This weekend marks the 10 year mark of Carl's passing (Monday). I'm sitting here, thinking of Father's day, and those poems I'm seeing on Facebook about Fathers who have passed on. They are lovely poems. I know my Father is still with us, as is my Father - in - Law, and I love them both dearly, and wish them a Happy Father's Day, even though I won't see them tomorrow. I'll be working.
But I'm thinking of my own children. Their father has passed on, and I can only imagine what they are thinking and feeling. I lost my wonderful husband, but they lost their loving and well loved Dad. I'm sure the feeling is somewhat different, especially since he left us so young.
My heavens, 10 years. So hard to believe it has been so long, we all still miss him so much.
If Roses grow in Heaven, Lord, Pick a bunch for me
Place them in my husband's (father's) arms and tell him they're from me
Tell him that I love and miss him, and when he turns to smile
Place a kiss upon his cheek, and hold him for a while
Because remembering him is easy, I do it every day
There's an ache within my heart that will never go away.
Just how I'm feeling and what I'm thinking. . . . .
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Gardening
So, a friend has talked me into joining a Gardening Club. This one is for Dahlia's and Glads, although most of their attention is towards Dahlias. It is interesting, and there are many MANY lovely varieties of Dahlias. It is amazing the variety of blooms, some small, and some that are huge, as big as 10 inches across.
We have received little tubers from the other club members, and bought some from them at a tuber sale. I had about 18 tubers to plant, had to get a new bed dug by the neighbor. I planted the Dahlia tubers in a couple of trays to get them started while they waited for the new bed. But man, some of the rain we got was so heavy and the tubers got flooded out several times. In the end, when I planted them into the bed, I had lost 3 of the tubers. Hope the rest thrive.
Also, got some Gladiolia bulbs from Teri-Lynn for my birthday. And, got some more glad bulbs from members of the club too. Wasn't sure where to plant them, until I planted the Dahlia bulbs and realized I had room for the glads too. If I hadn't planted them there, I'm not sure where I would have planted them, lol. It should be quite a display when they all grow and bloom. I can't wait.
We have received little tubers from the other club members, and bought some from them at a tuber sale. I had about 18 tubers to plant, had to get a new bed dug by the neighbor. I planted the Dahlia tubers in a couple of trays to get them started while they waited for the new bed. But man, some of the rain we got was so heavy and the tubers got flooded out several times. In the end, when I planted them into the bed, I had lost 3 of the tubers. Hope the rest thrive.
Also, got some Gladiolia bulbs from Teri-Lynn for my birthday. And, got some more glad bulbs from members of the club too. Wasn't sure where to plant them, until I planted the Dahlia bulbs and realized I had room for the glads too. If I hadn't planted them there, I'm not sure where I would have planted them, lol. It should be quite a display when they all grow and bloom. I can't wait.
Granddaughter's Visit
Had a wonderful weekend with my 3 beautiful granddaughters, the end of May. They came to stay with me for Apple Blossom weekend, the first time they have all been with me with no parents around. Teri-Lynn and Scott were in Cape Breton for a Relay Race over the Cabot Trail (Teri-Lynn did wonderful, she is so active and in shape, it's wonderful).
Anyway, I met them in Bedford, where we had some supper and the girls changed vehicles from Mom and Dad's to mine. We thought there may be some tears or anguish, but not a boo out of any of them. Holly is a softee and very much Mama's girl, but she was fine with her Grammy. We made it back to the Valley by about 8:30 p.m. and went straight to the center of town for the Apple Blossom Festival Fireworks, scheduled to start at 10. It was a fair bit of a walk from where we parked at the arena to the ball field for the fireworks. When we got there, there was a band playing and thousands of people around waiting. We found a place to sit on the hill, the girls played with cameras and my cell phone and were very patient. The fireworks started 15 minutes late, and were very short (only 5 minutes), but they were lovely. Then it was the long trek back to the car, and the even longer wait to drive out of town. Home about midnight.
