So long, fare well....

I said several "Goodbye, for now"s at the nursing home tonight. It was sad. I'll go back there from time to time though, so it's not like saying "Goodbye" forever.

After Clarissa and I hugged goodbye, she said, "Now, remember to come back!!!" She's going to come buy a goat from us soon, so I'll for sure see her then and also at her baby shower in June.

My friend, April walked outside with me as we were parked on the same side of the building and we visited for a while out in the cool evening air. She wants to come see our farm soon....plus she wants me to come to her graduation...

When Rose heard it was my last scheduled day there, she teased me about being naughty and leaving them, then patted me on the cheek. :)

There is a time for everything... A time to work with the elderly and a time to work with the young!

I've learned so much (many technical things and also about relationship skills) in the last two years and am grateful for the experience I had as a CNA, but I'm also very grateful for this new door that God has opened in my life----to care for 2 sweet little girls in their home out in the country! I'm sure there's much to be learned in this time/way of life also and trust God to give me the wisdom that will most definitely be needed!

Indeed, it is a wonderful (and interesting) life!

Tomorrow is my last day...

...as a part-time CNA at the Napoleon Care Center. I'll still go in on a PRN basis----as needed, as I have time to do so. It's sad in some ways and exciting in others.... :)

I took my car to town to work again today. It purred right along all the way there and all the way back home, the return journey being made in a little misty rain shower. I'm so thankful to have my own vehicle once again!

The turkeys are growing and growing. It's about time to make an addition to their little box house! Hopefully the days will be warm enough soon so we can get them outside. They had started to fly out of their box (which is in the kitchen), so I had to get a piece of a metal-bar kennel to lay on top so they can see out but can't get out...

Well, I need some sleep, so will say goodnight to you all. "Good night". ~

New, old materials to study...

This evening, while working at the nursing home, one of the residents (a friend of my mom and brothers' from a while back who they met through Mr. Stevens and the John Birch Society) gave me several old VHS tapes of great freedom talks produced by the JBS and other places too. Sometimes the old things are the best things, so it will be interesting to watch them....

I have to get to bed pretty quick tonight, as I need to be back at the nursing home in the morning at 8:30 for 3 1/2 hours of mandatory training/meetings and then, after lunch, I work the rest of the day there too.

So, good night; God bless; farewell; and may sweet dreams be yours! :)

A bit of news...

It seems that God has opened a new door for me, as far as work goes...

As you know, a "Neighbor" family (they live 12 miles away, but we still call them neighbors) has asked me to watch their 2 little girls. What I didn't tell you is that they'd like me to watch/care for them 3 to 4 days a week. I enjoy spending time with children so much! I do like working with the elderly too, but the job I have now as a CNA keeps me hopping so much that I don't really have time to spend one on one with the residents for very long at all and the job is rather stressful.

SO, I gave my notice at the nursing home today, that I'd like to go to PRN status (which means I'll work as needed) and will finish out our current schedule which goes into the middle of April, then I'll go over to our neighbors, Tracy and Paula M's every week instead. Some of my coworkers are a little mad at me for leaving, but they can see where I'd enjoy my new work more. :) On April 8th, it will be 2 years since I started working at the Napoleon Care Center (nursing home) and I have learned a lot in that time and have met a lot of people/friends. I'll still be working there a few times every month (more so in the Winter months) so can stay in touch with people that way. I'm so much happier though, thinking about spending my days with little ones, teaching them, working with them, and playing with them.~

I did have a special moment at the nursing home this evening that I thought I'd tell about here... A friendly gentleman resident insisted on giving me a chocolate bar again tonight. He's done this a couple times before... This time, he said,
"Do you know why I want to give it to you?"
When I replied that I did not know but was curious, he answered,
"Because I like how you dress like a lady and how respectful and humble you are."
That put a smile on my face, and I accepted his candy bar and brought it home to share with my family. :)

SO, I will miss several parts of my work at NCC, but will also love the new work God has in store for me. I'll probably also still be working at Helen's Daycare some. She actually asked me this week if I'd come more regularly (3+ days a week) there in a couple months when she's going to have 3 new babies to care for, but I can not be in 2 places at one time, and I'd already committed to caring for Tracy and Paula's little girls---plus they live closer and I really, really like them (and they are very generous....). ;) I think, for the time being, this is best. Paula requested, after the first time I cared for her girls,
"Now please don't run off and get married next week or anything, as I'd like you to stick around here for years to come." :) We'll see what God has planned, but for the time being, I feel that this is where I belong.

