Happy Birthday, Tom!!!!!!

It's Tom's birthday today and I sure hope he's having a good one. I think Tan had some plans up her sleeve to make it a fun day for him. Love you, Tom!!

Well, I'm not sure what's up with me the last week. I'm feeling anxious and restless, and that's not like me... I want to be home all the time and I know that's not possible, so tomorrow it's back to work, but I don't want to go... And that's not like me, either!! On one hand, my doctor is getting upset with me because I'm taking so much prednizone (which has the side effect of sleeplessness) and, with the other hand, she keeps pushing sleeping pills on me (which I don't want to take!) to, hopefully, give me a good night's sleep so I don't need the prednizone!! The prednizone offers me no options - for some reason, I have needed it a lot over the past month, I don't know why but, if I need it, I have to take it. A swollen airway only gets worse by itself, not better....

Sorry about that little pity party - just use it as a point of prayer for me, I guess. It's so frustrating...

Anyway, I was feeling really blah today, so Floyd and I got out of the house and I showed him HomeSense. I'd forgotten how much I love that store - hate Winners, but love HomeSense, go figure! They have so many unusual things that you wouldn't see in other stores... From there, we went to Safeway and to Linens 'n Things (just looking...). Then I saw... ha ha...they had the dishes that I just love on sale!! Buy one, get the second for half price. Oh, I knew I shouldn't (still haven't got Stave back from the garage yet!!) but in the end, yes...I did... The green dishes I have now, I have had forever! Tanya, do you remember the year I bought them? You were working at the store - they were doing some kind of clearance, remember? They were a really good set (and still are!) but they were lasting forever!! Ha ha... Tanya, does that place that takes clothes down there, need dishes? Because I don't want to just give these away if there's someone there that can use them... Let me know. Okay, are you ready to see my new dishes? I just love the pattern but the photo doesn't really do them justice:



What do you think? I think I might look for some pretty placemats, as well, to go with them...but we'll see...

Take me with you.......pleeeeeeease??

Wow...everyone's going on mission trips!! Mandy set the ball rolling four years ago, Kristy and Bob picked it up about a month ago (going to South Africa!) and now it's been handed over to Cassie (my beautiful niece!) who's going to Pichilemu, Chile, to do her Discipleship Training School with Mandy and Jorge in September!!! I'm so happy for you, Cass, and so proud of you!!! It's taking a big step towards your commitment to the Lord and your choice to follow Him at all costs! It's not easy to just up and leave your comfort zone (and everything that you've ever known) to go to a foreign land (although you will love Chile!!). I wanna go on a DTS!!! Honeeeey??? Can weeeeee??? Ha ha...well, in His time and when He calls. If it happens, I'm there!

In the meantime, Cass (sorry but this blog is turning into a message for Cass - hope she sees it, LOL!) - keep your eyes on Jesus, your mind on His will for your life, your focus on preparing for the trip, your love for Him alone, your moments for His leading, your ears for hearing His voice, and your strength for walking every second, every minute in the path He's set before you! I love you so much...

Let's do a "chick-flick" night, okay?? Either go out or watch movies at my place (Samantha, wanna come?) Love you guys!!

Okay, Okay, I'll admit it....

...I judge a book by it's cover - I so do!!! And, not only that, but I have found that I judge a wine by it's label!! (Mandy, back me up here!!) I thought that I did but found when in Chile, looking at their wines, that I was drawn to the pretty or unusual labels - who cares what they taste like - LOL!!

Well, when we got back, our Chilean neighbor heard of my hankering towards sweet wines (no, I'm talking really sweet wines here!!) and gave me a bottle of Late Harvest - a Chilean wine that is made from "late picked grapes selected for ripeness and balance" - meaning it is made from the tiny little grapes that are allowed to stay on the vine the longest (their version of ice wines seeing as they don't get cold enough temps to make ice wine). Well, it was awesome, so, as Floyd was buying some of "his" wine today, I thought I'd check out some more Late Harvest (yes, the bottle he gave me is gone already, but it's only 375 ml!!). Anyway, sorry I'm rambling here.... I found and bought the Late Harvest but also saw another that perked my interest - folks, I confess, this one was purchased solely for the label!! And, look Kristy!! It's made to go with shepherd's pie!! How could I resist?? I'll let you know how the Llama tastes!! LOL!

