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.