One thing I am really happy about in all this busy time is that LK scrubbed the deck on his day off. Here he is with the tools of the trade. "30 second" spray, hose, gloves and muscle. The difference was dramatic. Is somewhat springy here and I am going to buy an umbrella tomorrow and we'll be all set for some outdoor living.

I cut Steven's hair yesterday afternoon. I was REALLY tired and he kept asking me if I was mad - NO I'm exhausted. OH, You're doing great - awesome. Hmmm. I think the compliments were supposed to fuel my energy. Anyway, here is his self portrait after his haircut - short in the back, long in the front. He thinks it's the best haircut he's had in a long time. I always like having a happy customer.

Well! The big event of the day today was Aimee visiting with my folks at Worthington. Immediately both of them brighted right up. Mom had a present for the babies hidden in the closet - surprise and fun - two little baby sleepers. (Hey - Carolyn - you need to stop by Worthington because there is another package in the closet for your baby too!) We had a great visit. Check out Aimee's blog for a picture of my mom hugging the twins. Precious. Thanks for your prayers. We don't know still how long mom will be in hospital. Rehab is hard - the staff push her toward independence and sometimes this feels harsh - sometimes I think it might be harsh. It sure makes a person want to get out of there!

My dad. I see this expression and to me it is his "I'm enjoying you, I'm interested in you, I'm supportive of you" - things I've been blessed to live with all my life. Here Dad is enjoying Aimee's visit - but even more he is enjoying Aimee bringing joy to my mom - double happiness.

Happy moments.

Light in the darkness. Sunday was glorious and LK and I went on a hike on Sumas Mountain. I loved it. I loved it. My knees though are still complaining. I think it's partly my hiking boots - they've never been kind to me knees.

Point Form

Sometimes I'm too tired to put words together - but what's a blog with no words? So, here are some random bits.

~ My dad is driving again. This is great as I am not spending so much time on the road. Also, when I go to see my mom - I can walk. I enjoy and need the exercise.

~ Mom's recovery has had its rough points. Lots of tummy trouble and breathlessness. Many meds being readjusted. The last two days seem better.

~ Today I went to take mom in a wheelchair about a half block to a lab for a Holter 24 hour heart monitor. Sounds simple - NOT. Staff could not locate any foot things for the chair so she had to hold her legs out for the whole ride - and every bump hurt. Do you know how many little bumps there are? Sidewalk cracks, cracks in fitted brick walkways, road pebbles, speed bumps, cracks. Sheesh. Well, we did it. When we got there, we were told we were late and had to wait an extra 35 minutes because they let someone else go ahead of us. We were not informed about coming 15 minutes early to register. Endurance.

~ Andy and Cara and little Sarah are moving to Penticton to work at a camp. Oh boy...mixed feelings. Happy first then sad - how will I keep up with Sarah? She only has a few words and doesn't really talk on the phone yet - although she does like to listen. How will I give her hugs? Oh how I will miss hearing her squeal with delight when she hears me coming down to visit. I AM also so happy for God guiding Andy and Cara to a camp - their dream. They will be living on a lake - one of my dreams.

~ Praying round the cross. Went to a Taize service at St. Matthews Sunday night. I was profoundly touched though a prayer experience they called 'praying round the cross'. There was a full size rough cross on the floor near the altar. Well, it was lying on four blocks covered in needlepoint (the blocks were covered)- so it was maybe 3 inches off the floor. The cross was surrounded by pillows and people were invited to come and pray - pray for the suffering - bringing ones burdens to the cross. We were invited to maybe make a gesture, like touching our foreheads to the cross as a sign of leaving our burdens with Jesus. I'm so tactile, I laid my arm along the cross and rested my head on it, feeling the cross with both of my hands, tears and sobs pouring from me. I felt so in touch with Jesus, the cross so real, so sturdy, so able to save, so present, so rough, such a whole person worship experience. And then I couldn't find a tissue - until the greeter helped me. It's humbling to be wandering through the foyer of a church, all snot and tears looking for a box of tissue. It was OK - I actually felt at home. And my burdens were lightened. And I know where I left them. And He is able.

~ Aimee comes in the morning - for a week! Aimee and the "wigglers".

~ Brent Thompson - I really enjoyed your concert on Saturday night. It had a very warm feel to me and I was just happy to be there soaking it up. I have lost the link to your blog though. Could you remind me?

Me enjoying some time out.

LK - looks good eh?

Sarah with a warm greeting for a stranger on our walk. Warm eyes.

All the days seem to blur together lately. But one day recently I woke to the sound of helicopters - military ones. At Mill Lake a commercial was being filmed to recruit people for the military. They were staging a flood rescue situation. I found it really exciting. Cara, Sarah and I went for a walk and saw most of the action - but it was lunch break for the helicopters so we didn't see them flying close over the water. It was weird to see power boats on tiny Mill Lake - one boat with two big Yamaha outboards - very fast.

