Serenity

Last night I attended an Al-Anon meeting with my Aunt Mavis. I remember when I was about 10 years old I spent my summers in Vernon BC with my Aunt Mavis and her family. Each week while my aunt attended her Al-Anon meeting my cousins and I would attend the Al-a-Teen meetings. It was that summer that I learnt the Serenity Prayer and have used it for many different situations in my life over the years. I enjoyed the meeting and learn more about myself in that 1 hour at the meeting than I thought I would.

God Grant Me the Serenity
To Accept the Things I can not change
The Courage to Change the Things I can
And the Wisdom to know the difference

The theme was Gratitude which led into being grateful. A reading from a book sparked the theme and made me think deep inside the many different things that I have to be thankful for and grateful for these things as well. This sort of leads back to what I said yesterday about making a new memory each day.

My aunt talked about a list of things she was grateful for, this got me to thinking and starting my own Grateful List in my mind. The more things I thought of the more I realized that there is so many things to be grateful for in life. Sometimes we tend to forget about the things we are grateful for.

Later that night at home as I thought about the many things that I am grateful for; I thought to myself it is time to put these down on paper as a way to appreciate the gifts that God gives us. These gifts enrich our lives in so many ways, sometimes without us even realizing it.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,and he will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3, 5-6

Last Time

This afternoon I was reminded how quickly life can change. I attended the funeral of a friend and co-worker whom I had seen for the last time on Monday May 5th. Had I known that I would never had the opportunity to see or say hello to Les again, would I have acted any different on our last encounter. Probably I would have. I might have spent more time talking about how he is doing or asked him about his grandchildren and things like that. But we don't know that each time we see our friends and family if it will be the last time we will have with them or not.

I am reminded of what my grandmother used to say to me, don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today. I tell my husband every day that I love him. I also tell my children and my dad that I love them as well. It gives me comfort in knowing that they know how much they mean to me.

Yesterday I promised myself to try and make a new memory everyday not just for myself but for others as well. Yes our lives can change as quick as a wink. Don't miss out on the opportunities of today to enrich your life or that of someone elses.

Nature, Beauty & Reminiscing

Today being my EDO from work my Aunt Mavis and I were able to enjoy another walk together. This morning we walked 5.20 km = 3.23 miles. It is so nice to be able to appreciate the beauty of the world around us. While we were walking we watched a Coyote way out in the pasture walking and looking for food. As we were watching him he spotted us and stopped in tracks and watched us continue our walk. Soon he was off and running to the north.

My two dogs, Timon & Rocco accompanied us on our journey. Timon went for a swim chasing after a muskrat, which was much faster than he was. I wish I had brought my camera along this morning, watching Timon chase after that muskrat was funny....would have made a great video for "America's Funniest Home Videos". Watching him jump in the air and come down with a big splash....a memory I will carry with me forever. He chased after the Mud Hens and the Ducks more so in play than anything. Rocco on the other had was at the end of his leash, jumping wanting to join his pal in the water. I am going to have to make it a habit to carry my camera while I am out on a walk, you never know what you might see.

Aunt Mavis and I reminisced about my Grandma Gardner and her love for ducks. To this day I think of my Grandma every time I a duck, how she loved ducks. Growing up I remember the many pictures of ducks we had on the wall or the figurines that grandma had collected over the years, I still a few of them. My favorite tea cup is one that my grandma used every day, a stone wear mug with a duck painted on the front. Every time I have a cup of tea I think of my grandma and remember her with fond memories.

We enjoyed the beauty of nature and listened to the choir of frogs that silenced as we approached the pond or the call of the ducks to others across the pond. The many different tracks we seen on the road this morning from different birds, animals and even caterpillars.

How many are your works, O Lord!
In wisdom you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
Psalm 104:24

Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day

Today we celebrate our "Mothers". Many have traditions that they follow year after year, others decide from year to year what to do. Never the less this is the day for us to celebrate our mothers & grandmothers.

