LineaLanoie's Weblog

Well, maybe not movement as such, but progress anyway.  Something that shows. 

The base cabinets went in today and my sink arrived – or at least will be delivered to my office tomorrow.  No one was home today when the delivery guy came by. 

Then the countertop guy comes up to draw the templates for the counters.  Then a wait again.  About three weeks to fabricate the counters and finish off the rest of the cabinets and the floors. 

I am tired of trying to live out of this mess – even if it will be worth it in the end. 

I took my bike out for one of the first times this year on the weekend.  Saturday and Sunday were just too nice to stay inside.  So between setting up for our concert and the concert in the evening, I took a half hour ride down by the river. 

Today I rode to work again for the first time.  I haven’t done any hills yet but riding home agianst a 60 K wind should count for some exercise! 

I need to get into better shape again.  Our winters are too long and dark – bad for the body.

Today I finally played my string bass as part of the worship team.  I stuck to pretty simple songs but, hey, I did it!

Tonight was a much more demanding debut.  It was our year end concert for the Prince Albert Strings.  I got totally lost on one song – it is one with all sorts of repeats and I do fine when practicing but tend to get lost as the music moves faster.  I was surprised on a couple of the pieces where I played well all the way through. 

Next weekend we play a couple of songs to open with the Saskatoon symphony.  How audacious of me even daring to get up there with such good players!  So I am hoping they are gracious and don’t make some comment about the lack of quality of the playing. 

I think it will be fun.

And then orchestra will be over till next year.  I am thinking that next year will be a bit easier. 

Here I sit on a beautiful Spring day isolated (by choice or necessity) in the prayer room at church writing.  One of the reasons I chose this place is that when I write I need quiet and solitude.  I especially need to be able to listen for God’s voice to me as I review the studies I have taken part in over the past year. 

Homework. 

It is that but in my quiet reflection over the year, I can see places God has been present. 

I am not the same self as the self that set out on this spiritual journey.  I know myself better now than at the start. 

Although I think I am more than ever aware of my weak places, especially personality wise. 

I am also becoming more content just with who I am.  God dosen’t require me to try and be anyone else.  I think he rather likes this creation of his.

So if he’s OK with me, who am I to stress out over it?

The paper is going well.  I have one more week to finish it. 

I am going to spend some time outside now.

I woke up for the first time about 4 am.  Lying there in bed listening to Leo, newly diagnosed with sleep apnea, snore.  And stop.  Yeah, I can see where he stops breathing for 70 seconds at a time. 

I guess he will get the magic gadget to keep him puffing more regularly. 

I wonder if I will sleep better as a result.

Anyway, I really am sitting here thinking over the past year.  You see, I have a paper to write to kind of reflect and sum it all up. 

I am having trouble getting started.  Maybe there is just too much to think about; too much to remember and try to make sense of and draw significance from. 

And I need time.  Two weeks to do this.  But no scheduled time to just be quiet and listen to the voice of God pointing things out to me.

At the beginning of my journal I have written a prayer:

In the name of God
Who gives me life
May I nourish the lives around me.

In the name of Jesus Christ
Who exemplifies God’s love
May I grow closer to his example
And look more like him.

In the name of the Holy Spirit
Who empowers and enables me
May I become more aware of God in me.

It still is a good prayer for me as life continues and as I move along with it. 

Early mornings aren’t for everyone but they sure are good times for me.  Good times to think and listen.

I am so tired tonight.  I guess I am still recovering from my cold and at the same time trying to do too much.  And having the house is such disorder from ripping out the kitchen…. well I think it is safe to say we will not do another kitchen renovation in my lifetime. 

Last night David and his helper worked till 4 am to get the drywall up so that the guy who is mudding it could start today.  They did it and he has started it tonight. 

Things are moving along.  I can’t say that I like washing dishes in the bathtub, but at least we have hot water.  I’m trying to look for some positives here.  Mostly I’m just exhausted at all the extra work it is to live in a house that is in disorder.

Today I made a  trip down to Saskatoon to finalize my choice in countertops.  We are going with concrete from Sand and Stone by Rempel.  I chose a dark colour – Ebony.  The edges will have exposed agregate so that will pick up the colours from the floor and the cabinets.  The island will show the agregate and we have added some amber colored glass to pick up the light.  Thle guy that does this says that the glass particles add some sparkle and depth to the surface.  It will look pretty great I think.  It will resemble granite a lot but has some advantages over it.  For one thing, it resists heat very well so hot pots placed on the surface will not harm it.  Just can’t cut directly on it.  A bit cheaper than granite and a lot more custom made as far as the colours and the choices of agregate additions.  I think it will really suit our house.

Then I went and ordered and paid for our floor tile.  Visited a couple of lighting stores and ended up with the lights I wanted from Home Depot for a very reasonable price.  Sinks are ordered.  Just have to get paint and pick up an over the stove microwave.  Still have to choose what to use for the backsplash – maybe an amber tinted glass, maybe clear, maybe glass tile or something.

So much work.

And meanwhile, back here in PA. a new life is welcomed to the world over at the Vandersluys’ – Olivia Kate.  Can’t wait to see her.  Check out the details over at Marc’s blog.

Sara turned 18 on Monday.  This was my ditchen.

So we did not have any big celebration here.  Instead last night we went to BP’s for supper to celebrate it our proper low key style. 

Sara is a sweetheart.  Unfortunately, I think my gift to her this week may have been this cold.

This week I have been recovering from the conference weekend. I knew that I was exhausted at the end of it.  Exhausted enough to make me vulnerable to a nasty virus that has made me feel pretty miserable with a cold.  In fact as far as I can remember, this is one of the worst colds I’ve had in ages. 

Oh, yeah, I kept right on working.  This week I have been grateful to those patients who have not shown up for their appointments, giving me fairly light days for the past three. 

Now my nose is red and sore but at least I can breathe again. Last night I slept well for the first time all week.

I think I am on the mend.