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LiveJournal for Drew.
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| Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 |
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Commence official fangirl-type squeeing. Repeat as needed. |
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| Saturday, April 26th, 2008 |
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It's weeks like this past one that make me glad I am only me; that I am not in charge of anything more than my own decisions, words and attitudes. I am only a finite being; I cannot grasp the infinite. I do not hold any profound wisdom to amaze the masses. I am not expected to answer the questions of the ages, or to solve the problems of the world. For these small things, I thank God. I know that death is part of life. I know that none of us are promised tomorrow, or even our very next breath. I also know that death almost always catches us off-guard. I know that the grief can hit like a sucker punch in the stomach when you least expect it and, just when you think you've learned to live with the loss, something new comes along - a memory, a new thought, a smell - and the grief coils back on itself in a whole new, breath-stealing way. Grief is a funny thing - and not a 'funny ha ha' thing, either. You can go from thinking 'everything is normal' to 'nothing will ever be the same again' in less than a heartbeat. Last Friday, April 18, 2008, my cousin's 10 year old son suffered a fatal heart attack at school. (He had a pre-existing heart condition, but no one expected this.) His mother said to the doctor, as they waited at the hospital for her husband to arrive from Toronto via police escort, "This is the fear we live with every day." Their beautiful son was breathing only by a machine. I cannot imagine his family's pain. We were later told that they stood around his bed and prayed as the machines were disconnected. What a powerful witness. The doctor said it was a life-changing moment. I hate to say it, because it sounds calloused and fatalistic, but in God's eyes, maybe calling one loving, believing boy home, and causing this strong Christian family some 'temporary' pain, was worth the change in the doctor's life, and who knows how many other lives. Having said that, I need another tissue; Abby will never see her youngest son this side of Glory... The funeral was a wonderful celebration of Nathan's life. He was a bright boy, a kind friend, a loving brother and a God-honouring son. He loved life and lived every day for God. ...Why is it the brightest stars shine so fleetingly? Do they somehow know they have a time limit and so live life to the fullest? Does God plant within them a super-hot fire that burns faster and then out? Or do they simply accomplish all God has laid out for their lives and are then called home to rest in perfect peace? Even if we had the answers, nothing would change, as we aren't in control, and never will be. ... and I've run out of my own words. May the God of all peace and comfort make is presence known in the lives of Abby, Jeremy, Olivia, Noah and Julia, their extended family, friends, and Nathan's school mates. May He surround them with His love now and forever. May they experience joy in the hope of the eternal reunion in Heaven. And, with God's help, may they learn to smile again. In Jesus' most precious and holy name, amen. "In those times I can't seem to find God, I rest in the assurance He knows how to find me." ~Neva Coyle "Each day of life is a precious gift from God." ~Charles H. Spurgeon "God is our refuge and strength, therefore, we will not fear." ~Psalm 46: 1,2 And, I close with my initial quote: "God is, and all is well." ~John Whittier |
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| Sunday, April 1st, 2007 |
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It has been six months since my last entry. ( Read more... ) I'm off to say seven "Hail Frank"s, then I'm logging back into Dofus. >:D
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| Friday, September 15th, 2006 |