Three children enjoying the film making action on our little lake.

Checking out the block long fog machine. I told the guy 'guarding' this snake that we often have enough of our own fog - but that it was ok if he had to bring his own today. Such a lame little remark - but it was so refreshing to me when he returned a harty laugh.

Tired

I’m so tired but finding it hard to unwind tonight. What a day. Today was my quilting class. I learned SO much – but only came home with three blocks done. This is OK as I also learned how to properly use my new rotary cutting tools and came to understand the technique. I would happily take another course. The blocks I finished are very cute - but I cannot post a picture because it's a surprise.

It was an all day course, but I left early so my dad and I could tour Hallmark assisted living. It is a beautiful independent, expensive, complex where you rent your suite and all meals are served in a beautiful dining room. Other good features too – like oversized windows looking out to the forest – one of my favorite things. But the suites are small – even the two bedroom ones when you think of coming from a large home. I pray that God will help my parents sense the best pathway for their lives in this chapter.

After touring Hallmark my dad took me out for supper at ABC where we both ate a properly cooked meal. I’ve been eating too many peanut butter and banana sandwiches. I’m almost never here to cook – never around supper time. Steve gave me a talking to about not overextending myself. There is a protector lurking in him that is quite attractive. Lando tries to share the driving, which is a big help.

After supper we drove on to Worthington (a rehab facility), where Mom was moved today. She is in exactly the same room as last March when she broke her pelvis. She wants to skip March next year – understandably. I believe she is in better shape than last year at this point – a little stronger – even though more bones are broken. Everyone is working to figure out the cause of the falls to reduce the possibility of more falls in the future – heaven forbid. So far her medications for blood pressure and sleeping pills have been reduced – in hopes of averting the early morning drops.

One thing we have lacked is a coordinator for my mom's care. All the specialists are in Vancouver and no one is confering, yet, with her specialists - cardiologist, the shoulder surgeon, kidney dude - but they all are part of the team - and yet not. Oh for a big city hospital with a team that could pull together. I don't even think her collar bone is in place - the x-ray showed it separated. ARGH..a plan... a plan...Please pray for a good plan to develop that will address all her needs and a plan for serious risk reduction.

I’m sure my dad is very tired – but his love compels him. He spends five hours a day at the hospital. I spend much less – but I do spend lots of time driving to and fro. And the emotional impact is great.

Thank you to everyone who is praying – Wendy (in Mpls.), Melanie, Marsha ...and everyone who I may have missed.

I want to say one funny thing - In my tired hurried state to visit the cardiologist for myself, I ran into Tim Hortons for coffee's and 4 Timbits (portion control) for LK and me. I said - "I'd like a large black coffee and a medium black coffee with lots of milk..." That didn't sound right - and I started to giggle. I chuckled my way though ordering the Timbits and was still giggling away on my way to the car. Maybe you had to be there....

My cardio appointment was good news. I do have 2 leaking valves but the echocariogram I had in our town last year showed them to be leaking moderately to severely. At Royal Columbian - in the cardio department where they are really experts at doing and reading such things - my valves are interpreted as leaking mildly and better yet as UCHANGED from 5 years ago. Last year I was SO frightened at the seemingly rapid deterioration of my heart and now I feel I have a new lease on life. Must lose weight, must lose weight, must get exercize every day. Must keep heart as healthy as possible. Nothing can be done to influence valve health - but exercize is great for over all heart health - we know that.

Peace out.

An evening jam session with Grandpa. Sarah's playing rythm eggs - and doing a good job of it. She even likes old folk songs - no not old folks' songs - FOLK songs ;)

For Aimee - the back yard.

For Kortney Elise - these are the three from the other day. I think they will make a come back as they warm up. Thanks for asking - it got me out in the fresh air first thing. I LOVED the giant snow flakes yesterday. They were whole snow communities falling - all stuck together. I saw some that may have been two inches across. It's fun being inside a snow globe.

OK, I remember, this is why I want a fence with a gate as opposed to a decorative rail fence. Right after taking some peaceful morning pictures of my garden, I look back outside and see a big fluffy black and brown dog with pointy ears ROLLING in my geraniums. I sent him away and he was back in a minuite. Now I have shut our feeble gate and hope he doesn't discover he can run around the other side of the house unobstructed. Sheesh. What - did they smell good? Did he think they were a towell?

Crushed geranium. :(

Snowy forsythia.

Forsythia and quince.

Snow drops.

This morning I introduced Sarah to Mog. She examined him very closely - eyes, nose, mouth, pink ears, little whiskers. Then we looked at the book. She says his name - Mo(g) - silent g. So cute.

Sarah and Mog.

