My family and I have a reunion coming up. We are looking forward to the day when we are all together again. On June 26th I headed down to Olds, Alberta for a ten day working vacation to complete my classes in Level 3 of the Master Spinner Program through Olds College. Daughter #2 headed off to Victoria for the historical fair on the 29th of June. Then Hubby and Daughter #1 headed off to Cochrane, Alberta on 2nd of July, for the summer camp that the Junior Canadian Rangers has each year. We all went our separate ways.
Daughter #2 came home on the 3rd of July closely followed by me on the 4th of July, and so now we are waiting patiently for Hubby and Daughter #1's return. They are home on the 11th of July. It will have been 15 days since we have been together as a family. I think we are all looking forward to our reunion.
While it has been a bit of a mad dash we all have enjoyed our various trips I think. I'm not sure about Hubby since he is working and overseeing a whole platoon (60) kids. He has called practically every night and I am amazed that he has had the time to do so. Even Daughter #1 has called her own call to me and of course I am always happy to have her call and tell me how her day is going. But I do find it strange that she is able to call me amongst all the activities that she is experiencing. They are mountain biking and canoeing and rock climbing and repelling. Backpacking was a huge one as she was totally exhausted after a night in the bush with a 35 pound backpack. Poor kid. They had a day at the Calgary Stampede and they will have one more day at the Calgary Stampede. They were supposed to get a day in Drumheller at the dinosaur museum but they got rained out and won't be able to do that part of the trip. I was disappointed that they weren't able to go horseback riding because I'm sure Daughter #1 and her friend who is with her would have had a blast. But with such an intensive schedule Hubby and Daughter #1 are not relaxed.
These trips for all of us are intense. We do not come back well rested. It takes days to get over something like that. Summer is half over already and we really haven't had time to just be.... and so we look forward to our reunion, not because we are all tired. That just sweetens what would be nice anyway. We are a family and though Daughter #1 and Daughter #2 fight occasionally and Hubby and I sometimes get on each other's nerves over the summer with our expectations, we really miss each other when we are apart. That's what being a family is all about.
Two sleeps to go till we are all together again. Wahoo!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
The Original Plan
Plans change. Yes they do. Mine change regularly. Mostly because I can always see a better way. Hubby and I planned to turn part of the addition into an office but recently I've looked at our space and thought wouldn't it be nice to use the room as a breakfast nook or luncheon nook or supper nook. In other words lets try the dining room table out there. And so I did.
I think it is a great idea. Except (and there is always one of those) there is a door that we installed in the sunroom. It's in the way. I know that the wall paneling is not up yet but I wanted to see if I could make the dining table work in there. It does but it is tight and that means the door access is cut off. Bad drag! Now I am wondering why in the world I would ever want a door there in the first place!
The nice thing about having the table in there is that it gives us room for a living room. We could actually buy a couch (since the one I covered at Christmas ended up at the parents house indefinitely) and actually have seating in our house to comfortably watch movies on our TV.
I look forward to Hubby getting home and getting his opinion to see if he likes it that way. If he does then it's all good, and I am getting a couch. I also want a nice desk to put our computer under the steps and not have to worry that it will fill up with dust. A covered desk is what we need. I want a roll top. For some reason dust drifts down the steps and sabotages anything we put under the steps. Sometimes I think it looks like snow under there. I think because Duff has taken to sleeping at the top of the steps there is a lot of hair from her. Not to mention laundry from all of us contributing to the problem.
Anyway the desk will go under the steps, the table would stay in the new addition, and the rest of this room will be used like a living room. I think it will be cool.
The good news is, if we keep the table in the addition then we won't need another addition. Next project would be the west deck or maybe we should build a screened porch. Now that would be really great!
I think it is a great idea. Except (and there is always one of those) there is a door that we installed in the sunroom. It's in the way. I know that the wall paneling is not up yet but I wanted to see if I could make the dining table work in there. It does but it is tight and that means the door access is cut off. Bad drag! Now I am wondering why in the world I would ever want a door there in the first place!
The nice thing about having the table in there is that it gives us room for a living room. We could actually buy a couch (since the one I covered at Christmas ended up at the parents house indefinitely) and actually have seating in our house to comfortably watch movies on our TV.
