Back to work!!!

What a downer to go back to work after having a fun time on the weekend. Yes, it was busy but how we enjoy being with the grandkids, seeing their imaginations go to work, reading them stories before they go to bed at night, singing with them and just chatting about things. I especially love the mornings when they all four jump into bed with us and we watch "Treehouse"!!! Watching Kalle - she is learning to walk - she falls- she picks herself up and tries again and again and then when she does get the hang of it, looks at us with a very satisfied grin on her face!!!!!! Nathan who at the moment has a favorite book called "No, David!" and I had to read it about 6 times at one sitting! It is about a little boy who gets into all kinds of trouble like 'writing on the walls, overflowing the bathtub, climbing up on a stool to put his hand in the cookie jar, running down the street "butt-naked", playing with a ball and a bat in the house, ultimately breaking a vase and having a time out in the corner, and in each situation his mommy saying, "No, David, no, no David!" but then at the end, she says, "Come here, Davey" and you turn the last page and she has him in her arms saying tenderly, "I love you, Davey!" Nathan perhaps could relate to him abit. It almost seemed like he would breath a sigh of relief when I turned to the last page - he would get a twinkle in his eye and a big smile on his face!!! How important it is for these precious little ones that their parents and grandparents love them unconditionally even when they have been naughty. To give them positive reinforcement instead of telling them how naughty they are, yes they have to have consequences too but so, so important to build their self-esteem, rather than tearing them down by our comments and even by our tone of voice or look on our face or in our eyes and we can do that so easily it seems. Dr. Dobson says it takes 9 positive comments to cancel 1 negative one when dealing with children. And sad to say we hear or read about the negative comments all too often. I just pray that God will give us wisdom, patience and Christ's love when we are dealing with our children or grandchildren.

Sleeping at last.....

Whew.....the grandkids are sleeping and I can softly sing "Blessed quietness, holy quietness". Jim and I are out in Okotoks looking after Heather and Duane's four munchkins. She left this morning with Duane (after telling him that she had an appointment in Calgary this morning and I had had to borrow the van the previous day so she had to ride with him......what tall tales, I tell you!!!!!) and he not knowing anything about anything, had a bag packed for him and her, had her neighbour Rose come over to look after the kids until I got here around 1:30 this afternoon, had two airplane tickets to Saskatoon, one reservation for a hotel tonight there and a special dinner tomorrow night with their close friends from University days, coming back Sunday night via Edmonton, all as a surprise celebration for his birthday tomorrow. I really didn't think she was going to pull it off but he did not know anything until they got to his work where she informed him that he didn't have to go in to work (She had phoned his boss a couple of weeks ago and he was in on "the plan"!!!!) They will have a good time, I'm sure. In the meantime, we get to spend time (a busy time) with the kids for the next two days, going to watch Jemma skating tomorrow morning, taking Jemma and Siri to Calgary for a playdate with their little friend Carter from Bridlewood ( their old neighbourhood) in the afternoon, then church on Sunday plus all the fun things that go along with being with the grandkids. Little Kalle is almost walking and of course, it is her first birthday this coming Monday. Nate talks constantly and is his grandpa's buddy. Siri and Jemma are both growing up too fast as is our dear ones down in Fergus. We are so looking forward to Jan. when we get to see them again plus the brand new one that is to be born. And now, I hear the kettle on, Jim is making some green tea.....and then it is off to bed for me as I worked last night and didn't have too many hours of sleep this morning......I am praying the kids sleep all night........

Quick trip!

We made a quick trip to Saskatoon this last weekend to see how my oldest sister was doing after losing her husband in October. We started out on Friday, going as far as Swift Current and staying with a very good friend who has just moved there. Then after breakfast, we drove up through very familiar territory, past the small town where my husband grew up and then to my other sister's farm. There she had homemade chicken soup for us with dumplings like our mom used to make. Yummy!!! After visiting with them, we were on our way to Viv's. She, of course had coffee waiting and what a nice time we had. She is doing so well and looks so rested. I am so glad she is living where she is cause in the years that they have lived at that Senior's apartment, they made so many friends. We took her out for supper to Grainfields and then just spent time visiting Sat. evening. We got up early Sunday morning, Jim went to visit his Uncle Jim and then we got ready for church. It was great to see the congregation in their new (to them)facility and then to meet old friends there. Then Viv took us out to a Sunday brunch and we were on our way back to Calgary. Roads were excellant so we were so happy we had gone as we weren't able to attend the funeral. We were able to see for ourselves how she was doing. I admire her.