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Wow. Looks like it's time for another update! Pinnie has finished her first week of grade one. I never thought I'd be sending a five year old to first grade; her birthday is in July. Last Thursday, she had a meeting with the Sr. Kindergarten teacher. This is standard practice in our area, as it gives the teacher an idea as to what the kids have forgotten, remembered or learned over the summer and helps her guage her class' abilities. I can't say I'm surprised, but Pinnie whipped through all the questions and activities and even read the whole story to the teacher. Allow me to rewind for an instant. I saw this coming over a while ago. Just after last Christmas, I met with this same teacher to discuss what I perceived as a potential problem. I was concerned that Pinnie was advancing too quickly for the class, and thought she might become bored with school and therefore disinterested. I asked if it would be possible to put her in Sr. Kindergarten (they went on the same days, it wouldn't have changed much, just a few of the activities)? I was given to understand they don't make exceptions for children, not wanting to single them out, stress them out and possibly exclude them. "We don't like skipping children. That's an outdated and unenlightened approach to education." Okay, so they didn't say that exactly, but that's the main idea. Made me feel rather stupid. Yeah, I don't know my own child's abilities and my concerns are entirely unjustified; she'll be just fine in JK. Fast forward back to last Thursday. Kindergarten teacher pulled me aside and told me she'd like Pinnie to read with the principal as soon as possible. Not knowing what is standard procedure for these meetings, but having a hunch (mother's intuition? foresight? whatever), I agreed and Pinnie and I met with the principal Friday morning. Pinnie was given a book that is on par with the end of Senior Kindergarten. She had no problem with it. She was then given a book halfway through the grade one curriculum; again, no problem. To make a long story just slightly longer, Monday morning, my barely five-year-old started grade one. Apparently, they do skip kids ahead after all. Silly me for seeing this coming. Am I allowed to say I told you so? Of course, there's always the possibility that either we or the school can suggest she move back to SK, if she fails to thrive, but so far, that doesn't appear to be an issue. She's loving her teacher, her classmates (last year's seniors), and she's really liking having all the time to play outside on all the structures. And, since the little chatterbox is in school all-day, every-day, her little sister is starting to pick up words like there's no tomorrow! New words every day, and some of them are entire sentences. Granted, some of those sentences aren't in English, or.. French... or any other known language, with one or two English words, but her language skills are improving daily. And she is loving having Mommy all to herself all day. Beanie is hilarious; it seems her goal is to make people laugh. We are so proud of our girls! |
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| Friday, July 14th, 2006 |
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(Click here to post your own answers for this meme.)
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| Monday, May 8th, 2006 |
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I am the perfect foul-weather friend. I am the one you can count on to be there in time of crisis. I will let you cry on my shoulder. I will sympathise with you. If I don't have the right words, I will just sit with you. I will pray with you. I will pray for you, whether you ask for it or not. I will cheer you up. I will make you laugh. I will take you out to dinner to celebrate the birthday no one else remembered. I remember your favourite foods, the ones you loathe, and the ones you're allergic to. I am always here for you, you can call me day or night and I will do everything in my power to help you. If you ask for my opinion, I will give it. If you want advice, I will be as careful as I can and not advise you to do anything I would not. And when your life picks up and you make new friends? Who gets left in the dark? Who is left behind? I am noticing a trend in people I thought were my friends. I have been dropped like a hot potato more times than I'd like to admit - certainly more times than is good for my ego. And what hurts the most, is when I need a friend, who can I turn to? No one. Everyone else has moved on to their new friends and forgotten all about good, old, dependable, ever-present Drew. I'm am quickly tiring of being burned. I put everything I am into a friendship only to have it dissolve when someone more convenient comes along. It almost makes me want to give up making new friends at all. I could become bitter and jaded. I could be cynical and befriend no one because I'm afraid of being burned. I could satisfy myself with superficial, shallow acquaintances. ...But I can't. It's not in me to hold back from a friend. I will give everything I am to support those I consider my friends and will always hope they will do the same. It's how God made me. And so I will continue to make and lose friends. It is the never-ending circle of my life. I will say a huge, resounding "thank God!" for the few great friends He has blessed me with. I couldn't have made it this far without them. You know who you are. |