I look forward to Hubby getting home and getting his opinion to see if he likes it that way. If he does then it's all good, and I am getting a couch. I also want a nice desk to put our computer under the steps and not have to worry that it will fill up with dust. A covered desk is what we need. I want a roll top. For some reason dust drifts down the steps and sabotages anything we put under the steps. Sometimes I think it looks like snow under there. I think because Duff has taken to sleeping at the top of the steps there is a lot of hair from her. Not to mention laundry from all of us contributing to the problem.
Anyway the desk will go under the steps, the table would stay in the new addition, and the rest of this room will be used like a living room. I think it will be cool.
The good news is, if we keep the table in the addition then we won't need another addition. Next project would be the west deck or maybe we should build a screened porch. Now that would be really great!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Summer Jobs
Hubby and I have a lot of work ahead of us. Mostly we will need to finish the renovations but there are other tasks ahead which when I stop to think about it I just about freak out. Here's a list of "to do" before school reopens in September:
1. Fix bathroom taps at rental.
2. Complete shearing on animals.
3. Breed Mishka.
4. Put siding up in girls bedrooms.
5. Install doors in girls bedrooms.
6. Bight the bullet and buy wardrobes for girls rooms.
7. Finish installing pine paneling in studio and office.
8. Install strapping for ceiling tiles in office and studio.
9. Install ceiling tiles in office.
10. Finish wood burning enough ceiling tiles for studio.
11. Install ceiling tiles in studio.
12. Plumb the new laundry closet upstairs.
13. Move washer and dryer upstairs.
14. Remove shower stall from downstairs.
15. Install plumbing for upstairs bathroom.
16. Remove current plumbing for downstairs bathroom.
17. Install new plumbing for downstairs bathroom.
18. Move downstairs shower to upstairs. (If we can!)
19. Bring in new jacuzzi tub and install in downstairs bathroom.
20. Install electricity for Jacuzzi tub.
21. Remove downstairs toilet.
22. Install new downstairs toilet. (this is a medical toilet for Dad)
23. Cut new doorway to downstairs bathroom.
24. Install step in downstairs bathroom.
25. Install door to downstairs bathroom.
26. Install new wall cutting off old doorway to bathroom.
27. Install shelves in new kitchen pantry. (I can do this while the men carry on with the upstairs bathroom.)
28. Install toilet and sink in upstairs bathroom.
29. Make sure plumbing and electrical are to code.
30. Install all new electrical switches and outlets as well as light fixtures.
31. Install fencing for new paddock.
32. Put new roofing on electrical shed.
33. Put pine on ceiling upstairs.
34. Install pocket doors upstairs.
35. Panel hallway and stairway upstairs.
36. Panel closet and new bathroom upstairs.
37. Panel master bedroom.
38. Install flooring.
39. Move furniture back to house from shed.
40. Clean shed.
41. Pick up cottage sized mill and picker.
42. Buy new bed and mattress.
43. Build new wardrobes (2) for master bedroom.
44. Install new counters in kitchen.
45. Put window in the door to the office.
I'm tired just thinking about it. I have to also paint the deck as soon as we get a warm and dry day again. I also have to finish wood burning the table on the deck and do some finish work on soffits on the veranda. I will also have a little work staining edges of logs and trim boards in the house. Not to mention staining the floor and walls and ceilings upstairs. This I can do in the fall when the weather gets cooler.
It is a daunting task to get it all finished. But I'm going to try.
