Best Thing/Worse Thing and What did I learn today? Part 5

nooooooooooo I need part two now!!!

well yesterday is over and it certainly was a mixed bag.
Two hours before i had to leave, my daughter called distressed to take her to the hospital again. she was having more pain and couldnt take it. as you know she was rushed to hospital and after a number of days sent home as there was no theatre available. so off we went to the hospital while her husband stayed at home with the kids. i have to admit i was stressed that day naturally due to the funeral and annoyed her hubby didnt take her. he said he couldnt cope with her pain which is fair enough i guess. i got her in and pain meds arranged, called the husband and told him to come in and that i would take the children to the funeral with me. what else could i do??

so with my DD settled off we went. on arrival there was a huge amount of people and i was looking for someone i know. i couldnt recognise anyone! baby in arms and GD and hubby by my side i saw one of my brothers. i thought at first that this couldnt be the funeral as they we expecting abut 30 people.. there were about 150 or more!

I went up and said high and was greeted with a smile so that was ok. everyone seemed ok asided of course from the grief. I saw my nephews little girl, she looked about 1 year old. i knew who she was immediatly as she is the spitting image of her dad.

The funeral was tragic and sad as you can imagine but something the priest said really stuck with me. 'Dont measure a person by how they died, but by how they lived'. it really hit home for me and really helped. Betty what you said in your post also was almost exactly part of what was said in the service. He was merely looking for relief and hadnt thought of the people left behind and so on.

after there was tea and coffee and so on....and i think because of having my GS and GD, my family approached me and it broke the ice.

we were all (the family) invited back to my sisters house and i plucked up the courage to go. It was wonderful! i am so amazed. they loved the grandchildren and I got a kiss from my sister who hasnt spoken to me for 7-10 years! we chatted and laughed. My brother, who's son died, cam and hugged and kissed me like he didnt want to let go and told me how much he loved me as did all my other brothers and sisters too! It was weird and wonderful all at once. Now i dont know if it will last but for that one day, I was part of something that i had dreamed about all my life, A loving family. So thankyou Rene', ( my nephew who passed away), You gave me a wonderful gift on your parting that i will always treasure.

spoke to my daughter this morning and she is awaiting a CT scan and other tests and is supposed to have the surgery today. so i will keep you posted on that one. I called work a couple of times over the last week letting them know i couldnt come in and they have been really nice! This morning again, i called and explained how tired i was and now my DD was in hospital and the woman that answered is one of the ones who is horrible to me and she was very kind. So, i'm guessing there is something higher than myself going on here and I want to say thankyou to all of you who are holding my family and i up in prayer and support. You thoughts mean the world to me. I have walked through some dark valleys as we all do and I come here and find people like betty and herbie and helln and all the rest who have a kind word and are helping us through in prayer. It means so much. I wish my nephew Rene' could have known you all.

well, its a really long post i know but thanks for taking the time. Your wonderful people and its so nice to have friends to talk to. I dont have a friend in the world here would you believe just a few aqantances ( cant spell it). when i remarried i lost what friends i had as they didnt approve of the age difference. go figure! you think being a grownup you could make your own decisions! lol

Anyway, will keep you posted regarding my DD.

Worst thing.. saying good bye to a beautiful boy who was loved more than he knew.

Best thing... living a dream for a day....

xx

Now Laura, why would you make me want to cry..tears falling from sadness but more so for the happiness you've experienced today...I wonder how many times we feel rejected and cut ourselves away from those we love, only to find out they are hurting in some way and may feel same when all sides just want to be LOVED....

I will say several prayers tonight for your family...you've been through sooooo much...one of the nice things as well was your work and the kindness your co-worker gave to you today when you least expected her...perhaps when you return to work you could tell her just what her kindness did for you today..the she was 'your' miracle...

Know you are extremely tired, mentally exhausted and trying to help where possible, so my dear, you get a good nights rest and we'll gab later...you are right, these individuals that come and post on this thread are such wonderful caring and loving people...what treasurer we've found in each other...all have strengths and weaknesses, but each fill in where the others fail....

Keep care...hugs for you..talk tmr. should you feel up to it....

Thankyou betty,

can i share a little something?

I had a very unhappy childhood for many reasons, alcoholic father who was violent, shunned and teased for being big and many other things and at an early age was kicked out of the house to the streets. ( I wouldnt clean my room! a typical kid thing you would think). So for two years i lived on the streets before finding somewhere that would help me and protect me and take me in.
Many things happened to me during that time which i wont go into but to escape the horror of it all, I would so look forward to finding a queit place to sleep because in my dreams, i could be anybody and do anything! I wasnt fat, I had a loving family and so many other things. Dreaming was my escape.

