with one great nephew and one great niece. They're an amazing group of people, with awesome personalites and talents.
And of course, my husband and boys-they're the best. I love them so much! I am truly blessed!
Ok-everyone, tell your families how special they are. Love them, hold them close when you can, let them go when you have to.
I'm back to work tonight, 3 nights in a row. Great. Stay safe!!

august dialogue.....

I thought I had done a post a couple of days ago. Hmmmm, I guess not. Maybe I dreamt that. I've been dreaming so much lately. And really realistic stuff. I actually have to think sometimes whether I've dreamt it or did it happen!
This last week has been wonderful! Went to a friends house on Friday night. Saturday, worked at home. Sunday morning we left for Brandon for an overnight stay. Relaxed, shopped, and went to a sale there on Monday. Tuesday, did yard and house work. Finally got our closet organized, sorted, cleaned out! (Now to keep it that way!) Wednesday, I went to work for 4 hours in the morning; my partner is moving to Alberta and she needed some shifts off next week, so this was part of the trade. Then I went out for lunch with Del, and then to my parents. The boys and I sorted stuff in their garage and helped set up for a garage sale that my dad wants to have. Then home for a wonderful nap! Today we went to the city as Del had a follow up appt for his eyes. Its been one year since his Lasik procedure. Lucky guy! Del's been predicting rain all day. The forecast has been calling for light showers for Friday, and he's been saying we'll get 2-5 inches. Well, wouldn't you know, we get home and Del checks the forecast and they are now forecasting severe rain fall amounts with flood warnings. With up to 5 inches of rain!!! Please not here!!! And its not even about my yard anymore. The fields, as crummy as they are, just don't need any moisture right now.

Moving on..........my oldest brother gave me palpitations the other day. Seriously!! On our way back from Brandon on Monday, we were about 5 minutes down the road from where we were camping when Katelyn had her accident, and we had our quick exit. So, I was driving, and Del was beside me on his cell phone. My cell phone rings, and I pick it up so see it's Rol phoning. I say hello, imagining its Michelle or something like that. But no, I hear my brothers voice. At 3 pm on a Monday afternoon. I'm sure my heart skipped a beat, for sure, and I started hyper ventilating. You see, my brother doesn't phone me very easily, and the last time was when he called me about Katelyn. So I hear his voice and I imagine the worst. Now what???!!! But what a surprise, he asked me whether he could take my dad to his cataract surgery the next day! So that was a treat. A day for me not to take them to the city.

3 days of holidays left......what to do with the time??? I guess we'll see what the weather does.

loving my time at home

Hmmm, a week at home-or off of work. It's been wonderful! I've been organizing in my house. Not that anyone else could tell the difference, mind you! Tuesday, we finished up some cleaning and such. Wednesday was fun. The boys and I went to work with Del. They were having a 'Field Day', where some of their customers were invited for lunch and crop tours. The boys and I helped them set up, and then we BBQ'ed lunch. Burgers and smokies, salads, chips, and drinks were the menu. Easy enough, I couldn't really ruin it. It was relaxing, and we enjoyed hanging out with Del and his gang at work. On Thursday, the boys and I went to the city. Michelle came with us. We left early and had to be back by 3 so Michelle could work her evening shift. Alyssa met us in the city for a couple of hours, before she napped before night shift. I don't know about the girls, but the boys and I had a great time. We shopped for groceries and school supplies. Then Kyle spent his birthday money, on electronics, of course. And the boys bought shoes. Yeah, shoes. They're developing a taste in shoes, so they're purchasing them for themselves. Kind of fun to watch that! I walked into the mall with three bags to return, and I did not walk out with anything. I was so proud of myself!! Then we flew back to town so Mich could go to work, and I took the truck for an oil change. Followed that up with a massage. Talk about everything in one day! Got home, made supper (leftovers!), and then helped Del in the evening-trying to get equipment ready for harvest. The crops are ripening rather quickly in this heat, so its time to get ready. Others are probably ready, but not us. Why be ready ahead of time, huh? :-) Today, gotta cut grass, and I want to bake cinnamon buns. Going to a friends house for the evening, so I need to prepare food to take along. Should be a fun evening!
School is getting closer. Every year it comes too soon. I love having my kids at home, and not just because they help out with work! I love having them home to see their interaction, to have the non scheduled time, and of course, the lack of preparing bag lunches is wonderful!! Don't tell them though how much I wish they didn't have to go back to school, cuz they don't want to go either. Jayde only has 4 years to go in town. That's going to go by so fast!! And, Kyle is in his last year in the elementary school. Next year, both kids will be in high school. This will sound 'corny', but remember when then were 2 and 3 years old??? Just the other day! Our boys are such a blessing!!!
Mom and Dad sold their house up south, and are there today, signing papers and cleaning out their garden. Mom is so relieved to have this done. Another thing taken care of! Mom is looking quite good right now. She's enjoying the days at home. She's puttering around the house usually, and they have a fair amount of people stopping by to visit. Dad is preparing for his cataract surgery on Tuesday.
I'm off to mix that bun dough-Have a great weekend! Be safe!

Everyday life....

