Hope you aren't tired of snow pictures!

If you are tired of all the snow pics, think of how tired we are of all the snow.  I just heard that spring is 24 days away.  That doesn't mean that spring will actually be HERE.  We took a little drive on Saturday around town so that Paul could show me the huge snow banks (in case I don't get enough of that looking out our windows).  

Monday I had hospital appointments: a chest x-ray, blood work and an infusion of a medication which counteracts bone thinning, which will happen from another medication I will take.  The infusion was not bad, even though I had to be poked for it since my PICC line is gone.  It only took about 1/2 hour.  The bad part is that my appointment for the infusion was for 11:30.  I got in there around 1:00.  The good thing is that I had a long talk with the nurse who took my vitals, about the glitches in the new oncology department.  She admitted to me that it's not working and they are frustrated.  So I got to have some input into the situation.

My energy level has definitely improved, however it doesn't last long.  I tire easily and get weak and sometimes shaky.  I am thankful that the treatments are history.  I think that a good dose of spring weather would work wonders.  In the meantime, I will just enjoy winter from the inside and not feel guilty when I hunker down with a good book.

More on that storm

That bump to the right of the apartment building and to the left of the left pole (clothes line pole),

 is the baby barn, completely covered with snow!

Last week at the farm

Can't imagine what it looks like now after 50 + cm. of snow.

All Paul was able to do was blow three swipes to make

a narrow pathway.  Now there is no pathway, I'm sure.

Pretty windows

The snow is packed between the windows and the screens.

Looking out our windows during a blizzard

 Can you see the other side of the lake?

Neither can I.

 The Rav is almost buried.

   

That is a huge drift which runs along the whole house in the front.

It is bigger now.

 Behind the baby barn

The drift is almost as high as the barn.

When I opened the back door...

 

 

The drift reaches up to the clothes line.

 

 There's that drift in the front again.

It goes part way up the birch tree.

That's not a green plant growing on the front porch.

It is inside the window.

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

A Bible Institute student painted this for me.

I am sure she painted it, and intend to have her sign it some time.

Very special.

Also a friend gave me some pretty jammies.

I should have a picture of them, but right now they are in the dirty clothes.

I really like them and am inspired to get some more. 

Not the same, different, but pretty.

 We have a special attachment to Queen Elizabeth tea roses.
When Paul was growing roses, he had 18 rose bushes at one time.
He brought  QE roses from our garden to the hospital when Sara was born.
That's  what I wanted and requested, if we had a girl.

These reminded Paul of QEs, so he brought them home for VD -

the second dozen roses in about 3 weeks.

Must be true love!!!

I have a Queen Elizabeth rose on the agenda for the garden this year.

SNOW, SNOW AND MORE SNOW!!!

 Monday we went for a drive, my first time out of the house in two weeks.

This is where we ate our lunch.
I wanted to Roll Up the Rim at Tim Horton's, so Tim's it was.

It is that time of year again.
That opening in the snow is a path that leads down to the river.

There wasn't as much snow up Memramcook way,

but it was pretty!

Back in the city, there is plenty of snow!

This is the end of the lake,

which you would never know was there from here.

Beautiful day!

It was nice to get out,

but I was ready to get home.

I think I have turned a corner

I started feeling better on Saturday, although mornings are not my best time. I got up determined to make breakfast.  It took one sit down, before I was up trying again.  I did it!  Sunday I made three meals including brownies - easy, easy Costco mix.  (they are good, in case you wonder)  Sooo I think this marathon is coming to an end.  I hope, I hope.   Paul is now in a quandary of: is it too much for me, or is it best for me in gaining some strength.  I pretty much know if I can, I can and if I can't, I can't!

In the future when I hear of someone facing chemo, I will cringe.  I was told at the beginning that some people breeze through.  I also know that some battles are much more difficult than mine.  However, for me, chemo therapy has been very difficult.  I could use some other words to describe it, but I won't.  I do not regret that we decided to follow the recommendation of the oncologist, but I certainly hope it is never a possibility again.  I am thankful for the knowledge and research behind the advice.  We believe God used this for our good.

I am hoping that I have learned the lessons God has for me in this experience. I hope to be an encouragement to others.  I know many have been an encouragement to me.  I am especially thankful for those who not only prayed, but let me know they continued to pray.  It has been very encouraging to hear by e-mail, mail, phone or word of mouth that I have not been forgotten.  It is hard to sit in the recliner through most of November, December, January and into February with not enough energy to even read.  I have watched renovation programs ad nausea...I can barely bare to watch any of them any more.

God's promises have not failed, not once!
   
     "This thing is from me."  I Kings 12:24
     "Life's disappointments are veiled love's appointments." --Rev. C. A. Fox
"My child, I have a message for you today; let me whisper it in your ear, that it may gild with glory any storm clouds which may arise, and smooth the rough places upon which you may have to tread.  It is short, only five words, but let them sink into your inmost soul; use them as a pillow upon which to rest your weary head.  This thing is from ME.

Have you ever thought of it, that all that concerns you concerns Me too?  For, 'he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye'  (Zech. 2:8).  You are very precious in My sight. ( Isa. 43:4)  Therefore, it is My special delight to educate you."

     " 'This is from Me,' the Saviour said,
             As bending low He kissed my brow,
        'For One who loves you thus has led.
           Just rest in Me, be patient now,
        Your Father knows you have need of this,
            Tho', why perchance you cannot see.--
        Grieve not for things you've seemed to miss,
             The thing I send is best for thee.'

     "Then, looking through my tears, I plead,
           'Dear Lord, forgive, I did not know,
     'Twill not be hard since Thou dost tread,
          Each path before me here below.
     And for my good this thing must be
         His grace sufficient for each test.
     So still I'll sing, "Whatever be
        God's way for me is always best." ' "  
                               Excerpts from Streams in the Desert, February 1

Trying to dig my way out of this hole...

once and for all.  It is proving to be a slow climb!  I guess I fell in during the night Saturday.  I never slept after 1:45 AM and then again, not after 3:00 AM on Sunday night.  Since that time I have been in bed or propped up in the recliner.  I told Paul to come running if he hears a clunk in case I hit the floor.  Fortunately it has not happened, but at times I put my head on my arms on the counter if I am in the kitchen.  I slept last night, Praise the Lord!  Woke up about 7:45 AM, was back in bed from 9:45 to 12:30, sleeping or just lying there.  Last night we watched a 1933 black and white Little Women until 11 PM.  I think that was good for me, because it kept me up and then I slept through the night.  Hopefully tomorrow will be better, and then the next day...and the next.

LOTS AND LOTS OF SNOW HERE AND ANOTHER STORM COMING ON THURSDAY.  When I have more energy, I'll post some pics Paul took.