I struggled and stumbled through many things as we all do and here I am...... but i have to tell you. It is the most amazing feeling to have lived a dream! people say, 'Its a dream come true'! but for me it was! like....... magic.....a miracle............and in a way, and this may sound really weird but, I was able to go back to that sad little girl on the streets who was so cold, hungry and frightened and tell her that sometimes just sometimes, dreams can come true and they can be and feel just how you imagined them to be!

It was really wonderful.

Laura/Laura/Laura, if I was crying before it's nothing like I am doing now..tears just streaming..of course you can share...I am hurting for that poor little soul..I almost get the sense that you are healing...and that dear friend is as big a 'miracle' as anyone could ask for..and I'm so please you received it...and that's from the heart...

Oh Laura, please accept a big hug from me. When I get to AU you are first on my list for a hug in person. That is not to be taken lightly since visiting AU/NZ and South Africa are number one on my vacation list! Enjoy your family.

-Kim

hey there kim,

thankyou so much...

You would be more than welcome! we would love to have you stay with us and show you around some!

evening all,
wonder hugs to you, im praying for all of you,what a wonderful story im so happy for you and your sibilings brought a tear to my eye too.

BETTY, NO I NEED PART 2
as always i enjoyed you story thats all i thought aboutall day was what everyone will post.
ves, glad you found your fish, do you have any problems with racoons?

best:had a visit from the district manager he gave us a plaque and congradulated us on our shrinkage was the best in two years in the whole district we were not expecting that
it was a big pat on the back for all of us.
worst: stifiling hot day today
learned: i was helping a customer for two hours omg she let her hair down to tell me all about her daughter and that she is a special child, she spent fourty thousand dollars on cosmetology classes and college classes and the girl went living with a bum who took advantage of her and there's lawyers involved ect i never would of suspected all of that, i met the daughter a couple of times i never knew she had a wild streak in her.

all have a wonderful evening liz

ok I`m a mess Laura, but for a good reason. I am sad at all you lived through but it is in the past and your present is looking brighter each moment. You have your new man and us and your moment at the funeral with the family, BTW we do count as friends lady. I will keep dd in my prayers too. hugs

Kim sorry I was not there and would call now, but I have to go to a neighbors house for a meeting, apparently we have a lot of arsenic in our well water and we may have to sell our cheap well water to the town so they can treat it because the neighbors are pretty lacking in funds here, if you could see their yards. I am not paying for their wells so i have to go in `5 minutes or i`d call. Maybe you can dmail me if you are up late tonight and tell me if you want me to call that late? sorry girly girl.

B you tell a great story. Keep going i want more.

of course you are!!! i meant physically out here... I would be lost without you all..

xx

Hydro went out a few hours ago and just came back on...Seedtosser1..could probably take those photo's before retiring for the night lol - maybe I'll just do that!

Best thing that happened to me today was that boss took us out for lunch..we've been hinting around every Wedn.-Thurs. that we'd like Friday's off in the summer and I could have telephones forwarded to my home...well today, no hinting..I just said we thought it might be a great idea...we'll not sure about all the Friday's to follow, but we're off this Friday..girls can't believe that he hates to say no to me..lol

Worse thing...I had to eat peanut butter and jam sandwiches because restaurant next door had no hydro as well..not sure what happened....

What did I learn...just so many things..mostly from your posts...and know, thanks to Laura, that dreams can come true...

Off to take a photo
Lord willing I'll be here tomorrow to write Part 2 of ????
night/night

Hello Everyone--Sorry I disappeared for so long.
Betty thanks for all of the special note.

Time to catch up--the party (Memorial Day) was a huge success. The brunch part was great. Two of the dishes were particularly good. One was a fruit salad of pears, strawberries, grapes, mango and avocado. Most of the time I don't even look at a fruit salad due to fact that I am allergic to melons. The other was a roasted potato dish with lots of rosemary and a creamy chipotle sauce. YUM!! There was a constant flow of guests throughout the day--many first time visitors to our home. The weather was perfect and I was stress free.

As early evening rolled around I fired up the grill. I have penchant for serving "Turkey Ribs" at bigger cookouts. Turkey Ribs are boneless turkey thighs that have been trimmed down, leaving about 2" of meat all around the bone. I also grill the large side pieces that are trimmed. This if often the best value in the butcher case and it makes everyone very happy. I love the leftovers hot or cold. With the BBQ I served up fresh corn on the cob, boiled new potatoes and a monster salad. I used up most of my baby lettuce from the garden just in time--some of it was ready to bolt.

