Random thoughts(SO MANY...no particular order)......2010!

not complete......I'm just getting started! (LOL.....this may be my Christmas letter)

thinking of Baba & Mom.......Gido and Jeep(super rough year for both of them)!  (I know you are probably wondering about how I grouped the names.....but this year that's how my thoughts are(not necessarily the order).

Kim & Dustin as they wait for the safe arrival of their 1st child!

Ryan and his family.....just lost their dog yesterday(hit by a vehicle on the highway).

Thinking of cousin Ashley.....his family, and his Mom & Dad(and sister Bonnie), they've had such a hard year!

Since a HOME Christmas with Mom is no longer....I am thankful to be included in the Knapp Christmas...thanks for the invite Betty!

I think tomorrow will be the annual, sleep by the Christmas tree sleepover with the girls.....Tyson(2) might join us this year!

Matt Costa - Astair

now for the real thing......I think Daylan does a pretty good job(sorry for the poor video quality on Daylan's take)!

Daylan pops by for a visit.....and sings this(Astair by Matt Costa)!

if you stop by the new Starbucks in Camrose tomorrow you might be able to catch him singing it........Self Titled playing at the grand opening!

1 year

today it's one year since my Dad passed away......at this moment he was very near the end, passed away peacefully just after 9.

I have missed him.......it feels strange! When he was living I only seen him once in awhile, and never had much communication with him.....so I wonder why......feels strange!

If you knew him........think of him now and again, and smile.....that would be nice!


Thanks for the pictures Betty....taken in July 2009!

last picture of him with his two sisters......he was so happy to see them, and had a pretty mean handshake(and wouldn't let go)!


One of the very few picture of us.....taken on the same day as the above picture!

this song was played at Daniel's friends Mother's service.....she had Alzhimers(died after she had a stroke)! Very touching.....close to home!

part of the reason I love this place(our home)!

click to enlarge

To HECK with all the RAMBLING.......how about a few picutres!

Banff candy store......enough said!


This little bird house made me think of several people......isn't it cut, great crafting project for those that love the woods/bush!


someone turned 30!


Favorite spot in Banff......Bow Falls!


Poor Oscar....Poor Dana!


Love this picture......


great time.....except for my stomach...round and round we went waiting for big waves from those on the ground, that did me in!


in Banff, thought of Daylan & Daniel when I saw the name of this store!



on the SU cruise......5 generations of SU demos earn cruise, quite the accomplishment!



I put them in, I got to take them off!

SO BAD......I can't believe what a BAD BLOGGER I've turned into!!!

catch up.......where do I start?

things that come to mind....in no particular order

1. Dana moved to B.C.
2. Auntie Doris & Uncle Mike's Anniversary
3. Mom
4. Ashley need stitches
5. Our neighbors lose their infant Granddaughter
6. Great visit at Wolf lake(family & A BEAR)
7. Wipeout audition for Daylan
8. someone turned 30
   
9. Friends of our find out their 6 year old Grandson has a brain tumor.....thinking of them as they wait for surgery, and recovery!
   
10. Daniel wins the pair tournament in Camrose, qualifies him to attend the Canadian finals in Comox B.C.
11. BVJ
    
12. Got to go flying with my nephew Andrew......wanted to do this for a long time, happy I got the chance!
    
13. Canada hosts the Olympics.....I miss all the excitement!
    
14. My visit to Salt Lake City....Stampin' Up! convention
15. Earning the SU incentive trip to Alaska......very excited about this, it was A LOT of work!
16. Mom
17. Two babies on the way......Daniel's side!
    
18. Visit to Saskatoon, family engagement party.
19. Tyson starts walking
20. Dana lost Oscar
    
21. Quick trip to Banff..........it was GREAT!
22. We are now landlords!
23. Mom
    
24. Natasha passes grade 1
25. We went on our 1st cruise....Southern Carribean(SU), LOVED IT!
    
26. Annual Family Campout.....started in 1998! Because of another family gathering one year we did not have a campout.......that makes 2010 was our 11th!
27. Daylan is moving it out, very excited for him.....it's time, he's a big boy!
28. Daryl & Lori work their asses off at Danica & Adam's being forman's for the fence project.....there is no other way to put it! They had help yes, but they did the majority of the work.....and it was LOTS!
29. Emily gets her learners!
30. Daylan cut his dreads off.
    
31. We enter into the Empty Nest part of our life!
32. Auntie Theresa has heart surgery......happy to report, after several complications she is now doing fine.
33. Danica rode in the MS bike tour.....and did a mighty fine job!
    
34. Family member is hit by a drunk driver.......thankfully no one was seriously injured!
35. Georgette breaks her ankle.......recovery has been difficult.
    
