I'm selfish, impatient, & a little insecure. I make mistakes, I'm out of control & at times I'm hard to handle; but if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best! ~ Marilyn Monroe ♥
I hear ya Marilyn:)!!!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Night Before Christmas 2009; 20 years of NBC at Nothview and the end of a Era:)
This week starts the final run of NBC; the Christmas program at Northview church. My husband Chris Janz, is producing all of the music for the production and it is sure to be as memorable as the 19 years before it. But this will be the last one:( There will be no more NBC so this is the last time to buy tickets and volunteer.
There are still many tickets available and many volunteer positions open that need to be filled. If you want tickets or would like to volunteer call the church 604-853-2931 and be a part of the magical Christmas experience of NBC that ignites your spirit for the holidays!!
The shows run from the 3rd of Dec to the 13th. Thursday and Friday night there are one showing at 7pm and on Sundays there are two, at 3:30 and 7pm. Tickets are only $10 and include a beverage and dessert at intermission. It's great for families as well; our girls have loved in for years and they are 4 and 6.
You will enjoy a drama, music and hear my husband sing some traditional songs he has redone and brand new songs he wrote just for this show. He will be singing his heart out with his band.
Hope to see you there:)
Happy Holidays!!
There are still many tickets available and many volunteer positions open that need to be filled. If you want tickets or would like to volunteer call the church 604-853-2931 and be a part of the magical Christmas experience of NBC that ignites your spirit for the holidays!!
The shows run from the 3rd of Dec to the 13th. Thursday and Friday night there are one showing at 7pm and on Sundays there are two, at 3:30 and 7pm. Tickets are only $10 and include a beverage and dessert at intermission. It's great for families as well; our girls have loved in for years and they are 4 and 6.
You will enjoy a drama, music and hear my husband sing some traditional songs he has redone and brand new songs he wrote just for this show. He will be singing his heart out with his band.
Hope to see you there:)
Happy Holidays!!
Oh how I "love" our medical system; I say through gritted teeth.
I've been waiting over a month for a follow-up ultrasound of my ovaries ( which are kicking up some trouble)and it's been a hard wait wondering what these growths are doing and if they are going to be making my life even more difficult or perhaps threatening my life. The test was to be this Thursday with results for not another week; when I got a call this afternoon that my appointment had to be bumped and couldn't be rescheduled in Abbotsford until March 2010!!! AARRGGhhhhh!!!
With the adreneline of frustration I set into action. I got 6 numbers of other ultra sound clinics from Vancouver to the Fraser Valley and started calling. It looked as though January 14th was going to be the best I could do and I was discouraged, so much waiting:( Then I found a cancellation In New Westminster on Monday, this monday the 7th of December!! YEAHHHH!!! So everything is going to work out just fine. I have to drive a bit further, but I'm use to that.
Though I can't help but feeling sad and frustrated for all the folks who are being canceled ultrasounds in Abbotsford today; those that will have to wait now until March or later because they don't have transportation somewhere else. Apparently a Ultrasound tech of some sort quite their job all of a sudden which has caused hundreds of appointments to be bumped another 2-4 months. Those that have no other support, and may perhaps a cancer that needs to be detected sooner, these folks are slipping through the cracks of our medical system and it is possibly a life altering or life ending result. My heart and prayers go out to these strangers who suffer because they have no other way out. While I thank God that my prayers were answered and I was able to get in when I did.
Dec 7th is my Dad's birthday, Happy Birthday Dad, I pray I get good news for your birthday:)
Dec 8th is my brother's birthday, Happy Birthday Forrest!!
With the adreneline of frustration I set into action. I got 6 numbers of other ultra sound clinics from Vancouver to the Fraser Valley and started calling. It looked as though January 14th was going to be the best I could do and I was discouraged, so much waiting:( Then I found a cancellation In New Westminster on Monday, this monday the 7th of December!! YEAHHHH!!! So everything is going to work out just fine. I have to drive a bit further, but I'm use to that.
