Well, I have SO many people to thank today and so much to be grateful for!
My day started off today with getting the kids up and off to school. I'm not as good at getting up early since the Christmas break - I think we lost the routine big-time! Hopefully it will get easier!!
This morning I received a package from Ellie, who lives CLEAR ACROSS CANADA in Nova Scotia. She e-mailed me on Sunday, when I was having a down day, to encourage me. Well, today I received a beautiful card with a wonderful hand-written note of encouragement and a stack of scripture verses written on squares of beautiful coloured card stock! Now, how wonderful is that? How encouraging is that? She even sent it by express so that it would reach me in my time of need!!! SO thoughtful!! Ellie, you are just WAY too kind for words! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! You are a doll!
I am also thankful for being reunited with my dear older sister yesterday. We had a falling-out a couple of years back, and let's just say I'm WAY stubborn. Anyways, we saw each other yesterday and she has forgiven me and we are moving ahead to the future. A blessing for sure. My sister is also VERY knowledgeable regarding nutritional info - has done tons of research over the years - and is helping me to get on track with my required supplements to help build my immune system for my upcoming surgery and subsequent treatment(s). She is also going to be there for my surgery next Wednesday.
I have also received several encouraging e-mails today from a lot of different people - some I know well, some I don't. Thank you ALL (you know who you are!) for taking the time from your busy days and lives. It is appreciated more than you'll know, and is so uplifting to know that people care enough to write a note to me.
My dear friend, Connie, also called me today. We haven't seen each other a whole lot lately. I think I've been too self-absorbed or whatever, and well, Connie has SIX children - need I say more??? She encouraged me, as she always does, and told me of her plans to help out after my surgery - what a blessing she is to me!! We are having coffee tomorrow morning at Tim's, so I'm really looking forward to that!
I also was able to help to reunite a little lost bird with her owner in Vancouver. The owner called me this morning to see if I could post her little Parrotlet on www.911ParrotAlert.com as lost. I volunteer with this organization - check out the website. Companion birds are NOT equipped to be out in the wild - especially in this weather. Anyways, I told the owner to go outside and just call her bird repeatedly over and over. You can't care about what you look like or sound like, or what the neighbours think of you when your bird is lost. Well, the lady called me back a couple of hours later and told me that it WORKED! The little bird was in a big tree, and finally flew down to her after she had been calling and calling and calling the bird. Halleluia! Not often we see reunited birds and owners. A lot of people give up, or birds get run off by larger birds or caught by birds of prey. So, on this dull, rainy day here on the Canadian West coast, there was a ray of sunshine with a little bird who was lost briefly and then reunited with her owner! I'm glad that my suggestion worked - so often we suggest many, many things and there is no luck. Each case is different. Thankfully this one turned out well! Here is a little Parrotlet similar to the little one who was lost & found today! Cute, huh!???
And so, AGAIN, I have LOTS to be thankful for today! In fact, not just TODAY, but EVERY day!
I'm still very nervous about the upcoming surgery - it's next Wednesday - now 6 days away! YIKES! I know that God is with me and is always there with me, but I WILL be glad when I'm home recovering and the surgery is OVER! I still need all your prayers and they are so appreciated! So much is hinging on the outcome of the pathology from the surgery - stage of cancer, extent of spread, treatment options, etc. etc.
On a final note, I did speak with DH regarding needing more support. I think I'm just ultra-emotional right now and everything is affecting me ten-fold! DH DOES love me, and DOES care. He just doesn't show it always and with my emotions being what they are right now - well, let's just say that I feel MUCH better. If I need a hug, I have to realize that I have to ask for one or just grab one for myself!! I'm just ultra-sensitive and needy right now, for obvious reasons. I feel like I'm losing my mind, but I think it's pretty normal to be so out-of-whack when you've had a cancer diagnosis. It's true what they say - that the waiting is the hardest part - INDEED it is!
