Sheep, Siblings, and (Home)School

Howdy! I have 9 posts that need to get written and posted....and I have no clue on how much I will get done over the weekend...I am so busy; well, with my reading, watching TV, Starbucks runs, and visiting and all!

One of my friends wanted me to blog about living on a sheep ranch, so I thought I would share a bit about it.

I think I have blogged a bit before about it, but I don't think it was in detail. If you have followed me for any amount of time, I usually talk about it throughout my posts, so you probably know a bit about it, but I wanted do share more, so, here goes!

A long time ago..in a galaxy far away..oh wait, that's a different story!!!

Just a quick history: We kids are the 4th generation ranchers. My great-grandpa came from England 1899, where he landed in Montreal. After a few years of working here and there, he came out West to BC in 1906. When he came to where the present ranch is now, it was all trees...he cleared out a place for him and his bride (my gr. grandma) , and set up a life for themselves. Fast Forward to 1976, when little old me was born...I had my own health issues and nearly died (I will write about that sometime; the story is EPIC), and when I was around 22 months old, I came to live on the ranch (after being in the hospital since my birth), and thus begins the story!!!

Our sheep ranch is 2 hours north of where I currently live. It is in a valley called The North Thompson Valley, and it is a 15 minute drive to either small little town on either side of us. I grew up on a dirt road, and I loved it! The most sheep the my family had was about 1200 (triple that in the summer), and now they have about 600 ewes (females) and 40 rams (uncut males). We used to have about 2000, acres, and now it is a bit less, but not much (this also includes land across the river that we take the sheep to in the spring and fall).


Being on a sheep ranch was definitely fun. We played for hours outside; spent time with the animals, doing farm work, gardening, etc. We played in the creek, in our yard, we spent hours gardening, playing in our fort...riding horses, chasing chickens, jumping on the trampoline, etc. We helped with every single farm activity; lambing (when the ewes had their lambs) in April, Shearing (shaving their wool off) in May, moving sheep to pastures off our land (across the river and up to the mountain range), haying in the summer, "moving" sheep in the summer (back then, the sheep would spend a good chunk of the summer on the mountains, but now, they spend more like about a month or two up there), and when we were younger, docking (due to PETA, etc being out there, you can DM me about what docking is). I long for a simpler time :) Hahah

We usually would have a picnic or two in the summer/fall. My family still tries to have one a year (though I don't know if they have had one in the last year or so). The picnics were EPIC, and all day things! We would have people who had (and were still) working on our ranch to join us...we would all bring something. In the summer, my dad would "flood irrigate" the fields (it is basically, letting the creek overflow into the fields), and we would swim and spend HOURS playing! I don't know if Dad does this type of irrigating much anymore...he mainly uses sprinklers..long pipes that you move every 24-48 hours with "faucets" on them...now. When Dad hayed in the heat of the summer, Mom would pile all we kids in the car, and we would go and find him, and we would have picnics in the field (this still happens sometimes, actually), and late in the afternoons, we would deliver lemonade. Heck, Mom tells a few stories of me and my brother delivering lemonade in the wagon when I was about 4, and my brother was 2...ALONE (though I don't think that it was that far, really). My mom planted a 500 acre garden (ok, not that big, but it was huge), we would spend HOURS gardening...then harvest and preserving the fruits and veggies of our labours.

The winters were (and are) a bit less busy, but that is when Dad feeds the sheep hay from the hay wagon (they now do it only once a day, and they sometimes use the truck to feed...there is a contraption that lifts the hay off and drops it to the field to the sheep); someone drives the tractor, and another person cuts and pitches the hay to the begging following sheep! This used to be done twice a day, but as I stated above, it is only done once a day. Lambing is in the month of April. This has been done for 70 years, or something like that. Actually, I think that has been done for 100 years. April is a good time for lambs to be born...and it fits into my family's Ranch Year living. April isn't too hot, nor (usually!) too cold! When they go up to the mountain, the lambs are about 4 or 5 months old. Lambing usually lasts a month, and it is CRAZY! It is SO fun! It is an "all hands on deck" type of deal. Everyone helps out....from helping the ewes give birth (if needed), helping out any sick lambs or ewes, moving sheep and their babies from pen, to small field, to an even bigger field. In years gone by, we "docked" the tails off the lambs, which was a whole day affair, but now they "ring" them (it's done while they are still in the pens), and mark them as necessary. There are marks for different things...you look at their ears, and they can tell you all about them. Twin? Good wool? Female? Gave birth while still young? Has had twins? Anyway, I could go on and on about lambing, but I will leave it there. In May, they shear the sheep (and contrary to what you may have heard or read, it does NOT take their skin off, nor does it hurt them), in June, they go to the pastures, in July-August, they are up the mountain (better grass, etc), September, back down to the valley, October "wrangling", cutting the males and females out...getting the males ready to be shipped for....well, you can guess where to....and the ones that my family sells "farm gate" (locally) goes to the local butcher (I am wanting lamb/mutton as I am typing this!), and the rest get sent. Yes, we all get a bit sad when this happens. #circleoflife When we were young, we all had our pet lambs...orphans that couldn't be with their mommy....now they are bought for 4H, local farms, etc...and when we were young, we would often torment our younger brothers and sister (ok, mainly sister) saying "we are eating (insert their orphan lambs name here!)", and they would cry...fun times!!! Most of the time, we wouldn't eat them, but the odd time, we would (they mainly died of disease, so we couldn't eat them). November, they put the mommies in with the daddies, and #babymaking would begin #thebirdsandthebees. Then, in March, we start things all over again!

