Rain, rain go away.  Seeler, seeler, wants to play.  Or at least walk around without getting soaked.  Went out to my shed this afternoon.  Wore my duck boots and had to step carefully. 

Yesterday the power was off for about four hours (it seemed longer).  Silence without the hum of the fridge or ven-mar.  That could have been nice.  But it was overcast outside and dark in the house.  I had to sit by the picture window to read.  Couldn't watch TV, use the computer, make a cup of coffee, warm up some lunch, or see to do chores.  Boring. 

But enough complaints.  This morning I presided at worship - sharing the service with a retired minister who is new to the congregation.  It all went well.  One little glitch where we hadn't decided who would announce the hymn immediately after the sermon.  But it got done.  Compliments afterwards.  That isn't why we do it, but it is nice to know our efforts were appreciated and that we were able to make the service worshipful and meaningful.  Thanks to my co-worker.  Thanks to the kids who responded to the children's time.  Thanks to the choir.  Thanks to the person who made sure there was water at the pulpit.  To the ushers.  To all who worked together on the service.

And good news from Conference.  The vote yesterday was overwhelmingly in favour of becoming an affirming conference.

seeler what is a ven-mar?

it's an air circulation system

I was wondering the same thing too crazyheart!  I've never heard this term before.

Our preacher this morning was an excellent young woman who's a theology student.  Being Trinitarian Sunday, she pushed us a bit in a more expansive direction, after first giving us a wonderful history lesson re the development of the Trinity concept.  She spoke a lot about Lady Wisdom (as mentionned in Proverbs 8) ... and challenged us to imagine a Holy Quadrangle, or Holy Decahedron ... or whatever ... that God is so expansive and mysterious that we can never know God's extent - and perhaps need not let ourselves be limited today by the concept of Trinity, which was quite radical in its own time.  I hope I've done her justice in this precis!

We have a family dinner planned for tonight ... just awaiting arrivals ... shredded pork is the main menu item!  Makes me think of our picnic at 5 Oaks when Birthstone's husband made that same deliousness!  We've never cooked it before - but it sure smells good!!

So true Tabitha - a fine example of the power of meaningful occupation 

A definite must for the bedroom if you plan on entertaining the roofer this summer, Crazyheart.

Okay, I admit it, I didn't know what it was, either.

(Seeler, you managed to perplex folks in two countries)

hahahahahaha

Tabitha, if you were shopping for grad shoes the less than stellar attendance was enough to get through, right?

Not really chemgal He will participate in "grad ceremonies" but does not have the credits or courses to graduate in June from grade 12.

Why the school will let him walk across the stage/attend prom etc. is beyond me.

 He will be 2 courses short.Provided he passes the 2 he has classes for AND finishes the one by correpsondence.

Today was long, somewhat melancholic day. After church it was time to have our final prep meeting before a big fundraiser for a needy family next Saturday. We haven't sold as many tickets as we would have liked to due, at least in part, to a scheduling conflict with one of the social groups in the church. As a result we, have extended the Silent Auction so that it will end after our congregational meeting on Sunday. Donations are coming in well - I got a couple of good ones today.

This afternoon, I went to a church decommissioning service. It was an absolutely beautiful service - a real celebration of their ministry. The building was full - I'm sure we were over the fire code limit of 95. 

In the evening, I went to a farewell BBQ for a friend and co-worker who is moving to Toronto. She is a lovely young woman with a beautiful little boy - both of whom I will miss. Fortunately my last memory of this little boy will be of the two of us, along three other little children, jumping on a trampoline. That's a good memory to leave on!

One of the highlights of presiding at the service yesterday was to have Seelergirl and Grandson there.  Grandson tends to be a quiet, withdrawn boy - sometimes to the point of being silent in group discussion.  He was very responsive during the children's time when I engaged the children in discussion.  He volunteered an answer to my first question, and then continued to participate without dominating. 

Since I knew it was a weekend with his father (they alternate weekends), I was surprised to see him there.  I asked Seelergirl later.  It seems that morning he had texted her and ask about going to church.   So she drove out to get him, and took him back to his father after the seervice. 