Saturday morning everyone got up when they wanted to. There were no bad dreams, or waking up and moving to other beds or anything. We had a great breakfast, cereal, bacon, eggs, toast, mmmmmm. Then it was all get ready to go to the Grand Street Parade. Trent, Vicky and Cullen went to the morning Children's Parade, but I knew we wouldn't get in to town for 10 a.m. for that, sleepy people that we were. So, we went to the later one. We parked on Brooklyn Street to have easy exit from town, then walked over to town. It was quite a warm day, temps in the mid 20's. We watched most of the parade, sat in front of the fire hall with some friends from my work.
After several hours the girls had enough and were hot. So we decided to head out ahead of the crowd. We made a good decision. We headed over to Centreville to Trent's for the rest of the afternoon and for supper. The girls had a really fun time playing with Cullen. He loved having all these girls there to play with, they pushed him on the swing, wheeled him on his bike, pushed him in the wheelbarrow, and played in the sandbox. All this was mostly in the shade so it was very comfortable to sit out under the trees and watch them play. When we went in the house it didn't stop, played with the cars and trucks and watched tv and held Cullen in their laps, and he was quite happy to be in their laps too. It was wonderful to see them all getting along so well together, not a squabble or a tear to be seen. After supper (of spaghetti and garlic bread, mmmm), they played more until it was bath and bed time for Cullen. We were home for about 8:30 and settled in to watch a movie.
Sunday was lazy, again a night with no problems or little girls being homesick, until about 1 p.m. or so, when we decided it was time to get dressed and packed and ready to head for the Scotian Gold Fun Day. We got on the road about 2:30 and had a fun couple of hours at the Fun Day. Then went into town for some ice cream and start on the trip back to Truro. Teri and Scott got back from Cape Breton sometime in the afternoon. We got there about 6:30, in time to go see Teri play a game of Ball Hockey at the rink. Then I headed back to the valley, tired but very happy at the time we spent. I soooo love my girls.
Anyway, I met them in Bedford, where we had some supper and the girls changed vehicles from Mom and Dad's to mine. We thought there may be some tears or anguish, but not a boo out of any of them. Holly is a softee and very much Mama's girl, but she was fine with her Grammy. We made it back to the Valley by about 8:30 p.m. and went straight to the center of town for the Apple Blossom Festival Fireworks, scheduled to start at 10. It was a fair bit of a walk from where we parked at the arena to the ball field for the fireworks. When we got there, there was a band playing and thousands of people around waiting. We found a place to sit on the hill, the girls played with cameras and my cell phone and were very patient. The fireworks started 15 minutes late, and were very short (only 5 minutes), but they were lovely. Then it was the long trek back to the car, and the even longer wait to drive out of town. Home about midnight.
Saturday morning everyone got up when they wanted to. There were no bad dreams, or waking up and moving to other beds or anything. We had a great breakfast, cereal, bacon, eggs, toast, mmmmmm. Then it was all get ready to go to the Grand Street Parade. Trent, Vicky and Cullen went to the morning Children's Parade, but I knew we wouldn't get in to town for 10 a.m. for that, sleepy people that we were. So, we went to the later one. We parked on Brooklyn Street to have easy exit from town, then walked over to town. It was quite a warm day, temps in the mid 20's. We watched most of the parade, sat in front of the fire hall with some friends from my work.
After several hours the girls had enough and were hot. So we decided to head out ahead of the crowd. We made a good decision. We headed over to Centreville to Trent's for the rest of the afternoon and for supper. The girls had a really fun time playing with Cullen. He loved having all these girls there to play with, they pushed him on the swing, wheeled him on his bike, pushed him in the wheelbarrow, and played in the sandbox. All this was mostly in the shade so it was very comfortable to sit out under the trees and watch them play. When we went in the house it didn't stop, played with the cars and trucks and watched tv and held Cullen in their laps, and he was quite happy to be in their laps too. It was wonderful to see them all getting along so well together, not a squabble or a tear to be seen. After supper (of spaghetti and garlic bread, mmmm), they played more until it was bath and bed time for Cullen. We were home for about 8:30 and settled in to watch a movie.
Sunday was lazy, again a night with no problems or little girls being homesick, until about 1 p.m. or so, when we decided it was time to get dressed and packed and ready to head for the Scotian Gold Fun Day. We got on the road about 2:30 and had a fun couple of hours at the Fun Day. Then went into town for some ice cream and start on the trip back to Truro. Teri and Scott got back from Cape Breton sometime in the afternoon. We got there about 6:30, in time to go see Teri play a game of Ball Hockey at the rink. Then I headed back to the valley, tired but very happy at the time we spent. I soooo love my girls.
