Day 5 of March

What a wonderful surprise I had when I was watching the news tonight.  The following story appearred and I couldn't have been more delighted, but certainly not surprised.  Jo-Lynn and Ken are amazing parents and they have these three wonderful children.  But one of those kids is very special to me.  I used to work with Jakob when he was only 3-4.  Normally I don't include pictures and names of the kids I work with, but I am sure because they have appeared on local television and there is a wonderful cause involved, this would be ok.  Take a read and if you are looking for a place to put your donation dollars, this is a great cause.   You can go to the global television website or Scotialbank Calgary Marathon website for details.  I have also attached a picture of Jakob and me and I guess it is about 8 years ago.  Where does the time go.

CALGARY- A local family is on a fundraising mission, in hopes of helping an organization that is changing their son’s life.


11-year-old Jakob Furdal has Down Syndrome, is non-verbal and at times withdrawn.

“He requires support from us on a daily basis to get through the day,” explains Jakob’s dad, Ken Furdal.

But his parents discovered there is one thing that completely changes him—dogs.

“It’s amazing, overwhelming when your son comes out of his shell and starts to engage and not be despondent,” Ken says. “To find something and take control, it empowers him. It’s a great, warm feeling.”

“Jakob becomes a different child,” adds his mother, Jo-Lynn Furdal. “With an animal he’s available, he smiles again.”
With that in mind, the family came across the organization Dogs With Wings, which is pairing Jakob with a furry partner. Volunteers help train the canines, which then serve as assistance dogs for Albertans living with disabilities.
“The greatest thing is the pride you feel after you’ve done it, when you give them up knowing you built the foundation that they’re gonna be a service dog,” says Raylene Middel, who helps raise the puppies.

It costs thousands of dollars to properly train the dogs, which are then given to families for only $1. The Furdals now want to pay their gift forward by fundraising, so another family can have the same opportunity.

“I want someone to have same opportunity as we have,” says Ken. “It’s a big step for us.”

He plans to run the full Scotiabank Calgary Marathon in May, to try and raise $40,000 for the cause. So far he’s gotten over $9,000 in pledges.

I can't wait to see Jakob's new friend.

Stacey

Day 4 of March

It has been a very busy couple of weeks.  Seems like my desk is losing the battle. Everytime I remove 1 thing from my to do list, two more things pop up. 
   I have been putting in a few more hours with my "kid" job.  The "personal assistant" from Mom has taken two weeks holidays (that should be outlawed Rosie) and I have been trying to fill those "big" shoes (but tiny feet).  I have come to realize, I like working with kids a whole lot better.  They are much easier to negotiate with, and although they get mad at you one minute, you still get hugs and kisses at the end of the day.  Thankfully I only have three more days of "assistant in training." 
    Today was an interesting day.  We took a field trip to the dentist.  I have made the kids a "book" about going to the dentist, and personalized it just for them.  We took the book with us, and the dentist came over while we were reading it.  To my surprise - he loved it, and I now have orders for about 16-20 more.  So although I might never get my poem book published, there is always hope for my "Visit to the Dentist" book.  ..... New York best seller list; probably not:  Pediatric dentist office reading material - Maybe! 
   I have to say, I am feeling very "blessed" for lack of a better word, with all the good things and people that I have coming into my life. 
   Speaking of good things in my life; I have been supplementing my meals with some vitamins and nutrients.  I am feeling healthier than I have felt in a long time; I have lost 13 pounds in a month; I have been reducing my anti-depressants and hopefully by the beginning of the summer, I will be off of those, and my energy level is better than it has been in a long time.  (hence the 500 jobs I keep doing).  Now part of that I'm sure if from the transition from winter into spring; and part of it is my brains acceptance of the change I want to make, but if it is safe, and natural, what have I got to lose. (hopefully another 15 pounds)
  This weekend is Easter.  We don't have any big plans.  We are taking my Mom out for lunch on Sunday.  She sounded excited when I asked her.  I dropped off some tiny Easter eggs to her on my last Wednesday visit. She likes to have candy around when the workers come in or anyone comes to visit. 
    Bill and I leave next week for Phoenix.  He's doing a golf clinic (if it works for Tiger) and I am going along as "eye candy."  (Let me live this fantasy out)  I'm looking for some great book ideas if anyone has any. 
     It has been a bitter, sweet day in our hockey world.  Our beloved Iggy has been traded to Pitts. Penguins.  I'm not an "over the top" hockey fan;  Sure I have my jersery and I like watching the games live; but I wouldn't stay inside on a Saturday night, just to watch "Hockey Night in Canada."  I did however have a tear in my eye when I heard the news.  And yet at the same time, I am very excited for this guy to be able to go to a team and actually have a chance at winning the cup this year.  (Is it still as prestigious even though they only played half a season?)  I don't know about his playing ability, but I know Calgary is losing a great guy, and when Pittsburgh is playing any team, I'll be cheering on Iggy. 
    K, my brain has run dry and I still have pants to hem for Mom.  Till my next blog.
Stacey

