Best/ worse/ ? did you learn today #28visit with friends...

Oh my, I am so very sorry for this news Betty. My prayers are with you.
Keeping Michelle and the children in my prayers as well.

Thanks..Dawn. Shawn is her hubby who over the past 6 months have been trying on/off unsuccessfully but in the past while they were trying and were hoping for the best...

Just tuned into Barrie station..there has been over a 100 accident pile up..have a bus acting as ambulance to get people to hospital..say no one has died, just a lot of injury..white out conditions but rather than moving they are staying in same location so all of a sudden you are in the middle of it..one trucker went into the ditch to avoid hitting many cars so he probably saved many lives...

They are calling for between 2' to 3' of snow in this region and tonight minus 40 (-40) so will try to get out here and there and start the car...Darlene has cancelled painting as most will be shovelling themselves out...

Let's hope Paul calls a snow day...

Melanie (DIL) is gone to pick up the boys..about a 1 hr. drive..right where the major storm is right now..don't know why the kids couldn't have stayed at their other grandma's till tomorrow night..

I called Greg (who is working from home on a project needed for tomorrow morning) to call as soon as they are back safely..think he's getting annoyed with me because I worry too much...

Think I'm also going to call Jeff..he goes to the ski lodge some weekends..they say that thousands are stuck on the highway..

Drats..did I say I don't mind 'old man winter'

Carol, are you getting any of this weather???

I

Betty I don't know how you live there, I could not take it. I don't know what kind of camping equipment you have to have to camp out in tents in a snow storm but those girls are nuts.

Betty that was the same as the sand storm here in October. One person stops or slows dramaticaly and there is a pile up. I hope you get a snow day now.

Betty, that is so sad about Shawn. He is my age - that makes it really hit home. I will definitely keep Michelle in my prayers.

Judy, it is really amazing some of the things they can do to help kids with autism now. Ian has a mild form of it - not typical autism but what they call Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified. He got diagnosed relatively late compared to some. He's quite social and has pretty good eye contact so it wasn't as obvious for one of the people doing the screening. Ian is really funny but he definitely has some quirks - it's just a matter of learning how best to handle them. Regular routines are good too. Our biggest problem right now is dealing with the school. I think that's the biggest downfall of living in a place that's so remote. I hope your nephew gets the services he needs where he is.

Liz, I hope your plumbing problems all get resolved quickly. It is certainly no fun.

Carol, no, neither of us were born in Moose Factory. DH grew up in London (Ontario) and I was born just outside of Bancroft. We met when I went to university at Western. We lived in Kitchener while DH did a French degree at University of Waterloo. One year was spent in Nantes, France though. I have to say that as remote as it is here, I like it much better than Kitchener. I love the fact that I don't always have to drive here and there. I can walk pretty much anywhere I want to go (although sometimes I'll take the car). I don't mind driving but I find that it gets tedious.

We've been talking about moving somewhere that doesn't involve a train ride to get to a highway. There are a few places we think would be nice. We still don't feel like it's time yet but you never know what will happen. We both feel like we were led to come here and it has been good for us.

Some really good news is that DH received an A+ on his final assignment for the course he was taking in the fall. He ended up with a final grade of A. It is so nice to have that course finished. It was a lot more work than I was expecting it to be. Once we get his transcript and send it in DH will qualify for a pay raise that will be very much appreciated so I am really glad that he stuck it out.

Good for you and for your husband, Gilli. I hope the pay raise will be substantial.

I was thinking about Ian, and all children that are just outside the realm of "normal", whatever that is. In most instances schools are required to meet the needs of those children, and if it means hiring a specialist to do so, they are required to do it. I am wondering if you don't have programs like that in Ian's school? Of course i am basing that statement on the laws and regulations for schools in my state and usually in this country. sometimes states deviate from it, and a lot of times they might have a person who is designated as a specialist, who isn't.

Anyway, it always hurts me to see a child's needs not attended to. I am sure you and your husband are both very aware of what is offered there, and I am also sure you will see that he gets the care that he needs. Isn't it about time to see your daughter's artwork again?

We are very lucky that there has been so much funding for children with autism, regardless of the degree..Kyle is minimal but still needs attention..he has tutoring, special ed, computer, one on one teacher outings etc. all paid for thru special grants...

Must say because Kyle is exception with regards to knowing everything about everything, a real little chatter than I wasn't too keen on hearing that he was being diagnosed...but now that I see the special care he is getting, it's wonderful..he can and most certainly will lead a productive life..