Spring of 2010
Well, it has been a busy spring, trying to get caught up with the yard work and all such things. I have a bunch of plants still to be planted.
Since February we have been spending a lot of time going back and forth to Halifax and New Glasgow, my siblings and myself. Our father has been having health issues, blocked gall bladder duct and massive infection (cured with a shunt and mega antibiotics), which have all boiled down now to Fast Onset Full Blown Dementia. He is still at the hospital, although is now in the transition area for Geriatrics waiting for a bed at a nursing home. It is so hard to see him that way, he has always been a very smart man, doing a lot of reading, puzzles and up until January still doing all his own banking and shopping for the house. Now, he has no interest in reading or puzzles, no attention span for them. He is confused most times when you talk to him, the easiest thing to do with him is go along with what he says. If you try to correct him, it confuses him and agrivates him (very hard to get Mom to understand this). He seems to be quite comfortable and happy for the most part with his surroundings. He says the food is good, and it is quiet. He spends a fair bit of time looking out the windows, and when you ask him about it, he tells you some stories that you are sure come out of all the books he has read.
Now Mom, she is another story. She is very adament that she is not now or is not ever leaving the family home. She is 81, and is handling things just ok, but it is spring/summer. Things are somewhat easier at this time of year. What will the winter bring? We worry about her eating right, she has had issues with that before. Only time will tell.
Since February we have been spending a lot of time going back and forth to Halifax and New Glasgow, my siblings and myself. Our father has been having health issues, blocked gall bladder duct and massive infection (cured with a shunt and mega antibiotics), which have all boiled down now to Fast Onset Full Blown Dementia. He is still at the hospital, although is now in the transition area for Geriatrics waiting for a bed at a nursing home. It is so hard to see him that way, he has always been a very smart man, doing a lot of reading, puzzles and up until January still doing all his own banking and shopping for the house. Now, he has no interest in reading or puzzles, no attention span for them. He is confused most times when you talk to him, the easiest thing to do with him is go along with what he says. If you try to correct him, it confuses him and agrivates him (very hard to get Mom to understand this). He seems to be quite comfortable and happy for the most part with his surroundings. He says the food is good, and it is quiet. He spends a fair bit of time looking out the windows, and when you ask him about it, he tells you some stories that you are sure come out of all the books he has read.
Now Mom, she is another story. She is very adament that she is not now or is not ever leaving the family home. She is 81, and is handling things just ok, but it is spring/summer. Things are somewhat easier at this time of year. What will the winter bring? We worry about her eating right, she has had issues with that before. Only time will tell.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
My Birthday
Well, here it is, another birthday. You know, there is something to be said for never having birthdays. For one thing, you wouldn't get older!!!
Anyway, my birthday started out great with a phone call from my granddaughters. I was just getting ready to step into the shower (to go to work) when I heard the phone ring. To hear Taylor's sweet voice on the other end of the line saying "Happy Birthday Grammy" just warms you right up. She was calling from her Nanny Masters house, they were getting ready for Drama and church. Then Scott arrived with the other 2 girls to go to church too. So, I got to talk to Holly and Annika too. It was terrific. Then, after my shower, I noticed the light flashing on the phone. Hark, a message from my (much older) lovely sister Jessie, wishing me well. So, I called her back, had a quick chat, then my brother Ian beeped in. So off with Jessie, on with Ian. He sounded really good. All this before 10 a.m. After all this, I managed to get to work, somewhat on time lolol.
Trevor called too, last night from Australia. With the time difference if he calls on Saturday evening, it is Sunday morning there. When our time went ahead last week, it made it so that he is now 12.5 hours ahead now. Anyway, it was good to hear from him too. They are still in their rainy season there, should be over soon I would think.
Now to get through this day at work, lots of Happy Birthdays here too, word spreads like the plague, lolol. But, I guess maybe it is ok to have birthdays after all. Sure makes a body feel good to have all these good wishes.