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| Sunday, May 7th, 2006 |
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We actually made it to church early today! It helps when Ruggy's home to help me get the girls ready. Anyways, I was on my way back from taking Pinnie to the washroom during the singing when Ruggy came out and passed Beanie to me. She was crying - he said she'd just started while they were singing. You have to understand, this is very out of character for her. For one thing, she loves her Daddy, for another thing, she's a very contented girl, and for a third thing, she loves listening to music. She was obviously miserable, and I was thinking she was just so tired she'd hit the wall. I couldn't get her to drink her juice, and she just turned her head away from the animal crackers. Red flag. She loves animal crackers. I took her into the nursery to sit in the rocker... she buried her face in her blankie and promptly threw up. Great. Blankie caught everything, but now she can't use it to calm herself down. Long story short, we ended up bringing her home, leaving Pinnie in Jr. Church (under the watchful care of the Jr. Church teachers) and sending Ruggy back to pick her up and do the "Pie & Praise" promos and answer all the questions. That's fine, it's not Beanie's fault she's sick. She couldn't settle herself down in bed, so I sat with her in the rocker in the living room and popped in a movie. That was enough to distract her and she promptly fell asleep. The poor thing was exhausted, though I can't figure out why. She slept until the phone rang, over an hour and a half later. I fed her a few soda crackers and a bit of yogourt. So far, so good. She even went right back to bed for another two and a half hour nap! Anyhoo, I didn't end up going to the Pie & Praise evening. Why is it? Every time there's an event like this, one I'm really looking forward to, something pops up and makes it so I can't go. I was rather disappointed. And then, Ruggy and Pinnie came home, and it "didn't even cross his mind" to bring me back a piece of dessert. Thanks, love. -_- I'm stuck home with a sick baby, didn't get to sing with everyone else, oh, wait, just stuck at home like every other evening in my life. Break out the tea and vanilla Oreos. I'm having a pity party. PS - By bedtime, Beanie ate another yogourt cup and a whole piece of toast and drank about three cups of juice. I think she's feeling better. |
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| Saturday, May 6th, 2006 |
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I'm having a panic attack. As far as I know, it wasn't triggered by anything. I'm sitting on my couch, half-watching Trading Spaces and reading my friends' LJs. The girls are sleeping upstairs. Ruggy's still not home, but they've only been practising for an hour and a half, so I'm not concerned at all... I haven't had one since the Thanksgiving weekend. I can't calm down, everything sounds extra loud and harsh, the TV sounds like it's being fast-forwarded and I feel like I'm moving in slow-motion. I can hear my heartbeat in my ears and my teeth feel like they're vibrating. And I have a piercing ringing in my ears. I hate this. -_- *sigh* And it was just today, I was thinking I hadn't had one of these in months and maybe I wouldn't get them anymore. Haha. Joke's on me. |
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Short answer: Not much. ( Longer answer: ) The girls are in bed, kitchen and bathrooms are clean, Mt. Washmore is under control and Ruggy's gone to the church to practise music with chandica for tomorrow's Pie & Praise. Wish I could be there too, but someone's got to stay home with the kids. Since I'm just on vocal and PowerPoint, not lead guitar and lead vocal, I get HomeDuty. I think I'll start working on one of my stories now.
Heh.
Why am I not surprised? This is why chandica and I get along so well, eh?