At the end of grade 4, my mom started homeschooling my younger brother and myself. The younger siblings have never gone to school (but almost all of us have done some secondary training, so just so you know, we are complete country hicks!). My parents started homeschooling us before it was popular or cool. We older kids did it differently than the younger kids (they did a lot of theirs on the computer/internet). My mom used a lot of different curriculums, and she changed it up a lot over the years. We started by doing it downstairs, and as Mom started having more kids, we would move to the dining room, and then the upstairs office. Our "school" was called Eagle's Nest training for life. We even got t-shirts. #legit My mom was AMAZING at teaching us; I don't even know on how she did it. We got life lessons as well; sewing, cooking, baby sitting (ha!), mechanics (thanks, Dad), and of course, gardening. Because we were homeschooled, and Dad was a rancher who worked from home, we had TONS of time to talk over meals. Breakfast was our favourite. We had devotions at breakfast, and often times, we would spend HOURS talking about God, the Bible, etc. Oh yes, and of course, we had Bible/History lessons! If you googled homeschooled Christian family, we would probably appear (also, if you Google John Christ, he mocks his own life, which is a mirror image of on how we were raised, and completely cracks me up!). Dad taught us, too..ranch life, mechanics, war, the Bible...:) Later on, with the younger ones, our aunts joined in on the fun of school! Did I also tell you that I am a pastor's/preacher's kid??) Ya'll, it's true! We had the best life!!!

And now, for the siblings...I am the oldest of 7.....SEVEN kids! There are we 3 older kids, then an almost 8 year gap, then my parents had 4 more! There is 21 years between me and the youngest. Did I tell you there are 5 boys and two girls? #thestruggleisreal

Oh..and my dad's parents lived on the ranch until they died (Gma in 1982 from leukaemia, and Grandpa in 1997 due to heart issues), so we don't see or talk to them anymore. One of my greatest memories is riding in the OLD truck with my grandpa while he smoked his pipe. Fun times. I still love the smell of pipe smoke to this day. My aunt Valerie and her husband live in the house that my dad and his sisters grew up in. They have been married a few years longer than Anker and I. My Aunty June and her husband live up the road a couple of miles from my parents'.

So, there you have it :) A SMALL glimpse of what life on our ranch was (and is) like! I hope you have enjoyed reading. If you want to see more pics (I am only going to post one here, as it is late, and I don't have the time or energy to post more than that), go to my IG, or my FB :)

 This is in April, in the evening. The sheep are having their supper :)

This never gets old!

Tell Us Tuesday/Wild Card Wednesday

Just a few things today...

My email address is april.t.wainwright@gmail.com
I now have 18 followers:) Remember, my 25th follower will get something from me.
I actually did stuff before getting on the computer this morning. Cleaning, folding clothes, etc. I know. I am awesome.
We got new stuff at the store today.
October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month... 1 in 4 have been touched by loss...My mom has suffered 6 or 7 miscarriages. I can count at least 10 (?) ladies that I know FOR SURE that have lost babies (either through miscarriage, stillbirth, died shortly after, etc).

This was shared on FB today.

 

We had a yummy supper last night.  Pork medallions, fresh corn, potatoes, and I had a salad, and we had some crepe things for dessert. I just relaxed last night. I watched TV, and hubby and I watched TLC, JJ, and TAR together.

 

I found out what that towel thing was that my friend got me. It is to be worn after you have a bath or shower (or the beach or pool). I actually kind of like it.

 

My DR wants me to come and see him about my blood work. I am a bit nervous, and I am taking Hubby with me.

 

I was feeling really tired yesterday, as I mentioned, and I wasn't feeling well last night at all. I seem to be feeling better today, though.

