Pictures 75 - 81

Oops - I thought I had posted this! So sorry!

Tuesday, March 16th - The inside of my dishwasher as I was filling it. I couldn't get a decent picture of me doing it. Not really anywhere to put the camera. It was about all I could muster that day. I was still so fatigued.

Wednesday, March 17th - St. Patrick's Day - I don't really care about S.P. Day, but decided to go with green anyway. These are two of the old 7-Up bottles we got from Dad's stuff. Memories of my childhood. Thursday, March 18th - The day we decided to "retire" our bedspread quilt. Goodbye, "Old Fr..." well, it wasn't exactly a friend, but it did its job!

Friday, March 19th - We drug our bodies out to eat and went to Perkins. Dale said we couldn't go to someplace really good like Montana's until we were feeling better! I agreed!

Saturday, March 20th - Our waitress either accidently served us real coffee, or she was too lazy to make decaf. Anyway, unfortunately, we don't know about it until very early in the wee hours of Saturday morning. So, I took a picture of the clock over my computer to let you know both Dale and I were still up and wide awake at 1:20 a.m. I didn't ever get back to sleep, but Dale did. Guess we'll have to go into the kitchen with the waitress and watch her put the decaf in the carafe next time. Ha...

Sunday, March 21st - Dale is still sick - well, he never really got well and went to work in spite of still feeling sick, so he didn't have time to really get over what he had. He had a relapse on Saturday. He actually came home Monday afternoon and stayed in bed the rest of the day. Men! Why can't they learn??! So, I found my little stool and put the garbage can on top of it in the kitchen. I find that bending to put stuff in the can is so hard on my back. This was a good idea and really makes it so much easier for me!

Monday, March 22nd - I was feeling better on Monday and decided to tackle the storage room. Before Dale's "relapse" on Sat., he managed to put the shelves together we had bought the week before the flu hit. So, they just needed to be organized. I think they will work really well.

The Saga of the Bedspread Quilt

This is the quilt we used as a bedspread on our bed. It has become increasingly worn out and torn in spots. I don't have my sewing machine anymore, so to repair it, even a little bit, by hand, was becoming a daunting task. I had been on the lookout for a new one for ages, but couldn't find one I liked. Plus, we needed one a bit thinner than this one. Finally, Dale had had enough and said, it has to go! So, it went!!

This is the quilt Mary Lundell gave us after we had our fire. I have always liked it and we use it to wrap up in while watching TV or having to sleep on the sofa or whatever. It is a nice quilt, but a little small for our bed. However, it served its purpose while we waited for our bedspread to arrive. Our new bedspread finally came and we picked it up on Saturday. I really like it, but it is thinner than I thought it would be, so now we are waiting for a thin microfiber blanket to put under it. Not that we are ever that cold, but I find the bedspread itchy, so it will have to be pulled down.

I know this isn't much of a "saga", but it has been the most excitement we've had lately. How boring is our life??

Thursday, March 18th

"There is sunshine in my soul today

More glorious and bright,

Than glows in any earthly sky

For Jesus is my Light.

Oh, there's sunshine, blessed sunshine

When the peaceful, happy moments roll.

When Jesus shows His smiling face

There is Sonshine in my soul."

Thursday, March 18th - One of my facebook friends put "Sunshine, blessed sunshine" on her page, I imagine because their city had sunshine today - unlike some prairie province capital city I could mention! Well, it made me think of this song. I guess even when we don't have sunshine outside, we can have Sonshine inside with peaceful, happy moments and our Savior by our side.

