I screwed up my blog. I was playing around with settings, forgot to back up my old format and lost a few of the small things I had added in - like my blog list. So now I will need to build a new one - but when I get back.
Got my hair done tonight. Looks good - and quite blonde (really!) but, eek, it was expensive! I knew there was a reason I wasn't getting it done more often. It was fun to have Tim (my hair dresser) do it though, and I'm very happy with the end result.
Spa appointment booked for Saturday. It's a good thing my husband loves me and lets me do this and also that I don't do this too often that he won't let me when I want to :)
Two more days of work and then two weeks of vacation! Yay! That's going to be fun.
It really, really sounds like our suburban office is going to be a mere 6 km away once the new Golden Ears Bridge opens up next year. I can not say how thrilled I am that work will probably be this close to home. I can't even comprehend a 10-15 minute commute, or the option to bike to work, or walk if I want... the option to come home at lunch if I need to b/c I forgot something, or need to get Duncan... I take back being upset a few weeks back. 'Pologize! Now it's not 100%, but by the sounds of it, this is the location they are looking at (200th and 88th in Langley). Brand new building with a Starbucks in the parking lot (oh, and don't worry there, is a Tim's near by for those of you who prefer Mr. Horton's brew).
Speaking of Tim Hortons oh the one in Royal Centre has irked me for the last time and I now refuse to go there. They went to this stupid 3 line system - one for each cash, as opposed to one big line that goes to the next available cash. We waited in line for over 15 minutes!! It was just crazy. Tims - it's not working with the 3 line system and I know other people who won't go there any more either. Fix it!
Good night
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Funeral
Well Oma's funeral was today and as far as funerals go, it went really good.
Bill and I rode out to Burnaby with Mom and Dad for the burial. Pastor Newman did a really nice job. He knew both my Oma and Opa so he was able to pull from that in how he lead the grave side service.
We then went back to our church in Maple Ridge where lunch was out for the family members until the service. We actually had 2 hours there, which at 1st everyone was "wow that's a long time to wait" but it ended up giving us a lot of time to sit and chat with everyone. It's good to catch up as in many cases we hadn't seen people since Christmas or before. And in my cousin Mike's case, it had been over 10 years, and this was our 1st time meeting his wife. It was good to chat with Jen and get to know her some. My cousin Al and his wife Kay are expecting their 1st baby in 5 weeks (she looks fantastic!) and it was our 1st time meeting cousin Mark and his wife Lara's baby boy, Sam (cute!).
The service was at 2 and went really well. The hymns chosen were excellent, and ones my Oma loved. In Christ Alone, of course, was very powerful. Pastor Newman lead a great message about our grandparent's legacy in Christ for us, and based it on Psalms 23 and 121. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord.
After my Mom and Uncle Hans stood to thank everyone for coming and just shared how important everyone there was to my Oma, and to our whole family. After I read a variation of my blog post from last week, which I had written the night Oma died. My Mom read that post the next day, and it made her cry. So when I approached Mom about whether or not she'd like me to speak briefly on behalf of the grandchildren, after some discussion, they thought that would be good, and basically encouraged me to read my post from my blog. I edited it a little, but that's basically what I read. I'm glad I could take part.
After that was a Power Point presentation my Uncle Ralph had put together, after he and his wife Meta, and my Mom spent Saturday afternoon going through photos and enjoying time reminiscing. That was by far the most powerful part of the service. Seeing her from being a small girl, to young woman, a married woman, a mother, a grandmother... lots of tears, but it was beautiful. It was awesome to see pictures of her and my Opa, and to see so many pictures of her smiling and laughing. What an awesome way to remember her. And Uncle Ralph had copies of the presentation done up on disc already for family members, so we all got copies.
Following the service there was food and coffee and what not for everyone. Bill popped out to get Duncan from daycare and brought him back to socialize a little (he would not have made it through that service). What was really nice was people like some of my Dad's family came out, and there were other people there that it was just good to see.