 

My Avon package is delayed a day. BOO!

 

I saw these little things on the internet the last few days...

 

One of my blogging friends posted this on her blog over a year go, and referred to it again today. I hadn't watched it yet, and I had time, and it was very moving. Her church did this neat project/video. She is on 3:45, and her daughter (with her family in the background) is at around 6 minutes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nSGQfGh9-Hc#t=393

 

Chr1s T0mlin Video...

 

http://www.faithit.com/what-happens-when-worship-leaders-from-around-the-world-take-the-stage-with-chris-tomlin-just-watch/#.UkkdpULRxug.facebook

 

Saw this on FB as well...it is a few minutes, but watch it if you have time.

http://www.faithit.com/this-guy-writes-a-confession-letter-to-his-down-syndrome-daughter-that-will-break-your-heart-in-100-ways/

 

I think I am going to pin my Mac n Cheese Recipe to Pinterest:)

 

Speaking of Pinterest, I now have 12,291 pins to my board.  I clearly have a problem, no?

 

Linking up with Courtney at One Fine Wire for Tell us Tuesday

 

 

 

Linking up with Mal @ Mals Smiles for Wild Card Wednesday!

 

 

Throwback Thursday #1 (and some thoughts)

I had so much fun last night (while we watched Jack the Giant Slayer) uploading pics to FB of some of my pics from my childhood. I did that partially because everyone else is doing it, and also partially due to Throwback Thursday!! We do have a scanner, but it is on hubby's comp, and it just seemed like too much work to do all the scanning, so I did it the old fashioned way, and took pictures of pictures. Because I am retro, like that:)

I will share the same picture on FB/Twitter/Blogger every Thursday. Even the ones I uploaded to FB, I will chose one and "share" it each week. Even my brother is doing it:) I have to fit in:)

So, without further ado..here is the first picture.

Yes, I believe this was my first computer...haha:) And yes, I loved stuffies..and yes, I still do:) I am with my cousin, so this was probably Christmas in the mid 80's.

 

I was going to write on Wednesday (and join in the link up) about some things on my heart and mind, but I didn't get to it. I don't want to HAVE to blog anytime there is a link up, etc. I want to blog when I feel like it, and when I have sensible things to say. I didn't even take part in TTOT last week.

 

We had our first ladies Bible Study (well, get together this wk) this last week. I made brownies from a box (I know.awesome, right?), and off I went. There were lots of good and yummy sweets:) I think there were about 20 ladies there, so that was a good turn out. Our Pastors wife is doing a 5 wk course called Soul Detox. The author, Craig Groeschel, is the same person who wrote The Christian Atheist. I am looking forward to doing this series.

There is a DVD and participants guide. We aren't doing the main book (well, I guess our leader is reading it, and I may pick it up as well).

Anyway, the first week of LBS in the fall, we all get together to talk about our summer and to talk about the study, etc. Our Leader asked us about our summers, and if anything good had happened, or what God was doing in our lives. I didn't want share, because frankly, in some ways, it hasn't been a great summer. I mean, we had some times this summer, but with Anker and I, and what we have been dealing with, well, it has been stressful. Work, where to live, our health, etc. As I heard the ladies share their stories, I couldn't help but wonder when OUR turn of time of goodness from the Lord will come. Yes, we are blessed in many ways. I KNOW that! But Anker is grumpy and frustrated every day, and I am frustrated by the fact that I can't find any work in my new chosen career path. We try to live good lives, but it is HARD to really thank God when you are dealing with "stuff". I don't understand why nothing "exciting" or even "good" hasn't happened yet. If anything, it seems that we have been getting a lot of "no's" lately. I consider myself a pretty strong person. I nearly died at birth (another story to tell one day), and spent the first two years in the hospital. I nearly died 3 years ago, and have been in and through some tough situations. I didn't get married until I was 31; I have had some pretty cr@ppy jobs, when all my friends were getting married and having babies. I was lonely. A lot. In a lot of ways, I AM more happy than when I was single, and for that, I am grateful, but honestly, I am just plain tired!!! I want to do what God wants. I have always said that. I look for work. I look for work in places I don't normally look (and yes, I had that job at the beginning of the summer, but I could just see "bad job" all over it). I am even starting to think about looking for work in other areas of the province. It wouldn't be ideal, but I don't know what else to do. I constantly wonder if I did the right thing by not continuing on with the job I got this summer. Maybe I was wrong to not take it, but when I talk to my friend who is still working there, and she says that she is working 13 hour shifts, well, I don't think it was wise for me to continue on. I have to think about my health. 