And so, I'm am blessed to have had such a good day! Many, many things to be thankful for in my life. I also have my family here and all of our critters, who are so therapeutic for me!
Oh, and another blessing is that the RAIN is washing the SNOW away! YIPPEE! I don't mind snow, but not in the quantities that we've seen it in the last 3 weeks - YUCK! Unfortunately, the heavy rains are causing flooding in many regions, so that is very sad.
Blessings to all! Thank you AGAIN for ALL of your encouraging notes!!!!!
To everyone who took time from their busy days/lives to e-mail or comment to encourage me and about how you are praying for me because of my post from yesterday - thank you SO much! You can't know what it means to me to know that so many are praying for me when I am in such need of it!! It is overwhelming - God is SO faithful in providing me with you! I am feeling slightly better today.
We have had a devastating storm here on the west coast of Canada overnight. It started as snow and turned to freezing rain/rain overnight. The schools are closed today (it was supposed to have been the first day back) due to treacherous road conditions. We have lost a lot of big tree branches and a favourite little tree that stands right outside our front door - a weeping birch. It just fell over due to the weight of the snow. I think we have had enough of the winter weather, thank you! This was, I think, about our sixth storm since mid-December! Enough, already! As I've mentioned in previous posts, it's stressful worrying about the outside animals when the weather is so yucky! At least the pipes weren't frozen out there today. I pray that this is the last of the storms for this winter. We have probably 3 feet of snow that has accumulated on the ground in the past 5 days. It rained a little bit in between, so it is very heavy and very difficult to shovel. Our driveway will have to be shovelled again today - this will be the 4th time in 5 days - no small feat since it is over 500 feet long! Absolutely incredible!
So, thank you again for your thoughts, comments, prayers and encouragement. It means the absolute world to me!
Well, I'm very frustrated today. I am waiting for a surgery that will have been 5 weeks from diagnosis until surgery day. Is it me, or does that seem like a long time for a breast cancer patient to have to wait? I'm scared that the cancer will have spread - I don't know how long it takes for these things to spread, but hey, I'm scared anyways!
I've been reading about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder on one of my groups I belong to. I feel like I am exhibiting symptoms of this at times. Is that a surprise? No. I am aware that perhaps I'm feeling things that I've never felt before and that perhaps - just perhaps - I'm entitled to right now? I have 10 more days to wait for the surgery. From there, another 7-10 days for the results from the pathology report. From there, I must have healed satisfactorily to be able to begin any type of treatment(s) that are deemed necessary by the Oncologists upon review of my pathology report from the surgery.
I guess I'm just frustrated as I know I'm feeling selfish about this. I can't help it. It IS about me right now - I could die from this....I'm so worried. I guess I feel I should be getting more support from DH (a non-believer BTW) and there is nothing. Hasn't even asked how I'm feeling since all this began. I'm bitter, I'm angry. Heck, I've been shown more compassion from my best friend's husband than my own. I don't really think I'm asking for much. This has hurt me so, so, so deeply. I feel like I"m all alone on this terrifying and unknown journey. You have no idea how lonely it feels. How I'd love the odd hug or someone here at home to ask how I am feeling. I guess it's my fault because I have never needed that before - I've never really been a touchy-feely person, but when you know your life is on the line, sometimes you need a little extra. Also, I can only see my neediness increasing in the next few months as I undergo treatment(s) and side effects from treatments and possibly more surgery.
Your prayers are much appreciated right now. I apologize for this selfish post, but this is where I am at today and I cannot change the way I feel.
Well, it's been snowing, and snowing, and snowing....... Quite frankly, I've had enough of the white stuff. I moved away from Ontario 23 years ago to get AWAY from the stuff! Poor hubby has been shovelling for hours - our driveway is 500 feet long, so it's no small job! He had it all done Thursday, and then we got MORE snow dumped on us. I DO hope it ends soon!