Dawn, the girls had regular tents, Greg went with the snowmachine and ran back and forwards until it was well packed..Mel said their tent held 5 .. just regular outdoor tent that you'd put up in the summer...I had given Mel the mold to do those starlights out of ice that you insert candles, so she made quite a few of those..think Greg said they also bought sterofoam and put underneath their blankets...I'd have had more ways to enjoy a night..she says 'never again'..

Just went out one more time and shovelled..snow still coming down heavy..as you can imagine (or not) every muscle is hurting so it's off for a bath .. and to bed..hardly any sleep last night and most likely worrying about the storm I'll be awake again..better I go out and do light shovelling than wait till morning for the 2 or 3 ft..

So dear friends thank you for your thoughts and prayers...
I find it so hard to believe that so many friends have died since Christmas..
Don't want to sound so doom and gloom but am sure you all understand...


Night all..

Betty so sorry to hear about your friends loss, they are in my prayers. All that snow, I bet you have some serious bicep muscles from all of that shoveling! Glad to hear that you got the car taken care of. I love your pond!

Liz hope that the sewer problem gets fixed soon. City government can be such a pain.

Ruby how did your ham turnout?

Gita

Carol did you leave some $$ at the hardware store? What did you buy?

Helln- I can't imagine a sandstorm, that has to be scary!

Cat and Jeannine what have you been up to?

Sharon thanks again for organizing the swap!

Gillian- Congrats to your hubby! A pay raise is always so nice.

Judy- Where are you?????

Had a good day today. Cleaned house, did laundry and did some cooking. Got to meet one of my DG friends today, her mom lives near me and she went to visit her so she came by and had a cup of tea with me. We had a lovely chat and I showed her around my yard/garden. Hugs, Rachel

oh betty so sorry..

it does make you realize how frail we can be and no one knows how long they have.
i worry for my family sometimes and what will hit next.
i feel for you and them...
i understand her struggle, my nephew whom you might remeber passed away last year had similar struggles....

hugs

x

When I was teaching there was a group of us who sort of hung out together. We had all taught for a long time and we knew that teaching could sometimes get quite boring and very stressful. One year we came up with the Secret Pal idea, so at the beginning of a new school year, we would all put our names in a pot and each would take a name. The person whose name we got was our secret pal for the year. Now that seems like a long time, but this is what we did. We got together and set a money limit, and I think it was maybe $25 that first year. We didn't have postage, because we would sneak our gifts into the building and deliver them that way. We got the info form just like I am sending to you about our secret pal.
During the year we had all the regular holidays like christmas , etc....but some of us divided our money up and made sure our pals got something at least about twice a month. We might bring her an apple and sneak it into her school mail box every other Friday. We would bring cookies, just a couple, and do the same.....so that every week or so there was a little treat for our secret pal. Most everything was handmade, but if we got a secret pal who was a reader, we would often bring a book that we had from home and leave it in her mailbox, particularly if we knew she liked a special author or a particular genre.
We generally used the $25 toward a christmas and/or birthday gift.
I remember getting a package of those red cinnamon hearts for valentines day, and I also remember getting a little hand made book mark, made from a feather for Thanksgiving...just little thoughtful things, and they didn't cost anything. We sure got a boost at least once a week, and most of it didn't cost a thing. The point was to make sure our Pal knew she was thought of, and that we cared about each other.
That's what I hope the Secret Pal thing will do for us. A lot of us live alone, we like to make things, we have become good friends, and as we get to know each other, we will be come even better friends.....so the Secret Pal idea is a way to just simply let each other know she is important, and that somebody out there is thinking about her.

It will give us all a boost, and most of us need that from time to time. And it is always fun to try to guess who our pal is.

I had been asked a few questions via D mail and so I hope this clears it all up.
You all have a good night, and I'll be seeing you tomorrow. Let's hope tomorrow is a good day with no more bad news.
Hugs, shar

Middle of the night Shar.. guess you are still wound up after your visit with Ethan..adrenalin going and all..lol..still snowing, but lightly, maybe 3 or 4" started up car so alls well ..

Called Jeff to check up on him and he laughed, said mom the only mischief I could get into is if my house burnt down..have just been resting all weekend..enjoyed it...(now why did he give me that idea..now I'll be worried about fires..just kidding!

So slept soundly for a few hours knowing all my chicks were tucked in and safe...

