Two special Ladies

On Monday July 27th, my 52nd birthday I had the privilege of spending the day with my Tante Elly and my sister Roelien. We shared many wonderful memories and I just want to share a few. The first question I had for Tante Elly was...."how did you meet mom?"

Tante Elly and her family moved to Transcona from Holland in January 1955. It was cold! They moved in right down the street from mom and dad on Melrose. There was a stove in their house but it did not work. Tante Elly said to her husband...I saw blonde kids playing outside a little way down the street. So he went over and found out their neighbours were a 'dutch' family. Can you imagine how exciting that must have been?! Dad came over with fuses in his pocket, because he had already figured that might be the problem. That evening Tante Elly and family were already visiting for coffee. And so began an extremely special friendship. Tante Elly shared many stories of how they helped each other through many difficult times. Tante Elly was sick through all her pregnancies and had a nervous breakdown after Bruce was born. Mom always watched her children. And Tante Elly watch our family when mom went to her many church activities.

Then she shared this story:
A few years later...not to sure how many...Tante Elly got a gift of 6 liquer glasses from her husband. This was the first gift she had recieved from him in Canada, because there was just no money. (she spoke often of how both families had no money). Any way...mom was having company and asked if she could borrow the 6 liquer glasses and Tante Elly of course lent them.
But , one of them broke. Mom was hearbroken when she told Tante Elly. (when Tante Elly was telling us what mom said, I could almost see mom). There was course nothing to be done as there was no money to replace it. But mom felt she had to repay Tante Elly and so gave her a silver spoon holder that she had received from one of her sisters.

At the end of our beautiful visit with Tante Elly we had gifts to exchange with one another.
Roelien got a gift bag and so did I.

In Roelien's gift bag....5 liquer glasses...
In my bag...a silver spoon holder....

There are no words to describe that moment.

Hugs
Yolanda

Great is Thy faithfulness...O God my Father.

Praising the Lord!

As many of you know we are having some fun with our addition.
The floor is rotten.
So I have had to venture into unknown territory to see if insurance would pay for it.
We were very fortunate that nephew Brent's boss was in the neighbourhood and came down to check out the situation once Brent discovered it. He pointed us in the direction of Title Insurance.
So I took a deep breath and faxed off all my information to Title Insurance (after a short phone call in which they were NO help) I had also e-mailed them earlier.
I gave myself a weeks deadline to call again if I I didn't get a reply. Well, I chickened out the first day. The next day, I said that I would call if I received nothing. I prayed as I opened the mailbox, AND THERE WAS THE INFORMATION I WANTED.
So the next step was getting in touch with the city. So I e-mailed them June 28th and have been waiting patiently. Yesterday I resent them an e-mail but it 'seemed' to bounce back. So today I was planning to phone and send a registered letter if necessary.
And yes you guessed right. Today I got an e-mail from them!!!!!
Now we aren't really a whole lot further along yet with the repairs..but communication is a very important first step!

Hugs
Yolanda

I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is to try to please everyone.

A sense of accomplishment

I bought the paper to scrapbook these pictures soon after I started scrapbooking. And over the last couple of days I've got them done! It's a great feeling.
These pictures where taking when I went to Gimli for Kirsten's wedding! Let's see...that was Christmas Eve...1990...I think...I started scrapbooking in 2002...

Hugs
Yo

Enjoy the little things in life; for someday you may look back and realize they were the big things!

counting down the days..

See you soon.
hugs
Yo

Tears and Blessings

This is attempt # 3 at blogging in this last month.
Maybe I have too much going on in my head and I am feeling a little less comfortable about sharing it.
So we'll see where this blog takes me.

I cut rhubarb down on the weekend and have already made Rhubarb Crisp and Rhubarb muffins. Dare I say this is the first time I have ever accomplished actually making something with the rhubarb. Well, I am thankful that I did now! And watch out for the fall! I plan to make some mean 'pear' dishes.

I have been reading the Yarn Harlot books....I love this woman. Her chapter in Free-Range Knitter called Knitting Self-Esteem is awesome. (I have tried to summarize it here, but it's not working). Also the chapter called Rachel. How Rachel knit herself out of depression by tackling a huge boring afghan. "She was lost and forgot that if you get up in the morning and take care of your kid and are kind to yourself and your fellow humans, it's not possible to be a failure. I think her standards were too high for herself, and I think she lost track of what it felt to move forward, to accomplish things , to be competent, and I think knitting two full and undeniable miles of garter stitch gave it back to her. That's what I think."

I have lost track of what it feels like to move forward. But by God's grace I am taking baby steps. And sometimes I take a step and fall back two...but at least I took the step.

And today I cried when I heard that someone at work suggested that a friend of mine should call me because she was in a pinch and needed a sitter for a few hours. My self esteem has been so low, I didn't think any one at work would have thought me worthwhile for anything. Sounds pretty heavy, but it is the truth of what I have been dealing with.

And today I felt blessed by Tami....I love you Tami...and thank you.

Hugs
Yo

Reality is the leading cause of stress for those in touch with it.

I keep checking....

...but I still haven't written anything.

A few drafts on the go.


Hugs
Yo

Quote:Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.

I couldn't remember what she looked like...

...but when I saw her picture I remembered her perfectly.

I'm having a blast! A second phone call from Tante Elly and a second letter.
This one with pictures!
For those interested...
Bill (55) Bruce (45) Hubert (56) Mary (50) Cobie (51)

I sent her a picture too.

hugs
Yo

Some people walk in the rain..others just get wet.

I never saw that before....