The colder weather brings with it some hardships such as frozen pipes in the barn. This means that we must bring water buckets into the house and melt/fill them in the bathtub. It's quite labour-intensive and stressful. The poor chickens in the morning almost DIVE into the fresh water if it has frozen overnight. I find that chickens drink a fair amount and really miss it if the water has frozen. The snow is beautiful, but it's just so much work and only one of our vehicles is snow-worthy this year. Hubby has to get a set of snow tires for his car as his all-season tires aren't good at all in snow.
We also go through more feed when it's cold like this. I need to go out and get duck pellets and hay tomorrow. I am thankful that the two ducks (Quacker-La and Dexter) go in the barn at night when it's this cold as well as our beloved Phoebe, our Pea hen. Back a couple of weeks ago, when it was very cold with high winds, she was sleeping in the TREE at night. Talk about stress! I was SO worried about her, so I was SO happy that she finally made it to the barn and went in. I had tried many times to get her into the barn at night - all to no avail. She would always just fly up onto the roof, then into a tree. So, having the ducks and Phoebe in the barn at night is sure a blessing for me right now. I worry so much about them.
I don't have any new photos of our snow, but here is a photo from last year looking out our back door. It looks pretty much the same, but we have much more snow right now.
I guess I should be thankful for the snow - it IS beautiful, but it just brings with it so much stress. I will be glad when it's gone.
BTW, my surgery is only 11 days away (January 14). My anxiety grows with each passing day. I pray for quick healing (so that the treatments can begin and I can get on with my life) and that the surgeon has a steady hand and that he only removes as few as possible lymph nodes. Your prayers are much appreciated. I know that my God is with me and will never leave me nor forsake me, but I'm still a bit nervous. Lord, forgive me.
Today, I want to post about something I'm thankful for in the midst of this new development I face in my life. Back in August of 2008, a brand new hospital and Cancer Center opened in our city of Abbotsford. It is 15 minutes from our home and so for my surgery and my subsequent treatments, we will not have to travel far. Before this new hospital and center opened, the nearest Cancer Clinic was 45 minutes away in Surrey. Now, I know that even 45 minutes is NOT a lot of time to travel for medical treatments, but when you are ill or stressed, it can add up.
I joke now about they built this new hospital and Cancer Center just for me! I know that is NOT the case, but what a relief to have everything within fifteen minutes of our home. Surely God had a hand in THAT one, didn't He???
And so, on this brand new day of 2009, I am thankful for this. What are you thankful for today?
Well, I do hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that you were all able to celebrate the birth of our Saviour surrounded by lots of friends and family - and, of course - GOOD FOOD - mmmmmm!
We had a quiet Christmas. It was very nice having my family all around, but the pall of "the diagnosis" hanging over my head meant that it was a very different time for me, personally.
The past 3 weeks since my diagnosis of breast cancer has been a roller coast of emotions that nobody can explain or imagine unless they have been there. The first week or so was filled with sheer terror - certain I was going to die. Please know that I have my Lord with me at all times, but we still must go through these ups and downs as part of the journey. I had very little energy - could hardly get off the couch. I guess this is how emotions transcend to the physical when thumped with such news. I was also not sleeping. I visited my physician who gave me some meds to help me sleep. I believe that was an important step for me. Anyways, I gradually got my strength back and have been steadily improving ever since.
My surgery date is January 14, 2009. I will be having a left breast mastectomy. I am anxious for the surgery so that we can get the pathology results, get my body healed and begin treatment(s) that are deemed necessary by the oncololgists. I am nervous, yes, but I know that it's all in God's will and must have faith that He will see me through.
I do not want my blog to be one that leaves a person feeling down when they read here. My intent is to share my experiences of this huge battle I am facing in the hopes that I can help encourage someone else in any capacity going through this journey. So many people have been and are there for me, but unless YOU have gone through it, you cannot possibly relate, so if I can be that person for someone out there, I want to be.
