We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly sitting and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, 'Hi.' He pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.
I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map.
We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. 'Hi there, baby; hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,' the man said to Erik.
My husband and I exchanged looks, 'What do we do?'
Erik continued to laugh and answer, 'Hi.'
Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, 'Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo.'
Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk.
My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid-row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments.
We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door. 'Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,' I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby's 'pick-me-up' position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man.
Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love and kinship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby's bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time.
I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, 'You take care of this baby.'
Somehow I managed, 'I will,' from a throat that contained a stone.
He pried Erik from his chest, lovingly and longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, 'God bless you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift.'
I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, 'My God, my God, forgive me.'
I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking, 'Are you willing to share your son for a moment?' when He shared His for all eternity.
The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, 'To enter the Kingdom of God , we must become as little children.' Sometimes, it takes a child to remind us of what is really important. We must always remember who we are, where we came from and, most importantly, how we feel about others. The clothes on your back or the car that you drive or the house that you live in does not define you at all; it is how you treat your fellow man that identifies who you are.
prayer update
My aunt just wrote this in an e-mail. Thanks so much for those of you who have been praying for my cousin.
------------
Last week Thursday we had the Occupational Therapist from Chedoke McMaster come to assess our house for suitability for Jesse to come for visits. Though our house is not completely wheelchair accessible she did not want us to make to many structural changes. She and the Physical Therapist have a very positive outlook for Jesse future. We have 2 ramps and have moved Jesse's room to the main floor and moved a TV & Computer to our main floor also. At this point the bathroom and backyard from our kitchen are the only non accessible areas for him.
The strength in Jesse's left leg is about a 4.5/5 and 2/5 for his right leg. We still do not know how much if any permanent damage was done by the swelling of his spine. We have been given a discharge from Chedoke of December 21/07. What a great Christmas present. At that point he will be going to either Shaver {in St. Catharines} Rehab or to a private Physical Therapist as an out patient.
There hope is that they can have a 1/2 leg brace made for his left leg and a full leg brace for his right made. This will give him sometime out of the wheelchair and sometime in it, when he is tired.
His second round of treatment is scheduled for Dec5th at McMaster. We are still waiting to hear about the MRI. We do have an appointment scheduled with the Neurologist in January.
His first full weekend home was last weekend and he had a full schedule. Friday we had dinner at Maureen and Don Ledwez's house and had our fill of steak {how did they know he loves steak?}. Saturday the family was busy rearranging things in the house. In the evening Jesse's friends picked him up to hangout. Sunday we went to church and went shopping in the States with Tyler and Grace. Came home for pizza and wings a dip in the hot tub before heading back to Chedoke.
Friday we as a family are picking Jesse up and going to Belleville to Cheer on James and the Eden Flyers as they compete in OFSAA Volleyball. We will stay till Saturday night if all goes well.
As quick as we all want the recovery to be this will be a long haul. A month and a half has come and gone. We Praise God that we see improvement and have hope. We know without a doubt that God has an amazing plan for Jesse and still desires to use him to glorify Himself.
Keep praying for healing and that his spirits are uplifted.
Please pray for the family too, as we try to keep it all together. Rudy is now done with his Job up North so he can be working in Niagara and live at home. James and Carly are doing great, however I am sure this is tough on them too. Work has been very busy for me, though they are very understanding, I still feel the need to be actively involved if they are giving me a pay cheque.
We as a family thank you so much for your continued prayers, support, doing our laundry {JUDY!!}, meals {ANNELISA} and all the calls, emails and “what can I do?”.
A special thank you to Ziggy and Harry for becoming us when we had to go to Colorado, it made it that much easier. Marlene for coming with us and Alvin for flying out and driving Jesse's car home with Rudy. Also Rudy's parents for taking so much time and visiting with Jesse when Rudy and I have to work.
As James said, "now I know what FAMILY is all about".
Lenore, Rudy, Jesse, James and Carly
------------
Last week Thursday we had the Occupational Therapist from Chedoke McMaster come to assess our house for suitability for Jesse to come for visits. Though our house is not completely wheelchair accessible she did not want us to make to many structural changes. She and the Physical Therapist have a very positive outlook for Jesse future. We have 2 ramps and have moved Jesse's room to the main floor and moved a TV & Computer to our main floor also. At this point the bathroom and backyard from our kitchen are the only non accessible areas for him.
The strength in Jesse's left leg is about a 4.5/5 and 2/5 for his right leg. We still do not know how much if any permanent damage was done by the swelling of his spine. We have been given a discharge from Chedoke of December 21/07. What a great Christmas present. At that point he will be going to either Shaver {in St. Catharines} Rehab or to a private Physical Therapist as an out patient.
There hope is that they can have a 1/2 leg brace made for his left leg and a full leg brace for his right made. This will give him sometime out of the wheelchair and sometime in it, when he is tired.
His second round of treatment is scheduled for Dec5th at McMaster. We are still waiting to hear about the MRI. We do have an appointment scheduled with the Neurologist in January.