When I told Seelerman, he was surprised.  Imagine a nine-year old boy texting.  I am more surprised that a nine-year old boy asked to go to church.

what a great gift your grandson gave you, and his father.

Sorry Tabitha!  Back in my day ;) we only got to walk the stage if it looked like there was a good chance of getting our diploma.  An assumption because final exams came after.  Hopefully with things being more up to him in the next year he can find something that works with his fatigue.

Somegal hopefully you'll have some good emails or social media contact in the future!

wow, it is cold and wet in milwaukee....cold rain, driving wind...yuck.

I brought warm weather clothes based on the weather predictions that i looked at on saturday.  May need to go shopping if it doesn't.....

could be worse, snowing out east.

what's your weather like today?

raining and muggy

It's damp out here too - but you get used to it around here. It certainly doesn't stop us from doing much! Today I took a group of children on a hike/ nature scavenger hunt by a lake in the rain. All of the kids enjoyed themselves!

I also had a lovely visit with some friends that I hadn't seen in at least 20 years! We were neighbours until they moved to Toronto about 30 years ago, but we kept in touch with Christmas cards, etc. It was lovely to see them again!

Hurray!  My blood tests are back to the normal range.  My GP let me off one of my meds.  I ended up replacing it with 2 more, plus eyedrops from an opthamologist a little while ago, but that's all for allergies which I know I have.  My throat still hurts, but I think it just needs some healing time and it's the allergies that are preventing that from completeing.

Thunderstorms are predicted for today.  We'll see, it's only been one day of decent rain, we need more!

Susnshine, cool breeze, beautiful!   "What is so rare as a day in June?  Then, if ever, come perfect days ..."

Well, it's almost June.  Where did May go? 

Down to the church today to assist in giving out food vouchers.  I played hostess - inviting people to have a cup of coffee and a snack while they waited their turn.  Today we were fortunate.  We had both banana and oranges - plus nutritious muffins, and cookies.  One man told me, when I gave him a banana  "Thanks.  I'll put this in my son's lunch tomorrow."   "In that case," I told him, "take two and have one for yourself."   It's nice to have enough and to spare - rather than turn people away.  Our program depends entirely on the generosity of people donating to the benevolent fund.  What we give depends upon what we receive.   I mainly give of my timee.

Yay chemgal!

We are getting some much needed gentle spring rain here. My dog and I had our first agility class last night, and it threatened to rain then. Thankfully it waited until we were done so we could have fun without getting soaked!

Spring seems to be here. Finally.

I would like everyone to think of Beloved these days as she is really struggling with some health problems.

Thanks Northwind!

CH, do you know if Beloved has answers yet, or is she still in the wait and see phase?

wait and see. I think

Greetings all!  Thanks gals, for thinking of me . . . and for caring . . . and for those who pray . . . for doing so . . . and those who don't . . . for positive thougths.

I've had a rough last couple of months . . . I am awaiting appointments and tests . . . have several lined up in the month of June, and a rash of blood tests tomorrow.  It is hard not knowing why something is happening to your body and therefore not knowing how to treat it.  Waiting is hard.  Especially when tests, appointments, results take a long time and when you have to travel so far to large centers.  We are so blessed that we have the resources to be able to do so - I don't know how people cope who don't.  When we travel to the city for appointments we go down one day and back home as soon as the test is over, we usually pack lunches and therefore don't have a lot of food expenses.  But we receive half of what the trip actually costs us.  Like I say, we are fine, we can afford the difference, but there are so many that can't.  Or don't have someone who can take them, etc. etc.

I so often think of chemgal, neo, chansen's son, seeler, crazyheart, (sorry for any I've missed) and many others who have gone through or are currently going through health issues also.

There are times in our lives that are hard . . . could be physical, mental or spiritual health, could be relationships, losses, work challenges . . . and everything else . . . in these times and for those in a challening time - may there be Hope in your heart for a better day, Peace in your spirit to sustain you, Joy in some area of your life, and Love by many to nurture and carry you.

Beloved, I get frustrated enough with all the appointments and tests, and I'm in the city where it's easy.  I am so relieved I don't need to add in an additional specialist.