Anyway, my birthday started out great with a phone call from my granddaughters. I was just getting ready to step into the shower (to go to work) when I heard the phone ring. To hear Taylor's sweet voice on the other end of the line saying "Happy Birthday Grammy" just warms you right up. She was calling from her Nanny Masters house, they were getting ready for Drama and church. Then Scott arrived with the other 2 girls to go to church too. So, I got to talk to Holly and Annika too. It was terrific. Then, after my shower, I noticed the light flashing on the phone. Hark, a message from my (much older) lovely sister Jessie, wishing me well. So, I called her back, had a quick chat, then my brother Ian beeped in. So off with Jessie, on with Ian. He sounded really good. All this before 10 a.m. After all this, I managed to get to work, somewhat on time lolol.
Trevor called too, last night from Australia. With the time difference if he calls on Saturday evening, it is Sunday morning there. When our time went ahead last week, it made it so that he is now 12.5 hours ahead now. Anyway, it was good to hear from him too. They are still in their rainy season there, should be over soon I would think.
Now to get through this day at work, lots of Happy Birthdays here too, word spreads like the plague, lolol. But, I guess maybe it is ok to have birthdays after all. Sure makes a body feel good to have all these good wishes.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
25 Random thoughts & things about myself
I really don't know what would be interesting to others, but some things are of interest to me, lol, guess that is what counts.
1. When I was a little girl, I used to walk up the street with my Dad, holding his hand, and I remember looking up, wayyyy up, thinking how tall he was!
2. I used my baby sister as a reason to go for a walk, and had my ears pierced without my mother knowing about it. It was 2 weeks later when she happened to see my lovely ears.
3. I DO NOT like to shake hands with someone with wet hands. Where have those hands been, and why are they so clammy????
4. I was in a girl's pipe band when I was in high school. I played the snair drums (the ones in the back row). I wish I could still play like that. I have sticks, I've tried, lololol, and failed.
5. I went to Scotland when I was 19, following my roots. Took my mother with me, she loved meeting her father's brothers and sisters.
6. My greatest achievement was having my 3 lovely children, and seeing them become the wonderful, accomplished adults they are now.
7. I think of Carl every day, remembering different things we did together.
8. My dogs can be a real pain in the butt, but I really don't know what I'd do without them. They make me get up to put them out, and let them in, and feed them. And they make me laugh.
9. I went to my high school prom on the back of a motorcycle (yes, Carl owned a motorcycle)!! And the white dress I wore, I remade into my wedding dress.
10. I'm sitting here enjoying a Mudshake. They are so yummy!!!
11. I love hearing about my grandbabies doings - Taylor's swim meets & singing, Holly's hockey, Annika's swimming and dancing, Cullen climbing stairs and standing on his own (11 months), and Lorne's new school and the lizards in Australia.
12. I hate missing episodes of Coronation Street.
13. I remember trying marijuana - a neighbor convinced me to try - I tried, then vomited for hours. Since then I can't stand the smell of it.
14. I love to travel. Trips to exotic places are terrific, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and in the future, Australia.
15. I LOVE chocolate. Some days it is all I can do not to go buy a nice oversize chocolate bar.
16. My 2 sisters and 2 brothers are very important to me, I love them all unconditionally.
17. I like computer games, Age of Empires, Red Alert, I can get so hooked and then play for hours.
18. I wish the years would slow down. Life is passing soooo fast, I can't keep up sometimes.
19. I really have a problem training new people who think they know everything and have nothing to learn from me. I've only been doing this job for 10 years, I think I may know what I am doing there!!!
20. I do not like rude, disrespectful people.
21. I am so glad I quit smoking 6 or 7 years ago. But, you know, there are some days when I would kill for one. Then I smell someone coming in from outside after having one, and I thank God all over again that I quit.
22. I don't see any reason to talk crude all the time. I totally dislike people thinking they must keep swearing, when swear words are so unnecessary.
23. I love my snow blower. I really don't think I could survive our winters without my snow blower. I certainly would not be able to shovel this driveway. I would have to hire a plow, ugh, who puts gravel on the grass all the time. I love my snow blower, lol :-))
24. I get so sick and tired of getting unwanted email. All these "if you want the world to continue turning, you have to pass this on to 100 of your best friends". Please, stop sending me emails that are touchy-feely, pass it on, good. I like to laugh, send me funny ones.