Anyway, I am digressing. I guess what I am trying to say is that I don't have it all figured out. I get tired of people on their blog looking/saying/acting like they have it all, or that they have it all figured out, or that their lives are perfect. They are trying to be a perfect Christian (or person of their faith). Clearly, I am not that. I guess I just wanted to say that our life isn't perfect, and I felt the need to share about it here. You are not alone:) There is someone in a similar situation as you are.

 Again, I am digressing...:) I am willing to wait for what God has for us, I am, but for how long will that be? It is so easy to praise God when things are perfect. I like what my blogging friend said on her blog a few weeks ago. Brantley shared this on her blog, and I really felt it was fitting. I actually JUST now looked at it again (it is a small post and can be read in about 2 minutes) , and I loved what it said...

 I found this off the net, since I couldn't snag it from her blog:) I am going to try and do this more. I am going to praise him from within. From my dark (if you can call it that) dark place, where no one sees. During my daily walks (oh, who am I kidding..i don't walk!! LOL), my errands, during work, etc. I am going to praise Him for ALL things!!! One thing that I am astonished by is how we get by pay chq to pay chq. Yes, we have been broke MANY a time (and we soon will be again), but we somehow get through it:) That ALONE makes me praise Him:)

 

I hope this all makes some sort of sense to you:)

 

After our long over due bills are (somewhat) paid, we only have a few dollars left. True Story. But even, then, in faith (and trepidation) am going to give some money to the Lord this Sunday. Why? Because he has taken care of our EVERY need!!!

 

After work, I am going to get my bangs trimmed, and get some underwear, because, I am running out, and because I am cool like that:)

 

Also, Menchies has opened!!! We have two (one near us) in town now!!! The other opened a few weeks ago. I have heard so much about this place. I have to try it out.

 

I had los 1.5 lbs, but I think I put it back on yesterday, since I had a Sn!ckers , Slurppe and Ice Cream (yum!!), and a half of a small cheesecake yesterday. True story. Today will be better. I promise!!

 

Happy Thursday!

Defeated and Frustrated (Misc Monday and Life Lately Link up)

Officially, I probably shouldn't blog about this, but I feel like I need to get this out. I could journal, and I will, but for some reason, since part of what I am feeling has to do with infertility, I feel like it should go on the blog.

I will do a weekly wrap up (maybe) and probably wknd wrap up (which really ties into the weekly wrap up) today or tomorrow. Maybe.

I am linking up with Carissa@Lower Case Letters, and Wild and Precious for

 

 

 

and Life Lately Link Ups.

 

I (well, we) both feel very frustrated and defeated at the moment. The plans we had aren't able to come together; I am really stressed about finding work; 4 women in our church are pregnant, even my lil brothers puppy, Ginger had her second littler of Octuplets yesterday. Darn thing is more fertile than I am:)

 

Hubby is in a bad mood, and when that happens, I don't like to be around him. He is grumpy, irritable, and generally, not pleasant to be around. Since our apartment is small (one bedroom, 700 square feet), there isn't a lot of space to get away from each other. I will often revert to going out for coffee with myself, or just out and about in general. Today, my sisters are coming into town, and I plan to spend some time with them. Yay for sister time!

 

So, back to the title of this post. I am just so tired of things not working out. I am tired of trying and not getting anywhere. I am tired of hubby having his dreams put out. I am tired of him seeing his disability, and not wanting to at least try to advance his education, so that he can get a better job. I am tired of dropping of resumes, going to interviews, only to be told that I didn't get the job. I am tired of hearing other classmates of mine getting jobs; jobs that I wanted, and even tried to get. Honestly? I am wondering if going to school was even worth it. I am tired of seeing/reading of people having fun, going on trips, adopting kids, all because they have money and a big house.

 

I know the Bible talks of wanting us to prosper,new things are coming (Isaiah 43:19), and that there is a new day dawning, but I don't see it. I want to be positive, both for myself, and for hubby, and I do say affirming things to him, and offer to help pray for the situation, but he often will rebuff (?) me, saying that he think God wants him to live at the bottom (whatever that means), and that God's promises aren't for him, and honestly, I am starting to believe him. I want to do the will of God; I want what He wants. The problem is that I don't know what He wants. I am praying (more like screaming) to Him on a nearly hourly basis as to what He wants for our lives.  I wish I knew what He wanted. I try to listen, and watch for signs (or something) as to what I am supposed to, and where I should go, job-wise, and whether or even if we should move. I have to stat paying off my SL in a couple of months, and if we don't have more income coming in by then, I don't know how or even if it will get paid, without something else either getting left behind or being eliminated.