I hope you get to the bottom of your issues quickly, so you don't have too many trips back and forth than that you're able to get local effective treatment.  I think in many ways the diagnosing stage is the hardest!

Beloved, my prayers are with you.  I know what it is like to wait for appointments and for tests and results, and more appointments, when all you want is to know what is wrong and how to treat it.  And I can understand the difficulties in travelling for tests or treatment.  Seelergirl had to travel from this city to the provincial treatment centre five days a week for five weeks for her radiation treatments.  (She could have stayed at a hostel but she felt her children needed her.)   Family and church members took turns driving her.  Others contributed money for gas (or food).  I don't know how we could have done it without them. 

Prayers and caring thoughts. 

I was annoyed this morning.  They were cleaning out the parkades so we couldn't park there, but there is no street parking right now for street cleaning.  I ended up parking at the mall and moving my car at lunch (to avoid a ticket from the 5 hr limit), and walked back getting caught in the rain that started right as I emerged from the covered parking.

Now I'm glad I didn't park on the street, a hail storm just blew in!

I just got back from a wonderfully inspiring event! I've mentioned before that a young member of our congregation - a girl aged 11 - was diagnosed a few months ago with cancer. In addition to that trauma, their house became unlivable because of a leak that developed whilst they were out of town receiving treatment. Finances have become a huge concern for them, so we knew we had to do something as a church community. We organized a fundraiser to take place throughout the month of May with a big event to take place this weekend. Throughout May we sold paper hearts after church as well tickets for a benefit tea. In addition we took donations for a silent auction. Today we held the tea and started the silent auction (which will close after church tomorrow). The tea was wonderful - we had a decent turn out of about 40 people and we had live music as well as a puppet show and a retired minister told some funny stories about being a minister. Yesterday we found out that our main speaker would be unable to attend due to a family emergency, so yours truly got up and spoke instead. I've known the family for a long time and was able to share some memories. Yesterday we also found out that there was a special treat in store for all of us - the family was able to return to Victoria and would be coming to our event! That was a really wonderful surprise. Even better - they were finally able to move back into their home for the first time in 6 months! It was a real home-coming for them!

somegal . . . wonderful! heartwarming! encouraging!  Thank you for sharing the wonderful things your congregation is doing to help this family in their time of need.  So sad about this young lass - hope all turns out well.

I'm sure you did a wonderful job with your speaking.  Way to go!

Thanks Beloved! I forgot to mention that, in addition to cancer, this young lass has Down Syndrome. She is a beautiful girl, inside and out - and if you had seen her today, the only way you would guess she had cancer would be by looking at her bald head. She was filled with energy and joy.

somegal - over in religion there is a thread about creating miracles.  In my mind you and your community have created a miracle.

Drove about 80 klms each way today  (50 to first church; then 30 to the second, then home) to do two services.  Both went well.  Wasn't troubled by either fatigue or the tremor  (oh, its there, but not so pronounced that I can't ignor it.)   I do think the medication is working.  I am able to function.   I am truly thankful.

The service was well received in both places.  I started of by telling a personal story, with jestures that had them laughing.  I told about arriving at a Christian Ethics course wearing a new fall coat.  I modeled an imaginary coat for them.  Then I told of the facilitator asking me where it was manufactured.  I took off the imaginary coat and checked the label.  Bangaldesh.  A good lead in for my message of concern for the world's disadvantaged people.    I felt good about my efforts and they responded with thanks.   It's nice to be appreciated.

Lamb hocks for dinner tonight.  Bought them on sale.  Rolled them in flour, browned them.  Then smothered them in onions, herbs, and wine and put in the oven at 250 for several hours.  The meat just fell off.

Have some.  I've left a dish of vitrual ones on the counter.  Just the right temperature too.

*Bette slips in with a jar of home-made mint jelly*

One of my favourite dinners; rarely see them anymore around here. Did you have them with mashed potatoes to soak up that lovely gravy? I am so glad the meds are working well for you right now, seeler; it makes all the difference in the world when you can keep on moving along doing what gives you joy, doesn't it? 

We had a very nice Environment Sunday service today; also, it was the Admin Team's turn to do our community lunch. Most of the team was either sailing or entertaining relatives, so I was over at the church for a solid five hours today prepping and cleaning up afterwards, as well as chairing a brief Board meeting in the middle. 

