Monday, January 30, 2012

Had a good weekend in the city. We went to Break Forth, a big (15,000 people) Christian conference at the Shaw centre. It was good, some very good teaching. Robin Mark was one of the worship leaders, he's just great. He's from Belfast.
We met Jude at Grace's Friday night for supper, delicious stew and chocolate cake.
Ran into a lot of people we knew at the conference.
Tim seems to be settled into his new job. He finds the pace quite a bit slower than his previous position.
Geoff has been working a lot. He keeps trying to cut his hours down to four or even three days a week but that hasn't happened yet.
Sam was here while were in the city, he had a wedding to attend.
I made time during the conference to get to Wener's for their winter sale. New boots, so nice.
One more day of work, then 10 days off!

Home sick

I caught a cold this weekend, and am home sick today. It is composed of aching, headache, cough, tiredness. And strangely, hunger. I eat breakfast and then by 1000 am hungry again. Maybe because I have also been waking up ridiculously early?

Mom is looking forward to her trip! February is a good month for her-house sold, trip. Hurrah for Mom. I also note that she is sleeping much better since selling. When I am up at the crack of dawn-her lights are still off.

I am reading the Hunger Games trilogy right now-good. Also, some other books I have read lately which are great are: The Tiger by John Vaillant. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, and The Tennis Partner by Abraham Verghese, and The Better Angels of our Nature: Why Violence has Declined by Steven Pinker. All are well worth your time.

I thought of sending the book on violence to the Conservative party and Stephen Harper.

I have also sent an email to BCNU telling them that I don't agree with what they are asking for in the upcoming contract talks, and that our contract is fair. I'm sure that will be popular with the union. For someone who was pro-union, I have now changed my tune. No gloating please.


Friday, January 27, 2012

January!

It turns out that January is pretty busy in church life. I hadn't really expected this, somehow. It's been pretty non-stop, but lots of fun. Among the less fun parts was Synod, which is more or less the Diocesan general meeting. We only hold them every two years or so, but they are a long slog. It's a whole weekend of meetings. There were some very good speakers this year, and a lot of stuff about money (and the lack thereof)but the money discussion was good - very clear. Some interesting motions, some boring motions, some motions made to make a point. Some people insisted on speaking to every motion, and incurred my quiet rage.

This last week has been an annual series of lectures that the diocese sponsors. Pamela Klassen was talking about media, confession and testimony for four lectures. One Anglican missionary near Prince Rupert referred to his printing press as an 'iron pulpit'.

St. Luke's is participating in a cross cultural dialogue with other faith groups, including two first nations groups and the Metis Nation of Victoria. To this end, we were invited to a two part workshop on the native experience in Canada. The second night they had two residential school survivors, one young woman who is raising a family on a reserve near Victoria, and a Metis woman. Really interesting, really heart breaking to hear the stories.

I'm looking forward to some time in Rocky in February!

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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Punta Cana

I think due to time change? I am awake at 345 today, so decided to finally give in and get up.

Trip was good. It is a spectacularly beautiful place-ocean is turquoise, beaches are white, fine sand with absolutely no rocks. Our resort was quite nice looking-grounds were large and swimming pools were nice, though we spent all our time at the beach, not the pool. I am always surprised how many people don't go to the beach at these places.

Our hotel seemed to have Canadians-with a large French contingent, and Russians! In fact, menus were in Spanish, English, French, and Russian. Our room was in the quiet area, for which we were thankful. The rooms closer to the beach were louder and i think older. Beach was great people watching with the variety. Many speedos-Russians seem to wear only those. we had several people on our radar we would watch for-Ghankini-this older man all bald, small, and leathery looking wearing an assortment of unattractive speedos. Naked girl-young, topless, and with only a teeny/tiny string for the bottom. Rude girls-who were on our plane-and at the check in counter got angry that there was some sort of issue and said loudly to each other, 'This woman doesn't even speak English' Actually she does, and she made them wait longer. Justice.

Food was dreadful-ug. Boiled hotdogs on pizza dreadful. Lukewarm boiled carrots and potatoes-with no seasoning dreadful. Boiled hamburgers. I avoided most meat products, though stupidly had mayonnaise one day and regretted it as I felt the aftereffects. Poor Richard got a terrible 24 hours of intestinal trouble-we think it was the Dominican sausage. I don't know if he has ever had something like that before, having a stomach of steel. After 24 hours he was able to come to the beach, so long as we were near the bathrooms.

I would go back to Punta Cana, but not this hotel. I discovered that it is fine for things to be either unhygienic or tasteless, but not both at the same time. I also discovered that when travelling, it is important for me to have tasty food. It doesn't have to be every meal, but I need at least some food that has flavour.

I will post a couple pictures later. On the flight back we also had beautiful scenery over the Carribean-saw all these deserted islands with blue, blue water all around. spectacular!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

Mom's House is SOLD!

All the conditions were met yesterday -- the realtor called her on Friday night! She did it! While Lisa and Richard were away!

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Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Picture

Anyone want to share a story about the time that Magda was so cute?

Monday, January 09, 2012

Mom's birthday


Here's Mom on her birthday, pointing to the number 8 candle, and the 2 matches, substituting as candles.
We had porkchops, gnocchi, and rum cake for dessert.
And a good visit.
I have also posted on my nursing weblog, after a year and half absence. I hope to update at least once/month, so keep an eye on it. If you're interested, which not all may be. Poorly written sentence.

Sunday, January 08, 2012

Happy Birthday Mom


Even surrounded by dirty dishes you look glamorous.

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Monday, January 02, 2012

Jan 2

the house is undecorated and dusted. How could we be shedding that many dead skin cells? I am now listening to classical music and appreciating clean house without ribbon.
Richard and I talked to his family today-they are all preparing for the big move. I think his siblings are more prepared than his parents. They haven't moved for 47 years! Janet said to her dad a few days ago, 'So have you started packing yet?' She says he looked at her like she had 3 heads. 'Why would we need to pack? we're not moving very far.' he said.
I think of when we moved and I had everything except the bare essentials done by 2 weeks before we moved. I had to dig the food processor out when Mom came over to eat before Christmas and I had already packed it for our move in January. We obviously move differently. It is also a good thing that I am not there as I would be aggravating everyone with my increasing anxiety about not being ready.
I go back to work tomorrow, but only for 2 weeks and then we are off to Dominican Republic! I don't think I will bring laptop, I am sure that internet is spotty and don't want to worry about losing computer. We are going to Vancouver the night before as flight leaves early in am and there is not an early enough connection for us.
I talked to Kris last night. Her dad who is having chemo got very sick, they think he might have sepsis. They were planning on air ambulancing him to Kamloops last night. I have to call her today to find out what happened during the night. I hope he is doing better. They had to give him blood too. They should have a better idea today what is happening.

Sunday, January 01, 2012

2012

We went bowling last night, after Mom came over for supper-spaetzle and beef stroganoff.
Richard bowled exceptionally well and the lanes were busy, bowling is popular for New Years! My 1st frame I got all gutter balls, but improved after that. Allison bowled a steady game.
Allison leaves today-we will be sorry to see her go. But she doesn't go until 8, so Mom is making us supper-prime rib!
I think I will undecorate tomorrow. Which feels a bit sad, but also cleansing.
Richard's parents move to Martindale Place on the 3rd. Richard's mom says they are both excited about the move. Next time we go there, they will be in new digs.
They are not sure exactly what they are doing about the house-Diane's boyfriend may buy it, or they will out it on the market once they are finished clearing it out etc.
We are also going to play canasta today. Richard is excited about the prospect of this.