Looking Back to the Future

Anyone following my blog knows what a rollercoaster my life has been over the past 4 years.  The biggest benefit of this writing experience for me is that I am able to look back over time and see how far I have come with some insight into the possibilities for my future.

As I head into the final month of the year I am going to enjoy this Christmas by just counting all my blessings.  Who needs expensive gifts when you feel content within your heart?   Afterall, it wasn't that long ago when I was the closest I have ever been to bankruptcy and unsure of how I was going to pay any of my bills.  As life would have it an opportunity presented itself that was not only good for me, it provided me the chance to improve the lives of others. 

So let me take a moment to actually look at some of the blessings this year has brought.

•  My house did not sell...a blessing in disguise
•  Income opportunity appeared
•  Enjoyed a week in Ontario
•  Got two awesome housemates!
•  Met my new grandson Jaxx...perfect
•  My health did not let me down when the going got tough
•  My kids are in happy relationships
•  The house is warm and cozy
•  Brooke moved back here and found full time work

To celebrate the Christmas season I have decorated a tree and the stairs...looking very warm and inviting with a nice fire going at night.  Of course no holiday season is complete without a bunch of yummy baking to give away to some of my closest friends.  Britni is looking forward to helping with this and I know Billy will love delivering the tasty packages as much as I do.

This is my build up to Christmas 2012...it's sure to be a great one!  As for looking to the future, I now have some definite goals to reach and look forward to.  A trip home with everyone as soon as the weather clears in the new year...hoping for April, some more home improvements and lots of happy days!  Simple and attainable...my kind of goals!  Merry Christmas!

Better Late than Never

What an exciting two months it has been.  October began with my daughter Brooke moving back down here with me and she brought along my son's girlfriend and my new baby grandson with her for a two week visit.  How absolutely amazing it is to be a part of my son's life again and to have the opportunity to get to know Brittany and Jaxx.  He is such an adorable little guy (I suppose every grandmother thinks that of their grandchildren).  It was also heartwarming to see that Brad has a terrific girl in his life now.  She is very grounded and sensible, a treat to visit with!!  Their two week visit flew by and in no time we were seeing them off at the airport with the hopes of getting together in the not too distant future.

Brooke found a full time job in Saint John working in the billing department for Bell Mobility.  It may not be a life long career but it is a good start to getting back on her feet financially and then hopefully school again next year.  It has been awesome having her back here and Britni is enjoying her company.  I am enjoying the extra help around the house but my favorite part is just having her here to spend time with.

November has also flown by with a week long visit from Brooke's friend Emmi. Of course there were lots of day trips to Saint John, Calais and all the scenic areas Charlotte County has to offer.  Just like Brittany, Emmi fell in love with New Brunswick and wishes to move here...time will tell I guess.

For the first time in 4 years I have a christmas tree up and am looking forward to a good old fashioned Christmas. The turkey is in the freezer and I have a good start on the Christmas shopping.  Our newest addition to the family, Charlie, especially likes the tree.  Charlie is a Bichon Frise/Malteese dog which is loved by the whole family.

Overall, I am really happy with the changes that have occured over the past year.  It seems hard to believe that at the same time last year I was hoping against hope that my house would sell and I would be able to move on alone and get back on my feet.  As fate and a lot of hard work would have it I managed to hang on and now life has done a complete turn around.  The people I have living with me enjoy being here and are reaching for their own goals with great success.  I have been able to retire from the work force and stay at home just taking care of my gang. 

Well, I guess that's my update for October and November..sorry for the delay.  My life feels full again as does my heart.  Life is good! 
 

A Very Special Reunion

As hard to believe as you may find this, I am posting twice in one month!!!  It's pouring rain outside and a perfect day for blogging.
I am settling in nicely to my three month leave of absence from work and enjoying the time I get to spend with my new roomies.  I wanted to  share this story with you because I think it is important for anyone who works, lives with or even just knows people that have developmental disabilities and want to make a difference in their lives. 