In John 4, Jesus is talking to the Samaritan woman at the well. The disciples have gone up to Sychar looking for food. They return and the woman heads to town to tell the people about Jesus.
In v30 we read.."They came out of the town, and made their way toward Him."
Just a few verses further in v35 Jesus says...
"I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest."
Maybe Jesus was pointing to all the Samaritans that he saw coming down from Sychar to see Him.

I thought that was pretty cool....

Hugs
Yo

Jesus IS the Living Water

It's not just about pickles and blue jays...

...but I'll share those with you first.
Had a great week in Michigan with my sister and her family.
I showed off my pictures...of course...
When Samuel saw my BEAUTIFUL picture of a blue jay he said (in true American style), " My dad says I can shot those because they are a nuisance. When I shot them, do you want me to send them to you so you can take pictures?"

Another Samuel moment...we were playing Phase 10 and someone was being a handful...Samuel says..."It must be our upbringing".

And here is a great new pickle quote:
PICKLES ARE CUCUMBERS SOAKED IN EVIL!

As always Donnie and I completely enjoyed ourselves as we spent a week with this family that we love so dearly.
A bonus was that school was out for summer...well not everyone was completely finished...but close!

Samuel continues to be OBSESSED with fishing! Not really a bad way to spend your childhood! He is always so helpful. Loves to jump up and get you anything you want.
He had one little problem though....he was getting tired of hearing the name `Rowan'. And so he decided for every time he heard the word Rowan, I would have to take him fishing. Well...if that were to happen, I would be spending the rest of my life at the fishing hole! Samuel wants to move into the woods alone when he grows up...but he is an incredible people person and I don't think he would last a day.


Aaron has an amazing love for the outdoors and learning and sharing all he can about Edible Outdoor plants. He also loves his dog Shadow and is a good master.
He continues to impress me with his sensitivity. Last visit he had located a book from the shelf that he knew would be of interest to his Uncle Donnie, and this visit promptly pulled it down again.


Matthew is growing and maturing and continues to be a thoughtful and caring guy....I don't want to say 'boy' but not ready to say 'man'. He is not 'quite' ready to spread his wings, but yet I do see a shift in who he is that shows me he is definitely heading in that direction.
He still loves his 'explosives' and has quite a reputation!

Jessica continues to be near and dear to my heart. She still has a 'quietness' about her exterior , but her heart is full of laughter, joy and friendship. And as she played the role of 'The Beast' in a talent night production...I saw a very confident & 'mean' side to her. But don't worry, the mean side was just acting!!


I love the time I can spend one on one with my little sister Carol. I am so proud of the woman she is and all that she is accomplishing. Now if she could just find that marriage certificate and get a passport!! I love laughing with Carol..we need to laugh more! I love you sis..you are God's gift to me.


Ken is keeping busy with work...thankfully...as the economy in Michigan has certainly been hit hard. He enjoys coming home and finds peace working in the garden.
He also has a soft spot for the Chocolate Malts served at the Drenthe Village Dipper. Although he assures us that he doesn't stop there often (on his way home from work) he did walk in once and the owner asked..."Will you have the usual?"
So as we drove up after a day in Holland and Ken noticed the owner outside..Carol yelled out the van window..."Ken will have his usual!! " Sure enough, once we parked and went in, she had it made and sitting on the counter for him!

Such a short drive...6 hours...(4 1/2 for Cliff) and our lives are blessed...with rest. Rest through God's amazing creation...both in the outdoors and the lives of family who are so dear.
And a special time to rest in Him our Saviour and Lord.

hugs
Yo

If the family were a fruit, it would be an orange, a circle of sections, held together but separable, - each segment distinct.

24 hours later...

#3,4,5,6,10 & 16 are done!!!

#20 isn't going to happen anytime soon.

#24 - put a paper towel under it for now...

I'm going to turn off this time waster for the day!!!!

CSAW

pronounced...SeeSaw...
This is an organization that I am hoping to become involved with.

Canadians in Support of Afghan Women

I don't profess to know or understand a lot about what is going on in so many places in this world, but I no longer want that to stop me from stepping in and doing my part.

I read a book by Sally Armstrong called Veiled Threat and it gave me some what of an understanding of what is going on over there.

This group that I have linked myself to has three projects on the go:

Nazaneen Jabar Khel Education and Health Centre Afghanistan
Library Fund
AWRC(Afghan Women's Resourse Centres) in Peshawar, Pakistan & Kabul, Afghanistan

This gives you just a hint of an idea what I am talking about if I mention CSAW.

Website: www.canadianssupportafghanwomen.ca

Hugs
Yo

Every road was made by people walking together.

24 Things I want to do this morning...

some of this I've done...the rest is still to happen!!
1) read my email
2) received an invite from from Liz, one of the girls that is from the CSAW (Canadian is Support of Afghan Women) to attend "Artist in the Country 2009". Her mom will have work in the show. I met Liz for the first time on Thursday. (More about CSAW in another blog.) When I looked at the list of Artists that will be there...I knew 3 of them!!!...all dutchies!
3)...so now I need to e-mail Jane and ask why her name isn't there...she often paints with some of the names on the list
4) ...which reminds me I want to tell Jane I'll miss the next meeting
5) and I want to write all the members about an incident at the last meeting...
6) I should see if Hendrea wants to attend the Artists in The Country with me...she is familiar with the work of one of the artists.
7) back to CSAW...I am getting so many e-mails from them, I need to set up a separate e-mail account!
8) I want to e-mail Benj about an opening act from the Michael W concert that I think he'd like...
9) Gotta reply to Jenny's e-mail about why I am planning to go to Stayner with her.
10) Gotta e-mail my Sisterchick to tell her to enjoy her reunion which is coming up real fast!!
11) Take a picture of my purple and yellow flowers along with the wooden wreath I painted and e-mail to Rosalie
12) I should take some pictures of my lilacs that I have in a vase in the kitchen
13) I think I'll try a picture of the Lilacs amidst the greenery in the bathroom.