Okay...on the same topic! Saw another wine that I just couldn't buy (even though half of me really, really wanted to!) solely because of the label!! Are you ready? Here it is (internet photo, so I hope you can make it out...):


Can you? "Cat's Pee on a Gooseberry Bush"!!!! ROTFLOL!!! Not sure I could drink it....

Maxin' and Relaxin'...

The last two days have been really lazy days for me - yesterday I was still recuperating from whatever attacked me the day before. My stomach felt better but I had a killer headache. I was starting to get better around supper time. I had a call from Julie early in the day, who said she was in town and might stop by, and, sure enough, she did - just as Floyd 's men's group started. She brought (tow-truck driver) Tom, with her (ha ha) - it was my first time meeting him and he seems really nice. He better be 'cause if he hurts my Jules, I might have to hunt him down.... Julie looked really great - has lost over 40 lbs now - on Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers. I'm debating switching from the Core Plan to the Flex Plan with Weight Watchers - just for a week - to see if I like it better. Although the bottom line is that if I stuck with either I would lose the weight...that's where self-discipline comes in and the Lord's working on that (me, too!).

Anyway, we had a good visit - I wish now I'd taken a photo of her (seeing as a Julie sighting is a rare thing!) but there you go... It'll have to wait until KB and I go on a road trip to Peace River, I guess. That and an auction, KB - put it on your agenda!! We're waaaay overdue for both! Speaking of "rare sighting", Julie has a photo she's going to email me that (if she ever does!) I will have to post on here! Wait for it!!!

Oh, I also talked online with Mandy and Jorge yesterday and today - not for long but any contact with them is great! If you haven't checked out their website lately, do so for Mandy's latest adventure! She'll have to write a book one day on her South American experiences!!

So, yeah, most of my day today was finishing laundry, knitting slippers (finally a pair for myself - sorry everyone, you're next!!) and watching CSI:Miami. Just finished Season 2 and starting Season 3 which, according to Kristy and Jorge is the best season so far... I was NOT impressed with the first episode but Jorge had warned me it was coming, so that helped a bit! I need to get back into scrapbooking - I think I'm going to start with Mandy's Canadian wedding and go from there. Soon - maybe my next set of days off...

Still no news from the doctor - I must confess I'm anxious and bugging Floyd about it - maybe it's because people keep asking us for updates, I don't know... Or maybe it's just 'cause I want it out and over with before it gets worse... Sorry, honey. Bottom line is that doctors take their sweet time and I have to learn patience....

This evening is just gonna be a relaxin' one, I think... It sure feels good.

"Sick as a dog...

...but having the time of my life!" Sorry, couldn't resist the Gomer Pyle quote (when he's riding in the back seat of Barney's new car).

I woke up yesterday around noon really feeling sick. Vomited a few times and crawled back to bed. Gross. I spent the entire day and evening alternating between the couch and bed, rambling and moaning to myself (sorry, Floyd - can anyone tell me why, when you're sick, it makes you feel better if you moan to yourself?? Or am I the only one who does it? Eeeek...). I managed to keep down a couple of crackers and some ice tea but that was it.

Good news (thank the Lord!) is that I'm feeling better today. Now I need to start catching up on my to-do list. Nah, it can wait... My onces for work went well, but seeing as I got sick after eating avocado, I may have to wait on having it again for awhile.

I heard back from the car place where Staven is - it was a timing belt. So, I'm thinking..."a belt, how much can that be...$10, $20...?" Wrong! Over $1000 and you know that'll increase... Sick... Oh, well, what can you do... "Another day older and deeper in debt"

Re Floyd (read his blog if you haven't heard the news...), we're waiting to hear from the doctor to find out when the surgery is scheduled for. He's doing fine and feeling great, so we are thankful...

That's it for now, I just don't feel like writing more. Sorry....

