update to harvest

Check out the blue sky!!!

My job, baling straw.

Del, straight combining oats.

Dumping oats on the grain trucks.
Common sight this fall-too much rain.
My other job, hauling and unloading grain.

Del combining barley.

Got thru my nights last week-Tues & Wed. Thursday, hmmmm, I helped Del in the afternoon-stuff in the yard. Thursday evening, we finally had the hockey meeting that was supposed to have been on Tuesday evening. Friday, I was at work from 830-130 for an inservice. back home after that for a bit and then we went to pick up the boys from school and off to the city. We actually went to watch the Bombers football game. Had a great time up in the nose bleed section, with northern gale force winds. Yes, we dressed appropriately. Then we picked up Alyssa, and home we went. Saturday, we farmed. Back in the field, combining. And I hauled grain. My dad came for a few hours in the afternoon, to haul grain, so I got some yardwork and house work done. Then he left at supper and it was all mine again. Del & I saw a mother bear with 3 cubs on Saturday evening on our oats field. I've never seen that before. Sunday, we actually went to church. It's been so long. Then for lunch and the afternoon, we went to Rog & Anita's. My 'southern' cousin was out with her family. We had a wonderful time together. I even got my toe nails done by Kelly! Very special!! Then, in the evening, Del, I, and the boys had a quiet evening at home. Wow, that was awesome!!! Hardly knew what to do. This morning I was back at work. Worked a 12 hr day today, and again tomorrow. Then I'm off for a few days. Hopefully we can finish combining this week. The weather today was not cooperating with that wish though. Looked cloudy and a high of 10 or something. Bring on the sun!!!


My mom has had some issues with bloody noses, so she had blood work done today. Her white count and platelets were a little low, but thats expected at this stage of chemo. Time will tell......