What an interesting 5 days it has been! Dale and I both woke up early Saturday morning with sneezing and runny noses. Thinking, "Oh great, now we have colds!", we got going and went grocery shopping. Well, that just about did us in. We got home, put the groceries away (well, the perishables, anyway) and then rested. It didn't help. I had taken a cold pill right away in the morning, but Dale - being the true man he is - didn't. So, my symptoms more or less were eased, but I was tired and felt warm and cold off and on and he just felt miserable. We looked at each other and said, "We've got the flu!". We were really tired and just not feeling well. Dale slept quite a bit off and on all afternoon and I think I snoozed a bit, too. Neither of us were well enough to go to church the next day, so laid around again and rested as much as possible. Dale had Monday off, which was a good thing, as it gave him a chance to sort of try to do stuff gradually during the day. He had a shower and shaved and came out and said, "Whew, that played me out!" No kidding!! But, he did get up the next morning and go to work. He has made it through the week, but has been pretty tired at the end of the day. I've been doing ok, but had some stomach upset on Tuesday that dragged me down. Once that was past, I started feeling better. We are so thankful we got vaccinated last fall, because if this was the H1N1, we sure got a mild dose. Even if it was the regular flu, it was mild and we were vaccinated for that, too. We are also thankful we are feeling better, we just wish the weather would hurry up and do the same. Yes, we've had some warmer days, but please, we need sunshine, warmth and no wind!!! Oh well, it will come one of these days I'm sure.

So, our lives for the past five days has been rather uneventful, but we are thankful to be alive!!

Flu update

I must be feeling better, I can't sleep. Maybe having a migraine this morning and sleeping in really late is the culprit. But, it, hopefully, will soon be coming to an end.

Pictures 68 - 74

Tuesday, March 9th - Dale is adament that this phone never gets thrown out. I'm not sure where it was left for us to acquire it, but it is a dial phone with a ring tone. It is so "old-fashioned" to the our grandkids. They used to play with it as a play phone, until we put it in the spare bedroom and hooked it up. We can use it, as long as we don't have to "for -----, press 1" at any time.

Wednesday, March 10th - When I'm not feeling well, this was what my mom or dad always made for us to eat. It is just toast, buttered with milk poured over top. The toast gets partially soggy and for some reason we really liked it. It is one of those comfort food things from my childhood. Like ground-up bologna sandwiches.

Thursday, March 11th - I watched Lucas, Bethany and Erin this night. I had gotten some Hubba Bubba gum and was blowing bubbles which fascinated them. Lucas was busy taking 50+ pictures with my camera and said he wanted one of me blowing a bubble. It took quite a few tries and this was the best one.

Friday, March 12th - We were invited to go mini-golfing with the Stasiuks. We had a really good time and there were lots of pictures to choose from, but I guess the posed one at least shows all three kids, their faces and what we were doing. Lucas is pretty good for his age and I even did better than I thought I would.

Saturday, March 13th - Dale and I woke up Saturday morning with runny noses and headaches. This later moved into not feeling well, some coughing and sore throat. Guess what, the flu finally hit. Thank the Lord for vaccines! Neither of us has it very badly. I mean, we feel crummy, but not horrible, like it was for Jen. I had stocked up when they first talked about the flu, so we were prepared, although I was the only one taking anything. I don't understand why men are so stubborn about taking medicine that will make them feel better. So strange!

Sunday, March 14th - One of the many puzzles in my Variety Puzzle book. It helps me keep my mind active, even though sometimes I can look at something for an hour and still not be able to figure it out. Then, the next day I'll go to it and see it immediately! Go figure!

(Nothing for Monday, March 15th - Too fatigued to do much of anything)

March 15th

We have the flu at our apartment. Both of us. Will blog later

Friday, March 12th

"There is never a day so dreary,

There is never a night so long,

But the soul that is trusting in Jesus

Will somewhere find a song.

Wonderful, wonderful Jesus.

In my heart He implanteth a song.

A song of deliverance, of courage, of strength,

In my heart He implanteth a song."

Friday, March 12th - Well, three and a half days have gone by since I last blogged. I feel like I'm in a funk. I feel blah! I am feeling better physically, although on Weds. I thought I was coming down with something, but a little sleep (and some gravol) seemed to help. I'm thinking it must be the time of year and the fact we haven't had any sun in about a week! Today, the sun is shining and everyone is posting on FB that there is mud around. Dale came home at lunchtime with wet feet. I said, "oh is it that wet out?" But, no, he had been standing near a boiler that had flooded all morning, so wasn't in the greatest of moods. Poor baby. It will be interesting to see what happens at the end of the month, when he really has to decide what he is doing with this supervisor job. I'm hoping whatever he decides, he will be happy with the decision and will be a whole lot less stressed!

