Alarms, organization, and Grandma

Tuesday morning, and everyone is off to where they need to go; Del to work, and the boys to school. This mama is not going to work today, and will be doing domestic duties-including hauling garbage to the dump.
How is it the garbage bin gets full so fast?? The big news item yesterday was that our province is the highest in garbage wastes. Well, my garbage bin is indicative of this. I thought i just hauled a load, and its overflowing again.
Is it a stage of being a teenager, being a boy, or what?? But, whats with the procrastination of doing things till required??! That oldest boy of mine! Somedays I think he thinks the work revolves around him. I've been trying to stress the importance of organization, doing the best you can, be all that you can be, blah, blah, blah, and then there's this morning. The bus is supposed to pick them up 8 minutes later, cuz they're getting to school early. But its the first morning of this trial run, so who knows. Well, it shows up as usual. And there is Jayde, not ready. Of course, he's not gotten his homework put together, his lunch is not together, his clothes are everywhere, and his badminton racquet is not found and ready to take.....So, a last minute flurry, and of course, it all gets pulled together, and he's off to the bus again! Okay, now here's a mothers perspective. Last evening, place the homework in the binder-ready to grab, clothes are neatly laid out-ready to throw on, racquet is sitting beside the back pack-no panic required finding it, and you're ready to go in minutes; without having to really think about it in an early morning stupor. Yeah, that's pushing it a little, cuz it would be so much easier. I guess, its the lack of being a morning person that makes me cringe at the craziness in the morning. Don't know if I shared with you my little morning story from a month ago. I have learnt the importance of being organized the night before going to work. I have my uniform and such laid out. My bag is usually packed with any papers I want to take. So, its suppose to take as little thought as possible in the morning. If I'm really organized, I even have lunch ready to take along. Well, I have this problem of not always waking up to the alarm clock-but, I'm getting better! So, I know I set the alarm clock when I went to bed at 1130. I slept well. I woke up at 445, looked at the time, and told myself to go back to sleep till the alarm went. The next thing I know I open my eyes and check the time. 622. I close my eyes and think, nah, it can't be. I open my eyes and check again. 622. Now I roll over and check Dels clock, thinking I'm not reading mine correctly. Sure enough, his agrees with mine! I tell you, I didn't waste any more time in bed. I was in the shower instantly!! I was on the road by 638, and at work by 659. My shift starts at 7, and there was no way I was going to be late! Not that morning, with that night crew! :-) There by is the importance of doing things ahead! For me, anyway! By the way, I got home that evening to check why my alarm had not gone off, and I'd not activated the alarm. So, I also realized the importance of pushing the button to the ON position!

My mom had her second IV Pamidronate infusion last Friday. Much to her dismay, she got sick from it, again. She feels fine during the infusion, and for the first 12 hours, but then her stomach reacts. Nausea and vomiting follow. This time for 2 days. So my consolation to her last time that it must be the flu, is just not true. She has never been good with stomach flu, and the vomiting now takes so much out of her. But, yesterday morning, she said she wasn't nauseated anymore, so hopefully its uphill again. She still has not received her chemo pill, as the supplier has options for financial coverage and the paperwork is being done for this.

The boys hockey teams are still hard at it. Jayde played 2 games last weekend. Kyle has a game tonight. Jayde has tryouts this weekend for Directors Cup- We'll see how politics go for that. I'm not even sure where or what Kyle is playing this weekend. I'm back at work, starting Thursday night. Till Monday morning.

Have a good day!

Mid-january.......

I have to start today by admitting I'm quite proud of myself this morning. This is my one day at home this week, and I've got 2 pots of soup on the stove, rice pudding is cooking, and the washing machine is doing its thing; in other words, I did not crawl back into bed like I felt like doing!!

