Happy New Year!!!

To all of my family and friends - Happy New Year and welcome to 2007!!! May this new year be filled with time with family, friends and great memories. Memories captured on film/photos, on paper, or on blog sites - that can be shared with others. May the next year be filled with adventures that might lead you outside your comfort box; challenges that you face and conquer; and you find that happiness that brings a smile to your face.

Wow - what a year 2006 has been for me. Garron had mentioned on Christmas Day that it is hard to believe that a year ago, I hadn't even broken ground on my house yet. He shared too that in the past year, he welcomed his son Solomon into this world, then cycled across Canada to celebrate the 100th year for Bike for Bibles and moved twice. It is amazing around the end of the year when we tend to reflect of what our lives went through in the past year, to see all that we have accomplished, what we have overcomed and reinforce how blessed our lives are with the people around who love us just as we are.

Being a homeowner, I think will always be a learning experience for me. Getting used to all the different bills that goes with the home; learning about the creaks and noises that are normal and abnormal. With an undeveloped basement and backyard, the ideas and thoughts of what to do, are always going through my brain. Even have a folder of items that I will would like for the basement or outside. It is fun to imagine what it would look like, but when you sit down and see the $$$ add up, that is when reality begins to sink in. It has been fun having a roommate too and that she is from my hometown is great. Even found some people (outside of her family) that we both know.

Professionally, I continued to be able to attend workshops that increased my knowledge or at least reinforce what I do know. For the past couple of months, I had the opportunity to work at another hospital site. It was great getting to know more co-workers as well as code different charts as the PLC is the main site for orthropedics and vascular surgeries. In the new year, I will be adding another job duty and that is being a surgical daycare coding trainer. It will be a challenge but a rewarding one. It is a great way to learning more too, as you have to explain your train of thought when training new coders. With me being at PLC, I realize the little family I have with my co-workers at FMC. I go back on Jan 2, which the gals have told me they are looking forward to as it has been quiet since I've been gone. I do get those gals laughing with all my little sayings and quirky ways.

Looking forward to what lay ahead in 2007 for me. I am sure though spending time with family and friends will be on top of my list, as it is year after year. Best present I can ever receive is tea time with the people I love.

Another Opportunity....

A few weeks ago, a co-worker from the PLC told me about the casual position she was doing at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre. With the world of Technology, hospitals and cancer centres are heading towards an EMR - electronic medical record - in other words to go paperless. Since we are not all linked computer-wise, you still need to scan records that are not on your computer system. With current backlog, I could be assisting in the QA of the charts too. So yesterday, I had my interview with the manager of Health Information Services. She has some great ideas for the office and she is more proactive than to reactive similar to other places I have worked before. Promoting the significance Health Information services is to the facility. So next week, I have to go downtown to the police station to begin my security check. After that, training will be set up - around mid-January I will begin as a casual employee of Tom Baker. Kathie was saying that in 5-6 years from now, a new 110-bed inpatient Cancer Centre will be built by the new Childrens' Hospital by the UofC west campus. With the inpatient beds, there will future coding opportunities too. Accepting the casual position, my foot would be in the door, that I could find a coding position as part time might occur. So not only would I know how to code inpatient, obstetric, newborn, same day surgery, emergency but could know oncology coding as well. If I stay in this same field until I retire, which would be 20 years at least, taking advantage of these opportunities can only provide experiences to make me a more well-rounded coder. Plus you never know, when a door opens where it may lead in your career path. I'll let you know how it goes.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone. Well, the house is now silent (minus the tv on). My mom and I had a wonderful and busy day with phone calling family relatives, plus getting ready for our big Christmas dinner. There were 17 in total. I was cooking her french toast for breakfast, but then got sidelined with the phone and sort of burnt some of it - thank goodness for syrup!!!