The best part--my guests didn't leave any messes and everyone left at 10pm--we were sound asleep by 1030pm. Whew!

Since Vince's medical debacle we have had to tighten up a bit. I think trimming a few things like cable and internet will allow us to take care of the more important things (hence me being offline). Luckily I can vist the net after I clock out at work.

Vince is recovering very well. For those that don't know--he had a small stroke while at work one day. The intensive week of testing did him more harm that the actual medical event. Just today he turned to me in the car and told that he thinks that his body is finally back to normal.

Other than that wonderful statement from my partner--my two best things of late. Before the party began I received a phone call from a former foster sister that I haven't spoken to in 25 years. I have always been in contact with her sister and Carol decided that she wanted to reach out and touch someone. The other best thing--yesterday was my day off and I was able to enjoy my morning coffee and all 3 meal under the shade of our gazebo. Fantastic.

What I learned--visualize it and it will come to pass.

Bright Blessings to Everyone
David

reading what you all write has taken the place of all the novels and best sellers that I read all winter. so happy that I found you.
Preparations for the memorial service are all complete, and I even found a suitable outfit to wear.....so I feel OK about it, just want it to be over.
My children will be flying in on friday and YaYYYYYY, my house is almost in order, can finish tomorrow.

so.....best thing today, good report (for the most part) from my doctor from the tests taht i have been taking for the past month..
worst thing.....found a small aneurysm in the aorta, so he will be watching that.
what I learned....Find one new thing every day for which to be thankful.
Have a good night.
sher..

Araness...here's you Victorian Santa...what color?

OMG! Betty, did you paint that????? It is AWESOME!!

morning all,

araness, what a cutie, what kind of dog do you have
zaph, welcome back glad to hear vince is doing well
sharran,praryers are with you
hellnzn11, oh how awful, was there any good news on the well meeting
betty,
your sisters dog is a beauty, actually my two are fox terriors one is a wire hair and the other one is a smooth coat its funny everyone we meet ask's us what kind of dogs they are what is your sisters dogs name our wire hair is molins buccaneer asta he has a few defects so we couldnt show him but love him just the same, still deciding on paint maby taupe/cocoa main color and white trim and a third color around windows still working on it your santa is a fine work of art, truly gifted liz

Betty, another connection. I make antique Santas too, but make them from soft sculpture and old fabrics. yours are truly beautiful.
Thanks, liz, and all of you for prayers and nice words.
Back to cleaning, will check in as I need breaks today.
sher

Life and Times of Betty - part 2

Now the move to Port Severn, small community..large in geographical term,having it's border surrounded by the famous Georgian Bay! During winter months population dwindled to a few thousand in both Port Severn and MacTier....We decide that before building a permanent home the boys and I should spend 1 winter to determine feasibility of making it a permanent home...his uncle/aunt and 5 cousins all had home bordering the bay we lived in, so I wouldn't be totally alone while he worked away during wee. He would leave Monday morning and return late Thursday or Friday!!!

Township of Georgian Bay built a beautiful community centre (3 months old) and hired a professional Recreation Director to serve not only the community centre but the 12 cottage association recreation needs....Vince Bennici was a young Italian man (perhaps 23) who may have had the degree but not much else, so I began donating my time at the facility, starting programs for youth, seniors, cottagers..did a newsletter monthly to let everyone know what services were available...kept me busy, but I wasn't getting a pay, Vince was...so this went on for a little less than a year and programs were going on daily - a.m./p.m.

Now came the choice, will we make this move permanent...We decided we would which meant if we were to build a new home I would go back in the workforce...so one morning I dropped into Municipal office and the Mayor made note how dressed up I was, asked me what I was up to..."I'm out looking for a job today" this took him by surprise, a job "but you are doing so much here, why would you want a job!" didn't take me long to reply "MONEY" of course...he told me to go home and would call me in the aft. By 4pm I was a full time municipal employee - Recreation Co-ordinator for the entire area..Vince stayed for short period of time in other capacity and I worked until my retirement at 50...

