Tuesday

My day today:

1. Devotions
1.a Radio show
2. Teach piano
3. Massage therapy at Body Renewal (Julie Piercey -- she's wonderful!)
4. Good Life gym -- session with Denis, my personal trainer
5. Pita Pit -- Greek salad take-out
6. Teach guitar & piano til 7 pm
7. Deliver guitar across the street
8. Record "The Flower" on the piano and mp3 it to Cousin W so he can use it as an accompaniment to his violin (I expect you to play it for me, W.)
9. Receive Rand & Tammy G. into our 'recording studio' and I played the piano to his new song, "Sing the Blues Away." Doug recorded it on the computer. Mp3'ed it to their email address so they can use it in an upcoming concert.
10. Talked to Nat on the phone. Baby Sarah is doing fine, but sleeping much in the daytime and little in the night. Not yet a week old, the sweet l'il child.
11. Blog
12. Go veg out now and watch "Harry's Law," one of my new favorite shows, along with Blue Bloods and Parenthood.

Tomorrow -- speak at a Seniors' luncheon at Morning Gate church about my battle with cancer, then teach til 7:15 pm. After that, the girls of Sisters Act land at my door for a music practice for the upcoming retreat at Greenhill Lake Camp. And it's usually a LOUD practice, with us all talking at once. Mass confusion, but we seem to understand each other. Lots of laughter.

So if I don't blog tomorrow, at least you know what I'm doing.

Lots of activity here at The Soul Cafe.

It's certainly been an exciting weekend. The most exciting event, of course, being the birth of grandchild #6 - Baby Sarah Kathyrn on early Friday morning. I still can't believe it.

Friday night we had dinner at R & S's house with D & L, a farewell dinner for D & L, as they headed to Florida for a couple of months. Saturday morning at Smythe Street women's breakfast. I reunited with a co-worker from my days in the psychiatry unit in the 80's. Home to practice for a music night at the Keswick Ridge Historical Society, where I played in a 'band' again, singing all sorts of songs, and then one by myself -- "Find Me in the River," which was a surprise to many I think, leaving some with tears in their eyes. I was blessed to have the opportunity to share my faith with them in this way. Made more connections for future events.

Sunday morning found us at Morning Gate Church leading the music. Sunday afternoon preparing for speaking in the evening, watching football and having a nap. Sunday night at Nashwaaksis Baptist Church singing with Sisters Act, and then I gave my "LIVE LAUGH LOVE" seminar, the first part on LIVE...Home again to watch pre-taped football. To bed at 11. Imagine. To bed early. I wonder why?

Now it's Monday and time to start all over again. Bless God -- it's going to be a GOOD day! and a good week of being ALIVE!

It's a Girl! It's Sarah Kathryn DuBois!

The pictures finally came through from the DuBois family of their newest addition. A sister to Aiden....Proud grandparents are Doug & Deb MacDonald and Dave & Wendy DuBois. Great grandparents on our side: Donalda & Alton Fox and Dorothy & John MacDonald.

List

I want to make a list:

1. Afton Natalie MacDonald -- age 5
2. Jack Gregory MacDonald -- age 4
3. Ivy Isabel MacDonald -- age 2
4. Croy Douglas MacDonald -- age 1 1/2 months
5. Aiden Joshua DuBois -- age 2
6. Sarah Kathryn DuBois -- age 5 hours!

Birthweight

Sarah Kathryn's weight is 8 lbs 2 ounces. Josh called awhile ago, very tired and going to bed. Aiden is with their friend, Darlene. Thanks, Darlene! And to all the friends out in The Pas who help Nat & Josh with so much. Wish I was there right now, but we have to wait for another thee weeks before we can hold that precious new life in our arms!

BirthDay Update

UPDATE: Natalie called me herself at 6:15 AM and Josh just called me:

At 6:40 Manitoba time (8:40 our time), our daughter had a beautiful baby GIRL !!!!!!!!!!!!! Just what was ordered! Thank you Lord!