36. Shirlee & Amanda go shopping for a wedding dress.......I cannot wait for this wedding(July 9th, 2011).

there's more I know......it will come to me as I start to update!

My lack of updating comes from the fact that I am still feeling like a grizzly bear. Sometimes I sit and wonder why, then I think at the year we've had........not the best!

1. Last October I lost my Dad.....although we were not close, it's been tough! Being with him when he passed was comforting and difficult at the same time...........so many memories surface during these times, many of them are not pleasant. As I type this I am relieved to say the process of his estate is VERY close to being final......I'm not much for paper work, legal stuff........will be glad when I can say it's over!
   
2. Just before Christmas(Dec. 18th to be exact)Mom became a resident of the Vilna Lodge. A VERY difficult time which caused HUGE issues in our family. This coupled with many other related happenings has caused tons of stress(and still does). We have become a very dis-functional family. Sadly, I don't see things changing anytime soon........hence I have basically lost my Stepfather of 40ish years.
   
3. Although Mom is still with us, she is not.....I really feel like I am morning her while she is still alive.
4. Add to this, in March we lost Baba after many times of nearly losing her. She was such a pilar in our(Daniel's)family.......miss her so so much! Without her, we of course often think of Gido(nearing 94). What is he going through...........the lose of his partner of 69 years is beyond what I can comprehend......poor guy, although he seems fine.....he is not the same, how could he be?!

Throw in the mix everyday excitement/stess......and you have yourself one Mama Grizzly Bear.....what can I say!

As you can see the good for sure out weighs the bad.......but the bad is much heavier......must keep chin up!

Have Kidlets....check this out....it is the season!

http://bubbleblowers.com/homemade.html

This one is for Ashley & Natasha(and anyone that likes to dance).....Grandma would like to see you dance to this song!

Mother's Day Post #2(on the lighter side)

To those that are regular visitors, you know I have posted this for the past few Mother's Days......and here it is again, hope you get a chuckle!

Mother's Day Post #1(first two pictures taken yesterday, day before Mother's day)!

I want you both back.......I know we don't always get what we want!

The BUTTERFLY FARM....I forgot how hard it is to get decent pictures of BUTTERFLIES....they don't land often and when they do it's just for a second!

this blue butterfly was amazing(picture does not do it justice, not even close).....but wouldn't land anywhere! The butterfly guy caught one for me, and held it so I could get a picture(he said they rarely land during the day)!

THE CRUISE! (where do I start).....still working on this post!

IT WAS FABULOUS....as I think back, it's hard to decide what was the best(on board or ashore)? BOTH were great.....take a look! It seems I have WAY more ashore pictures(many taken from on board, from our balcony(thanks Stampin' Up!)).......

our home for the week!


this was my favorite beach(St. Lucia I believe).....BEAUTIFUL! Bonus for me......there were trees along the beach......I could be in the shade...LOL!


we snorkeled here!

The beach where Daniel got this(back full of blisters.....yes, he should know better).....he was not in the shade as much as I was(we were there for MAYBE 2 hours)

he did go and visit the ships medical office(two days after the burn)......by that time it was blistering so there wasn't much they could do!

had lunch in the shade............breathtaking view!





dessert......on board!


taken from our balcony!


us with one of the great drivers we had.....it was his idea to take the picture.....very nice guy!



these flowers were EVERYWHERE....beautiful!


taken on board!


in the casino....on board!


taken from our balcony!



Johnny Rockets(on board)






this lady was wringing wet, very hot......she was dancing out in the middle of a walkway.........on concrete!



this is were we ate our dinner for the past week.....imagine!


Did you know the Captain's of the ships were not allowed to bring the ships in, dock in foreign countries? Each country supplies their own Captain, and they bring the ships into the docks! The countries Captains are brought out on a small vessel......then they take over......interesting!
so here is the Captain climbing on the ship......see the gap between the two boats? He has no life jacket on, and is on a rope ladder.......what the hey!

CRUISING TIDBITS!
Our rooms were cleaned(beds made)twice a day!
We went to a nude beach(did not participate.....didn't leave the cab, but got my zoom lens out....won't post pictures)!

FUNNY(taken from Danica's blog)!

Our very own Chris(Amanda's boyfriend)live on Sask. radio CKOM!

http://www.newstalk650.com/audio/john-gormley-live/20100409-john-gormley-live-april-9-2010-hour-3

Chris's story starts at 11:57 of the broadcast......GOOD JOB CHRIS!

CHECK THIS OUT!

my cruise packet just arrived!