Gillian how wonderful for Keith....of course you must have held up many of his duties while he studied so congrats to you as well...

Guess I'd better get back to bed..doesn't look like a snowday for me...boo hoo...

Hi, Giggling because yep, late night for me too!

Hi everyone! Sorry to not have posted. Been actually blabbing on the phone with a big smile, quite with everyone everyone! Ahh just love talking on the phone.

Well, seems I've quite alot to say, and since it is late Here I go...

Rachael, my goodness-so very sweet of you to be looking for me. I am never far away. I think of you all on a daily basis!
So, I have a ton to catch up on... Tomorrow is MILS's 72 birthday! We have been arranging for a dinner out with her as that is a tradition. Kids have all made their cards and are excited to present them. Also, my baby sis is getting married in April...I am making her bouquet! Very excited to create it, will be my fourth. (lol bouquet I mean). We are having quite the celebrations for which I am hosting parties for. So I have been concentrating off line and via phone and e-mails for...Woohooo, I just love throwing parties.

Anyway...Gita, I've thought long and hard about your post. Got to say...It is for sure we WANT to be remembered for our talents and gifts. Sharing your gifts, has been an inspiration to me, as well as everyones. I more often than not see any of my "works" as any kind of special talent but you know, sometimes I have overheard my kids talk of it...And they are Proud. Just as we are proud of their work. Guess it's just something that is held within the heart .

Laura- I am so very pleased you got to have a wonderful weekend with your grandchildren. Smile always upon that memory.

Liz, I hope you are having a better time with things. So glad to hear your wood flooring was not jeprodized.

Dawn...oh my, I am really sorry to hear about your loving pet. I do pray for your gentle and loving heart throughout this very hard time.

Cat, Oh goodness...Yes you are very much included! You stated you don't have contribution, Well I can feel the very warmth of your hello, and to me and I think everyone a smile like that, well right back at you from me a giant hug too...LOL We all give you a hug!

Gilli...Thanks for your thoughts and Betty too...I know how sometimes we are given the challenge of various mentallities...I am a firm believer that these are a gift to us,a sharing in spirit, mind and most of all heart...I hope that makes sence to you.

Ves..Keeping Warm? DH was up there in Monticello...freezing his behind off. Snuggled in the warmth tonight...LOL know ya didn't want to know that but holy moly he said it was -25 off the lake.
Brrr...So I am wishing you the warmth of fire in the place.

Shar...Big smile for lots of things...but mostly your visit with Ethan and family.
Hope you are enjoying your paintings and a little peace and quiet...LOL just for a short time.

Carol, Got to say...I love your REMEMBER sign. Oh my gosh we caould all write a book on memories. I love how you walk past and remember various people. I have a memory Gallery as well and "talk to them". That is where I also have many tobacco prayers going as well...The spirit of our loved ones are always with us... Geeze, Is your area snowed under as well? I so enjoyed your feeders. Just love watching our feathered friends!

Rachael, What have you been up too? Sounded like you are keeping busy! What a sweetheart to help your friend...oh I'll bet the stories were wonderful. Just love going through other people times.
Remenicing about times of past.

Betty, my Please be careful shoveling in the middle of the night! I don't know if were anyone else I'ld be screeching...But LOL that don't work with you...you'ld already did it and continue. Hehe, you make the cutest shoveler around in your snow gear. but please do take it easy, OK?
...Oh golly, those roads sure are dangerous in this weather, said a quick prayer hopefully it's a help.
Was very glad to hear that busses were coming to help and no deaths were involved. Now, Betty...You have talked to your boys know they are safe and sound so you get a good nights sleep.
...humming a very soft lullabetyby...hmmmmm,btty,,mmm sweet dreammmss,mmmm.
night now everyone
you too tropi. Wonder you have a great day!

Hi Everyone - Just finished reading everyone's posts. you folks sure live full lives. So much going on. Her is hoping that everyone will have a wonderful week ahead of them. Take care all.