I like Saturdays.........

I like Saturdays...no, I can honestly say that I love Saturdays (I don't have to brave the coooold to go out and start the car for work....Yippee) ....with my coffee cup in my hand.....a fire in the fireplace........all curled up in the big chair......my husband sitting over there on the recliner and reading ....yup... you guessed it.....flyers!!!!! How exciting is that!!!!! Now before you roll your eyes, it almost reminds me of my childhood when the Christmas catalog would come and we would drool over the toys for days on end only now it is drooling over the price of "Hey honey, the price of coffee has gone down" or "look here, you can actually get two roasts for the price of one!!!!" I think more than anything, it is the coziness of being together with a loved one and perhaps just being thankful that we are still in relatively good health and woke up this morning....breathing!!!
"Thank you Lord for the gift of life. Help me to appreciate every precious moment here on this earth! Most of all, Lord help me to have a song and laughter in my heart, and love and compassion for my fellowman!"

New blogger!!!

The oldest daughter of the Archie Crew has just joined the blogging world. Check out her site at
www.dazeofwonder.blogspot.com She has Naomi to thank for showing her how just today so thank you Naomi!!! It is fun to have you on board, Heetee!!!

One of these days.......

One of these days, I am going to be able to put pictures on my blog. I have all the instructions but I have to get someone in to help me delete a whole bunch of things on my computer. Either that or buy more memory. We need a new computer I guess because this one is already 6 years old and it boggles this old brain at all the new technology that is out now!!! No that is not right, I talk like I know the new technology......let's just say....the whole computer world boggles my brain!!!!! If I do go that route, should I get a laptop or a desk, should it be Dell or some other kind? I think of people that are computer smart like Wayne or Jeff or Darryl or Kevin or Diane or Erin or Derek and maybe if I bribed them with a home-cooked meal and pie, do you think they might help me out? Of course, Wayne and Jeff are 18 hrs. away so sorry guys, you are out!!!! But the rest of the above are here.......mmmmm.......maybe, just maybe.......

Can it get any better???

Yesterday my little grandson Nate and I had a talk.......not just 2 minutes, not just 5 minutes but 3/4 of an hour talk, him sitting on my knee with his favorite blanket, (He was really supposed to be resting but who cares....this was so much better!!!!) and yes he talked......told me about Noah's Ark at the church Tuesday night (Halloween party), told me what he had dressed as...a "owboy", and what his three sisters were, two "rincesses and a "umpkin, he told me he "elped astor Anthony" put away a table and then Pastor Anthony picked him up and he shut the light of!!!! He told me about his "riend" Miles who came over and got the computer "orking" He was just full of stories. He kept saying he wanted the brown bears......well....I think I found every brown stuffed bear in the house and brought them up to him.......turns out he meant the little bear animal crackers I have up in the pantry!!!!!! that he can eat....he gets so excited about that. I didn't have his mom there to interpret so I would say "Oh that's nice" when I really didn't know what he was saying!!!!! He told me "amma's ouse is bootiful" ...... He sure knows how to get on the good side of his gramma!!!! Anyway, it ended up with Gramma telling him the story of THE THREE BEARS.......and papa bear said "WHO'S BEEN EATING MY PORRIDGE?" He giggles and looks up at me with a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous smile on his face and gramma's heart melts............It never ceases to amaze me, the love that bubbles up in my heart for these precious grandchildren.....thank you, Lord for these gifts.......

Just an ordinary day.......

Taking my husband to work so I can use the car, sleeping a few hours, then getting ready to run errands ...... like looking for a picture frame for Heather, taking back a parcel for Nancy, picking up a few groceries for us, going to get Ardy's house key so I can water her plants while they are on vacation in Mexico, window-shopping (my favorite thing), having coffee and reading the Sun at MacDonald's.......what a treat to be able to have the time to do that and relax a little, going to one of my favorite stores (Linens and Things) to look at all kinds of things ( I have a very good coupon in my purse) so my head is starting to think Christmas gifts!!
Just an ordinary gal, on an ordinary day, doing some ordinary things........ but the very fact that this ordinary gal is able to breath and walk and work and love and laugh and see and hear (sometimes!!!) and eat (how fun!!) absolutely proves that the day is not just ordinary but extraordinary........

