Sweet Somethings

I arrived early to a routine medical appointment with our one daughter so I decided to walk the Old City Quarter in downtown Nanaimo. As I circled I noticed this cute little store and went inside. I started talking with the owner and he was explaining that their little business might have to shut down after their lease is up. As I looked around it was packed with candy. Packed with great prices too! I didn't purchase anything for ourselves but I purchased a twenty dollar gift certificate to start an online game, guess this place? ( I think I called it) Anyhow with the owner's permission I said I would help support his little store. Sweet Somethings is a candy and confection store. It's full of candy that you can't just find anywhere! Sweet Somethings does not only sell candy inside their store, they will do candy buffets, gift baskets, weddings, kids parties and corporate events and did I mention already that their prices are excellent too! On their pamphlet that the owner kindly provided has pictures of mouthwatering fudge, they have chocolate caramel pretzels, chocolate and caramel apples (and I will add they look fantastic!) They have pecan clusters, caramel popcorn, a large variety of bagged candy including my favorite, Bon Bons! I know Valentines is next week, so I suggest if you're looking for something sweet and perhaps something slightly different, try Sweet Somethings! Sweet Somethings is located in Nanaimo's Historic Old City Quarter. 309 B Wesley Street. Now I know sometimes I would like to treat our children to something and this is it! It's different, it's cute and there's lots of items to choose from. Including ice cream! Another thought.....Easter is around the corner too! The baskets purchased at a chain store would be nothing in comparison that this store can do for you! Think out of the norm and go unique! Lets start supporting local businesses like this store. Lets keep them in business. This area in particular is cute. The Old City Quarter I think gets forgotten and there is lots of nice little shops to meet all needs and including excellent little restaurants! Do you want something different to do? Walk the streets where I did and check it out! You will not be disappointed! 

The unknown

Social media......I keep questioning myself if I share too much. Then I keep reminding myself that if some one doesn't want to read or see what I post, they wouldn't. Writing is definitely a therapy for me....So here we are one week into February. As I write today I am full of mixed emotions hence why I shouldn't be writing in the first place. I love my family and friends very much. It seems that every one that has come into our life has made a huge impact in one way or another. I can literally sit and think about some one, then I will just smile with joy and love in my heart. There is so many individuals that I can reminisce and acknowledge. The list is lengthy. I'm rich with the abundance of love that surrounds our family. Even when I'm feeling down (like today) I can think about some one and I feel such warmth in my heart.

However the truth is, like many of yours, our life isn't easy. We are honestly taking it one day at a time. Plunking along accomplishing what we need too while taking sometime to enjoy life - the great outdoors with each other! This morning my husband was at the hospital visiting his specialist. He has developed an infection in his ankle. This is on top of his ongoing body and heart pain. I witness and watch over him daily. Thankfully I know what to do in case of an emergency and it semi puts my mind at ease. However it can be exhausting. The continual worry and stress can catch up to you. Kinda like today. I am thankful that he is alive, and that our family is moving forward daily. And the breath that we take every morning is another beginning to be thankful for. I get that. I will tell you something what's hard....I claim to have this strength, this power that keeps our family going every day like clock work. Be positive! Keep the hope! Pray! Believe! I have all that and I (we) will continue to keep plunking along......but I'm only human. I have fears. Like how I reminisce about all the individuals I love and that make me smile, I also remember almost loosing my husband. I worry about our children loosing their Dad. I know I'm not suppose to have these thoughts but how can I not?  His condition every day (today) is just an ongoing reminder that we are never safe from illness and accidents.

Thinking about our children I often wonder how they're coping with a sick father. I know they have their thoughts and sometimes they share. I try to give them their space and allow them to share their feelings when they're ready or wanting too. In one way I see our children being so resilient. In another (like me) there is worry, stress and feelings that exist. Some behaviors have escalated and some of our adult children have distanced themselves. Whether that is because of our life, theirs or both, there has been a shift since my husband became sick. I now understand the difficulties and challenges an illness puts on a family. You can be that person looking in and say, "Stay positive!" However it really has nothing to do with remaining positive, staying optimistic or hopeful. That's just a piece of the equation that we're fighting to maintain. The reality of our situation has a very helpless feeling. I so understand how families feel when some one is battling cancer with a unknown future if they will survive or not. The unknown is a horrible feeling that never goes away, like grieving. 

To conclude, Gerald for two days has had blood and urine testing. His inflammation count has escalated from 6 to 38. The specialist doesn't believe it's coming from his infected ankle. It's coming from internally, possibly his spine. His chronic body pain has escalated, he has ongoing chest pain and he's drained physically. He's currently struggling to use his left hand. A MRI is scheduled ASAP.  For now he remains home with no hospitalization. I will continue to monitor his health and watch for signs of sepsis and/or heart attack. I won't lie....I fear for our family and I wouldn't wish this condition on anyone. 2016 I really thought was our year.......just maybe. I'm 50/50 sitting on the fence post waiting which way it will turn. And we're getting tired emotionally. All I know is I don't want to see a person suffer every day like he does. He remains strong and hides it well for his children and others, however he needs health and freedom from MRSA. We all do......and that I pray. 