His first full weekend home was last weekend and he had a full schedule. Friday we had dinner at Maureen and Don Ledwez's house and had our fill of steak {how did they know he loves steak?}. Saturday the family was busy rearranging things in the house. In the evening Jesse's friends picked him up to hangout. Sunday we went to church and went shopping in the States with Tyler and Grace. Came home for pizza and wings a dip in the hot tub before heading back to Chedoke.
Friday we as a family are picking Jesse up and going to Belleville to Cheer on James and the Eden Flyers as they compete in OFSAA Volleyball. We will stay till Saturday night if all goes well.
As quick as we all want the recovery to be this will be a long haul. A month and a half has come and gone. We Praise God that we see improvement and have hope. We know without a doubt that God has an amazing plan for Jesse and still desires to use him to glorify Himself.
Keep praying for healing and that his spirits are uplifted.
Please pray for the family too, as we try to keep it all together. Rudy is now done with his Job up North so he can be working in Niagara and live at home. James and Carly are doing great, however I am sure this is tough on them too. Work has been very busy for me, though they are very understanding, I still feel the need to be actively involved if they are giving me a pay cheque.
We as a family thank you so much for your continued prayers, support, doing our laundry {JUDY!!}, meals {ANNELISA} and all the calls, emails and “what can I do?”.
A special thank you to Ziggy and Harry for becoming us when we had to go to Colorado, it made it that much easier. Marlene for coming with us and Alvin for flying out and driving Jesse's car home with Rudy. Also Rudy's parents for taking so much time and visiting with Jesse when Rudy and I have to work.
As James said, "now I know what FAMILY is all about".
Lenore, Rudy, Jesse, James and Carly
trick or treat
jesse's "home"!
So, my cousin Jesse is now in Hamilton! He still has feeling in both legs and movement in his left leg. Please continue to pray that the swelling in his spine will disappear and he will regain total use of both legs. Also, please pray that he will stop losing weight.
what a mighty God we serve!
So, this has been an answer to prayer. Some of you may know that my cousin Jesse has been in the hospital for the past few weeks. He has regained feeling in both legs and movement in his left leg! We are waiting for him to be able to come home, but there needs to be a doctor willing to continue treating him and there needs to be a bed in a hospital in a rehab section. So, thanks so much to those of you who have been praying and please continue to pray for Jesse and his family.
update on prayer requests
So, my cousin is still in the hospital (although it's a different one). The current diagnosis is that he has longitudinal myelitis that is related to his Lupus. What is longitudinal myelitis? All I know is that it's a swelling of the spinal cord that may leave a person paralyzed. It's pretty serious. Sorry I can't say more, but that's all I know.
prayer requests
I have a couple prayer requests.
Briar (my sister-in-law) left for Africa this morning for a 10-day trip to see our friends Doug & Deanna Hiebert. So, I guess just for health and safety and that she won't feel so homesick that she won't enjoy the trip.
My family also got news this week that my cousin Jesse Klassen is in the hospital. He's a student at a Bible school in Colorodo. Over the weekend he had mentioned that his feet were tingling and that he was having problems urinating. While he was on a white water rafting trip that progressed to loss of feeling in his legs (although his feet still tingle). He is currently in a hospital in Denver. He was diagnosed with Lupus a few years back and this may be a flare up, but it's not a good thing even if it is a flare up. Those are all the details we know right now, but the more people praying for him and the family, the better.
Talk to you later.
Carolynn
Briar (my sister-in-law) left for Africa this morning for a 10-day trip to see our friends Doug & Deanna Hiebert. So, I guess just for health and safety and that she won't feel so homesick that she won't enjoy the trip.
My family also got news this week that my cousin Jesse Klassen is in the hospital. He's a student at a Bible school in Colorodo. Over the weekend he had mentioned that his feet were tingling and that he was having problems urinating. While he was on a white water rafting trip that progressed to loss of feeling in his legs (although his feet still tingle). He is currently in a hospital in Denver. He was diagnosed with Lupus a few years back and this may be a flare up, but it's not a good thing even if it is a flare up. Those are all the details we know right now, but the more people praying for him and the family, the better.
Talk to you later.
Carolynn
grapes, grapes and more grapes
 |
| Look at all the grapes (and the silly faces)! |
So, recently my mom took Kaityn & Berlin to pick grapes. As grape growers, it's great to know that the kids LOVE grapes and anything to do with them. These grapes were used to make grape juice for our family. It was a busy day for everyone (I made the juice - There were over 20 jars). The next time we have grape juice I should take a picture of their "grape mustaches". In our family, juice is not the only thing we do with grapes - we freeze them (great snack for the kids), make pies, juice, jelly, wine and ice-wine jelly. Yup, grapes are very versatile - and yummy!
first day of school
so, today is the first day of school (for Brock students). and it's off to a great start :S
our first class was cancelled, but most students didn't know that and the TAs were all there too, so it was just the prof that didn't show. and we didn't know why. i checked my brock e-mail after that class, and sure enough, there was an e-mail stating that the class was cancelled. we'll see how the rest of the day goes. on a different note, it was nice to see some familiar faces on campus. former classmates and friends are all back for another year of classes.
anyhow, just wanted to write something.
our first class was cancelled, but most students didn't know that and the TAs were all there too, so it was just the prof that didn't show. and we didn't know why. i checked my brock e-mail after that class, and sure enough, there was an e-mail stating that the class was cancelled. we'll see how the rest of the day goes. on a different note, it was nice to see some familiar faces on campus. former classmates and friends are all back for another year of classes.
anyhow, just wanted to write something.
friends
so in the course of my blog-hopping, i came across a poem that caused me to think back on the days when friends wasn't just on reruns. anyhow, hope you enjoy it as much as i did.