Family

And the broken record continues.........Saturday, on the fields. Actually, I baled straw most of the day. My dad came to haul grain for us till supper time, and then he had to go home. Then I took over hauling grain. I actually got a few bales done. Del had me move from one field to the one where he was combining, so I could haul grain as well. That field was a little more damp! I actually had a fair bit of trouble baling there. The ruts from the combine made it difficult for the baler to pick up the straw, and then it got wet enough in areas, so I had trouble driving. The front wheel assist on the tractor had to work hard to get thru. I ended up leaving parts of swaths, cuz I just couldn't drive there. Sunday, I got a break off the farm. While Del stayed home to combine, I went to the city. I was going to take my city nephews and nieces for lunch, but only one was in the city. So, Alyssa and I went for lunch, and then we went grocery shopping. I had her back at home by 3, so I could be at the rink close to the city by 330, for a hockey game. First exhibition game of the season for the Ice Dawgs. We won, 8-5!! I left the rink on an adrenaline high. Great group of kids playing, coaching was positive, and we won-nice start to the season. Del made it in by 1130. Pm, that is. Monday, Del went to work, and the boys off to school. The forecast was for rain and the sky was overcast first thing in the morning. I had a wonderful day at home. Had a nap first thing in the morning, read a little, and then got motivated. Cleaned, baked buns and cinnamon buns, and cooked supper. Roger & Anita, Nathan & Beth, and my parents came for supper. I made a traditional Mennonite meal for us. Baked sausage, Wareniki-(cottage cheese perogies), and cucumber salad. Anita even made schmont faut. (gravy for the perogies). Had fresh buns with main meal, and then had carrot cake, cinnamon buns, and a caramel torte for dessert. No, I didn't make all that. Mom brought the torte, and Anita had made fresh carrot cake. Had a wonderful evening visiting together. I even flushed my dads ears for him, again. He's got issues with wax build-up!! And, we didn't have any rain by last night. But, this morning we woke up to find it had rained 7/10 of an inch, with more predicted to come. Puddles in the yard once again. Not that the yard was dry yet! We have approx. 200 acres left to combine, and thankfully its all standing grain. Hopefully we'll get a couple more good days of dry/sunshiny weather! This morning, I had Jayde at school by 730 for volleyball practice. He has games after school today. Don't know what time he'll be done. I have a PAC mtg at 7-which I'm giving up the chairperson position. Then, supposedly we have a hockey mtg at 8. Then I go to work for an 8 hr night-starting at 11.
In a past blog I referred to my moms childhood issues, and one of my aunts sent me a letter about her take on it. And I said I'd blog further about it some time. So, Last evening, I quizzed my mom about her homelife as a child. And I came away with info I'd never known before. She doesn't volunteer any of this information very willingly. She has always kept her childhood very 'hush-hush'. She told us about how family services had stepped in and taken her siblings when they were very little. And then brought them back again after a few months, to try and make it work out. I didn't know they had been taken twice. I also didn't know moms siblings had not been taken at the same time. They didn't take all the kids. Only some of them. And when they finally took my mom-she was the last to be taken out of the home, cuz she was the oldest at 13-they picked her up at school. With no explanation. They gave her the option of going to BC to family, or staying in MB. She chose to stay in MB, where she would be close to her siblings. But, apparently she didn't get to see her siblings very often, as they were in different homes, in different towns. It wasn't that easy in those days to travel for visitation. Mom recalled how her mother stopped at church once, to persuade her to come with her, away from her foster home. Mom refused to get in her car with her, knowing what she'd be returning to. There's other details, which I won't get into, but its almost shocking to realize how much happened in the home before help came for those kids. It also shocks me that aunts, uncles, and grandparents-who lived close by-didn't step in and help out. It's no wonder to me that mom and her siblings had issues through out life, due to what happened to them as children. I feel so fortunate, and I'm amazed, how my mom was able to move on and lead a 'normal' life. To actually have a fulfilled marriage, with children, work, ..........my mom was amazing!!! But, I have to admit, I feel a little bitter. Towards moms parents. How dare parents treat their kids like that. I also have to admit that when referring to moms parents, I couldn't refer to them as grandma and grandpa. I guess for me, those terms show respect, and I didn't feel they deserved them. You see, my moms father, did have a relationship with us, before he died. He would visit us occasionally on the farm. He'd bring candy and such. I guess he tried at that point. But moms mother, she didn't quite make that effort. I had met her a few times. Once I remember an aunt stopping in to see her when I was along. Once I think my mom stopped to see her. But there was no 'mothering' by her. To me she seemed a bitter old woman, who didn't seem to care about her family. Before you jump all over my comments, these are only my opinions, not those of anyone else. I haven't asked others what they felt! Anyway, its a lesson to me in the influence you have on the people around you. The impact on your children, well, its lifelong. A parental love, unconditional, is so important!! Also, I'm so proud of my mom for stopping the cycle of abuse, and moved beyond her poor examples. She has done an amazing job of being a mother, without anyone showing her how it was done. No, she wasn't perfect, no one is!! But she did a heck of a job, being the best parent she could be!!!
To my aunt Violet-I'd love to read a copy of what you've written about your childhood. If you have a copy somewhere, and could mail it, it would make my day. I've always been intrigued about what others felt about this home, and would love to have insight into your childhood.
Yeah, I have a mind thats curious about peoples thoughts and actions. I like to figure out what makes them tick. I love to listen to people.
Now, for a thankful list for today-husband, sons, extended family, friends, sunshine-somewhere-, warm bed, fresh buns, clean laundry, a good book, a job (sometimes!)........there's so much!

Oh, yeah. Mom goes for her cyclical Day 8 treatment today. It's only 2 hours at the hospital for her today. Dad is taking her apparently. Considering everything, she's holding up. Very tired, very nauseated at times, but managing.