 

All I can do is to try to lean on Him. No one else can bear this burden for me (us). They can listen and be a source of advice and a shoulder to lean on, but only God can bear this for us. HE knows what we NEED, only HE knows what is good for us. Only God can for see the future and HE knows what we need, even before asking Him. This is something that I am leaning on. Jeremiah 29:11 and the Worry Chapter in Matthew 5 have been a great comfort to me in the last few days.

 

 

5 on Friday, Random 5 Friday, and Let's Be Friends Blog Hop

Happy Friday! I am so excited, because I am at the start of a 4 day wknd! The store is closed this week, and although my bank account will be sad, I am happy for 4 complete days off!!!

There are a whole lot of link ups today, which I am going to participate in:)  Obviously, I will be linking up the girls at 5 on Friday, but I will also be linking up with A Rural Jounal, for Random 5 Friday, and The Dwelling Tree for the Let's Be Friends Blog Hop.

 

When I first starting doing 5 on Friday, I thought that it originally was about your 5 favourite things of the week, but I have seen people do random thoughts and ideas of the week, so I will start doing some random thoughts as well as some of my favourites of the week.

 

1. I bought the 5th season of The Big Bang Theory at C0stco the other day. It was under $20, so I had to get it. Yes, I want to get all 6 seasons.

 

 

2. I got my sister, my mom and I a gift because my sister is going away for a few months. Like, really away..not just one province away. I saw a few necklaces, including this necklace at Cl@ires a few weeks ago, and I wanted to get one of these for her. There were a few to choose from, but there was one that I really liked, and in the end, I chose this one.

There are three necklaces, one for me, my sister, and our mom. If you look closely, one says Big Sis (me) Mom (for our mom) and Lil Sis (for Sister). They both liked it.

 

3. I went to Home Depot for the first time ever (I think) this week. You can read about my exciting adventures of the day Here.

 

4. I sometimes just feel the need to unplug and not reach out (virtually) to others. Between my cell phone (with apps, texting, etc), laptop with all of the social media outlets; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterst, and of course, Blogging, can honestly make me exhausted at times. There are times that I won't even open up my laptop or even glance at my phone, and watch TV with hubby or read. When I go on vacation, I will tend to not go on my computer for a day or so. Does anyone else get like that? When they just want to unplug themselves from the world?

 

5. One of my favourite little ringtones is one I found off of Zedge a month or so ago. I have it on my phone for when hubby calls either from our LL, or from his cell phone. It is quite the little ditty, and very sweet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNChulAdILY

 

Those are my Five on Friday Randoms for the week! I hope you enjoyed!

 

The Beach, Home Depot for the first time,and A Givaeway!

I hope everyone's week is going well. Our is going fairly well. I am a bit stressed regarding job searching, and where (or if) we should move; destination, time, etc. Other than that, it is going well.

I won't do a half week wrap up, but I will talk about my fun day today!

I didn't have anything really to do today, and I wanted to go to beach before the weather got too cold, so off I went. I got there around 11, and there was only me a few dog owners with their dogs on the beach. I went swimming in the river, and I sat in the sun, and read my mags.

                                               My magazines, my snack, my sunscreen.

This was the beach when I first got there this morning.

 

The other side of the beach.

 

 

I left around 2, to visit my friends gramma, and then I went home to pick up hubs to price some things out for a project we might undertake (more on that another time). We went to ReStore, which is a second hand building store (but they carry other things, to), and the proceeds to towards Habitat for Humanity. Hubby LOVES to go there.

 

We went on to our next stop Home Depot. I thought I had been there before, but as I walked in, I realized I had not. So, despite my not really wanting to go, I actually had fun. I ran into a couple of people that I knew who worked there, which was nice.

 

The HD sign.

The big orange carts. Yes, I had to grab one:)

At least there was something that I liked, and held my interest.

Did you know that have an entire (LOOONG) aisle dedicated to lumber? Nope, me neither. At least it smelled nice.

The man's ultimate play ground!

 I said I would go only if he took me out for coffee:) Off to Sbx we went.

Yummy snacks.

Not bad for a phone-camera selfie:) He was eating here...I wanted to take another picture of us, but he wouldn't let me take another one;)

One of my new favourite drinks; The Lime Refresher..Yummy!

 

So, on to the Giveaway part of this post.

 

As most of you know, I really want to try to get more followers. I only have 7, and I would like to have more...not in the 1,000's, but I would like a few more. So, as soon as I reach 25 followers, I will send out an Avon product to the 25th follower. Please add me to your blogs you follow:)

 

Happy Wednesday!