----------------------------------
friends
by Karl Siemens
i dreamed i was on friends last night, and all of them were there
it started at the coffee perk and all i could do was stare
they said they'd sent for me to come and wanted to let me know
just what they thought of life in general, now they'd cancelled the show.
ross just wanted to let me know he loved dear rachael still
but then got mad when she kissed joey and with red his face did fill
course rachael thought it was no big deal, he could go jump in a lake,
cause she remembered when he'd cheated on her, said ross, we were on a break!
i sat with phoebe for a while, and she played me a few tunes
about the darned old smelly cat and his darned old smelly fumes
she said she'd seen her twin lately, acutally the other day
and i quote her conversation here as "um yeah well um ok"
ross's bloody monkey kept trying to hump my leg
i guess he got him back from the zoo and didn't even have to beg
then he ran off into the street, with ross in quick persuit
then gunther brought more coffee there, which tasted like old boot.
ross got mad when gunther tried to talk to rachael there
but joey didn't notice 'cause he saw 2 girls with blonde hair
i pulled him aside and asked if he had something he was rueing
then threw up a little in my mouth when he said "how you doin'?"
luckily i saw that he spoke over my shoulder so rich
and when i turned not a blonde saw i but just a plain old sandwich
chandler said that was not odd, and could i really blame him
and i quote him here, "could he be... any MORE dim?"
the coffee house began to dim and i thought that i was leaving
just then janice showed up and nasally began heaving
ross and rachael were fighting then, and joey, he was eating
phoebe singing, gunther pining, chandler's humour fleeting
it faded out right into black and i woke up soon there after
but i'll never forget my visit to friends and how while we shared our laughter
monica had quitely moved around, arranging the coffee tumblers
and i cried a little for my friends, it made me a little humbler.
ten years was long enough, i guess, to be on tv
and they were tired of sharing their lives, were glad to be leaving
i'll always treasure the time we had amid the coffee perk clutter
and remember not to eat before bed, at least not banana and peanut butter.
----------------------------------
friends
by Karl Siemens
i dreamed i was on friends last night, and all of them were there
it started at the coffee perk and all i could do was stare
they said they'd sent for me to come and wanted to let me know
just what they thought of life in general, now they'd cancelled the show.
ross just wanted to let me know he loved dear rachael still
but then got mad when she kissed joey and with red his face did fill
course rachael thought it was no big deal, he could go jump in a lake,
cause she remembered when he'd cheated on her, said ross, we were on a break!
i sat with phoebe for a while, and she played me a few tunes
about the darned old smelly cat and his darned old smelly fumes
she said she'd seen her twin lately, acutally the other day
and i quote her conversation here as "um yeah well um ok"
ross's bloody monkey kept trying to hump my leg
i guess he got him back from the zoo and didn't even have to beg
then he ran off into the street, with ross in quick persuit
then gunther brought more coffee there, which tasted like old boot.
ross got mad when gunther tried to talk to rachael there
but joey didn't notice 'cause he saw 2 girls with blonde hair
i pulled him aside and asked if he had something he was rueing
then threw up a little in my mouth when he said "how you doin'?"
luckily i saw that he spoke over my shoulder so rich
and when i turned not a blonde saw i but just a plain old sandwich
chandler said that was not odd, and could i really blame him
and i quote him here, "could he be... any MORE dim?"
the coffee house began to dim and i thought that i was leaving
just then janice showed up and nasally began heaving
ross and rachael were fighting then, and joey, he was eating
phoebe singing, gunther pining, chandler's humour fleeting
it faded out right into black and i woke up soon there after
but i'll never forget my visit to friends and how while we shared our laughter
monica had quitely moved around, arranging the coffee tumblers
and i cried a little for my friends, it made me a little humbler.
ten years was long enough, i guess, to be on tv
and they were tired of sharing their lives, were glad to be leaving
i'll always treasure the time we had amid the coffee perk clutter
and remember not to eat before bed, at least not banana and peanut butter.
i've seen 109 out of 239 films
Supposedly, if you have seen more than 85 films, you have no life. Mark the ones you've seen. There are 239 films on this list. Copy this list, go to your own account, paste this as a note. Then, put x's next to the films you've seen, add them up, change the header adding your number, and click post at the bottom. Have fun.
( ) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest
( ) Boondock Saints
(x) Fight Club
(x) Starsky and Hutch
( ) Neverending Story
( ) Blazing Saddles
( ) Airplane
Total: 5 / 10 total so far: 5
(x) The Princess Bride
( ) Anchor Man
( ) Napoleon Dynamite
( ) Labyrinth
( ) Saw
( ) Saw II
( ) White Noise
(x) White Oleander
(x) Anger Management
(x) 50 First Dates
(x) The Princess Diaries
(x) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Total: 6 / 12 total so far: 11
( ) Scream
( ) Scream 2
( ) Scream 3
( ) Scary Movie
( ) Scary Movie 2
( ) Scary Movie 3
( ) Scary Movie 4
( ) American Pie
( ) American Pie 2
( ) American Wedding
( ) American Pie Band Camp
Total: 0 /11 total so far: 11
(x) Harry Potter 1
(x) Harry Potter 2
(x) Harry Potter 3
(x) Harry Potter 4
( ) Resident Evil 1
( ) Resident Evil 2
(x) The Wedding Singer
( ) Little Black Book
( ) The Village
(x) Lilo & Stitch
Total: 6 / 10 total so far: 17
(x) Finding Nemo
(x) Finding Neverland
(x) Signs
(x) The Grinch
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
(x) White Chicks
(x) Butterfly Effect
(x) 13 Going on 30
(x) I, Robot
( ) Robots
Total: 8 / 11 total so far: 25
( ) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
(x) Universal Soldier
(x) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
(x) Along Came Polly
(x) Deep Impact
( ) KingPin
(x) Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
(x) Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
( ) Joe Dirt
(x) KING KONG
Total: 8 / 12 total so far: 33
(x) A Cinderella Story
(x) The Terminal
(x) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
(x) Dumb & Dumber
( ) Dumber & Dumberer
( ) Final Destination
( ) Final Destination 2
( ) Final Destination 3
( ) Halloween
( ) The Ring
( ) The Ring 2
( ) Surviving X-MAS
(x) Flubber
Total: 5 / 14 total so far: 38
( ) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
(x) Practical Magic
(x) Chicago
( ) Ghost Ship
( ) From Hell
( ) Hellboy
( ) Secret Window
(x) I Am Sam
(x) The Whole Nine Yards
(x) The Whole Ten Yards
Total: 5 / 10 total so far: 43
( ) The Day After Tomorrow
( ) Child's Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
( ) Bride of Chucky
(x) Ten Things I Hate About You
( ) Just Married
( ) Gothika
( ) Nightmare on Elm Street
(x) Sixteen Candles
(x) Remember the Titans
(x) Coach Carter
( ) The Grudge
( ) The Grudge 2
(x) The Mask
( ) Son Of The Mask
Total: 5 / 15 total so far: 48
(x) Bad Boys
(x) Bad Boys 2
( ) Joy Ride
(x) Lucky Number Sleven
(x) Ocean's Eleven
(x) Ocean's Twelve
(x) Bourne Identity
( ) Bourne Supremecy
( ) Lone Star
( ) Bedazzled
( ) Predator I
( ) Predator II
( ) The Fog
(x) Ice Age
( ) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
(x) Curious George
Total: 8 / 16 total so far: 56
(x) Independence Day
( ) Cujo
( ) A Bronx Tale
( ) Darkness Falls
( ) Christine
(x) ET
( ) Children of the Corn
( ) My Bosses Daughter
(x) Maid in Manhattan
(x) War of the Worlds
(x) Rush Hour
(x) Rush Hour 2
Total: 6 / 12 total so far: 62
( ) Best Bet
(x) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
(x) She's All That
( ) Calendar Girls
( ) Sideways
( ) Mars Attacks
( ) Event Horizon
(x) Ever After
(x) Wizard of Oz
(x) Forrest Gump
( ) Big Trouble in Little China
(x) The Terminator
(x) The Terminator 2
(x) The Terminator 3
Total: 9 / 14 total so far: 70
(x) X-Men
(x) X-2
( ) X-3
(x) Spider-Man
(x) Spider-Man 2
(x) Sky High
( ) Jeepers Creepers
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
(x) Catch Me If You Can
(x) The Little Mermaid
(x) Freaky Friday
( ) Reign of Fire
( ) The Skulls
(x) Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
( ) The Hot Chick
(x) Shrek
( ) Shrek 2
Total: 10 / 16 total so far: 80
( ) Swimfan
( ) Miracle on 34th street
( ) Old School
(x) The Notebook
(x) K-Pax
( ) Krippendorf's Tribe
(x) A Walk to Remember
( ) Ice Castles
( ) Boogeyman
( ) The 40-year-old Virgin
Total: 3 / 10 total so far: 83
(x) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(x) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(x) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(x) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Total: 6 / 6 total so far: 89
( ) Baseketball
( ) Hostel
( ) Waiting for Guffman
( ) House of 1000 Corpses
( ) Devils Rejects
(x) Elf
( ) Highlander
( ) Mothman Prophecies
( ) American History X
( ) Three
Total: 1 / 10 total so far: 90
( ) The Jacket
( ) Kung Fu Hustle
( ) Shaolin Soccer
( ) Night Watch
(x) Monsters Inc.