Day 3 of March

Wow.  Talk about your positive energy. 
Today was one of those wow days.
Woke up at 5:00 a.m., as I usually do during the week.  That's when Bill usually gets up and leaves for work.  I then turn on my radio, turn on a light, read a little, check out any important information on my IPad (that also includes games) and just relax until I have to get up.  My radio was set to the County station today.  I heard the rooster-wake up call; so I did what I usually do, I called.  The line was busy, so I hang up and redial, and sometimes my fingers get so fast, that today, it started ringing and I hung up; luckily we have call waiting, and the phone goes to the other line; I quickly realise my mistake and hit the other line button and just as I get on the ringing line, I hear Robin, the annoucer say whose this, and this turns out to me.  Yeah - tickets to Jubilations once again. 
  So I'm working a big smile on my face and I head into the kitchen for some breakfast.  I turn on the kitchen radio, and it's set on 103.  By now it's around 7:00 a.m. ish.  Just in time for Joanne's jukebox.  What have I got to lose.  So I call in, and it's ringing.  Don answers and tells me I'm caller 2.  If the first caller doesn't get the answer correct, they'll come to me.  So I'm listening and the advertisements are over and they go to caller 1.  The question was which song was number 1 this day in 1981.  He guesses the band and get's it correct, but gives the wrong song - so he doesn't win.  They come to me; I guess the correct band and the correct song../........  Yeah I win again.  Tickets to a movie premier and a show at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino.  Wow.  Never have I won on two stations in one day.  Now I'm thinking, I might as well try my luck at Lite 95.  So at 8:45 I listen for the cue to call.  Unfortunately, no luck there.  But really, it was all about the game again, and I'm ok with not getting through.  But it is a goal of mine, to keep trying that station and see how my positive energy pays out. 
   I basically told Bill that I have a third job, and it involves fun and games (and sometimes wins).

  The rest of the day was pretty quiet compared to my morning.  However, I did get a call from one of my bosses (not at a radio station) so give me the night off.  That worked out really well, because I ended up working one of the card stores from 9:00 til 3:00.  A long day for me.
  Then I got home and had another piece of good news.  Ashley called to advise she got a promotion at work.  She is now an assistant to Linda S. at SM.   I wonder if she wants some assistant advise from Rosie (hahahahaha)
  Anyway off to pay some bills, and then put my feet up to relax.  I am one tired puppy today.
Stacey

Day 2 of March

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 
Saw a cute post on my son's Facebook or Twitter account (yes I'm a mother stalker)  "Bless your little Irish heart and all your other Irish parts."  Apparently that's the name of he event he'll be attending today - all day. 
It is also Maya's birthday.  Maya has her own Facebook page, which I tend to access on a frequent basis.  Of course, being Maya's page, I put in her birthday.  Every year I have to count backwards to see just how old she is.  The only way I can remember is by the Cinco de Mayo gifts I've received.  So here goes:
2012  my Tiffany ring (although mine is gold)
2011  my train trip to Nova Scotia
2010  Vegas trip with my friend De
2009  my color photo printer
2008my diamond tennis bracelet (although mine doesn't have quite this many diamonds.
2007. our trip to guadalajara and the tequila train

and of course - my baby Maya.

2006

Now, I get the feeling I might be missing a year.  But I did some back checking and I think I've got it on track.  Thank goodness for this blog, because I was at least able to go back to 2009. 
So now the big questions is "What do I want this year for Cinco de Mayo?"  I did see a nice little (ok big) diamond ring on a lady; or maybe it's to see Taylor Swift (oh, wait, I've already booked those tickets!)  Could it be the trip to Scotland I've been wishing for..... or I'm thinking my own nice little summer car... 
I'll keep you posted in May on what I'm going to get (pretty much buy for myself)

Last night Bill and I watched a movie called "Bottle Shock."  Bill received it, along with a bottle of wine from a friend for Christmas.  Now if you were to just watch the movie by itself, you would probably think it was a little slow.  But if you watch the movie, and have the bottle of wine sitting in front of you (we didn't actually open the wine yet, as we were finishing a different bottle of wine) you will find the movie quite interesting.  Without having to explain the entire movie,  trying googling Chateau Montellena, and read the story.  Then watch the movie.  It's about how the wineries in California became competitive with French wines.  The movie is based on a true story.  It really was quite facinating and I'm not even a big wine drinker.

Anyway, off to get some housework done because it's just too darn cold to venture out of the house.
Stacey

Day 1 of March

Wow, it's been a couple of weeks since my last blog.  I guess I was waiting for my reminder from De or Alisa! 
  It's Friday, March 15th, and I actually have the day of today.  Well part of the day.  I still had to go into a couple of stores.  I was a little slow getting up this morning.  My body was a little sore and achy.  I took a little spill on the ice yesterday.  I was going for the mail, and the driveway for the golf course had some black ice hidden beneath a wiff of snow.  Luckily I didn't land on my head, but my elbow is scraped and bruised and the hip is a little bruised as well.  I was carrying my car keys and they went flying.  I looked and looked in the snow, but couldn't find them, finally as I'm about ready to get the mail, and take one last look around and there are my keys in the middle of the road.  thankfully I retrieved them before a car came and ran over them. 
   I going to spend the afternoon practising my (Bill's) harmonica.  I've been teaching myself how to play.  I'm can blow a good twinkle twinkle little start right now.  I'm hoping to have one of my Mom's favorite songs ready to play for her on a Wednesday visit.  I try and come up with new and exciting ways to entertain her on our Wednesday visits.   Last Wednesday, we went shopping to Walmart.  Mom came home with another new outfit.  I challenged her to wear a new outfit each day.  I'll settle for her compromise of every three days.
  I haven't seen the daughter in a couple of weeks.  She and Ethan are house sitting for Ethans parents who are in New Zealand. 
  Well, it's cold and wintery here once again, but when you see the beautiful frosted trees, and 6 deer walking by your house, you forget that the weather isn't ideal!
  Quick nap, and then off to practice.
Stacey