That "one moment"

I had this flashback this morning about one of our past hospital visits with our youngest daughter Emily. It made me smile and I thought it was worth a re-post. November 14, 2013 my youngest daughter and I were leaving the hospital. I remember fondly an elderly man sitting looking out the hospital window. As we approached, our daughter really wanted to say, "Hello" and during that time his hand met hers, while she met his. The elderly man was smiling from ear to ear. This man's daughter was standing near and she explained that he hasn't smiled in days. I remember the woman started to tear. That's all it takes, acknowledgement. This post is located here at http://hohnsteins.blogspot.ca/2013/11/hospital-smiles.html on my blog. This morning while having coffee I was thinking about how important acknowledgement is. Many of us forget that a simple smile and/or "Hello, have a good day!" can make a world of difference. We are all struggling battles others are unaware of, and a huge percentage of our population suffers from either a mental illness, or unfortunately loneliness. I've always believed that when someone is grumpy, angry or behavioral (whatever you want to call their attitude) they just need some form of acknowledgement. Thinking back now three years ago visualizing that mans smile and for that "one moment" his heart was filled with joy and that makes me want to spread that moment more.... To remind people that we can make differences just by smiling at each other. Acknowledgement (I think) is the most important communication attribute we can carry from one day to the next. "We always always always try to change some ones day with a few little words and a simple little smile"  

702! Once upon a time......

I was looking over my blog and this is my 702nd post after I deleted almost two years worth of (what I thought) amazing stories and recipes! I know my posts have slowed down some however my blog definitely shows some dedication. It takes commitment. This is only my perception (a itty bitty piece) that I have been honored to share with you. For me, many times it's been a very emotional roller coaster while looking back all these years blogging our experiences, challenges and most importantly our victories. Wow! I keep contradicting myself questioning what's next. I keep questioning if I should continue blogging.....it's become a part of my time. I have looked into vlogging too. Basically it's video taping your story. More of a amateur reality show with short clipped films. I sometimes question if I should just stop media completely. Then I keep thinking about how the internet is a huge part of our lives. This is how we are able to express ourselves and to hopefully make differences and inspire each other. This is why I continue and why I can't quit. I know for a fact that my purpose here isn't just to be a house wife homeschooling momma. Some may be content with this and it's absolutely perfect. I feel mine is much deeper. Which means I'm not disappearing anytime soon, and that my mind is continually contemplating what's next. Either I continue with what I have been doing - blogging and/or adding something more and time will tell. I've always been impressed when time passes, it really does answer all my questions. "Once upon a time" I was twelve years old receiving my first slide to slide old style typewriter writing short little thriller stories...now it's about time to not only focus on those short stories but to enhance that into it's fullest potential. Blogging continues however I am feeling much more then just a chapter at a time. 

 

What do you think?

Life is a story

 I have topics that I think about frequently. I'm one of those people that don't stop thinking and especially during the time I should be sleeping! Most of my thoughts are from my own experiences. Some that I've learned, and some that I'm still trying to figure out because life surely isn't an open book. Life is full of surprises. After my husband having a close death experience last year it really highlighted how important and short our lives really are. I've always been that person questioning life and why are we here. I've always believed in a purposeful life. I believe in making differences and I believe in progress. 

It's January 2016, and it's that time of year where everyone is trying to live up to their resolutions. I also don't necessarily believe that we should put so much expectations on ourselves. Realistic goals are good. Believing in yourself is good. Facing fears and conquering doubt is good. Just don't set yourself up for failure with too high of expectations. For me, I have a few applications that have been sent and where my path leads is semi currently unknown. However I do know it's with helping others in one form or another. I'm feeling for us there is lots that will change from this year forward.

In the next couple years there will be lots of transitioning. We have four sixteen year old's moving into adulthood. Our youngest little man is starting kindergarten. And while still parenting, homeschooling and figuring out exactly where my “extra” time is headed I'm holding my husband's hand more.

 I am a very patient, understanding and realistic person taking life day by day. One day can be better then the next realizing not any day is the same. That red light always turns green eventually. If it doesn't then that's our universe clearly stating we're not going in that direction. So sometimes what we want, even a goal or an expectation that we have put on ourselves only turns green when the timing is right and our mind should always be open to nod yes, I will try it that way. Lately with my husband's current condition we are definitely moving forward in another way. 

