Hard day

I have never been good on this day, October 4th, not for thirteen years now.  So I decided to just write away and drink my coffee and do laundry and do whatever I have to do to keep busy.  I don't like going out much even though today is similar to the day thirteen years ago when I began this journey that I did not want to take. 

Yesterday after taking yet another yearly course to update my Basic Live Saver skills I thought about it all afternoon while trying to keep up with the compressions and the airways and all the information.  October 4, 2000.....everything is as clear as a bell and I wish I would just lose my mind. 

I can hear the phone ringing, I remember getting up to answer it and recognizing Brett's number on the call display.  Bernie had already left for his physio appointment in Coronation and I was awake but not wanting to get up just yet.  I grumbled a little, I wish I hadn't.......7:00 a.m., what could he possibly be wanting to tell me at this hour.  His voice was strained, he was sick and he told me all about it and I regret to this day that I didn't go to him right away.  That's what mothers are for; but he did not want me to so I didn't, he just wanted to talk. 

I went to my Standard Ed. Day - anyone around at that time will know that we had to take a whole day of education as part of the health care system.  The morning we learned about WHIMS, and OH&S, etc. etc. It was actually fun.  I remember telling Wendy A. about Brett's early morning call and we talked about colds and flu.  I told her I was kind of worried.  We went for lunch at the cafeteria - some kind of taco salad thing - I floated a two dollar loan to Wendy and we joked about it.  Then the phone call from Bernie.  Irene L. walking through the link with the portable phone and I had to call him back because the connection was poor.  He tells me Brett called, he didn't sound good and he was worried about him. 

All the phone calls from Assisted Living to Brett to tell him to call an ambulance and how he started to cry and I just hung up.  My phone call to 911 and to Edmonton and finally to him again to tell him that they were on their way.  Flying home to tell Bernie what I was doing, packing a bag, flying again to Edmonton, trying to concentrate on my driving.  Three people previously saying the word "meningitis" to me........I couldn't even think and then when I got to Camrose I realized that my phone wasn't turned on so I pulled over and talked to Bernie, talked to Nicholas. First Brett is in the hospital, then he isn't, then he is again.  I don't know what the hell is going on and Bernie is telling me that Brett thinks he has chicken pox and I told him about the meningitis thing.  It was all so unreal but I can still see my hands gripping the wheel of that van and willing it to just go.

So I get to Edmonton and go to get Nicholas at his place and we get to the hospital and Bernie calls to say that Brett is at home.  He lived just a few blocks away.  So we peel out of there and get to his place.  He never did give me a key so I have to lean on the bell.  Nicholas is just following me, he is so scared but I was glad he was there.  We just ran up those stairs and into his apartment and out of the bedroom he comes with purple spots all over his face.  I rummaged through a pile of things and found his keys and we just got the hell out of there.  He was bigger than both of us and fought us the whole way, not well, not very coherent except that he did tell us about his previous encounter at the hospital.  I wasn't sure at the time how he got there - found out later he took a cab and he must have either walked home after he left the Emergency Dept. or called another cab, who knows.  He did not go with the ambulance that I know. 

We got him to the Royal Alex. and wheeled him in.  They just stared at him.....I think now that they all knew they screwed up royally.  A young man walks into ER, purple spots on his face, and they tell him to wait.  So they ask him why he walked out and he just shrugged but I knew it was because he could and because all you could hear in that crazy place was people being told they would have to wait for three hours.  I wanted to scream but I didn't.  Nicholas was a wreck and he came into the examination room with us but left soon after to just sit in the waiting room.  The Dr. was no help, she knew too, it was too late.  By the time they got him to the trauma room he was dead and I knew it I just did not want to believe it, who would. 

The doctor booted me out of the trauma room, I wanted to stay, the other doctor thought I should.  I left because I was just being obedient.  Nicholas and I sat in the Quiet Room for another half hour before we were told Brett was dead. 

Everything is so clear - the people who talked to us, the long walk to the room where he lay dead, the drive back to Nicholas's apartment, the trip to the pharmacy for the drug I was supposed to take, the phone calls to all the family.  Bernie finally getting to Edmonton around ten o'clock, I don't know how he endured it.  What the hell, this wasn't really happening was it?

What were we supposed to do now?  All the bloody phone calls from health people, so called important people expressing their sympathy in one breath and then trying to discourage us from going public.  Well, that is when the "Bonnie" in me kicked in and a couple of days later I told them all to go to hell I was going to the media and his name would be released.  He wasn't going to be just another one of their goddamn statistics, the 39th or 40th or whatever it was to contract meningitis in the Capital Region.  I wasn't putting up with that crap.  He was the 3rd death.  Wow.  Only three?   Well that must mean it's not that bad so why worry.  Oh no, I was putting a face to this and to all the screw ups along the way.  I was told by someone that the doctor who saw him the day before he died must be feeling really bad.  Well I hope he did because how the hell did he think we felt?

