Sofie and Ann

Is this 630 Henderson?
Uh, hello? Pardon?
Is this 630 Henderson? No, this is 6I'm looking for 630 Henderson and that house over there is 640 and nobody's home over there is this 630?
No! But would you like to come in? You look absolutely chilled.
Oh yes. Thank you. So this isn't 630 Henderson?

So began a most interesting visit with a couple of delightful elderly ladies. Anne and Sofie are 2 Ukranian spinster sisters who were out yesterday looking for a non-existent house and ended up at my place. They had been walking around the neighbourhood, knocking on doors looking for an address and in the process, were approaching hypothermia. I had to invite them in.

My own sister Michele (you can read her version of this story here) just happened to be over for a visit too so we sat back and watched with pleasure, a most interesting show. Ann, the younger sister at 78, was definitely the talker of the two.

I worked at CN for 35 years and then I decided to retire at 55. I figured I had worked long enough and it was time for me to relax!
And what kind of work were you in Sofie?
Well, I used to...Sofie's had trouble all her life. She's only worked minimum wage paying jobs. We just got the roof fixed on our house. Sofie, do you have the pictures of the house? I think they're in my purse Ann. I'll see if I canLet me look. You can never find anything in that purse.

And so went the afternoon. We learned that Ann and Sofie were the youngest of 7 and that everyone was dead now, several as a result of tragic circumstances, although they had a lot of nieces and nephews that they visited regularly, and they have a nephew who owns a hotdog stand in Grand Marais who always gives them hotdogs for free because every Christmas they buy him slippers even though he can afford to buy his own slippers. They have lived in their house for 27 years, mow their own lawn and shovel their own driveway. They recently had the roof replaced because it was leaking.

They are looking for an apartment for Sofie but she can't afford the one they liked. I asked why they were not looking for a place that they could share and Ann told me that they were getting on each other's nerves and had decided that they should each have their own place.

At one point the conversation turned to dogs and I learned that Ann and Sofie had a dog who died of cancer (what else) on Valentines Day, 2003. Sofie, you've got the pictures. I know you have. Here let me look. I can find things in your purse faster than you.

It took a while but Sofie did find the pictures of Candy, the cockapoo. The pictures were of Candy's funeral, complete with satin-lined casket (they found the perfect piece of satin at Mitchell's Fabrics); the freshly covered grave and head stone. They loved that puppy.

It wasn't long before the ladies were on their way. The tea had warmed their bodies and our conversation had warmed my heart.

One thing that Ann did concede was that Sofie was a good cook. I asked if she could make perogies and was assured that hers were excellent. Just write your name and phone number on a piece of paper and we'll have you and Michele over for perogies. Oh I'm not that great a cook but I'd like to have you over.

I should have taken a picture. I'm so glad Michele happened to be visiting because an experience like this has to be shared. I think if I was alone I might have woken up the next day and wondered if I'd dreamt the whole thing.

I hope Ann doesn't lose the little piece of paper with my name and address. I'd love to visit with them again.

Too Cold to Talk

We in the west are experiencing bone chilling, outrageous, excruciating cold weather. I want to stay inside today, sit in front of the fireplace and read a good book but alas, I must work. And I have a meeting to attend tonight.

Poor Gabriel. He is our new international student, arriving today, from Brazil. If I were him, I'd just turn around and head back home.

The things I've said about Winnipeg being the best place in the world to live? I take them all back.

For today, anyway.

Winnipeg-One Great City

This weekend I plan to lace up my skates and spend some time on the longest skating rink in the world. Be sure to watch the video.

Kudos to Kathryn Keyes for her comments:
"We think it's great and we think there's room for two records in Canada," said Kathryn Keyes, spokeswoman with the National Capital Commission. "We would be happy to see Winnipeg crowned as the world's longest."

Here's hoping for colder weather in Ottawa!