Sorry, folks, for some reason my last post (Ups and Downs) didn't allow comments - fixed now...send me your tears, KB!! LOL!

I've updated my Photoblog (at last!) with pics from our trip (Album:Trip to Chile) and some of this past weekend (Album:March 2007)

More later!

Ups and downs....

Well, today was interesting... I decided to come home during my lunch break to say goodbye to Tanya, Tom and the kids (as they were sleeping when I left at 5:30 a.m.) and on my way back to work, my car died... Yes, my new "son", Staven, just gave up the ghost on Mayfield road. I don't know what happened but I was thankful that I was at least able to coast into a turning lane to get most of him out of the driving lane. I called work, then AMA and had to wait over an hour for a tow. Then I had it towed to the garage, got a cab to home, picked up Floyd's truck (no one was home) and drove back to work. I was really thankful for the fact that we have three vehicles so I have wheels while he's being fixed. I'm praying it won't be too much money... But then, it's only money and the past few days we've been realizing more and more that "things" are not the most important issues in life. Anyway, I got back to work about 3:40 p.m. and were they ever glad to see me!! I'm so glad it was a Sunday afternoon and not a Friday night!

Tonight, I spoke to Tanya, Kristy, and Mandy - how good that the first two got safefully home after our weekend together and how wonderful to know that Mandy and Jorge are doing well. I am blown away by God's faithfulness to our girls and family in general, especially as I feel that I so often fail Him. There's so much going on right now - an underlying testing of our faiths that I feel is far from over yet - I wish I could share more on this blog but not right now....soon....

Interjection - quote from a rock singer on TV - "Here's to Hell - may we have as much fun there as we had getting there!". Wow. Incredible that people can be so flippant about their eternities....

Just have to pay tribute to a few people here....

Tanya - thank you for being an incredible, incredible mother to your five little ones. I know I've told you this one before, but literally every moment I spend with you, watching you interact with them, just makes me stand in awe of the Godly woman and loving mother you are to them. I want to bless you, bless you, bless you for what you are doing to eternally affect their little lives.

Tom - thank you for loving my daughter and our grandchildren as only you can do. You impact their every waking moment with your love and wisdom, and every sleeping moment with your prayers. I could not imagine Tanya without you at her side.

Kristy - watching you blossom over the past few weeks is fantastic. You are putting everything that you hold dear on the line as you plan to follow God to Africa - Africa!!! In a million years, I wouldn't have thought you would be excited about something like that. God, forgive my lack of faith. I have seen a joy in your face, heard an excitement in your voice, and witnessed an incredible metamorphis in your very being, as you anticipate stepping from your comfort zone of all comfort zones, to do what you believe God is telling you to do! I want to commend you from the bottom of my heart and bless you, as well, for "picking up your cross" and following the Lord.

Bob - absolutely incredible. For all your "not putting up a false front" - LOL. Seriously though, I have recently seen a side of you that I have never seen before. You've been officially in our family for over six years and I am now seeing a "Bob" that causes me to give thanks over and over again to the only One who could have made this change possible. The only One who could take a man who (I felt) was wrapped up in material possessions (and I don't mean that in a bad way - we all get attached to what we have), throw aside all those things, rip open his heart and implant a vision for missions! Only God could do that in a life. But that life has to be willing. The man has to be listening. And I have seen that in you. Bob, I'm praying for you as never before - because I am so excited about what God is doing in your life - so excited! God bless you, Bob!

That's it. For now. I haven't forgotten Mandy and Jorge - just right now, I want to bless and commend the other four. I have talked and written about Mandy and Jorge before and I know I will again soon. (Thanks for calling tonight, Mandy! I love you soooo much!!).

I need to get to bed because I've been up for too many hours. Tomorrow I'm taking food to work for a Chilean onces. I'll blog more Tuesday to let you know how that went....

Leaving you with these few pics.... My blessings from Heaven...












I am sooooo blessed.....

The joys of coloring....

Well, this week has been an adventure in faith for our family. More on that later....

