Visitor Month

 So far, we have had a fairly wet, chilly spring. June brought with it, some warmer days and also visitors! Trevor Mayor from England, (Sherri Lafleur's cousin) arrived on June 7th and left today, June 10th. We had a great visit, lots of laughs and stories. A trip to St Andrews by the Sea and supper at Clam Diggers one day and a drive to Costco in St John another were the only excursions so Trevor had lots of time to chill and enjoy his vacation. 

Trevor in St Andrew's 

Eric Young ❤️ 

Soon my friend Debra Vincze and her grandson will be here as well as another great friend,  Christi Patterson has plans to visit.

Eric arrived June 1st and as usual got right to work on all the jobs he wants to do this summer. He built a frame for my old kitchen sink and made a water feature for my side yard. It's almost finished and is a beautiful addition to the property.

His next project is a gazebo to put together on the back deck for our outdoor kitchen. My neighbor, Chuck, was over this morning to offer his assistance which is awesome! Today's a rainy day, so I'm sure the first sign of sunshine and the work will begin. 

I got Eric his 10 lbs of lobster, $8.50 lb, not a bad price. I will get some more when Debra arrives so I think Eric will have his fill for this trip.

Billy has been busy working and is looking forward to camp at the end of the month.

Brit is still enjoying swimming on Tuesday nights and spending time at Kristie's.  Soon Kristie will be getting her baby chick's and turkeys which are always entertaining.  Lots of meat for the winter freezer.

Both Edie and Deacon from next door have been having fun painting in the shed with me. Nice to see Deacon taking an interest and realizing his talent.

Edie also likes to come over to bake, she's a good little helper!

Here we are making pie dough for Eric's banana cream pie, Mmmmm!

That's all the news for now, more to come this summer!

Spring Has Sprung!

 Well, we got through Christmas and the New Year. Eric was down around the first of October and was here for my birthday. He flew home on November 11th, the same day his brother Stevie passed away. He came back December 29th until the 18th of February when we drove back to his place together. 

I was at his house for a couple weeks and then drove back home with Brooke coming along for a March Break vacation.  It was a pretty relaxing week, but so nice to spend time with her again.  She is expecting a baby in August so I'm not sure she will be back before that happens.

Eric came back down April 7th and has been busy making head space on my new basement stairs that Tim Cooke put in for me.  A hole was cut in my dining room floor and then Eric built a beautiful bookshelf over top of it. He isn't just another pretty face, he's so handy and always likes to be busy.

Kristie and I were busy today, Easter Sunday, preparing food for tomorrows Easter dinner. Marie from next door, along with Deacon, Edie and her mother Denise are going to be our guests. I picked up some stuffed eggs for the kids that Brit wants to hide for them to have an egg hunt. They have been in Ontario for a week, Frankie and I have been missing the time we spend with Edie.

I have been booked for another colonoscopy at the end of April, a good Spring cleaning hahaha.

I took Dawn and Eric for a roadtrio to Hanson Art Gallery up by Geary. We had a great day and stopped for lunch at Griffins Pub for fish and chips at the Gagetown Canex millitary base.

That's life in a nutshell for now. Happy Easter!

Fall of 2024

 

Now that summer has passed and October is almost over, it's time to unwind for a bit before the rush of Christmas. 

Eric and I drove back to Ontario for a few weeks in October.  I had a great birthday there, Thanksgiving dinner at Eric's brother and sister in laws house as well as a Thanksgiving dinner at Eric's house for my grandkids and Brooke! Jaxx and Scarlett s mom, Brittany, arranged an afternoon of horseback riding for us and we all had a great time!

I spent a little time painting,  a portrait of Frankie, which I left at Eric's so he wouldn't miss Frankie too much.

When we returned home, Eric layed the new floor in the shed and then the next day came down with Covid.  He was in bed for a whole week, it really kicked his butt. He's on the mend now and back to puttering around the property. 