The Dogs

Dixie and Jed are cousin dogs and best friends. I'm not sure what Jed sees in Dixie though. She chews at his ears so that they get soaked, nips at his legs, teases him and tries to get his bone away from him. In the summer, Jed's favourite thing is to play chase in the back yard. Dixie will run for about 3 laps and then goes to find something to chew and leaves Jed looking very sad and forlorn. When Dixie goes to Jed's for a play date, he exhibits some very odd behaviour. I think Dixie's jealous of Jed's very own couch. That's probably why she tries to chew it. Poor Jed is terrified that she may get in trouble for doing that and begins to shake uncontrollably but hey, Dixie doesn't care. The human behavioural experts claim that opposites attract. Maybe Jed appreciates Dixie's joi de vivre and perhaps Dixie looks up to Jed for his amazing ability to relax so well. We should do a personality test on the dogs and see what we come up with.

I must say that Dixie does not have the same regal bearing as Jed.Allowing your very long tongue to hang out really reduces your ability to look classy.


These crazy dogs really give us a lot of laughs but I wonder if we talk about them too much. My dear sister-in-law said that we needed babies in our families, presumably so we wouldn't talk so much about the dogs. Hmmmm. Interesting thought although I personally can't do anything about that now that I am a uterus-free zone.

For the time being, they keep us entertained.

Monday Night Dinner

Gavin's first Monday night family dinner.

This is what happens at a Monday night family dinner when Micah finds the camera.

I wonder what Gavin thought?

Chats with Myself

I had a chat today with my 80 year old self. There were a few things I wanted to ask her about and hoped that she could give me some clarity on what's happening in my life right now. Here is her advice.

Linda, stop obsessing about your weight and body image. Get out and move. Ride your bike, go cross country skiing and don't worry so much about how you look. Do spend some time (but not too much) on your hair, makeup and wearing clothes that flatter you. You will feel better about yourself and your beauty will shine through. Incidentally, I love your new glasses.

Watch your posture. Stand straight and for heaven's sake, call your physiotherapist to find out why your back hurts so much in the mornings. And finish reading that book you took out of the library, "Pain Free for Women." There is a lot of good stuff in there. Follow through on finding a Yoga class. That did wonders for me. God needs you and you must care for your body so that you can be healthy and strong.

If you have a dream, follow it. I've spent too many years thinking of all the reasons why I couldn't do something that I had a dream about. Do you remember that time in our bedroom, I think we were about 18 years old, when we had a clear thought that we might like to become a pastor? And then the second thought that told us we couldn't? We should have listened to the first thought because you and I both know that it was God's voice. I know we're okay with it all. We've talked to God about it, confessed our fear of risks and all that. He understands. But you know, he is still calling you to ministry. I know because I was 50 thirty years ago. Don't waste these next 30 years thinking you're too old to follow God's calling. Thirty years is a long time to follow something you're passionate about. I can't tell you the journey that he's taking you on right now because you wouldn't enjoy it nearly as much if I told you exactly what was going to happen and there are things you need to learn on your own. I would just say continue on the path of spirituality, of contemplation and leadership. That is where God will speak to you, when you slow down, speak less and listen more.

I'm so glad that we've learned to laugh and I can tell you that you will laugh more and more. God will also lead you into a few "dark night of the soul" times. I'm so glad that we finally figured out by this time that it is not really a bad place for us to be. I'm glad that we realized in our 50s that God works most powerfully when we are at our weakest and it is through our trials and struggles that we grow closer to him, if we let him take us through it.

I'm getting a little tired now Linda. I think I'll have to go take a little nap. I'm glad that we learned years ago that a little afternoon nap is good for the soul and the body. I'd love it if you came to visit with me again and we can talk some more.

The next 30 years will be awesome!

I'm having a little trouble sleeping so those of you who check my blog have lots to read

Last Tuesday evening was our second cross-country skiing lesson. The temperature (including wind chill factor) was hovering around -27 C and so I called the school to see if the class was still on. It was.

When Wes came home, I very nicely asked him to call again. Maybe they changed their minds and realized that it was too cold to go cross country skiing. No such luck. They told him too that the class was going ahead.

I wore long johns, thermal socks and 2 wind resistant pairs of pants. On the top I wore a shirt, like the long johns, a long sleeved top, vest, fleece and then my jacket, which I could hardly zip up. I also wore a hat and warm mittens. I figured that I would be prepared even though I would have cancelled, if it were up to me. The "you've got to be crazy" theme kept popping up in my head as well as the "you're doing this for fun?" phrase.