Though I can't help but feeling sad and frustrated for all the folks who are being canceled ultrasounds in Abbotsford today; those that will have to wait now until March or later because they don't have transportation somewhere else. Apparently a Ultrasound tech of some sort quite their job all of a sudden which has caused hundreds of appointments to be bumped another 2-4 months. Those that have no other support, and may perhaps a cancer that needs to be detected sooner, these folks are slipping through the cracks of our medical system and it is possibly a life altering or life ending result. My heart and prayers go out to these strangers who suffer because they have no other way out. While I thank God that my prayers were answered and I was able to get in when I did.
Dec 7th is my Dad's birthday, Happy Birthday Dad, I pray I get good news for your birthday:)
Dec 8th is my brother's birthday, Happy Birthday Forrest!!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Nov 5th...two weeks ago; we had to say good-bye.
Two weeks ago it was a blustery day and also the day I lost a friend to cancer. Late in the morning on Nov 5th, I kept thinking about my friend Kristie. I`d been meaning to connect with her for just over a month, since I`d served her and her husband, Ben and their 5 year old daughter Laura, at abc. I kept having this nagging feeling that I should send her a message on facebook. So I logged on to facebook and saw a message saying good-bye to her, that had just been posted. I was in shock I couldn`t believe it; that she was gone. Kristie was gone, she had passed just over half an hour before I logged on to her facebook page. I couldn`t help but think that my spirit had been tugged in her direction as she was letting go. I was overcome with grief. I had no idea that she had gotten so ill so quickly; I was so sad that she was gone and that I didn`t get to visit with her one last time. But that`s the thing with youth lost, there`s never one last visit that could ever be good enough; you are always left wanting more. We all would have wanted more of Kristie, especially her family and loved ones.
I found out through her facebook page that Kristie`s Grandmother was barely hanging on to her life, after a long fight with cancer. Thelma Stewart was 80 years old and 35 years earlier she was anticipating the arrival of her first grandchild, on her 45th birthday. Four days later her granddaughter Kristie was born, on August 26th; two birthdays in one week, which they often celebrated together. Then in January 2005, in the same week, they found out that they were ailing a mutual deadly foe, cancer. They fought this beast for some time, often side by side. Thelma Stewart, an incredibly loving and caring Grandmother, surrendered her fight six hours after her granddaughter did.
In the weeks before their passing, they were just down the hall from each other in the hospital. They visited as much as possible and preempted their own fears, for their care and concern for each other. The family believes that Thelma let go when she knew there was nothing else she could do for her first grand. They also believe that Kristie let go first so she could prep the place for her grandma:) She was always incredibly organized:) Nov. 5th was her other Grandmother`s birthday. She passed away at 46 years old from the same cancer that took Kristie`s life. Kristie had life, because her Mother`s Mom was born on November 5th. The same day that Kristie`s Mom would remember her Mother, Nov.5th, she will now also remember her daughter and Mother-in-law. Please pray for Linda and Alex Stewart, they have lost so much.
A week later, Nov. 12th, a week ago,it was a bright and beautiful day.And I had the honour of attending a combined service celebrating the lives of these two amazing women...women who were both taken to soon. Women who are desperately missed by their families and who will always be loved.The service was an incredible and beautiful portrait of an amazing family; a family broken by cancer...broken but not destroyed. In the midst of their deep grief and pain, they could find hope and reason to celebrate.
The service was held where Chris and I got married 11 and a half years ago.Sitting where I`d made vows to be with my husband until death, made this service particularily emotional. Tears that had bundled up for awhile, came freely flowing. It was time to say good-bye. With courage and sadness I wrote cards for the family and a special card for Kristie`s daughter. The family had requested that we write a memory of Kristie for Laura, for her to read as she grows up, so she can know her Mother, like we knew her Mother.
This was a wonderful idea that I hope my family will never have to recreate for my daughters; But if they must, I think it`s a life giving idea.
Think of something you can do that can be `life giving` to someone today; in honour of Kristie and Thelma.