Tonight the siblings (Mom and her siblings that is) are out for dinner to spend a bit more time together. It was so funny to see so much of the family together and see how much we all look alike!! I was told I look like my Oma at a young age, but we all saw my Auntie Elly in Oma. We're all connected though.
I want to thank everyone who has reached out with sympathy and support. While it is good for Oma she will be missed, and I'm glad I had a chance to shed some tears for her, but also lean on the people around me. Bill has been especially awesome, but my friends too. Yes, I am fine though, thanks for asking :)
God bless you all.
Bill and I rode out to Burnaby with Mom and Dad for the burial. Pastor Newman did a really nice job. He knew both my Oma and Opa so he was able to pull from that in how he lead the grave side service.
We then went back to our church in Maple Ridge where lunch was out for the family members until the service. We actually had 2 hours there, which at 1st everyone was "wow that's a long time to wait" but it ended up giving us a lot of time to sit and chat with everyone. It's good to catch up as in many cases we hadn't seen people since Christmas or before. And in my cousin Mike's case, it had been over 10 years, and this was our 1st time meeting his wife. It was good to chat with Jen and get to know her some. My cousin Al and his wife Kay are expecting their 1st baby in 5 weeks (she looks fantastic!) and it was our 1st time meeting cousin Mark and his wife Lara's baby boy, Sam (cute!).
The service was at 2 and went really well. The hymns chosen were excellent, and ones my Oma loved. In Christ Alone, of course, was very powerful. Pastor Newman lead a great message about our grandparent's legacy in Christ for us, and based it on Psalms 23 and 121. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord.
After my Mom and Uncle Hans stood to thank everyone for coming and just shared how important everyone there was to my Oma, and to our whole family. After I read a variation of my blog post from last week, which I had written the night Oma died. My Mom read that post the next day, and it made her cry. So when I approached Mom about whether or not she'd like me to speak briefly on behalf of the grandchildren, after some discussion, they thought that would be good, and basically encouraged me to read my post from my blog. I edited it a little, but that's basically what I read. I'm glad I could take part.
After that was a Power Point presentation my Uncle Ralph had put together, after he and his wife Meta, and my Mom spent Saturday afternoon going through photos and enjoying time reminiscing. That was by far the most powerful part of the service. Seeing her from being a small girl, to young woman, a married woman, a mother, a grandmother... lots of tears, but it was beautiful. It was awesome to see pictures of her and my Opa, and to see so many pictures of her smiling and laughing. What an awesome way to remember her. And Uncle Ralph had copies of the presentation done up on disc already for family members, so we all got copies.
Following the service there was food and coffee and what not for everyone. Bill popped out to get Duncan from daycare and brought him back to socialize a little (he would not have made it through that service). What was really nice was people like some of my Dad's family came out, and there were other people there that it was just good to see.
Tonight the siblings (Mom and her siblings that is) are out for dinner to spend a bit more time together. It was so funny to see so much of the family together and see how much we all look alike!! I was told I look like my Oma at a young age, but we all saw my Auntie Elly in Oma. We're all connected though.
I want to thank everyone who has reached out with sympathy and support. While it is good for Oma she will be missed, and I'm glad I had a chance to shed some tears for her, but also lean on the people around me. Bill has been especially awesome, but my friends too. Yes, I am fine though, thanks for asking :)
God bless you all.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Pedicure
Mom! We need to book pedicures for Saturday! I'm writing this here in case I forget to mention it later. Still want to go to Rhuksana's? If not, I'm up for Eccotique. Let me know. I might also get a manicure. Not that I ever keep polish on my fingers, but my hands need help.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Goodbye Oma
Well my Oma went home to be with the Lord tonight.
It's been like 10 days since the doctor said "24-48 hours" - so she really did hang on, but Mom told me the last few days she was getting even worse, and today was quite bad. It really is a blessing for Oma as she was in quite a bit of pain in the end, and the release is good.