Yesterday he ran lights all around the outside of the shed for the trick or treaters. The weather is calling for above average temps so it will be a nice night to sit out and hand out candy.

Eric will be returning home on November 11th out of Fredericton. I wonder how long before he's back again.

Time is Flying

 Here we are over a week into August already. We are currently in Tillsonburg,  Ontario at Erics for 10 days. We arrived on the 5th and are heading home on the 15th. I had a great day out with my three oldest grand kids. They are growing so fast! Kingston towers over all of us! The kids had a great day together at St Jacobs market and out for icecream with Kristie, Brooke and myself.

Tomorrow is a family barbeque at my sister, Pat's and celebrating Kristie's 40th birthday.

I heard tomatoes weren't going to be available until the end of next week but as luck would have it, they are ready early and I am able to bring my two bushels home as planned. They are only $30 a bushel (32 quarts) so we will be enjoying stewed tomatoes all winter! I should also have enough room for a 50lb bag of fresh sweet corn....woohoo!!!

Back at home, Chris Colbourne has been hard at work landscaping my back hill into two terraces with rock walls. I'm excited to get back home to see it! He does fantastic work!

The shed Eric built is almost complete, just the inside left which we will work on when we return home.

I have new neighbors that moved into Sandy and Lise's house. Chuck, Marie, Deacon and Edie Orser. A very nice young family so I have lucked out again! Deacon and Edie remind me so much of my grandbabies,  Jaxx and Scarlett! It's so cute when they peek around the hedges to see if Frankie and I are sitting on the porch and then they run up the hill to sit and visit. 

Today we are heading out for a cruise in the T Bird for a little adventure, just taking it easy and enjoying our vacation.

I'll be back with updates when we get home to New Brunswick. 😀❤️

Time Keeps on Ticking

Here we are, nearing thr end of February already. This has been a very mild winter with very little snow. Billy has only had to shovel twice all winter. He has been able to pick up hours at Canada Green as well as he went back to the town clean up job already!

Eric arrived the middle of January and went back home February 18th. I'm sure he will be back again before too long. We are both anxious to start work on my "She Shed".

I've kept busy with some painting,  sold my dandelion fairy painting to Bev Hartsell, a highland cow to Lynn Szymezko and another highland cow will be delivered to Dawn Misner in April. I'm hoping to open a little shop of sorts in the shed this summer. I've made some postcards from 6 of my paintings that I think people will like and picked up some old shutters to use for displaying paintings and other things I may decide to sell.

Brit is still enjoying swimming and spending time at Kristies. Brooke quit her daycare job in Scotland and starts her new job with the board of education next week as an education assistant. Brad made his first sale as a real-estate agent this month as well. Everybody is doing well and moving forward!

Now I'm looking forward to Eric's return in a few more weeks and then we will drive back to Ontario together. Thankful for my blessed life!

Tis the Season

It's been a long time since I posted and lots has been going on. Summer vacations to Ontario with Britni and Billy,  Dawn Mclaughlin and Cindy Comeau. Even one 3 week vacation to Eric's all by myself! Eric has been down here lots this year as well and as always, kept busy doing jobs around the house. How blessed am I to have a handsome AND handy man 😃😍! We took some trips to PEI and Nova Scotia as well as long drives down back roads for picnics.

Pat and Dave were in the area for their vacation again this year which is always great. 

Britni's dream goal came true the end of September.  She got to go to Montreal to see a live Montreal Canadians hockey game!! She was on top of the world and still talks about it.

Billy has been busy working for the town as usual and also picked up another job at Canada Green.

My friend Sherri Lafleur came for a visit this summer and brought her cousin,  Trevor Mayor, from England, with her. It was a great visit with lots of laughs and little adventures!

I've been busy this Christmas season with paintings and baking. Billy's favorite part of Christmas is delivering plates of treats around town which we did yesterday. 

Britni is enjoying Special Olympics swimming again this year.

Brooke moved back to Ontario in September.  Sad to see her go, but glad she is following her dreams.