(x) Titanic
(x) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
( ) Shaun Of the Dead
( ) Willard
Total: 3 / 9 total so far: 93
( ) High Tension
( ) Club Dread
(x) Hulk
( ) Dawn Of the Dead
(x) Hook
(x) Chronicles Of Narnia The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
( ) 28 days later
( ) Orgazmo
( ) Phantasm
(x) Waterworld
Total: 4/ 10 total so far: 97
(x) Kill Bill vol 1
(x) Kill Bill vol 2
( ) Mortal Kombat
( ) Wolf Creek
(x) Kingdom of Heaven
( ) the Hills Have Eyes
( ) I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
( ) The Last House on the Left
( ) Re-Animator
( ) Army of Darkness
Total: 3 / 10 total so far: 100
(x) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(x) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(x) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(x) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
( ) Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
( ) Ewoks The Battle For Endor
Total: 6 / 8 total so far: 106
(x) The Matrix
(x) The Matrix Reloaded
(x) The Matrix Revolutions
( ) Animatrix
( ) Evil Dead
( ) Evil Dead 2
( ) Team America: World Police
( ) Red Dragon
( ) Silence of the Lambs
( ) Hannibal
Total: 3 / 10 total so far: 109
Now Add them up and...
TOTAL: 109 / 239
Put "I've seen 109 out of 239 films" in the subject line and repost it
margita was here!
So, my friend Margita was here this past long weekend. We met in 2004 when we were volunteers with Servicio Voluntario Menonita in Paraguay. We worked together at the day care. Since May she has been living near Edmonton with her brother so that she can obtain her Canadian citizenship. She flew into Hamilton airport on Thursday afternoon and returned to Edmonton on Monday night. We had a great weekend - we did lots of things, but it was still relaxing.
Friday I had to get the exhaust system on my car replaced, but we sat and chatted the whole time. In the afternoon we got pedicures. I had to go to my friend's wedding (see previous post), but we watched some TV and chatted for a while when I got back.
Saturday we went to the Falls for the day. We did the "tourist thing" for a while. We also stopped off at the smallest church in the world - it is a legal church with a pastor and everything (although they meet somewhere in the Falls on Sunday mornings). We had a picnic along the Niagara Parkway before heading home. In the evening I had invited a few of my german-speaking girl friends over to hang out for a while. I think it went well and Margita really seemed to enjoy it.
Sunday morning we went to church and then drove up to Brock to see the campus. My family was all over for lunch and then we had "mittag schlaf" (afternoon sleep). In the evening we went out for an evening of music and wine - the Niagara Intermation Chamber Music Festival's Brazillian Ball was on in the Loyalist Room at Queen's Landing Hotel.
On Monday we went to the Welland Canal Museum. Then we headed into town - Historic Niagara-on-the-Lake. We walked up and down the streets, went shopping, ate ice cream at Taylor's, and had a great time. We also drove around a while and looked at orchards and vineyards. Later in the afternoon we came home and went swimming before Margita had to finish packing and we had to go to the airport.
I'm so glad that she could come and visit. And I look forward to heading to Edmonton to visit her some time soon.
Friday I had to get the exhaust system on my car replaced, but we sat and chatted the whole time. In the afternoon we got pedicures. I had to go to my friend's wedding (see previous post), but we watched some TV and chatted for a while when I got back.
Saturday we went to the Falls for the day. We did the "tourist thing" for a while. We also stopped off at the smallest church in the world - it is a legal church with a pastor and everything (although they meet somewhere in the Falls on Sunday mornings). We had a picnic along the Niagara Parkway before heading home. In the evening I had invited a few of my german-speaking girl friends over to hang out for a while. I think it went well and Margita really seemed to enjoy it.
Sunday morning we went to church and then drove up to Brock to see the campus. My family was all over for lunch and then we had "mittag schlaf" (afternoon sleep). In the evening we went out for an evening of music and wine - the Niagara Intermation Chamber Music Festival's Brazillian Ball was on in the Loyalist Room at Queen's Landing Hotel.
On Monday we went to the Welland Canal Museum. Then we headed into town - Historic Niagara-on-the-Lake. We walked up and down the streets, went shopping, ate ice cream at Taylor's, and had a great time. We also drove around a while and looked at orchards and vineyards. Later in the afternoon we came home and went swimming before Margita had to finish packing and we had to go to the airport.
I'm so glad that she could come and visit. And I look forward to heading to Edmonton to visit her some time soon.
summer time
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| Watermelon is a favourite summer treat. |
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| This is Rowan enjoying his birthday cupcake. |
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| Chasing bubbles. |
my bad...
OK, so I'm not the world's most reliable blogger. Let's see...
In June I went on several outings with the grade one/two class where I volunteered all year (we went to see a play, we went to Happy Rolph's (a local petting zoo) and we went to Marineland). I finished the spring course I was taking. I celebrated a birthday. I had a chance to relax a little. Several relatives from Paraguay came to visit. My nephew turned one. I got a pedicure. I wrote an exam. I babysat.
In July I went out for coffee with a friend. I went to a movie with my sister. I started a summer course called Earth Sciences (learning about types of rocks and minerals, volcanos and earthquakes). I babysat. I went to a movie with my brother. I started tutoring 2 grade one students. I got new lenses for my glasses (and they're expensive). I house sat for a friend of mine (and I think I killed her plants).
Right now I should be doing homework, so I'm gonna sign off.
Chau for now.