But as soon as we headed out my mood and attitude changed. When it is so cold here in the prairies, the sky is amazingly clear. There was a full moon out that was hanging low in the sky and providing light. We walked through the trees to a clearing where we began our lesson. It seemed unbelieveable that we were in the middle of the city and yet it was so calm and quiet. It was just beautiful out there. And as long as we were moving, we were not cold. As a matter of fact both Wes and I ended up taking our jackets off at one point.

They (whoever they are) say that the people who enjoy the winter most in Winnipeg are the ones who get out and find outdoor activities to do. After last night, I tend to agree.

But I know myself. Next week, if it is any colder than -25 C, I'm going to call and see if the class is cancelled. It probably won't be and I'll have to talk myself into going. Once I get out there though, I'll be glad I did. That's how it always goes with me.

We enjoyed it so much that we will probably go out sometime this weekend to practise.

I just had an implant installed today. Installed seems like a good word to use because the dentist used a variety of tools that builders use, including a drill, compressor, stainless steel rod and hammer. All very well sterilized, I was assured.

I tend to be a trusting person so when my dentist told me he couldn't do the implant but he had a brother-in-law who was pretty cheap, I went ahead with the brother-in-law, who practises in a small town, 20 minutes away from the city. Hmmm.


The BIL has a bona fide dental practise-at least he works in a building with a sign that says, Beausejour Dental Office and he has dental hygeinists who love their jobs. (Have you noticed that dental hygenists can get downright giddy when they're scraping the crud off your teeth? They really like it. They generally seem like a happy bunch to me. Go figure.)


Today I went for the implant and Dr. K was happy, VERY happy to see me. His 2 assistants were also VERY happy to see me and it seemed to me that all the hygenists, receptionists and other people who work there all knew who I was and were VERY happy to see me. I seemed to be a bit of a celebrity.

I was getting a little nervous. I started wondering how many implants the BIL does in a year. They all seemed to know what they were doing. But they all seemed a little too happy. They reminded me of the time Michele, Yvonne and I got together to make our first batch of fresh cheese. We were so excited. We sterilized everything we needed to use, we read the instructions over and over and over. We talked about every detail and about what we should do. And the cheese worked out fabulously-the second time we tried it.

Gulp.

When I am draped with sterile clothes and have a funny cap over my head, I become very docile and agreeable. So even though I was nervous, I didn't get up and run away or ask to see the good dentist's credentials. I just let him do his thing. And when he told me that he would have to "tap" the implant into place if it didn't go in all the way, that I should not worry, it was part of the procedure. However, when we got to that part, my confidence in the dentist began to leave with every tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, TAPTAPTAPBANGBANGBANG. Those were not little taps. They were bangs that could have broken my jaw if he had been hitting it with the same power he was using to "tap" the implant into place. As he was banging, I realized that at that moment, I was totally trusting in him and his ability to install an implant. I was also trusting my own dentist who referred me to his brother-in-law. He apologized for what he was doing but because we were commited, we couldn't stop.

Finally he did stop the hammering, checked his work and reported that it was a slam dunk. I think that meant he was happy with it. Whew.

The procedure itself lasted all of 20 minutes or so and it wasn't bad at all except for the hammer. As they worked, I became more confident and less worried in their abilties. The dentist was happy with how things were going and I liked his satisfied grunts and pleased words as everything worked out just as it was supposed to.

The worst is over and in a few months, after bone has grown around the implant he will be able to place a beautiful new tooth in the gap that is there right now.

That's good thing because I never really liked that tooth in the first place and now, knowing that there's a big hole where my tooth should be is surprisingly embarassing to me.

It's Friggin' Cold

We are in the middle of an arctic chill here in the great white north. With the wind chill factored in, it feels like it's -30 C or even colder and I'm getting a little cranky. So, in order to cheer myself up, I thought I'd come up with 10 things that I'm thankful for.