14) Gotta write a check to the dentist (now that I found some cheques)
15) Gotta sort through all these pictures...
16) Need to make a card for Theresa so I can mail it tomorrow and it will arrive on Wednesday. Since I'll be missing our bi-weekly supper date, I want her to get the card in the ail that day.
17) I gotta put on my Michael W Smith music and remember the great concert last night
18) Gotta remember to pack my neck pillow for the drive to G.R. on Wednesday
19) Make sure to pack knitting books for Jessica
20) I should do a scrapbook page or two of pictures og me when I was young. I got the perfect paper for it! (Garage sale at the Memory Keeper yesterday)
21) Found the perfect picture to replace the one of Rowan I decided to take down...
22) I need to transplant this old cactus...some of it is definitely dieing.
23) Now that I have transplanted it and moved it to a different plant pot...I have room to put my 'Women of Faith' books where the plant was before and I can put Rowan's new picture where the books were.
24) I need to find a plate to put under the new planter...water is getting everywhere.

I PICKED 24 TOTALLY RANDOMLY....but it worked...kind of

At 10 o'clock I decided I had to stop!!!!!....refocus...and get ready for church.
So I decided to take a bath and relax for a few minutes. I wouldn't bother with my hair...I washed it yesterday....well next thing you know...I'm washing my hair...just automatic. Too bad, now I have to dry it!!

Here are the #'s of all the things I not only thought about doing, but already did...(by 10:00)
1,2,7,8,9,11,12,13,14,15,17,18,19

I'm tired.

Hugs
Yo

(God) said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Then (Moses) said to Him, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. Exodus 33:14-15

Special Blessings

from God through special people. I sometimes almost feel His touch when I connect with others. Like He is taking my hand and holding it out to their hand...and I clasp it.
And I walk a while with them.
This week I held hands with many people.
My siblings though the internet or on the phone.
My very special sister-in-law who is hanging on to me, always, no matter what.
Through a card
from an aunt,
from a niece,
from a co-worker,
from a special ministry in my life.
-through a phone call from an extremely special lady.
-having lunch and going for a beautiful walk with another special friend.

-My daughter, my son-in-law and my granddaughter...
-My special friend at the Memory Keeper...

And I spent a day with a group of incredible women who are working hard for the human rights of Afghan women and children...

Thank you God, for touching me in so many ways.

I choose not to travel the road most traveled, but the one of Your choosing.

Hugs
Yo

"He doesn't wait for you to have a need before He comes up with a plan to solve it.
His solution was made long before you discovered you had a need."

It's a NEW DAY...

and I continue to be so blessed. My mailbox overflowed this week and so did my phone. And a perfect week to be working in the yard. I made my photography excursions take second place this week.
Right now I am working on organizing (cleaning up) my computer room. This is extremely difficult for 2 reasons!
1) I get very interested in the stuff I'm organizing and start 'playing'.
2) I start playing on the computer.

OFFICIAL NAME CHANGE!!!

I am now going to call this my play room!!! (maybe I won't feel so guilty when I play)

But I do have a purpose for tidying this morning. I am going out for lunch with a good friend and she 'requested' I bring pictures of Rowan! I feel I must oblige. So now I am going to look under all my mounds and see what I got!

What playing looks like...Kirsten D talks about a certain summer in her life that she spent with Tami and I...I 'think' she called it the BEST summer of her life...but I think that raising 4 amazing kids, although exhausting, is truly the best season of her life!
Anyway...I decide to look up pictures of said summer...especially since we are trying to decide if we went camping that summer. I come across a few pictures that absolutely need to be scrapbooked and so I leave the whole pile out so I don't lose track of the idea. But I need one more pictures to complement this page. So I pull out a bunch of pictures called 'Schryers'. In this envelope I find a little envelope ALREADY marked...'to scrapbook'.

(just had to run...heard the mailbox...I can hear that thing anywhere in the house...)

So back to my good intentions. I have to leave all this stuff out as well...it is high time this page gets done! And as I will be visiting said in-laws very soon, that should be incentive enough.

I've also been working on scanning pictures and pages for a disk to send my family. So I pulled out my box of 'mom' stuff....ahhhh.....and my box of Holland stuff....ahhhhh

AHHHHHH...but in such a good way!

I have a quote for the day....God made rainy days so gardeners could get the housework done.
I think my version will be so that gardeners/photographers can get scrapbooking done!
Or attempt it any way.

I think what I've done here is what Kirsten calls rambling...I'm rambled out for now!

Hugs
Yo

I learned a lot today!

The tree in the front yard that hasn't grown much since we moved in is an Ornamental Pear Tree. It's not supposed to grow much! It was interesting to hear what it was, because I had just thought to myself the other day that the blossoms looked exactly the same as my pear tree in the back yard, but I knew it didn't produce pears. Thanks to my neighbour Alex for the info.
Also today was day #5 visiting the Trillium forest. It was a most excellent day because I went out with Tante Janny and she pointed out so many other interesting plants to me.
Wild geraniums (purple)...
Jack in the Pulpits (which Rosalie had seen on our previous visit, but I hadn't),
Trout Lily's...the leaves resemble the scaling on a trout...if I want to see them in bloom I have to head over mid-April next year!
Wild violets (purple)
May Apples - they look like little umbrellas.
I've taken pictures of them all and hope to continue to gather and absorb information about all these amazing plants...all part of God's creation.