Jim's parents passed away and he was sent to another town to live with his sister and her husband.  While living there he was able to access a program that provided him with meaningful ways to spend his time doing things that he truly enjoyed.  Jim was, and remains to this day a very high energy man that likes to be busy.  He went swimming, snow shoeing and got together with friends through this program and really felt a part of something.
Eventually the family living arrangement broke down and this is where my concern begins.
Jim was picked up with no notice and placed in a special care home 2 hours away.  The program that he was attending was never notified, neither Jim nor his friends and program staff had a chance to say good bye.
Fast forward 10 years. 
Jim is still living in the special care home where he has become quite comfortable. He truly cares for the lady that runs the home but wishes the home wasn't so isolated.  He lives 30 minutes away from the nearest town and 40 minutes away from the day program he attends.  Jim has made lots of new friends at the new day program and has had a girlfriend for many years whom he only sees when at the program. 
I started working at the program last year and since my first day, Jim has repeatedly talked about the old program he used to attend and how he would like to visit.  I asked him why he hasn't visited and he said no one would take him as it's two hours away.  Jim can not read or write so it would be impossible for him to find the information to call his friends or to contact them through email or facebook by himself.
I found the Association online and sent of an email stating who I was and my relationship to the man that used to attend their program.  After 10 years I told Jim the same people are not likely to be working there but we would wait and see if we got a response.  The next morning there was an email waiting for me from the executive director and she was overjoyed to have finally heard from someone regarding Jim.  We set a date for a visit and she was going to make sure all the key people that Jim knew would be there.
I am happy to say that last weekend we made the beautiful, scenic 1 and 1/2 hour drive to reunite Jim with his friends.  There were tears and laughter but most of all a sense of peace for Jim afterwards.  There was also a sense of pride and belonging when he realized people truly had missed him and worried about him all this time with no idea where he had gone except they knew he had been placed in a special care home.  He is now connected with them all as they eagerly opened their facebook accounts and added him as a friend....thank God for Facebook!  Although Jim can't read he knows their profile pictures and gets help to read the messages.

So that is my story for September.  I learned a huge lesson from this experience.  As a person who works with and lives with people with some form of disability I can provide all the necessary day to day care for someone but it's the actual caring about someone that makes the real difference.  I have always found that people I support rarely ask for anything and they don't complain to people that provide them with care because they are afraid of what may happen to them.  I believe it is our duty to ask the important questions and make things happen.  I hope when this life is over I can be priveledged enough to know that I was the answer to someone's prayer.

Summer's End

September already?  What a beautiful summer we have had but the nip in the morning air tells me it's almost time to give up the sandles. 
As usual in my life there has been lots going on with a few changes thrown in to keep life interesting.  As you probably know, Britni moved in the end of March and we had a great summer filled with lots of fun activities and Brit made some new friends when my friends from Ontario came to visit.  I went back to Ontario for a visit in August to check up on my mom and dad and visit with my kids.  It was a great time, especially meeting Brad's girlfriend Brittany and their new baby Jaxx : )... but can't say that I miss that Ontario heat and humidity.
Once back here in St. George, Billy moved in.  I am now an Alternative Family Living Arrangement (AFLA) which is a program here in NB much like the Associate Family program in Ontario in which a person can open their home to assist people with disabilities.  I think this is such a great alternative to having people living in group homes whenever possible.  We are a happy little family of three enjoying life.
For the time being, I am on a leave of absence from the Community Living Center Program and am just staying home hanging out with Brit...Billy just had his gall bladder out yesterday but will be returning to the program next week.  I have some day trips and weekend excursions planned for us to explore this beautiful province which is what I have wanted to do since moving here.


Britni and I did get out whale watching this year when Debbie and Debra were here visiting from Ontario.  We saw lots of seals, a group of whales and many different types of atlantic birds.  We also took the ferries over to Campabello Island.






 

 

Billy and I took a drive with a couple friends in our new van down to Eastport, ME last weekend and discovered it was their Pirate Days festival.  What an array of colourful costumes and a conglomeration of scents and sounds to spark our senses on a beautiful day.  Hope you like the pictures.  More adventures on the way for fall...keep in touch!

From Charlotte County to Charlottetown and Beyond!

Relaxing at the beach, enjoying an evening ferry ride, long drives to nowhere in particular and just being happy spending time with good friends...that's what has been going on over the past few weeks.  We really couldn't have asked for a better summer, beautiful sunny days with a nice breeze and just the perfect amount of rain sprinkled in to keep everything emerald green.