We had so much food - ham, turkey, garlic mashed potatoes, marshmellow yams, salads, homemade buns, and pickles!!! Of course we had desserts - shortbread, gingersnaps, crescent cookies (my mom brought all those cookies) and Sara brought a cornflake wreath. It was different but yummy. I served the tea and coffee in the tea set that was my great-grandmother's. It is made of sterling silver - yeah more house work with polishing so it doesn't tarnish!!

Amy and Garron had my name for gift exchange - no surprise there were scrapbooking supplies plus these awesome ceramic coasters she made at a store here in Calgary. Definitely will have to check that out for next gifts for my family. What an awesome idea. I had Amy - she is like me got into that Sudko crossword puzzle game. I bought her the new CD of Il Divo (so excited I am seeing them live in Montreal April 10!!!) plus made notecards with scenic hikes I took when I first moved here (David they were the ones I put on your calendar last year).

We christened my home with a wonderful Christmas dinner - I had a great time hosting and wonderful too, to be with my family (my mom and the James clan). Thank you mom for helping me prepare all the food, thank you to my friends that are really my family and celebrating the day with me. It was awesome sharing it with you all. Great memories.

NOTE: I did take photos of our day and a few other adventures I have taken my mom on since arriving to Calgary on Friday, but for some reason my Picasa is not downloading them into my blog page. The only reason I can think of is Blogger recently changed to Beta so maybe there is no more link with the old blogger. I will put photos on as soon as I can do the change over. Probably go visit Sara this week as she has already done it.

Good News!!!

Happy Merry Christmas Eve everyone!! I have been having a great time with my mom. Things have worked out and my mom have met a few people she hasn't seen in many years. Before I head off for the Christmas Eve service at Chestermere Rec Centre (have to get the candles ready for the sevice), I wanted to share some good news I received on Thursday afternoon. When I got home from work, there was a message from my dermatologist - the mole that had changed colour was benign. So no worries, but definitely glad to have had it removed though. So, thank you for all your prayers - they have been answered.

CCF Christmas Concert

This morning, our church had their Christmas concert. Everyone did a great job. My little part was lighting the Advent candle of Love. Sarah M had her choir in perfect form - the CCF Choir did an awesome job singing today at the concert. They sang one of my favourite Christmas carol - Do you Know What I Know. Can you see John P?




Sierra (left) and her friend Mikayla played the children opening presents as part of the Christmas story. They did a great job too! (I have to play with my camera more esp when the room is dark as this is usually what happens - dark and blurry/fuzzy).


This is one sight I do not get tired seeing - the mountains. I took this photo this morning before heading into church. Glad you can tell they are mountains this time around. Hopefully there will be more snow this coming weekend - just enough to cover the ground - a white Christmas as in Thunder Bay growing up we always had plenty of snow come Christmas morning.

 

Peace of Mind

As you probably had read on my blog a few weeks back, I had a small mole on my forehead that I was concerned about as it had changed colour. Well, this morning, I had the mole removed. When I asked the dermatologist this morning if she thought the piece of mole that had turned a blackish colour was cancerous, she told me that in about 10 days she should have the results from the pathologist office. The only pain was the needle they used for the freezing. I heard her cauterize the area, but did not feel a thing. It does look bad but luckily I have bangs and it covers it well. I will probably have a small scar, but those bangs are so helpful in times like this. I do have another mole, but it is benign, that I have been watching and my mom would like to be moved. So about 2 hours after leaving the doctor's office, I got a phone call telling me I have a consultation appointment with the plastic surgeon in late January. I know I don't know the final result, I do feel a peace of mind that I was proactive and it has been taken care of especially with having 2 types of cancer in my family (first degree relative - medical lingo for a member of your immediate family - my case sister and mom). I am positive that everything will turn out fine.

Our Gifts..

In one scene of the new movie, "The Navitity Story", a shepard told Mary that we all gifts within us to share with others. Of course, Mary's gift was God's gift to us, His son Jesus. It made me think back - what gifts do I have to share with my family and friends? Some I know and some I probably won't know because it hasn't be revealed to me yet.