In all this, my perspective has certainly changed. As Connie says, God is trying to get my attention! Well, Lord, you HAVE it! I am in prayer a lot more than I was previously. Ultimately, God decides our fate and our time. I look at my family in a totally different light now and they are so precious to me. I have the best friends that anyone could ever wish for. I appreciate the little things in life a LOT more. A friend gave me this scripture to lean on:
Phil 4:4-7 "Rejoice in the Lord always I will say it again rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is Near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your request to God and the Peace of God which transends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Funny, a lot of people have said "you're so brave to fight this". Well, I don't really see that there is a choice. You either stand up and fight, or you lie down, curl up and die? Not much of a choice is it? And with God beside me, I'm better equipped than ever!
So, my dear friends in blog land, appreciate each and every moment. Lives can change in an instant. Please come and visit and follow me in my journey. I hope to be an encouragement and not a downer, although I hope you understand that there will be down days that I will write about.
Be blessed, my friends! And a very healthy, happy New Year to all!
Funny how a few words can change the course of your life. I know that God is with me, but I'm worn out. I'm very, very tired. I haven't even had a mastectomy or any treatments yet. I'm pretty sure this is normal, but it feels very scary and foreign to me. I guess it's one of the steps of acceptance.
I need your prayers - I'm having a very difficult time right now. I"m so scare of leaving my children and hubby alone. I'm also worried about all our animals - they are my therapy and keep me sane some days.
I had a nightmare last night - I dreamed that I had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. When I woke up, I realized that it WASN'T a dream ........... now THAT'S scary!
It's funny because all the tests that were done were done on a "strictly precautionary" basis. My mammogram showed something that looked a little different, so they sent me for another - same result. Then an ultrasound - same thing. "Just precautionary". Then I went for a needle biopsy. The results for that were inconclusive, so my surgeon said we should just remove the offending lump. Well, I'm thankful that nobody along the line thought it was nothing to worry about because then I wouldn't have been diagnosed until perhaps too late. At least now, as far as we know, I have a fighting chance.
We also have a brand new hospital with a state-of-the-art Cancer clinic here in our city that just opened in August. I feel blessed at least to have that on my side.
"Lord, please give me strength. I am nowhere near strong enough to make it through this alone, but I know that you are bigger than Cancer. Please remind me that I need to lean on you and not try to do things myself. Day by day. Amen" Oh, and by the way, God - thanks for being there!
I will never forget yesterday - December 8, 2008. I was told I have breast cancer. Not really sure what else the Doctor said, as that "C" word - CANCER - hit me like a brick to the head. Can it be true? Oh, yes, it's true!
As I often say, "there but by the grace of God, go I" - well, I guess it's my turn!
I plan to use this blog as my diary for this journey they call cancer. I am scheduled for a mastectomy on January 14, 2009. The surgeon will remove my left breast, then based on the pathology report, the oncologist will devise a plan of treatment. I will undergo reconstructive surgery at a later date - that is not important right now.
We haven't told our children yet. I don't think it's really set into our brains yet.
Am I scared? You BET! I need to give this over to God. I try to often to do things of my own power, but this is far bigger than I am. If you have any spare prayer time, I'd appreciate if you'd pray for me.
Many thanks to my dear friend, Connie, and her daughter, Stephanie, who accompanied me to my first of many blood draws for my cancer. Connie says that she's here for me, and that makes me feel wonderful. A better friend no one could ever ask for.
I got to bed fairly early last night - around 10 p.m. - because I knew I had an early day today. I had to be in town by 9:30 this morning and it takes over an hour to get there and lots of preparations with the animals here at home, etc. Well, this morning at around 12:30 a.m., one of our two new dogs was barking and barking and BARKING and BARKING outside. It was then that I heard it. That unforgettable scream. Blood-curdling enough that I shouldn't have forgotten it from last time, but I had. I jumped out of bed and turned on the outside floodlights. I couldn't see much. I ran out to the main part of the house where hubby was watching the sports highlights. I asked him to come to the door to listen. He also heard it - that screaming. It's an awful sound. Hubby ran out with the flashlight in the pouring rain to where the dog was barking. He yelled to me "it's a MINK"!