In June I went on several outings with the grade one/two class where I volunteered all year (we went to see a play, we went to Happy Rolph's (a local petting zoo) and we went to Marineland). I finished the spring course I was taking. I celebrated a birthday. I had a chance to relax a little. Several relatives from Paraguay came to visit. My nephew turned one. I got a pedicure. I wrote an exam. I babysat.
In July I went out for coffee with a friend. I went to a movie with my sister. I started a summer course called Earth Sciences (learning about types of rocks and minerals, volcanos and earthquakes). I babysat. I went to a movie with my brother. I started tutoring 2 grade one students. I got new lenses for my glasses (and they're expensive). I house sat for a friend of mine (and I think I killed her plants).
Right now I should be doing homework, so I'm gonna sign off.
Chau for now.
june is coming...
I can't believe that it is the last day of May. It is completely crazy how the time flies. So, what's going on with me?
Well, yesterday I successfully dropped off my sister at the airport and made it back home. Anyone who knows me, also knows that I am directionally challenged. But I didn't get lost - I didn't even make a wrong turn. I was quite excited.
I am currently taking a spring course at Brock. That has been very busy. It condenses a 12 week semester into 5 weeks. It's crazy, the exam in due in two weeks - the course is more than half done.
So far I haven't been able to find a job. But I've been busy helping around the house. Doing laundry, making dinners, cleaning the house, baking for the family, helping mom in the garden. Yup, life as a domestic diva. Craziness.
Ummm... I gotta go. I know it isn't much, but it is something.
Maybe next month will be better.
Well, yesterday I successfully dropped off my sister at the airport and made it back home. Anyone who knows me, also knows that I am directionally challenged. But I didn't get lost - I didn't even make a wrong turn. I was quite excited.
I am currently taking a spring course at Brock. That has been very busy. It condenses a 12 week semester into 5 weeks. It's crazy, the exam in due in two weeks - the course is more than half done.
So far I haven't been able to find a job. But I've been busy helping around the house. Doing laundry, making dinners, cleaning the house, baking for the family, helping mom in the garden. Yup, life as a domestic diva. Craziness.
Ummm... I gotta go. I know it isn't much, but it is something.
Maybe next month will be better.
skating lessons
So, my niece, Kaityn took skating lessons again this year - she was even in the club's showcase event. Here are some pics of her in action and also of her audience.
easter
Well, I guess it's time to play some catch up. Our family celebrated Easter on April 15. We had a white Easter (in contrast to our green Christmas), so the Easter egg hunt had to be held inside. The girls had a lot of fun finding their eggs and showing off their Easter outfits. Rowan, well, he enjoyed turning a little red-neck by wearing Uncle Gary's John Deere hat.
a dirty little secret
I won't post a picture of my room, but this poem definitely reflects it right now. Those who will be looking through my scrapbook sometime in the future will see the disaster area known as "Carolynn's room" because I have taken a few pictures and will be putting them into my scrapbook along with this poem.weddings and exams
Alright, so Saturday, April 21, 2007 is a day I will never forget. My friend, Vittoria, got hitched. It was a great day outside, the sun was shining and it was warm. The ceremony was beautiful. But instead of heading to the reception hall at 5:30 for the receiving line and reception, I had to head to Brock to write an exam. Yes, it's true. My exam was scheduled from 7-10pm on Saturday night. I had approached the professor about this conflict, but he didn't seem to be in a generous mood and said I had to be there. So, that's where I was while my friends were enjoying the fabulous food. Of course, I went to my exam completely dressed up (hair, make up, dress, heels) in the hopes of making the professor feel a bit guilty. Everyone must have thought I was crazy, but that's the way it goes. So, I finished my exam in approximately one-and-a-half hours and ran out of there as quickly as I could. I got to the reception hall as the tables were being cleared, but I got my plate of yummy food and then got on the dance floor (that must've been a funny sight, since I DON'T dance). But I had a blast and it was a great way to work off the stress of the day. Thank goodness it was my last exam (at least until my spring and summer courses start).
procrastination
So, over the last couple of weeks I haven't really posted anything really significant. Today is no exception. I am a university student and am in the midst of final exams. This means hours and hours of studying. So, what am I doing right now? I am procrastinating. I need a break from biology (cancer is not a fun topic, neither is the effects of cocaine on the human brain). I shouldn't be on the computer because time flies too quickly when I'm on it, but it's drizzly weather outside, my family is still in Leamington and I am very tired. OK, so now that I've vented, I should probably go and hit the books again because my biology exam is tomorrow morning. In less than 24 hours I won't need to know any of the stuff I'm studying... how depressing is that. Oh well, time to get my butt in gear and try and learn this stuff for the exam. Later.
Blog Tag
I just got blog tagged by Lisa Schmidt.
Here are the rules: Each player of this game starts with the 'six weird things about me' blog post. People who get tagged need to write their own six weird things post and state the rules clearly. At the end of the post, tag six more people and don’t forget to leave a comment on their blog to tell them they have been tagged and tell them to read your blog.
Okay ... people to tag ... Bean, Grover, Moose, Dave, Lisa R,... um... I guess I'm out of people to tag. I don't know enough bloggers.