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| Tuesday, March 7th, 2006 |
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About a month ago, a deep, dry cough took up residence in my lungs. As of today, it's showing no signs of moving out any time soon. Now, I normally get a cough with my cold - it has something to do with being an asthmatic, and having a severe case of bronchitis in high school - but my colds usually only last about a week. The coughing's been keeping me up at night and any time I try to sleep during the day. I would have been concered earlier, if I'd had the time. Both girls were sick. Pinnie had a cold, and then the stomach flu. Beanie was teething and has cut six or eight teeth all at once. Neither of them were eating or sleeping, so I wasn't sleeping. That may be part of why I got the flu, too. I had to make Ruggy call in sick two days so he could take care of the girls - I certainly wasn't capable of doing it. To make a long story short, everyone's recovered but me, so I took myself to the ER last night. The good doctor didn't hear much pneumonia in my lungs, and gave me some antibiotics just in case I have a secondary infection somewhere. (They may or may not make me feel better.) The diagnosis? "Walking pnuemonia, caught early." Joy. At least I can still function. ...I think we'll have a stir-fry tonight. :) ( Here's my quiz =D ) On the upside, our new, white bathroom countertop, faucets and medicine cabinet came in. Ruggy's already installed the counter and faucet. It looks lovely, and is a wonderful conclusion to "Operation Anti-beige." My bathroom is *finished!* The medicine cabinet's for the upstairs powder room, to replace the useless mirror above the sink. Whee! I can hardly wait. Next project: The basement *dunDunDUN!* Completion date: Summer 2006 (more likely Fall, 2006) |
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| Thursday, February 23rd, 2006 |
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Snagged this from chandica
Ok, that sounds about right. That's almost uncanny. |
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| Thursday, February 16th, 2006 |
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The insurance company came through and was more than fair. We picked our cheque up in Ottawa Friday and started van shopping. The only reason I chose a van over a car, Jeep or SUV is because I like the third row of seats - I need it for giving people rides! ( Read all about the van shopping details, furnace woes, and general Life of Drew ) |
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| Friday, February 3rd, 2006 |
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The van is a complete write-off. The appraiser said the structure of the roof had been compromised, and in that case, even if it were to be repaired, it would never be the same again. In that case, I'm glad I won't have to drive it anymore. I'd never trust it. We're having to deal with the insurance company now. So far, they're being very good about the roll-over, and they can't complain about this being our second accident in three months because we never claimed the car. Ruggy's out with Pinnie, going to the bank now. They're trying to get written proof that we actually have paid off our van loan, so the cheque from the insurance company isn't made out 'co-payable' to us and the dealership. It shouldn't be too complicated, but it is a bit of a hassle. It's snowing out now, and while I know in my head they'll be ok, it was snowing like this on Sunday. I have to keep reminding myself that we are all in God's hands and that I don't need to worry. I know this, but I have to keep reminding myself. Again and again. ( Cut for length ) |
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| Sunday, January 29th, 2006 |
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Just a short news break. First, the good news: The girls and I are fine. Matthew was at work, and is therefore fine. ( Read more... ) |
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| Tuesday, January 17th, 2006 |
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My best friend was just told her dad has cancer of the liver. One specialist thinks it started somewhere else and spread to his liver, the other thinks it started in the liver and that they might be able to get it out - but it's on both sides. He's going for more tests and biopsies soon. She's away at school, being told by everyone, up to and including her dad, not to come home yet. Needless to say, she's torn, feeling alone and isolated and very upset. Please pray for her and for her parents and their extended family. Pray that God will surround them with family, with His love, His grace and His peace. Pray the doctors will have wisdom and skill. This is when our bond as believers is most apparent. Get your prayer-chains going. Raise up people across the world in prayer. We serve a great God who can and does work miracles, even today. Pray for healing. Pray for a miracle. Above all, pray that this will result in God receiving glory. Pray for His will to be done. PS - I'd really appreciate it if you'd reply to this, letting us know you're praying. It will be a huge encouragement to her and her family. Thanks. In Him, Drew |
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| Saturday, January 14th, 2006 |
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I'm sure everyone's heard of, or seen either a partial or whole episode of TLC's What Not To Wear. They're always asking the viewers to nominate friends, family members or co-workers. Well, finally, I caved. I know of several people who, while being absolutely *wonderful* people, could use a wardrobe update. Nothing personal. I love them all dearly. Right, so I found the TLC website, found the WNTW link, followed the links to the nomination forms and find myself at another site. (The url started with 'bbc', I didn't memorize it, unfortunately.) Before I can nominate, however, I must fill my birth date into a pop-up. Fair enough, we don't want 13 year olds nominating 13 year olds, do we? I typed in my date and hit enter, fully prepared to nominate any number of people. Imagine my surprise when a second pop-up appeared, informing me, ever so bluntly, that I am "..not old enough to enter our site." With that, the BBC page disappeared, and no matter how many times I tried to find it again, it wouldn't appear. Excuse me?? In what world is twenty-seven years old too young for anything? Ok, for Senior's Discounts, sure, but for a website? Last I checked, the age of consent for sex is 14 (here in Canada), you can drive at 16, vote at 18 (Aside: If you're Canadian, don't forget to vote on the 23rd. It's important! If you don't vote, you have no right to complain about the government. :-P), drink alcohol at 19 (18 in Quebec), and you're officially considered a full-grown adult at 21. Why on *earth* would I not be allowed to tell my friends they shouldn't wear sweat pants to the movies?? I think I'm going to send TLC a very terse email. I might even link them to my LJ.... Then again, maybe not. And yes, I can see the funny side to this.