I also learned that the white Trilliums turn pink when they are dieing.

Hugs
Yo

Wisdom has two parts: 1) Having a lot to say; 2) Not saying it.

don't buy me a present

I've never been big on presents...giving or receiving. I much prefer a gift from the heart. You know, where you see something and it tugs at your heart....you just KNOW someone who would love it..or it reminds you so much of them.
Not a present because it is an specific occasion, so you must buy it no matter what. It doesn't matter what you buy....just buy it!
Like today, we saw someone in the parking lot at Zellers. They had brought a gift bag ...took a gift out of the Zellers bag and threw into into the gift bag. O.K...all set, let's go to see mom/grandma.
Oh no, I just had a terrible thought. That is what Donnie did today too!!!! AAAHHH!!!!!!
I think I have passed on this way of thinking to Tami, so as you can imagine, I don't get a TON of gifts. That's o.k...I don't want her to buy something because she has to.
BUT...
Last Saturday at the Craft Sale, Cori was selling a beautiful trivet with one of her pictures that I have always admired.
So I handed it to Tami. "Here. buy this for me for Mother's Day."
Today I picked Tami up (to drive her to her car) and gave Rowan a 'gift from the heart' to give her mom.
When I dropped her off at her car I shouted as I was leaving..."remember...you have a present for me..."
...
blank stare...
"you know, from last weekend..."
blank stare...
"FROM CORI!!!!"
"Oh, yeah!!!!!!!!!"
When Rowan and Tami dropped by later...'did you bring me my present...'
"no...I forgot..."
She also forgot something else...so we had to go back to her house...
and I got my beautiful PRESENT.
Sometimes you can to be satisfied with a present.

Hugs
Yo

Thank you God for the GIFT of Your Son

Tomorrow, I'll see you next week!

If I were to begin to write about all the amazing people in my life there would be no end.
Isn't that wonderful?
Yes, Yolanda, it is wonderful!!
So what is your problem??
Why do you struggle so?


So yesterday...which was Saturday the 9th...Jessica says to Carol...

Tomorrow Uncle Donnie and Aunt Yolanda are coming next week!

We are going on the 20th!

I love those kids...

Hugs
Yolanda

A boy's definition of Fathers Day..."Father's Day is just like Mother's Day, only you don't spend as much on a present (or gift :).

Extreme Makeover

What a day we had yesterday. Tami decided a few weeks ago that James should have a nice model room. James LOVES his models. Vintage aircraft...anything from the wars...and he is happy.

So Tami visited Ikea...got some things....
(She needed to empty two rooms because she switching them! )
And enlisted lots of help!
Drew ran the cable into the room
Tammy helped move things
Donnie put up new curtain rods
Stephanie put together furniture and did anything she was asked to do.
Cliff and Alice watched Rowan.
Tami and I painted..Steph helped with the touch-ups
We put up all his pictures!!

Every once in a while we put things outside, just to get them out of the way. But every couple of hours we'd have to rush to get them back in due to MAJOR thunderstorms.
Unfortunately, one of those times we forgot to bring my vacuum cleaner back in...

So when James left for work in the morning the middle room was a hodge smodge of very old furniture, odds and ends and his models. When he got home the end room was his domain.

It really had the feelings of a makeover show. It was fun.
Way ta go Tami!!!!

Hugs
Yo

gotta run...no time for a quote!

I'm so thankful...

...for such a beautiful week. I have been feeling so much more like my old self these days. I am praying it will last. I promised myself (for the next little while anyway) one day out a week to enjoy and photograph nature. And this week I hit pay dirt. The weather has been perfect. The rains have been coming mostly at night so things continue to blossom.
The joys of nature include those in my own front yard. Since changing birdseed my bird feeder is now attracting golden finch. Hoping the cardinals will come back too.
And although my daffodils didn't make an appearance, I am happy to with a few tulips for the first time...I planted the bulbs in the fall.
On Monday I visited the Royal Botanical Gardens to take in the beautiful tulips.
And then I went over to Cherry Hills Gate and totally enjoyed the walk in solitude...only a few people out...but lots of birds. Woodpeckers, very noisy Canada Geese...I caught a glimpse of an Oriole, lots of red winged black birds, swans, morning doves, chickadees, cardinals and my beautiful blue jay.
Tuesday I took a bike ride to the Trillium forest close by and enjoyed the way they carpeted the ground...almost like snow!
But enough already....that is 2 days of pictures WITHOUT Rowan!
So Wednesday Rowan and I went out for a walk and she willingly posed for me in the Trilliums.
I am just loving my time outdoors. I love that I have time to work in the yard.
And I am learning to accept what the inside of the house is looking like. It's not a pretty sight. I gotta quit walking in with mud on my shoes.
I also stopped at Stephen-on-the -Mount Anglican church to listen to some Bible Reading. Each year in different places the Canadian Bible Society has two week readings of the entire Bible. They read from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday to Friday for 2 weeks.
It was really neat to sit and listen for a while. I heard readings from Jeremiah, John & 1st John.

So did you notice something? I gave myself a day for nature and this week have taken 3 days and part of a fourth. This is me. I just don't seem to know how to organize my life in a way that sees me accomplish a little bit of everything in any said week. Instead, when something is working, I just run with it. I'm going to accept it...but still keep on working towards a little more balance.