25. I have never, ever, seen a 3-D movie. That is my aim for the future, to go see a 3-D movie, and wear those funny glasses :-))))
1. When I was a little girl, I used to walk up the street with my Dad, holding his hand, and I remember looking up, wayyyy up, thinking how tall he was!
2. I used my baby sister as a reason to go for a walk, and had my ears pierced without my mother knowing about it. It was 2 weeks later when she happened to see my lovely ears.
3. I DO NOT like to shake hands with someone with wet hands. Where have those hands been, and why are they so clammy????
4. I was in a girl's pipe band when I was in high school. I played the snair drums (the ones in the back row). I wish I could still play like that. I have sticks, I've tried, lololol, and failed.
5. I went to Scotland when I was 19, following my roots. Took my mother with me, she loved meeting her father's brothers and sisters.
6. My greatest achievement was having my 3 lovely children, and seeing them become the wonderful, accomplished adults they are now.
7. I think of Carl every day, remembering different things we did together.
8. My dogs can be a real pain in the butt, but I really don't know what I'd do without them. They make me get up to put them out, and let them in, and feed them. And they make me laugh.
9. I went to my high school prom on the back of a motorcycle (yes, Carl owned a motorcycle)!! And the white dress I wore, I remade into my wedding dress.
10. I'm sitting here enjoying a Mudshake. They are so yummy!!!
11. I love hearing about my grandbabies doings - Taylor's swim meets & singing, Holly's hockey, Annika's swimming and dancing, Cullen climbing stairs and standing on his own (11 months), and Lorne's new school and the lizards in Australia.
12. I hate missing episodes of Coronation Street.
13. I remember trying marijuana - a neighbor convinced me to try - I tried, then vomited for hours. Since then I can't stand the smell of it.
14. I love to travel. Trips to exotic places are terrific, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and in the future, Australia.
15. I LOVE chocolate. Some days it is all I can do not to go buy a nice oversize chocolate bar.
16. My 2 sisters and 2 brothers are very important to me, I love them all unconditionally.
17. I like computer games, Age of Empires, Red Alert, I can get so hooked and then play for hours.
18. I wish the years would slow down. Life is passing soooo fast, I can't keep up sometimes.
19. I really have a problem training new people who think they know everything and have nothing to learn from me. I've only been doing this job for 10 years, I think I may know what I am doing there!!!
20. I do not like rude, disrespectful people.
21. I am so glad I quit smoking 6 or 7 years ago. But, you know, there are some days when I would kill for one. Then I smell someone coming in from outside after having one, and I thank God all over again that I quit.
22. I don't see any reason to talk crude all the time. I totally dislike people thinking they must keep swearing, when swear words are so unnecessary.
23. I love my snow blower. I really don't think I could survive our winters without my snow blower. I certainly would not be able to shovel this driveway. I would have to hire a plow, ugh, who puts gravel on the grass all the time. I love my snow blower, lol :-))
24. I get so sick and tired of getting unwanted email. All these "if you want the world to continue turning, you have to pass this on to 100 of your best friends". Please, stop sending me emails that are touchy-feely, pass it on, good. I like to laugh, send me funny ones.
25. I have never, ever, seen a 3-D movie. That is my aim for the future, to go see a 3-D movie, and wear those funny glasses :-))))
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Start of Amazing Race
Ok, so I just started to watch Amazing Race, the first night, and already I have a pet peeve. Now I know for sure why I do not like reality shows. I get so ticked at some of the silly people who take part in this stuff.
There is this married couple, she is crying already that she can't keep up in the running. Now come on people, you knew this show was a RACE. Could you not have lost some of that weight, exercised, practiced? You knew you were going to be on International TV, and within the first 15 minutes you are crying, feeling sorry for yourself, you are tired (so is everyone else), and your husband is tearing you apart. What on earth made you join if you haven't prepared?
What a season this is going to be!!
There is this married couple, she is crying already that she can't keep up in the running. Now come on people, you knew this show was a RACE. Could you not have lost some of that weight, exercised, practiced? You knew you were going to be on International TV, and within the first 15 minutes you are crying, feeling sorry for yourself, you are tired (so is everyone else), and your husband is tearing you apart. What on earth made you join if you haven't prepared?
What a season this is going to be!!
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