Weekly Wrap Up (aka Life Lately Link Up) & Misc Mondays Link up (August 12-18)

Happy Monday! I am linking Wild & Precious & Carssa @ Lowercase Letters today for the Life Lately link up, and Misc Monday!

I thought I would do the weekly wrap  up and misc Mondays and add this to both link ups. (you know, trying to kill 3 birds with one stone!)

Last week was a very busy week for me...I seemed to be always going, except in the evening...where I hung out in the evening and watched TV, and read, and slept.

So, I talked about last Sunday, but I forgot to mention that we went for ice cream for supper on the way home. I had a banana split, and hubby had is favourite; Tiger, and Leaping Lizzard. We just relaxed in the evening.

Monday, I hung out and relaxed in the morning, and I met up with my cousin (well, first cousin once removed, but same thing) for coffee and a chat. I ended up working at the store until 5:30, and I came home and hung out.

Tuesday, I worked at the store in the morning, and I had my doctors apt for my ear, and I got some more ear drops. I went to the library, and then to work. I pretty much went to bed as soon as I got home. I was very tired.

Wednesday, I worked at the store, and then Anker and I ran out look at some property (well, it was a trailer) that we are interested in. I dropped him off and went to work. I came home after work and went to bed...it wasn`t the greatest evening.

Thursday, I worked at the store, and Anker and I went to look at a stove for our apartment. I dropped him off, and I ran a few errands. I visited a friend who is in the hospital, and went to the outdoor concert. I went alone, but it was still a great time.

Friday, I grabbed breakfast at Starbucks, as our old stove was moved, and blocking the stove and cupboard...I worked at the store all day, and I came home and hung out...I don't remember what all I did.....we had dinner, and I relaxed all evening, I think.

Saturday, I worked at the store all day, and I was in a bit of a blah mood. I ended up going to Starbucks, and I drowned my sorrows in a venti Mocha Frappiccino. I watched TV and relaxed and watched Big Bang Theory.

Yesterday, we relaxed all day, which we really needed. We skipped church, and spent time hanging out and playing on the computer. We went out for coffee, and did a bit of shopping. We came home, and I watchd a movie that I PVR`d, and I cleaned our bedroom. We had DQ for supper. We watched some more Big Bang.

That was our week! Hope yours was good!

Since when did Easter become a gift holiday?

Happy Maundy Thursday!!! I am sitting on my bed, with antiobotic drops in my ears, suffering from an ear infection. I went to my doctor on Tuesday, with a sore ear, that was itchy, then sore the day and night before. He said it looked inflamed, and gave me some cream for my excema that was apparently in my ear (I have had an itchy year on and off for years). Well, fast forward today (well, last night, actually) and my ear was throbbing SO MUCH, I could barely think straight. Well, this morning, I woke up around 6, as soon as DH left for work, with my ear is so much pain, that I wasn't sure about going to my practicum today. I really wanted to go, but not in the shape I was in. I laid in bed, glad that @dvil was doing (or rather, trying to) do it's thing. I nearly went to practicum, but I my ear wasn't 100%, but it wasn't super sore, either. It just had a lot of fluid in it, which in it's self isn't a big deal. Well, I hummed and haaaahed and decided to stay home. I thought I would make an appt wint my doctor, and depending on how I was doing, I may go up later for a few hours. I called my doctor's office at 9, and they promply said that there were no openings. ARRGH! When I was an MOA, we always fit people in who had small emergencies like that. Well, I just laid on the couch, and watched a movie, well, I slept through most of it. I decided to go to the WI clinic. Went there around 11:30, and was told to come back at 4. I came home, and watched some TV. I watched a movie I had borrowed from the library. Went back out with hubby, and got in within a few minutes. Sure enough, it was an ear infection. GGAHHH! Well, we had a few errands to run, and decided to grab some Chinese food for dinner. Normally, I love going out, but since I wasn't feeling well, it was a bit of an endurance contest. Hubby hardly ever likes going out, so I take it while/when i can:) We did have a nice chat, and the food was great!!!

Back to my title. So, when I was growing up, Easter was never (physically anyway) a major holiday. Mainly it was because we were usually in lambinng seasons. When we were young, we would sometimes have an egg hunt, and that was it. I have noticed that throughout the last few years, that EVERY holiday seems to be, well..about the STUFF!!! I mean, when we were growing up, it was "Christ Arose", "He has Risen", and all that, and MAYBE an egg hunt, and of course, we would TRY to go to church (remember, it was/is our busy season, so we weren't always able to go), and that was about it. Sometimes,we would have a ham, but that was it. Now, it is CRAZY with gifts!!! I mean, don't get me wrong. Jesus' Resurrection is a great day to celebrate, but gifts?? I guess you could compare it to Christmas, in that area, I mean, we celebrate His Birth with gifts, but it was always (i mean, since before the Civil War days) celebrated like that. Easter never really was..was it? I mean, we never did anything. I just think that it is interesting that with every holiday, there has to be a gift. Valetines Day,(I am talking mainly about gifts for the kiddies) St. Patty's Day, and now Easter....:) I mean, what is wrong with a chocolate bunny for the kid, and they are good to go? I think the world is getting greedy...don't you?

