December 2024
Dear family & friends,
When we rang in 2000, some people thought the world would end that night. We soldiered on, though, and now embark on the last year of the first quarter of the 21st century.
The Hubs and I didn't travel too far from home. We are becoming increasingly content to stay in our nest. We attended local events like the Marcelin MX Games, Parkside Demolition Derby, and the Martins Lake Golf Cart Races.
I was able to spend Mom’s 95th birthday with her in January. The effects of Parkinson’s disease made this a very challenging year for her. I miss the stories from her youth she would share with me when her health was better.
We didn’t have snow in central Saskatchewan until the fifth of January. The cold weather found us, though; on January 12, it was -37, -50 with the wind chill and a bit nippy. We got more snow as winter progressed, which the snowmobilers enjoyed. Some wild and devastating weather-related events occurred around the world. I’m so glad we don’t have to contend with hurricanes, cyclones, or earthquakes; it’s a trade-off.
We went ice fishing, although The Hubs was more enthusiastic than I was. I often socialize more than fish, though I enjoy a fish fry.
Early May through mid-August is my favourite time of year when everything springs to life and flourishes. I spent a lot of time working in my yard, although I swear it gets bigger every year. The Hubs fertilized the lawn and then complained about having to cut it too often.
Our grown children are working hard and are busy raising kids, which means school, lunches, parties, sleepovers, activities and rotating colds.
We planned to take the family on a fishing trip in June, but unfortunately, I got shingles and had to cancel. It took me a couple of months to recover from that episode.
July was hot but smoky from forest fires around the country. Summer was filled with campfires, cookouts, beach time, boating, fishing, golfing and socializing with the multitude of friends that frequent the lake.
Why is sitting around chunks of burning wood that shoot flaming embers onto your clothes and leave you smelling like bacon while fighting off mosquitoes something we love to do? I wouldn’t say I like the smell of smoke on me or that my new shirt got sparked, but I still spend the winter longing for a warm summer evening gathered around a campfire.
Our First Annual Grandma Camp, where three of our grandchildren stayed with us for five nights, was held at the end of July. We went to Shellbrook Pool and Botchy’s Campground for ice cream and a visit with the animals, ate candy salad, had a wiener roast, rode bikes, went to the playground, did crafts, ran under the sprinkler, had a water fight, and frequented Dairy Queen.
The Hubs and I took the kids on a drive in the countryside and showed them the farm where I grew up. For reference, I had shown them a picture of what the farm looked like then, as the barn is all that remains now, but they still asked if I had lived in the barn. It was hard for them to grasp that my childhood home could be gone entirely. I told them it was a treat for us growing up to go with Dad to the pasture to check the cows. They didn’t know what a pasture was.
Tragically, I forgot to pack snacks, but The Hubs picked Saskatoon berries they shared from a little plastic cup. They were impressed that he could find them a snack in the wilderness. The kids live in the city and were concerned they wouldn’t ever return to the amenities of civilization. The cousins loved their time together at Grandma Camp and the long story times every night. As their parents weren't there, the regularly scheduled bedtime was cancelled. What happens at grandma’s house stays at grandma’s house! We had fun and made great memories. I will stock up on Band-Aids for next year.
We enjoyed getting out on our boat and spent many fun days in the sunshine. I purchased a tube and a floating mat. Everything is always more complicated than we expect. Though the tube worked well the first day, the next day, it kept submarining. The grandkids got dumped once, and our daughter bit it also. Everyone was OK, and although our daughter gallantly managed to keep her beverage out of the water, she lost her expensive sunglasses. A fish is likely wearing them while lounging on the anchor we lost last summer.
The Hubs was able to readjust the inner lining of the tube, so it should be good to go next summer if we can talk someone into getting on it. Are there any volunteers? I got a stabilizing ball that goes on the tow rope to help with this issue, so I’m reasonably confident the family will have fun on the tube again.
The floating mat was a tad larger than I visualized, and the guys had difficulty keeping it unrolled on its maiden voyage.
I signed my first contract to publish a children’s book in January and a second and third one in May. Two books, One More Story for Ava and A Home for Bonnie, came out this fall, so I have been busy with marketing and sales for them. I’m learning as I go.
A couple of my short stories were published in magazines. I also did some blogging and podcasting, but I mainly focused on children’s stories. Four more that I’ve been working on are at the submission stage.
September was busy as I made stock for six fall tradeshows where I was a vendor. I added new products, including soap, candles, bubble baths, additional spice blends and my children’s books.
The construction at the school I attended as a kid and then worked at for thirty-seven years was completed. It was sad to see part of the building demolished, but the reconstruction of the existing structure looks great. Over the past six years since I “retired,” I’ve
subbed there as an administrative assistant and educational associate.
Rural areas often have a sub-staff shortage, so lots of work is available.
My mother-in-law fell at home in September and shattered her hip. She had emergency hip replacement surgery that evening. She has been recovering for the last couple of months. At ninety-three, it was a lot for her to go through.
The Hubs went deer hunting, but we only got track soup.
I struggled to find good shows to binge-watch for my viewing enjoyment. Yellowstone, Landman, 1883, 1923, Bridgerton, true crime and documentaries are my go-to's. I also listen to tons of podcasts. A couple of good books held my attention as I’m trying to change my habits to scroll less and read more.
In sports news the Kansas City Chiefs won the NFL championship, and the Florida Panthers broke our hearts when they defeated the Edmonton Oilers in game seven of the Stanley Cup finals.
If you didn't hear about Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, you must have been living under a rock. I listened to One Direction, Coldplay, Imagine Dragons and Harry Styles.
On the world stage, some conflicts continued as new ones started. I guess this has been a scourge on humanity since the beginning of time, but it is still sad to see. The campaign and Presidential election in the US certainly got an abundance of media coverage. Donald Trump was in the news daily for the past four years, even though he wasn’t president.
I know grocery prices and the postal strike have added pressure to an already stressful time of year. Please take care of yourself.
Our grandkids are all over two now, so there are no more babies to rock. Four are in various activities, so The Hubs and I are back at pools, rinks, gyms and ball diamonds, cheering them on. Life has come full circle.
I am grateful we spent time together as a family throughout the year and will be together for Christmas.
Thank you for supporting me this year by reading my blog stories, listening to my podcast, sharing my posts, buying my products and books, and for your words of encouragement.
I hope 2025 is a year of good health, success, and, most of all, fun times and love for us all. Do things that nourish your spirit and energize you. If something is sucking the soul from your body, remember the word “No” can be a complete sentence.
From my family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
All the best in 2025,
Norma
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