Queen of Worrying

I could probably top the worriedest worrier around. In fact, I should probably be called the Queen of Worrying.

Several weeks ago I noticed that a mole on my back had changed and I started to worry. First, I worried that I would have to see a doctor. (I'm a bit afraid of doctors.) Then, I finally realized that I needed one, because the mole was really worrying me,  and I started to worry about who would be the best to go to. When I learned that not a single doctor in Salmon Arm or Vernon was accepting new patients, I worried about not getting one at all (not even a bad one) and dying because I couldn't get this mole taken care of. I had my will mentally made and myself dead and buried before I knew it. The stress of the worry was killing me.

Today I bit the bullet and went to the walk in clinic...still doctor-less. After over a 2 hour wait (where I worried that the receptionist had forgotten about me), I finally saw the doctor. She looked at the mole and said, "It's fine. No need to worry." Weeks of stress and fear evaporated in less than 30 seconds. She then eased my worry about being doctor-less by telling me that if I went to that clinic again next time I needed something checked, she would be obligated to take me on as a patient. Phew!! Worry gone...for the moment. I know something will get me worrying again soon.

...Mom and Dad, did you arrive home safely? Better let me know or else you know you'll be my next  worry. :)

So, am I the queen or can anyone top me?

The Walk

This was my 3rd year doing the Coldest Night of the Year walk. Once again it was a lot of fun.

Thanks to all those who sponsored me! I hate asking for money…even if it isn't for myself, so I really appreciated everyone's amazing generosity.

Here's a picture of me with my "Book Babes" team:

ps. Sarah, everyone was asking if you'd be joining us. (They forgot you were in Calgary.)

Christmas Birthday

It's been so long since I've posted anything that I thought I would share this little birthday video with you. The song and raising of the chair in the video is my sister-in-law's family traditions. We thought it was so delightful that we decided to make it a new family tradition for us as well.

This video is of my sister's birthday celebration. Her birthday is around Christmas, so even the video is al little old now…But at least I've added something, right?

Time Keeps On Ticking

It's hard to believe over 3 months have passed since I last posted. I'm sure we all feel the busy-ness of life, so no excuses are necessary, right?

Programs at work continue to be successful. However, most of my posts for the last 2 years have talked about my job, so that's all I'm going to say about it for now.

Summer has been absolutely spectacular here in BC! I've spent a few afternoons swimming in the lakes and lounging on the beaches. My sister and brother-in-law have also lent me their extra mountain bike a few times and taken me cross-country biking on some great trails. I've walked away from those excursions with black and blue legs as souvenirs. (One of these days I'll start using my camera again so I can have a photo journal of these moments as well these written memories.)

On to other news... I've just been called to be the president of the young women's program at my church here in Salmon Arm. That makes me responsible for all the girls in my church who are aged 12 to 18. I'm excited that I've been asked to lead these tween and teen girls, but I'm also nervous about this new responsibility. I've always been 'support crew' and not the boss in my church callings. I'm not sure I know how to be an effective leader. Also, I always thought I'd never be put in this position because I'm still single. I always thought married women were better examples for the girls. Here's to hoping I'm wrong!

And that's a brief update of my life. I hope life is also treating you all well!

Jo Jo Kissed Me

Occasionally my sweet little friends will give me a big hug as they say goodbye after storytime. Sometimes they'll even pull me down to their level and leave a kiss on my cheek. Today was such a day. The way the child so cheerfully jumped up, threw her arms around my neck and kissed my cheek made me think of the poem "Jenny Kissed Me" by Leigh Hunt. In my mind I changed the name Jenny in the poem to Jo Jo to fit the child who kissed me.

Jo Jo* kiss’d me when we met,

    Jumping from the chair she sat in;

Time, you thief, who love to get

    Sweets into your list, put that in!

Say I’m weary, say I’m sad,

    Say that health and wealth have miss’d me,

Say I’m growing old, but add,

    Jo Jo* kiss’d me.

*Name changed to fit child.

Library Drama

(The below post was actually written the first part of February 2013.)

All the librarians in my region received an email last week announcing that Salmon Arm's Youth Services Librarian would be receiving more hours. Here's the exciting part... I am the Youth Services Librarian in Salmon Arm, so that would mean more hours for me! My boss has been wanting more YS hours for years, and now she finally might get them. It is also exciting to know that the management team at Headquarters in Kelowna recognizes the work I've done in this last year and a bit.

When the news was posted, the number of programs and the number of people attending those programs for the past 3 years in Salmon Arm were given.

Here's what the numbers looked like: 

Number of Programs-

2010- 100

2011- a little over 100

2012 (my first full year there)- 232!

Number of People/Youth attending programs-

2010- 1800

2011- 3000

2012- 6148!

I know I'm totally bragging here, but I'm so excited that I've been so successful. And, really, the only reason I've been getting these numbers is that the community has been so supportive of me. The people of Salmon Arm are amazing!