Hugs
Yo

Our greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

A friend I haven't met

Sometimes really cool people cross our paths, and although we may never really know them, we feel like we do.
I am reading a book called 99 Windows..the Reflections of a Reporter from Arabia to Africa and other Roads less traveled. The journalist is Thomas Froese. Many of these 99 Windows have appeared in the Hamilton Spectator and I always appreciated his writing and was always hoping he would put them together in a book.
And he did.
In the short pieces I've read so far (not all in order) I've learned that he has read A Walk Across America by Peter Jenkins.
His wife Jean Chamberlain organized a symposium at the Royal Botanical Gardens and Sally Armstrong...Author of Veiled Threat was one of the speakers.
Jean has written a book and launched a program called Save the Mothers .
He has read The Jesus I Never Knew )...
He has read The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel ...
He has read The Cross and the switchblade...
He has read Through Gates of Splendor...

The theme of all these books??....I have read them all too.
Thomas Froese speaks things that in some small way give voice to things I feel.
He writes in ways that shows he knows the heart of God.
He writes with depth, with passion, with humour.
He makes me think.
I respect what he writes...

Like this...
...but why is it so easy to get worked up over this type of thing...the removal of Christ from Christmas, and so hard to get angry over other liberal attitudes that creep from culture into everyday Christian living?
Like, say, the lax response to God's demand for justice for the world's poor and oppressed.
This Christmas (2006), at least half of Earth's 6.5 billion people will be malnourished. This low class lives on $3 a day or less. Many are in sub-Saharan Africa. No gifts for these kids. Just brain damage from a lack of protein.

Thomas and Jean who have 2 young children just recently adopted a 3 year old Ugandan girl...one of the 2.4 million Ugandan orphans. How do you pick one?

I am thankful for reminder of the many things I have had a passion for in my life. It's not to late to revisit them...

Hugs
Yo

Quote: "You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body. C.S.Lewis

National Scrapbook Weekend

Almost 4 years ago I celebrated my 48th birthday with three special ladies. We had SO much fun. This weekend I wanted to put together this amazing kit I picked up at Scrapfest. So I started browsing through my MANY pictures to find something suitable for the colours. I am SO pleased with the finished product. Hope you like it too, Kirsten...hope you had a great Scrapping weekend too. Looking forward to seeing some of your finished products. And don't worry...tomorrow is Monday, But you DON'T have to go to work!!!

Hugs
Yo

A picture is worth a thousand words, but a scrapbook page is worth a million memories!

Fighting for the back seat?

On Saturday, Tami, Rowan, Alice and I are planning to go to the Milton Farm Spring Craft Show. Why?
There is nothing like a SPRING craft show and Tami's sister-in-law Cori will be there selling her amazing work.
If you have never checked out her website, take a look.
www.marvindale.ca

Alice, you can seat with Rowan on the way there...hey...no fair!!! She'll be sleeping (hopefully) on the way back!

Looking forward to it!!!

Hugs
Yo

Quote: I'm not confused. I'm just well-mixed.

Being an Oma

Another sister has added this very special title to her name. For me it has been almost one and a half years. Being `Oma' was especially important to me, because it restored a chain in our family broken when Tami did not have the privilege of calling anyone Oma. (thankfully, she does have the best grandmother a girl could want!) Being an Oma reaches into the very core of my being. Like just about every single person I know, life didn't exactly turn out the way I imagined. But God has been faithful. It seems we are more aware of His faithfulness when life doesn't go as planned. So, at 22 years of age I became a single mother. 30 years ago (thankfully) this was still pretty uncommon. Because of this my daughter would grow up as an only child, not something I ever would have chosen for her. So often I felt like I was on the outside of 'normal' life looking in. It wasn't what I would have chosen but we had many good years together. And my daughter has become my hero. I don't know if this makes sense, but when Rowan was born, I felt like I stepped back inside the 'normal' box. I had joined the ranks of the natural flow of life. I am still often amazed that something so good happened to ME! I thank God over and over for the precious gift of Rowan in my life. I pray I will never, ever cease to be amazed at the wonder of being with her, loving her and having her love me. Thank you Jesus... and yes..thanks Tami & James!

Hugs
Yo

Quote: When a child is born, so is a grandmother.

Parent Lottery

I just read the book...The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. In chapter 4 he attributes being born with the winning ticket in the parent lottery as a major reason he was able to live out his childhood dreams. In the next chapter he talks about wanting to paint his room and getting his parents permission. This included a quadratic formula; a large silver elevator door; a rocket ship with fins...well you get the picture.
Well, what makes this interesting is that yesterday when I was 'again' extolling the virtues of Tami to my therapist, I said that her smarts came from her dad and her creativity from his mom. She asked me what parts I felt I had played in making Tami who she is today. I had to think about it and I did come up with a few things.
So when I go back, I'll have to be sure to add to the list...I let her paint her room.
Hmmm....wonder if she thinks she won the parent lottery?

Hugs
Yo

Quote: Just because people don't love you the way you want; doesn't mean they don't love you the best they can.

New scrapbook page!

Thanks for your ideas Kirsten! hope you like it!!

Hugs
Yo

It's a little like church

When I show up at WaterFit I have to find a spot to stand.

And the looks I get if I stand in someone elses' spot.

They've been attending for a very long time and they have earned the right to that spot.

Sound familiar?

Hugs
Yo

Quote: The easiest way to lose weight is to check it as airline baggage.