I'm thankful....

Open my heart and you will see
All the blessings that were brought to me;
Golden rays from the sun's bright hue,
Acres of diamonds with the morning dew,
Smiles of my friends whom I hold dear,
Wishes from loved ones far and near,
Happiness is things we take for granted,
Seeds of kindness we may have planted,
Peace of mind that comes from above
Wishing that everyone had more love.

Why do we worry and often fret
For unseen objects we cannot get,
When all we need do is open our eyes
To all the wonders and surprise.....
Tiny seeds growing in the warm earth,
The cozy warm fire aglow on the hearth,
Family ties that mean so much,
A bountiful harvest, a dear one's touch,
A house that's a home on a country lane.....
Then being thankful all over again.

Thanksgiving Day seems to say:
I'm never just another day;
I'm set aside for thanks and prayer,
A special day for folks to share;
A day for joy and gratitude,
For open fires and special food;
Time for thinking about the brave
Who gave their lives this day to save;
A time for faith and hope this day......
That's what thanksgiving seems to say.

In Fergus....

Well, our kids made it back yesterday to Fergus and I think tomorrow Eric has an appointment to see a doctor which is good. They made it to Dickinson the first night, left our house at 9:00 A.M. and had a pretty good trip, Eric driving the whole way. The grandkids enjoyed the pool at the hotel and then drove the rest of the way on Sat. I still don't like the silence of our house, I could have cried and cried Friday morning when they left but as my mom used to say to me, if you are feeling down, just get to work or get out of the house.........so that is what I did, stripped the beds, did about 6 loads of laundry, did the dishes, worked like a madwoman and do you know what? It did make me feel better plus in the end I had a sense of accomplishment!!!! Every once in awhile, I would look at the pictures we took, run my fingers over the many new drawings the kids made us to put on the fridge (I don't have room left), read the lovely note that Mikenna wrote for her grandpa and put in his lunchbox, and of course prayed for them as they travelled. I really don't know how my parents did it when they would say good-bye to my brothers and their wives and grandkids when they left for Africa knowing that they would not see them for 4 years. They did not have email at that time so the letters that were written took alot longer. I am sure they shed many tears.....just another hard thing for them to go through with God's help but it made them stronger. How I admire them!

Empty House........

The house is empty and I am not so sure I like it right now!!!! It has been so wonderful having Eric and Susanne and kids home for almost two weeks and one week with Nancy being here altogether. Then Heather and Duane would come in or we would all go out to Okotoks. Can it be any better than that? What blessings........but also surprising curves in our lives sometimes and that is what happened in the life and times of the Archie household. I told you in my last blog that Eric wasn't feeling well that day at Banff....well, the pain and a low-grade fever continued and finally day before yesterday and after a very miserable night of pain, Susanne took him to Urgent Care and then to Rockyview for tests!!!! It turns out after 15 hours of seeing different doctors, waiting, bloodtests, waiting, catscan, waiting, waiting and more waiting..... that it is a ruptured appendix!!!! The surgeon decided that Eric is to wait a week taking two kinds of antibiotics to fight the infection and then get his doctor in Fergus to drain the area and then three months later have his appendix removed!! So they had to stay two days longer than planned and today they left for Fergus, hopefully making it as far as Bismark tonight. The doctor told him that he could travel, Susanne would help drive. Even if they stayed, the surgeon wouldn't have done anything for a week just because the area was so inflamed and surgery might have caused more problems. So we never know what is around the corner of our lives and perhaps that is just as well. But we do know that we receive strength for the day and our God looks after us no matter what comes......

Joy and Sorrow.......