Putting lights over the sink

Sherri Lafleur

Trevor Mayor

Picnic at the pines

Picnic with Dawn

Driving around Nova Scotia 

Handsome man in PEI ❤️

Eric's first time crossing the bridge to PEI

Frankie and Raven showing Pat some love lol

Brit's room getting a makeover

Amy LeBlanc and I painted the ding room and living room 

Made Eric some snowmen

Paintings for Jackie Young

Paintings for Susan Young 

Brits trip to see the Montreal Canadians!

Another Year in the Books

New Year's Eve, a good time to look back and reflect I suppose. What a year 2022 has turned out to be. 

My mom passed away in June, so mother's day was my last visit with her. The sadness that came with that door closing was eased by another door opening.  A chance meeting of someone very special on May 6th has turned out to be the biggest surprise of 2022 for me. Mom always told me someone would come along when I least expected it, and in true mother fashion, she was right.  Eric Young has brought a spark back to my life that I didn't even know I was missing.  Living 16 hours apart hasn't stopped the relationship from growing, perhaps it has even helped it along but I know I look forward to what 2023 brings our way.

I have enjoyed a full year of having both my daughters here and am so proud of all the progress they have made these past 365 days.

I turned 60 this year and was blessed to hear from so many of the great friends I have.

We had vacations and parties, had a new deck and fence built, paid off my mortgage and Pico found a new, loving home, I  got my new woodstove and enjoyed extra time with my sister, Pat. Eric visited in November and painted my bathroom, spoiled us with seafood chowder and his delicious fish and chips. He really is a gem ❤️ and I cant wait to see him in January!

It seems that since I turned 60, my health decided to take a turn. One thing after another has tried to set me back, but I have overcome them all and will be back to traveling again in January. 

Overall, 2022 has been good to me, my world is steady and my heart is full. 

Happy New Year everyone!

Never a Dull Moment

Another year is slipping by and so much has happened. 

I had my final visit with my mom on Mother's day,  she was in good spirits and happy. My friend Cindy Comeau traveled with me to Ontario for the week and mom commented how much she liked it that I brought my friends to see her too. She loves them all!! She had asked me to come visit while she was still well enough to enjoy it and that I shouldn't travel back for her funeral so that's what I did. She passed away on Saturday,  June 25th quietly with Pat and Terry by her side. I miss her every day, our many chats every week when we always found something to laugh about. I think in her honour my goal in life will just be to continue to find the humor in life and to have as much fun with the people I love as possible.

While I was in Ontario with Cindy in May,  she introduced me to a family acquaintance of hers, Eric Young. He took us out for supper at Yins in Waterford. I was really nervous about going with a virtual stranger but figured if Cindy knew him he must be on the up and up. We had a great time, lots of laughs and way too much food! Since that time he has been out here and I have been back to Ontario. I've enjoyed time hanging out with him driving around,  visiting and laughing.

Being in Ontario twice this summer also allowed me to see my grand babies. They are growing so fast and it was great to spend time with them as well as Brad and Sam. Visits with great friends, Christi Patterson and Chrysann Markgraf were also part of the fun. Billy had a great time in Ontario as well.

As always though, it's good to be home again and am now just waiting for the tomato crops to be ready and I will be busy canning again. Hopefully in the next couple weeks so I can have my work done before Pat, Dave and Eric return in September.

I have to say I live a very blessed life. My girls living so close, great friends and neighbours, and the chance every day I wake up for a new adventure to begin. ❤️

Where Did the Year Go?

 I see the last time I posted here was the end of January!  In the 13 years since I have been writing my blog I have never been so slack on updates. Better get back on track for next year.

I went over a year without painting  but finally managed to paint a few wood slices and a couple paintings just for fun.  It's been a long road back out of depression and anxiety but the last few months have been more back to normal. 

The best news of the year is that Kristie and Greg moved down here to their new home in Beaver Harbour!   Kristie has wanted to move down for quite awhile and I was so happy to see that dream come true for her (and me lol). October was a very busy but exciting time and now things have settled into place and life is great! 