Harvest of '08

The thing about blogging is, you have to remain politically correct. -kind of, right??
This week-let's see, it's been busy.
Monday-combining and hauling grain. Yes, we did get the combine going by noon. Was rather interesting trying to lift the combine to put the wheel on. But a combination of the loader tractor lifting the combine with chains, and putting boards/support underneath the back axle, and doing it over many times, yes, we did get it done!! We stopped early in the evening to go visit Rog & Anita. Had a wonderful time with them. Relaxed and visited. Love my family!
Tuesday-combining and hauling grain. Dad took mom for her first chemo appt. She had to be there by 930 and was done by 530. She is on a combination therapy of two drugs to fight the cancer, along with all the other meds to deal with the side effects. She tolerated it alright and made it home to have a snack and drop into bed. She's quite tired. Since then, she's dealt with a fair bit of nausea, dizziness, hot/cold flashes, headaches, and some pain. Meds are wonderful, aren't they? Tuesday evening, Del & went to visit good friends of ours. So good to meet and have a good time together. Oh, yeah, had Jayde at school by 730 for volleyball practise.
Wednesday-I got to go to work for a 12 hr day. The boys were at school, and Del was left on his own to farm. He actually got the straight cut header attached to the combine and combined some canola. Worked quite well. He did a patch that was too wet to swath regularily. He managed fine, until he finished the field and was trying to drive across the field to come home. He had to drive thru a water/swamp/ wet patch, and he swamped the combine. How fortunate for him and me, I had just gotten home from work. I changed from my work uniform into farming gear. Actually it was farming and swamp gear. How often do we don tall rubber boots in harvest??? Went to the field with the Versatile 4WD, tow rope and chain. And Del's boots, too. Got there, and I was so blessed, my brother, Rol, showed up right on time to help. Saved my day, and Del's. I watched the two of them hook up the apparatus, and tow the combine out of its hole. Too bad it wasn't daylight, or I'd have gotten pictures. (That reminds me, I was going to take pics of the wheel off the combine, but I was so caught up in the fixing, I forgot the camera!)
Thursday-we moved on over to a field of oats. Combined and hauled grain. Actually, in the morning I cleaned the house, did laundry, baked muffins, ........ and then I put on my farming hat. I've hauled the grain, as its easier if Del does the combining in the mud holes. I don't want to swamp it. I did get stuck with the grain truck on Tuesday. Twice. On grass. It's just soft underneath and with the truck full of grain it sinks down. Del had to tow/push the truck for me, with the combine!
Today-we went for breakfast. We were on the road by 745. The kids did not have school today, and we all went. Then we went to mom and dads for a bit. Things seemed alright there. I sorted out moms meds. I organized all her pills into a pill box. Yes, we've resorted to this. It's just easier for her to manage with this box, and that way its straight forward for me to explain to her what to take. Then, Del and I went back to harvest. Still straight combining oats. Had some breakdowns today. A shaft keeps busting, and Del is welding it, but it doesn't want to hold. Quit early and came home. Got to make a better fix for it tomorrow morning. The boys did their list of jobs today. Can't have them at home sitting around. The deal was-finish the list and you may watch the Bomber game in the evening. The list got done.
What else can I say?? I'm tired. I've dropped into bed every night, but I don't actually remember going to bed. One morning, @ 4 am, I woke up to find my glasses on the blanket, with a book laying on the floor. I guess I fell asleep reading. Must be the time of year.
I've not written much about my job issues, but those of you close to me, know I've had to deal with the prospect of losing my job. I have a job-sharing position, which I've shared equally with my partner. My partner moved in August, and the other half of my job has been posted. I do have first dibs on this half, if I wanted. I prefer to work half time, so I waited to see who would take the other half. No takers. So I started phoning people who might be interested. No takers. So my employer then gave me the option of taking the job full time, or it would be posted full time, and if someone applied for it, they would get it and I'd be out of a job. Tough spot to be in. I just didn't know if I could manage all the aspects of our lives with working full-time. But, thankfully, another friend/former job sharing partner, agreed, on Tuesday morning, to work the half-time position, if I would fill in for her shifts for 4 months during winter, when she goes 'south'. So I agreed. That is one way of saving my job, having her work with us again which will be wonderful, and I'll have a darn good income for a few months. You won't see much any where else, but you'll certainly know where I'll be! So, in a nutshell, I'm relieved. I need the job, I need the income, and I certainly am not interested in finding another job at the present time, if I don't have to. All those uears in one facility and it came down to that!!!
I'm off to read a good book. Hmmmm, wonder how long I'll read tonight??

