Whole Heartedly

Posted on November 11, 2011 by sandi

Did you know that there is such a thing as “Training in
Amazingness”? If you’re a nurse on the ICU of BC Children’s Hospital, you have
to possess a generous measure – just to get into the training. I know this from
personal experience. In case you haven’t any (personal experience, that is), here’s
a list of indicators:

  1. An expression of genuine privilege in caring for
    our wee one
  2. Singular attentiveness
  3. Respect, and consequently an ear, for our
    journey
  4. Intentional communication
  5. Tears, compassion, laughter, joy in the
    heartaches and successes of baby’s condition and treatment
  6. Honesty as to the reality of the situation
  7. A sense of dignity and space for times when we
    aren’t strong and encouragement for times when we are

Our baby has a patched heart and her 7-8 cm incision in the
middle of her chest knits itself slowly. But she is alive and laughing and
walking (with help) and teething and doing most things a normal 11 month does.

Our hearts are also whole and full and brimming with thanks
for God’s grace and the kindness of so many who have taken it upon themselves
to get involved by praying, wishing, hoping, loving and letting us know how
much they care. You cared and we want to thank you for your part in Gabrielle’s
healing!

Amazingness!

Posted in Faith, Family, Grandparenting | Leave a comment

Bountiful Harvest

Posted on September 1, 2011 by sandi

The first season of gardening in Ladysmith goes down in the books as a success. Of course I can hardly take all the credit!

We praise Thee, O Lord, for the bountiful harvest,
We praise Thee for sunshine, the dew and the rain;
For soft summer breezes so gracefully bending
The bright golden billows of grain.

We praise Thee, O Lord, for the bountiful harvest
That now has been gathered and garnered with care;
Rewarding the toil of the sower and reaper,
While all in its blessings may share.

For the bountiful harvest
We praise Thee, we thank Thee and bless Thee, O Lord:

Author unknown

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Sailing, Sunshine and Salty Air

Posted on August 28, 2011 by sandi

There’s nothing like a week of sailing with some of my very favourite people to top off the summer. We once owned a 38’ C&C sailboat (Acappella) but sold it seven years ago to free up the cash to do other things. I have missed it to such an extent that we have considered selling everything and buying a 50’ trawler, living aboard and keeping the mooring lines loose. The idea of “no fixed address” has its appeal but the greater appeal is living on the water. It’s a concept that is not new to us and here is where I let you in on a little secret; we almost bought a bus to live in during our first year of marriage. Crazy, I know. And nothing like living on the water, though I have only dreamt of such things.

Spending weeks at a time on Acappella came very close to the realization of the wanderlust longing and I reluctantly admit I cried when we sold her. Someday we hope to own another boat but boating is expensive. “A hole in the water you pour money into” is the definition most often quoted when people talk about boats. It’s often said by people who don’t really love the water. So why don’t we just move aboard? Honestly, the thing that stops us is an over-realized sense of responsibility and our future comfort. Lame, I know but quite real as we approach later life.

All this to say, this summer we compromised, played it safe and chartered. It was a great week! Hope you like the photos.

Posted in Family, Outdoors, Sailing, Travel | Leave a comment

Can you hear the laughter?

Posted on August 16, 2011 by sandi

I wish it were possible for me to hear every detail of each of your summers.

What are you reading? What occupies your time? Who have you seen? Are you feeling rested? What are you learning these days, my friends? What makes you laugh?  I do hope it’s been a rich and relaxing time.

These photos I’m sharing are from various visits: one with Danielle and her beautiful little baby, Hannah who live in Cumberland, one of a tiny VW van we found parked on our street, one during my son and daughter-in-law’s move to their new home in Vancouver, one or two with our wee Gabrielle and the feasts and fun we have enjoyed together. Blessings on you!

.