I wondered if all of these important people would now like to plan a funeral for our son.  We of course did not have much experience in this area and it was all new ground to cover.

Our house was full of people.  All the family came.  All of our friends, Brett's friends.  We had enough food to feed an army, our cupboards were loaded, the fridge was full, the freezer was filled to capacity.  Everybody was wonderful, we would not have made it through those first few days without all the people.  Complete strangers called us.  As a family we walked to the Church for the funeral, it wasn't very far, we had nothing but time.  It was a beautiful warm day.  Our family was wonderful to get things together, lots of pictures, lots of memories to share.  I of course had to record the Eulogy because I didn't want anybody else to read it.  Just the "Bonnie" coming out in me again.  Bernie couldn't quit crying, I had to hold it all together.  I lost it when I saw the bus full of  our hockey family.  We made it through, the sun still rose and set.  Everyone else's world kept on turning.  Ours had stopped. 

I saved all the newspaper clippings, I saved everything and made a scrapbook later.  It made me feel better.

Now I can't go through anything so I am glad that I forced myself to do that scrapbook.  We have a closet full of Brett's things and there is a great big t.v. sitting in front of it.  I cannot go through it again.  I was forced to when we moved from Veteran but I think it will just stay there forever.  I open the door and I just shut it again.

In the days, weeks and months following Brett's death from meningitis we encountered the good and the bad.  Mostly the good came from all the people who just surrounded us and put their arms around us.  I am so grateful for that, I still am.  In some ways I am more affected by everything now than I was then.  I just pull back and let everything wash all over me because I do not want anyone around.  No one really.

Since I have a way with words I wrote countless letters to the editor.  I contacted just about every major newspaper in Canada.  I was on a mission to get the message out about this terrible disease and the fact that there are vaccines that can prevent another tragedy.

Years later I still marvel at all the people I have come in contact with and formed strange relationships with because of Brett's death.  Dee and Sherry two moms who lost a daughter and a son to meningitis the same year.  We formed what I referred to as "the grief and crying club".  They were a source of strength, courage and inspiration to me.  I lived in a little world of my own.  I struggled at work and I had to take a leave of absence, I became this person who lived in front of the computer scanning all the news stories from everywhere for meningitis cases.  I wrote letters to health regions in Alberta and asked them for their stats on meningitis.  Some of them questioned why I would ask and when I told them they just sent along the info.  We had endured some rude treatment from a local health care manager and I fought back against that as well.  I wasn't putting up with any crap.  They phoned and invited me to be present for the mass immunizations but I declined.  We saw lawyers and got information that might have lead to a lawsuit, but in the end it went no where.  Just as well.  Ironic that 75% of the information we paid them to get I actually got for nothing!  I was very forceful.  I put it out there, the media lapped it up, we worked together.  I knew they had their bottom line and I had mine.  Eventually I tapered off because I was really losing my way.  I had to let go of a few things and I did.

Bernie and I went on a Cross Canada Cycling trip with the Tour du Canada.  It was just what we needed.  I am glad he talked me into it.  We discovered that we both had a lot of healing to do.

What a journey it has been.  I miss my son every day.  I am forever changed and some days I don't like myself very much.  Some days I don't even understand myself very well.  Over all, I have learned, I have moved forward.

Every October 4th I will remember, I will cry all over again, I will always wonder what if......it won't matter how much time passes.

Drive on Brett
 

Not very consistent!

I have not been very consistent with my blogging.  I started to comment on a few things on Facebook this morning and then did not post them because it would be better if I blah blah blahed my way on my Blog!

Nomination Day is slowly creeping up.  Nomination Day for what you say?  Well, for Municipal and School Board elections that's what!

I have not made anymore You Tube videos with tips for anyone considering becoming a Councillor.  I think one is enough really.  If you missed it here is the link: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f--6elKEq-c

 

That was a lot of fun and anyone who has heard it might draw some conclusions about "growing up to be a Councillor".  I didn't do it to discourage, I did it to educate and I hope I did. 
1.  The term is now four years.  Think about how old you will be when your term is up. 

2.  Your pay will be $500.00 a month and $650.00 if you "wannabe" the Mayor.  Make sure you take off appropriate deductions for income tax.  If you don't you will pay the tax man in April.  I would advise just donating the whole shebang to the government every month, let them hang on to it and maybe you will get a refund.  No kidding.

3.  Be prepared to attend two Council meetings per month.  Be prepared when you attend those meetings.  Read your Council package for crying out loud.  Don't show up at the damn meeting with a puzzled look on your face and ask what is on the agenda.  If you do don't be surprised if you get your ass kicked by the rest of those who did come prepared and who have made themselves as knowledgeable as they could get with the information provided.  Don't let your public down - you are there for them and you are also there as part of a team so don't let your team down.  Council packages are ready by Thursday evening and are posted on the Civic Website.  If you become a councillor you will get a password to get into this website to retrieve your package.  That's right, it is yours, make it yours.  Get to know it intimately.  Use your Town supplied computer/tablet when you get to Council Chambers for the meeting.  Please arrive a little bit earlier than the 7 p.m. start time in order to plug your computer in and make sure you are on the wireless network.  It is not that hard, if you are reading this you know how to use a computer.  Council passed a motion a while back that there would be no paper copies of the council package made for Councillors since we are trying to go green and be responsible when it comes to paper usage.  We also felt that if we were given the computers for our use and given the use of a website to access the council package why would we need paper.  If you want to make copies of things then go ahead and hit the print button and print off whatever you want on your own printer which you probably have.  If you don't, then get one they aren't that expensive and your life will be easier from here on in.  I use scrap paper to print things on.  I think it is a waste if you don't use both sides.