We were able to enjoy a few days at the cottage in Windsor this summer and then Billy, Brit and I took off for a week in Ontario for Thanksgiving and my birthday. My friend Cindy came with us and we had a great time.   My new favorite place to stop is the Big Apple Factory just off the 401. Such delicious treats there!

Brit was able to come off one of her meds that was giving her hand tremors. She was doing so well, was happier, more alert and lost some weight. Then out of the blue the two clients that had been living with Brooke moved out within a week of each other. This devastated Britni and sent her into a tailspin. She had to go back on the medication to get herself back under control  and after a couple rough weeks at the beginning of the month she is now feeling better and is back to her writing.  When she was going through her rough time,  Kristie was here every day to support us which was a godsend. Kristie is now her full time support and respite worker and Brit loves it.

Billy is done work for the winter but keeps busy shoveling snow when we get it, and is enjoying the Roku in the living room. Maybe Santa will bring him one for his room...wink, wink!

Everything is almost ready for Christmas.  We are having brunch and gift opening at my house Christmas morning, then our Christmas dinner at Kristies on boxing day.  Brit and Billy are both hoping to spend some time with their families over the holidays which I'm sure will happen. I still have a bit of baking to do for the tins we like to hand out but other than that I'm ready. Since I started shopping and wrapping so early this year,  I'm excited for Christmas morning to see what I bought everyone, can't remember what's in half the packages...ha ha ha!

Guess that's it for tonight. Merry Christmas everyone! 

2021 A Rough Start

 Well 2020 is behind us but so far 2021 isn't looking much better.

Early in December I was diagnosed with C Diff and since then my health took a bit of a nose dive. Major panic attacks plagued me for weeks sending me to emergency more times than I care to count. Each time I was given nothing but more.meds to take, some which were so strong I slept for 24 hours and had to have friends come in to help out. I don't know what I would have done without Brooke and Joe being close by. Joe taking me to emergency and waiting for  8 hours in the van refusing to go home until he knew I was ok and not going to be admitted. Elsie coming to look after Billy and Brit while I stumbled around the house like a drunken sailor and Carrie supplying suppers two nights, as well as my neighbor Sandy taking me to Dr appointments because I couldn't drive. Some of that time I don't even remember and one thing this ordeal has proven is that I could never be a drug addict. It was terrifying not to be in control of my body and my thoughts. There has still been no reason given for the sudden onset of panic or anxiety attacks but the meds I finally got calmed them down thank goodness. 

I think the saddest part of this whole experience for me, was the day at emergency when the doctor said there is nothing we can do for you, you will just have to go home and learn to deal with the anxiety. I was devastated because there was no light at the end of the tunnel for me at that point and I realized this must be the reason so many people with mental health issues commit suicide.

I spoke with a lady from mental health a week later, once I was feeling better, and voiced my concern about how this Dr. sent me away feeling like that. She said the doctor should have had a mental health worker come in to see me before sending me home. It was scary being sent home with yet another prescription for meds that I had no idea how they would affect me. 

My neighbor suggested I call the pharmacy which I did. The pharmacist I spoke with was awesome. He was very compassionate and concerned for the state I was in. He made calls to diabetic specialists, colonoscopy specialist, mental health and before I knew it I had phone calls from all of them. He also told me some of the meds I had been given were too strong and to cut them in half. He was a real life saver in my opinion.

So, now that the worst seems to be behind me at this point I am finally starting to feel like my old self. 

Brit has started connecting with a pen pal from Cayuga, Ontario.  His name is Jesse and she looks forward to his letters. This month she helped make him a pillow to send him for Valentine's day. 

Billy was happy to wake up to a bit of snow this morning and spent most of the day out shoveling around town for people and businesses. 

Every other weekend we have someone take all four of our guys (Billy, Brit, Mel and Nicki) to Brooke's house for the weekend and then Brooke and Joe come hang out here with me. We had a great time even though I was still a bit under the weather, playing games, watching movies and playing video games. Can't wait to do it again next weekend!