That was what the screaming was. Whenever a mink is cornered or injured, it screams. This is our third dealing with a mink since we've been here in 17 years. They are ferocious, nasty, villainous, nasty, killing machines. AND THEY STINK! Once you've smelled it, you'll never forget it.
So, it turns out that this mink had got itself wedged in the dog kennel wire against another cage. The one dog was barking at it and the other was in the doghouse locked in the kennel and I think had already tangled with it. As I said, we've had the "pleasure" of visiting minks twice before, and the last time, the nasty creature killed THIRTY-ONE of my chickens in the span of half an hour and in the middle of the DAY! I called the neighbour that time and he came over with his shotgun and killed it, but not before it tried to attack me. Scary thing, that was!! AND STINKY! Did I mention that they are STINKY!?? YUCK!
This time, I knew it had to be killed. We couldn't chance that this predator would be back to do damage to our small flock of chickens and specialty birds. The damage they are capable of is absolutely devastating. So, hubby and I were standing there - flashlights held high - wondering what our "weapon of choice" would be. I wanted to use the sledge hammer - leaving nothing to chance. No, he ran to the garage and got a large, heavy, metal pole. The intention was to drive it through the one fence, then the mink, then the cage it was wedged against. Here we go - ONE, TWO, THREE........ Do bear in mind that our adrenaline was running on high, this mean and nasty creature is SCREAMING AT THE TOP OF IT'S LUNGS, and the dog is going wild barking. To top it off, it's raining so hard, you can hardly hear yourself think. So, on three, hubby drove the stake through ......... not sure exactly what it did, but it certainly did NOT kill the beast. I'm certain that it injured it, but it was still going. It tangled with the dog again, then proceeded to climb out of the kennel, where hubby was going to club it when it reached the top. He tried, but it was too awkward. I was in the garage looking for another weapon (we do NOT have guns here), when DH said that it had gotten away.
And so, that was the excitement for the evening. We brought the one dog up to the house to go over with a fine tooth comb to see if she had been bitten or injured. Could not find one nick or spot of blood or wounds of any sort anywhere. Thank goodness! My hope is that the nasty, smelly (did I mention that minks STINK!!??) creature was injured and will go away and die. The other is just unthinkable - to have another mink running free here to do the same type of damage the other one did just a few years ago. We do have these two wonderful dogs now, but they are NOT in with the chickens, where a mink could very well get to. They are closed up during the night, but mink don't care what time of day it is when they strike. There must be a mink farm around here as we do get these occasional "escapees".
Always fighting something on the farm. Coyotes, bears, eagles, and now MINKS again! Yuck - they STINK!
Got back into bed finally after about 45 minutes and was WIDE AWAKE thinking about this nasty creature running loose on our farm. After examining the dog, who had come in contact with the mink, I was certain that I had THAT SMELL in my nostrils. I'll never forget that smell.....YUCK! If you've ever smelled it, you will NEVER forget it!
Never a dull moment on the farm! .....and by the way, NEXT time (I hope there never IS a next time, BUT if there is....) my weapon of choice shall be the pitchfork. Lots of room for error with that!
Well, I just created a nice, long post catching everyone up on the time I have been away. Went to publish it and lost it. It took me almost an hour to type, so I'm not about to re-type it all.
Well, I'm just too busy for blogging these days. Not sure why, but I just can't think of anything to write and there is just way too much going on with the kids being out of school and caring for the feathered flock and the house and gardens.
I'm sure I won't be gone too long, but will resume posting here when I feel more "into it".
Kay over at the Rustic Cottage is having a giveaway until Friday June 6, 2008 at midnight. Go on over and leave a comment to be entered! Check out her great blog, too!