Lets start by recapping Grandma Friesens appt-because everyone I'm sure wants to know. The Tuesday Telehealth appt went well. There is no advancement of further metastasis. So, the cancer remains in the lungs and bones for now. That is good news. Very good news. We were so concerned it might have moved onto other organs by now. So the new treatment plan is-start an oral chemotherapy medication, taken once a day. This will start next week, I assume, once the paperwork gets done on it. Radiation will done in the future for pain control, should the need arise. They are reluctant to do more radiation at this point, because there are no new areas of mets. We have started some new meds for pain and anxiety, and hopefully the new mix will help mom become more functional. She is having difficulty doing some regular daily activities, but with the new meds, and warmer temps, I think this will improve. Time will tell.......

Whats up with the rest of us?? Del & I are working full time. The boys are in school full time, and playing hockey full time. I five days, over this last weekend, the boys had 11 games between the two of them! No problem with them being inactive at the present time!!! I was on a stretch of days, so that meant Del and our friends chaffeurred the boys, while I got to be at work. It was almost a relief to be at work, away from the rink craziness; actually it was a relief! Both boys were in tournaments, along with regular league games. Kyle also played his first round of MAHA playoffs, and his team lost in 2 games. So, that eliminates them from that hockey. So, its regular league play and playoffs left for his team. Jayde's team is hosting MAHA final tournament this year, so they get an automatic bye into that weekend-first weekend in March. Should be some excellent hockey in town that weekend! I'm so excited for that team-they've actually had a good year this year. It's been a long time in coming for them!!

Del and I went to the Agricultural Show, 4 hours away, on Tuesday evening, till last evening. Del's main seed supplier had a supper on Tuesday, and held a booth there-so Del was invited to go. And I got to benefit as well. Wonderful supper. Got to meet some new people-which is always an interesting experience. Met some farmers from the south part of the province. Compared notes on our farm years. Hmmmm, they were almost dry last year! What a difference a few hours can make. Jayde and Kyle stayed at a friends house, and were looked after by a wonderful family!! What a blessing our friends are!!! (not just because they look after our kids!)

My mind is running dry.......its caught up in what I need to accomplish today. Tomorrow, I'm back at work for some overtime. There are so many shifts coming up, and with our lack of parttime and casual staff, there are numerous shifts not covered as of yet. And, mom was is scheduled for her IV infusion tomorrow, so I thought I might as well get paid for being there!! Kyle does not have hockey this weekend. Yet. Jayde has a game on Saturday, and on Sunday. I have an Ice Dawgs game on Saturday.

Yes, that is our life in a few paragraphs. same old, same old.....
Have a wonderful day!

Happy Birthday!

Good morning! I know its not morning for anyone else, but today, its my morning. I'm on night shift and in my world its morning. The sun is shining, but its rather deceptive-the wind chill was rather cold this morning. I was so excited when I checked the current weather at work, to see that school was cancelled today. I love getting an extra day at home with the boys! A few years ago it wasn't as exciting, but the kids are a perfect age to have them at home.

Almost 2 weeks since I've blogged! Time flies. What have we been doing? I am in a busy stretch at work. Del is working and farming. The boys are at school and playing hockey. That's it in a nutshell! Throw in a couple extra things and 24 hours in a day is not enough.

Jayde is doing well post-surgery. He played a full practice last night. He tells me he only backed off on one drill, and felt good. So that is wonderful news. He has 5 hockey games from tomorrow till Sunday. That should be enough.

Kyle is Kyle. Smiling and being my willing helper. His hockey practise is cancelled today due to the cold. He has 4 hockey games this weekend.

Yes, and the boys mother is working this weekend. That means that papa bear has a few hockey games to attend. Or find drivers for his boys! Or, as Jayde suggested, just let him take a vehicle and go. If only! Couple more years.

Today is a special day! Del's birthday! So, Happy Birthday, honey! What will it be for supper tonight?? Del's favorites-cheeseburgers and fries. Homemade, of course. And, I guess I better create something for dessert. Hmmm, can't decide what it will be. And the bonus is, that with no hockey tonight, we get to be together, until I go to work. But its my 8 hour night shift tonight, so its a seriously special evening. We're all together!! Everyone's invited for cake and ice cream!!

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!