1. Fix bathroom taps at rental.
2. Complete shearing on animals.
3. Breed Mishka.
4. Put siding up in girls bedrooms.
5. Install doors in girls bedrooms.
6. Bight the bullet and buy wardrobes for girls rooms.
7. Finish installing pine paneling in studio and office.
8. Install strapping for ceiling tiles in office and studio.
9. Install ceiling tiles in office.
10. Finish wood burning enough ceiling tiles for studio.
11. Install ceiling tiles in studio.
12. Plumb the new laundry closet upstairs.
13. Move washer and dryer upstairs.
14. Remove shower stall from downstairs.
15. Install plumbing for upstairs bathroom.
16. Remove current plumbing for downstairs bathroom.
17. Install new plumbing for downstairs bathroom.
18. Move downstairs shower to upstairs. (If we can!)
19. Bring in new jacuzzi tub and install in downstairs bathroom.
20. Install electricity for Jacuzzi tub.
21. Remove downstairs toilet.
22. Install new downstairs toilet. (this is a medical toilet for Dad)
23. Cut new doorway to downstairs bathroom.
24. Install step in downstairs bathroom.
25. Install door to downstairs bathroom.
26. Install new wall cutting off old doorway to bathroom.
27. Install shelves in new kitchen pantry. (I can do this while the men carry on with the upstairs bathroom.)
28. Install toilet and sink in upstairs bathroom.
29. Make sure plumbing and electrical are to code.
30. Install all new electrical switches and outlets as well as light fixtures.
31. Install fencing for new paddock.
32. Put new roofing on electrical shed.
33. Put pine on ceiling upstairs.
34. Install pocket doors upstairs.
35. Panel hallway and stairway upstairs.
36. Panel closet and new bathroom upstairs.
37. Panel master bedroom.
38. Install flooring.
39. Move furniture back to house from shed.
40. Clean shed.
41. Pick up cottage sized mill and picker.
42. Buy new bed and mattress.
43. Build new wardrobes (2) for master bedroom.
44. Install new counters in kitchen.
45. Put window in the door to the office.
I'm tired just thinking about it. I have to also paint the deck as soon as we get a warm and dry day again. I also have to finish wood burning the table on the deck and do some finish work on soffits on the veranda. I will also have a little work staining edges of logs and trim boards in the house. Not to mention staining the floor and walls and ceilings upstairs. This I can do in the fall when the weather gets cooler.
It is a daunting task to get it all finished. But I'm going to try.
Level 3
So Level 3 in the Master Spinners program begins. I returned on Saturday to an empty house as Daughter #1 and Hubby are off at JCR summer camp until the 11th and Daughter #2 was in Victoria for the Historical fair. I am very glad that my girls are getting opportunities to fly off to interesting locals to partake in programs that allow them to see things other than their own backyard. While I just happen to love our own backyard, there is more to life than it. I really want my girls to have a more well rounded view of the world. Daughter #2 is home now and we are having a very relaxing mother/daughter time together. Yesterday I took her to FSJ for some lunch out and a little shopping. We purchased some fun things for "My Deck"! A fountain with squirrels tipping out buckets of water and a shiny metal ball that has whirling things for in the wind, and a lantern. Problem is that "My Deck" is wet.... really wet. We are having the first real rain of the summer. It has been pouring for two days without fail. This is a good thing because the grass was so dry that fire was a serious issue in our neck of the woods. With so many dead trees from Pine Beetle kill and with the undergrowth like dry tinder most people around here were worried that anything would set off a fire and evacuations. Not to mention the farmers and their crops. Most fields are standing at about 5 - 6 inches where they normally would be at about 12 - 15 inches. For those who rely on hay to feed animals (like us) it was getting to be a concern. We are not out of the woods yet. A lot will depend on what is in store over the next couple of weeks.
So I was in Olds for ten days and thoroughly enjoyed my courses this year. I didn't burden myself with a heavy course load as I never finished my level 2 until early June. This meant that burnout had not completely disappeared. I was sorry that I didn't take a Spinning Cotton course that was awesome but at the same time that spinning cotton course would have exhausted me. Level 3 was awesome too. I had to unlearn some bad habits and I was able to learn some things that will improve my spinning... especially woolen spinning. I have some things on the floor of the living room still that need to be picked up and put away but for all intents and purposes I am unpacked. Hubby and I are going to have to bight the bullet and purchase wardrobes quickly because I can see that until the reno is complete putting stuff away is going to be an issue.
One of the days spent in Olds on my level 3 class was a day spent dyeing with natural dyes and learning what different mordants and different modifiers could do to change a dye. We used Madder which is a dye that comes from the root of the plant, though all parts of the plant can be used. It is one of the earliest used natural dyes in the history of man. It gives lovely Turkish red which are predominantly used in Turkish carpets. I was really pleased with the strength of the colours that I got as for some reason, my colours from natural dyes are usually sad and pale. I want to use these beautiful colours from our experiments with Madder to make something and present it in the fashion show next year when I return to Olds. I was looking through my pattern books and got a lovely idea but I do not want to start that project until I have had the opportunity to mount my samples for my level 3 books and do my write up. This means work. I am completely out of ideas as to how to mount the samples and so they sit there mocking me and tempting me. Hopefully today my brain will kick in and I will be able to get that question done and mounted in my book. One down and plenty to go.