Chuckle for the day!(thanks Georgette)

A husband  in his back yard is trying to fly a kite. He throws the kite up in the  air, the wind catches it for a few seconds, then it comes crashing back  down to earth. He tries this a few more times with no  success. All the while, his wife is watching  from the kitchen window, Muttering to herself how men need to  be told how to do everything. She opens the window and yells to  her husband, "You need a piece of tail." The man turns with a confused look  on his face and says, "Make up your mind. Last night, you told me to go  fly a kite.

 

 

Thanks Lori(click on image to enlarge)

Winter Exercise program...  Take one Weetabix. Take an Aero chocolate bar. Crumble the Aero over the Weetabix. Voila! AEROBIX !

HAPPY EASTER

CHECK IT OUT HERE! 

Daylan wrote this song on Feb.11th 2010(his 20th birthday)

He and Danica revised it a bit to sing at Baba's service.  

This was in the kitchen when he was practicing.....sounded much better when he performed it at the hall, with a mike and amplifier.  This recording is done on his laptop....not the greatest sound!

Chorus:

Well Did I make the most of my time here,

in this place called earth.

Will my kids remember, or forget in time

too bad i cant wait and see.

Will that house i built be cared for through the years

or will it only crumble to the ground

What people will remember of me when im gone,

ooooooooooooooo when im gone.

Verse 2:

Old photographs and videos will fill the boxes in my closet

all the important parts of our life, stuffed into forgotten corners.

Generations yet to come will dismiss them as relics, void of any worth

priceless momentos of another life and better days gone by.

Verse 3:

The sand in the hour glass of my life has slowly drained away.

All the small decisions I have made, has helped me leave a lasting legacy.

So dry your tears, and cry no more, for I'm happily at Heaven's door.

We'll meet again somewhere down the road, for now remember me.

Chorus:

Well Did I make the most of my time here,

in this place called earth.

Will my kids remember, or forget in time

too bad i cant wait and see.

Will that house i built be cared for through the years

or will it only crumble to the ground

What people will remember of me when im gone,

ooooooooooooooo when im gone.

Baba's Eulogy as written by Granddaughter Amanda.....delivered by Granddaughter Candace(excellenet job girls)

A Tribute to Baba from the Grandchildren

Natalie Krawchuck, was born on September 10, 1918 in Rife, Alberta . NATASKA became her name when her first grade teacher nicknamed her this and it stuck with her from then on. Our family gathered this past September to celebrate a milestone - her 91^st birthday. 

Baba was one of 12 children born to Helen and Fred Krawchuck. Her siblings – some near, some far, were always in her heart. She had a special bond with her sister Doris, who she spent countless hours with, as her and Mike lived nearby. Baba spent most of her life in Glendon, but also lived in Toronto and Victoria. While in Glendon, she met George Wizniuk. Gido told us a story about when he met baba, he wanted to walk her home from church – well he walked her…9 miles there and 9 miles home – he hoped after the long walk he would get just a kiss, but NO kiss!  On February 9, 1941, Baba married her best friend and life companion George. Baba and Gido celebrated their 69^th wedding anniversary this February. They stayed true to their vows....they took care of each other, for better or for worse. 

Baba and Gido raised their four children – Georgette, Ted, Shirlee and Daniel on a farm at Giford, and in 1951 moved to their long term residence on a farm outside of Glendon. Baba loved the farm – she spent hours in her beloved garden – she always made sure she had tons of peas for the grandkids to shell under the shady tree by the house but heaven forbid we got caught eating any. She always had plenty  vegetables and made sure her family could take some home when they visited. All of us have fond memories of spending summers out at the farm with baba and gido – helping with the chores, taking a hot lunch out to gido in the field ,somehow she always knew where he would be around lunchtime, helping in the garden, picking berries and mushrooms, and tending to or often sleeping  with the baby chicks. She also took good care of the farm dogs – she was the only person who would ever take the time to make chop for them daily.

Baba loved all the holidays – she made them so special as our huge family would travel to the farm at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas and pack into the house to celebrate. Somehow it never seemed that full as everyone always had a place to sleep and a belly full of her wonderful cooking – and no one got away without the Kutya on their plate at Christmas. She always had treats for the kids too – homemade baking, candies in the squirrel dish, or gum in the medicine cupboard. Baba also made each of her grandkids a special Easter basket with Paska in them and led us on a Easter basket hunt every year. Baba also never forgot a birthday – she never missed a phone call and a card on anyone’s birthdays. She especially liked her 7:00 o’clock Sunday morning phone calls.