1 or 2?

So, I have been thinking lately about laddering into another course. I am taking the Community & School Support Worker, which can ladder, if one should chose, into another course, called the Human Service Worker Diploma. I can go straight in the 2nd year. I am not sure if I want to go another year. I really want to start making money, and I barely did well in this year, so I dont know if i want to do another year or not. Hubby is supportive of my doing another year, which is awesome. I am thinking that as of now, I will work, for sure for the summer, and if I decide to, I will take another year. I really don't know if I want to be another nearly 12K in debt, just for a few more bucks an hour, and I may not get any more job oppurtunities. I may also jus takea year off, and work, and see how the job market is, and then do another year...that way, I can pay off some of my SL, before going for another year. Decisions, Decisions..:) If I do decide to go straight into another year (this fall), it will postpone our moving, which I really want to do. I want to have a two bedroom place, and have our own laundry. Just for kicks, I applied, and the lady who took my papers, verbally, tho not officially, said that I would probably get in. Can I really do another year??

I Wish had the Words...

Another beautiful day from the Interior of BC!! Despite my depressing title, I am actually feeling well:) But, there are a few things I wanted to try to express some of my infertility thoughts.

First though...and update on our summer so far.

The first week of July, we went camping at Lac Le Jeune Lake..about 15-20 minutes away. We had a great time, despite the heat, and the fact that we both got burnt. His sister and her family joined us the last half of the trip, and we had a great time together. I spent the days swimming, and relaxing.. but of course, camping (esp tent camping)is a lot of work..but we came back (semi) refreshed. At least we got away. Anker had the whole week off, and I only ended up working Monday (I blew off Thursday).

While we were camping, we also gained a niece! Norah Ruth was born on July 9, and she is gorgeous! I can't wait to see her on Tuesday. My bro is a great daddy!!!

I have looked after Hayden a couple of times this summer as well. I haven't gone swimming a whole lot..really the only time was at LLJ. I usually go to one of the river parks here in town, but I don't seem to have the time..plus, I don't like going alone all the time, and Hubby doesn't like going to the beach. I did go to the TCC once a few weeks go, to enjoy the indoor swimming pool.

Things were pretty quiet until the week of our anniversary. We had planned on going to a B&B that we saw online for the weekend. Sadly, our car had issues on the Monday before, so that took a bit of money that we were planning on for the weekend. We ended up staying home, and went for supper, and spent a lazy Saturday hanging out...went for ice cream on Saturday evening..and hung out a bit on Sunday.

I think that pretty much sums up the last month or so. I didn't help with our church's VBS, and it felt a bit odd, but it was nice to have the break..I did help on the last day, however, which was nice. This wknd, we are headed to a family reunion. I will be there until Thursday, which I am looking forward to.

A couple of weeks ago, I had a bad day. I was already in a funk, and then it just got worse! ARRGH! I am tired of people who are my "friends" not texting, calling, facebooking, etc. I am finding that I am doing ALL the communicating, and frankly, I am getting tired of it. Even my family (ok, except my mom and my sister) don't connect with me much unless I do it first. So, I had that on my mind, then just the infertility thoughts came back. I was SO ticked that every 2nd post on FB had to do with babies, nursing, midwifing, etc. SO I deleted a bunch of people. A LOT of those people I don't know or connect with very much anyway, and some of them I did know, but I was just tired of seeing their preggo bellies, nursing/midwifing -related posts. I have to be good to myself. Only do things that I HAVE to do.. You can't ask me to do more than that.

I am tired of not having kids..tired of saying "we can't have them"..and explaining that we can't foster/adopt a baby. Although I am SO happy to be seeing my siblings/cousins, I am a bit sad, too...as there will be 2 or 3 babies there..and one pregnant lady...sigh. It's hard to be happy for them. I want to be happy for them..I do...but then I look at us, and I feel sad...sad, b/c ever since I was a child, I have always wanted to be a mom..sad, b/c I think that God has forgotten us. Sad, b/c I LOVE babies! I want to enjoy that feeling...I want to join the "mommy gang", to swap stories of high chairs, car seats, disciplinary tactics....I wonder why (other than physically) God hasn't given us children. Does he think we would be bad parents? Would we hurt them?? Would we neglect them?? A lot of things go and run through my mind. Then, I just stop thinking about it, b/c I get sad and mad...and I focus on other things.