4.  Keep in mind that you are there as a team of seven people.  You will be asked to nominate a leader - the Mayor - to chair the meetings and to be your Chief Executive Officer.  The Mayor is like the captain of the team and while each team player should be respected and valued, so too should the Mayor.  The Mayor is expected to show up for everything in town and give a speech once in a while.  You will also choose a Deputy Mayor who will quite likely take over for the Mayor more than a few times during the term.  Be happy with your choices and move on.  Don't start dickering, bickering, whining and complaining about your choice a year or two into the term.  Deal with it, get over it and get on with it.  That's about the only advice I have on that one.

5.  When you make a motion, have a good discussion if you need to have one, vote yay or nay and live with the decision.  A motion of council is decided by all of council and whatever the decision is you must abide by it.  Do not go around yipping to anyone who will listen later on about why you did not agree with something.  No one cares anymore and it doesn't matter, the motion was made and council decided.  If you are asked about a motion you can say it was a council decision.  You get your chance before the decision is made, at a meeting, to voice your concerns.  Please don't be the one who goes all over town yapping about who said this and who said that - let the press do that.

6.  Speaking of the press:  They have every right to be at a meeting and basically they will report on what goes on.  You have no control over it so just act naturally. There may be times when you want to make a point and you will use the press for this.  This may not always turn out to be your best decision since sometimes "the paper gets it wrong".  Once again, live with what you have no control over or it will drive you crazy.  It is not a good idea to write letters to the editor since that just makes the paper more popular and is that what you really want?

7.  Be aware that you are now a public figure.  People will get a hold of you on the phone, in person, etc. etc. and sometimes it isn't very pleasant.  Mostly it is just to ask a question because they know you are on council and they trust what you have to say.  Be careful with that since you do not and never will have all the answers.

8.  Be prepared to sit on council committees, community committees and boards and regional boards.  I would think if you were really doing a good job as a councilor you would be spending at the very least about 10 hours a week doing that job.  You will be representing council and the community on these boards.  My best advice is when asked a question about the town to say you will take it back to Council and get back to them on that. 

9.  Remember that the CAO is your only employee, the rest of the town staff are not.  Do not attempt to guide the town employees with any of your wisdom since it is inappropriate to do so.  The CAO is their employer and the CAO is responsible for them.

10.  Do not throw your name in as a candidate if you have a personal agenda since that is not the right reason.  Say you have never liked Mr. So and So down the street and you think if you get on council you will make it miserable for him since you are sure there are some bylaws that you could use to get back at him for this personal grudge match you have had going on for years and years.  Stop right there.  That is not a reason to run for council.  Your only reason should be that you have some time to devote to your community.  Use that time wisely and you will come away from it as a better person.

 

I think ten things to remember or consider are enough, maybe too much.  It is not easy and like the song says:

"Councillors ain’t easy to love and they’re harder to hold

They’d rather give you a story that’s already told.

Five hour meetings, In Cameras, delegations, each meeting begins a new day

If you don’t understand things and they don’t explain

They’ll just move on their own way."

 

Above all, don't take yourself too seriously. 

 

 

This is just a quick blog and then I will post something more amusing!  Anyway, I received an e-mail from Annette Allan yesterday about the impending move of the Air Cadets from Castor to Stettler.  She is upset and very concerned about this move since there are a number of young people from Veteran, Consort, Coronation, Castor, Stettler and Hanna who belong.  The distance to travel might possibly be a detriment to some and then their young people would not have an opportunity to belong to the Air Cadets.  Anyway, the following is an e-mail that I sent to a number of people in the area.  I also put it on Facebook and sent via Private Messaging.  Well.....facebook does not like that and I got a notice to "slow down" since I am using a feature that was not intended for this kind of use.  I had to prove I wasn't a robot not once but twice!  Anyway, I think the message went through.  If it did not I am putting it on my blog and posting the link to Facebook for people to read.  What a morning!  I started out sending e-mails to people on my contact list and it was a good way to clean up my list.  A number of them came back as being "undeliverable".  I am presuming these people have changed their addresses and have not informed me!  Oh well, can't win 'em all!