Well, it has been so busy around here for the past couple of weeks, I haven't made time to blog. I've just made other things a priority.
We held a bridal shower last Sunday for Connie's dd20 who is getting married on June 21, 2008. It went very well and everyone seemed to have a great time. I took me TWO days to get the house ready! I'm a perfectionist and if everything's not perfect, it just won't do. It sure adds a lot of stress, but that's the way God made me (hmmmm, I'll be speaking to him about THAT one!!). Connie & her niece Grace, did an awesome job with the food and there was LOTS left over! I must admit that I'm glad it's over. I am enjoying a very clean house and have been careful to keep it that way! It gets difficult with the birds as they really require a lot of cleaning, but I love them, so it's worth it. A special thanks for my DH for his help in getting ready for the shower - couldn't have done it without him!
Monday afternoon, Connie & I took my dd10 and her African dd13 to get fitted for their dresses for the wedding. The dresses are so cute! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Ouch! It really hurts to spend $200 on a dress my dd will probably only wear once! YIKES!
So, on Tuesday, Connie & I went out to (hopefully) buy our "mother of the bride" outfits (I'm considered Connie's children's SECOND mother!! LOL!). We were anxious about not being able to find anything what with our weight (yes, both of us are the same) being a little more than we want. We were, however, pleasantly surprised at finding a wonderful store in Langley that was able to outfit both of us!! That is a big load off our minds. The sales lady there made it fun for us and we had a "rack" we took around the store to put whatever we chose onto. We also had some dressing rooms to ourselves so we could model our many outfits and combinations of outfits until we chose the ones we liked! We had a blast, although I spent WAY more than I had planned! Of course, it seems wherever we go and whatever we do, Connie & I ALWAYS have fun - EVEN in Africa when the heat and humidity is killing us!!
Wednesday we went BRA shopping. We wanted to feel as good UNDER our wedding outfits as we did on the outside. Now, you have to know that I've been putting this off for literally YEARS! I didn't want to spend the money on a new one because I thought I'd lose weight - etc. etc. - you know the story. I had never even been properly fitted for a bra. Well, Connie suggested we go to the Bay in Langley to get measured properly and look at bras. Am I sorry I put this chore off for so long! The lady there was so professional, sweet and knowledgeable - I wish I'd gone in years ago! I got fitted PROPERLY and bought THREE new bras! My old, worn, too-small bras are gone now. It is so important to have a bra that fits properly - it makes all the difference in the world AND if you have a proper fitting one, you REALLY shouldn't feel it at all! A huge bonus for me was that they didn't cost as much as I thought - that's why I ended up buying three.
I have to say that I'll be glad when this wedding is over. I'm getting to the point that when I hear the word "wedding", I just want to barf! I would never tell the bride that as this is her special day, but it's true - the groom's family has been very difficult about the whole thing and has made it awful for everyone else involved. Funny how people who profess to be Christians can act in such a way - certainly NOT the way I understand followers of Christ to be and I'm a baby Christian..... Oh, well! We all must be accountable for OUR OWN actions and will have to stand before God someday.
On a tragic note, one of the Canucks' up-and-coming defensemen, Luc Bourdon, was killed in a motorcycle accident on Thursday morning in his native New Brunswick.
He was only 21 years old and had only had his motorcycle for a few days. What a terrible thing to happen to someone who had his whole life ahead of him. He was the no. 10 draft pick in the NHL in 2005 - only 9 back from Sidney Crosby. Very, very sad. Just another reminder that we should live each day to its fullest as we never know if it will be our last. Rest in Peace, Luc. I really feel for his poor mother - this lady raised Luc by herself and he was her life. She could really use your prayers.
I am enjoying the gardens right now. A lot of things are in beautiful bloom right now. I'll try to get some photos later today. I love to look out and see colour in the gardens. I also bought two hanging baskets this week along with my annuals that I will be planting in my oak barrels. I hope to get out today to get it done.