Josh didn't know the weight yet and will let me know later.

I am overjoyed and of course, cried that God has granted our prayers for everything Natalie hoped for -- short labour, easier than last time, no tearing, and a GIRL!

Her name is Sarah Kathryn DuBois

Wow, to see that name in print is amazing and I am overwhelmed with joy at this moment.

Thank you for your prayers, everyone — prayer works!

Deb
x0

PS: Check the blog at some point for pictures

Birth Day

Natalie just called:

"I'm in labour! I'm going to the hospital."

"OK, I'll put the word out for prayer," I replied.

So, if you're the prayin' kind, would appreciate your prayers for our precious daughter, our 'baby,' as she delivers her precious baby. Wisdom and skill for her midwife, Michele, as well.

I didn't get to sleep til 3 AM -- now I'm in 'labour', too for my daughter (prayer labour)...

I'll update you when I know. You can be sure of that! Hard to believe -- grandchild No. 6 is making its entrance into the world!

A snow day today -- school cancelled in the capital region, yet most of my students showed up today. Wednesday is a long day of teaching. I have so many students now that I feel like the old woman in the shoe -- I don't know what to do with them all! Well, actually, I do find a way to teach piano, switch to guitar, switch to piano, then perhaps voice, maybe a little drums thrown in. Sometimes I get up from one student and yell out, "Next!" as if I was a doctor calling out to the patients in the waiting room. The kids laugh and I love to tease them. I love using whatever is at hand to make them laugh, too -- stuffed animals, tiny ornaments, pink flamingoes and the like. Gotta keep it fresh for these precious children.

I'm fighting a cold, so have loaded up on the green tea and lemon and honey today. Tonight made a concoction of hot water, lemon juice, honey, cinnamon and pepper -- drank two mugs full. Seemed to help.

Just finished watching the new season of American Idol. Wow. Lot of talent in the world. The show is interesting to watch, but you see many young people having their dreams squashed to be a singer. I wonder if they still sing after being rejected by the judges. Just a thought. I don't know if I would. I made Doug sing for me tonight just to see if he would make it on American Idol. He's so cute and appeased me and sang "I did it my way." What a man. I wouldn't make it on American Idol, either.

Must go eat something or drink more hot liquid and put ice on my wrist. Oh, to be young again!

Get Fit

I took a trip in the country this morning -- out to Durham, to my physiotherapist. What a beautiful ride. She fixed me up. My back goes out about three times a year. I have many therapists, it seems. Thank God for people who can fix us, right? Had some lunch at D's and off to the gym with Dennis for my new round of physical training. Feels good but hurts and I'm out of shape. I know this is going to help. I felt stronger when I left the gym and this was my first day. I'm in a rehabilitation program of my own making and I'm determined to get fit. You know, when I turned 49, my motto for age 50 was "Fit at 50," and then I found out I had breast cancer. I can't even believe it to this day -- that I went through what I went through. It seems like a dream to me, a very unpleasant nightmare, even though many wonderful things happened.

Now I'm 51 and my motto is still "Fit at 50" -- this decade of the 50's. Agree with me, will you? Perhaps I'll inspire some of you to be fit at whatever decade you're going through.

Must go teach students to be fit at music now.

• Anne Murray • Another Pot O´Tea / Watching The River Run • [1974] • "L...

This is one of my favorite songs, and I plan to sing it soon -- hopefully next weekend at Keswick Community Centre

Chris Tomlin ' I Will Rise'

Doug's Latest Invention -- A Work in Progress

Condolences go out to my uncle and aunt, Earl and Vivian Wallace, on the sudden death of Earl's mother, Reta Wallace of Carlisle (outside Cloverdale). Reta was born in 1914 and was the wife of Ted Wallace. She had a long and vibrant life, and her family and friends will miss her very much. I remember when Reta was a teacher when I was in Grade 3, and she analyzed one of my scrapbooks or workbooks for one of the courses I was taking. I remember Reta and Ted and their camp in Cloverdale, and how we loved to go there when we were kids. Uncle Earl and Aunt Viv live on that land now.