It's 330-in the morning!

Why the heck am I posting at this time of day?? Let my lesson be a lesson for all of you-DON'T DECIDE IT'S SUPPER TIME AT MIDNIGHT, AND BBQ AND EAT A BURGER! With our crazy schedule, that is what happened last evening, and my body is not agreeing with this plan. So I'm distracting myself! :-)
What is occupying my mind today?? What have we been doing since last post?? Well, harvest is in full swing at our farm. As full swing as you can get it this year. As I worked Thursday and Friday night, Del was kind of left on his own to manage combining and the grain hauling. So whats the solution to the situation? You involve the kids, of course. So Jayde has taken on some new roles this summer. He is now the main chaueffer from field to field. And he has also taken on the role of 'grain unloader'. Del took him through the steps of unloading the grain trucks on Thursday evening. So Friday, I picked up Jayde at school at 1145, and he came home to unload the trucks. I went to the field to pick up the grain truck, brought it home, and Jayde would take care of unloading. Great system. So when I left for work again in the evening, they were on their own. Kyle has taken on the role of 'house boss'. He is in charge of meals when I'm away, and doing family laundry, yardwork, and 'cleaner-upper'. (Till I get home and tidy up behind him!) Saturday morning, Del took Jayde to his last tryouts session while I grabbed a couple hours of shut-eye. When I got up, I was off to Ice Dawgs training camp/tryouts, close to the city. For those of you that don't know, I volunteer as the trainer/safety person for the local Junior B hockey team. This is my third year in this role. I 'do' the home games and a couple of away games that I can fit in with my interesting schedule. So, training camp has begun. It was good to see the returning faces, and meeting new ones. This is my extended family of children. The young men are ages 17-21. They come from different communities and backgrounds. They've taught me great deal about people and life. They're my 'older boys'. Its quite interesting to be their listening ear, as they deal with girlfriends, jobs, university, and family. For the most part, they're a great bunch of respectful young men. Ok, Saturday afternoon was spent there. I made it home around 7 and straight to the field to get the full grain truck-got to put on my farming hat. Then when the trucks were caught up by 830, I got into the house and cooked supper. MMMM, it was good. Sunday morning, Del & I went to an auction sale. I stayed for a couple of hours before I left for training camp again. Del stayed a little longer and bought me a couple treats. He bought us 2 accordions. An old one, and an even older one! And 2 antique radios-I plugged in one and it even works. I haven't had a chance to try the accordians yet. I bought an antique record player before I left. It's portable and looks like an old suitcase. I love old stuff like that-I'd love to have a rec room with a wall of stuff like that! Got home from training camp last evening, to once again head out and unload a grain truck and take it back to the field.
When I got to the field, it timed out perfectly for me to go for a ride on the combine with Del. Perfect time to chat and catch up. And bring Del a cold Pepsi! We did one bin full and dumped. We started on the the second bin full, and picked up the longest swath of the field, and when we got to the extreme end of the field, we felt a bump. Oh, oh. What was that? My first thought was, 'Thats a big rock, but why would it be here??" Del said 'we lost a wheel" I don't know how he knew, but we climbed out and sure enough, one of the back tires of the combine had fallen off. (I was going to post this tomorrow, along with a picture. But you're getting the story ahead of the picture) So, lucky for us, Jayde was home again, and we got him to come get us with the four wheeler, as it was a long mile walk in the dark. Man I had a good laugh on the ride back, all three of us on the 4wheeler! Through puddles and mud. Bonding, or what! Anyway, Del concluded the fix shouldn't be that hard, New Bolts. Hopefully the tractor and loader will be able to lift the back axle, as the field is so soft, that jacks and beams will have a tough time in that spot. We are so grateful the the 4 wheel drive on the combine. Tough go without it!
So a liitle earlier quitting time than expected. Then I spent 2 hours on the phone. Del gave up on finding anything good to eat, and that brings us to why I'm blogging at this ridiculous hour!
Politics-who is tired of hearing about the election, Canadian or American?? Turn on the radio, and what do you hear?? Buy a paper, and what do you read? Do you think the politicians actually think we believe their promises? Why is so much money available at election time? I wish the whole sorry mess would disappear. But small town politics is just as bad. Yeah, I'm referring to the sorry state of hockey-for those of you who didn't get it by reading between the lines. Whats with the highway line that divides regions, that supposedly also decides whether you have a chance at playing in one spot or another? Just because your parents decide to live in one spot, you as a child have to tolerate being forced to play where you're told? Something sure smells like a political campaign! Enough said!
This week looks like a good combining week. The forecast says no rain for the next week. Yes!! So, that means fix the combine in the morning, and lets get the crop off. Hopefully, we can get a good chunk off this week. Time will tell. Mom is suppose to start chemo this week, so I imagine she'll get a phone call in the next day or two, with her appt times. I haven't talked to her over the weekend, so that must mean she's doing alright. The boys are back to school in the morning, so Del & I are on our own once again.
I'm going to try and go back to sleep. Have a great day everyone!