Friday afternoon I took both kids to the dentist for check-ups and cleanings. They both did well and have no cavities. Ds's baby teeth are all out and the lady said his 12-year molars and poking through. They seem to grow up so fast (well, it seems so fast some days - other days, it's jut taking WAAAAAY too long - LOL!!!).
Oh, I almost forgot! Ds12 was in a chess tournament last Saturday. Out of 200 kids in grades 6-8 (he's in grade 6) he came in SECOND! He got a trophy and everything - great work, hockey boy!! Dd10 also participated and won 2 games!!! We are very proud of them both!!
That's my quick update. I hope to post some photos later. Have a great day everyone!
I thought I'd post this recipe since it's just SO easy! I was always afraid to try baking bread until I tried this recipe - it's SO easy and delicious! Do try it - believe me, if I can do it, anybody can! SERIOUSLY!
Here is also a wonderful and easy BUN (called "Bonnie's Buns") recipe. Again, it's VERY easy - yes, I was scared to try it, but it turned out WONDERFULLY!!! Give it a go!
DISCLAIMER: These are NOT photos of MY baking! I was in a hurry when I posted this, so I borrowed them from where I got the recipes. Someone posted a comment about my good job baking, but I cannot take the credit here, unfortunately. I will, however, be sure to take photos next time I bake!
Well, it's Mother's Day again! I'd like to wish ALL of the mothers out there a very wonderful Mother's Day! Mothers come in a lot of different forms ... There are mothers whose babies are in Heaven waiting for us, those whose babies are very much alive and very active every day, those whose babies are all grown up and moved away, and those who never had babies - for whatever reason. Moms also can be moms to furry and feathered creatures great and small - they all require our nurturing, love, patience and guidance.
You are all special on this day. I wish a special blessing for all of you!
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
This is what I awoke to this morning ...
Chrysanthemums are one of my MOST favourite flowers! I always love to see fresh flowers on the counter or the table - aren't these beautiful????! And so bright and cheery!! I am also being taken out for breakfast! YUMMY! Another of my favourite things (I have lots!!)! DH and I used to go for breakfast once or twice a month before we had kids - I really miss it sometimes.
It's raining her for our Mother's Day, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that my two kids are healthy and happy and all my furry and feathered ones are an absolute joy. I am blessed beyond measure .... I hope that you are too!
Thinking of all you Moms out there today - you are loved and you are blessed!
Well, last Saturday was certainly a very fun day! Sorry it's taken me SO long to get on here and write about it! As you know from my previous post, it was my dear friend Connie's birthday! She's 29 AGAIN - we're not sure just HOW LONG she's going to be that age, but she does look ageless, so I guess as long as it works.....
As I said, we had a great day. Connie, her niece, Grace and myself went out shopping, eating, laughing and more shopping and more laughing! It was so fun! So glad that Grace joined us - she is a lovely , Godly lady and it was a priviledge to have her along and to get to know her a little better!
Here's a pic of Connie & Grace outside of our favourite store in Abbotsford, which was our first stop ...
Aren't they gorgeous???!! And speaking of gorgeous, just LOOK at these beautiful flowers! Of course, Connie is more beautiful than all of them, isn't she? No doubt!
After a few stops, we enjoyed a lovely lunch in Fort Langley. The food was excellent and the company was beyond measure! Here's a photo of the three of us - I thought about not posting this photo as I really dislike having my photo taken, but I figured I'd be leaving out a large chunk of our day if I didn't. As my mother always said, "cameras don't lie". I certainly don't hold a candle to Connie or Grace, but I guess I'm the way God wants me, so I have to be content with that. Notice the grey hair and the need for a dye job?
As I said, we had SO much fun! Connie's DH had prepared a wonderful spaghetti dinner for us for when we got home and it was SO yummy! He also looked after my dd, as my DH and ds were away in Edmonton at a hockey tournament. So, it was a great day and so nice to enjoy the fellowship and love of these two lovely ladies and then be treated to a wonderful dinner.