So, dear friends, life changes...

One exciting change is the wet weather we had this morning----not only is the wetness very welcome for the moisture it brings to the land, but it also allows our guys some time to work on things like, say, my car! :) Andrew got it taken apart down to the water pump this morning. That was definitely broken. Now he said he just needs to find a new one, plus some other parts, then reassemble it all, and then my car should run, hopefully. Wouldn't that be loverly? :)

I looked out Helen's window, and what do you think I saw?

I went to Helen's Daycare this morning to watch the children all morning so she and her husband could go to another funeral. Shortly after our lunch was finished, I was doing some dishes when I happened to look out the window and see a great big muskrat sitting about 10 feet from the house, nibbling on some grass or something. The strange thing is, there really isn't a body of water anywhere nearby, so I don't understand what it was doing there? When some of us went outside, he slowly waddled over to the deck and climbed underneath. The hired man got a shovel and tried to poke at him, but all to no avail. Hmmmm....

Frank and Helen got back just in time for me to hop in Andrew's black Charger and drive the 2+ miles into town to work the rest of the day at the nursing home. I am very much looking forward to sleeping in a little in the morning, as it's been a long time since I've done that and I'm so tired (plus, I'm fighting a cold....).

I don't even know what happened around here today. I do know that there is a lot of lightning in the sky, plus a few raindrops. :) PTL! We need some rain.

Spring has sprung!!!

Our lawn is turning green; the days are sunny; and our tulips are popping up out of the ground. :) I hope Spring has come to stay!

"Please, God, help Spring to stay."

I had a busy day away from home, first working at Helen's Daycare (the 10 small children and I all bundled up and headed outside this morning to soak up some sunshine and fresh air, but the cool wind sent us back inside after a few minutes of playtime,) for about 5 hours. Then, when Helen got back from a funeral she was attending, I went to the nursing home and worked my 8 hour shift there. Now I'm tired and I want to go to bed!

Mother was feeling a lot better today, so she headed for Bismarck to see clients and to do some shopping. She picked up the new trampoline my brothers and I had requested (don't worry, we'll pay her back... :) ), as our other one got demolished in a wind storm last Summer. It was getting to be in bad shape even before that, with the springs flinging off occasionally, some of them flying very high and smacking into a grain bin! It will be so enjoyable to be able to get fun exercise again!

Well, that's all I really know about this day. As you can see, I wasn't really here for most of it....

Short night...

I just returned home from working at the nursing home and need to get to bed right away, as I need to be out at Helen's Daycare one last day tomorrow---bright and early.


So, good night everybody!

Learning the rest of the ropes...

This morning, I went to Helen's house (Daycare) so we could go over some menus and so she could show me where absolutely everything I might ever need was at. :) The reason? She and her husband will be leaving on vacation soon and I will be in charge of her daycare for a few days... If she did forget to show me where something is (and I forgot to ask), then I'm pretty sure the children can help me find it, as they know the ins and outs of the place (and all the rules) better than I do. :)

I got a phone call while at Helen's from one of my coworkers at the nursing home who was wondering if I could come in a couple hours early and take over for her, as she had an appointment to keep, so I agreed to do that as I was going to be going there to work the rest of the day anyway. It ended up being a rather long day.

When I got home just a bit ago, I rolled up the garden-hose that was in the milk cows' tank yet and took it in the house, locking the door behind me. All was still in the house. I figured everyone was in bed already. I had just taken my shoes and coat off when I heard the dogs bark and then, a little later, the entryway door opened up. I turned the light on out there and peeked out the door into the entry---and there---was my dad, coming up the stairs! I let him in. :)

Apparently, they had posted an ad on Bis-Man to try and sell our old car (one that we've had for almost as long as I can remember). Within 3 hours time, they had a call from a man in Bismarck who wanted to buy it. His car broke down this morning (for the last time, I think) and he said he'd willingly pay the full price my dad was asking (in cash) if he'd deliver it to Bismarck. SOOOOO, at 8:00 this evening, he and Andrew took off with the old car and Andrews' car. After making the delivery, while filling gas in Bismarck, they ran into (not literally) some friends from Edgeley, so that was neat.

