Last Week I...

Last week was a full and exciting week!  So many choices of things to do!  A week like this feels so satisfying and makes me so happy... and also tired.  It's hard to find a balance.  If I go at the slower, more manageable pace, I tend to be bored and maybe even a little depressed.  With a busier week like this I'm much happier, but then every once in a while I can't keep up with all my commitments, feel overwhelmed, and end up having the ocassional emotional meltdown.  But to me it's worth it.

So, this past week I...
- did lots of gardening, both at our son and DIL's and at our place.

sunflowers, one of my experiments this summer, are starting to come up

- had a tour of a refugee settlement house where my niece is interning for the summer, and then we all went down to Ashbridges Bay to watch the Victoria Day fireworks. 

- spent a day visiting with my parents and sorting the things left behind in their former place. And we found my camera's battery charger there - on "my" bed where I had left it a week ago!  So in my excitement I took lots of pictures of things to be divied up to various family members, but forgot to take any of my parents in their new home.  Maybe next time.

- visited with Little Oscar (and his parents too!) and got treated to egg mcmuffins for lunch in honour of grandpa Ken's birthday.

Oscar kicking his socks around from his Jolly Jumper

- got my haircut!  It took me a while to finally make an appointment because it seemed like such a shame to cut off all those curls.  But it didn't hurt and wasn't traumatic and I survived just fine. I'm relieved that my hair saga has finally come to an end.  It's another step towards feeling more "normal".

- went for a routine check-up with the oncologist who told us, "It looks all clear, nothing to be concerned about, I think we're ready to say you're now in remission, see you in six months."  And today we saw the opthamologist who said that my eyes are also stable.  "Nothing new there." So that's lots of good news and no more medical appointments until September!

In celebration of all the good news, here's a picture of our first peony of the season

 Life is good. I feel so blessed to be able to enjoy all these little everyday things!   

My New Tomato Garden

As of a few hours ago I have a new tomato garden!  I'm so excited!  Not that I really needed more space to take care of outside, but I'm excited about it being something new and different.  It's become more challenging by the year to grow  tomatoes in our back yard vegetable garden.  The trees have grown so large that I think they're getting most of the sun and most of the nutrition from the soil. 

So for the last few years I've been growing tomatoes in the flower beds in the front yard.  I got lots of tomatoes.  But with more sunshine and good soil, the plants grew huge and unwieldy and ended up looking like a mess. And then I got inspired by what our neighbour was doing.  We have a space between our homes that wasn't being used at all by either of us.  So two summers ago he dug up a narrow strip along his house and planted tomatoes and peppers there.  They did really well!

our neighbour's strip on the left and our curvy bed on the right

So... two days ago I took a good look at this space and decided to rip out a few bushes on our side and started digging.  Every time I went out there the bushes got smaller and the tomato bed got bigger.  Then this morning, shortly before going out to get groceries and some tomato plants, our neighbour from across the street came over to chat and asked whether I wanted any tomato plants?

Definitely!  I'd love some! Maybe six or eight. 

I got a tour of her amazing vegetable garden (mini-farm) full of plants she has grown from seeds collected from her plants last year.  She suggested I come back in the evening for some plants.  This evening we visited together again and then she offered to come and "help" me with the planting.  I quickly ran to get a few lawn chairs so we'd have a place to rest and where she could maybe watch me work.

By the time I came around the house, she had already dug a trench and was starting to put in the first plants.  She's a pro at growing tomatoes and she's also concerned about my health, so while I was trying to protect my almost 80 year-old neighbour who has severe arthritis, she was even more adamantly demanding that I "take it easy and don't do too much". 

Adelle won out and did most of the work, in a flash!  She decided on the curvy trench idea, she added the manure, put in about seventeen plants, watered them, and insisted that I rest.  What could I do?

So here is the new tomato bed!  Why had I never thought of this location in all the 32 years we've lived here?  By the way, Adelle is coming over in the morning to make sure the plants have revived after a good watering and a cool night.  If these plants don't make it, she has at least another 200 replacement plants.  What can I say?  I think I have a new garden and a new gardening partner. 

Every Penny Counts!

Did you know that by the fall of 2012 the Canadian Government will no longer be producing pennies? Do you have a jar or piggy bank full of pennies stashed away somewhere? Well if you do, here’s your chance to use them to make a difference in the lives of families impacted by poverty.