Ruby

p.s. Sharran - I have note beside the keyboard that says to send you the info for the secret pal exchange. Thank you for your willingness to coordinate this for us. It will be lots of fun.

morning all,

betty, i very much did enjoy all your snow pictures and your attire looked so comfy and warm now my question to you is how are you feeling this morning not to sore i hope, hope all the family is holding up such sadness there,
has your mom found out anything yet? looking at alot of your pictures it almost looks like it can be difficult just getting out of the driveway it is lovely but i dont know if i could live in it i complain at 40 degree's were freezing boy hats up to you ment to tell you the picture of the wolves the big one was wonderful i see what you ment on the small one but it is still nice!
so now what are you going to work on.. ok al of you now your going to laugh betty those snow moblies are they designed like a motorcycle or is it just a push of the button and go?

ruby, thanks waiting game right now, how did your ham turn out?

judy, omg you kill me lol what you said to vicki
gilli, thanks, how exciting for you and dh on his salary if you were to move would you stay in canada?
dawn, hope your doing good
hi carol, hope your doing good to
hi cat how are you doing
vicki, how are you doing , today is load day hope its a small one lol

hi rachel, thanks how are you doing and the dogs there doing good to?
shar, looking foward to the start of the exchange!
everyone have a great day

hey everyone, I made a thread in the birthday place for Dr. King. I was kind of heartbroken no one beat me to it....

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/806016/

This day is very emotional for me, I woke up crying my eyes out over the loss of one of our most brilliant and profound minds ever to grace the earth

Morning all.
Betty must be on the highway driving in..I saw that 100 car pile up on the news..awful...it is a trecherous highway in the winter..lots of whiteouts..thank goodness I don't have to drive on it. Loved the pics of your snow Betty..we only got a dusting here...
Well I did go out and leave some money at the hardware store..LOL I'll have to show a photo when I get it put together later. It is an old fashioned type clock hanging on a short lamp post sort of thing.
I bought a clock for the Garden last year and hung it on a tree...but I will put that one on the deck this year..you can see it hanging on the tree in the centre of the hostas..it is really too modern for the garden anyway..

Back home after almost 2 hrs on the road to get about 25 miles in..couldn't see in front of you..I'm not the driver so, I go when they go, but at one point we could not see 1" in front of us so Suzanne said, give Paul a call..called Paul and said we were dead stopped and couldn't see a thing, he says 'oh' then silence...so I waited a sec. to see if he'd say turn around, no voice, so finally I said, so you want us to continue and he said no you'd better turn around..so the drive from Suzanne's to home was horrific..not a nicer view than seeing your own driveway..plowman has been working round the clock and hasn't been..since we left this morning we've gotten almost a foot..just shovelled again..will have to do so every hour or so or it will be too much...now if you look directly at the bottom of the photo in front of the car you will see what I pushed over until plowman comes...

Need you girls and shovels....lol

Off for coffee or perhaps something stronger and breakfast...

Might even fit in finishing of Paul's stained glass....

So, I'm here and well - but best...safe and sound..

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!
Betty I don't know how you keep up!! Be careful..
I would just stay inside and not go out till it all melted..LOL

Forgot the photo..

Carol, lucky you..don't think anyone in Toronto area has any idea to what is happening here in our region...treacherous to say the least..even municipal plows aren't out..barely drive through the roads..

Carol, Bernice's son in law that was electricuted on Sat. was working near Whitby..did you hear anything on the news about it??? more towards your area...

Will respond to your posts once I get some dry clothes on and have breakfast...

Betty, I bet you could build the coolest snowfort ever!!!! lol, really, I can't even conceptualize what that's like. The first forecast of flurries shuts down the whole county here

Starzz, what a lovely garden!

omg betty, thats crazy glad your home safe wish i was there i would help you dig any chance of it slowing down anytime soon? we have some rain now dont know for how long hope it go's away..
this morning dh called to say once he got in his car close the doggie door three huge racoons on the fence headed in the yard well one of the dogs already knew it so thankful i was able to get her in the house before something could of happened.

well better get togeather and head out hope all the crazy people stayed at home they drive just awful in the rain

lol..Liz if you think they drive badly in rain..ought to see them in blizzards...so cute...glad dogs are ok..

Sending you a photo I just took outside my front window..really beautiful IF you've nowhere to go...

Darlene just called and said they had closed about 8:30 the 400 right were we are..tractor trailer going wrong way..couldn't see..so police had to corder off that section so he could turn around at next exit..imagine..that could have caused a few fatalities...

Betty,

OMG! I have never seen that much snow before!!! Not fair that it all has to fall in YOUR driveway! I hate the thought of shoveling too, but when I have started, it gets to feeling kind of invigorating. Besides--it is an awesome cardio workout! You will live longer for it!