Here is the e-mail message I sent to everyone.  I hope some of you will contact Annette and help keep the Castor Air Cadets in Castor:

Hello everyone,

 

I received an e-mail yesterday from Annette (Stonehouse) Allan from Coronation asking for Town Council’s support.  She is the Chair for the Squadron Sponsoring Committee for the Castor Air Cadets.  She received notice last week that the powers that be are going to move the Squadron to Stettler.  Her concern is that some may not want to travel that far, thus not having the benefits or the opportunity to either stay with the Cadets or to join.  I can’t help but think she’s right.  There are young people ages 12-16 coming from Consort, Veteran, Coronation, Stettler, Hanna and Castor to weekly meetings every Monday evening in Castor.  Annette’s fear is that we will lose those young people because of the daunting challenge of driving them that far every Monday.

 I forwarded all information to Town Council and now I am asking the community members for their help.

I have heard only good things about the Cadets.  I know that Annette’s daughter is involved and that she spent six weeks this past summer at a camp in Penhold learning new skills as an Air Cadet.  I also know that Cadets is a free program, it costs nothing.  Any young person ages 12-18 can join, be provided with a uniform and training, all free of charge. 

In Coronation I believe we can all see the value of this program and understand why it would be a detriment to make the move from Castor to Stettler.  We all drive, but sometimes the drive is just too far and our kids are the big losers.  We support all kinds of things including sports and recreation and education and higher learning.  We can all see the value of having these stay right in our own community or at least a short drive away.  Why not support the Air Cadet Program in Castor and express our desire that it not be moved to Stettler.  It may be an opportunity you have already had or it may be something that your children or grandchildren would be interested in. 

For some more information on the Cadet program go to:  http://www.cadets.ca/en/about-cadets.page?

I am a Town Councillor and I am also a community member, a proud citizen of Coronation.  I support almost anything that is going to grow and sustain the future of our community.  I believe that the Air Cadet Program and its sustainability in Castor is part of the growth and sustainability in our own community.  Our children are our future.  What do you think?

Please respond either to this e-mail or send your thoughts to Annette (Stonehouse) Allan at:  ajstonepuck@yahoo.ca  Please do this before September 19, 2013.

 Thanks so much,

Bonnie Danylyshen

Another holiday

I don’t even know what day it is and I am writing this trying to remember what we have done since we left home on Thursday and I think it was July 31^st!

We got packed up and headed for Wainwright and the Riverdale Mini Campground on Thursday.  The dogs were the reason since they were both so hairy you couldn’t even see their eyes, at least not Duke’s eyes.  His ears are a big problem and it gets very difficult to clean them when the hair grows and he is so touchy anyway.

 

 

So as you can see by the pictures they needed a grooming about a month ago!

 

This is what they look like now!

 

 

Duke preferred to spend most of the family reunion holed up in the trailer.

 

Anyway, back to the Wainwright campground.  It is ten miles north of Wainwright and we found it without much of a problem until we turned in and there was a fork in the road.  You had to be quick on the draw to take the appropriate turn which we did due to my sharp eyesight and quick thinking.  If I can’t drive I can at least pay attention to the signs!

So we turned left into the campground and then had to stop at a map to figure out where to go next.  I knew the number of our campsite since I had phoned ahead and the woman on the other end asked where we wanted to go and I said to just put us in one that was easy to find and preferably a pull through as long as it had power since all the full service ones were taken.  She kind of laughed and said, “Well then we will put you in number 10.”  We found the appropriate place to go to check in and we proceeded to try to follow a map to our campsite.  We drove around and around and around, there were all sorts of bends in the roads and all sorts of roads to take and it was a chore finding number ten.  I finally found it by actually getting out of the truck and walking through the maze which made no sense at all.  So…..now I know why she gave us number 10 with a little chuckle.  Ha ha, and I am not laughing now.  It had a lovely tree to maneuver around, it was not even close to a pull through and we were butted up against another trailer which was fine except that everything was set up wrong.  Our door opened to the bushes, the plug in was on the wrong side and quite frankly, it sucked.  We were only there for one night so we didn’t complain.  Honestly, I would never go back there again.  The site was right by the river which was fine but it was also right by the highway and the noise from the traffic was constant.  Not very relaxing.

This place has two golf courses, one is a par three course, and there is also a mini golf.  It is huge really.  Lots of campsites – we could have had our pick of more appropriate sites and I think they can take number 10 and just shove it. 

We stopped at Canadian Tire before we got to the campground and Bernie bought a generator.  We had one last year but had to take it back because it was defective.  We never did get another.  Since we were going out to the farm for the reunion we thought we should get one since we wanted power!  Bernie unpacked it and got it going and it ran just fine so he was happy with the purchase. 

I acquainted myself with our neighbours since they also had a dog.  They were very nice and especially when he fired up the generator!  I told them we were just making sure it ran properly since we had just bought it!  They were fine with that and understood. 

Bernie set up the barbecue and I cooked supper and we ate pretty much at the same time that we usually eat.  We knew we had a long trip the next day so we took the dogs for a walk – at least as far as I could make it and we went to bed early.