Growing up, my brother had a beautiful gift of artistry and my sister had her atheletism - those were displayed around the house. I did not excel in either of those areas. Admittingly, I found it hard that I did not have anything "materialistic gifts" to share with my parents. It was not until I was 20 years old when left TB to Toronto for school that I began to realize that not all gifts one is given could not be mounted on a wall or displayed on a mantle - I made people laugh. Usually by pronouncing a word differently or something else quirky. For the past few years, I have gotten into scrapbooking and photography (probably because of those recent travels I did), and through both of those things I was able to share my experiences with others. Learned to make things for others which makes it so much more personalized for that other person. Last Christmas I made a few calendars of some of the hikes I went on or times I spent with the James family.

I know Christmas is a commerial dream for retailers, but I was reminded this weekend, that gifts - be it from us or a bought - come in all different packages. Thank you to my family and friends sharing their gifts with me - your shoulder, sharing a laugh, sharing a special time together, a piece of advice to help me over a hump and most importantly - your love - the most precious and cherished gift I could receive.

More Decorations...

The ornaments, garland and tree were in the basement, but I was able to bring up some Christmas decorations to go around the fireplace and the wall leading to the basement. I got that wreath quilt at one of McKellar General Hospital's Christmas Craft Sale in Thunder Bay. Funny, where I put the quilt was place similarly in my mom's house, just as you come down the stairs to the basement. We actually kept the quilt up year round. Haven't decided if I should carry on that tradition. It is so neat to actually have a mantle to place the stocking holder and stocking. The other decorations seem to fit well too. Did you notice my little guys up in the opening above the fireplace? I also put the Santas that my sister in law made sitting on the window sill and taped homemade snowflakes. We still have the snow from last week, so it helped to getting into the Christmas spirit. 

Getting into the Christmas Spirit

This afternoon, I went to the basement to go through all the Christmas decorations that I had and the ones my mom shipped this summer. The big decoration that my mom sent was the huge Christmas tree. Since I wanted to host Christmas dinner being this is my first Christmas in my home, we will be eatting in the basement to accommodate everyone. There is about 16 of us, one being my mom - I wanted to share this first with me. I recruited her to help me make Christmas dinner. The ornaments that I decided to put on the tree were either homemade (my sister inlaw made a few) or special keepsakes. To help it look festive, I hammered in some nails in the bulkhead and hung some garland so it doesn't look to much like unfinished basement (nothing I can do about the seeing the isolation though). 

Jessica and her artists

Jessica was making Sierra a picture - Sierra in bubble letters and different colours within each letter - her S looked like a candy cane! The three of them were trying out the crayons, markers and sheets of paper I had bought for Ethan's birthday. The one thing I have observed when I babysit Ethan and Sierra - they love to draw and paint - just like their cousin Emma. BTW - you can tell Jessica is a teacher - she is great with the little ones, oh yeah and patience too. 

Baby Logan and Jessica

While Jessica was holding Baby Logan, Ethan came over to seat by them and had a visit.


Like I said - Baby Logan had get eye contact with whoever is holding him. It seems so does Ethan - focusing on Jessica and Logan.


Baby Logan is all tuckered out. Here Jessica and Logan have a quiet moment. I thought it was so cute Logan being all cuddly with Jessica. I love those moments - I remember have those times when Ethan was just a baby too. Cherished times.

 

Snakes!!! Snakes!!!!

If you hadn't heard, Sara had added 2 snakes to her collection of pets at their place. Sierra is calmly enjoying her snake that is wrapped around her arm. Ethan is trying to get up on mom's lap to see the one that Sara had (an albino snake). Ethan's cousin Keagan watches from a distance. Pam and I were quite happy to stay on the other side of the table.


Ethan got his wish - the snake is around his neck - it hit is nose his tail and it freaked Ethan, so it came off so afterwards. Sierra is quite comfortable with her snake.