I will share something personal with you. I was told twice that my husband wasn't going to survive. That he was a very sick man. Those words, “A very sick man” stained my heart. I don't believe that's a horrible thing. More of a message. My husband and I were what I called, “Empire Builders” we literally built our home and our atmosphere for our children. Our children were one hundred percent our world. To this day they are but they are not. I would say they are 70% and 30% is for us. Having four adult children already, I know that my husband and I are not only the glue for our family, we are for each other. I knew this and have written this before but we are all guilty getting caught up in what we feel programmed to do for our family and others, that we attend to forget about our own lives. 

Our future...?...heavily unknown.... however, starts with more hospital visits. Gerald is now on a cancellation list for knee surgery. We aren't worried about the surgery, we are concerned because he is high risk for developing MRSA infections. There is suspicion of some brain injury. Words from his specialist was, "Your spine looks like it's been through World War 3" He's at high risk for having a heart attack while adding TIA's and/or stroke. He has chronic pain all the time. Yet we remain positive and we are taking each day as it comes developing other chapters to conquer.

Life's trials definitely changes our perceptions on how we should be living daily that's for sure. Life reminds me of a book, we begin reading.....we sometimes become lost (like this post) then we challenge ourselves and when life just seems right, you turn the next page, enter a new chapter of complete and utter chaos to find the light at the end of it all. I would imagine maddening for some.

 Now that 2016 is well underway and we're feeling semi positive, we will continue to hope for health and healing while embracing the unknown for the next chapter. Continuing to believe in progress with real expectations and allowing the red lights to direct us to the green. In the end, life truly is a story and I hope that ours will be a best seller (when I eventually finish our book) and I hope I still remember my name!

Signed, 

Grammar struggling author unknown, lol - that would be me!

It is the place!

I have a few written posts "saved" and not posted because I have been really enjoying our great outdoors. I wanted to share these beautiful photos with you instead. The picture below is on our way to Tofino. The ongoing rushing river is always roaring.

 This picture is of love locks. People have been engraving locks and locking them to designated fencing all over the world. 

 Below is a picture of the West Coast in Ucluelet. It's truly amazing to just sit and observe the energy and force of our universe. I love it so much!

 Chesterman's Beach. A more secluded calmer area. 

 Below is a picture of where we hiked. A complete mud bog. There is many sections with warning signs of extreme sinking. It reminded me of quick sand territory.  

 And this is where we hiked out too. A war plane that went down in 1945, twelve passengers survived. It's surreal hiking upon its resting site located near Tofino.

 Truthfully - a must see!

 If you're in Tofino, definitely try the Tacofino bus. It's excellent. 

Below is a quote so true. You know.....many people constantly ask me how I cope with all our challenges. Daily I educate my children that the outdoors truly heals. It is peaceful and surreal. It might not take a challenge or life trial away, but it might help put you back into perspective and on the right path. The great outdoors - it is the place! 

The frozen forest

I'm always in "Awe" 

I can't believe how fast time is moving! It's the middle of January already! Recently I turned forty three. For my celebration I wanted to be outdoors. So my sister, a friend and I went hiking to Christie Falls in Ladysmith. It's amazing out there right now with all the ice. It's truly like a winter wonderland. A magical place. I love the great outdoors. I honestly believe if you're suffering mentally and or physically from something, outdoors is the answer. It rejuvenates the soul. I'm hoping our 2016 is sharing memories of just this. The beauty that surrounds us, and the experiences along the way. Not only for myself but for our children. Our family and for you. This day was on January 10th - my birthday. After having an amazing lunch at the Spice Hut we ventured off looking for Christie Falls. The funny part about this day was that us three wore funny toques. We would meet people along the path that always commented, smiled and or laughed. It was great. We might be woman in our forties but it's not the number what counts, it's what's inside of us. Fun. Adventure and thriving for more memories. The best part is living, experiencing and breathing in that fresh air we take for granted daily. It was a great day.  "Just living is not enough, one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower" - Hans Anderson. In this case a winter wonderland called, "Frozen" 

The picture below I snapped during a morning walk last week. I was thinking about our options in life. We can just live to breathe, work and pay bills or we can truly live. My motto always is to take the long road, experience and find new adventures around every new corner. A cute quote from one of Robert Frost's poems is, "And I, I took the road less traveled" and that my friends is a powerful statement. If you don't allow yourself to experience, to learn, and to challenge yourself with new directions, you don't grow into your fullest potential. I believe growth happens all throughout our lives. It's never too late to experience something new. I love teaching my children this. I am so proud of my oldest daughter who travels, who now is currently working in Toronto. She might like it or not when I say, she's exactly like her mother. A strong independent woman who works towards her goals and retrieves them. She challenges herself, and has life grasped in her hands. That's the strong road, a road worth traveling. To conclude with my thoughts....keep going. Leap at the chance with new adventures. Even if it's just a day in the frozen forest. We all owe it to ourselves to not just breathe, but to truly live and enjoy our life!