Sharing the Blessing...a letter from Tante Elly

Dear Yolanda & little girl of my dearest friend Roelie
Excuse my many spelling mistakes.
Hello Yolanda;
I could not make out from your return address who this letter could be from. When I opened it I could not believe it was a child from my friend Roelie. My heart skipped a beat as I read it. I am so pleased and happy and can't wait to meet you & hopefully my dear girl Roelien also. I remember the joy I felt when I met her at the funeral of Ada Bomhoff a few years ago. and yes, do call me Tante Elly, for my love for the girls and boy of my friend Roelie has never changed, and I also can understand that you long to have some questions answered...
...How is Jenny, Betty, Alice, Henriette, Roelien, Brent, Yolanda & Carol doing?...
...I also think over the many years of Roelie and her children. you must not hesitate to come and see me. I can't wait to greet you and who ever wants to visit & talk.
your mamma & I had many talks, and each of her children had a very special place in her heart. I remember I would tell her that she was such a good mother, patient and loving with her brood, but she always answered, Elly, you are better as a mother than I. So I take from that we were both good mothers, of course making mistakes along the way as we learned and grew....
...I so feel you miss your mamma. Dear girl Yolanda, come, feel free, my heart & door is open. I must see my Roelien also. I'll explain when you get here. (I think she means here how she longed to touch Roelien, as I explained in my previous post). My paper is full. Say HI to all. Please write me when you know your date of arrival & visit. Do not hesitate Yolanda. The biggest hug and kisses For Roelien and you and your siblings.
with much love & God's Blessings
in Jesus
my love
Tante Elly

My name is Jolanda

So..a few weeks ago Donnie and I were in Wild Birds Unlimited in Burlington. We made a purchase and the women was writing down my information.
Your name?

"Yolanda"

Is that with a Y or a J?

...

...

"Only a dutch person would ask me that." (she didn't LOOK dutch)

I am dutch she said with a smile...


Hugs
Yo

Quote: If at first you don't succeed, parachuting isn't for you!

Scrapfest!

So here is a wild story. Well, it's wild as far as wild stories go in my life! I went to Scrapfest in Kitchener yesterday. There was 44 scrapbook/stamping exhibitors there!
Say after me...`GEM'!
While in the lineup to buy a kit from my favourite lady Sheila (The Memory Keeper is just down the street from my house), I chatted with the girl in line behind me. Chatting with people in line-ups is my gift! (Tami hated that when she was young and had to hang around me).
Mostly we talked about Sheila and how her deals were the best!
Well, an hour or two later I run into the same lady among the 100's...and I mean 100's of ladies milling around.
And we chat again.
I asked her if she saw the really cool wooden sign by the cash register at one of the exhibits.
It said...
"Your husband called, he said to spend as much money as you want."
She says...
"I bought them that sign!"

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES!!!"

Well...my morning challenge is to complete a kit for Kirsten's weekend challenge...I'm really trying Kirsten!!!

Hugs
Yolanda

Quote: You cant turn back the clock, but you can wind it up again!

Dear mom;

You'll never believe who I was talking to on the phone today. Tante Elly. It was one of the highlights of my life, mom! It was incredible.
A while back I decided that I would like to see her when I go to Winnipeg this year for dad's 85th...yes...85th birthday! Can you believe he is that old? He is still very handsome and we all love him very much.
Anyway, Roelien and I were talking about it and I said I was going to write Tante Elly a letter. I had often wondered about your friendship...how you ended up friends, especially as she came from a Roman Catholic background. I always thought it was neat. One of the many things that was neat about you.
So, I sent her a letter and told her who I was and asked if Roelien & I could come visit this summer. I told her I wanted to hear her memories about you. Well, today, I came home from being out and checked my phone to see who had called. And there it was...E. Smedts..I just started to scream and jump up and down and scream some more. And then I called her back. She is amazing mom. She was just so happy, it was incredible. She is 77 and sounds very young and full of energy. She loves to go hiking. She has mailed me a letter which I haven't yet received. She said that in the letter she included one thing about you. And for the rest I will have to wait until I come to see her! She wonders who will have the hardest time waiting. Me or her. She right away told her daughter Coby (that's Coby in the picture) that there was writing between the lines of the letter I sent. I was reaching out to be close to you. She SO understood. She remembers seeing Roelien at Ada's funeral and how she told Coby there..."I just have to touch Roelien. I just have to touch the child of my friend. I want to connect."
And then she shared something special about herself. She had a baby that died. (I'm sure you know that). His name was Hank. They had done an autopsy on the baby but she had never learned the results. So just 7 or 8 years ago she went to where they kept the records to find out. The lady there wanted to know who she was. "I am the mother". She said that lady and the piece of paper became her very real lifeline to her baby. It made him real again.

Just hearing her say your name over and over. It was magic. She has started a list of things she wants to tell us. She says she has about 25 things already and will keep on adding.

She also commented on the picture of me and Coby. She thinks you must have made the blanket we were sitting on, as you always did a much better job then her at making things!

And here is something else amazing. She was Roman Catholic but as she says...became Christian. She remembers coming over and arriving a bit to early after lunch and watching as you had devotions with us kids around the table. You read the Bible and you prayed to God. This was not the way the Roman Catholic's did things. They prayed to Mary. She believes that was the beginning of God working in her life to find Him. She went to the Christian Reformed Church but now goes to Calvary Temple! I remember Calvary Temple and Pastor Barber. And how you went there after Gordie was adopted by a couple that went there. (I just looked on You Tube...don't even ask...and there was Pastor Barber preaching...looks the same!)

So mom...we are always remembering you...and today we were rejoicing in you!
I love you and miss you always. (I'll tell you how the meeting goes!)
Your daughter
Yolanda

Quote: A mother holds her children's hands for a while...their heart forever!