Sunday was a down day for Daughter #2 and myself. We took the opportunity to lounge in bed till an unprecedented 11 a.m. Unheard of for moi and rare for Daughter #2. I got up and had a noble lunch of ice cream smothered in caramel sauce. Daughter #2 added to that with Oreo cookie crumbs and chocolate sauce. It was very decadent and quite a pleasure. After lunch I tried my first attempts at spinning ginned cotton. This is not as simple as it sounds since the best preparation method, and in my estimation the only preparation, is punis (rhymes with loonies). So after working for an hour I had spun two punis in which there should be enough fibre for something like a quarter mile of thread. I got four inches which looked more like crochet cotton in the single (and lumpy crochet cotton at that) than thread. Clearly my cotton spinning needs practice. So today after I clean up from a breakfast of toast and tea, I will get out my puni stick and make punis till my hands bleed and then every opportunity I get I will be practicing spinning ginned cotton. Obviously I need all the help I can get.
Level 3 finally presents a real challenge. I think the learning curve for this level will be quite high. I know that I will have to spin about 4 hours a day to see my spinning improve greatly. Level 1 was no challenge but lots of fun. Level 2 was some challenge and some fun. I expect level 3 to be mostly challenge. I am learning to spin things I have never spun before like cotton. I am learning to perfect my woolen technique... that needs lots of practice, I am learning to spin forms of silk that I have never spun before, and I am learning to spin fat yarns and novelty yarns. This is something I've wanted to learn ever since I learned to spin fine and stopped spinning crappy beginner yarns (which were fat because I didn't know any better). I am excited to begin my level 3 homework. Challenge never daunts me but more likely excites me especially when it comes to spinning. That is why I love it. Life should be exciting. It shouldn't be confusing or scary (well maybe a little scary)! It should be real and full of what you love best. That should be family first, a place that you love, like "My Deck" and the thing that you love best to do too. For me that's spinning.
So I was in Olds for ten days and thoroughly enjoyed my courses this year. I didn't burden myself with a heavy course load as I never finished my level 2 until early June. This meant that burnout had not completely disappeared. I was sorry that I didn't take a Spinning Cotton course that was awesome but at the same time that spinning cotton course would have exhausted me. Level 3 was awesome too. I had to unlearn some bad habits and I was able to learn some things that will improve my spinning... especially woolen spinning. I have some things on the floor of the living room still that need to be picked up and put away but for all intents and purposes I am unpacked. Hubby and I are going to have to bight the bullet and purchase wardrobes quickly because I can see that until the reno is complete putting stuff away is going to be an issue.
One of the days spent in Olds on my level 3 class was a day spent dyeing with natural dyes and learning what different mordants and different modifiers could do to change a dye. We used Madder which is a dye that comes from the root of the plant, though all parts of the plant can be used. It is one of the earliest used natural dyes in the history of man. It gives lovely Turkish red which are predominantly used in Turkish carpets. I was really pleased with the strength of the colours that I got as for some reason, my colours from natural dyes are usually sad and pale. I want to use these beautiful colours from our experiments with Madder to make something and present it in the fashion show next year when I return to Olds. I was looking through my pattern books and got a lovely idea but I do not want to start that project until I have had the opportunity to mount my samples for my level 3 books and do my write up. This means work. I am completely out of ideas as to how to mount the samples and so they sit there mocking me and tempting me. Hopefully today my brain will kick in and I will be able to get that question done and mounted in my book. One down and plenty to go.
Sunday was a down day for Daughter #2 and myself. We took the opportunity to lounge in bed till an unprecedented 11 a.m. Unheard of for moi and rare for Daughter #2. I got up and had a noble lunch of ice cream smothered in caramel sauce. Daughter #2 added to that with Oreo cookie crumbs and chocolate sauce. It was very decadent and quite a pleasure. After lunch I tried my first attempts at spinning ginned cotton. This is not as simple as it sounds since the best preparation method, and in my estimation the only preparation, is punis (rhymes with loonies). So after working for an hour I had spun two punis in which there should be enough fibre for something like a quarter mile of thread. I got four inches which looked more like crochet cotton in the single (and lumpy crochet cotton at that) than thread. Clearly my cotton spinning needs practice. So today after I clean up from a breakfast of toast and tea, I will get out my puni stick and make punis till my hands bleed and then every opportunity I get I will be practicing spinning ginned cotton. Obviously I need all the help I can get.