Toronto City Mission (where I worked until my retirement a few weeks ago) is collecting these pennies that will soon be out of circulation. They have set a goal of 1 million pennies by June 30th!  Every penny Toronto City Mission receives by June 30, 2012 will go directly to sending children to summer camps. It costs 16,000 pennies to send one child to camp for one week. Please help them reach their goal!

 

If you have any pennies lying around that you could contribute towards the 1 million goal, I'd be happy to get them to the mission for you.  Some children are going to have a safe and amazing summer because of these forgotten pennies!   

 

* I've misplaced my camera's battery charger, which means, with the battery being very low, I've basically been without a camera for the past week. I have a feeling I might have left it at my parents' place last week, so hopefully I'll find it back when we go there for a visit (and some work) tomorrow.  Can't believe I've been able to survive this long without it.

Do not Worry about Tomorrow

Here's a quote I found on a (faithrises) blog I follow ...

Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of it's sorrow,

but only empties today of it's strength.

Charles Spurgeon

ducks we saw at Harbourfront a few days ago

I've spent more than enough days worrying about things that never happened.  What a waste of perfectly good days that could have been just fine if I hadn't been focussed on all kinds of "what if's".  At times like that it's good for me to remember...

Philippians 4:6-7Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (NLT)

I Need a Haircut!

When little Oscar was born last September, five days after my last radiation treatment, he had some hair, but I had none; I was completely shiny bald. Roles have reversed since then. He's lost all of his and mine has grown back in thick and curly. When I was having a hard time with losing my hair, my sister sent me a very appropriate card that said, "I can't wait to hear you say those four little words..." and then inside it said, "I need a haircut!"

Well, now I can truly say, "I need a haircut!"  I've been hemming and hawing about it for a couple of weeks.  At first I liked my new hair, whatever it looked like - first peach fuzz, then a pixie-cut look, and then longer and curly.  I was just so thankful to have any at all and it was surprising and  fun to get curls! The other women at the pool have been a bit envious of my free perm!  But now it's getting to be quite a mop. Whenever I see myself in the mirror I'm caught off guard by all the curls and it doesn't feel like me anymore.

And yet I can't get myself to make an appointment.  I've been on the verge of calling or stopping by the shop, but it seems such a shame to cut off all these curls.  Will they come back, or will my hair be straighter again like before?  What is it with me and my hair this year?!  First I get all upset about losing it.  Now I can't get myself over to the hairdresser for a trim.  A bit symbolic of how traumatic this whole cancer things has been emotionally, I think.  I thank the Lord for my curly hair - it's been fun!  And all I need is a trim.  That's really not such a big deal. Maybe next week. 

Our Weekly Thursday Visit

It's Thursday, which means we had our weekly special time with little Oscar today.  He is so-o-o-o-o lovable!  We don't do anything when we're there -  just sit and watch him, hold him, cuddle him, play with him and just plain delight in him.   He'll be eight months next week and he's growing up and changing quickly.  I hadn't seen him for three weeks before Mother's day and in that time he has becoming more mobile.  He's scooting around on the floor and is chewing on everything he finds; Opa's slippers (pictures didn't turn out), his play mat, his toys, his own feet...

Me on the mat and Oscar scooting around on the floor

in the beginning stage of crawling

He's trying to crawl by getting up on his hands and knees like in this picture and then rocks back and forth and drools and "talks".  Sometimes he's up on all fours with his bum up in the air, like doing a yoga downward dog, and then either gets stranded there, not knowing what to do, or collapses.  It's so cute to watch!

starting to sit up by himself

If you set him up he can sit by himself for awhile.  Sometimes he wobbles around for a bit and then tumbles onto the mat.  He suddenly looks so grown up when he's sitting there like this.  I just love this little guy to bits!

Bloom Where You Are Planted

I just finished reading an update from a young family friend who is travelling and working in West Africa to assess current healthcare services and accessibility.  As I scrolled down the messages in my "Inbox" I came across a message from one of my nieces serving on a summer internship at a refugee settlement house in Toronto, newsletters from two other nieces serving with Youth With A Mission - one in Costa Rica and the other in Europe, an e-mail from a family eventually heading to the middle east with Wycliffe... the list goes on.  Their young energy, passion and commitment is so inspiring!

a few late-flowering tulips

And then I reflect here in my blog on the little details of my life that seem so small in comparison, yet that's where God has me right now.  It's easy for me to become jealous of all the seemingly exotic places and glamorous experiences they write about.  And yet there they also wrestle with how to serve God and follow his call in all the day-to-day small details of their lives.  Makes me think of the saying, "bloom where you are planted".

