I just can't believe how much and how fast time has gone by. It seems like it's been forever since I blogged and I have missed it. A lot has happened since my last post in November... some good and some not so good.
Shortly after I arrived home from the second of two busy weekends at Village Creek (Scrapbook Retreat)... we received a phone call... you know the kind... the ones that you dread answering... the ones where the pit of your stomach tells you something is wrong wrong wrong. It was one of those.
My husbands sister was discovered dead on Monday November 7th. She had parked and crawled in the back seat to rest and never woke up. (She had lupus and a few other issues). My sister-in-law and I did not see eye to eye, but I did find it sad that she died and was alone for a while. Rest in peace Carol.
In the meantime, I had also managed to pick up a part time job at the Ivy Trellis. It's a cute little Froo Froo store on the Parkade. It's a lovely little store and it kept me busy through the holidays. I had forgotten how much I disliked retail especially during the holidays. In March, I gave notice that it was time for me to move on. I did enjoy my time there... surprisingly so... but the work hours started to interfere with my scrapbooking business as well as church meetings.
Thanksgiving and Christmas seemed to have flown by with the wink of an eye. And we also had the winter that wasn't. The temperatures rarely dipped below 32 degrees and if they did... they didn't stay low for very long. Perhaps the snow blower was used twice this winter. We had some lovely days in February and March though April seemed wet, rainy and cold. Looking forward to the May flowers... since we had so many April showers:)
In March, my son turned 20. No more teenagers... that's hard to believe.
During the winter, I particularly enjoy attending the Waterloo Black Hawks Hockey games. Hockey is a delightful way to pass the dreary winter. It gives me something to look forward to. And I love my Hockey Family! This year 2011-2012 was a wonderful year... we have such a talented team... so much so that I really don't have a favorite player this year. It was a great season this year and the team made the playoffs. The first team was Tri City... best two of three. Next they took on the Omaha Lancers in a best of three of five. It was fun to have family in town April 26 and 27, and they joined me to cheer the Black Hawks on to victory. Now the Black Hawks are playing the Lincoln Stars for the Western conference title. It's been an exciting Hockey year!
This spring, it was announced that our church would begin to have a day meeting for ARP... Addiction Recovery Program. It's also known as the Atonement 101 class. I was interested in this program but often had to work or other commitments on Thursday nights and was delighted when they announced the daytime meeting. It was time for me to work on me. I am amazed at the progress I have personally made by attending this class. It has changed my life and I have just barely started. One of the most interesting facts I discovered was that the original AA program was not really designed to help with addictions, it was designed as a Come Unto Christ program... and that the loss of addiction was just a by product. Interesting huh... I thought so too.
This program has allowed me to really develop my spiritual side and I am really discovering who I am and what my talents are. I am doing a lot of soul searching and growing. It's not always pretty, in fact, it's been through tears and heartache that I have grown the most. I am excited to see where this takes me.
One big change for me was to consistently pray, read the scriptures, journal and meditate daily. When I do this, I find that I am better prepared to face the day and it's challenges.
I am looking forward to doing some biking this year... I went out for the first time in a long time today. It was humid today, and thanks to my buddy Joyce, for getting me out today. Only 12 miles today, but you have to start somewhere...
My sweet daughter announced her engagement in April. Hard to believe that she is thinking about getting married... seems like just yesterday she was heading to kindergarten. Sometime in the fall of 2014.
In March, I attended a Close to my Heart event in Omaha. Being so close, I just had to stop by and visit my aunt who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Fortunately she is without much pain and enjoying the time she has left. Blessings to you, my sweet Tante...
Blessings come in many forms... At the end of March, my niece gave birth to a sweet baby boy. A time for celebration indeed. Grandma B, Sherrill, Pam and Shawn came up for a family get together. The weather was rainy and dreary and chilly, but the atmosphere was joyous and upbeat. We played the longest game of phase 10 ever... and enjoyed visiting and laughing and remembering. It's funny how a new born brings out memories of when your children were small (what's a duck do? Gucka gucka gucka and Broke.... )... Ah... nostalgia. Good food, family (and a couple of hockey games) makes for a great weekend.
It's been a quick trip down memory lane, and I have been truly blessed. I have a wonderful family and lots of friends. I am loving life and loving discovering my true self.
Blessings~
D~
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