Level 3 finally presents a real challenge. I think the learning curve for this level will be quite high. I know that I will have to spin about 4 hours a day to see my spinning improve greatly. Level 1 was no challenge but lots of fun. Level 2 was some challenge and some fun. I expect level 3 to be mostly challenge. I am learning to spin things I have never spun before like cotton. I am learning to perfect my woolen technique... that needs lots of practice, I am learning to spin forms of silk that I have never spun before, and I am learning to spin fat yarns and novelty yarns. This is something I've wanted to learn ever since I learned to spin fine and stopped spinning crappy beginner yarns (which were fat because I didn't know any better). I am excited to begin my level 3 homework. Challenge never daunts me but more likely excites me especially when it comes to spinning. That is why I love it. Life should be exciting. It shouldn't be confusing or scary (well maybe a little scary)! It should be real and full of what you love best. That should be family first, a place that you love, like "My Deck" and the thing that you love best to do too. For me that's spinning.
Monday, July 6, 2009
My Deck
My deck makes me happy. That is because it is a happy place. I go out in the early morning and I sit quietly with a fire in the fireplace and listen to the birds. Lots of times I will do wonderful things, crafty things, spinning things, or weaving things. Sometimes I will just sit and ponder how lucky I am to have such a haven in this world. It is a great place to drink tea. It is a joy.
Two years ago I came home from Olds and my first level in the Master Spinner's program, to find that Hubby had built me a deck. There had been a deck in that place before but this new deck was an extraordinary deck. There were no rails.... there were no steps.... it was not stained.... there was nothing on it.... but it was big. My deck is the size of my house.... In winter this is meaningless... because it is too cold outside to use it.... but in summer time this is wondrous.
At first I was unsure as to what to do with the rails of my deck. There were none and if Canadian building codes had their way there would be no view due to the need for idiots to not fall off the edge, in very short order. Soon I began filling in the edges with salvaged bits and pieces. A log taken out of the house to enlarge a window, an old spinning chair, a Chinese lantern, some neat stones, all bits and pieces I was able to "find". Daughter #1 and #2 made me a bird bath from odds and ends and though it is only a garbage bucket lid upside down on a log it attracts birds when they are thirsty and warm, and offers them a haven too.
I have the great luck of living in cattle country and most of those cattle graze silently the meadows and pastures of the surrounding valley. They also require a mineral supplement that comes in great huge red barrels. I have been lucky enough to obtain 9 of these barrels in which I plant everything from woad to phlox, petunias to peas, lettuce to cedars.... mostly I plant flowers just because they are happy. These great beastly barrels overflow with living things I love to look at or eat. In between these barrels I work hard to place surprises. A garden sheep.... an interesting stone... a birdhouse.... or a set of chimes. My deck has become a secret garden and in it I am safe, I am pampered, I am happy.
Last year I had decided to buy a fireplace... you know one of those silly things that you can buy at Canadian Tire for a couple of hundred dollars. I wanted to be able to light a fire in the evenings when it gets cool. A friend came forward and gave me an old fireplace that would suit a house from the seventies. It is a nasty colour gold and looks a little like a space ship. It is ugly. But somehow it fits. It has character like my big plastic barrels, like my garbage can lid bird bath. It is the best thing about my deck. Maybe not the way it looks but it too is a haven, a place to watch flankers (sparks for you unNewfies) fly into the air on a dark summer night.
I have avoided the rail of my nightmares... my pots of flowers, my little surprises, my fireplace have become the rail. These cast off things surround me with rich personality and make my deck a place I like to be. I need not drive for an hour or ten, I need not take a plane, I just walk out my kitchen door and there it is, a little piece of paradise just for me.
I often spin on my deck, I share meals with my family at a big round table with black leather (and most importantly comfortable) chairs. I rest on the day bed, or dye my wool from the big dyeing cabinet which has become an important part of my deck. The deck belongs to all of us but really the deck is mine... not because I won't share because I'm only too happy to share but it is stamped with everything that is me. Is it Hubby's deck? If you want to say so.... but he doesn't spend as much time there. Is it Duffy's deck? She sleeps there lots but she likes under the deck too. Does the deck belong to the kids? No more than any other part of the house. Does it belong to the cats? Cats don't want to own anything. That deck is mine.
Today I am heading to Fort St. John to get groceries. I have wanted a fountain and I have wanted a reflection globe.... maybe I will find them. Who knows, maybe I will find something else. Who knows what is next... I just know that I like it.