I remember a deep snow we once had--way back! I think it fell about 3'. My girls were still young enough to want to go play in it, so they, and some of the other kids, tunneled UNDERNEATH the snow from the house to the curb. What fun they had!
Betty, maybe you should tunnel underneath that mountain of snow to your front door....:o)
That way, you would not care how much more fell on top of it....You all here--Be honest now--when you see a wonderful, big snowfall, don't you feel like a kid again inside??? Just a little bit? Like--would you want to go sledding?

Carol--I like that "Remember me?" sign too. As many people have commented, it has many different meanings to it. I feel sadness when I read that--as I SO want people to remember ME when I am gone.....I think that is why I give away so many things and do so many favors. "Buying" immortality???? Living alone for so long makes one wonder if anyone will....I do not have too much family, and only my oldest daughter near me.

Seed....I know what you mean about "overhearing" someone in your family talk about all your talents. My husband never, ever just came out and said, "That is really beautiful, Gita!".....but once in a blue moon, I would hear him say something semi-complimentary about me to his guy friends when they were talking. If I overheard it, i felt so good, because I knew he noticed....
When I was a young housewife, I tried so hard to cook all kinds of great dinners. I would ask my husband, "How do you like it?" and he would just say, "I'm eating it--aren't I?"
That never made me feel better.....

I have a challenge for you all! Make a conscious effort to say something nice and complimentary to everyone in your family EVERY day! Small things! Small compliments! Thank them for every little thing they do. Lie, if you have to--the point is to validate the other person and their efforts--no matter how small. Make them feel good. Same goes for your friends...DEAL?

Shar--I will try to get a picture of my lighthouse painting on here for you soon. Have to first finish sorting through all my seeds and make a list and put it in my "haves" on DG.
Went to Wall Mart yesterday and bought 3 packages (100 ea.--97 cents!) of those tiny little zip baggies. Over a 100 are already used up! Been dividing up my seeds in them so I can just grab one and mail it out once I post on the seed exchange Forum.

Would anyone on here like seeds for some flowers? I have many unusual ones....Maybe we should have our own seed exchange here on THIS Forum. Whacha all think?

Tummy growling....time to go feed it!

Hugs, Gita

sounds great gita, what do you have?

It's a deal..I know you don't want to hear me about snow, but lordy, I cannot keep up..plowman was here, I had just shovelled and went out to move my car..couldn't believe in 1 hr. we got 6"..he says he needs a few hours rest, municipality has taken most of their plows off to let the men sleep..my guy says the biggest problem is there is nowhere to put the snow in most yard..my banks are growing by the minute..

There will be no reat for me today, it's either do an hourly workout or I'll be in trouble..big trouble...

Our region today could be considered a disaster area...

Now Carol is adorable, she went on-line and found information about Shawn..when Bernice called guess she didn't have all the info, said he had been working, but I've posted many times that although he said he was off drugs, he was in them big time..guess that's why he'd tell Michelle that he was working for the weekend and up to no good..not nice to talk about the dead..but, this brings heartache I'm sure to her/her family and his...

This was the write up Carol found for me..please pray for those left behind...

This is from Durham region News
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Man killed by 44,000 volts of electricity

Provider says deceased was not authorized to be near transformer
Sat Jan 19, 2008

Font


On Saturday, around 3:30 p.m. the lights went out to about 700 homes and businesses in northeast Pickering. At 4 p.m. employees of Veridian Connections Inc. arrived at the utility station to fix the glitch.

What they found was the body of a man on top of a power transformer. He was electrocuted by a whopping 44,000 volts of electricity.

“He came into contact with high voltage equipment,” George Armstrong said, manager of regulatory affairs for Veridian Connections. “He was an individual who was definitely unauthorized. We don’t know him.”

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. His age is unknown.

Police said there was evidence to suggest the man had broken into the fenced and locked compound by cutting a padlock.

Armstrong added that there was also reason to believe the victim was trying to steal copper wiring from the site.

He said this kind of theft happens all the time.

“It happens periodically,” he said. “It’s happened a lot in the last year or so. The high price of copper these days has driven these thieves. But it’s not just limited to our area. Quebec has had problems with it as well.”

Hydro workers had to wait hours as the police investigated the scene, but went to work on restoring power once the body was removed.

It is unknown exactly how the alleged copper thief electrocuted himself.

Power was restored to the area later that night.

Armstrong said the tragedy speaks to how these dangerous areas are best left alone by the public.

“It points out how hazardous it can be for people to enter these highly restricted and dangerous areas,” he said. “It’s certainly not a place he should have been.”

- Torstar Network

Getting long to access, so dear friends..moving us over...

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/806049/