I found out through her facebook page that Kristie`s Grandmother was barely hanging on to her life, after a long fight with cancer. Thelma Stewart was 80 years old and 35 years earlier she was anticipating the arrival of her first grandchild, on her 45th birthday. Four days later her granddaughter Kristie was born, on August 26th; two birthdays in one week, which they often celebrated together. Then in January 2005, in the same week, they found out that they were ailing a mutual deadly foe, cancer. They fought this beast for some time, often side by side. Thelma Stewart, an incredibly loving and caring Grandmother, surrendered her fight six hours after her granddaughter did.
In the weeks before their passing, they were just down the hall from each other in the hospital. They visited as much as possible and preempted their own fears, for their care and concern for each other. The family believes that Thelma let go when she knew there was nothing else she could do for her first grand. They also believe that Kristie let go first so she could prep the place for her grandma:) She was always incredibly organized:) Nov. 5th was her other Grandmother`s birthday. She passed away at 46 years old from the same cancer that took Kristie`s life. Kristie had life, because her Mother`s Mom was born on November 5th. The same day that Kristie`s Mom would remember her Mother, Nov.5th, she will now also remember her daughter and Mother-in-law. Please pray for Linda and Alex Stewart, they have lost so much.
A week later, Nov. 12th, a week ago,it was a bright and beautiful day.And I had the honour of attending a combined service celebrating the lives of these two amazing women...women who were both taken to soon. Women who are desperately missed by their families and who will always be loved.The service was an incredible and beautiful portrait of an amazing family; a family broken by cancer...broken but not destroyed. In the midst of their deep grief and pain, they could find hope and reason to celebrate.
The service was held where Chris and I got married 11 and a half years ago.Sitting where I`d made vows to be with my husband until death, made this service particularily emotional. Tears that had bundled up for awhile, came freely flowing. It was time to say good-bye. With courage and sadness I wrote cards for the family and a special card for Kristie`s daughter. The family had requested that we write a memory of Kristie for Laura, for her to read as she grows up, so she can know her Mother, like we knew her Mother.
This was a wonderful idea that I hope my family will never have to recreate for my daughters; But if they must, I think it`s a life giving idea.
Think of something you can do that can be `life giving` to someone today; in honour of Kristie and Thelma.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
LOL!
Last night,my four year old daughter, Cadence,laid back in her pillow for bed and proclaimed that she needed some rest and proceeded to put cucumber slices, from snack, on her eye-lids!!! I have no idea where she got that from but we've got a picture to prove it:)
Carmelle called my bluff last night, when I threatened to cut her hair if she kept sucking on it, and she got all excited and announced that she wanted short hair! So Chris and I consulted; as she begged for a hair cut, and I got out the scissors. I cut her hair into a cute bob and it turned out so well, we wished we'd done it sooner. Her long hair was quite fine and now her hair looks so full and healthy.And I missed my calling as a hair dresser:)
Speaking of hair, my hair is now well past my shoulders and I can put it all in a pony tail now, YEAH!! I've been coloring it super blonde, I always wanted to try it but never dared. It's suprisingly healthy and is super thick. My hair grew back thicker than it ever was before, and it was think then. I just bought a straightening iron to style it; I wasn't sure what to do with it because I've never had hair at this stage before.
Our girls arrived late for school today, because the clocks went wonky due to a short power outage last night. We thought we were on schedule at first but then the school called and we were over an hour behind schedule, they called to see if Carmelle wasn't in attendance at all that day. YIKES, that put a fire under our butts and the girls got a quick yogurt tube for breakfast, even quick teeth brushing and out the door. All in all, Carmelle was only 35 minutes late for school, not to bad. We can move when we gotta move:)!!
We are doing a fake Christmas tree this year for the first time. I was sick for a week last year, right when we got the live cut tree. I realized a few days into it that I am allergic to Christmas trees, they make my asthma flare right up. So this year I found a great deal on a gorgeous tree at Value Village, it looks like the $400 tress in the store and I got it for $80:) I'm all about the deals; just scored big time at Value Villages half off sale on Monday; got the last of my Christmas shopping done!!