But I admit I got upset. It's all fine and well to put on a brave face "it's for the best" and "it will be a blessing when it happens", but quite frankly I seem to be taking this harder than my Mom! And she's been the one sitting there holding Oma's hand every single day. Maybe that's why. What an amazing woman my Mom is.
Theresa baby sat Duncan tonight while Bill and I went and saw Dark Knight - the new Batman movie and Mom, not knowing we were in a movie, called on the cell (don't worry, I had it on vibrate, so I didn't disturb the people around me). So I was rather distracted by that news for the last 10 minutes of the film (otherwise, Bill loved it. The Joker was creepy - very, very dark film).
Anyhow, what's done is done and she's now with my Opa, which I know will make her so happy. He's been gone for many years now. My Oma was a bit of a hard woman to get to know - seemingly very disapproving, but I know for a fact that she loved her children, and loved her grandchildren (and great-grandchildren) and always loved to share the accomplishments of others. I'm very happy she got to meet Duncan.
I think the upsetting part for me is the weirdness of grasping someone who has always been there not being there any more. I think it is hard for us to wrap our minds around the physical finality of death, even when we have our hope in the Lord.
And at that, very oddly, I am going to wrap this up with Heidelberg Catechism Q & A #1.
It's been like 10 days since the doctor said "24-48 hours" - so she really did hang on, but Mom told me the last few days she was getting even worse, and today was quite bad. It really is a blessing for Oma as she was in quite a bit of pain in the end, and the release is good.
But I admit I got upset. It's all fine and well to put on a brave face "it's for the best" and "it will be a blessing when it happens", but quite frankly I seem to be taking this harder than my Mom! And she's been the one sitting there holding Oma's hand every single day. Maybe that's why. What an amazing woman my Mom is.
Theresa baby sat Duncan tonight while Bill and I went and saw Dark Knight - the new Batman movie and Mom, not knowing we were in a movie, called on the cell (don't worry, I had it on vibrate, so I didn't disturb the people around me). So I was rather distracted by that news for the last 10 minutes of the film (otherwise, Bill loved it. The Joker was creepy - very, very dark film).
Anyhow, what's done is done and she's now with my Opa, which I know will make her so happy. He's been gone for many years now. My Oma was a bit of a hard woman to get to know - seemingly very disapproving, but I know for a fact that she loved her children, and loved her grandchildren (and great-grandchildren) and always loved to share the accomplishments of others. I'm very happy she got to meet Duncan.
I think the upsetting part for me is the weirdness of grasping someone who has always been there not being there any more. I think it is hard for us to wrap our minds around the physical finality of death, even when we have our hope in the Lord.
And at that, very oddly, I am going to wrap this up with Heidelberg Catechism Q & A #1.
Q. What is your only comfort
in life and in death?
A. That I am not my own,^1
but belong—
body and soul,
in life and in death—^2
to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.^3
He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood,^4
and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil.^5
He also watches over me in such a way^6
that not a hair can fall from my head
without the will of my Father in heaven:^7
in fact, all things must work together for my salvation.^8
Because I belong to him,
Christ, by his Holy Spirit,
assures me of eternal life^9
and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready
from now on to live for him.^10
1 1 Cor. 6:19-20
2 Rom. 14:7-9
3 1 Cor. 3:23; Titus 2:14
4 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7-9; 2:2
5 John 8:34-36; Heb. 2:14-15; 1 John 3:1-11
6 John 6:39-40; 10:27-30; 2 Thess. 3:3; 1 Pet. 1:5
7 Matt. 10:29-31; Luke 21:16-18
8 Rom. 8:28
9 Rom. 8:15-16; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; 5:5; Eph. 1:13-14
10 Rom. 8:1-17
Ronnie has a blog!