Life IS good

I love the sunshine in spring time. Yesterday I spent most of the day outdoors with Rowan! Her hat is actually Tami's scarf for holding her hair back, but I needed to cover Rowan's head with something! In this picture she is showing me the 'BIG rock'.
Thought - I think I am going to invent a 'beeper' for my slippers. Then I can just push a button when I am looking for them....if I can find the button.

Well it is now the next day. I had actually finished this blog and posted it, but for some reason most of it was missing. Always frustrating, because it is impossible to remember, let along capture the essence of what I've written.

A lot had to do with the amazing healing powers of a beautiful spring day, or two, or three.

Here are a few Spring Quotes:

-April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks Go.

-It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!

-Science has never drummed up quite as effective a tranquilizing agent as a sunny spring day.

-the sun was warm but the wind was chill. You know how it is with an April day.

-The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.

Hugs
Yo

so I'm torn..do I still need to end with a quote?

...A well-informed person...is somebody who has the same opinions and views as yours.

My gem for the day

Well, I actually bought a couple packs of seeds...marigold and 'fleabane (?) daisy. And I sowed them in little plant pots. Now maybe I'm taking my life in to my hands by sharing this on the world wide web. Maybe none of them will sprout. But I did it!!!! And I'm happy!
One thing at a time. I'm DOING one thing at a time. Not just wishing but doing. These are my gems. I hope to share more of them with you.
It was a little cool but a GREAT day for a little bit of yardwork.

Hugs
Yo

Quote:Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

Homemade Bread and Mocha Cake for breakfast

Into a day of loneliness and sadness yesterday, Jesus brought me friendship, family and food.
And I did pretty good with puffy eyes and about 4 hours of sleep!!!
We met up with family for a fun hike and awesome bird watching. Brent & Jenny; Benjamin & Christopher came down from Richman's Hill. Alice and Cliff joined us. And Donnie and I picked up Tami and Rowan. As usual, James was busy saving lives!
Check out Facebook for more pictures!
Alice and Cliff headed home after the hike and the rest came over for relaxing and Rowan watching. And then we ate great food. I think my Tami might just be rivaling Jenny in the amazing cook department! I have NO problem with 2 great cooks feeding me. Tami made Red pepper soup, and amazing carrot dish, and an asparagus salad....filled with peas, pine nuts and other yummy healthy stuff. Jenny provided the Homemade bread and Mocha cake for dessert. My Ham & Potato Scallop was a hit. Leftovers of it went home to feed James after another long day of work. Tami works hard at providing healthy food for her family but as you can see Rowan was happy to have something sweet for a change.

The sun is shining in the front windows. So fitting as we remember the Glory of Our Risen Lord.

Hugs
Yo

Quote: One of the greatest labour-saving inventions of today is tomorrow.
(I like this one...it helped me go to bed REAL early with lots of cleaning up yet to be done. Thanks to Donnie who ran the first dishwasher load!)

Friday is past; SUNDAY IS HERE!!

Now it's Sunday. And just about dawn on that first day of the week, there was a great earthquake. But that wasn't the only thing that was shaking because now it's Sunday. And the angel of the Lord is coming down out of heaven and rolling the stone away from the door of the tomb. Yes, it's Sunday, and the angel of the Lord is sitting on that stone and the guards posted at the tomb to keep the body from disappearing were shaking in their boots because it's Sunday, and the lamb that was silent before the slaughter is now the resurrected lion from the tribe of Judah, for He is not here, the angel says. He is risen indeed.

It's Sunday, and the crucified/resurrected Christ has defeated death, hell, sin and the grave. It's Sunday. And now everything has changed. It's the age of grace, God's grace poured out on all who would look to that crucified lamb of Calvary. Grace freely given to all who would believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary was buried and rose again. All because it's Sunday.

Thank you Jesus

What You have done is beyond my grasp...but thank you

Yolanda

A glimpse of hope

So, I decided to walk and talk to Jesus. Jesus spent most of His ministry outdoors. As I was leaving, I stopped to pick up my camera. I know I'm still o.k. if I remember I might need my camera.
I really love the birds. Gotta get busy and try to get our new bird pole up so I can hang bird feeders!!
Jesus let me know we are on the same side.
Thank you Jesus.

Hugs
Yo

Let's see if this works...

I started this blog to help myself get back on track. I find that when I write I tend to be more positive, then when I speak. But will that work on the days that I am just really sad and can hardly see the screen through the blur of my tears? Do I hide this part and just come back when all is rosy? I can read til the cows come home about how to deal with everything, but on days like today it just doesn't work. I am so sad. I am so lonely.

Cry out to Jesus: Third Day

To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
Who can make it right

Chorus:
There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
And love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They've lost all of their faith in love
And they've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering

When your lonely
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, you just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus

To the widow who suffers with being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight

I think I'll go and try to spend some time with Jesus.

Hugs
Yo

Into your hands I commit my spirit.

I just learned this in church this morning...I've never heard it before.

So Jesus cried out with a loud voice--(not a whisper or a whimper) for all to hear his declaration, "Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit!"

Dr. William Barclay writes, "Jesus died with a prayer on his lips. `Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' That is Psalm 31:5 with one word added-- Father. That verse was the prayer every Jewish mother taught her child to say last thing at night. Just as we were taught, maybe, to say, `Now I lay me down to sleep,' so the Jewish mother taught her child to say, before the threatening dark came down, `Into your hands I commit my spirit.' Jesus made it even more intimate, for he began it with the word Father. Even on the cross Jesus died like a child falling asleep in his father's arms."
Thank you Jesus.