I am for sure going to school next month!!! I can't believe how fast this last few months have gone!! It just seems like yesterday that I was thinking about school:) I AM excited about new happenings in my (our) life. Excited to see where God leads us.

I had a dream the other night...I dreamt that I was going through a fire...with a cross on my back (I know..it's strange..I have weird dreams lately), but I got through the fire..and even in my dream..I heard a voice (God's??) saying that HE will take us through the fire! It was totally encouraging.

I have read a few books this summer...One that I JUST finished "Secret Daughter", which was amazing. I don't normally like present-tense written books, but I am finding that I am really enjoying them as I get older. I also have read "Water for Elephants". It was ok, but not my favourite.

It looks like I will have to buy a new laptop for school. I guess I was a bit too hard on my last one, and the LCD screen broke! I think I will have enough from my Student loan to buy a laptop, since the one I have is really too small to type anything on it.

Well, I think that's all for now...I will try to update before I head off to school (less than a month now..eek!)

Oh yah..I have given my notice, and I am SO glad that I am leaving. It is such a schamozz over there...I actually don't even like going there anymore. My last day is in the middle of August.

A Trip to the ER

Well, I know, two updates just two days apart. Shocking!! I really wanted to write more the other night, but I was just too tired!! The last couple of days have been interesting!!

Two nights ago, I decided to try a new recipe, called Shrimp Stroganoff (SP??). Anyway, it was good, but a bit spicy, but I can usually handle abit of spice! (BTW, the recipe was out of "Company's Coming" book "Fish and Seafood". Anyway, I started getting a stomach-ache. That part didnt worry me too much, but when I work up at 4am the next day, I had REALLY bad cramps!! Also, they radiated around to my back. I dealt with that all day, they would come in spasms, and then go away. I hardly slept. During the day, I did manage to get a few things done, but then it got worse, at about 5pm, I finally decided to go to the walk in clinic just down the road. He (at 8 pm) told me to go down to the ER to get X-rays, etc, done. He was afraid it could be a bowel obstruction. Esp w/ all my adhesions from my scars. So, armed w/ a magazine, I braved the long night in the ER. It was quite an adventure, let me tell you. I must say that it was a very interesting night!! It was a great time to people watch!! Anyway, I finally saw the doctor about 1:30 or so. By this time (well, even when I got there at 8), I was feeling better, as I had taken Tylenol, just to dull the pain. The pain wasn't as severe, and the spasms had all but stopped. I am glad it wasn't as bad, but, at the same time, it was frustrating, b/c you want the doctor to get a full picture on how you are feeling. Anyway, he finally said that everything looked ok, and that it may have been something I ate (why do they say that?? And they say it like you have just downed a full pizza, or something). I was not amused!! I am seeing my family DR tomorrow, and I really want an Ultra-sound. I had called my aunt, who is a nurse, earlier in the day, and she said it may be a gallbladder attack. The X-Rays didn't show anything, but my blood test had a hight WBC, which the DR didn't seem too concerned about. I felt kind of silly going down there, but at the same time, I am glad I did, cause if I didn't I may have gotten worse, or I would have just worried about it. I was told to just stick w/ bland foods, but I already had a sub today. Does that count??

Well, I am sure this is much too long of a post!! Maybe a bit too TMI?? Nothing I wouldn't tell you all in person, I don't think!!

I basically slept today, as I got home at 5 am:) I basically have slept the last couple of days away. I did go on errands w/ Anker today, and I could feel the pain when I walked. Oh well:)
It has been really sunny today, which has been great!! I wished I could have gone on a long walk! Maybe on the weekend.
Just a few other notes:I am attending a Ladies Bible study, which meets every Thursday. I am really enjoying that. I didn't go today, b/c of my not feeling well. I will be going to do my weigh-in tomorrow. I am not in KidsLife anymore, as my heart wasn't really in it. Also, w/ Anker's wierd sleeping and working hours, I just felt better to not be involved.

I have really being feeling the pressure (from myself), to get a job the last few days. (maybe this pain was from stress, but I don't think so).Unfortunately, w/ my being sick (my ear infection as well as this), I really haven't been doing alot. We need new brakes for the car, and we really want to enroll in Melaleuca. We both could use the supplemants. Also, I want to start saving for my insurance course, as well as just regular daily life. I hope to work on my resume this weekend.

That about covers it for now. I would write more, but I am sure you won't be inerested in hearing all about it!! LOL.