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Girlfriends

Posted on August 13, 2011 by sandi

There’s something lovely about being a girl; wearing dresses, picking flowers, watching “You’ve Got Mail” too many times to count. There’s something ultra-wonderful about a bunch of girls! Lucky for me, I know a very special bunch of girls because they’re my friends…and they came for dinner last week. Well, they brought dinner to share and we ate it at my place because that’s how it is with them. We hardly ever wear dresses anymore but we cook instead and the food is healthy and organic and mostly gluten-free for me – even though they don’t need it to be. They make is especially that way because they love me. Isn’t that something?

Every Friday for 20 years or so, we have gathered together for “Bible study”. It’s our intention to study and sometimes we do. But we always pray for each other. We drink at least two pots of tea, eat goodies, talk, laugh, cry and love each other through whatever happens to be going on in our lives. A few years ago, one of the girls was diagnosed with cancer and she went on ahead of us to “girlfriend heaven” where we know she’s happy and waiting for us. Her kids are very dear to our hearts and we watch over them from a distance. Some of our parents have passed on, children have grown up and have children of their own. Others are in the midst of raising teenagers. Some of us have careers, some stay home, we all give to community in some fashion.

If I were to describe the character of our friendship, I would tell you that we all love God, we encourage each other to love our husbands, be good moms and moms-in-law, we tell each other the truth, we listen, we love each others’ children in all their ups and downs and we hang on to each other when we sense one of us is drifting away. I like that. I can count on these girls and I love them. I love that we’re a bunch and they make me glad I’m a girl.

A toast to you, beautiful girlfriends, with lots of love! Thanks for being my friends!

Here’s a girlfriend site that I just love. Susan Branch is the girlfriend of girlfriends. Credit for the flower vine at the top of the page goes to her too. http://www.susanbranch.com/

Posted in Faith, Food, Girlfriends, Musings | 2 Comments

Summertime

Posted on August 11, 2011 by sandi

This summer,

…we have had delightful visitors!

…and the front porch is blossom-laden,

…and garden produce sits on my kitchen countertop.

 

 

This baby hydrangea is a gift from a gardener who invited me in for a spontaneous tour while on my walk. Aren’t neighbours wonderful?

My raspberries are almost as tall as my nieces!

A friend who is into organic gardening told me you could grow potatoes in a bale of hay…so I am trying it. Seems to be working.

Anise Hyssop, with its purple stalks adds colour and the bees love it. The leaves give off a fragrant licorice oil when crushed and it tastes exotic in a cup of hot water. No sugar needed!

What a wonder my strawberries are! Prolific little plants. No one has told them that August is not strawberry season so they don’t know better. We won’t tell them either.

The butternut squash has all but taken over the flower patch with its broad leaves and trailing vine. No flowers yet.

Tiny Tim tomatoes are plentiful but very green. When they ripen, we will be knee deep in them!

It may look, from the photos, that I’m spending time enjoying the summer outdoors, playing with my granddaughter and my daughter, and I am – a little…but mostly, I am studying, studying, studying…thankful for brief recesses and distractions of loveliness around me.

How is your summer going?

Posted in Creativity, Family, Food, Gardening, Grandparenting, Home, Ladysmith, Outdoors | Leave a comment

Happy Canada Day

Posted on July 2, 2011 by sandi

Last Canada Day we were in Port a Basque, Newfoundland, overnighting in a campsite not far from the ferry back to Picton, Nova Scotia. The weather was hot when we set up camp but typical of a coastal evening, thick fog rolled in blanketing us for the night. Next morning we could hardly see to make our way to the boat because the fog was still so thick.

Today I watered my veggie gardens by the dash and run method as it was too cold for me in my T-shirt and capris. What has happened to our summer? Everything is slow to grow and when the sun does show its face, my plants open themselves to it in hopeful anticipation of more, more, more! The rest of us are complaining and disgruntled! Everyone is talking about the weather.

Well, whatever the weather, we live in paradise, in the best country in the world!

Happy Canada Day everyone! God keep our land!

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Renovations

Posted on June 12, 2011 by sandi

Renovations

Our living room and kitchen flooded a few weeks ago. The restoration people rushed in setting up fans to blow all the water away and while they were at it, they took up the lino and carpet for the new floor installation. Like most people, apparently, we decided to upgrade, so the order was placed and things had been on hold since. Not anymore.

