Well, summer is almost over and it has been an interesting one. I worked quite a bit. 15 shifts in July and 11 in August (took a paid vacation and personal leave day as well - I feel as long as I am paid for at least 13 shifts a month we will be ok - if we are frugal). We all (well, Nathan didn't want to come even though we wanted him too) rented a couple of rustic cabins in Cypress Hills near Medicine Hat for a couple of nights on July 1 to 3rd. We went hiking on a trail to the lake and rented a kayak and paddle board for 2 days to use on the lake. We inflated our big island floaty to use as well. We had Korean BBQ for mom's birthday on July 1st as per tradition. And we had a great lightning show the evening of July 2nd which was like a natural fireworks show.
Swimming lessons were the second week in July and Camellia and I celebrated our birthday by going for pedicures. My second one in my life. We stayed overnight at the campground in champion, us in our tent and the Nelson in their tent trailer. Caeleb did not do swimming lessons in Champion this year but completed his bronze medallion, bronze cross and first aid. It took him 2 weeks as he failed his first attempt at bronze medallion in Claresholm but passed with flying colors the next week in Vulcan for all 3 classes. Go figure that one. He was sick of swimming after that but hopefully he can be a junior lifeguard next year. Elva did 2 swimming lessons this summer and is all done her levels. She would like to do her bronze medallion in the spring and Caeleb will do his National lifeguarding in February.
We had about 80 people from the Smith family out here at the farm in early July. It was marvelous to see Aunts and Uncles, cousins and their kids. Even great great grandkids of Grandma Smith. I hope everyone feels welcome to visit anytime. We visited Grandpa's memorial by Carmangay (where he died in 1951 by a tractor accident). Family is so important. Sometimes I feel guilty living on the Farm when perhaps other Smith's could afford it better or enjoy it just as much. But I always count my blessings to be here, to raise my kids where I was raised. I had the best childhood and I hope my kids do too.
Caeleb, Elva and Mary were able to go tubing out on Puzeys boat for a youth activity (they let Mary come along) which they all enjoyed alot. Meanwhile Selman and Lizzy learned to ride their bikes (Lizzy with training wheels) around Little Bow and they had so much fun. I would like to go camping there next year or somewhere like there. We also had a Ward potluck at Little Bow and I took the kids early to play at the beach.
All the kids except Elva went to the Vulcan pool this summer. Selman and I have been twice. It is a nice pool but I like my little Champion pool.
We rode the horses a few times. When my cousin and her family came, when our friends from Carmangay came. At about 22 and with melanoma, Eva still appears strong and beautiful and is fun to ride. We dont ride Fergie as she gets lame alot but we do still lead the kids around on Tim Bit who is stocky and close to the ground. I have been trying to balance how much pasture the horses get so they do not go lame and they have been doing pretty good. We did not get baby chickens this year (Camellia got some) but we do enjoy mom's chickens walking around the farm, joining the cats for breakfast and greeting us as we come out our door in the morning. Laddy loves to go for walks and we enjoy his enthusiasm as we try to walk with him frequently down the road. Mom and I did a garden together but she did most of the work, I just helped plant and weed a little. I slept on the trampoline once with the kids and it was fun. We stayed warm but got eaten alive by mosquitos. I love to do things with my kids. Life on the farm is good.
Dad almost died the beginning of August. We took him to Emerg 3 times with breathing issues and it wasn't until the 3rd time that they diagnosed him with a pulmonary embolism and rushed him to Calgary. Mom woke me up at 0300 in the morning of August 3rd as he was struggling to breath and we took him to vulcan and it was then he was rushed to the South Health Campus. I thought he was dying and was preparing myself and mom for same but he ended up being silly, smily, (confused as ever), but happy daddy, making those Calgary emerg nurses love him to bits. He was admitted for a week there and lost most of what little mobility he had left. We have found a sit to stand lift that does most of the work and that helps us alot. Now we are navigating some pressure sores. I hope I can be the nurse Dad needs. I hope I can be strong enough!
Because dad was so sick, I was not going to go on our planned Victoria trip this year to visit family and for Chris to do computer work for his parent's company. But mom insisted I do so, and Camellia came to help with dad and Nathan has been a help as well, so off we went leaving at 0620 on Wednesday August 13th. We had booked a reservation for the 8:00 pm ferry and went for supper at Montana's near the Ferry at 6:00 before then. But then the Ferry was delayed and we ended up getting on the 9:00 pm and it was a late night as we made it to the parents at close to 1100. It was beautiful to be out on the ferry deck in the cold and dark, smelling the ocean air. I sure do love those Ferry rides with the family. I have been so very blessed to have the kids and husband that I do.