That's another day done with!

I'll get right to it. Everyone is wondering how did mom's appointment go. Laureen and I took mom and dad today. Did some clothes and grocery shopping-imagine clothes shopping with my dad, yeah, not good!-and then we went to the appt this afternoon. Vicky joined us at the hospital.-so good she can get off work there to join us when we need her! So, got called into the office-no weight today-and we met with the oncologist. CT results-the radiation to her mid chest was effective in alleviating some of the tumor pressure on her main airways, so she doesn't cough as much. But, the pleural lining area of cancer has increased. This area did not receive radiation. So, its a go ahead for chemo, probably starting next week. This referral for chemo will be sent to the local hospital-25 minutes away-that has a chemo department. She will be put on a 21 day cycle of chemo with day 1 and 8 receiving treatment and then 14 days off till the next round. They are suggesting 4-6 cycles of chemo. The purpose of chemo is not to take away the cancer, as it is too large, but to alleviate symptoms and give precious time. That's it in a nutshell. don't know what else to add about that subject.
Harvest/farming-Del started combining a few acres of canola last evening. Don't know what time he went out there today, as I was away, but he's out there again. No, its not dry to go into storage so its going into an aeration bin. (a bin that has air forced through the grain to prevent deterioration of quality due to moisture).
Jayde had hockey practice last evening, with tomorrow's workout rescheduled for Saturday morning. The kids will receive their final word on team selection following that skate. Tomorrow, I go back to work on night shift. The days off are over. Also, I plan to drive a dirty vehicle, cuz maybe if I don't wash them, the sun will continue to shine. Do ya' think this will work?? And no laundry on the line to dry! Superstitious or what!
I'm out of words. I'm tired. Shopping with your parents will do that to you, I guess. :-) Have a good sleep everyone.

Cancer, family, hockey, rain.......

Anyone else out there struggling on a Monday morning?? Like not motivated to get anything done? Probably just me. I sent the kids off this morning, kissed Del good-bye as he left for work, and then I wondered what do I do?? The sky is gray, the yard is mud covered in water, and what the heck do you want to get started on this fine day??? No, I'm not going to whine the whole blog long. I'm getting into a rut though. I am getting discouraged with the weather. Anyone want a refresher on the expenses incurred this spring/summer, on getting the crop into the ground? Harvest looks like its in the tank. Hmmmm, ya think the bankers are sweating yet?? :-) Farmers are certainly sweating it!!