Much Longer

Found out this morning that Mom does indeed have a simple pelvic fracture. They want her to totally stay in bed. She was told the recovery will take "much longer". I talked to the nurse - much longer - how long is that? Like last time? Yes, like last time. For now, Mom is digesting the news 'much longer'. At first she thought she'd be out in a few days. She is very discouraged. I don't think she has caught the fullness of what the doctor was implying - - like last time....like last time she broke her pelvis. Many of you remember that very difficult and very long journey. God help us all. I say that a lot these days. God help us all. He does - He is - He will.

Recess

This morning I walked with my friend Ruth before I picked up my dad and went to the hospital. I told her how I was pacing myself these days, and making sure to fit some rest and pleasure into each day - reading for fun, visiting Cara and Sarah. Ruth says - 'that's called recess' - and so it is. Thank God for recess - it's helping keep me sane.

Update on my mom. Well, there hasn't been much communication between doctors and family, so we really don't know much more. We are waiting for more x-rays to be taken and wondering when they will get her up for walking. One just gets more weak laying in bed. They are making some changes with medications - trying to prevent her blood pressure from getting too low in the early morning hours. Dad and I go the the hospital twice a day. Usually he stays longer. The middle of the day he goes home and we rest - I rest best - I call myself a professional napper. I sleep like a rock - do a few chores and head back to the hospital. Lando helps with the driving as well. The naps help restore me from emotional exhaustion.

Thank you for your kind words and prayers.

Tomorrow for fun I am going back to the dentist to investigate a tooth that keeps falling apart. It is the tooth that had the massive cavity in it and has already been repaired once. It seems it will need a crown. Oh joy. No dental insurance for that - and this is not the best time to do it - but so it goes.

I had a great visit with Aimee tonight. She is going to try to come for a visit if the doctor says it's OK. If it's OK for the wigglers - then she will come. I hope it works out - fun, fun, fun.

Following is a picture of surgery. The photos do not do justice to the dramatic before and after - but surgery was successful - I'm serious - this cat is svelte in comparison to before!

Cat surgery. This is Mog the cat. Sarah has a cute little book she likes called 'Mog and Me'. I found this cat at the hospital gift shop the other day. It is Mog - but it was too fat, in fact the gift shop lady said they call them 'fat cats'. Not good - In the story book, Mog is not fat - so tonight, before I give him to Sarah, Mog had a few nips and tucks - home surgery. Now his neckline is defined, waistline trimmed, back contoured and thighs shaped. All this in a half hour. For the pain endured Mog received a heart sticker. Any readers want any nips and tucks? I have experience :P .

So many crocuses this year. They are popping up even 15 feet away from the tree - and lasting so long. Sarah bends down to gently pat them. Lando says she's being gentle but as she squats down - she's pretty much sitting on some behind her. Smile.

Sarah enjoying the sunny back yard.

A March picnic breakfast and visit.

A Weekend of Contrasts

What a weekend – and it’s not even Sunday yet. Starting with Friday. Lance came to visit – hurray. He came to town to play in a, I’m not sure what to call it, show, event, an evening of music and dramatic readings called ‘Testimony’ at our favorite little theater in Vancouver – Pacific Theater. By the time we heard of the event, tickets were nearly sold out but we managed to nab 4. I loved the evening. I laughed, cried, was inspired, encouraged and rested too. I took one picture near the beginning forgetting to turn off my flash – oh brother. Anyway – I took a few more after that – no flash. At intermission I was very kindly told that it is illegal to take pictures of a set – and there was one in progress. So please not to take any more. I have tightly cropped the pictures I’ve posted so the set is either gone or unrecognizable. Learned something new.

After the show we went to Earls where I was very sleepy but happy to be out none the less. I think we got home about 2:00or so.

OK now the bad news. What’s red and white and screams real loud? And you don’t want to see it in front of your parents’ house? Yes – an ambulance. We got a call at 6:30 this morning from my dad. Mom had had another fall – the second in 10 days. This time he called the ambulance. Joy and trauma side by side. She had a cat scan and x-rays and it seems she has broken her collar bone and broken two ribs. They have kept her in hospital – still in emergency – on morphine. The big question is WHY is she falling. They have run lots of tests. One theory is that her blood pressure might be very low in the early hours of the morning. She has no warning – just goes down. It’s so very sad.

In between trips to the hospital and driving my dad around, who is still in a sling from shoulder surgery, I was able to make some apple streusel muffins that I wanted to make for a special breakfast for Lance. It ended up that I served breakfast to Steve and Lance on the back patio while they visited with the Abrahams. A picnic breakfast in March. Now that’s something to blog about.

Lando and I had a walk around the lake. I picked up supper at the store for my dad and we went back to see mom. I would really appreciate prayers for my mom. I’m leaning on grace – I have a sense of God holding our hands as we journey this stretch together.

Steve, Melanie and Lance right after the show.

Carolyn Arends reading. I didn't know she has written a couple books. I would like to check them out.

Some of the band playing.

Ron reading.

Sheree singing.

Lance singing.