Tanya, Tom and the children were due to come up Friday night for a Saturday wedding on Tom's side of the family. We were so pleased that, in the end, they were able to come up Wednesday night instead, which allowed them to spend two full days with Floyd and I. I'm working days Saturday and Sunday, so if they hadn't arrived early, I wouldn't have seen hardly anything of them. Kellen and Amelie have both changed so much since we've seen them. Amelie is talking up a storm and so well behaved now (she went through some "interesting times" when she was two - LOL!) and Kell has adorable long curls all over his head (which I pleaded Tan not to cut before I saw them!).

Thursday was spent at the mall as someone (?) said something (?) to a certain 9-year-old and 6-year-old Wednesday night when the suggestion was raised by them that it might be a good way to pass the day... Ha ha... Remember Tanya, Kristy and Mandy?? "But, Mum, Dad said "maybe!!". It usually always meant "yes" and the grandkids seem to have picked up on that one as well. Funny how that goes...

It was a wonderful day, though, in spite of the fact that I chose to, without really planning or thinking at all, wear a long, tight, blue jean skirt! The rides soon led to a time in the playpark area of Fantasyland - Tanya watching Kellen and me traipsing around after Amelie. I was doing fine keeping an eye on her until she suddenly discovered stairs that led all the way to the very top slides and climbing/hiding places - not a particularly safe place for a 3-year-old who knows no fear! At one point Tanya rescued me by yelling down a plastic tube slide, "Mum! You're going the wrong way! That's a climbing tube, not one to slide down!" And here I thought the
padded bumps were so the little ones went down at a slow pace! LOL! You should have seen the looks on the faces of two 9-10 year olds who had to climb over me as I was stuck turning around in a bend in the tube! Sigh...Amelie, meanwhile, was completely oblivious to her Yammie's fate and had run on to new ventures, leaving me calling after her - "Amelie! Wait for Gram!!" Suffice to say I got my grey hairs and exercise for the day. By the time we got home, we (well, the adults, at least!) were wiped and ready for naps!

Friday was less strenuous as we just vegged most of the afternoon. The boys (Floyd and Tom) took Adriana and went to the music store while Tanya and I stayed home with the other three. They were all so cute and I love just spending time with them. As we were sitting at the dining room table, I sat and watched them, and thought to myself, "Lord, it just doesn't get better than this...my life gets so busy at times...when have I last just sat and colored?" Then I realized what a gift they were to me. Only my little grandbabies could get me to slow down long enough to color. Just one look at their little faces as they ask, begging me to sit beside them... Lord, how often you speak through the words of a child...

Just to tempt you...

I'm hoping to load up some pics tomorrow afternoon to my Photobucket (link on left) - until then, here's a couple to tide you over...


Lake Villarrica at sunset


Villarrica volcano being a little too active for my liking!!


Surfers in the waves at Pichilemu

Grapes at Miguel Torres vineyard

This one's for Tanya!!! Mandy and I in mud baths in Villarrica!

ARE YOU STILL OUT THERE??

...or have I lost my faithful readers and followers of my trivial daily activities? I'm thinking you've probably all gone on to greener pastures (and/or websites) looking for your thrills...

What can I say? I'm sorry. As family and close friends know, Floyd and I went to Chile with Mandy and Jorge for three weeks and I didn't like to advertise that on the internet. But we're back, the trip was awesome and I'll try to get back into the blogging habit again...

Before I tell you about the trip (Reader's Digest version), I just want to say something to a couple of people (hopefully they'll come back to read this...). First of all - Erin. Thank you so much for what you said on your blog on the International Women's Day. They were very kind words and, even though I don't feel worthy of the tribute, I do thank you. Mandy, Jorge's Mom, his sisters, and I were all honored on the day by his Dad (okay, he just said, "Happy Women's Day" - ha ha... but it was nice!). Secondly, Chloe - once again, I feel I have let you down by not replying to your email. Our internet time in Concepcion was very limited and I just didn't get on there as much as I'd wanted to. But I should have written... Email coming your way, Chloe.