And speaking of blooming and planting...

 some plants and cuttings "hardening off" outside

A few days ago I brought lots of plants and seedlings outside to "harden off", meaning getting them gradually used to the change from inside growing conditions to being outside.  I first started them inside the garage to adjust to the cooler temperatures, then in the shade outside to get used to the wind, and now I'm starting to move them into filtered sunshine and then gradually into the full sun. 

And this year I finally have one thriving rhubarb plant!  I don't know what the problem is with growing rhubarb on our property.  I've planted them in pure compost and pure manure, our North York clay, in the shade, in the sun, and now in our front yard flower bed.  I've received plants from people whose rhubarb grew into huge bushes, but when planted in our yard they all resulted in spindly little plants.  Finally this year one has really taken off and yesterday I picked quite a few good-sized stalks.  By the way, did you know that rhubarb leaves are poisonous? 

our first rhubarb harvest of the season

Family Team Work

Here are a final few pictures of my parents' move. I realize I've done a lot of posts about this event; it's because this was a big event for my parents and the whole family, and a big deal - a huge blessing - for me! Since this blog is about sharing my blessings, day after day you're been hearing about all the blessings I experienced over these last two-and-a-half weeks spent with my parents. I still can't believe that I had the health to do this and still can't believe the extraordinary energy I was given! I just view it all as a huge gift from the Lord! 

Working together as a team with some of my six brothers was wonderful!  Sharing the work and many memories along the way, and strengthening the bond among us was great! We worked hard and had fun.  After we got my parents somewhat settled into their new home, there were still details to be attended to in both places.

Carel removing nails and plugs from the walls in the old place

Andy filling the holes left behind

Jeff removing the name plate from the front door

and then over at the new place - hanging towel bars and curtains

assembling a new unit to store linens in the bathroom

I can't tell you the number of times my mom said, "It's a good thing we had so many children (9) because now we have lots of helpers!"

And that about covers the move.  I promise to post about something else next time!

The Lord Provided!

So, my parents are slowly but surely settling into their new home. I just talked with my dad a few minutes ago and so far they have been able to find everything they needed. The living room drapes are off to a seamstress to be shortened. They have had lunch in the dining room with their new neighbours. And today they had company over for coffee after church.    Here are a few more pictures of their first few days in #219.

my dad crashing in his easy chair

For those of you who know my parents' home, doesn't this corner look familiar?

first meal in the dining hall

and lunch in their own breakfast nook

some mother-son time

initialing the offer for the sale of the old place 

The sale of my parents' old place was another huge blessing from the Lord.  A number of people came through wanting a second bathroom and hardwood flooring. They felt the extra expense for them justified the request for a lower selling price.  After it being listed for about a month with no offers, the realtor was encouraging my parents to drop the price, but we decided to stay with the listed price for a while longer.  My dad kept telling the realtor, "I'm not worried.  The Lord will provide the right person to buy this place." 

realtor on left - "Congratulations! You've accepted the offer. Your place is sold."

And sure enough!  A lady came through who absolutely loved the place!  Loved the light, the space, the bay windows for her plants, etc.  We were hoping she would become the new owner because she would fully appreciate and enjoy all the special features of the place that my parents loved so much.  And when she came in with a very good offer we accepted it with no sign backs.  It was all so easy and so pleasant.  I was so excited!  The realtor nudged my dad and said, "You always said the Lord would provide and take care of everything, and He did!"  All together we offered a prayer of thanksgiving.  It was so exciting and such a blessing!  

Moving Day - A Family Affair

So after days of preparations and anticipation (and some dread), the moving day finally arrived last Saturday, to my Father's great relief.  He was looking forward to getting settled into their new place.  It turned into a fun family day with children and grandchildren helping.  We had the most perfect weather for moving - cool, sunny and dry. 

The first items to be moved were my mom and dad's easy chairs.  So they sat in their new living room watching everything come in and their new home coming together.  I was at the other end.  Having lived with my parents for a week before the move came in very handy, knowing what they use and where things are, so that I could help with what needed to be moved.  We moved one room at a time, sometimes taking pictures to remember how things were set up at one end, and then replicating it as closely as possible on the other end. 