And that, my dear friends, was our day. ~

"You should be a nurse!"

..."You'd be good at it."

That's what I've been told several times, but, as I really don't WANT to be a nurse, I won't be. :) I just got home a little bit ago from working at the nursing home again. Now I'm done for the week there.

Not a whole lot happened around here this morning, outside of dishes and picking the house up a bit. The boys and Mom are really not feeling well, so I don't think a lot got accomplished around here today outside of whatever Dad did in the shop.

It is very cold out tonight! What a wonderful night to be inside, buried under lots of blankets. Agreed? :)

Is there a full moon coming up?

It was quite wild and exciting at work tonight with residents roaming the halls, not being interested in anything and not wanting to go to bed. It was, yes, interesting.... I don't know why, but what they say about a full moon making people more restless sure seems to be true. Also, sudden changes in the weather does the same.

I need to get to bed pretty quick here as I need to head to Helens' in the morning as she wants to attend a relatives' funeral.

So, good night everybody!~

Facing one of my fears...

I've worked as a CNA for 1 year and 8 months now and had not, as of yet, actually had to deal with a residents' death. I mean, actually dealing with it, being there to take care of the resident after the fact. I've been on duty, but working on another wing when someone passed away, and have cared for several residents when they were close to death, but I was never actually there when "It" happened. I was really kind of scared about the whole thought of working with a dead person.

Well, tonight, all of that changed. One of our residents passed away this evening at about 9:30. My coworker, April was very brave (she had never done it before either) and we just worked together (washing him up and changing his gown, etc...) and it was not near as bad as I'd dreamt it to be. We just kept reminding each other that he was in a better place now (I believe he really was a Christian), and that he could now be with his wife (who passed away a couple months ago). It was hard, but God saw us through it alright. Death, too, is a part of life, afterall.

Speaking of life though, I'd better get to sleep now, as I need to get up early-ish in the morning and go take care of our neighbors' very-much-alive children at 8:30. :)

May you all have a good night!

We made Ritz cookies!

This morning, after cleaning the kitchen up a bit, Mom, Jacob and I made our favorite holiday cookies---the kind that Grandpa Delzer used to make each year at Christmas. They're really quite easy to make. You just make little Ritz cracker peanut-butter sandwiches and then dip them in melted chocolate or white almond bark, then let them set 'til firm. I took a tin-full of these to work this afternoon and the night nurse said they brought back so many memories for her, as she hadn't had them since she was a little girl! :)

Speaking of work in town, it was a busy day, but fun, as everyone was happy and excited. When we got there, most everyone was up already from their naps, so we got everyone out to the dining room to open presents. We CNAs (and the nurse, ward-clerk, and activity lady) helped open presents for the people who couldn't do it themselves, then wrote down what they'd received and delivered the items safely to the residents' rooms. It was pretty fun....

Mother had a happy birthday, I think, although yesterday was more special as we were all together and not working on anything. We played classical piano duets for a little while before I had to head for town, and that always makes her day! ;) (I like it too, of course.)

I hope you and yours had a delightful day, spent with those you hold dear!~

Do you know????

Is there a way to make microwave popcorn without using a microwave? Can I just put it in our on-the-stove-top corn popper? I was given a bag of "Goodies" at work today and got a bag of mic. popcorn and, as we don't have a microwave anymore, I was just wondering what to do with it? Suggestions anybody?

Mother and Jacob went to Bismarck today to do some errands (and Mom had some sessions to do.) They washed the car; bought supplies for Mom's special birthday meal; bought a food gift for my Bornemann grandparents (who we may be seeing tomorrow); and they received several free calendars at various places. :) Just this morning, my dad and I were talking about not having any calendars for the new year. "God hears and answers prayer" and wishes too!

I'm not sure what Dad and Andrew all got accomplished today, but I know they were busy in the shop. I spent the morning working on laundry; making lunch (with fresh halvah for dessert); ironing my work clothes; cleaning up the house a bit; then headed for the nursing home to work there.

Can it be almost a new year already? How time does fly......

"Sunrise, sunset..........swiftly flow the days, seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers, blossoming even as we gaze......"

Caring for little people--and bigger people...