Here are the rules: Each player of this game starts with the 'six weird things about me' blog post. People who get tagged need to write their own six weird things post and state the rules clearly. At the end of the post, tag six more people and don’t forget to leave a comment on their blog to tell them they have been tagged and tell them to read your blog.
1) I have no sense of smell. Can't smell skunks, stinky diapers, or manure, but also can't smell flowers, coffee or perfume.
2) I am allergic to onions and garlic, but one of my favourite foods is garlic-cheese bread.
3) I don't tolerate pain well unless it comes in the form of a massage.
4) I enjoy being organized and doing paperwork, except when it comes to my room (my room is a disaster area).
5) I love to travel, but hate sight-seeing.
6) I get really excited about buying things for "missions" (i.e. Operation Christmas Child, MCC relief kits, children's shelters and day cares in South America, etc.). I often go over my original budget because I have so much fun picking out stuff.
Okay ... people to tag ... Bean, Grover, Moose, Dave, Lisa R,... um... I guess I'm out of people to tag. I don't know enough bloggers.
spring is in the air...
I can't believe that spring is here. We have heather, snow drops and crocuses already blooming and hyacinths aren't far behind. Yesterday we had some great thunderstorms (lots of lightning - it was gorgeous). Anyhow, just thought I'd put in my two cents worth.
Forgotten Language - by Shel Silverstein
Once I spoke the language of the flowers,
Once I understood each word the caterpillar said,
Once I smiled in secret at the gossip of the starlings,
And shared a conversation with the housefly in my bed.
Once I heard and answered all the questions of the crickets,
And joined the crying of each falling dying flake of snow,
Once I spoke the language of the flowers. . . .
How did it go?
How did it go?
Jesus Was A Pedophile
A friend of mine sent this to me, and I thought it was quite profound.
Forsaken on the cross, a twisted bloody figure drops his head in exhaustion and pain. First the public beating at the hands of the government. Then the walk of shame through the town to the place of execution. Then being spat upon, finally after being hung on a cross with huge spikes through forearms and feet. The Middle-Eastern sun is brutally hot, even this early in the morning. Flowing blood quickly dries to a sticky crust as it trickles down arms, legs, and face. The rough wood digs into the open flesh on his back, torn open by whips and fists. The soldiers at his feet spend their time controlling the crowd, laughing and joking with each other, and mocking the criminals on public display.
Not only is he being crucified – the most painful and humiliating way to die known to man – his father, his daddy, cannot stand to look at him and what he has become. You see, at this moment, the perfect son of God has become a pedophile, an adulterer, a thief, a whore, and a liar. In taking all the sins of mankind – every sin committed to date, and every sin to come – Jesus Christ BECAME sin. He embodied every single sin, known and unknown, public and secret.
Why did Jesus have to die? For that answer we must dig into the Old Testament of the Bible. According to the spiritual laws of the time, a perfect animal (one with no blemishes or defects) had to be sacrificed to attone for the sins of the one bringing the sacrifice. The “sin offering” as it was called was REQUIRED to be perfect to symbolize the holiness and purity of God. Jesus, when he died, had commited no sins, and was therefore perfect as well. This is the reason he died. And he died willingly so that we have a chance to go to heaven. If not we would be condemned to Hell.
However, even though this is well known to Christians, there are still many issues that come up. We have been saved from an endless horror of pain, guilt, and shame with no chance to “make it better.” We KNOW this (or at least claim to) yet there are so many cases of us acting WORSE then those we call non-christians. The one that I personally have the biggest problem with is judgment. Now before I continue I will admit I am very guilty of this too.
Every single time we look at someone and judge them for what they do (lie, smoke, drink, do drugs, sleep around, whatever) you are casting that same judgment on Jesus Christ himself. When you see a prostitute on the street corner and scorn her for her lifestyle choice, you are scorning Jesus himself. When you look at the washed-out drug addict and feel so much better then him, you are feeling that much better then Jesus. When you look at ANYONE else and think to yourself “I am better then him/her because __________” you are thinking you are better then Jesus. You see, far more then you realize, these people are like you. They have things they enjoy. They hate themselves for the destructive behavior they’re in, but can’t seem to get out of. In fact, I am willing to say with confidence that habits are just habits. They reflect nothing on the PERSON, other then the depth of the pain that they are in.
Jesus said “Whatever you do for the least of these, you do unto me.” Often we use this verse to promote charity and “good works” for the lost. However, The Word is a two-edged sword. If we do good things for the poor, we are doing the right thing. If we scorn them, ostracize them, or ignore them…we are doing the same to the very God we serve.
So was Jesus a Pedophile? For a moment in time yes. Was he a pedophile during his life on earth? NO, absolutely not! So why did I choose that as a title? For one reason, and one only. To grab your attention, suck you into reading this and – hopefully – make you think.
You see, Jesus was controversy. He spoke it parables, saying things that forced people to think outside the norm. I think its sad that we have sanitized Jesus. To paraphrase some author (I don’t remember who) the North American church has done is remove the teeth and claws from a lion and stick him in a cage. Is he still a lion? OF course. Is there any danger? Nope, we’ve taken the danger away…we’ve made him safe…and, in effect, taken away the power as well.
more about me...