The next morning, Friday August 1^st , we awoke very early, and had our breakfast.  We headed to Wainwright at 8:30 a.m. and dropped the dogs off at the Vet Clinic for their grooming.  Duke wasn’t very enthusiastic, but we just made him go in and face the music.

We shopped for a few things at WalMart and had breakfast, again, at McDonald’s before heading back to the campsite to pack up.  We got the trailer ready to go and headed out.  We just hung out at Canadian Tire and WalMart again and then drove to the Vet Clinic around noon.  The dogs were ready to go.  The Vet was busy with emergencies so she couldn’t give them their shots, but we said that was okay we would come back another time since we were heading out on holidays.

We got going and left for Saskatchewan by 12:30.  It was a long, long drive and I knew Bernie’s back was not right.  We bought a lumbar support cushion for the truck and he had that going to give his back some support and a massage as well.  We went via Marsden and Battleford and hooked up with #16 at North Battleford.  We stopped for gas in Battleford and parked in the parking lot and had lunch.  By the time we got to Saskatoon it was about 5:00 and we knew we had another three hours, at least until we got to our destination.  I told Bernie we could stop anywhere really and just continue on in the morning but he just kept on driving!  I texted Nicholas and Pam around 1:00p.m. and they said they were in Saskatoon so I told them we were about an hour and a half behind them!  Well when we got close to Invermay Pam texts me and here they were right behind us.  So we all pulled into Invermay at the same time!  They had stopped in Saskatoon to shop for stuff.

We had a quick supper with Judi and Ed and Doris and Baba and then headed out to the farm to set up. We got the trailer backed into the yard right by the house and the kids set their tent up on the other side of the trees to the east.  Doris came out to direct traffic and then we just relaxed until hitting the pillows for the night.  We took our air bed for them and it fit just fine in their tent.  Pam was kind of concerned, but they slept in the tent and used our facilities in the trailer!

The dogs were fine , slept the whole time and then slept some more all night long.

Friday morning August 2^nd and we all slept in.  Bernie fired up the generator and we got the Keurig going and had lovely cups of fresh coffee.  Doris actually had food out there in the morning so if we were hungry there was lots to eat.

Judi and Ed stayed in Wadena in the motel for the weekend.  They just drove the thirty miles every day.  Doris set her tent up at the farm and went back into town every day to get their mother for the day.  Niece Ashley and her boyfriend Phil arrived Friday afternoon and later on her mom and Bernie's sister Hope arrived from Drake, Sask.  So in all we had 11 people and 7 dogs.  Hmmmmmmmm.

Friday we played a Red Neck game of toss the beer cans in the pail.  It was a tournament and we had a round robin so there were lots of games to play.  The rest of the time we just sat around and visited, tripped over dog leashes, finished off more beers in case we needed extra cans and just relaxed.  Well, I did more relaxing than most people since I can't do much of anything with my back and leg the way they are right now. 

 

Bernie and Ashley playing their round of Red Neck Beer Can Toss

 

 

Saturday we drove into town to take a shower.  We also got more ice, gas and made a trip to the liquor store.  Doris built an ice house and bought bags of saw dust to line the floor.  It was pretty neat actually and it worked to keep things cold!  It is amazing what you can do when you don't have power!

That's me going into the ice house.  In the foreground a look at our craft for the weekend - painting flower pots.

 

We were happy to have our generator for the trailer since I need my coffee in the morning and it has to be the good stuff!  It was bad enough I had no wireless internet!  ha ha  I did take my ipad and it has 3g so I could keep up with things news wise and otherwise.

Sunday came and went.  We took the usual pictures and prizes were distributed to the winners of the tournament. 

 

l-r back row - our daughter-in-law Pam, me, sister Doris, niece Ashley, sister Judi
middle row - son Nicholas, mother Joan (Baba), brother-in-law Ed, sister Hope
front - Bernie and Ashley's boyfriend Phil

 

 

As you can see we have to take at least one goofy group picture.  I think this one turned out good.

We left for home on Monday.  The kids - Nicholas and Pam - left around 8:30 a.m. for Edmonton.  Hope had left the day before after supper.  Ashley and Phil were still packing up when we left around 10 a.m.  They had a long drive back to Calgary.   We stopped in at Invermay to say our goodbyes to Bernie's mom and his sister Judi and Ed who were there as well; digging potatoes before they headed back to Saskatoon. Thanks sister Doris for all the planning, we had fun.  I just wish everyone could have been there, numbers were rather low this year.

 

We were on the road by 10:30 and thought we would go as far as Biggar and just spend the night in the park there.  We stopped in Watson for gas at the Co-op and in Humboldt at the mall parking lot for a quick lunch.  When we got to the outskirts of Saskatoon it started raining so hard the windshield wipers couldn't keep up.  We drove, slowly, and just followed the signs.  Good job we knew the city.  Bernie stayed longer than he needed to at a light so I could get this picture!

 

 

 

It continued to rain as we moved through the city and beyond.  We were going to stop in Biggar for the night but changed our minds......who wants to set up in the rain????