This year I started the day off walking with my Aunt Mavis. We walked 4.6 km about 2.8 miles. It was a really nice way to start my day. We took our time enjoying the beauty that God has given us in Nature. We checked out the different tracks that we found down the drive way like those from deer as they crossed from the hay field over to the pasture or those of a muskrat or those of the different birds such as geese and cranes.

So many times when I am either driving to work or going for a walk I see something and think, I wish I had brought my camera with me, so this time I did.

We decided to walk along in the ditch and see what we could see. We found some Crocus' in bloom. These are certainly a sign of spring. When I was a young girl every spring I used to ride my bike down the road to pick a small bouquet of Crocus' for my Grandma. Crocus' were always one of grandma's favorite wild flowers. So today instead of picking the Crocus' I took pictures of them. They are such a beautiful flower, we can only appreciate them for such a short time before they are gone for the year.


It was nice to be able to have that time with my aunt to reminisce about the past and talk about what has been happening in our lives the last couple of years and where we headed in the future.

When we arrived back home my dear husband had coffee on and omelets on the go for our Mother's Day Brunch. This was Al's Mother's Day Gift to us....

Another pictures of Crocus' that I took while on our walk this morning.

LifeStyle Changes

When a person sets out to make changes to their lifestyle it is sometimes met by others as to why are doing this, what is the point some negative aspects like that and there are those that are encouraging and supportive and what to help you the best way you can.

One change that I made first thing in my house was buying whole grain breads instead of white bread. It took nearly a month for my husband to get into the routine of buying whole grain bread. If he was the one to buy bread it was usually white bread. Okay he bought the Demsters Smart bread once. The last time he picked up bread to my surprise it was 100% Whole Grain Bread.

Last night I told him that I wanted our entire family eating healthier not just me. To my surprise he agreed and told me your doing a good job getting us there. They are not fighting the food choices that I buy. I am so glad that they realize that what I am doing is for their health as well.

My family has been a great support in my decision to change my lifestyle. Since Christmas I have lost nearly 20lbs and at least 1 size in clothing. I can't say exactly how much I have lost since April 1, when I started journeying my day by day activities because I couldn't trust my scale but I am guessing it is around 7 lbs give or take. I know have a new scale....it is a Weight Watchers Scale that tells you where to stand so that you body is evenly balanced.

I feel great, I have more energy and love the changes that I am making.

God's Boxes

I have in my hands two boxes which God gave me to hold.
He said, 'Put all your sorrows in the black box and all your joys in the gold.'
I heeded Hi s words, and in the two boxes,
Both my joys and sorrows I stored,
But though the gold became heavier each day
The black was as light as before.
With curiosity, I opened the black,
I wanted to find out why,
And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole,
Which my sorrows had fallen out by.
I showed the hole to God, and mused,
'I wonder where my sorrows could be!'
He smiled a gentle smile and said,
'My child, they're all here with me..'
I asked God, why He gave me the boxes,
Why the gold and the black with the hole?
'My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings,
And the black is for you to let go.'
We should consider all of our friends a blessing.

Michael

Last night as I was watching "Eight Days To Live" through my eye lids, the phone rings and it is my son Michael. It was great to hear from him. As tired as I was it was only 10:00 pm I enjoyed our talk.

He loves his job and loves living in Saskatoon. He started April 28 and worked a minimum of 8 hours each day. Yesterday he had the chance at some overtime and took it. He put in 7.5 hrs cleaning a bio-hazard spill at the Saskatoon Correctional Centre. He said they wore these suits that looked like space suits which in its own way looked kind of cool but still a very dangerous situation.

Michael told me that he never had that awkward out of place feeling that you sometimes get with the first couple of days on a new job. He said it felt like he had been working there for a long while. Gets along with everyone and likes what he is doing. He said it feels so rewarding to have a job that actually feels like your working, not like at the Coke plant where you stood there and pushed buttons or cooking in a restaurant.