Two years ago I came home from Olds and my first level in the Master Spinner's program, to find that Hubby had built me a deck. There had been a deck in that place before but this new deck was an extraordinary deck. There were no rails.... there were no steps.... it was not stained.... there was nothing on it.... but it was big. My deck is the size of my house.... In winter this is meaningless... because it is too cold outside to use it.... but in summer time this is wondrous.
At first I was unsure as to what to do with the rails of my deck. There were none and if Canadian building codes had their way there would be no view due to the need for idiots to not fall off the edge, in very short order. Soon I began filling in the edges with salvaged bits and pieces. A log taken out of the house to enlarge a window, an old spinning chair, a Chinese lantern, some neat stones, all bits and pieces I was able to "find". Daughter #1 and #2 made me a bird bath from odds and ends and though it is only a garbage bucket lid upside down on a log it attracts birds when they are thirsty and warm, and offers them a haven too.
I have the great luck of living in cattle country and most of those cattle graze silently the meadows and pastures of the surrounding valley. They also require a mineral supplement that comes in great huge red barrels. I have been lucky enough to obtain 9 of these barrels in which I plant everything from woad to phlox, petunias to peas, lettuce to cedars.... mostly I plant flowers just because they are happy. These great beastly barrels overflow with living things I love to look at or eat. In between these barrels I work hard to place surprises. A garden sheep.... an interesting stone... a birdhouse.... or a set of chimes. My deck has become a secret garden and in it I am safe, I am pampered, I am happy.
Last year I had decided to buy a fireplace... you know one of those silly things that you can buy at Canadian Tire for a couple of hundred dollars. I wanted to be able to light a fire in the evenings when it gets cool. A friend came forward and gave me an old fireplace that would suit a house from the seventies. It is a nasty colour gold and looks a little like a space ship. It is ugly. But somehow it fits. It has character like my big plastic barrels, like my garbage can lid bird bath. It is the best thing about my deck. Maybe not the way it looks but it too is a haven, a place to watch flankers (sparks for you unNewfies) fly into the air on a dark summer night.
I have avoided the rail of my nightmares... my pots of flowers, my little surprises, my fireplace have become the rail. These cast off things surround me with rich personality and make my deck a place I like to be. I need not drive for an hour or ten, I need not take a plane, I just walk out my kitchen door and there it is, a little piece of paradise just for me.
I often spin on my deck, I share meals with my family at a big round table with black leather (and most importantly comfortable) chairs. I rest on the day bed, or dye my wool from the big dyeing cabinet which has become an important part of my deck. The deck belongs to all of us but really the deck is mine... not because I won't share because I'm only too happy to share but it is stamped with everything that is me. Is it Hubby's deck? If you want to say so.... but he doesn't spend as much time there. Is it Duffy's deck? She sleeps there lots but she likes under the deck too. Does the deck belong to the kids? No more than any other part of the house. Does it belong to the cats? Cats don't want to own anything. That deck is mine.
Today I am heading to Fort St. John to get groceries. I have wanted a fountain and I have wanted a reflection globe.... maybe I will find them. Who knows, maybe I will find something else. Who knows what is next... I just know that I like it.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Too Much
I've been pulled in all directions this month and that's my reason for not keeping up my blog. The construction work is at an end at least for now. This will be the last day the Doug and Albert will be working on the house. They have completed their part of the contract except for a day of chinking which will come in August. They have done an amazing job and have been exemplary in every facet.
Mike and I will be continuing on with a lot of the finish on the inside of the house. This I am afraid will take us the rest of the summer. We are not as fast as Doug and Albert. We don't have all the nifty tools. But we will carry on and it will be amazing when the job is done. Here are some picture from the last month.
Mike and I will be continuing on with a lot of the finish on the inside of the house. This I am afraid will take us the rest of the summer. We are not as fast as Doug and Albert. We don't have all the nifty tools. But we will carry on and it will be amazing when the job is done. Here are some picture from the last month.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Travel Demon
I drove like a demon.... yes I did. I got home a day early all because I drove like a demon.