Yay! Ronnie has started blogging! Check it out at http://wyndsong28.blogspot.com/ She thinks she has nothing to write about. It is obvious to me that she hasn't been reading any of our blogs because then she'd know that really, none of us have anything to write about. But we do anyhow!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
Go to DrHorrible.com today and watch Joss Whedon's awesome Super Hero/Super Villian 3 part musical. It is only available until midnight tonight (July 19, Sunday) and it is pretty awesome. Excellent music, really bad jokes, and stars cool people like Nathan Fillion (from awesome shows like Firefly and Buffy, other amazing Joss masterpieces) and Neil Patrick Harris (our favourite Barney Stinson from HIMYM).
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Random things
Nancy - I've been finding that with Facebook too - a new sudden influx of people. It seems to go in waves. Even my Dad joined!!
Tanya - I meant to tell you how awesome I thought it was that you left Warren with Tara overnight. We never would have done that! I told Bill and he said "I don't think it even occurred to us to do that". You guys rock. I'm glad you didn't have kids today - I know you would have done fine, but much easier without.
Jennifer - yay on new (to you) van. I hope Six is doing well.
Theresa came home to a pipe that had burst upstairs - leaking through the ceiling into the living room... it's pretty nasty. Please pray for her b/c it's going to take a bit to get it all sorted out and floors replaced and ceiling pulled and fixed etc... We've offered her to come over and use shower/toilet facilities as needed, but I hope she's not out of home for a while.
How sweet is this? Following my annoyed post about the Wii Fit Bill went on a hunt to see if he could find one from somewhere else so we could "show them". He didn't find one, but what a sweetie for looking. It's stuff like that which makes him the best man in the world to me.
Tee hee hee...I got two random hits on my blog for putting Gerard Butler in there. He's yummy. So is Ben Browder. I'm just putting that out there.
And finally an update on my Oma - she's still hanging in there! The doctor can't even explain it and says "I still stand by what I said a week ago - 24-48 hours". We've been by to visit on Sunday and Monday. Mom had the day "off" while Auntie Elizabeth (Mom's sister) came out to be with Oma. It really won't be long now - days, who knows... but please pray for an ease of passing when it comes.
Tanya - I meant to tell you how awesome I thought it was that you left Warren with Tara overnight. We never would have done that! I told Bill and he said "I don't think it even occurred to us to do that". You guys rock. I'm glad you didn't have kids today - I know you would have done fine, but much easier without.
Jennifer - yay on new (to you) van. I hope Six is doing well.
Theresa came home to a pipe that had burst upstairs - leaking through the ceiling into the living room... it's pretty nasty. Please pray for her b/c it's going to take a bit to get it all sorted out and floors replaced and ceiling pulled and fixed etc... We've offered her to come over and use shower/toilet facilities as needed, but I hope she's not out of home for a while.
How sweet is this? Following my annoyed post about the Wii Fit Bill went on a hunt to see if he could find one from somewhere else so we could "show them". He didn't find one, but what a sweetie for looking. It's stuff like that which makes him the best man in the world to me.
Tee hee hee...I got two random hits on my blog for putting Gerard Butler in there. He's yummy. So is Ben Browder. I'm just putting that out there.
And finally an update on my Oma - she's still hanging in there! The doctor can't even explain it and says "I still stand by what I said a week ago - 24-48 hours". We've been by to visit on Sunday and Monday. Mom had the day "off" while Auntie Elizabeth (Mom's sister) came out to be with Oma. It really won't be long now - days, who knows... but please pray for an ease of passing when it comes.
Annoyed
Today I'm annoyed. Theresa and I have been trying to track down Wii Fits for quite some time now, and while at Rogers Video a few weeks ago I asked if they had any - no but you can put your name on a list and they will give you one when it comes in. On Saturday I checked "where am I on the list?" 6th they said. Today Theresa emails "hey I got mine! Did you get yours?" What? She was after me on the list. So I called Rogers (loyal cell phone customer for 12 years now)
Me: "Umm... what's going on?" (okay I didn't ask that way - I explained the situation)
Rogers: "Oh you must not have responded when we called."