I remember Reta as a quiet yet witty woman. She always had a smile. I think Reta had 10 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 11 great-great grandchildren. Wow. What a legacy. Her life goes on...

Our prayers for comfort go out to Dusty (my cousin Greg), Brent (my cousin), Aunt Viv (Pippin), and Uncle Earl, the grandchildren, and the extended family.

The world was a better place because you were here, Reta. Enjoy heaven. Say hi to Ted.

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints (Psalm 116:15)

The River by brian doerksen

Well, I hurt my back yesterday putting on my clothes. Today I could hardly walk, so Doug drove me out to Durham where our physiotherapist lives. She really worked on me. It was beautiful, if you could call treatment beautiful and relaxing. My back still hurts, but I'm hoping by the end of the week I'll be able to function.

Taught guitar and piano this afternoon in the rocking chair. Old Grandma in the rockin' chair, teachin.' Kind of neat, eh?

Must go eat the halibut I'm cooking that I bought from a Frenchman from Nova Scotia. Bought it from him at Tim Horton's in Doaktown last month when I was on my way to sing Christmas carols to an 88-year-old man.

Go figure. I have a strange but wonderful life.

Monday

Well, it wasn't really a manic Monday. Didn't get up til 9:30! Then lounged around, did some devos, prayed, and took the ornaments off my second tree. A lunch of fruit, yogurt and almonds (although a donut snuck in my morning food somehow). I feel like I'm trying to eat all the bad stuff in the house so it won't tempt me anymore. I'm not usually one to be tempted by this type of food, but what I've discovered is that once you start eating the sugar, you want the sugar. Sugar is as addictive as cocaine, they say. I'm not that bad, really. But I will be watching what I eat more, for sure.

To the gym and biked for 20 minutes or so, then home to have a sandwich and a nap for a couple of hours before teaching for a bit of the evening. Doug took down the tree and rearranged the living room.

Now to go eat a salad and watch Blue Bloods, a TV police drama with Tom Selleck. We really like it. I tape it on the PVR. PVR, DVD, CD, Wii, ATM, so many letters!

BTW, Doug and I played our first Wii games in Grand Manan at Joy & Doug's house. Micah, their six-year-old, taught us. Imagine. We actually had a great time Wii-ing (not wooing, for those of you in Campobello). Bowling, wipe-out, flying, frisbee on the Wii. You should have seen us, Nat. Do you have Wii Resort? We'll want to play that when we fly out to The Pas in a few weeks.

Grand Manan

Just got home from a weekend trip to Grand Manan. Went over on Friday afternoon, on the high seas. Me and Doris took gravols, laid down and slept the trip. Pretty tipsy trip, I must say. A bit of a NorEaster a'brewin.'

Saturday we attended Q's firstborn son's wedding, which was truly a 'show-stopper.' Caleb and Sable Benson are now married and on their way to Australia for a month's honeymoon. Bon Voyage, and another wedding in the Benson family in less than six months (Casey & Winter were married in August).

We stayed at Ron & Joyce Benson's home and traveled around visiting a few friends as well, drinking coffee and eating lots of sweets. Nice to get away and be on the island for awhile. Today's trip home wasn't near as rough, but I still had a beautiful sleep on the boat. Now I'm ready to make dinner or something, and hopefully not stay up all night. Tomorrow I go to work. Has it really been two weeks off? Doesn't seem like it but yet it does. Children start arriving to be taught tomorrow afternoon. Radio show fired up in the morning, and a session with my personal trainer to get started on my resolution to lose 20 lbs. Perhaps I could be accountable to all my buddies here on the blog. Not going to tell you my weight, though, but WILL tell you what I'm doing and eating perhaps. I'm ready and willing -- now will the body cooperate? Yes it will!