1. Unlike Dixie the dog, I'm grateful that I can do my business indoors.
2. The parking pay stations that were installed downtown last year don't work when it's cold. I parked for free twice last week and saved myself two dollars!
3. Triple pane windows
4. Slippers
5. Comfort food
6. Long johns
7. Moisture wicking clothing (we had our first outdoor cross country skiing class last night)
8. Wine-warms my feet like nothing else
9. The sun
10. A car with a good heating system

Lifestyles of the Rich and Infamous

On my way home this morning, after dropping my brother and sister-in-law off at the airport, I stopped at the grocery store. When I was finished, I loaded the groceries into my car and brought the cart away. As I was walking back, I watched a woman squeeze into the spot right beside me. I wish I had checked to see what kind of car she was driving. All I noticed was that it was spotlessly clean, scratch free, dent free and very large. My Toyota Corolla on the other hand has a few dents and scratches and wasn't nearly as clean as the woman's fancy car. It still looks good and it's a great little vehicle.

I waited patiently, certain that she would move her car because she would realize that it would be hard for me to open the door and get into mine.

To my surprise, she got out of her car and started walking towards the store. I called after her and said (very nicely), "You haven't left me much room to get into my car."

She walked over to me, looked at the space between our 2 cars, shrugged her shoulders and said matter of factly, "That's what happens when you have a luxury car" and she turned and walked away.

Is This an Obsession?

I am beginning to obsess about the recent Myers/Briggs test I took.

I do not tend to obsess about things unless you call my desire to purchase a really big potato masher an obsession. You should see it though! It's like, at least one metre in length, heavy and has a really solid wooden handle. You could mash potaotes in one of those huge pots you find in restaurants and still not get your arms burned by steam. My sisters wouldn't let me buy one though. They don't think we need one.

What I think I'll do is decide which kind of personality type I want and become that person. Most of the descriptions of the personality types are pretty clear so I think I could figure it out.
All I have to do is memorize all the personality types, decide which one I want to be and then become that person. Shouldn't be too hard.

If any of my faithful readers have done the test and are happy with your personality, could you tell me what it is? If I like your particular personality, I may try to become just like you.

At least it's cheaper than therapy.

I am in a state of shock.

I was at a retreat this weekend and we did the Myers/Briggs personality test. This was at least the 3rd, possibly 4th time I've done this. Every time I have been the same. ENFP. Every time.

Until today. Today, apparently, I am an ESTJ.

I'm shocked and don't quite know what to do with this. When I read the ESTJ profile, I think that's not me but when I read the ENFP profile, I think that's not me either. I am so confused! I always thought I knew myself but obviously I don't.

I think I'll redo the test in a month or so to see if "the new me" is ESTJ or ENFP. I just hope it's not something else because then I'll definitely have to go into therapy.

Last time I'm going to do one of those tests.

Harrumph.

For The Family...

It's here. You better come and get it soon or else I'm going to eat it all!

A New Activity

When I first moved to the Prairies in 1979 (was it that long ago?) I thought the landscape here in central Canada was boring. Flat was all I saw. It took a few years before I really began to appreciate and love this land. Today I see so much more and while I love the beauty of my home province, I'm always happy to come back to Manitoba. Over the years we've had international students living with us and all of them have indicated to us that they would love to ski while they were here. They assume that because there is snow, there is an opportunity to ski. They don't realize until they actually come here that the landscape is pretty flat and there are not too many places for them to hone their skills.

Wes and I enjoyed downhill skiing when we were in our late teens and early twenties partly because there were plenty of hills near our homes. I enjoyed the speed and the thrill of being just barely in control as I raced down the hill. I remember getting up early in the morning so that we could be on the hill as soon as it opened and then staying until closing. Sometimes I'd wake up the next morning a little stiff and perhaps a little bruised but never bad enough to make me want to stop skiing.

I've gone skiing a few times since I moved to the prairies but not often. There aren't a lot of ski hills here because the prairies are, well, flat. One of our hills is called Holiday Mountain-not really a mountain but a valley and Assissippi, a new ski resort is a good 4 hour drive away.

The last time I went skiing, there was no speed or rush. I snowploughed my way down the hill and only spent a couple of hours on the hill. I think that caution and the fear of falling and hurting myself has replaced my need for speed. I suppose that can happen as you get older.

Tonight, Wes and I will attend our first of four cross country skiing lessons. I think that my days of downhill skiing may be over but cross country skiing might get me outside a little more in the winter, provide some good excercise for us and keep us in shape for biking, once the snow melts.