Thursday morning I got up to discover that Daughter #2 had a sore throat and was getting a cold. Ididn't really want to leave her in such a state. But what else could I do. Hubby elected to stay home with her and so I set off with my good friend A who is 86 years old to drive a thirteen hour drive to Terrace for Synod. The drive was good and we decided to split the drive in two and stop in Fraser Lake for the night. It had started to rain just before we stopped and I was glad not to have to drive any longer. Next morning we got up and left at 8 a.m. and headed off to Terrace. We arrived at 2 p.m. after many breaks and checked into our hotel. I left A to snooze and get settled while I went to the church to check in. At 4 p.m. sharp service began and while it was good to see the faces of people who I haven't seen in a while the service itself left much to be desired as the hymn were all strange and the church itself is not very inspirational. After service was over A and I went for a quick supper and then with directions in hand we headed off to the college where the meetings were to take place.
I had met one woman earlier in the afternoon who had quite a cheerful disposition and I quite liked her. The rest of the meeting on Friday night was typical. The Bishop's charge was short, a bonus, but full of dire news. Sometimes I feel that the Anglcans are full of doom and gloom and if they would only be a little more cheerful they would attract a lot more people to the faith. Anyway there was a book table and I picked up some good reading material. Sleep was full of snoring women. Both A and I tried to outdo each other snoring. Saturday was a long day but much territory was covered and I felt that progress was made. the church camp will be reopened if a board of directors can be gotten together in the next couple of weeks. This will affect my church very little as none of our children want to attend a camp so far away. I maay see if there is enough interest in a local church camp. Families can bring their camping stuff like tents etc. and we can have a fire at night and church school activities during the day. Fishing in the river might work too if we use one of the local camping facilities. Sing along hymns would be lots of fun if someone would bring a guitar. Anyway it is just a thought at this point.
Sunday morning brought a short meeting just before church. We are supposed to attend church but A and I headed home with the intention of getting as far as we could. All the while I knew that Daughter #2 was still sick and that Hubby would not want to miss any more school. So I drove like a demon. All out. As fast as I could safely go. When we got to Prince George by 6p.m. I suggested to A that we make a dash for home. We got here at 11:30 p.m after over thirteen hours on the road A was as fresh as a daisy and I must say I was pretty good too. WOW! I drove like a demon and survived to tell the tale..... now that I have I'm going to go get some shut eye.....
Thursday morning I got up to discover that Daughter #2 had a sore throat and was getting a cold. Ididn't really want to leave her in such a state. But what else could I do. Hubby elected to stay home with her and so I set off with my good friend A who is 86 years old to drive a thirteen hour drive to Terrace for Synod. The drive was good and we decided to split the drive in two and stop in Fraser Lake for the night. It had started to rain just before we stopped and I was glad not to have to drive any longer. Next morning we got up and left at 8 a.m. and headed off to Terrace. We arrived at 2 p.m. after many breaks and checked into our hotel. I left A to snooze and get settled while I went to the church to check in. At 4 p.m. sharp service began and while it was good to see the faces of people who I haven't seen in a while the service itself left much to be desired as the hymn were all strange and the church itself is not very inspirational. After service was over A and I went for a quick supper and then with directions in hand we headed off to the college where the meetings were to take place.
I had met one woman earlier in the afternoon who had quite a cheerful disposition and I quite liked her. The rest of the meeting on Friday night was typical. The Bishop's charge was short, a bonus, but full of dire news. Sometimes I feel that the Anglcans are full of doom and gloom and if they would only be a little more cheerful they would attract a lot more people to the faith. Anyway there was a book table and I picked up some good reading material. Sleep was full of snoring women. Both A and I tried to outdo each other snoring. Saturday was a long day but much territory was covered and I felt that progress was made. the church camp will be reopened if a board of directors can be gotten together in the next couple of weeks. This will affect my church very little as none of our children want to attend a camp so far away. I maay see if there is enough interest in a local church camp. Families can bring their camping stuff like tents etc. and we can have a fire at night and church school activities during the day. Fishing in the river might work too if we use one of the local camping facilities. Sing along hymns would be lots of fun if someone would bring a guitar. Anyway it is just a thought at this point.
Sunday morning brought a short meeting just before church. We are supposed to attend church but A and I headed home with the intention of getting as far as we could. All the while I knew that Daughter #2 was still sick and that Hubby would not want to miss any more school. So I drove like a demon. All out. As fast as I could safely go. When we got to Prince George by 6p.m. I suggested to A that we make a dash for home. We got here at 11:30 p.m after over thirteen hours on the road A was as fresh as a daisy and I must say I was pretty good too. WOW! I drove like a demon and survived to tell the tale..... now that I have I'm going to go get some shut eye.....
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