I got a CD in the mail the other day. One of my friends posted a video from YouTube on her FB page with a man who sang a hymn acappella in 6 parts - using his own voice for all the parts. I think I told you about it awhile ago. Anyway, I went to his website and he had lots of CDs to offer with hymns on them. I have been looking for a CD with hymns on it, sung in four part harmony and without all the accompaniment of drums, guitars, etc., etc. Well, I found on in his list. I'm not sure if he does all the parts, but the only accompaniment is piano and the hymns are some of my favorites. I think I will have to go back to his website and check out the other CDs. I don't have the CD in front of me (it's in my car) and I'm not sure if "Wonderful, Wonderful Jesus" is on it, but "The Comforter Has Come" is and I really have always liked that song.

So, I'm thankful the week is over. Dale says he has Monday off, so we get four days together with no work to butt in. We are going mini-golfing with some of our grandkids tonight and Dale is looking forward to that. So, no matter how I've been feeling all week, I am thankful I'm ok, God is always with me and I will get to be with loved ones this weekend. God is good!!

March 8th

Monday, March 8th - Today I did way more than I should have. I decided I should wash Dale's work shirts and jeans. There weren't as many shirts as I thought there would be, so I guess I could have waited on them. There were 6 prs. of jeans, however, and I did them all. Let me tell you, when you are exhausted, 6 dry, folded pairs of jeans weigh a TON!!!!! I thought the elevator would never come and that I wouldn't be able to carry them all the way back to the apartment! Dale said I really need to get some sort of cart to carry them in. I don't want to even ask him to do them, as he has enough on his plate already, so I guess I'll have to start looking for something. I'm so thankful for his love and support of me during the days I don't feel well. He is quite willing to eat leftovers and fend for himself. I know I've probably said that before, but I do feel guilty not working and contributing to the household fund. We were talking about some guys who were shirking their work duties for "medical' reasons and he said he thought it was good that I decided to quit before I got "called on the carpet" for missing so much work. Well, I'm not sure I'd have been called on the carpet - those drs. were the best to work for, but I knew I couldn't handle it anymore. As Harrison Ford's secretary says to him in "Regarding Henry" - "You say 'When' when you've had enough." So, I said "When". "Let me feel Your presence, Lord, as I sit and ponder in my chair. Keep me always mindful of Your love and fill my heart with praise. Thank You, Lord, for giving me all the blessings that You have. I love you, Lord, for you are my Father, Guide, Protector, Counsellor, Friend and Great Physician. In You alone I trust."

Pictures 61 -67

Tuesday, March 2nd - This week I ended up staying in almost every day. So the pictures had to be of what I was seeing every day, which happened to be the stuff in our apartment. These are two dolls I bought at craft sales (Jodi and I try to go every fall). The tall one is SuzyQ and the smaller one is Molly. Don't know why I named them, I just did.

Wednesday, March 3rd - This is a candle holder that I either bought myself from PartyLite or Jason and Sandra bought it for me. I have another "American" one, so I get confused sometimes as to which one came from whom. I like it because it reminds me of my heritage.

Thursday, March 4th - This is the teapot and cream and sugar set that I got after Dale's grandmal Lofgren passed away. Aunt Louise took me over to Grandma's little house she had been living in when we were there visiting and told me to choose something. Grandma loved us to drop in when we lived in Strasbourg and she usually served tea out of this set.

Friday, March 5th - My one day "out". Dale and I went for supper and then over to Jen and Craig's to measure and see how a dishwasher would fit and what it would take to put a new countertop on, etc. Here are Dale and Jen discussing some items.

Saturday, March 6th - This is the little elephant Jen and Craig brought back from Africa and it is sitting on the shelf that our friend, Larry Johnson, made for me way back when we lived in Humboldt. I cherish both items.

Sunday, March 7th - I found this plaque at a craft show and had to get it, as there isn't usually a lot of stuff that say "Nana and Papa" on it. Although I think it is getting to be more of a trend now. I like it. At the bottom it says, "Grandkids always welcome; parents by appointment"!

Monday, March 8th - These sconces (I have 2) hang in my living room. They were a Christmas present and I think they are beautiful and elegant and glow so pretty when the candles are burning. Well, that's pretty much it for my "indoors" week. I'm hoping I will be able to get out more this week - maybe if I can get this "KID" off my shoulders so its weight doesn't weigh me down!