What a wonderful week........having our family home - Nancy coming by plane last Sat. Oct. 7 as well as Eric and Susanne arriving the same day around 1:00 P.M. by car. We had a very busy week with church, Thanksgiving dinner, going to the mountains on Monday where we had an absolutely beautiful day in Banff (poor Grandpa and Eric didn't have as good a time because both of them were feeling a little under the weather)......getting ready for Nancy's shower on Wed. night at the church.....going up to spend some time with Great-gramma at the Beverly.....just spending time together.......having the little ones come upstairs in the morning all sleepy-eyed and warm dragging their favorite blankets and being cozy on the couch while we had our morning coffee in front of a fire in the fireplace, chatting and laughing with my daughters, doing some shopping. Sat. Oct. 14th came too fast and we had to say good-bye to Nanc for a little while.... til we go down to Fergus for the birth. She looks absolutely radiant and she and Wayne are so looking forward to the little one make his appearance in Jan. Sue and Eric and their family took off again for the Kananaskis on Sat. morning and we took Nanc out for lunch before seeing her off at the airport at 3:15 P.M. Then we (Jim and I) went to the Legacy Five concert at Grace Baptist Church with Rob and Carol on Saturday night. What a blessed, joyous time listening to these fellows sing!!!!! Joy and sorrow often go together and when we arrived home on Sat. night, we had a message from my sister Joyce telling us the Howard (Viv's husband) had passed away that evening. I phoned Viv right away and talked with her. She is so strong and we know God is providing her with strength. So another loved one has gathered on the other side. We will go to Saskatoon for the funeral probably at the end of the week.
Today we spent at Heather and Duane's out in Okotoks.....so fun!!! Eric and Susanne are staying with them tonight and then they don't leave until Wed. morning early so we have a couple more days.......Time just goes too fast......

O.K. so I am getting a mite excited..........

Three more sleeps and we wait in anticipation for the kids.......how exciting is that!!!!!! I got a message on my phone this morning which I could not make out except that there was a quite abit of screaming going on and a few words at the end saying......."and we get to have coffee together too!!!" I think I recognized the voice......it was my second born crazy daughter who can be and always has been quite vocal when she is excited about something especially when she knows she is coming home!!!! Home.....what a warm and friendly word in my memory.....I could hardly wait for the last leg of the journey......I remember the butterflies in my stomach as we would turn the final corner on the country dirt road to the hamlet of Tiger Hills, past the small, general store, past my dad's blacksmith shop and then the last 1/4 of a mile to our 2-story house..... we would drive into the driveway admiring my mom's beautiful flower garden with a fragrant lilac hedge along the road and flowers everywhere.......and then at last to see them standing....... waiting for their children and grandchildren with open arms and love in their eyes.........to end up sitting around the cozy kitchen table catching up on all the news and drinking a steaming cup of good boiled coffee!!!!! Yes it is hard having our daughters and their families live that far away but what a special time it is when they do come home.........

Continuing.......

Continuing on with Saturday..... at 5:30 p.m., we were invited to a surprise 60th birthday party for some dear friends of ours that attend the same church as us. It was such a nice time and yes they were totally surprised!!!! Their two sons and their wives had planned the party and it was wonderful!!!! They had invited family and friends....some who came all the way from Saskatchewan, from Edmonton, from B.C. , Calgary and I don't know where else! Their daughter-in-law has a gift of decorating - weddings, showers, birthday parties, you name it - she does an amazing job. And one of the things that she did that night was to tell the story of this special couple's lives on poster boards - using pictures!!! Very interesting and fun!!! Congratulations to you, Laura and Glen on reaching this milestone!!! You guys will always be young to us and to all the people that know you no matter how many years go by!!! And you know what.....60 is a great age....we know ..... we are there!!!! It is just a number!!!!!

Leaves, leaves and more leaves!!!!!!