Okay, the trip was wonderful and a photographer's dream come true. I went berserk with my camera and was nicknamed "Papparatzi" by the family (sigh). My biggest frustration was the "pictures" I saw in my mind (as I walked the streets or rode in the buses and cars) that I missed. There were many times when it was just not safe to pull my Canon digital out of it's hiding place and start snapping pics. Jorge was very diligent to let me know this and so concerned for my safety. I discovered, as well, that my love is for nature - flowers, streams, forest shots, etc. (besides I don't have adorable kids hanging around my house like Tanya does!). I just love looking at different angles for the shots. I was so amazed at how many times I was just about to take a photo of a flower and a bee would land on it!! It's like they wanted to be in the shot! I learned so much, as well, about my camera! Let's hope I remember - ha ha....

Here's the shocker...ready? I took SO many photos!! I figured, why not? Wasn't costing me anything! But I forgot the cost of my time when I got home to have to go through over 2000 (hee hee) photos to pick out (a) the 400 I'm going to print to show friends here, and (b) the other 400 that (someday) I hope to scrapbook!! Yeah, I know, it'll probably never happen but the thought is good! So, after a week of (literally) working on them night and day (nightshift at work), I have narrowed it down to 1280 that I'm keeping. I have the orginal 2000 on discs that Jorge made for me anyway, so it's not like they're gone forever. I had over 6 GB of photos!! Ha ha - gotta love digital!! I'm going to put some on my photoblog today and tomorrow...watch for it!

Re the trip...I've decided to, instead of going into a loooong drawn-out daily description, just give you a brief overview and then some points that I found interesting about life in Chile....

First of all, I love the country! I'm so glad that we are forever bonded to it through Jorge and his family and that we will always have relatives there to visit. It is very "northamericanized" in many ways, in that you can find the same stores/products, etc., in any big city as you would find here in Canada. But in the small towns you can still capture the history and charm of the life a hundred years ago. So many old buildings are still standing - almost like ghost towns - but they look so beautiful covered in the incredible flowers. Floyd and I learned a lot about the recent history (turmoil of the '70's) that we didn't know before and it helped us understand more of what the people are going through. The people are so loving and friendly and it felt funny coming back here and not greeting everyone you meet with a kiss on the cheek! We spent a lot of our time with Jorge's family and venturing out on day trips in the Concepcion area. We also drove about 5-6 hours to Pichilemu (where Mandy and Jorge are now with YWAM) to show Floyd the quaint little surfing town, and to find a place for the kids to stay when they returned there. We were delighted to find a lovely little cabin - brand new - for them to rent. That was such an answer to our prayers.

We also took (the four of us) a trip south to the tourist area surround Villarrica (means "rich valley") and Pucon. We rented a cabin for 5 days and had a ball. Adventures included white-water rafting (first time for all of us!), a three-hour horseback ride through the Chilean Andes mountains, mud baths at thermal hot springs, and lots of shopping!! That and the thrill of living so close to an active volcano!! On return, we got ready for their second wedding in Tome. A dream come true for Mandy, the ceremony took place outside on a little patio about 20 feet from the beach! Then we moved inside for a marvelous reception, then on to a photo-shoot on the beach (I can't take credit for those photos when you see them - a friend of Jorge's borrowed my camera to take the shots - he did an awesome job!), and the day was topped off by a family "party" at his grandfather's ranch out in the country! We had a blast. It was perfect day #2 for them both. God is so good. The only downside to the whole day was that Marco and Monica (Jorge's uncle and aunt) had an accident coming into Yumbel (the town where the ranch is). The car slipped on water on the road and spun around a few times before crashing into a pole. Their two teens were in the back seat and got thrown around a bit. Marco and Monica were bruised and sore from their air bags and seat belts, but we were all so thankful for the Lord's protection! They weren't able (obviously) to attend the party, though, and that was disappointing for everyone.

Here's some of my points noted of "life in Chile":

- you will never have tomatoes served to you with their skins on! They are always peeled (a messy job, if you can imagine) before eating/serving.