Thursday - March 4th

"More like the Master, I would ever be,

More of His meekness, more humility;

More zeal to labor, more courage to be true,

More consecration in work He bids me do.

Take Thou my heart,

I would be Thine alone.

Take Thou my heart,

and make it all Thine own.

Purge me from sin,

O Lord I now implore,

Wash me and keep me

Thine forever more."

- Charles H. Gabriel

Thursday, March 4th - This has been quite a week. I really haven't accomplished much of anything. I don't like feeling like this, but I know that it will pass and I'll be back to wanting to do things and feeling up to doing more.

This song at the top was my Dad's favorite. We sang it at his funeral. I know that it was the pleading of his heart to his Lord for this to be true of him. I would desire that same wanting and pleading that my dad had to be more like his Master. Pastor Bill's sermons these past weeks have been really encouraging and I want to be struggling, but struggling for my soul and for the souls of others. He said, "Walking with Jesus takes a lifetime" and it really does. But, oh, what a lifetime and what a future is in store for us. Thank you, Father, for giving us hope, for always being there and helping us as we struggle day by day.

Monday - Wednesday - March 1 - 3

"Draw me nearer, nearer Precious Lord, To the cross where Thou hast died. Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer Precious Lord. To Thy precious bleeding side."

Monday - March 1st - Today I started sneezing and sniffling. Just what I always wanted - a cold! Oh well, I figured something was coming by the fatigue I'd been having. I'll just have to ride it out and be thankful I don't have to go to work and can sleep in and do as little as possible. I got Dale's shirts washed for work, so should be ok until I'm feeling better. Praying I'll get a good night's sleep. Couldn't figure out if today was a "Lamb" or a "Lion", as it was fairly nice out, just cloudy and a few flurries.

Tuesday -March 2nd. - Ok, so my cold is here and I didn't sleep all that great, but I stayed in bed as long as I could and rested most of the day. I'm thankful there was nothing pressing to do so I could just rest.

Wednesday - March 3rd. - Jodi phoned at lunch time. The surgeon her doctor was referring Lucas to had phoned and said he wanted to see him today. We are praying he will have the wisdom to know exactly what the thing on Lucas' neck is and know what to do to take care of it. My cold is manageable with pills, but now I'm getting a cough and sore throat. Still thankful for the rest He gives me to combat this.

Pictures 54-60

Tuesday - Picture 54 - February 23rd - I went to the Tuesday night Stamp Club since we were busy the Friday before with bowling. This is one of the cards we made that I think turned out beautifully! Wednesday - Day 55 - February 24th - I couldn't watch Joannie skate on Tuesday because of stamp club, so taped it and watched it on Wednesday. This was taken off the TV and so happened to snap just as the camera was changing angles. I thought it looked pretty cool.

Thursday - Day 56 - February 25th - The girls were over while Jodi went to the doctor. They love going through any of my pieces of cardstock that I have cut and not used and playing with them. Erin made a "cake" out of her scraps and said I had to take a picture of it. (I had just told them about putting a candle on my piece of cheesecake and singing HB to myself)

Friday - Day 57 - February 26th - We went over to Elaine's to look through Dad's photo albums for pictures of Dale and I. I was going to take a picture of us pouring over the albums, but we had gone downstairs and I hadn't taken my camera with me. I found this picture of my mom and dad that Dad had taken one time they had visited after Jen was born. It is such a good picture and I have so few of them together. So, I borrowed it.

Saturday - Day 58 - February 27th - We did our regular routine of running errands and because I was now using my cane, I got out my handicapped parking sign. Thought I'd take a picture of it, as it was the only thing really different that day.

Sunday - Day 59 - February 28th - Closing ceremonies for the Olympics. I liked the cauldron, so thought I'd get one last picture of it before it was extinguised and the flame passed on to Sochi, Russia for the 2014 Olympics.

Monday - Day 60 - March 1st - This is the beautiful heart wreath that Eileen (Steve's mom) gave me for my birthday. I really love it, it is so elegant and pretty!