What were you doing 10 years ago?
Attending BBI in
What were you doing 1 year ago?
Five snacks you enjoy:
1. crackers & cheese
2. Reese Peanut Butter Cups
3. hot apple cider
4. frozen grapes or cherries or blueberries
5. smoothies
Five songs to which you know all the lyrics:
1. I'm From The Country by Tracy Byrd
2. Shout to the Lord by Darlene Zschech
3. Who’s the King of the Jungle?/Quién es el rey de la selva? by Troy & Genie Nilsson
4. My God is so Big/Mi dios es tan grande
5. Creation Calls
Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
1. Go to
2. Go to
3. Go to
4. Go to
5. Set up a fund so I could give more to charity
Five bad habits:
1. Reading when I should be doing homework
2. Blogging when I should be doing homework
3. Sewing when I should be doing homework
4. Letting my room get really messy
5. Procrastination
Five things you like doing:
1. Read
2. Watch movies
3. Hang out with friends
4. Play with my nieces and nephew
5. Relax in a hot tub
Five things you would never wear again:
1. Spandex
2. Pants with a tapered leg
3. Plaid flannel shirts
4. Overalls
5. Crocs
Five favourite toys:
1. my cameras
2. my slow cooker
3. my sudoku puzzles
4. my computer
5. Stuffie – the stuffed animal on my bed
more of life...
So I was at the Wellness Centre yesterday. They suspect it's a compression of the cyatic nerve that's causing the numbness in my foot. So after some poking and prodding, I was given some stretches and instructions. I will be going back on Thursday. Today I am quite sore and stiff, but there hasn't been too much numbness. Anyhow, I gotta go and ice my back, but I thought I'd share this bit of info.
Yee haw!! Let's go to Avalanche Ranch!!
Here is some of what the kids learned throughout the week.
life... or something like it
Here's an update on what's going on in my life. Things are not going well. On February 27, I fell on the ice while shovelling my driveway. At that point, I bruised my tailbone. I did see a chiropracter at that time, but he was hesitant to do some of the work because of the swelling. I have been having migraines since then. I think in part due to the pressure changes in the weather, in part due to my back, and in part stress. I have been seeing a doctor about my migraines. With the meds I'm on, I'm not allowed to take anything else for 6-8 hours after I take a dosage. These meds take away the migraine, but not the headaches which stem from a different source than the migraines do. So when I take the meds, I can't take anything to control the headaches or the back pain.
Yesterday (Saturday) I started getting a numbing sensation in my right foot. At first I just thought it was the way I had slept or the way I was sitting. This sensation has persisted and I will be going to the Wellness Centre in Niagara Falls today. They have several different things going on there including Chiropractor and Acupressure/puncture. I'm hoping it's just a pinched nerve that they'll be able to fix, but we'll see.
Anyhow, I just wanted to let y'all know what's going on.
Yesterday (Saturday) I started getting a numbing sensation in my right foot. At first I just thought it was the way I had slept or the way I was sitting. This sensation has persisted and I will be going to the Wellness Centre in Niagara Falls today. They have several different things going on there including Chiropractor and Acupressure/puncture. I'm hoping it's just a pinched nerve that they'll be able to fix, but we'll see.
Anyhow, I just wanted to let y'all know what's going on.
God's Wheel
Sometimes I wish I was in control. I don't like not knowing exactly what my future holds and why things happen the way they do, but here's a little perspective...
God's Wheel
by Shel Silverstein
God says to me with a kind of smile,
"Hey how would you like to be God awhile
And steer the world?"
"Okay," says I, "I'll give it a try.
Where do I set?
How much do I get?
What time is lunch?
When can I quit?"
"Gimme back that wheel," says God.
"I don't think you're quite ready yet."
God's Wheel
by Shel Silverstein
God says to me with a kind of smile,
"Hey how would you like to be God awhile
And steer the world?"
"Okay," says I, "I'll give it a try.
Where do I set?
How much do I get?
What time is lunch?
When can I quit?"
"Gimme back that wheel," says God.
"I don't think you're quite ready yet."
the march madness...
So, March 1 was Mikol's birthday. I'll be nice and won't divulge his age to you. Anyhow, despite the nasty weather, we had a nice time. I went over to his place and gave him his birthday presents and we watched some TV and a movie. It was quiet, subdued and relaxed. This post is in orange in honour of him. Earlier on Thursday, my friend Vittoria came over and we dyed her hair and hung out for a while. I think her hair looks really amazing and she was happy to have it back to something close to her natural colour.
Friday was spent doing homework and reading. Saturday was much of the same until my sister-in-law, Briar called me up to do her hair. That was a nice break. I got so see the kids and also was one of the first to hear some big news (I'm not sure I'm allowed to spread it - so I won't).
Today was very quiet. Earlier in the week I had bruised my tailbone and the way I slept last night re-aggrivated the pain. So I've been flat on my back most of the day. Hopefully I'll sleep flat on my back tonight so that I'll be able to go to classes with a minimal amount of pain. Anyhow, I'm gonna head to bed now. See ya soon.
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