- there appears to be a shortage of toilet paper because any public washroom will be out of it - unless you go to one where you pay to use the facilities. Then there will either be someone there who gives you a rationing of paper, or else it will be available in the stall. Ha ha. At first I thought it was weird to have to pay to use the bathroom but soon looked for those ones because you knew there would be paper in it and it would be clean!

- another toilet-paper related issue... Their sewage system cannot handle the paper, so there is always a little bin beside the toilet - in everyone's house, restaurant, no matter where you go - for you to put the paper in after you wipe! It sounds gross and was, at times, a little disturbing, but the bins are changed frequently and you get used to it! I'm still looking for the bin after I go here!! Ha ha.

- jams, mayonaise, ketchup, etc., are all sold in bags! You just put the bags out on the table and squeeze product out through a round opening. Different....

- the forests in Chile are dominated by pine and eucalyptus trees that they have imported years ago from Canada and Australia, respectively. They've planted so many and you constantly see new forests cropping up. Both trees thrive well in the soil and climate, so a lot of the scenery of the foothills of the Andes is very similar to the Rockies because of the pines.

- they do not call their police "police"! Ha ha - they are the Carabineros of Chile and drive in green and white vehicles. So, if you are looking for the policia there, that's who you need to look for! A far cry from the renegades running around in camouflage in Bolivia, Chile's police force is well respected and trustworthy. Apart from various neighborhoods in the big cities, a person is very safe in Chile - much like here in Canada.

- every day at around 5 p.m., they have a meal referred to as once's (the word "eleven" in Spanish - pronounced "on-says"). To quote a website: "In late afternoon, between about 5 and 7 pm, it is common to take onces (afternoon tea), which usually consists of a sandwich and some kind of dessert or pastry, plus tea or coffee. Dinner is rarely earlier than 9 pm and often runs as late as midnight. These meal times reflect the nature of the Chilean workday; Chileans usually begin work at 9am and finish in the late evening around 8pm after taking the long lunch in early afternoon. " The funny part about this is that, one day, I was helping Mandy make onces for us four and it hit me that the English translation would be "elevensies" - a term I had not heard since I was a child!! I remember my Mum and Dad talk about having elevensies, which consisted of a light snack of tea, bread and jam, jello or fruit but, instead of the afternoon, it was taken before lunch! To quote another website (just so you know I'm not making it up!): ''Elevensies'' is not just a hobbit term, it truly is a British tradition of partaking in tea and cakes following breakfast, but before lunch." When I mentioned this to Jorge, he reminded me of the strong European influence that is still prevalent in Chile.

- almost every neighborhood as it's little gang of street dogs! They are usually poor starving things that roam the streets at night and lay around in the sun during the day. They are mostly friendly but you have to be careful, because if you acknowledge them (which, I confess, I often did!), they'll follow you all day. Poor things.... At night, laying in bed, it was the dogs barking and fighting that you heard, not the sirens or police helicopters that we're used to here...

- in every bathroom or kitchen, you'll find a little propane thingy (for lack of the correct word...sorry) with a pilot light, that you have to light with a match, so that you can have hot water. It's instantly hot (not like memories of England, where you had to do it an hour before you wanted hot water for a bath!), heating the water as it comes out the pipes. When you were done, you would turn the pilot light off until you needed hot water again.

- they have "superstores" that would put ours to shame! One such chain is Lider and the one we went to was huge! It carried anything you could possibly want - from groceries to hardware to clothing. There were (are you ready?) 77 cashier tills!! And they were all manned by staff!! Incredible.

- all the children in school wear uniforms. As a result, when the people go "back-to-school shopping", as they were doing when we were there (it was going into their fall), all the main store chains would advertise which schools they supported and had uniforms for! So, the kids' and youth departments in the stores were filled with school costumes for the different schools. There was other clothing as well, but it seemed strange to see rack after rack of the same pants/skirts/shirts/blouses, etc....

Well, if you're still reading, I'm really impressed! I had meant to make this more of a condensed version - but it still came out long.

Bottom line? I left part of my heart in Chile (my baby's there...) as well as a lot of dear family and friends. I can't wait to go back again...wanna come with me??