Sierra and her snake

 

Everyone watching Ethan open his present

The cameras are all focused on one person - Ethan opening his present (it was the tonka truck). Front - Mike (taking pics with Sara's camera), Sara with the camcorder, Jon J (great face for the camera Jon). Back - Grant (Ethan's uncle), Grandma Char and Grandpa Andy. We were all excited seeing Ethan's face as he opened his present. Grandparents Char and Andy and Jon had to leave early to cheer on Ethan's Uncle Peter at his basketball game. (NB: Char said that Peter had an awesome game on Friday - something 14 points and 5 assists - way to go Peter!!)


Here is my roommate Jessica holding Baby Logan (Mike and Megan's son). For just being over a month old, he had great eye contact and he had such good head control too. 

What's in the Box Ethan?

Ethan got this big smile on his face when he saw his dad coming with this big gift for him. Ethan went at it and tore off the newspaper. He did really well doing it too. Wonder what it can be?


It's a Tonka Truck!!! Help me dad - oh boy I got a big truck!


Me and my Tonka Truck!!


Boys with their toys! I bet they will have lots of fun playing with this truck.

 

Gifts from Grandma Tina!

Here Sierra passes along to Ethan a present from their Grandma Tina (Ethan says Nina at the moment). I wonder what it can be? Here Ethan is enjoying playing with his two new cars.


It's a Christmas book and DVD! Thanks Grandma Nina!

 

Happy Birthday Ethan!!!

Ethan's mom Sara and sister Sierra made the cake. The top part is chocolate cake and the bottom of the cake is white cake. It was quite yummy!


Ethan was couldn't wait to blow out his candles (he was successful to blow out the one), so his dad, John had to be quick and put his hand in front of the other two to prevent Ethan to blow them out - we had even starting singing Happy Birthday yet!


Okay Ethan - Now you can blow out your candles. He did really well - no spitting needed.

 

The Nativity Story

Tonight (Friday), I joined Amanda and Char to see the movie, The Nativity Story that opened today. By the obvious title, the movie shows the events leading to the birth of Jesus. I have only read the story of Mary and Joseph having to go to Betheleham to register for the Census that Rome told King Herod needed to be done. You read about the shepards and wise men and this too was portrayed in the film. Personally, seeing it on film and watch it all unfold was beautiful. Watching a visual story of Jesus' birth had more of an impact on me that I expected - see what they might have or did go through was amazing. Hard to imagine without thought, Mary and Joseph travelled over a 100 miles on foot to reach Betheleham - just their experiences facing all those elements is amazing. I think the director and writer of this movie did a good job telling the story and bringing all the "characters" like King Herod, Jesus' cousin John the Baptist and the wise men together. I found it interesting seeing the relationship between Mary and Joseph unfold. From strangers in an arranged marriage to caring for each other as husband and wife. The story of the wise men and them following the star was interesting as in the film, the story tells us that it was the joining of 3 stars (jupiter - father; venus - mother; I forget the other one) that made the large star that showed the shepards and wise men where Jesus laid.

I thought it was a wondeful film and would recommend it if you have a chance to watch the film.

What a great Neighbour!

On Sunday afternoon, my mom (right) realized that we had no hot water. She went downstairs to find out the pilot light on her waterless hot water tank (aka hot water on demand) had gone out. Since we didn't want to muddle with it, we called the service and the earliest they could come out was after 10am on the Monday. Sunday night, our kettle got a good workout to wash some of the dishes from supper. So in the morning, my mom called our neighbour Cathy (left) if I could come over to shower with hot water. Luckily, our backyards are open, so I was able to sneak the back way to get to the house, and then run back with the towel on my head. What a sight that must have been if a passerbyer saw that. Thanks for being a great neighbour Cathy on that Monday and all the years past. She was able to join my mom and I for breakfast at Fat Cat's before I headed for the airport. It was great to sneak in a visit as she was out to town when I was in Thunder Bay in September. 

Time with the Whatleys and Crocketts

It was wonderful seeing Carolyn, her husband Stephen and their children Mariah (kilt) and Ashley. Mariah was 4-5 when I last saw her - she is now 10 years old.