It actually quit the further west we went and we finally arrived home at 7:00 p.m.  We made pretty good time and I am glad that Bernie likes to drive!  We cleaned everything out of the trailer and he parked it in its spot on the west side of the house.

A good mini vacation and a pretty good family reunion.

  

just a rant

Anybody else want to do anything good around here?  Be careful before you sign up since it may take you on a path you will be sorry you travelled.  We are just better off to live in the past, let the ideas that have been floating around this town for years and years be the best ones, and to hell with the new people since they bring on a whole set of problems.  We have lived in Alberta for 20 years.  Moved to Veteran in 1993 and I have worked in Coronation most of that time before we moved here in 2004.  I guess that's not long enough.  I suppose we shouldn't have put our history in the book, that was probably against some rule as well.  Sorry about that, didn't mean to rock the boat.  As for being on town council.  Go for it people, I mean really, for 500 bucks a month you can just take the money and run.  You can't pay me enough for all the bull and shit I have put up with.  And I can say this because it is my blog.

I think Coronation has a lot of potential.  I went to a conference called, "Growing Rural Tourism Conference" which was and has been held in Camrose for a few years now.  It was one of the best I have ever been to since each and every keynote speaker and session was packed full of information and held my attention.  Bernie also went, he paid his own way, since he is interested in this stuff and I needed some company!  We really enjoyed it and we took a lot of good ideas away with us to hopefully share with everyone back home. 

For the most part any ideas he or I may have and which are shared by a lot of folks around here are not met with much enthusiasm from the rest of the community.  Why?  Well I am not really sure.

This community and this council would rather spend 25 thousand dollars a year towards an organization called PEPS - Paintearth Economic Partnership Society - than spend that money at home and actually achieve some good bang for their buck.  We could use that money to promote and market Coronation to the rest of the province, to Canada, to the world!  The sky is the limit when you are talking tourism and development.

We have a lot going for us here:  Pro Rodeo, Professional Bull Riding, Agricultural Fair, a Campground with fully serviced sites (believe me we have travelled around and you don't always get full service and such huge campsites to boot!), lovely baseball diamonds, a soccer field, a hospital with acute care and 24/7 lab facilities complete with doctors and a committee that is actively recruiting doctors as we speak, a busy continuing care and supportive living facility, grocery stores, hardwares and building supply centres, a pharmacy, gas stations, restaurants, liquor stores, home decorating store, RCMP detachment, a beautiful community centre, bowling alley and rec. centre, curling rink, skating rink, a K-12 school, a new light industrial sub division, churches, lots of groups - everything from Communities in Bloom, to ChooseWell to Lions and Elks to church groups for young and old, Minor Sports, quilting groups, Hospital Foundation and Auxiliary, Chamber of Commerce, you name it we have it.  We have lots to be proud of and lots to promote. 

Yet, we send 25 thousand dollars to PEPS every year in the hopes that our Economic Development needs will be met.  Well guess what?  They're not met and we are not getting any value for our money.

I am tired of it.  I am tired of repeating myself.  I am tired of being tired.  As a Councillor who passed this year's budget I was ashamed to say that we are spending the taxpayers money this way.  I believe it should stop now.

We have people in this community who would be quite capable of putting forth fresh new ideas to promote Coronation, to make us a tourist destination, to promote us and our ideas just to our own residents.  We have the people with the skills, the knowledge, the education and the know how to do all of this and more.  We have groups right now in town who have brought provincial attention to our small town.  They know how to get it done and it was all done at the local level with no help from an economic development officer or anything like that.

So you ask - Why remain with PEPS?  Well it is complicated.  Part of the answer lies in how we are perceived by our partners in the neighbouring communities and in the county.  They actually treat us with little or no respect and do not value our opinion.  This was evident the last time we tried to leave PEPS.  We were basically threatened and told that if we pulled out then the financial support from them for other things here would be pulled out as well.  I wanted to say, "So what" and I guess I should have because we ended up going back to the fold anyway.  I wish we hadn't.

I know that my name is mud in some circles and I guess that is the way it is going to be.  I have done nothing wrong and just because I am outspoken and just because I speak the truth I will not be bullied.  Yes I use the word bully because that is what it is.  I know I get no respect.  Well, too bad since I want the best for my community and I will fight to the bitter end if that's what it takes. 

Why do I do this?  Because I am strong and a strong-willed person.  I haven't been through all the journeys my life has taken me through to just give up and roll over.  I am not a quitter and I don't believe I am as nasty a person as some would make me out to be.  I do things that no one is aware of to get this place on the map.  Why wouldn't I?  I live here for crying out loud.  I like it here, we chose to live here and we will probably stay here if we don't get run  out of town!  I say that jokingly because, can you just imagine what that would look like?!

On that note, I would end this rant. 

Read, educate yourself, ask questions, have an opinion based on knowledge.  It will take you a long way.

Royal runners and other ideas

I had more than one lightbulb moment this morning, and now it is afternoon.  My how time goes when you're having fun!

