Whirling Dervish........

...... this is likely getting redundant but..... lord, I'm busy!

Sarah, Daniel and Zeph's visit ends tomorrow (all too soon) and it has been great having them here, having the chance to have more contact with Zeph. (He's so great!!) They spent their first few days with us, went into Toronto to visit friends and family for a couple of days and have been back since Xmas Eve day. Although I worked a portion of Xmas, all day yesterday and again today (overnight) our times together have been good. Lynda is hanging in like a champ and doting on Zeph like any good gramma does - she gets the best belly laughs out of him!

Last night the kids were out for a few hours and we didn't feel like left-overs so Lynda decided to take me out to our favourite steak house. Sarah was gearing Lynda off about taking me out on a date and got a big smile and a laugh for her trouble. Dinner was great; steak with shrimp, scallops, asparagus in Bearnaise sauce - so was the company (great that is).

When I get off work in the morning I'm off to a car rental place to pick up a van so as to get them back to the airport. I'm not looking forward at all to them leaving; I don't know when we might be together again. In any case both Lynda and I are looking forward to the house clearing, getting some time just together, and some lone time. I really should spend some time at my place - water the plants, do some laundry, straighten up. Over the last couple of weeks I've stopped in every few days to check mail, replenish meds and clothes, and drop stuff off but I haven't stayed long, eaten a meal or slept in my own bed for what seems like ages.

Needless to say but I'm way behind on emails and checking blogs but I hope to get caught up sometime in the near future.

Oh, - and I'm doing another of these 26 hour sleepover shifts on New Years Eve day over into NY day morning so I'm not likely to be getting into any trouble. Two scheduled admissions and a couple of discharges. Woo-Hoo -- Party!! I'll continue to fill in on this day shift rotation until I'm informed otherwise; the counsellor I'm filling in for will be ready to come back eventually but I've been given no timeline regarding that as yet. With the new year will come more part time work; we've taken a break over the holidays - and my new boarder should be moving in any day now. (I thought that might have happened by now but...) It's also time to kick the job search back into gear as I've been too busy to apply myself to the task. I find it a daunting one but it's necessary if I want to keep my head above water.

That's all the time I have for now....be back soon I hope.

Merry, Merry.....

In some parts of the world Christmas day is beginning now - it is still early Christmas Eve day here. I have been on the run for weeks now with little time to share here on the blog.

To the regular visitors out there - I hope that however you choose to celebrate this holiday season that it is a time for family and friends, and that you enjoy these times immensely. All best wishes for a happy and successful 2008; blessings on all of us.

(Personally, I choose to distinguish between how badly this past year could have gone, and how things have turned out. Could be much, much worse....... I have hope that things will continue to improve. Hope is a very good place to be.)

Take Good Care Of You!! TGCOY!

Hallelujah!!!!

Finally.....after all this time......I have my computer back, it's up and running, and I have many new things to get used to, many settings and links to recover. All I need now is precious time; of which there is very little these days. (I don't imagine my life is much different from anyone else's in this run up time until Christmas.) That said, life is incredibly hectic between work, part-time work, group meetings and service work, committee obligations, some shopping, Sarah, Daniel and Zeph's arrival tomorrow from Vancouver. When Lynda came over for dinner the other night we were so exhausted that we were fighting to stay awake after 8 p.m.; then said the heck with it and she crashed here for the night.

I had a quick peek the other day at a few blogmate's sites and WOW do I ever have a lot of catching up to do. Looks like Robin, Kel, Michelle and Glen are in fine writing form these days. There has been no word lately from cousin BJ, so do write if you have a chance. It has been a time of great sadness for friend JPW - I missed his Mom's funeral Saturday because of other commitments but there are prayers flowing in his direction for strength and release of sorrow. Mom was considering a couple of options as to where she was going to spend Xmas; she has decided she isn't up to travelling and will stay here in town. C'mon over, Ma!!

Last week was breakthrough time with that teen I've been working with. He followed through on some things I had recommended he try and he had a positive outcome to show for his efforts. It's all in putting these things into action.....and engaging in change.

The 'evil empire' had been advertising 24 hour shopping so Lynda and I were there late Saturday night into Sunday morning picking up things for the grand kiddies - Owen and Zeph - and other Xmas goodies. I may just have to head there again later tonight to find something for Sarah, Daniel and Lynda.

We had a terrific storm sweep through which left a huge dumping of snow - that meant hourly shovelling of the driveway, porch and walks. I arrived home today to a drifted-in parking spot; not exactly what I was hoping for. My back,.... my heart.....enough!!

I can't say I'll be back with any regularity in this next while but know this....if you're one of those who stops by here on a regular basis...I'll be thinking of you. All best wishes for the holiday season to everyone!! (Let's all keep in mind the reason for the season.)

Still Kickin......

So......still no computer......which means very limited, very occassional access.

But I am working on it.

Life is so busy it is a blur between one thing and another. Plus there are some changes going on. I have a friend of my youngest stepson moving into my place as a way to reduce costs. It is going to cost me in a few ways to start but I hope to wind up ahead. I got my first cheque tonight for the work I have been doing with the young teen in foster care (woo-hoo!!! money) plus I have been working the odd day with an electrician friend when I can fit it in and as he needs me doing the grunt work. (My aching back doesnt mind cash money at days end.)

Things are going well with Lynda and I; we spend as much of our free time together as we can. The weather threw a screw into our plans on the weekend. Lynda was supposed to escort her mother to a family wedding on Saturday. I was to go a do that cousinf BJ and her husband were putting on. The forecast was grim and so neither of us went either planned event. The storm held off until that evening so we could likely have done what we wanted to have done. Once it started tho....I was glad not to be out in it. Rain, freezing rain, ice pellets, 6 inches of snow. Yucky driving conditions.

Be back when I am able........