It was a great day and I was blessed beyond measure to be a part of it!
Grace & Connie - thank you for such a wonderful day!
I almost forgot - THIS was a wonderful find I made on this special day. I got this Mixmaster for $35!!!! It's in brand-new condition!!! It doesn't have dough hooks, but I've ordered some online for $15, so should have them soon! I'm not too fussy on the colour, but it doesn't matter - it's what it does that's important, not the colour, right? Besides, I've wanted one for a long time!
Today is a very special day. My dear friend, Connie (aka Schatzi from New Beginnings), is having a birthday!!!!!!!! She's 29 AGAIN (sheesh, how many times are you allowed to DO that???!!)! Happy Birthday my sweet friend!
A more loving, giving, loyal, godly, dedicated friend you could never wish to have - and I have all that and more in Connie. My life has never been the same since we met back in 1999 (RIGHT, dear??!!! ) We've been through so much together including flying to Africa (Liberia) to bring home their adoptive daughter. What an adventure!!! I am always blessed in seeing Connie, and love her dearly.
Today Connie, her niece, Grace, and I are going shopping ALL DAY to celebrate Connie's birthday! Can't wait - should be LOTS of fun! When our shopping day is over, we will come home to a delicious dinner cooked lovingly by Connie's DH - isn't that wonderful!!!???
And so, if you have time today, please take a moment to visit Connie and say hello and wish her a very Happy Birthday.
When I think of my dear friend, I am reminded of this scripture:
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
So, Connie, my dear, special friend, I hope that today is the beginning of a year full of dreams come true and answered prayer for you! Love ya, dear! You are a very special lady and I thank the Lord for bringing you into my life - I am SO blessed by you!
I love country living. I'm a stay-home mom of two children - one biological and one adopted from Thailand. Wife to a wonderful hubby. Also Mom to 8 parrots, 1 Jack Russell Terrier, one cat, 3 goats, 1 guinea hen, 4 roosters, thirteen plump brown hens, one oversized duck and a beautiful pea hen. Daughter to the King only by His grace.
She encouraged me, as she always does, and told me of her plans to help out after my surgery - what a blessing she is to me!! We are having coffee tomorrow morning at Tim's, so I'm really looking forward to that!
I am feeling slightly better today.
Today, I want to post about something I'm thankful for in the midst of this new development I face in my life. Back in August of 2008, a brand new hospital and Cancer Center opened in our city of Abbotsford. It is 15 minutes from our home and so for my surgery and my subsequent treatments, we will not have to travel far. Before this new hospital and center opened, the nearest Cancer Clinic was 45 minutes away in Surrey. Now, I know that even 45 minutes is NOT a lot of time to travel for medical treatments, but when you are ill or stressed, it can add up.
Well, I do hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that you were all able to celebrate the birth of our Saviour surrounded by lots of friends and family - and, of course - GOOD FOOD - mmmmmm!
I had a nightmare last night - I dreamed that I had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. When I woke up, I realized that it WASN'T a dream ........... now THAT'S scary! 
I got to bed fairly early last night - around 10 p.m. - because I knew I had an early day today. I had to be in town by 9:30 this morning and it takes over an hour to get there and lots of preparations with the animals here at home, etc. Well, this morning at around 12:30 a.m., one of our two new dogs was barking and barking and BARKING and BARKING outside. It was then that I heard it. That unforgettable scream. Blood-curdling enough that I shouldn't have forgotten it from last time, but I had. I jumped out of bed and turned on the outside floodlights. I couldn't see much. I ran out to the main part of the house where hubby was watching the sports highlights. I asked him to come to the door to listen. He also heard it - that screaming. It's an awful sound. Hubby ran out with the flashlight in the pouring rain to where the dog was barking. He yelled to me "it's a MINK"! 