Me: "Do your normally leave messages?"
Rogers: "normally"
Me: "Well you didn't. So do you have one for me?"
Rogers: "Let me check... no we don't, sorry."
Me: "Okay well would you please make a note beside my name to leave a message next time?"
Rogers: "Yes, I'll put a note beside your name."
I'm totally razzing Theresa "You >beep< I can't believe you stole my Wii Fit... " and she's totally having fun rubbing it in "ha ha I jumped the line and got it 1st..."
But all kidding aside - I'm glad she got hers b/c she also really wanted one, but I'm annoyed with Rogers! I need to go check my call display tonight and see if they did even call.
Me: "Umm... what's going on?" (okay I didn't ask that way - I explained the situation)
Rogers: "Oh you must not have responded when we called."
Me: "Do your normally leave messages?"
Rogers: "normally"
Me: "Well you didn't. So do you have one for me?"
Rogers: "Let me check... no we don't, sorry."
Me: "Okay well would you please make a note beside my name to leave a message next time?"
Rogers: "Yes, I'll put a note beside your name."
I'm totally razzing Theresa "You >beep< I can't believe you stole my Wii Fit... " and she's totally having fun rubbing it in "ha ha I jumped the line and got it 1st..."
But all kidding aside - I'm glad she got hers b/c she also really wanted one, but I'm annoyed with Rogers! I need to go check my call display tonight and see if they did even call.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
ABCs of me
Snagged from Nancy on my Moms list…
A = Age: 34
B = Bed size: Queen
C = Chores you hate: Vacuuming - I like clean floors but it's sweaty work.
D = Dessert you love: Ice cream
E = Essential start your day item: Coffee
F = Favorite actor(s): Ben Browder
G = Gold or Silver: Gold
H = Height: 5′9"
I = Instruments you play: Trombone (although it's been 13 years), we have a piano but I wouldn't claim I can play it
J= Job title: Disability Case Manager
K= Kids: 1
L = Living arrangements: Townhouse
M = My name is: Carole
N = Nicknames: Mama
O = Overnight hospital stay: 2 nights when Duncan was born
P= Pets: 2 cats Strider (or Dider as Duncan calls him) and Willow
Q = Favorite quote: It doesn't take all types, we've just got all types - WC Fields (I think)
R = Right or left handed: lefty
S = Siblings: 3 older brothers
T = Time you woke up today: Alarm went off 5:15, I got up 5:30
U = Unique about you: I'm me!! That's what's unique about me.
V = Vegetable you hate: parsley
W = Worst habit: laziness
X = X-Rays you’ve had : ankle
Y = Yummy food you make: Better Than Sex Cake
Z = Zodiac Sign: Libra
B = Bed size: Queen
C = Chores you hate: Vacuuming - I like clean floors but it's sweaty work.
D = Dessert you love: Ice cream
E = Essential start your day item: Coffee
F = Favorite actor(s): Ben Browder
G = Gold or Silver: Gold
H = Height: 5′9"
I = Instruments you play: Trombone (although it's been 13 years), we have a piano but I wouldn't claim I can play it
J= Job title: Disability Case Manager
K= Kids: 1
L = Living arrangements: Townhouse
M = My name is: Carole
N = Nicknames: Mama
O = Overnight hospital stay: 2 nights when Duncan was born
P= Pets: 2 cats Strider (or Dider as Duncan calls him) and Willow
Q = Favorite quote: It doesn't take all types, we've just got all types - WC Fields (I think)
R = Right or left handed: lefty
S = Siblings: 3 older brothers
T = Time you woke up today: Alarm went off 5:15, I got up 5:30
U = Unique about you: I'm me!! That's what's unique about me.