Alright, lets change the subject. Let's talk hockey. One of my favorite subjects. It can be!! Jayde had hockey tryouts this weekend. I thought I was pretty calm and prepared heading into this weekend, but I realized yesterday, I wasn't as relaxed as I thought I was. Let me paint you a picture. Close your eyes and put yourself in the rink. There was approximately 55 kids at the rink, divided into 3 groups for the weekend. Every child spent 8 hours on the ice doing drills and scrimmages. They alternated the three groups through all the activities during the weekend. Jayde's group was on the ice Friday at 915 pm, then Saturday at 115 and again at 630. Then Sunday, he was on at 1145 and 245. His group had the last session yesterday. Anyway, the deal is that there is 1 team going to play in the city league. All these players are trying out for 17 defence/forwards, and 2 goalies. All players receive an evaluation at the end of the weekend, and a 'pass' or 'no pass' for this team. There were 3 men evaluating from the stands, and 2 people on ice who ran the on ice functions. So, the 2nd last session yesterday, (the one before Jayde's), the kids got undressed and went for their verdicts. The rink is a combination hockey/curling rink. The indoor viewing area are seperated by a kitchen and hallway. The kids were told to leave their equipment in the hockey area and to wait in the hallway, with doors at either end closed, and they would go in one by one, and discuss the weekend with the evaluators. Can you imagine??? The parents are all in the hockey viewing area, WAITING! Once the kid got their evaluation done with, they were told to exit out the curling rink doors, so the other kids wouldn't know if it was yes or no for them. Suspenseful, yes! Some kids had taken their equipment outside before they went into the hall so then didn't have to come around and back into the rink. So, I'm watching Jayde's drills and waiting with some friends while their kids are getting their results. Took forever!!! Now imagine, QUIET,, very quiet, in the rink. Parents are wondering, did he make it??? Del got to leave early with a friend and his kid. And so I was left with another parent, waiting on their kid who's a goalie. Waited, and waited some more. Del texted me to let me know our first friends kid made it. YAY!!! By now, Jayde's group is off the ice, getting changed. We're still waiting for kids from the first group. The next group is now assembling in the hallway. Finally our friends son comes into the rink to get his equipment, and we go outside with him. He's elated. He made it!! I'm so excited for him. He's telling us how everything happened in his session. Now, its to wait for Jayde. The other friends leave. To explain this, Jayde and these other two kids have played together for a long time. They're good friends. I'm thinking, Jayde's not gonna make it. He's not a flashy player. He's just a big defenceman who plays a solid game of hockey, loving every minute of it! I go wait in my truck. And wait some more. I watch the kids filter out of those curling rink doors and leave with their parents. I'm trying to read a book. Finally, I see my boy. He goes and gets his equipnment and comes to the truck. He loads it in the box and gets in the truck. I can't tell by his face, what his verdict is. I ask, "So?" His reply, "Back on Tuesday." YES! Good for him. But, its not over. All the kids who were told they made it, are coming back on Tuesday and Thursday for further evaluation, and further cuts will occur after Thursday. Oh, Man! Jayde was so excited. So, for now, a reprieve, till Thursday night. A little dramatic, eh?? Just for the crazy game of hockey.

My family was at our house on Saturday evening, to celebrate dad's 72nd birthday. Not everyone could make it. Oh, well, we celebrate anyway. Had a good time. Salads, BBQed sausage and hamburgers, chips, veggies, and black forest cake for desert. Relaxing visits. It's so good to spend time together. Mom sat on a recliner between the dining and living room. That way she could see everyone at once. The men chatting around the dining table, and the women 'gossiping' in the living room. :-) I watched my mom a fair bit. Seriously, I think she's deteriorating. She looks good for her disease, but she's gone down. She's lost some more weight, her color has changed a bit-don't know if anyone else would notice that-, she's requiring analgesics 3x/day-which doesn't take away her pain-, and she looks wiped. Maybe it was just a bad day, I don't know. I am trying to be prepared for her CT results which we get at her oncology appt this Wed. Realistically, I don't know if those results will be positive. When I look at the person in front of me, I'm preparing for bad news. Sorry, maybe I shouldn't be honest. Maybe, I should only write 'good' things. Maybe, I'm trying to overprepare myself. But, I'm being honest. I need to take her shopping for clothes on Wednesday. She has lost so much weight that she is quite limited in what she has to wear. So off to the store we go. She maybe feeling horrible, but it doesn't mean she has to look like she doesn't have anything to wear that looks good!
My aunt wrote me a long letter following one of my previous blogs-the one where i talked about family. Yes, I'm going to follow up on that letter, probably on this blog, I just have to prepare myself mentally to do it. Have to sort out the thoughts. Yes, Aunt Violet, I will do, I'm not ignoring it!! It was really special to receive her letter. Not many people send written letters anymore. I'm definitley going to keep that one!!
I'm going to make a good supper today. Don't know what it will be yet, but I'm going to dig something our of the freezer and create a fabulous meal! Hmmm, wonder what it will be......