Hugs
Yo

It's Friday, but Sunday's Coming

Dr. Tony Campolo tells the story of a little preaching competition that he had with his pastor during services at the church where he attends. Dr. Campolo tells how he preached the perfect sermon, perfect in every way. He had taken the congregation to the heights of glory. And as he sat down beside his pastor, Dr. Campolo patted him on the knee and simply said, "Top that." The older black pastor looked at him and said, "Boy, watch the master."

It was a simple sermon, starting softly, building in volume and intensity until the entire congregation was completely involved, repeating the phrases in unison. The sermon went something like this.

It's Friday. Jesus is arrested in the garden where He was praying. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. The disciples are hiding and Peter's denying that he knows the Lord. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. Jesus is standing before the high priest of Israel, silent as a lamb before the slaughter. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. Jesus is beaten, mocked, and spit upon. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. Those Roman soldiers are flogging our Lord with a leather scourge that has bits of bones and glass and metal, tearing at his flesh. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. The Son of man stands firm as they press the crown of thorns down into his brow. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. See Him walking to Calvary, the blood dripping from His body. See the cross crashing down on His back as He stumbles beneath the load. It's Friday; but Sunday's a coming.

It's Friday. See those Roman soldiers driving the nails into the feet and hands of my Lord. Hear my Jesus cry, "Father, forgive them." It's Friday; but Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, bloody and dying. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. The sky grows dark, the earth begins to tremble, and He who knew no sin became sin for us. Holy God who will not abide with sin pours out His wrath on that perfect sacrificial lamb who cries out, "My God, My God. Why hast thou forsaken me?" What a horrible cry. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. And at the moment of Jesus' death, the veil of the Temple that separates sinful man from Holy God was torn from the top to the bottom because Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, heaven is weeping and hell is partying. But that's because it's Friday, and they don't know it, but Sunday's a coming.

And on that horrible day 2000 years ago, Jesus the Christ, the Lord of glory, the only begotten Son of God, the only perfect man died on the cross of Calvary. Satan thought that he had won the victory. Surely he had destroyed the Son of God. Finally he had disproved the prophecy God had uttered in the Garden and the one who was to crush his head had been destroyed. But that was Friday....

stay tuned!!!!

Hugs
Yo

I love books

I love books. That is no secret. There is nothing like a book to transport you, to teach you, to make you laugh, to make you cry. I was always drawn to homes on T.V. that had books piled up everywhere. (maybe I should have mentioned that to Donnie before we married! :) ) Philip Yancey...The Jesus I Never Knew and all his other books are great. Barbara Kingsolver...A Prodigal Summer, Bean Tree, Pigs in Heaven & Animal Dreams. Wow, I love them all. Poisonwood Bible...her most popular, was my least favourite. Then came the year I read The Forest Lover by Susan Vreeland. "It's good literature", Jenny W says. The first pages were like wow...there is a lot being said in each sentence. I really have to 'read'. But she was right...it remains a favourite. And I 'quite often' will read what Jenny recommends as 'good literature'. I loved The Secret Life of Bees and Crow Lake. Just recently I read The Yada Yada Prayer Group series. Easy reading, but keeping me focused on praise and prayer. Good timing for those. My weakness (well, one of them) is wanting to buy the books I really like. Yes, so I can read them again and I do but for another reason too. I want my books to be able to tell someone, when they glance at them, a little bit of who I am. To look and be intrigued at what my character might be by what I read. Books that I have read recently that have impacted me are 2 books by Canadian Journalist Sally Armstrong. Veiled Threat & Bitter Roots, Tender Shoots. These books are about the lives of women in Afghanistan. Also a book Tami recommended...28 stories of AIDS in Africa. And one more that I loved...Land of A Thousand Hills:My life in Rwanda by Rosamund Carr.
Sometimes I am sad because I think back on things I have read in books and have NO idea what book these things were a part of. But that's O.K.

You'll notice from the picture that I now share my book space with Rowan's toys & BOOKS!! What a privilege!

Hugs
Yo

Quote: When I get a little money, I buy books; and if any is left, I buy food and clothes.

The grass is only greener if you look where it is greener

So it's been six months now that I've been off work on stress leave and trying to 'find' myself. And yes, I'm finally admitting that not passing probation on a level one job, especially when I've held positions in the company as far up as Assistant Branch Manager is crushing on the confidence. I know that there was politics involved, that my boss was a jerk, that everyone there is crazy...BUT...the fact is, it still sucks big time. What I am trying to do these days is taking ownership of my life. Especially now that I don't think medications are in control of my brain any longer. So what does ownership look like. Well, one thing I have realized is it is not trying to be someone I'm not. Why do we always look at the lives of those we 'think' we want to emulate. For me, that is the organized person, house always tidy and running smoothly. Three healthy meals a day...(give me one, and I'll be jumping for joy!) There is certainly benefits to all of these and I will never totally give up on working in that direction...but I have been fighting these things FOREVER!
So now I want to start keeping company with people who I can identify with...like Kirsten D. and the Yarn Harlot. When I start scrapbooking and the mess just grows. That's because my creative juices are flowing! And guess what folks. I HAVE FINALLY TAKEN OWNERSHIP OF THAT FACT THAT I AM CREATIVE. I'm going to stop looking at the people that I'm not as creative as...and just enjoy being ME!
So, Jenny....when you come on Saturday the house might just be upside down and you might get a Little Caesar's pizza, but it will be served by a happy person! Hugs
Yo

Quote: Being Organized interferes with my creativity

A picture is worth a thousand words

Hugs
Yo

Quote: Did you ever stop to think...and forget to start up again?