Baba was always busy and always surrounded by family and friends – whether she was curling at the rink, floor curling at the Seniors Hall, painting every piece of outside furniture, or wood she could get her hands on, fishing ,especially when her grandkid tagged along, gardening, playing cards or picking berries and mushrooms so she could have mushrooms and cream for supper. She could have spent all day picking berries and mushrooms in the bush. She also loved her “stories” and often made time in the afternoons to catch up on what was happening in all her soaps. She also loved watching sports – often tuning it to the ball games so her and Gido could watch together. Baba and gido had many good friends and would spend hours visiting, eating, having a drink, and  playing cards with these treasured friends.  Baba also never missed the opportunity to participate in the Glendon parade or take her grandkids to the church on the hill for Ukrainian Easter.

Baba’s biggest claim to fame was her perogies. Without a doubt she made the best perogies in the world. She always had perogies ready for every family gathering or for 600 people at the hall as the Head Cook for the Glendon Catering Club. She wasn’t just great at cooking perogies though – she was great at cooking anything she made, especially when she could add tons of garlic. We will never forget her chicken soup, borscht, nachingka, pidpenky, studnatz, homemade oreo cookies, pampushky, and cinnamon buns. She loved to cook...and her family loved to eat her cooking!

Baba was also very crafty. Her most cherished creation was her Ukrainian Easter eggs. She made the most beautiful Ukrainian Easter eggs, but was often modest about the details of her creations. She even started making Ukrainian ostrich eggs and made one for every member of her family (14 eggs in total!) so we would have them as a keepsake. Her other talent was her Korovia’s – Ukrainian wedding cakes. Her cakes were so amazing they went all over the world. She made one for all her children and as many as she could for her grandkids when they got married. 

Baba was a selfless person – she always put her family first. Even when her health was ailing and we would ask how she was, her response was always – “not too bad”, and then before you could get another word in, she was asking questions about your family and how they were doing. It was always about someone else, and never her. 

Baba was also a worrier – a love kind of worry as she was always looking out for the people she loved. If you were fishing, she wanted to make sure you were being careful, if you were ski-dooing, she wanted to make sure you didn’t go too fast, if you were traveling she always wanted to know when you left and when you arrived. She always worried until she knew her loved ones were safe and sound. I still remember every time we traveled to the farm she would be waiting at the window for us to pull up the driveway – it was always a sense of relief to her as we walked down that long path up to their house.

All four of Baba’s children and their partners, ten grandchildren and the eleven great grand children she had a chance to meet, had a special place in her heart. Family was the love of her life and she would have done anything for us from killing moths in the middle of the night under the bed, spending hours making cabbage patch dolls one year for Christmas, buying our warts from us for 25 cents so we didn’t have to suffer from them, spending countless hours playing 31 and marbles, even giving us the nickels from her change purse to play and letting us keep our winnings. She would french braid or put rags in our hair in the evenings. Baba also told great bedtime stories to help us fall asleep.

Baba hardly refused a babysitting request from our parents – she didn’t want to miss an opportunity to spend time with her grandkids. We all spent a lot of time at the farm and as we look back and remember our time spent with her – we all wonder how she handled us!  She was a strong woman and it showed. It was always a great trip out to the farm....until we spent more than a weekend there...suddenly baba wasn’t so patient anymore! I think we all heard Baba’s famous saying “Don’t be so stupid” or “eah” – yet she always had a little smirk on her face when she said it. She was always yelling at us to go to bed  or not to have any pop before bed so we  kids would’nt  “pee the beds”, cleaning up ashes covering the entire basement from the old stove when the boys got into it, cleaning up our messes from going through her old clothes and playing fashion show, tidying up the beds after we were jumping on them, and  we all felt terrible when we broke  the hands off  her  glow in the dark Jesus figurine. We all knew Baba meant business when she would pull open the kitchen drawer – we knew that meant out came the wooden spoon and we would scatter! We always knew we were in trouble and that she had had enough when her and Gido started bickering in Ukrainian so we wouldn’t understand them. 

No matter how much trouble we caused her, baba loved every minute of her time spent with her family and the days when we all gathered at the farm. It was her remarkable strength that became the glue for our family and the reason we remain such a strong family today. We all have so many great memories of our baba. She brought traditions into our family that will be passed down for years to come as our family continues to grow. 

When we reminisce about Nataska we will remember her dark black hair  that never completely turned to grey, her warm smile, her helping hands, her sense of humor, the special bond she had with her  friends, the smell of her kitchen, her  many  talents, her love of the farm, her strength, her children , her grand and great grandchildren whom made her world go round and the long and loving relationship she had with her life partner George. 

As Ryan said, today isn’t about mourning the loss of this special woman – Baba wouldn’t have wanted that. Instead, we are celebrating the life of a strong, selfless, and beautiful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. 

We would like to thank the staff at the Bonnyville hospital and extended care home for taking such good care of our baba over the past few years, as it became her home. On behalf of our family, thank you all for being here to help us celebrate the life of Nataska Wizniuk.

 

another, no words needed photo

our three during the family viewing on Friday