Most of the people I know who cross country ski, love it. My son Tim thinks I should try snow boarding. Most of the people I know who snow board, love it. However, I see snowboarders on their butts far more often than I see cross country skiiers on their butts. I prefer to stay on my feet.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Finally

It took 9 months, 12 days, 30 hours of labour and a C-section but finally, he's here. My great nephew, the first child of the next generation.

I will post pictures but I shall wait till his mom and dad have done so first.

Take my word when I say he is absolutely beautiful.

His mom and dad are both tired but thrilled and looking good.

I just love digital cameras. Today I downloaded some new photos and also deleted some bad ones. Here are a few favourites.

Christmas wouldn't be complete without several rousing games of Monopoly.

Yvonne and I with our finest holiday accessories. The wine had nothing, absolutely nothing to do with it.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen things I'm looking forward to.

1. Christmas eve with my children.
2. Christmas day with the extended family.
3. The 2 days and nights we'll be spending at Pinewood Lodge.
4. Our open house on December 30.
5. Singing Christmas carols.
6. Learning to cross country ski. Wes and I start our lessons in January.
7. The birth of my niece and her husband's baby.
8. A huge dumping of snow. It's not in the forcast but I can hope, can't I?
9. Skating at the Forks. All I have to do is find my skates. Has anyone seen my skates?
10. A visit from John and Tena after the baby is born. I know they're not coming to see me but I'm hoping they'll be able to tear themselves away from their little grandson for a while.
11. Wes' week off, between Christmas and New Year's.
12. Playing my newly tuned piano.
13. The book "The Dissident Daughter" that I ordered 2 weeks ago and still hasn't come.

Better, Much Better, Thank you

Ahhh. Finally feeling like my old self again.

We (Prairie Bounty) and Eric catered a successful job yesterday for a local Mennonite NGO. My sisters had done quite a lot of catering in the last few weeks as I whiled away my days on the couch. It was good to be back in action.

It was a pretty peaceful job and we found ourselves standing around in the kitchen for much of the time, occasionally moving around in the room where the event was happening, replenishing trays. While we were standing around, we talked about how much fun it would be to have an open house. We do love to cook together, especially for friends and family. We decided it would be on December 30, sometime in the afternoon or evening.

So... anyone who reads this blog is invited to attend. We'll be sending out emails and invitations but some people will inevitably be missed. If you are reading this post, you are welcome to join us. Email me if you need the address.

There was someone yesterday from the Celiac society and she asked us if we might be interested in catering for them. They have trouble finding people who can cook for them with their diet restrictions. That's the kind of job we like so hopefully she'll follow up. We are pretty good cooks but we are not very good at the administrative part of the job and alas, we forgot our business cards. Again. Fortunately, Yvonne found some in the bag with the serviettes so we were able to hand out a few. Michele said we need one more sister who is good at administrative stuff. Maybe we'll have to adopt.

One of the good things about catering is that we always have too much food. Yesterday we all took home some cut up fruit and veggies. Supper tonight will be a stir fry with fruit salad for dessert. Thanks MCC!

Bored

I suppose that means I'm getting better.

It's hard to post anything new and exciting when you haven't been out and all your news of what's happening on the outside is coming from the people you live with or the CBC news which only seems to be reporting on Brian Mulroney and Karl Heinz Whateverhisnameis.

I got 2 new antibiotic perscriptions from the doctor yesterday. That's got to kill any kind of bacteria left in my body, don't you think?

I must be getting better. I'm complaining more.

On the bright side, my new favourite author is Sue Monk Kidd. I read "The Secret Life of Bees" for the third time this week. I also finished a book of short meditations of hers that I bought some time ago. Sue Monk Kidd has grappled with lots of spiritual issues in her life and currently I'm reading "When the Heart Waits" which is the story of her mid-life crisis journey. It is powerful stuff that I can really relate to although I would suggest to her to change the name of her book. It sound like one of those cheap romance novels.

Sue Monk Kidd's "When the Heart Waits" is to a romance novel what dinner at a five star restaurant is to no-name mac and cheese.

Really.

Still Sick

Half way through the antibiotics

T3s are gone

Brain turning to mush

Couch getting saggier by the day

Still glad the malfunctioning uterus (Michele's words) is gone