As for Covid, our area has still been blessed with no cases that I know of. The cities such as Fredericton,  Saint John,  Moncton and Edmundston seem to be taking the brunt of it.  My life hasn't really changed due to Covid. We still get out for our drives and are not house bound, friends have still been able to visit 90% of the time and my job was not affected.  We have been very lucky compared to other parts of the country. 

Thats it for the update. Hopefully with the vaccines being distributed 2021 will be better by the summer. 

Covid Fall

 Summer is behind us and fall is holding on by a thread.  We have made it this far in the pandemic with no casualties to our family and friends which we are grateful for.

Tomatoes and apples have been put up for winter as well as some squash and turnip to be enjoyed at Christmas. 

The Christmas tree and decorations were put up the week before Rememberance Day this year which is unusual but fitting for the year we are in. 

My heat pump died in October and I am in line to have a new one installed on December 3rd. Rather than purchase a new one I have decided to rent one through St John Energy and not have to worry about the maintenance.  Its a pretty high end item to have to be replacing every seven years or so,  therefore I thought it more financially secure to rent like a hot water heater.

Brit had her 35th birthday supper at the Pub on Main as did Billy for his 60th. A few neighbours and close friends were able to attend and a good time was had by all.

My mom is doing well at Anson Place. They had a few bumps along the way with crappy, cold meals being served but a letter to the manager and a visit from public health seems to have straightened that out. Ontario struggles with increased cases of the virus putting them back into the orange stage at this time. While in the orange stage mom is not allowed to leave or have any visitors, except Pat who is considered her essential worker. Luckily Pat had mom up for supper Sunday night before the new restrictions were put in place.

Still no word on my side of beef. It was delayed due to butchers being busy, probably because of hunting season. The cow is now scheduled to be butchered November 25th, has to hang for two weeks then cut and packaged. So hopefully we will have our beef in the first few weeks of December.

Brad and Sam are still awaiting g the arrival of their new baby, just a few days past the due date at this point. Good things come to those who wait!

Kristie had talked about moving out here back in September.  We looked at a few houses for her but it is now up to her if and when she decides to move forward with that idea.

All of my Christmas shopping is done and with the exception of things that have not been delivered yet, everything is wrapped. If our area remains clear of Covid at Christmas,  Billy and Brit will spend some time with their families as usual. Since there is an outbreak in Calais this may change. If there are cases in St Stephen we will all make the best of it and enjoy Christmas together here at home. 

Unfortunately I have not been motivated to paint my wood slices yet. Not sure what it is going to take to be inspired but hopefully I can get at least a few done in the coming weeks. I think the underlying worry of Covid and all the disruption in the states has an impact on our mental state that we don't realize is affecting us. 

Maybe taking the time to update this blog is enough to help get me out of the rut and on with the things that need to be done.

Hoping everyone stays safe where they are and finds joy in the upcoming Christmas season. 

Summer of 2020 with Covid

 Well here we are, nearing the end of August. The summer of 2020 hasn't been that bad. Billy and Britni have been enjoying lots of time out and about  with their support workers. Brit has been going swimming at Lake Utopia with friends, and bowling in St John as well as day trips and activities with her friend BJ. Billy has been cutting lots of lawns with Joe which he loves, continues to do his town cleanup job, and when he's not busy has been enjoying bowling and bike riding. 

I have kept busy enough I guess, or as busy as I like to be LOL. I taught Joe how to make freezer jam and freezer pickles this year. I also found farmers in Sussex to provide us with homegrown meat and vegetables. I picked up 10 chickens for the freezer 3 weeks ago as well as cucumbers for making the pickles. Hopefully next week the Roma tomatoes will be ripe and we will begin canning our stewed tomatoes for the winter. Then in October I have a half a beef coming for the freezer so we should be well-stocked food-wise. 

I also had a bunch of trees that have been cut down last summer and put in my backyard cut, and split. It has now been put into the basement to burn this winter keeping us warm and toasty. 

