It is Sunday afftenoon and I have just got home from volunteering at the community centre to host a fireman's lunch. The volunteer fire department had training all day on their new truck and the recreation council prepared lunch for them. Sadly the rec council president ended up unexpectely in the hosptial last night (she almost didn't go because she was worried about the luncheon) however, we picked up the slack. Anita took charge and the rest of us helped out. It helped that Anita had it all ready for us and we just had to put together sandwiches, set tables, put on coffee, crock pots of soup, etc. Gib, we hope you get better really soon and Anita, wow, great job!
I had planned to go to church this morning with Len, Larry and Jessica, but was needed at the centre so decided to forgo church. We don't normally attend, although we have been a few times and Jess goes more often. Larry wanted to go today so Len and Jess took him and then they were off to cross the border and fuel up. We have to go across for fuel due to the current prices, although diesel has dropped about ten cents a litre here, it is still almost $1.30 litre vs. $4.00 a gallon in the USA.
I am now home, relaxing, listening to the rain drizzle continuously outside as it falls. It is actually about 7 hours later now than when I started this blog post and the rain is still pouring; it is past a drizzle and is downright cascading from the sky. At almost 9:30pm, with dinner and dishes done, Jessica in bed and Rachel getting ready for school tomorrow, I am sitting in the dim room, goldenrod with mint tea by my side and feeling somewhat lethargic. Perhaps it is the constant rain for the past few days. Maybe it is the fact that there is so much to do. I am not sure, but I do know I feel like doing nothing.
I am in one of those moments where even Facebook is dull. Clearly no one has much going on they feel the need to post. Well, maybe some people do, but I chucked about a dozen hangers on off my Facebook this weekend since we really have little in common, never communicate or they are so freaking self indulgent that they ONLY care about what they are doing and how much it cost. I mean, REALLY could you imagine someone who is so egocentric that they only talk about themselves????
Oh, oops, wait a minute, is that ME? Maybe I should have deleted myself from Facebook. Well, I guess I don't have to delete me, you can do it for me! That's right, just head on over to edit friends, find Sarah Sherman and hit REMOVE. It is THAT simple! While you are at it be sure to remove yourself from my mailing list OK? GREAT! Now, that I have gotten rid of those who do not wish to peruse my individualistic views, let's get on to the rest of you!
This weekend has been amazing. Wet. Dismal. Exciting. Fun. Discouraging. Encouraging. Exhausting. Stimulating. Reassuring. AND finally.... INTERESTING! Why? Let's see...
Thursday morning I received a call from Len's brother Larry. He was in Newfoundland and had booked a flight to Moncton, New Brunswick to be picked up at 9am on Friday. We were thrilled to have Larry come especially since we knew he wanted to help out and he was a hard worker. Thursday was spent getting my baking ready for market. Fixing a good Maritime meal in advance for when we got home on Friday (deep brown molasses baked beans and porridge bread). Getting up at 5am to bag the baking, get out the door around 5:30am, drive to Glenn's, drop off the baking so he could take it to market and borrow Glenn's car to go to Moncton.
I felt like I had barely slept since I woke up at about 3am and smelled ham cooking... weird! I thought at first that it was some crazy sensory dream. Then I figured Len had gas and was wafting off the aroma of honey ham. In my sleepy haze I kept turning away from him so that I would not inhale pork but no matter what I did he still stank. Poor guy! Here he had a long bath before bed and still smelled BAD! Finally I just got up at 5 after feeling rather robbed of my rest. I walked into the kitchen to look at the crock pot to finish up my beans and realized LEN DIDN'T smell bad! (At least not this time!) It was the smell of the beans soaking over night in the pot! I laughed at myself while feeling relieved that my husband had not acquired some strange odorous disease.
We had a good yet quick trip to Moncton. The weather was a bit drizzly but the sun came out later in the day. It was a nice experience to pick someone up from the airport and not be hassled by the security guys as I sat out front, ahead of the taxi's waiting near arrivals. It was a wonderful feeling to see Larry and Len walk out to the car... When you live far from family and those you love, you don't realize how much you miss them until you see them again. THANK YOU Larry for coming! Thank you Lylia for sharing him!
Our drive to Woodstock was full of conversation and stories. We have not been to Newfoundland yet and we listened intently to Larry's tales of his trip. We were animated as we told him about our new lives, shared experiences as we crossed the countryside and delighted to be together again. Much later, after several stops and upon our arrival home, we were finally able to show off the homestead. Len and I are very proud (in a humble sort of way) about what we have. In the eyes of some it is not much. In the eyes of others it is beyond what we could ever need. To us, it is home, Fosterville at the base of Green Mountain. Of course, typical guys, they disappeared without a word for a 3 hour walk through the forest to find the end of the property line. No, they didn't tell me. Yes, I figured that was what they had done. No, not sure if they were OK, but, I did promise Rachel if they were not home by morning, I would call for help! Oh yeah, I know how to take care of MY GUYS!
I know Len is touched to have his younger brother here. Larry, you are always welcome in our home. We hope that next time your lovely wife, Auntie Lylia can join you ... Thank you for coming... You have already helped us and stimulated our ideas again on what needs and what can be done here. Yes we have had moments of great discouragement. Times where we just didn't know how to get from here to there, from A to Z. You have helped us get back on track, make the insurmountable become surmountable and lit a fire under us again. Last, but not least, thank you for getting Jessica to eat her whole dinner including her vegetables! She admires you alot, Uncle Larry!
I am really excited to have Len and Larry the "L" team working here for the next week or so. I need to rework my budget to get more supplies and we have to HOPE the rain stops so they can get some things done outside. I have noticed that some people put a DONATE button on their blogs from PayPal, but I figure I am probably full enough of myself that I better not do that. I should be paying you to read my blog, not you pay me!
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Don't worry this is not a LIVE button!
Simply send me a cheque that's fine! :) |
I made a pot of tea about an hour ago for myself and the "L" team but I think they have become absorbed outside in Len's shop. So I have poured my last half cup and will relax for a few moments before I go to bed. Now, I need to sleep, get up on time, NOT nap in the morning and work hard to accomplish enough tomorrow to move forward. Here is to a good night, good friends and great families!