I am still off work and I will be until at least the end of August.  I am listening to my Doctor for a change and not attempting any of the other options that a lot of well meaning folks have suggested to me.  I appreciate all of your input, but for now I shall take my drugs, keep my doctor appointments and on August 16th I am going for a MRI which will then hopefully pinpoint the cause of all this nerve pinching that is going on! 

The reason for the picture and the title?  Well, last year at this time we were getting ready for and training hard for the 1/2 Marathon in Edmonton.  It was initially proposed by Bernie at a ChooseWell meeting in the spring of last year and he laid it on the table as a Challenge.  Well, as you can see by the picture the Challenge was taken on by 14 people, from Coronation and surrounding areas.  I smile when I see this since this is one of the reasons I go on when all around me people throw ignorant and harassing comments about me, my family, my yard, my involvement with council......yes, the list goes on.

I know there are so many more folks in Coronation and area who do not mind being associated with us so that makes me feel better!  I am done with trying to convince the naysayers and the negative nellies out there that we are not the scourge of the earth and the downfall of the community mainly because we happen to have ideas that have to do with success - not failure -, progress - not status quo-, positive results and ideas - not saying no to everything that comes along because it may upset how it already is -,.  Yes I am done with that and I am so done with all those people as well.

Just this morning Bernie was accosted in one of the local coffee shops where he was dropping off his weekly edition of Crown News.ca; which by the way the owner fully supports, pays for the advertising and pays to have a weekly paper copy. Anyway, the father and brother of a councillor and various assorted others, happened to be in the coffee shop and the father immediately started in on him and asked him, "So you think you're working for the Town now?"  Well, one thing led to another and before you know it the brother gets in on it and starts in about something I was supposed to have done to his sister.  Then dad gets in on it and starts in on Bernie about how he can't just show up at a council meeting and ask for his daughter's resignation!  LOL  Yes I am laughing out loud now.  He was actually on the agenda, just for the record.  The father also commented to Bernie about our yard which is none of his business and said, "This town has standards you know."  I wish people would get off of that one since one part of our yard is under construction.  Just look at the other parts, they look nice.  Anyway, I had an epiphany after he repeated some of this to me and I won't get into that because it is council business.

Well the long and the short of it is that I am sick of it, sick of everything.  We have done nothing but positive things for this community and I am sick of some people and their narrow minded ways. 

I will continue on but not without a very small chip on my shoulder for how Bernie has been treated.

A little over a year ago the ChooseWell Committee took shape in Coronation.  The purpose of this committee is to celebrate and promote Coronation as a Healthy, Vibrant community.  Bernie joined up immediately with enthusiasm and lots of ideas.  The goals of the committee are to provide various accessible and affordable wellness opportunities, to improve the well being of individuals through role modeling and engaging activities, encourage awareness and support of Healthy Eating Active Living for all, to build partnerships to increase community cohesiveness to achieve wellness.  He took part in all of this and tried to help this committee reach its goals.

Some of the achievements of the Coronation ChooseWell Committee to date have been:

Penny Jars Fundraiser - his idea

Walking Group, in partnership with Coronation Hospital and Primary Care Network - a continuation of a walking group we had started prior to this and considered to be a good idea by all involved.

Mother's Day Walk, in partnership with the Coronation Golf Course - his idea and it was well attended.

Edmonton Half Marathon Challenge - his idea.  He provided training tips, time, encouragement, moral support and guidance and 14 people signed up and completed the Challenge!  It brings tears to my eyes.  Kudos to all the Royal Runners.  We hope you were inspired and move on to challenge yourself in the future!

First Annual Turkey Trot - his idea.  It included many community partnerships.  At first people laughed but then they applauded when 115 signed up for the run.  It was such a roaring success that the ChooseWell Committee donated one thousand dollars of funds raised to the Fitness Centre.

Fruit Fridays in partnership with Coronation School - his idea, but not a new idea in that it has been implemented in many schools.  It was a successful venture but it lacked the volunteer efforts needed to keep it going.  Every child in school was given a bag of cut up fruit on several Fridays during the school year.  Just last week one of the graduates of Coronation School was commenting on how much the grade twelves liked all the fruit!

Fresh Florida Fruit Sales Fundraiser in partnership with Veteran Lions Club - his idea.  Thanks to those from the committee and to Diane Schmidt who carried through with this venture.  It was a bit of work and it was done very well.

Winter Walk Day, in partnership with Coronation School and CDSS - encouraged one hundred percent by Bernie and the committee.

Skate-A-Thon Fundraiser - appreciated by all those who took part and done in partnership with Coronation Minor Sports.

Heart Fair - in partnership with Coronation School.  The first Heart to Heart Market was in February 2012 and I can remember Bernie, first from a Dr.'s appointment before his heart surgery talking to people in Coronation on his cell phone, making arrangements for a partnership with Assisted Living  Then again there he was from his hospital room a few days after surgery, sending e-mails about the Market, hoping all went well.  I was fit to be tied since I thought he should be more concerned about his recovery from triple by-pass surgery and letting things happen.  But oh no, he needed to be part of it, come hell or high water.