Ahhhhh, I'm rewarding myself right now by going on the internet. Yes, I'm having a productive day. I actually had the garden tilled by 830 am! Went to town, dropped the boys at a friends house to do yard work today, and I went to my parents house to try and do some more sorting/cleaning out of stuff. My dad and I concluded it was time to put an end to the boxes, so he wants to have a garage sale. That's right up his alley! So hopefully in 10 days, after his eye surgery, he can sit outside and try to pawn off the leftover special stuff. It would be so nice to have that taken care of! I got home at 1, had a quick lunch, and then I tackled my little space efficiency project. I was at auction yesterday, and purchased some dressers for Jayde, some glass shelving units for Del's collectibles, and a desk for the office. So, I've now completed the moving about. I'm trying to free up some space in the office. So cluttered! Oh, well, i think it's better. For now. Del & I also went to an auction on Saturday. Satisfied that little urge for antiques-purchased this really cool red lantern with red glass, two old washboards, and some cow bells-to ring at meal times. Should be good, right??? :-) Just have to find a way to hang those cow bells appropiately. The boys thought we bought them to put on the bulls. Not!!
It's drizzling again. Good thing, cuz I think it was getting dry. Actually, do you catch the sarcasm??? Our front yard was just getting to the point of being able to almost cut all the grass. Or weeds, or whatever its become.
Now if I could just think of something for supper. When I get on a cleaning roll, I don't like stopping for meal prep, but Its one of those things that just has to get done.
Went to Rog & Anita's last evening. They're holding up fairly well. As well as can be expected. Had a nice quiet evening with them, and my parents-they came as well.
I'm off to tackle another project, this time to combine two containers of toys into one. Gotta cut back on some of this stuff! My house is only made to hold a certain amount of stuff, and I think I'm over on the allotment!
Have a great summer evening!

August is looking better!

Those 2 days at work went by in a flash. Busy, busy........Even put in a couple hours of overtime on Monday. Jayde asked me why I wouldn't get holiday Monday off, and I nicely informed him that medical issues don't seem to take holidays! Wednesday started early as well. I got to take my parents to the city for moms oncology appointment. We did some grocery shopping in the morning, and then mom had blood work done, followed by seeing the oncologist. Good news in that the blood work results came back within normal parameters. This appointment was supposed to be the so ahead with chemo appointment. But, after the oncologist heard moms story of the last few weeks, she decided instead of starting chemo in two weeks, we would wait four weeks. That will give mom extra time to recuperate from radiation, and emotionally deal with the last couple weeks, along with preparing physically and mentally for the fight chemo usually needs. Mom was greatly relieved for the extra couple of weeks of 'time'. She is planning to do some work in her yard, and thats always good for her to have a project to keep her occupied. I'm not sure how much dad will let her do, he's rather obsessed with her not doing anything! I can't imagine him doing the yard reno. He's taken over cutting grass and tilling, but him with a shovel planting plants??? We'll see.
Last evening after I got back from the city, we hosted about 30 people for Kyle's 'belated' birthday party. We had invited some of his friends, and our families. Had a great time. I baked some pizzas, and laid out the food on the table so people could help themselves whenever they came. Kyle had 5 friends stay for night. They camped in the trailer. They roused themselves at 10 this morning, and I made them pancakes. They weren't too hungry this morning. Apparently they had gorged themselves with candy till 4 am. Oh, well....... All went well. I love hosting their birthday parties at this age. No planned events, just lots of food. And, their group of friends is wonderful. Del & I went to bed at 1 with no worries of how they'd behave. For now, we're good with their behaviour. Don't know about tomorrow, but enjoy it today! The last friend got picked up at 5 today. Spent today picking up garbage and such. Went to the chiro this afternoon, and then came home and had a nap. What a wonderful day. The sun shone, and the temperature was perfect. So far, August is turning out much better than July. See???? :-)
I'm off for a couple weeks now. Usual days off and a week of vacation. Hopefully this round will be much more relaxing than last. Del is heading out to the field this evening, to try to cut some hay. What a bust this summer for the hay crop! Sure wish we could share some moisture with those who need it!
I'm going for a bike ride this evening. Gonna see if Michelle will join me. I love having her close by. She's such a blessing. Have to comment on her at work-I'm feeling sorry for her. So many people are commenting on the resemblance to her aunt. Some people have wondered whether she's my daughter, sister, ???? I feel quite special and proud, but its her that I feel for. It's great having her there. She's positive, works hard, has a great attitude, and a positive team spirit.
Alright everyone, have a safe and wonderful summer weekend. And don't ever forget to love and appreciate the people around you!!!

Next year-let's skip July, ok?

Quick note this morning, as I'm off to start 2 12 hour days. My employer has effectively eliminated all modes of acces to blog, so I can't do this on break at work.
I'm thinking that next year we should skip July and have 2 months of August. The last few years of July's have been rather disastrous, and we could do without all the sadness. And surely the weather in August will also be a little more positive. I wish I had a picture of my front yard from this last week. It really doesn't help the emotions. Maybe its fitting-all the tears cried are in our front yard. Jayde has been busy running a water pump and pumping the water over the road into the ditch. It's ran for days, and yes, there's still a lake in the yard. Rol came over the other day to do some transit measurements, and the conclusion was that once the municipality would install some culverts and a ditch, we could effectively landscape the yard to ease the situation. Now, we patiently wait for permits for the RM. We had some of my family over on Saturday evening to celebrate Ty's 22nd birthday. It was so good to be together. I had missed spending time with them. Overload, huh??! Rog and Anita are coping as well as can be expected. My mom has completed her 16 radiation treatments, and is seeing her Oncologist on Wednesday. Chemo decisions will be made at that time. My dad is scheduled for cataract surgery this month.
I guess keeping busy is healthy for the mind!
Thanks to all for their kind words and spirit of love. We couldn't get through without it.
I have the best kids and husband-truly, they are a gift to me. Friends-the best! I love you all!
Ok-off to work-put on that nursing cap..............