I am cat-sitting three grandcats at present. There are currently far too many cats in this house; I look like the crazy cat lady.

Thank you! 

We ended the fundraiser today and it was a big success. We are still working out the final numbers, but the auction raised $465 - in addition to what was raised by the tea and the other ventures. All told, it's going to be over $3000! The family sent a lovely message today indicating just how grateful they are.

Wonderful,somegal for you and your congregation

Thank you CH!

I'm just popping in for a quick visit.

Life has been busy-I was away for 6 days last week at a lovley conference.

Back Home Sunday late evening and my folks arrived for a visit-for son's grade 12 ceremony on Friday.

I'm appreciative of their visit but find I also need patience. For example dad mowed the lawn last night. Great! He also managed to disable the dishwasher-It took 2 of us-my son and I and the manuals-45 minutes to get it going again.

They were off to visitsa cousin today-last night the plan was to leave at 830 this am-I heard them up at 6 and they woke my older son-who works long days and needs his sleep.Mostly it is the contant demands for attention that get to me, as I still need to go about the rest of my life ie work and kids.

And yet I tell myself to breathe and be calm they are 80 and 82. This house is larger than our last one so there is more room- Maybe I'll try slipping in a daily walk-some quiet time.

Goodmorning - the sun shines bright on my old New Brunswick home - after torrential rains yesterday (I guess there was a hurricane moving up the US east coast - these things effect us.) ---------- breakfast this morning - stewed rhubarb on sweet T-biscuits, with cream.  -------- I'm leading worship this morning at the little church on the edge of the city where I used to attend.  Wish me well.   -------- Sorry, for some reason I can't do paragraphs anymore, so I am using a series of dashes to break up my thoughts.  I hope it is not too difficult to read.

How is that for you seeler?

Hi seeler, I can't do paragraphs anymore on this netbook either. I can do them on my laptop......go figure. What I have done is switch to plain text editor so I can put in the html signs to turn into a paragraph...

Then I switch to rich text  and start typing the new paragraph.

It is a gorgeous sunny day here now. We had rain all day yesterday, so things are extra green. It will be a little cool, but nice. Have a great day everyone1

It is hot here in toronto. A nice frozen lemonade would go down nice right now.

Seelergirl is having surgery tomorrow morning.  Serious but not critical.  Not cancer.  Will be back on line in a day or two.

Seeler, I hope everything goes smoothly for the entire family!

Hope everything is ok.

(anyone other than me finding the repeated logons frustrating re the captura (?) code)

Didn't have the problem Pinga, I didn't have to enter one.  I got logged out sometime this week and the most frustrating part was just remembering my password.  I'm usually on in the same location though.

I pray all goes well with Seelergirl.

I had a really great weekend in Naramata! Sorry I missed you, though, Tabitha. We'll have to get together next time you are down here. There were 9 of us who were considering entering into ministry of various different forms, along with 3 facilitators - one of whom was Marion Best! We were also blessed to have Tabitha's minister join us as a special guest for a couple of hours on Saturday. We weren't there for very long, so I made the most of my time - soaking up as much of the people and setting that I could. In addition to the sessions, which were led by wonderful facilitators, I enjoyed going for multiple walks around the village with each of the other participants in small groups. One of the best sessions we had was an unplanned gathering in the common area of the building we were sleeping in (Maple Court, for those who know Naramata). It was Saturday night, and everyone gathered to drink wine, pig out on junk food and enjoy a relaxed conversation about anything and everything!

Here is a picture I took of one of Naramata's resident peacocks (sorry about the size):

Somegal, is this the photo I couldn't see on Facebook?

Yup - that's one of them. I still can't figure out why some people can see the pics and others can't.

Seeler,

I hope all goes well for seelergirl. 

Resident peacocks!  That's a cool & magical thing!  Were they noisy at all?

Hugs to Seelerfamily. 

There were only two of them, so they weren't too noisy - but they did add lots of colour to the place!

I've brought some fresh Okanagan cherries and strawberries for everyone here to enjoy with your next meal.