My cost-cutter husband is ripping up the rest of the carpet but first employed the faithful help of his oh so generous brother to remove the big furniture.  Thank you for helping us once again, Don!

Couches in the garage mean that our sitting is relegated to the mini-theatre room/bedroom where hockey play-offs are on and it’s probably where we would be anyway. I write my mid-term this week so studying will take place at the local library after my shift at the paint store and Gord isn’t working (for pay!) for the next few days so will oversee the process. Sounds organized, right?

There are these words that keep rolling around in my brain and they seem fitting. Though they’re ancient, they have power that calls me to better thinking here in real life reno world. “Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect…” James 1:2-4a

The “testing part”, as I see it, is the pressure that tough circumstances can create and the “of your faith” part is trusting that God is still in control, lovingly working out His will and His best. The “steadfastness” part is thinking and acting in response to the first part; recognizing the existence of pressure due to trials, resting in their benevolent source, being open to why they might be happening and trusting the one who is ultimately in charge. The full effect of steadfastness is peace in this place. And then it’s easy to welcome such a time with joy! Yup, much better thinking.

Posted in Faith, Family, Home, Literature, Musings, News | 1 Comment

Stella

Posted on June 10, 2011 by sandi

Forgive the Auto-Draft again!

Stella

We said good-bye to Stella this week. I’m not sure why I get attached to things and often I don’t even know it’s happening until the thing leaves our possession. I enjoyed Stella. I loved driving her and am not exactly sure why. Maybe she made me feel bigger or safer on the road or maybe it’s because I knew I could take a lot of stuff in her like my gluten-free food and cold water. Maybe the attachment was because she journeyed with us across the continent and back or maybe it’s because she made me feel sporty and cool.

Whatever the reason, we said good-bye to Stella this week and I feel sad. It was some consolation that the new owner loved her name and assured me he’d keep it.

So we bid adeau to you, Stella.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And may your journeys bring you safely where you go.

Posted in Musings, News, Outdoors, Travel | 1 Comment

Painting

Posted on June 3, 2011 by sandi

How much do you know about paint?

Maybe you will answer with a statement like, “It covers walls, choice of colour often reflects personality, it smells bad, is a relatively inexpensive way to clean up a surface and most people don’t like the process it requires to apply”. You would be correct on all accounts. Just ask me.

A couple of weeks ago our washing machine failed to stop filling and spilled all over our floors and carpet. Since then, the restoration crew has de-surfaced our floors, repaired the carpet underlay and made ready for new flooring which we expect to have installed mid-June. We were planning to paint anyway, but with the forced disruption, we decided to paint now while accidental floor drips are far less consequential.

During one of our frequent visits to the paint store, I learned that the young woman who runs the place is off for Africa this month to work with orphans in both Kenya and Uganda. Her dad, who owns the store, needed someone to cover things during her time away, and being a self-proclaimed painter, I offered myself up.

3 days on the job, and having finished painting our place (for now) I know a lot more about paint than ever before and let me tell you; it’s a complicated business! Never big on chemistry, I am challenged to memorize and communicate to the clientele what makes up a gallon of paint. Did you know its components include binders, pigments, solvents, not to mention additives that pop the foamy bubbles, help create a smooth spread, control viscosity, etc., etc.? Like I said, it’s complicated and my brain is spinning with all things “paint”!

I came home from work today, kicked off my runners, slipped into my Birks and headed into the garden to clear my head. My radishes have grown 30% since yesterday with their flat green tops and red stems stretch over an inch high. My tomatoes are beginning to flower and the fuchsias are dangling their profusely petalled blossoms over the side of a cedar hanging basket. More amazing to me than paint is the extraordinary variety of texture and colour in my garden. Although I admire Mr. Ben Moore for concocting paint, my Creator astounds me with His imagination! Wouldn’t you have loved to be in the room when He thought up flowers? Move over Benjamin Moore!

Posted in Creativity, Faith, Gardening, Home, Ladysmith, Musings, Outdoors | 2 Comments