I'll update you all after Wednesday's appt. Probably not until Thursday though.....

Wondering.....

Three days of work are done. Long weekend is over. And for us at work it was quiet. Usually long weekends are quite busy, especially during summer months. But, we didn't have a doctor available on call, so all emergency room patients were directed to the closest ER. Unfortunately for the closest ER, the two hospitals closest to them, were closed, and they were probably overloaded with out of town patients. That is the reality of rural medicine. There are just not enough docs around, and they can't 'perform' 24/7. Docs are normal people with families and needs just like the rest of us. So, to me its understandable for them to take time away from work to look after themselves. We are short one Doc in town, and with two away on holidays, that left us one for last week. Even if we had 4 docs employed at the facility, they would be busy. We cover a large geographical area with a large size population. Yes, that's the reality of rural medicine. Anyway, that made my weekend at work fairly quiet. It was a nice break.

When I had figured out my fall schedule, this spring, I was relieved to have the upcoming 10 days off, to help with harvest. God seems to have other plans. The weather has wreaked havoc with my scheduling harvest. The amount of rain sent our way has the fields saturated with water. It has rained off and on since Sunday. And, yes, I look out the window and see clouds and a light rain falling right now. I get so sarcastic. Like, 'hmmmm, its so dry, good thing its raining again!'. Not!! The lakes in the front yard are back, the fields are mud/standing water, and the roads are tracks of mud as well. Guess I'll find something else to do with my days off. Not that there isn't stuff to do, its just difficult to find something else to do, when there's bigger problems and bigger projects that should be done.

A 42 year old neighbour, father of two, was killed Sunday night, in a ATV accident. We were talking at work yesterday about the tragic summer its been in the area. Last week, a 65 yr old farmer was crushed fatally in a farming accident. Alot of loss for small communities. Hard to understand why families are left without their loved ones.

Kids are back to school tomorrow. Grade 7 and 9. 6 more years and no more bus rides out of this yard. Wow!! Jayde has hockey this weekend; tryouts for a winter city team. I'm a little nervous for him. He's gonna have to do very well to make this team. Don't know if he's got it in him, but for his sake I hope he does well. He so badly wants to play on this team.

Mom has her CT on Thursday with an oncology appointment next week to review results and decide on chemo plan. She has certainly enjoyed her break from medical appts. She is looking well considering her disease. She does tire very easily and her pain is increasing, so the CT results are going to be interesting. Is that the right word? Probably not, but I can't think of a better one right now.

Sunday evening we went to Rog and Anita's. Their house is still a revolving door to visitors. I hope they're ok with all the people going through. They certainly are cared for. I know I'm finding this weekend difficult, so I can imagine how hard it is for them. I keep thinking, this is the weekend they would have moved Kate to get her settled in for university. Then I think of Beth having to go back to high school on Wed, and being among all the kids, in the environment she went with Kate the last couple of years. Kate would have loved university. She would have thrived on the learning aspect, the social environment, and the sports/volleyball program university would have offered her. Oh, the what ifs?? I spoke or texted all of my nieces and nephews yesterday. There's a need to connect with them. I don't have very many of them, and to know they're doing ok is very important. They are all special!!!

If only the sun would shine....... Somehow its just easier to handle difficult times when the sun is out.