Like I told you before, my camera was nowhere to be found on moving day, so I used my sister-in-law's camera which was in the food basket so the only pictures I have are around food - of people taking breaks and eating.  We actually did have a big rental cube van and did actually lug around furniture and bins.   At least you can see who was involved and get a little glimpse of the new apartment. 

Fanny preparing snack in the new kitchen - this counter faces the living room

break time in the new living room - this is the view from the kitchen

part of the moving crew on coffee break

not enough space for all inside, so some sat in the hallway

lunch break at the old place - at one end of the empty living room

L-R Nick, Carel, Steve, Robert, Everett, Fanny, John

and at the other end - which was not quite so empty yet

All in all it was a good day; a day of pulling together as a family to love and support and help my parents in this transition.  It was hard to pull apart their home at one end, but it was a joy to help make it feel like home at the new end.  I'm thankful that I could be part of this experience.  

The "Last Supper"

Today is my second day back home and I'm already all rested up from my time away. The only "side effect" of the whole experience is that I now feel perfectly normal and healthy and strong. I think this change of scene and the new responsibilities served as a transition point for me from being in the patient role and being passive and looked after, into a new mindset of now knowing that I'm all better and able to take on new and more challenging things. It's a wonderful feeling!

Here are just a few more pictures of the last day in my parents' former home before their move.

sorting through the blanket boxes

my mom relaxing in her chair - quite a typical scene these days

"the last supper" with Carel, Irene, Alexa, Father, Mother and me

The next day was the big move.  Unfortunately I misplaced my camera that day and didn't find it back until the move was all over.  So glad my sister-in-law found it under my bed, but I have no pictures to show you of the big event yet.

Back Home Again

Hi!  I'm back home at our own computer after spending two and a half weeks (minus one weekend in the middle) with my parents to help them move and to support them during my mom's diagnosis with bladder cancer.  Today was my first day back home.  I slept in, slowly unpacked, inspected  my seedlings inside and outside, and slept again most of the afternoon, sorted photos from the last few weeks, walked to the library to pick up a few exercise videos, and made some phone calls.  Now I feel re-oriented and re-connected here; ready to get on with my life at home again.

marigold seedlings inside are in bloom already!

Having the opportunity to spend time with my parents in this way is such a huge gift from the Lord!  I feel so blessed!  When my life was threatened with the possibility of cancer in my eyes a few years ago, which probably developed into the brain cancer I had last year, there were four things I wanted to do before I died.  Two of them were to see grandchildren and to be able to support my parents in their old age.  We now spend every Thursday morning enjoying our first grandchild, and just now I was able to spend two and a half weeks with my parents!  At this time last year I never would have imagined that I would have the privilege of experiencing all of this now. I feel so blessed!

  my brother and I went shopping for fresh produce

So by now my parents are getting settled in their new assisted living unit.  (I'll share some more about that in the next few days.)  One of my brothers came from Alberta for a few days to help with the move, and so once my parents moved to their new unit, Andy and I stayed at the old place together.  One of the first things we did was buy some food.  Andy is also a cancer survivor and part of his recovery strategy was to go on a raw food diet.  So together we stocked up on a load of fresh produce.  With the help of the blender and food processor that my parents left behind we prepared some healthy salads and smoothies. 



We had such a great time together, working hard, enjoying our healthy food and drink, and sharing and catching up ( until 1:30 one night!).  He introduced me to drinking watermelon juice and to preparing "egg" salad using mashed chick peas instead of eggs and then adding whatever you would normally add to make egg salad.  Delicious and healthy!

delicious green smoothie made of spinach, kale, pineapple, avacado, banana

We had such a wonderful time together!  Even though we only see each other once every few years, we picked up and clicked and really enjoyed our time together. 

Since there was no access to a computer at the old house anymore, I'm a bit behind here with my pictures, but will hopefully catch up in the next few posts. Until the next post. 

Images from Today

Another wonderful day with my parents, in preparation for their move.

more sorting - memories, memories, memories!

sitting close to me while I'm working at the computer

my brother presenting my parents with his own photography

- a housewarming gift for the new apartment

my mom practicing with the keys to the new apartment

can you see what this says?

relaxing at the end of the day with tea and sudoku's