I wrote the above post a couple of months ago, but didn't post it because there was a bit of concern from other employees in my region regarding where the extra hours were coming from. I waited until everything was resolved and the new hours were officially mine before sharing the news. It took a little over a month for everything to be resolved. So glad everything worked out for me!

Whew!

So it's been a while since I've posted. No guarantees that I'll become more consistent in the near future, but I promise to try.
Here's what's happened these past few months...Reader Digest style:
I got more hours at work!
I moved 2 times in March. (My sister and I have graduated to renting a house instead of a basement suite.)
I had 2 crazy busy weeks at the library over Spring Break due to programs I planned for kids while out of school.
I took 2 weeks off work and went to visit my friends and family in Utah. (Such a treat to see everyone after being apart for so long!)
Now I'm in the process of unpacking boxes, purchasing furniture and getting a garden in. For some of you, my life might not seem all that busy, but for quiet old me it's been a bit of a whirlwind.
Happy Spring everyone!

Duplo Lego Winner

I walked into work on Saturday and noticed 2 huge boxes sitting in my office. The boxes had my name on them, so I opened them up. Guess what I won? (Yes, I realize the title of this post does give it away, but humour me.) That's right... Duplo Lego! I won $500 worth of the stuff. How cool is that? I might hang onto one or two boxes to give away to a niece or nephew, but I think I'll donate the rest of it to Salmon Arm's Youth Services Librarian. Oh wait...that's me! I win again!! :)

2012 Christmas Letter

This has been a full and happy year for me. Living so close to family, I have been able to participate in many of the family celebrations that have occurred this past year. The biggest and best celebration was my parent's 50th wedding anniversary. It was wonderful to have all my brothers and sisters together again for a few days.

Work has also been great. I truly think I've got an amazing job, and feel profoundly blessed to have it. I love my storytime friends and enjoy living in a small enough community that enables me to run into these little friends almost anywhere I go.

This past year, I've read almost 80 Junior and Young Adult novels. Out of all those books, there are two that stand out as being wonderful and universally appreciated. My gift to you this year is to share the title of those books with you so you can add them to your collection. Here they are:

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

and...

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year!

Ardie

Do You Need a Hug?

I often go to the daycares in my community and provide special storytimes to the kids who aren't able to  come to the library very often, because both of their parents need to work. Through this outreach program, I have become quite attached to these little people. It does my heart good to hear little voices shout, "Hey Mom/Dad, it's Ardie," when I'm out grocery shopping or running errands around town. It makes me feel like maybe they've become attached to me as well.

Yesterday one of my little daycare friends came into the library while I was working my shift on the Information Desk (-a hip library term for reference desk). She saw me and said in her little 3 year old voice, "Ardie?? What are you doing here? Look Mom, it's Ardie!" I told her that this was where I worked when I wasn't out telling stories to her and her friends. We chatted for a little bit, and then it was time for her to go. As she was starting to walk toward the exit, she stopped, turned around and shouted, "Do you need a hug, Ardie?" Well, who in their right mind would say no to a hug from such a sweet little friend? I said, "Of course," and she ran back and threw her little arms around my legs. She not only made my day, but she melted the heart of everyone in the library. 

One of the things I love most about children is how honest they are in their emotions. If they're mad at you, you know it. If they're happy, you know it. If they love you, you know it. That last one is something I would like to become better at. I don't expect to move mountains or part seas in my time, but by the time I leave this world, I hope to have become the kind of person that friends and family can say, without hesitation, "She loved me." 

It's amazing what I learn from these children. 

Memory Lane

We had a big family dinner a week ago, and as we were sitting around the table chatting (which always seems to happen when we eat at my parent's place) Sharon brought up the topic of youth choirs. (A lady who knows of Sharon's incredible musical abilities told her she needed to start a choir for the youth in our church.) This naturally got us talking about the amazing choir director we had when we were young: Myra Tollestrup. And when Myra's name is mentioned, well, it's only natural that thoughts of taffy pulls, dipping chocolates, and Christmas concerts come to mind. 

I've been thinking about those taffy pull, chocolate dipping sessions and Christmas concerts all week. I'm missing those days. I'm wishing I could take a literal walk down memory lane instead of just a figurative one. But time changes things, and amazing people must eventually move on, so that walk won't happen the way I wish it would. 

That doesn't mean it can't happen differently, though. 

So, here are some "Memory Lane" activities I'd love to do this Christmas: 

Have a taffy pull. 

Go caroling--the old fashioned way.

Go sledding. 

Ice skate on the pond or lake. 

Have a Christmas sing-a-long with all our friends and family in the area. 

Read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever or The Fourth Wiseman...out loud as a group.

Take a walk at night and enjoy the Christmas lights.  

Drink hot coco by the fire with all the lights out after spending an afternoon outside. 

All of these activities have a very nostalgic flare for me. They are the happy memories of my childhood. And if I have my way, they will also be the happy memories of my adult years. 

What memories bring you joy?