I have a few bits of news to impart on you this month.  Britni has settled in nicely and we had a great time in PEI one weekend in July.  I'll post a couple pictures for you later.  We are expecting Bill to be moving in September 1st so more changes are on the way but I believe they will be positive ones.  I am still enjoying work at the Community Living Center.  We are currently studying Alice in Wonderland between trips to the beach and other activities that keep us out and about in Charlotte County.

I will be heading back to Ontario for a visit this month.  I was going to make the trip in October, however my dad is dealing with some health issues and I just don't feel right putting it off.  So I will be leaving on the 23rd and returning on the 30th.  My reservations at the Days Inn, Brantford have been made and the plane ticket purchased.  I look forward to seeing my grandsons and my kids and I am very excited to meet Brad's girlfriend Brittany and her son Brodie while I am there.   Since I will have internet access this trip it should be easier to make dinner arrangements during the week for a nice get together I hope.

So here are a few pictures from my summer of fun so far.  Enjoy xo

Britni (left) on the rollercoaster at Sandspit, PEI

Me and Brit joking around at Cow's Ice Cream Shop near Charlottetown, PEI.  We stayed at the Howard Johnson's just down the road. 

This was at Canoe Cove a short drive from our hotel.  I was disappointed that Cavendish beach was so expensive but the great people at Howard Johnson's told us about this beach where all the locals go and it was absolutely free. 

Coming home at sunset on the ferry from Deer Island Tuesday evening.

My new grandson Jaxx Kevin Earl born July 26th 2012, 7lbs. 5oz.

Been Awhile

Friday seemed to be a long time coming this week.  Probably due to it being a long weekend and the week consisted mostly of rain...however the weekend has shaped up to be absolutely beautiful.  Everything is eyepopping green from all the rain and the air smells sweet and fresh.  What a great way to start July! 

Life here is St. George continues to be peaceful and I finally feel able to breathe easy. I was hoping to get back to Ontario before now but we are still getting settled in with Brit here so it's best I wait until I know I can enjoy the time away without having to worry.

Work at the Community Living Center is still a blast...now with summer here we will be going on lots of day trips which everyone looks forward too.  I have a few dates booked to take some folks touring some castle and graveyard in St. John one day and another day going to Dooley's to play pool in St. Stephen with a few of the guys!  Other excursions planned at the center are picnic days at New River Beach, a trip on the ferry to Grand Manann  Island and a visit to the Aquarium in St. Andrew's.

Brit and I are taking a couple friends to PEI for a weekend of fun this month at Sandspot...Brit loves the rollercoasters so it should be quite entertaining.

I experienced my first 3D movie last week with Brit...Madagascar 3D!!  I have to admit I was like a little kid putting my hand up to touch things as they flew at my face...hahaha.  She is now working hard to save up money to go see Brave. 

Steve has taken up a new hobby...remote control trucks!  I have been trying to find an RC store or hobby store that sells RC's but am not having any luck.  I know there are better quality trucks out there than the ones at The Source or Future Shop...I mean actual racing remote control trucks.  If anybody reading this knows of one please let me know.

That's all for now...Happy Canada Day Weekend!!

More New Beginnings

I have been avoiding writing on here for fear of saying something that will be used against me in the future.  Isn't it a shame that there are people out there waiting for the opportunity to take advantage of anything positive that someone is trying to do to better their lives just because they have a need for negative drama in their lives.  I have been advised by a friend to start another blog but I have decided to throw caution to the wind and continue with this one.  I do love to write and keeping my friends and family up to date is important to me.

April has been a mixture of cold and warm weather and now that the month is drawing to an end we have been experiencing rain and some pretty high winds.  It looks like within a week I will have to get the grass mowed but isn't that a sure sign that spring has sprung?  I look forward to that first smell of cut grass! 

Spring is also a great time for new beginnings.  As I mentioned in March, Steve has moved in and we continue to work out the kinks of a new relationship.  Along with that new relationship we have taken in a young woman with some unique special needs.  We are trying our best to give her a life of dignity and respect and so far we are all enjoying the experience.  We are hoping soon to be adding another member to our family...a guy for Steve to spend time with! 