I want to start decorating for Christmas so badly already, but I think I will hold off for a few more days, but it will be soon:) I love Christmas! The last few Christmases I have wondered if it could be my last...but I am here to celebrate!! But I am here to give and make gifts. I'm making quite a few gifts this year; they are almost done as well. One good thing about being off work and having a little energy, is that I can get all of this stuff done early. I'm hoping that if I'm feeling better that I can return to work around Christmas time. Next is starting the baking:)I am thankful that I usually feel well enough to do these things in my bursts of energy.
Over all I am feeling the same. The mild "improvement" I think this is me just adjusting to feeling this way; my new normal. I still have numerous dizzy spells every hour, and I have to sleep a lot. I feel drained and exhausted most of the time; but when I do get a bit of energy I try really hard to get a lot done. On Saturdays this month I am taking workshops for ECE (Early Childhood Education). I graduated from CBC (Columbia Bible College) in 1993 and I worked for many Years in the ECE field. 1993-1994 at the Salvation Army daycare in Chilliwack. Then as a Nanny from 1994-1996. In 1996 I was hired as the head supervisor at Kids Club at the Salvation army church in Abbotsford and I was there until 2000. In 2003 I was hired as the head supervisor for a brand new centre Called KidsCare at Maranatha Baptist Church. Then I ran a home daycare center when Cadence was 4 months old, until I was diagnosed in 2007.
I certianly don't see myself returning to the field anytime soon, but I think it's important to keep my license. My license has to be renewed every 5 years. The old rules said we had to complete 12 hours of workshops in the five years and work 300 hours in the field. My license expires in Feb 2010, so i started to look into the renewal process last month and found out they now require 40 hours of workshops for renewal and I only had 6. So now I am packing in the workshop hours on Saturdays this month, I'm glad I had time to do it. All I have to do is attend, is it's not hard on me, and I feel it's a blessing that I can do them now while I'm off work.
This waiting period between tests and wondering what is going on with my ovaries isn't easy, but keeping myself busy is certainly helping. I'm also doing lots of crafts with the girls and watching lots of movies, to keep my mind busy. I think the Christmas decorations will be coming out after my workshops on Saturday:)
Happy Holidays!!
Carmelle called my bluff last night, when I threatened to cut her hair if she kept sucking on it, and she got all excited and announced that she wanted short hair! So Chris and I consulted; as she begged for a hair cut, and I got out the scissors. I cut her hair into a cute bob and it turned out so well, we wished we'd done it sooner. Her long hair was quite fine and now her hair looks so full and healthy.And I missed my calling as a hair dresser:)
Speaking of hair, my hair is now well past my shoulders and I can put it all in a pony tail now, YEAH!! I've been coloring it super blonde, I always wanted to try it but never dared. It's suprisingly healthy and is super thick. My hair grew back thicker than it ever was before, and it was think then. I just bought a straightening iron to style it; I wasn't sure what to do with it because I've never had hair at this stage before.
Our girls arrived late for school today, because the clocks went wonky due to a short power outage last night. We thought we were on schedule at first but then the school called and we were over an hour behind schedule, they called to see if Carmelle wasn't in attendance at all that day. YIKES, that put a fire under our butts and the girls got a quick yogurt tube for breakfast, even quick teeth brushing and out the door. All in all, Carmelle was only 35 minutes late for school, not to bad. We can move when we gotta move:)!!
We are doing a fake Christmas tree this year for the first time. I was sick for a week last year, right when we got the live cut tree. I realized a few days into it that I am allergic to Christmas trees, they make my asthma flare right up. So this year I found a great deal on a gorgeous tree at Value Village, it looks like the $400 tress in the store and I got it for $80:) I'm all about the deals; just scored big time at Value Villages half off sale on Monday; got the last of my Christmas shopping done!!