Carolyn and I with two of her brothers - Shane (left) and Nathan (right). Her two other brothers Allan and Tim unfortunately were not able to make it to the celebration.


The Whatley ladies (left-right) - May, Karen (Shane's wife), Laura and Carolyn. It was great to finally meet Karen. We have exchanged emails and Christmas cards for the past 10 years but had never met until now. We both are the bloggers in the family as well enjoy scrapbooking. Karen did an amazing photo album of letters from family and friends who wanted to say congratulations and best wishes to Bodnar and May. What a beautiful keepsake.

 

Carolyn and Laura

Christmas Eve 1989 (I think), I was wait in a truck stop with my friend Karen in Nipigon, while Carolyn was waiting with her friend Melody (we were waiting for the Greyhound). Melody knew Karen so we sat with them. When the bus finally arrived, Carolyn and I sat together basically talked the whole hour from Nipigon to Thunder Bay. She was meeting some cousins for the first time and my sister was coming back that night from Toronto after one of her last chemo treatments. We exchanged addresses as she was going to school in Michigan. Thus began our friendship. Despite the miles that separated us over the years, our friendship is something I cherish. I have enjoyed visits to Elyria, Ohio to visit them during the fall time (beautiful), countless phone calls before her and her own family left for Indonesia. Of course, there are letters (I still have them today) and emails. So when I found out she would be in Thunder Bay last weekend, I knew I had to fly back for a short visit. I was able to assist her in maintaining the surprise party for her parents. When I was visiting them on the Friday afternoon, we explained that Carolyn, Karen (sister inlaw) and her daughters would be coming Sat morning to help me decorate the hall for my mom's combo party of her 65th birthday and retirement from full time ER nursing (my mom will be 65 and retiring July 2007). It was perfect to explain why they had to leave earlier in the morning. Thanks for your friendship Carolyn (and your family too). BTW - Bodnar and May were surprised when they walked into the hall seeing their family and friends. 

Best Wishes Mr & Mrs Whatley

One of the reasons I was visiting Thunder Bay was that my girlfriend Carolyn who is a missionary in Indonesia was in town. She and her family are on furlough for the year, so Carolyn with the help of her cousins and brothers were able to plan a surprise celebration for her parents Bodnar and May Whatley. In August 2006, Bodnar and May celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary and this year they retired from the missionary field. For 33 years, they served in the country of Indonesia. Their family put together a beautiful pamphlet highlighting all their accomplishments while in the field - aside from translating the bible for the Lauje tribe, but they also began a medical program (May is a RN) , a Lauje medical book was even produced. In this photo, Bodnar and May (right- dressed in red) are with their friends the Lanes and the lady in the red coat was May's maid of honor. Now, small world, the Lanes are friends with the James family here in Chestermere as well as close family friends Jan and Gary. 

Great Breakfasts in Thunder Bay

In Thunder Bay, there are two restaurants that are usually a "must-go" places. Thunder Bay is one of those great places where we have many cultures to experience. One of them is the Finnish community - the Scandi home (the other one is the Hoito) on Algoma and Bay streets. For a couple of years, I used to work Sat-Wed, and on Thurs & Fri I would join my dad for swimming laps then to the Scandi home for breakfast. I was able to enjoy both places during this visit, had breakfast with Dianne (my friend's mom) at the Hoito and my friend Inez at Scandi home. Now, for those who know me, I am a picky eater, so when I find something I like I usually stick to it. When I had breakfasts with my dad, I had my Western omelette (without the tomato), white toast, a glass of milk and a tea to begin with. This time around was no different. I must have had left an impression - it has been a couple of years since I have been there, I said my order and the gal said welcome back. Her sister Rhonda (her family runs the restaurant) came by the table to say hello too. How cool is that? I had a good time catching up with Dianne and Inez. So if you find yourself passing through Thunder Bay - try the Finnish pancakes or the Western (with or without the tomato), you won't be disappointed.