Yesterday was the most gorgeous fall day you could ever imagine in the city of Calgary!!! The sun was shining, the sky was so blue and the colors of the leaves on the trees are just at their peak. Guess what my hubby and I did? Raked and raked and raked til we had 12 huge orange garbage bags full of leaves just from our front yard. We got dusty and dirty and today we have sore muscles and guess what - our front lawn now has another layer of leaves on it. But it was fun...even though it is hard work, the day was so wonderful, we loved being outside. Of course, we had to stop for coffee at least two or three times!! We left a pile of leaves in the back yard so our grandchildren could jump and bury themselves and just have a blast when they came for the 2 hours in the afternoon!! I got some great pictures. Then Grandpa decided to give them rides in the wheelbarrow and dump them into the bags of leaves out in the back. They enjoyed that immensely!!!! We were glad our neighbours on either side of us decided to rake as well cause if they don't and if the wind comes up, we all get another probably 12 bags. O the fun of having poplars along the street!!!! I love them, they look so beautiful in the fall and their millions of bright orange and yellow leaves stay on the branches for such a short time then decide to fall gently to the ground and on the lawns and in the shrubs and flowers and eves of the houses and everywhere you can think of!!! The roots of poplars grow very close to the surface too so they can cause havoc with the sidewalks and the cement blocks become uneven!!! Guess what happened? I tripped on one of the uneven blocks and did a sidebody connection with the cement and in the process broke my toe plus I am black and blue down one arm and leg!!!! I am just glad it was in the backyard instead of the front yard for all the neighbourhood to see!!! One always wonders - now how in the world did that happen!!!!! I tell you, my old nature came to the forefront and I felt like screaming or crying or something!!!!!!! I hate swear words or even slang - I don't say them but somehow when something like that happens, they kind of just pop into your mind!!! However, I got up and in a few minutes the pain was pretty much over and I continued working, limping yes but no broken bones for which I thanked the good Lord because you see in another week's time, my grandchildren from the States will be here and I certainly want to be able to pick them up and walk with them and cuddle with them! And we want to go to the mountains, do abit of hiking and of course how can we forget shopping or window-shopping whatever the case may be!!!! And on that note I will sign off for this time.......IT WAS A GLORIOUS DAY!!!!

Company!

Today my brother Lloyd and his wife Betty are coming to our house from Ft.St.John, BC. They are coming for the 50th wedding anniversary celebrations of my other brother Ron and his wife, Delaine on Saturday. Times moves on!!! Lloyd was in their wedding party and it just does not seem possible that 50 yrs.have gone by already. Ron and Delaine have been role models for Jim and I. I remember when Ron would bring Delaine home to mom and dad's when they were courting. I was just at the age where this was soooooo romantic and I thought to myself, I want to have what they have, a love so strong and a friendship which still goes on today. Plus they have a strong Christian faith and it shows. They are simply the best.......They have raised three handsome sons and one beautiful daughter and they have 12 grandchildren. I love them so much and wish them many more happy and wonderful years together. Blessings to a dear couple!

22 days!!!!!!

In exactly 22 days from today, our kids from the States arrive in Calgary and we are just so excited!! Nancy comes from Winnipeg via Westjet on Sat. Oct. 7th and Eric, Sue and family come on Sat. sometime. They are driving. Nanc is staying for a week and the Strom's for a week and a few days!! We just wish Wayne could come as well. It will just be so good to have them here for Canadian Thanksgiving! We will celebrate with the traditional turkey dinner, turkey and all the trimmings!!! And we hope it is going to be nice that following week so we can go out to the mountains. Maybe we will have a wonderful Indian summer. The trees are already turning color and the streets are covered with leaves. I love fall, the crispness in the air and the brilliant colors on the trees. Today I am sitting here at the computer and as I type I look over and on the floor is little Kalle playing with toys, in the family room is Jemma, Siri and Nate writing in their little notebooks and watching Winnie the Pooh. Their parents went out for dinner last night and then today they will maybe get some more boxes unpacked. It is hard to do stuff with 4 little ones around as you know Sue and Eric when you have moved. It is raining out today and they say we might get some snow. Yesterday they had snow in Banff and Canmore and expecting more today. Tomorrow, Sept. 17th is Sue's birthday - Happy Birthday Sue!!! I remember so vividly the day you were born. We were getting ready for church and all of sudden, my water broke and we had to quickly get to the hospital. And at exactly 10:56 A.M. just before church started, you were born!!! What a thrill! You had lots and lots of black hair!! You looked like a little papoose and you weighed in at 10# 5oz. We will celebrate your birthday, Noah's and Heather's when you come!!! So you will have to wait for your birthday gift!! Have a wonderful day and you know we will be thinking about you. Listen real hard and perhaps you will hear your dad and I singing to you!!!!!..........