I headed East early this morning to work at Helen's Daycare again (as Helen had a meeting to attend) and then a little before 2:00, I left there and headed for work at the nursing home again. It was a long day, but thankfully I'm not as tired as I thought I'd be. :)

Guess what I'll be doing in the morning? Yes, milking Sally. Andrew and Dad are leaving early (about 5:00AM) and heading for MN to get some parts for Andrews' Charger. They don't expect to be home until after evening chores tomorrow night, so Jacob will be doing the cow feeding and Mom and I are taking turns doing the milking; feeding grain to the calves/heifers/bulls; making sure everyone has water; and taking care of the goats. Oh yes, and feeding the cats and dogs too....

I'd better get some sleep!

Can't think of a title...

...Maybe it's because I'm tired? Maybe I should just get some sleep.... :)

I got home from work a bit ago; showered; and visited with Mother for a few minutes before she headed for bed. We have a new CNA on board now (as of yesterday) and I just met her today. She seems really nice and like a hard worker too. Hooray!

I need to get up early in the morning so as to be able to babysit at Helens again. Hopefully the roads will be good then. They were pretty slippery on my way into town this afternoon. " 'Tis the season.... Tra-la-la-la-laaaa La-la La-la."

Good night everyone.~

Busy evening....

After cleaning some and doing laundry this morning, and after making (and eating) tacos for lunch, I went to work in town at the nursing home. For the second half of the shift (which is the busiest, with getting everyone ready for bed), we worked short, so the 3 of us were very ready to head home tonight! Thankfully, that doesn't happen often!

I'm not sure what the guys all did today. I do know they were doing some maintenance on vehicles this morning. They're all in bed now though, so I don't know what else happened here today. Mother will be coming home tomorrow evening, so prayers again for a safe flight would be wonderful!!!

It will be nice to be all together as a family again.~

Another full day away...

I got up early this morning and headed for Helen's Daycare to watch the children so she could go with her husband to Bismarck for appointments. Another lady came and took over at 1:40 so that I could quickly change and drive into town (Helens' house is a few miles out of Napoleon) and be in time to work my PM shift at the nursing home. I'm pretty tired tonight and am glad I can sleep in a little bit in the morning! :)

The others worked out in the shop again today. They said that if they have one more good day, they should be done with the sheeting and then can take back the scissor-lift. Then they will put in a small door on the front side of the shop; insulate the large shop door; paint all the sheeting white; move their bench back in place............ There still is lots to do, but we are grateful for the progress that's been made---safely!

I will leave you now with the "Good Clean Funnies" joke of the day.

It's called: Live and Learn

Psychiatry students were in their Emotional Extremes class.
"Let's set some parameters," the professor said. "What's the
opposite of joy?" he asked one student.

"Sadness," he replied.

"The opposite of depression?" he asked another student.

"Elation," he replied.

"The opposite of woe?" the prof asked a young woman from
Texas.

The Texan replied, "Sir, I believe that would be giddyup."

It was a full day away...

...and right now I'm thankful for a nice, warm, soft, comfortable bed to rest on each night!

I left the house this morning at 8:00 and didn't get back until 11:00 tonight. The reason? I was taking care of people--large and small!

I watched and cared for 10 small children at Helen's from 8:30AM to 1:30PM (so she could attend her aunts' funeral), then headed straight for the Napoleon Care Center (the nursing home) for an 8 1/2 hour shift. It got to be a long day, but I always really enjoy spending time with the children, so adding that onto my regular work in town was not too burdensome. :)

I am tired however, so shall retire shortly!

Good night.~

The cows are home!!!

Most everything went well and we had them all home and in the harvested cornfield just in time for lunch. Then, I headed for work in town and that's all I know about what happened here, as everyone was in bed when I got in the house tonight. I have two days off now, so am looking forward to getting many things accomplished at home in the next couple of days. :)

Busy day!

After a morning of working on apples again and a few various other projects, I headed for work in town, knowing that the annual inspection there was in progress. Everyone is just a little bit nervous being watched, so it was a stressful day. I think we did alright, but it just adds a bit more stress to the day and my head aches again tonight..... I work there again tomorrow and the state inspectors will be there still, so any prayers on my/our behalf would be appreciated! I think I'll take my bottle of peppermint essential oil along to work tomorrow. :)