Grand Manan

Just got home from a weekend trip to Grand Manan. Went over on Friday afternoon, on the high seas. Me and Doris took gravols, laid down and slept the trip. Pretty tipsy trip, I must say. A bit of a NorEaster a'brewin.'

Saturday we attended Q's firstborn son's wedding, which was truly a 'show-stopper.' Caleb and Sable Benson are now married and on their way to Australia for a month's honeymoon. Bon Voyage, and another wedding in the Benson family in less than six months (Casey & Winter were married in August).

We stayed at Ron & Joyce Benson's home and traveled around visiting a few friends as well, drinking coffee and eating lots of sweets. Nice to get away and be on the island for awhile. Today's trip home wasn't near as rough, but I still had a beautiful sleep on the boat. Now I'm ready to make dinner or something, and hopefully not stay up all night. Tomorrow I go to work. Has it really been two weeks off? Doesn't seem like it but yet it does. Children start arriving to be taught tomorrow afternoon. Radio show fired up in the morning, and a session with my personal trainer to get started on my resolution to lose 20 lbs. Perhaps I could be accountable to all my buddies here on the blog. Not going to tell you my weight, though, but WILL tell you what I'm doing and eating perhaps. I'm ready and willing -- now will the body cooperate? Yes it will!

Slept Like a Baby

I awoke this morning at 9:30, not knowing who I was or where I was. The drug for the 'hives' is quite a sleep agent! I jumped out of bed and wondered what I should do next. I tried to do my radio show, but realized I got up too late. Had an interview for the newspaper instead. Gloria interviewed me at the station, and Ross took my pic in front of the mic. The article will be in the Daily Gleaner in a couple of weeks.

After the interview, I drove my car (somewhat gently, considering my sore hand) to Marks' Work Wearhouse and bought a pair of jeans. Oh, I'll be glad when I lose a few pounds! Menopause, honestly. To the Superstore to try and not buy too many groceries, since my resolution is to get what I need and not what I think I MIGHT need. A party tonight with girls from Sisters' Act, as we practice for the upcoming womens' retreat at Greenhill Lake (Feb. 4th weekend). All women welcome!

Must go change into my cleaning and cooking clothes and spiff up the house. And put a steri-strip on my naked healing hand.

PS: Last night on the news, they reported that it's important that we get sleep -- that it helps with keeping the weight off. Perhaps this 'hive drug' is a blessing in disguise? Although I think Granny used to say, "Don't sleep your life away" when I was a teenager.

Waiting Room, Anyone?

Spent most of the day in waiting rooms waiting for doctors. This afternoon in Dr. T's office (my family doc). I've had hives for the past week and don't know why. Waited for over an hour to see Dr. T. Gave me a prescription for a stronger than Benadryl drug (hydroxyzine) to help with the incessant itching all over my body. And something for my toenails as well -- apparently a fungus has attached itself to my toes! I'm supposed to 'lacquer' them for the next six months! Ergh....

I took off on foot from Kings Place after those diagnoses, and hoofed it to Sobey's on Regent Street where I bought groceries, then called Doug to come and get me and take me up to the hospital, where I waited for another hour and a half to basically have Dr. Menesi (my Plastic doc) slap a steristrip on my left surgery hand and say, see you in two weeks, don't lift or pull, be careful.

But at least I can start to drive again. I just took my anti-itch med and it causes drowsiness, so I'm hoping for a fantastic sleep without itching. The doc told me that it usually is from shellfish or peanuts or antibiotics. I finished up a course of pencillin last Monday which was prescribed for my carpal tunnel surgery, and I ate one shrimp the same day, which was a first in my life. So, maybe the penicillin, maybe the shrimp. Whatever it is, it is painful and itchy. Pray for me -- that all will be healed in my body.

But at least I got to have a shower tonight without my hand bagged up. All is well.