We had a great time on the island. The only hiccup was that we were too loud at the parents house (the office for their propane business is there and the floorboards in the house are so thin and creaky) so I took the kids on daily adventures to beaches, parks and downtown Victoria. I tried my best to keep the kids out of the way of the office staff. My friend Lindsey came to visit from the Monday to the Thursday. It is nice the airport in only 15 minutes from the parents house. We went to China town, the miniature museum, the Inner Harbour, Beacon hill park, the breakwater, Fishermans warf, Mount Doug, Gyro park/beach, Elk lake (all the usual tourist places) and to top it off, the beautiful wittys lagoon beach where we saw a seal swimming near us while we waded out to the tiny islands of dry land as the tide came in covering those little islands. The ocean was so blue and it was simply beautiful. Victoria is a good place to visit for cheap and free things to do. Most of these things are free (like visiting beaches). We also went to Butchart gardens fireworks show (kind of expensive) on the Saturday evening at 9:15. There was a Beatles music concert before it and I had fun dancing. I even got Chris to dance once with me and Elva too. We picked lots of blackberries and brought 2 small ice cream buckets home to Alberta which made enough jam for 2 medium jars. I shared that with Camellia and mom. It was great to hang out with family, watch a Columbo episode with Gary, watch the movie Jaws with Caeleb, Kurt and Jared, go on a drive and have a great talk in LouAnns MR2 (I even drove it) with Jared, have some talks with Kurt. Kurt is planning to move to Germany this year to be with his girlfriend and I would love us (Chris and I) visit him in a few years for Chris' 50 birthday; you know, if we have the money. Kurt reminds me of Chris. I just love the Watters family so much. We took the 6:00 AM Ferry and started our journey back to home on Saturday August 23rd. It always seems like a longer drive back as we add an hour but we still go home by 1000 PM (even after stopping at the 50s Diner in Golden for supper - Chris and I went there on our honeymoon). Our air conditioning had broken in our van weeks ago and is too expensive to fix but we did ok in the heat. Rolling down the windows is not so bad. And you can smell the mountain and forrest air which was actually very refreshing.
Now we are back to the grind. I am working a 5 day stretch at the moment. We did a huge $1500 shopping trip at Costco (should last us a long time with the basics) on Wednesday as well as school shopping and a quick visit at a lethbridge park with Camellia and crew.
The last day of swimming in Champion was Wednesday July 2th. Our family is a huge supporter of the pool and we are always the last ones out on the last day. I hope Caeleb can get a job as a life guard there next summer.
Still no job for Chris but I count my blessings every day for my wonderful job. I admit though, I was quite upset that Vulcan recently hired a math teacher after they had cut Chris saying the principal could teach math instead of Chris. It makes no sense and is such a slap in the face. I just want to cry. I feel like we are being pushed out of this area. I dont want to go. But it feels like no one wants us and it is an awful feeling. Sometimes I just want to go live in Tim buck two (I dont know, maybe the Yukon or northern BC) so Chris can get a teaching job and be fulfilled in his desire to provide for his family. This trial doesn't seem to make much sense to me. But mom and dad need us here and the kids love it here as well. We are praying that we can stay even if it feels like we are not wanted.
We keep plugging away with life and I do count my blessings everyday (or try too at least). The crops look good, we have recieved quite a bit of rain this summer and the grass is only now turning a bit yellow. I hope mom and dad get blessed with having a good crop this year. They could use that blessing. Mom has alot on her plate.
I asked Dad today if he has had guardian angels in his life and he firmly stated something like "you bet I do." It was kind of cute that he answered that way because most of the time he has a hard time hearing and processing information and it is hard for him to answer questions or even know where he is. But he always knows our names. That is a blessing.
Well, I need to go to bed. I work tomorrow. I hope the kids can have fun playing in the yard, soaking up the last of the summer days before school starts. I love each one of them so much. I played barbies and family in the attic with Lizzy after work today and Caeleb joined us and set up the collection of military figurines. I just love to see my kids use their imaginations.
Goodnight.