It was great to hear him say I love my job and I love living in Saskatoon. I am so happy for him.

Could it Be...Spring is here~

Could it be that Spring has arrived. Oh how I hope it has. As I walked into work this morning I noticed that the river is free of the ice that was flowing only last week. There is still places with snow along the tree lines but that is about it. I would like to be able to get out into my flower garden this weekend and clean it up from last year. I have plants emerging nicely so yes it is time to clean out the garden.

I have a pond that I would like to get back up and running, I haven't done anything with it for the last 3 years maybe even 4 years.

I am starting to plan my vegetable garden....yes for those that know me well are saying WHAT you plant a vegetable garden.....right....I'll believe it when I see it. For years my idea of a vegetable garden was going to the farmers market to support the local growers but for some reason this year I want to plant a garden...that's right I want to plant a vegetable garden. Fresh garden produce is so good and if I don't get to the farmers market then we don't have anything...so this year I am going to try gardening. The garden will serve more than one purpose besides fresh garden produce but also a means for me to get more exercise.

Mother's Day is around the corner, I always like to do the green house tour, looking at all the plants and picking up some tomatoes and bedding plants for my pots which is another thing that I haven't planted in a while. My kids hate going on the greenhouse tour, so for the last couple of years we haven't done it because they wanted to do other things instead that they have planned for me. I have decided that whether they want to go or not I am going to do the green house tour even if I go by myself, after all it is going to be "Mother's Day". I usually always run into my cousins and my aunt and a few friends.

Yes I believe that Spring is here..... Aaaahhhhhhh~

Moving on

Today my son moved to Saskatoon to start a new job tomorrow morning working for a commercial cleaning company that works does insurance jobs after fires, floods etc. As this isn't the first time that he has moved away from home, this time it isn't hard on me. I am very happy for Michael to taking a step in a new direction in his life.

Al and I have an open door policy when it comes to our kids. If they want to move out and try it on their own we support that but we also understand that there may be a time where they need to come home and back on their feet.

Michael and his friend Dave left for Saskatoon about 2pm today. They found a 2 bedroom basement suit for June 1st, rent is reasonable includes all utilities and they have the responsibility to mow the lawn and shovel snow for a break in rent. For two young guys on their own they couldn't ask for a better deal than that. So until June Michael will stay with Dave at his 1 bedroom suit and sleep on the couch. As Michael puts it is only for 1 month then we move into our new place I think I can handle staying on the coach for the month of May.

The nice thing is for now Michael only had to take his clothes, laptop and his hedgehog. We'll move all his big things down at the end of May when he and Dave move into their new place.

I am very proud of Michael for how he has matured over the years into a good man. He will do fine in what ever he does and where ever he goes.

Saying Good Bye

Good bye is always so hard to say.....it is so permanent almost like you will never see that person again. Many people prefer to say "See you later", "So long", Bye till next time" but "Good Bye" sounds so per permanent.

On Thursday my husband was faced with saying "Good Bye" to a good friend from his childhood, Darryl. Darryl lost his battle with prostrate cancer on Monday. Unfortunately by the time we knew when the funeral would be I was in Regina for a Client Services Team Meeting for work and not able to return until Thursday evening forcing my husband to face the day by himself. I told him that all he had to do was close his eyes for a moment and imagine me beside him holding his hand and I would be there in spirit for him. All morning Thursday my mind was with my husband, wishing I was there with him to help him through the time of the funeral and burial.

I had the girls drop me off in Birch Hills where I met up with Al at Randy's place. He told him about the funeral and how he thought it wouldn't be that hard but ended up being very difficult for him. The burial was extremely difficult because it was there that he had to face that this was Good Bye. Al said that he and Ted just stood there for a few moments watching and remembering the many times they had with Darryl and how this is the same place that Al had cut his toes off when he was cutting the grass for the church and Darryl drove him to the hospital.

At the end of the day Al told me that he was glad that his sister Marie was there, but he also realized how much support he draws from me in times like this and how much I draw from him.