Overwhelmed!!

I am overwhelmed with emotion tonight as I looked again at Nancy's blog and the ultrasound pictures of our precious little grandson in the womb!! All I can say is this: It is truly a miracle, a miracle that only God in His love can perform. Words cannot adequately express the wonder and the overwhelming feeling of awe and humility when you think how this little person is being formed. I think of the verses in the Psalms where it says:

For you created my inmost being: you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well!

Besides being a miracle, it is a mystery. Know this, little one.... that the God who created the universe is right there beside you, even now, holding you in His tender hands , giving you a mommy and daddy who will love you forever, who will pray for you and teach you that "you are special" and the best news of all, that Jesus loves you........

Fun Weekend!!!

We just got back from a 2-day mini-vacation. Saturday morning we got up early, made a picnic lunch and took off north to O'l MacDonald's Resort and Campground near Stettler, Alberta around 9:00 A.M. We took off on a different highway, went through cute little towns, past cows grazing in the pastures, saw many very nice acreages and farms along the way, drove down into valleys and over rivers. Finally about 11:30 A.M., we reached the campground where Heather and Duane and their friends (their daughter Courtney goes to Trinity and was in the same grade as Jemma) were situated. What a great place for families!! It is right on Buffalo Lake which is shallow so far out, a nice beach,and lots of things for the kids to do. We spent the afternoon with them at the beach, then took off about 4:00 P.M. for Camrose. We didn't tell anyone we were coming, just got a hotel room for the night. It was such a gorgeous evening so we went for a long walk around Mirror Lake right in the middle of Camrose. Camrose reminds us of Fergus so much. Went to Walmart and then came back to the hotel and ate at the restaurant there. We got up this morning, made coffee and I still had blueberries and strawberries in the cooler so we had that for breakfast. Got ready for church and of course seen alot of people there. Joy insisted we come for lunch so we did. They are in the process of selling their house and are building another one which they will live in for perhaps a year and then sell. They think they will be able to get into it in Oct. Their boys and another friend build the houses and Orv and Joy are the general contractors. Alot of work but they are so good at it. The house they are living in now is absolutely beautiful and are hoping to sell it at a very good price. They had just been to Hawaii for 6 days from Aug.11 - 17th to attend their son Kjell's wedding on Lanikai Beach in Oahu. It was Joy and Orv, Kjell's girlfriend's mom and her Gramma and Kjell and Michelle. They showed us pictures. Very nice! We recognized the beach cause we had spent time at the exact same spot. We left their place around 2:00 P.M. and drove to Wetaskwin to the Reynolds Museum where there was a motorcycle display and also a threshing and harvesting demonstration. Jim was in his glory!!!! I sat out in my chair on the lawn, reading and enjoying the sun. I guess it was about 4:30 when we left there and drove to Sylvan Lake for supper. The beaches there were just packed with people, the lake with boats, seadoos, sailboats, waterskiers, rafts, etc., etc.!!! We ate at Joey's Only which was right beside a marina and watched as people came with their boats to go for a ride and then got their boats out of the water and unto their trailers. Very interesting! It was two great days away and tomorrow it is going to be nice again so we are going to our lake to spend a few hours. The last few weeks have been so extremely busy so it is so good to relax!!!!

They have moved!!!

Happy Days.....our kids have moved and are getting settled. This is just a little poem I came across and I thought was so good when we think of our homes. So to my daughters and their hubbies and children.......
A roof to keep out the rain,
Four walls to keep out the wind,
Floors to keep out the cold.....
Yes, but home is more than that:
It is the laugh of a baby,
The song of a mother,
The strength of a father,
Warmth of loving hearts,
Light from happy eyes,
Kindness, loyalty, companionship,
Home is first school
And first church for young ones,
Where they learn what is right,
What is good and what is kind,
Where they go for comfort
When they are hurt or sick:
Where joy is shared
And sorrow eased.
Where fathers and mothers
Are respected and loved,
Where children are wanted,
Where the simplest food
Is good enough for kings
Because it is earned.
Where money is not so important
As loving-kindness;
Where even the teakettle
Sings from happiness.
This is home........
God bless it!
Love you and pray for you all. Mom