Kids Activities and ChooseWell presence at Coronation Spring Market - he was there, signing people up for the Mini Golf Tournament that didn't happen.

Silent Auction in partnership with various places of businesses, the Coronation Spring Market and Ducks Unlimited - he moved the lovely donated framed print around town from one location to another and let people know where it would be via the ChooseWell Facebook page which we created.

Tour de l'Alberta bike Challenge - unfortunately he did not attend, due to a lot of things but mainly he just got busy with the house, the yard, me, and a lack of training on his part.

Memorial Park, in partnership with the Town of Coronation - a special project he wanted to be a part of.  Approval was granted by the Town of Coronation and the tree planting began at the Coronation Dam Campground for the Memorial Park.  The Choosewell Committee also proposed building a mini golf course and council also approved this in principal.  Bernie went to at least three Council meetings on behalf of ChooseWell to put forward this proposal.  None of the other committee members went with him, they left it in his capable hands to represent the committee and put forward the proposals.  For all his trouble he had his name dragged through the mud on several occasions and he was even taken to task about our yard which is nobody's  business.  The gist of it was that neither he nor I should take part in any beautification projects in this town because some people do not like our yard.  He was also accused of moving ahead on projects without the Coronation ChooseWell committee's approval.  Not true.
 
I ask you - how was he supposed to respond?  He resigned from the Committee and from all his obligations.  The committee did not want him to resign and at first he did not but when it just went on and on he decided to step back.  They accepted his resignation with regret and said to take the summer off and decide if this was what he wanted to do. 

After each council meeting where this was discussed something happened to our personal property.  We were also subjected to Facebook bullying, public humiliation at the hands of a councillor and now today Bernie can't even go in the coffee shop without being accosted.  And we thought it was over??

We can rise above it and think of the good times and of all the positive growth this town has seen.  Now I ask you if you are a resident of Coronation:  Do you want to move forward or do you prefer to just stay stuck in the same old same old and miss the boat entirely?  It is up to you.

The ChooseWell Committee epitomizes the vision of the Town of Coronation.  In April Council sat down for a weekend and came up with a Strategic Plan.  The vision?   "Our vision for Coronation is that we are a thriving proud and diverse Community that promotes positive sustainable growth, provides a safe and healthy environment and enhances the quality of life for our residents. "
This vision was reached by all councillors and all were present for the Strategic Planning.  Perhaps it should be reviewed.

And so I end this lengthy blog.  I hope I have enlightened some and for others you won't even read it anyway so it doesn't matter!  If you do read it just pass it along to others.  I post it all to Facebook so you can share it by hitting the "share" button.  easy peasy

Onwards and upwards I say!

The pig came back :)

The pig came back, but of course minus the flowers!  Many thanks to the RCMP officers who returned our pig two days after it went missing.  Now that's police work at its finest!  I was so happy just to get the pig back because it holds a lot of sentimental value to us, even if its nose is starting to get a little broken looking and the pink has faded.  I always sit it on the front step and plant portulaca in it since the step faces south and that flower doesn't require much water and likes the sun.  My mother-in-law thinks it is a weed (which is used to be), and she will have nothing to do with them!

I thought it was always kind of clever calling it my "Portulaca Pig". 

Anyway, we have the planter back now.  Whoever took it on Monday late into the night of July 22nd, please know that we are not amused but puzzled as to why you would do this.  Not only are the flowers gone but also a lovely little solar light was in this arrangement as well.  We thought we might go trolling the ditches late at night to see if it is there glowing away, lonely, rejected and wondering why anyone would steal and vandalize.

We are all into beautifying our yard and making sure it is as well kept as we can keep it.  Our front step looks rather bare these days because we are afraid to put anything else out unless we can chain it to the railing.  We should have chained down that Welcome Gnome now that I think of it, but it is too late.  We put a motion sensor light at the front so that might deter any thieves and vandals since I am not going to sit up all night scaring anybody away, thank you very much.

I'll tell you what is so ironic about this whole thing.  On Tuesday I noticed that Bernie had left the window open in the truck which was hooked up to the utility trailer in the driveway.  I went in the house to get the keys and noticed that there was only one set hanging there.  I never gave it much thought until I went out again to put the window up and lock the truck and there was the extra set of keys on the back bumper of the truck!  He had stopped working for the evening and forgotten to lock up and hang the keys in the proper place on Monday evening!  So whoever decided to steal the Portulaca Pig, you missed a better opportunity.  Let's see:  $5.00 front step ornament, $10.00 worth of flowers versus $40,000.00 truck and utility trailer. Too funny.

So I am putting out this challenge.  If you read this and you know who the guilty party is that took our stuff - tell me.  I would love to speak to whoever it is and hear their side of the story.  Then they can listen to mine.  Fair enough?  No pressure.