I am so happy that I have been able to take the house off the market as I have felt since the first time I walked through it that I was meant to be here.  Now I understand why and I feel that by giving of myself and my home to provide a full and meaningful life to someone else will also bring meaning and fullness to mine.

Steve and I both know that there will be many bumps and challenges along the way but we are willing to learn and try our best in what could be our biggest accomplishment.

Thanks to my daughter Kristie for all your encouragement and understanding. 

The Worm Has Turned

It will never work....that's what someone told me and more than likely what most people thought. I have been in a long distance relationship for over a year and a half with 2 1/2 hours, 300 km between us with no glimmer of hope that either of our circumstances were going to change in the forseeable future.  His career (which he despises) driving truck was in Moncton and a job I love is here in St. George...not many job opportunities here in Charlotte County in his line of work.  So we wait, sometimes patiently and other times not so patiently.
I have always believed that everything happens for a reason, good things come to those who wait and sometimes opportunity knocks but it's up to you to open the door and take a leap of faith.  Well knock, knock....who's there??  It's opportunity so come on in!!!!!  Steve has moved down and it is with faith that we believe everything is going to be fine, work finds you here in St. George if you are willing to put yourself out there.  He has managed to find work that suits him and gets him off the road, I still get to keep the job I enjoy and we get to spend time together.  Mission accomplished.  Nothing bad ever seems to come from positive thinking.  So when someone with a negative attitude tells you it will never work....just smile and  and keep movin!

Appreciation

I wonder how many people work for an employer that truly cares about their employees.  I know I do.  Yesterday I found myself in our usual morning staff meeting unable to raise my head without feeling like I was floating out of my body.  It was the same feeling I had last summer and dread filled me as I thought, here we go again!  With total understanding my boss offered me a ride home but I opted for a coworker to drive me in my car followed by another coworker to bring her back to work.  There has been a virus going around and I was hoping that wasn't what had me feeling nauseous.  Once home I realized I had not taken my medication since Sunday!  I am usually very concienscious about taking it for fear of having a set back and can't explain why for two days in a row I slipped in my routine.  I took my meds and laid down waiting for it to take effect.  About 3 hours later my boss called to check on me and was legitimately concerned about my well being.  I have worked in the past for some really great people but this was different.  She let me know that they were thinking of me and said if there was anything I needed just to call.
It took most of the day for the medication to really make a difference but it took only one phone call to make me feel better, comforted.
I am up and about feeling back to normal and looking forward to going to work.  I see on my facebook even one of the people I support sent me get well wishes.  Is it really any wonder I love my job?  I know it's not Thanksgiving but I think maybe today's class will be some creative writing on who and what we have in our lives that we take for granted and need to stop and appreciate. 
Happy Thursday my friends.

Sittin, Thinkin

It's 6:30 in the morning here and I am just sitting here enjoying the wonderful smell and taste of my first cup of coffee.  Hook seems to be full of energy this morning tearing around the room tossing whatever he can find to play with in the air and then bringing it to me for a treat.  The phone rang a minute ago leaving me to wonder who else is up this early, unfortunately my phone battery was dead so when I picked it up it disconnected.  They haven't called back so I'm thinking it was a wrong number.

Steve just sent a text to say good morning and that he is on his way to Fredericton...another long day for him.  I'm thankful for the weather this winter...snow and ice on the roads leads to worry when people have to drive for a living.

When I first woke this morning my first thought was how great it is to wake up feeling rested and ready to start the day.  So many days recently I have just wanted to stay curled up in the warm bed so this has lead me to think some more about what things make me feel really happy.  Here's a few things on my list and I hope you will stop and think about yours and send them to me : )

1. That first coffee in the morning
2. The aroma of soup simmering on the stove
3. Puppy kisses
4. A hot bath with a good book
5. Phone calls or visits from friends and family
6. The look and smell of my house after a good cleaning
7. Crawling into a bed with fresh sheets and pillow cases
8. The smell of fresh cut grass
9. Memories that make me laugh to myself
10. Having a job I love going to every day!

It can be easy to get caught up in things that are going wrong in our lives, always wishing for things to change for the better or thinking I'm going to do that when I have more money but really, there is something everyday that just makes getting out of bed worth it.  Glad I took the time this morning to sit and think about it, arent you?

Have a great day my friends!