Brooke had a new lady move into her house last week. Her name is Nicole and she fits in wonderfully with our family unit. 

I was able to get away for a week with my friend Dawn and her two sisters. We rented a cottage which was really renovated house, in chance Harbor New Brunswick. It was close to home which is where we wanted to be during the pandemic. Our area has been pretty much covid-19 free so we felt comfortable staying here rather than venturing into other zones or provinces. The borders to PEI and Nova Scotia have opened up for the Atlantic bubble. You still have to have some paperwork to prove where you are going and to say that you have not been travelling or  around anyone that has had covid-19. Rather than bother with the paperwork my thoughts are stay in New Brunswick this year and enjoy going to places we haven't ventured to yet. So far we have found Noah's Ark in Florenceville, the Bony Pony in Sussex, and a few Farm stands with fresh vegetables which I have been missing. So I guess that's it for the summer, I know it's not as exciting as our usual adventures but I am hopeful that next summer the pandemic will be well controlled and we will be able to travel back to Ontario for a good visit with family and friends. I know Billy and Brit are looking very forward to that!

Three Months In

Well here we are over three months into the covid-19 virus. Throughout these three months New Brunswick had fared fairly well with very few cases and no deaths. 

A few weeks ago a health worker crossed over into Quebec to pick up his daughter and came right back. He did not isolate for 14 days after he went into Quebec and went back to work unknowingly carrying the virus causing an outbreak. Unfortunately a nursing home became infected and two people there have now passed away. There are also about 20 other cases active now because of one person.

Borders to this province are all closed and have been since the beginning of the outbreak. You can leave the province but you have to isolate for 14 days when you return. I am sure it is the same rules in other provinces therefore I'm sure I won't be having any visitors from away this summer.

Even though the virus has affected many people and their daily lives, mine remains very much the same as normal. My work was not affected so I still receive my regular pay. The only real difference is that Billy and Britni are not going to the program as usual which turns out is a good thing. Without having to endure the stress and tension inside the building, Brit has had 0 behaviour issues in 3 months. She is happy and more social. When I have company over she comes down to visit for a few minutes and then says I will let you enjoy your visit with your friend Peggy, and then heads off to do her own thing upstairs. Billy got called back to work as usual and keeps himself busy cleaning up the town of St George as well as cutting grass as part of a business with Joe.

One thing I have been doing to try to help others during this time is sharing meals and baking. A few of my neighbours who are seniors enjoy the treats that Billy delivers, just as much as Billy enjoys delivering them. Here are just a few of the samples:

Now that the good weather is here I have been working on my front porch area. Last fall I had Derrick Wells come and put a fence around my porch giving the dogs a little yard area to run around in the grass. Now that this area is much more private I enjoy sitting out there. Before the fence went up it was like being on display for every car coming up the road!

As for Mom, she has fully recovered from having had the covid-19 virus. She was very sick for quite some time, over a month, but now that she has recovered she remembers nothing about being sick. I will take that as a blessing as she seems very happy now. It was difficult in the beginning for her being so sick and not being able to have a family member come in to see to her needs. She couldn't understand why someone wasn't taking her to the hospital when she was so sick. It was difficult from our perspective having to sit back and not be able to do a thing to help her and to rely on the staff at Anson Place to keep us informed on her condition. Just these past two week she has finally been able to get out of her room and take walks down the hallway with a PSW while wearing a gown, mask and gloves. With the nice weather she can also take walks outside the building and sit down to visit with some other residents while maintaining physical distancing.

 

Overall I would say our family has done okay during the time of crisis. Everyone has had a roof over their head and food to eat, internet and telephone to keep in touch with family and friends.  I have to say as a bonus, this time where everyone has had to stay home for so long seems to have brought people together from a distance. I feel blessed to have reconnected with extended family that I haven't been in touch with for years. It's been great to see that even after so much time it's easy to fall back into conversation and have some laughs together again.