V = Vegetable you hate: parsley
W = Worst habit: laziness
X = X-Rays you’ve had : ankle
Y = Yummy food you make: Better Than Sex Cake
Z = Zodiac Sign: Libra
Now I know my ABCs…..
Monday, July 14, 2008
Weekend Summary
Over all it was a good weekend. Duncan and I drove Bill out to
Sunday morning Duncan and I walked over to the Hospital and visited with my Oma and my Mom who has been there pretty much all day every day. I’m glad we went. Oma lit up (as much as possible) when she saw
Anyhow, the afternoon was nice and laid back. I watched 27 Dresses, which I enjoyed. Simple, story been done a hundred times in it’s base form, but it was good.
And now it’s Monday! Time to get some work done. I’m off Friday no matter what, so it’s a short week. I’m hoping we might be able to get a sitter on Saturday and go see Batman – The Dark Knight, and go for dinner. I’ll need to ask around.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Lousy week
I haven't been writing just b/c it's been a cruddy week and I didn't feel like blogging with heightened emotions running rampant. But I'm doing better now, so it's okay.
After much prayer I learned yesterday that our 2nd office for work is going to be in Surrey/Langley. I'm incredibly disheartened. I was really praying that it would be closer that I could transfer and be closer to Duncan. But I need to believe the Lord has a plan for this family. Whether I hang on, or leave the company after baby #2, or whatever it is. We are in his hands.
But it was a cruddy few days. I finally wrote out all my concerns to my boss and we're meeting tomorrow to discuss. She's so good about it.
I got a call from my Mom tonight who is on the way to the hospital - my Oma (grandma) has taken a turn for the worse and may only have 24-48 hours left with us. This is with mixed feelings. Oma, quite honestly, was expected to die a year ago (last July) however has hung on. But her mind and her body have been slipping away for a while now, and while it would be sad - more so for my Mom, losing her Mom, it would also be a blessing for Oma. Please pray for our family during this time. I'll let you all know.
After much prayer I learned yesterday that our 2nd office for work is going to be in Surrey/Langley. I'm incredibly disheartened. I was really praying that it would be closer that I could transfer and be closer to Duncan. But I need to believe the Lord has a plan for this family. Whether I hang on, or leave the company after baby #2, or whatever it is. We are in his hands.
But it was a cruddy few days. I finally wrote out all my concerns to my boss and we're meeting tomorrow to discuss. She's so good about it.
I got a call from my Mom tonight who is on the way to the hospital - my Oma (grandma) has taken a turn for the worse and may only have 24-48 hours left with us. This is with mixed feelings. Oma, quite honestly, was expected to die a year ago (last July) however has hung on. But her mind and her body have been slipping away for a while now, and while it would be sad - more so for my Mom, losing her Mom, it would also be a blessing for Oma. Please pray for our family during this time. I'll let you all know.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Bill is blogging again
Hey everyone, Bill has set up a new blog. Check it out at http://htwavcbh.blogspot.com/
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Silly Thunderstorm
It wasn't even a particularly fierce storm, but once I woke up the lightning flashes were enough to keep me awake, so I didn't have too good of a sleep last night. But Duncan slept through it, which is good. I don't think he's really experienced a thunderstorm yet, so it will be interesting to see how he does, when he does. When I lived in Iowa and Kansas we used to get some massive ones - real weather I call it - so anything we get here is usually quite piddly.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Don S. Davis
We learned on the news this morning that Don S. Davis passed away of a heart attack at his home in Gibsons. We're really sad to hear this and think of his family today. If any of you know him it's probably as his role in Stargate SG1 as General Hammond. Bill and I are fans of the show (really, feel free to borrow any one of the 10 seasons on dvd we have). We also think of the cast of the show as I am sure they were all very close and this has to be a great loss for them. Stargate Sg1 was filmed locally (Stargate Atlantis still is) so I am sure there are a lot of local people who knew him too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)