Update on Nonni's big heart and High River

As promised, an update from Nonni Anderson.

In a previous blog I had shared what Nonni had written about collecting grad dresses and accessories to send to High River.  Nonni and her family and friends spent a day in High River just trying to help out as best they could. Then she came home and decided, after speaking to the folks there, that what people could really use as they were trying to get back to normal were gift cards.  She also collected some other essential items as well from the folks in Coronation.  Here is her story:

Trip to High River:  This was definitely a trip of caring and compassion. The families that I met were happy & grateful and most of all thrilled to hear of the efforts and donations made by our small community. To the family with 6 children cooped up inside because of contaminated ground outside the movie pass was a dream day out for all. To the senior who's favorite meal anytime is a sub he was in his car and on his way to Subway before I got 2 doors down. To the church who have opened their doors to all denominations the cans of coffee were a welcome addition to their dwindling supply. The clothing was a little boys dream come true. Laundry soap (3 in 1 combo ) was like powdered gold, less products to carry around while hauling amazing amounts of dirty clothes. To the family who arrived in Alberta 2 months ago with everything they owned and lost it all Canadian Tire is where they will go to get something on their most needed list. Multiple families with extra travel costs to and from work to temp housing to their homes for clean up and repair the gas cards are a big bonus. Chapters will be well used by a 10 year old girl whose closes seemed unimportant but the loss of her books were devastating. The Stavely Elks had been set up for 16 days barbecuing and feeding all that came by. A gentleman named Bill from Canmore was loading his van with pans of food and driving out to farther areas to deliver to volunteers and home owners. He very graciously allowed me to follow and find areas and homes that I had not been to yet. Visa and Mastercards were a welcome gift to so many who's needs were changing daily. Coffee machines were a coveted gift for those that had not replaced theirs because these are items that will fall low on their list of must haves. The Keurig machine found its way to a group of friends and families that will share it with their community as they continue to put their lives back to some semblance of order and then on to their community seniors centre for all to enjoy for a long time. Finally as my journey was coming to a close I came across a home being gutted by a group that had stopped for a break and I was drawn to this home. When I asked to meet the owner a lady with a welcoming smile introduced herself as Sally. Her work crew were friends from Canmore, Red Deer, Edmonton, Lethbridge and around Alberta. The last UFA Gift card belonged at this home. She took my hand and we walked down the street together. We cried together and her blessings were for Coronation. When I said my final goodbyes she drew me aside and her final question to me was, "If I find someone more in need than myself may I pass this gift on to them.?"  This last gift belonged at this home.
So from me to all those that helped me take a part of Coronation to High River THANK YOU

 

Well, I say THANK YOU Nonni for your compassion and grace.  I talked to you a day or two after you came home from this journey and I could tell how emotionally connected you were as I listened to some of your stories.  You have touched the hearts of all the people in High River and you have reminded us here in Coronation of how fortunate we are to live where we live. 

Our Gnome did not come home :(

This is a picture of where our lovely Welcome Gnome used to sit proudly in front of our house.

That is why I wish I had taken a picture before it was stolen!  We miss it and now we look outside every day to make sure everything is where it is supposed to be.
 
I also took some pictures of our yard.  As anyone knows it is hard work maintaining a yard, especially after the amount of rainfall we had and especially if there is a lot of grass to cut.  I look at our property as "sections" of yard.  There is the front yard which faces south, the side yard which is on the east side, the back yard which is to the north, and the other side yard which faces west.  Here is a picture of some of it.

 
This is part of the "side" yard to the east and you can see part of our deck in the back ground.  I love that little gate.  If the dogs are in the back yard and we are in the front they poke their little noses through the holes!  Note the flags on the deck - the green one is flying proud today because we will be watching the Riders play the Tiger Cats at 3:30 this afternoon July 20th.

So just some assorted pictures.  The one in the middle is part of the back garden.  We had a strong west wind and it blew our hens and chicks sideways!  The one above that is the flower bed in the "side" yard to the east.  The flower bed is built on top of what used to be a crypt.  Our home was once a funeral home believe it or not.  We are very comfortable in it and if there are spirits they are friendly ones.  We have more problems with the living spirits!  The bottom picture is taken facing east towards our neighbor's house which you can't see because of all the trees.  We have the best neighbor in the world.  He is busy all day long picking dandelions and weeds from the boulevard.  In the winter he keeps the sidewalks clean.  He keeps an eye on our house even though we don't put him to the bother of doing so.  Who could ask for a better neighbor??  Thank you Joe.

We are still upset over that Gnome, but I guess we'll get over it.  Some travel all over the place and maybe whoever took it decided to send it travelling.  Who knows. 
 
Recently we have been the subject of a Facebook slam and public taunts directed towards the west part of our yard.  That, my dear friends, is a work in progress.  You do not know the history of it and you do not have a clue when you criticize so I would suggest that you just butt out of our business.  I don't recall when we purchased our home (and we own it free and clear) that it was a requirement to inform the townsfolk of every little project or renovation we had going on in our yard.  Wow, did I say that??  Yes I guess I did and I mean it.  It has been very upsetting this past little while for both Bernie and I.  The gall of people is absolutely amazing - and I don't mean that in a kind way.  That is what I meant in a previous comment about the living spirits.

For this blog just suffice it to say that I will have a lot more to say.
 
So for this point in time, have a great day everyone, enjoy the summer day wherever you are, watch football, phone a friend, visit a loved one, go shopping, do whatever you want as long as you are doing it without bothering me!!
 

Go Riders!!