My boys went to school in Honey Harbour, high school in Midland and University in Toronto...great boys, only difficulties we had were that they continually fought with each other..guess that's due to their being same age....Was I a good mother? Being raised by an aging generation, I would say that I raised them following those rules..Roger also demanded the very best from them, but both spoilt them beyond reason...they had boats/snowmobiles/jeep/took them winter skiing every weekend...if they wanted it they had it....Greg (eldest) adored the ground his father walked on..always together doing things..now Jeff (youngest) he always from the time he was younger had high hopes, believed in himself...family joke was that one day his father woke him up at about 11am to show Jeff how to change a tire on the jeep that he (Jeff) had driven thruogh the back fields with the night before ..Roger called him time after time and 'no response', when he finally got to Jeff's room he said 'up and at it' you'll learn how to change a tire today!' and Jeff said 'nope, when I am at an age that I need tires to be changed I'll be rich enough to hire someone just like you to do it...not something I'll ever need to learn..... OH BOY! took all my husbands' control to leave the room lol...I so do wish he could have lived to see Jeff's accomplishments...he did not finish University because American Express (didn't tell them who his mother was) until he received mega promotions and the CEO one day told him a woman called Betty Pauze had hired her and he replied that I was his mother...she couldn't believe he had not made a personal request from her for consideraiton!!! He worked there for many years and is now Chairman of Computer Technology programs with a major computer firm...during his employ with Amex they were contracted to do the first canadian computer voting system which he and his co-partner developed..I am very proud of him...often when he visits he receives call from all over the world and I think 'now why would they want to call my little boy' lol....He married and had 2 children, travelled a lot and his wife decided that a part time hubby was not what she wanted..so divorced..still friends and 2 lovely children..very intelligent boys if I may say so myself..

Greg married shortly after Roger passed, and manages Fred Hook -Commercial Heating and Refrigeration company...will not take a drink, doesn't smoke, very very thoughtful...praised by all for the type of friendship he gives to others...just a wonderful man...his wife Melanie, well I stay kind out outside the square..she's very pro woman rights and sometimes takes it one step to far..so I know my limitations, don't like arguments soooo I just keep my thoughts to myself...Now Kyle and I have a special bond, he spends a lot of time with me...just like having a man around the house..he's 11 going on 45...he is very like his father

Thought I'd send what I typed so that I wouldn't loose it all... cont.

He carries the weight of the world on his shoulders...Noah, I could just cuddle and kiss him to death...I see myself in him more than in my children and other grandchildren..

So now that I've rambled about my boys I'll try to get back on track...

Roger worked in the city for approx 10 years and then due to an accident had to have spine surgery..they had to cut high throat (often thought of doing same from time to time) across and went in to do major repairs...was a good chance he'd never walk again..but through the grace of God, a little limp and still much back pain he was able to continue working though not trucking....

A large trailer park (over 2,000 trailers) needed a manager so he took it on and it was quite a chore to adjust to having a man around the house..think the boys had it harder..could always wrap mom around their fingers and now had to learn to do same with dad....

Part 3 to follow at some future time....lol....

Betty what a beautiful Santa, why don't you pick the color...lol I love surprises! What a joy it must be to have such wonderful sons. I do truely regret being such a trial to my parents growing up even if we didn't have a "normal" family.

noooooooooooooooooooo i need more.......................
doh! patience is not one of my virtues..... lol

The santa is lovely! boy there is some talent around.

My DD signed the consent forms yesterday for her surgery today. They were talking about sending her home again to wait and still in pain! can you believe that????
she went off at the poor little asian doctor and so she is getting her surgery today.
I feel very anxious about it..... you know, mother child protection thing.

will post again later as its stil early morning and cant sleep.

x

whooooooooo...talk about trying to overdue..actually got 1/2 grass cut tonight so I'll not have to do so much tomorrow ...waters just a dripping so thought I 'd take a break with friends....

Best thing that happened to me: well my niece that just bought her first home..she's 21 telephoned to say they were having problems installing flooring and would I go over and show them and help get them back on the right track..will go after my shifts finished at 1....did shopping at lunch at a blanket distributor..had mega deals ..ended up with cushions for dining room table....AND boss said we can work from home tomorrow...

Worse thing...son Jeff called from the city and asked if I would look after Braedon and Caleb this weekend..wouldn't you know I'm in a batique watercolor class all day Sat. ...so we're trying to work things out so that they can spend Friday night and Sunday and I'll try and find sitter for Sat. Greg who lives in town had to fly to Calgary again tonight so not sure what his Sat. plans are...we'll cope I'm sure...

What did I learn....SIL I travel with, it's her daughter who bought a house with a young man...he's only 20 and he's showing authority now that he has his own place..not the same nice young man of a month ago...so they are logging all logging heads...I'll be sure to listen, but I'm staying out of it.....

Girls/guys...I must apologize..Araness talked about her love for Santa's which is my love as well... I offerered to paint one and send it to her...but rest assured, as the weeks go by, I'll try and treat you all..I live for giving, and how I would love to show you my gratitude for being such wonderful people..

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