I want to start decorating for Christmas so badly already, but I think I will hold off for a few more days, but it will be soon:) I love Christmas! The last few Christmases I have wondered if it could be my last...but I am here to celebrate!! But I am here to give and make gifts. I'm making quite a few gifts this year; they are almost done as well. One good thing about being off work and having a little energy, is that I can get all of this stuff done early. I'm hoping that if I'm feeling better that I can return to work around Christmas time. Next is starting the baking:)I am thankful that I usually feel well enough to do these things in my bursts of energy.
Over all I am feeling the same. The mild "improvement" I think this is me just adjusting to feeling this way; my new normal. I still have numerous dizzy spells every hour, and I have to sleep a lot. I feel drained and exhausted most of the time; but when I do get a bit of energy I try really hard to get a lot done. On Saturdays this month I am taking workshops for ECE (Early Childhood Education). I graduated from CBC (Columbia Bible College) in 1993 and I worked for many Years in the ECE field. 1993-1994 at the Salvation Army daycare in Chilliwack. Then as a Nanny from 1994-1996. In 1996 I was hired as the head supervisor at Kids Club at the Salvation army church in Abbotsford and I was there until 2000. In 2003 I was hired as the head supervisor for a brand new centre Called KidsCare at Maranatha Baptist Church. Then I ran a home daycare center when Cadence was 4 months old, until I was diagnosed in 2007.
I certianly don't see myself returning to the field anytime soon, but I think it's important to keep my license. My license has to be renewed every 5 years. The old rules said we had to complete 12 hours of workshops in the five years and work 300 hours in the field. My license expires in Feb 2010, so i started to look into the renewal process last month and found out they now require 40 hours of workshops for renewal and I only had 6. So now I am packing in the workshop hours on Saturdays this month, I'm glad I had time to do it. All I have to do is attend, is it's not hard on me, and I feel it's a blessing that I can do them now while I'm off work.
This waiting period between tests and wondering what is going on with my ovaries isn't easy, but keeping myself busy is certainly helping. I'm also doing lots of crafts with the girls and watching lots of movies, to keep my mind busy. I think the Christmas decorations will be coming out after my workshops on Saturday:)
Happy Holidays!!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
This one is mine.
My quote for today:
"True freedom comes from absolute surrender."
* This may sound ironic, but it is true in my life. And that doesn't mean I've arrived, it means I'm recognizing the process and attempting to focus on it as much as possible:)
"True freedom comes from absolute surrender."
* This may sound ironic, but it is true in my life. And that doesn't mean I've arrived, it means I'm recognizing the process and attempting to focus on it as much as possible:)
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Update
Well, it's been four weeks today since I started not feeling well. Thankfully I haven't gotten worse; but I'm also not feeling much better. I'm currently awaiting more tests; as set of tests this week have shown two suspicious spots, one on each ovary, that are being watched. In about a month we will know if these "spots" are growing or changing and if they are we will "cross that bridge" when we get to it. My symptoms are suspicious of cysts so we are hoping that is what they are. In the meantime we just wait.
I'm not well enough to work, but thankfully I am able to manage most daily activities; just not to many in one day. I sleep a lot and often still feel tired. I'm hoping we get to the bottom of what's been going on with my health sooner than later and I'm praying that it's nothing serious.
There's always the fear that my cancer could return, so we are hoping and praying that this is not the case.
I will know more the first week of December. Waiting really is frustrating; so I'm trying to keep busy with the girls, organizing the stuff you never get around to, catching up the scrapbooks and I'm almost done the Christmas shopping.
Thank-you for your care, concern and prayers:)
I'm not well enough to work, but thankfully I am able to manage most daily activities; just not to many in one day. I sleep a lot and often still feel tired. I'm hoping we get to the bottom of what's been going on with my health sooner than later and I'm praying that it's nothing serious.
There's always the fear that my cancer could return, so we are hoping and praying that this is not the case.
I will know more the first week of December. Waiting really is frustrating; so I'm trying to keep busy with the girls, organizing the stuff you never get around to, catching up the scrapbooks and I'm almost done the Christmas shopping.
Thank-you for your care, concern and prayers:)
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