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| Tuesday, January 10th, 2006 |
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I thought I was doing well. I thought we were happy, healthy, confident and well adjusted. Apparently, I was wrong. How do I know this? ( THIS is how I know. -_- )
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| Tuesday, December 13th, 2005 |
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Ok, so we're down to one vehicle and need another one. Check. Don't want to pay a whole lot for a vehicule that only has to drive 16km round-trip, 15 days a month. Check. Find one online for a fairly reasonable price. Check. Drive over an hour to see the car, check it out, talk with the owner... everything seems great. Check. Drive back down a few days later to buy car. Check. Here's the fun part. Owner tells us the safety has /just/ expired and his friend who safetied it last time will redo it.. only he doesn't have time. We're driving out of that town, when 'new to us' car loses power. Car gets up to speed, is fine for about a minute (every time), then abruptly dies. Good thing I'm following husband in my van or he'd never have made it home. Long story short, vehicle was never safetied, has massive problems and will cost more to repair than we paid for it initially. Decided to sell it for parts, cut our losses and try again. Whee. Houses may be investments, but cars are only money pits. |
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| Tuesday, November 15th, 2005 |
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We have a few leads on possible used cars. Since Dad's retired, we sent him car hunting - we expect a full, opinionated report either tomorrow or Thursday. It snowed today! And, normally, that would have been a wonderful day - I love snow. Today, unfortunately, I had to get the groceries before the snow turned to freezing rain. Ick. The roads were very greasy, and everyone forgets how to drive in snow. On the upside, the trees look /beautiful/. Once I got home, I put Beanie in her highchair with Cheerios and started bringing in the groceries. She looked over at me, smiled and said, 'Baba,' and waved at me. I thought it was a coincidence - every second thing is 'baba' (bottle, ball, baby, bath, daddy sometimes, and, occasionally, Grandpa) - but she did it every time I left the kitchen. She gets it! I'm so proud. Why does the army have to do excercises at 2230h? Yesterday, they started the artillery at 1930h, just as I was putting the girls to bed. Thanks, guys. How am I supposed to get them to settle when the pictures shake with the 'boom'? Pinnie was especially worried, "I hear a noise, it's keeping me awake." Nevermind she'd only been in bed about a minute. Oy. At least she only came out of her room once. At least the bathroom renovations are still going forward! New flooring, wainscotting, paint, chairrails.. it's going to look great! If only we didn't have to buy a new car.. then we'd have enough money to replace the medicine cabinet, sink and cupboard. One step at a time. |
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| Thursday, November 10th, 2005 |
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Well, the car's totaled, and we're uninsured for collision. Oh, and the moose didn't survive. On the up-side, Ruggy walked away from the accident with, literally, a scratch on his hand, covered in glass shards and moose hair. Praise God! Pray we find a car we can afford, so he can drive back and forth to work? Thanks. ...Anyone want some meat from a slightly irradiated, four-year-old female moose? :-P |
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LiveJournal for Drew.
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amused.
tired.
annoyed.
disappointed.
anxious.
creative.
How popular are you?
blah.
calm.
satisfied.
angry.