Here in Toronto it is maple sugar gathering time. There is a centre called Kortright Centre that has among other attractions, a "sugar shack". From March 4 through to April 11th the public is invited to come and see how the maple sap is gathered from the trees and turned into maple syrup. This place is about 45 miles north of where we live but we shall try to arrange a time to go and experience this event. We have been told by a member of our ward, that the temperatures are very precise and the weather conditions just so in order for the sap to run.
As everything in life, there is a set time and season.
For four days last week Toronto boasted of having the largest indoor flower show, called "Canada Blooms" Grant agreed to go with me so we left work in the early afternoon on and manuevered our way down town to the Direct Energy building which is right at the water front where this event was being held. What an explosion of color and design! I have never seen so many tulips and the daffodil display was on a par with the fields we see in Victoria.
Flower designers had achieved breath taking displays that were beyond anything I could have ever dreamed of. Orchids, red roses, purple hyacinth, bagonia, allysiam pussy willow, bamboo, rocks, fire and water. There was a children's display where the children would go on their hands and knees on a green path under giant leaves into an enchanted forrest of green-fern-ferries, sparkling waterfalls and tiny tinker bells. There were life-size animals in greenery with many tiny colored lights, this all under a micky-mouse-shaped huge umberella.
Grant sat in on a lecture about the plants in outer space sponsored by the University of Guelph . This university is the leading authority on plant study in outer space.
Last Sunday we invited Peter, Elizabeth, their two daughters and grandson, the Ohene-Darko family to share our Sunday dinner. We ate together then played our Rummy Q. Elizabeth can neither read no write. I ask her if she would like to learn she said she would so I will help her with this skill we take so for grantid. Peter came to Canada from Ghana, he worked 9 years for his family to be albe to come and join him. Elizabeth is the only one with a job - she works in a cookie factory.
Friday we drove to the Weston Ward Chapel for a missionary zone conference. This was from 9:00 to 3:00. A spiritual high. A convert to the church, Michael Case told his story of converstion. (I am going to tell his story in the first person, it is much easier that way)
"I was sitting at the back of the bus when these two missionaries walked through the crowd directly toward me. One ask, "how is your day". I held my head down and muttered something, he ask again, "how is your day". I ask him to leave me alone and I got up to get off the bus. The missionaries got off the bus at my stop and ask again, "how is your day". They ask for my phone number and if they could call me. I thought, I will be dead anyway so I don't care if they have my number, so I gave them my number. They said good bye and I walked away, on my way to end my life. My phone wrung and I said, what you want? They ask if they could come and see me tomorrow that they had a message for me. How did they know to come to the back of the bus to find me? " Well we know how they knew. The Lord directed those missionaries to Michael. He testified that he was so happy to have found the truth. He had been a trained episcopalian minister, he had studied many religions but never found the answers that had been such a burden to his soul. He testified of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. A powerful testimony!
Elizabeth , our mexican sister who we give rides to church told us today that her landlord refuses to turn up the heat in her basement apartment, he has changed all the light bulbs to the dim lo energy ones, will only let her do her laundry on Sunday because he feels it is cheaper that day. We are going to try to find a place which will be more friendly for her to live. Every week we have people come into the employment centre looking for work who either have no work permit, cannot speak english and or have no marketable skills. Pretty hard for these new immigrants to get started legally.
Saturday we had invited the mission president and his wife, and the married missionary couples to come to our centre for a pot luck dinner and video. We then motored to our apartment and had an hour of getting acquainted. it was a great to be together here. We met the Kidds from Regina who are the newest couple - here on a church educational mission.
Weather has been in the high teens with a forecase of snow tomorrow. But---- we know it won't last long. Miss our family and friends. Bye from 710 Humberwood Blvd. Etobicoke, On. apt 2110, high in the sky where the airplanes fly - by. Grant and Elaine
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
First Robin of Spring, March 16, 2010
Today I saw the first robin of Spring. As I walked to work the sun shone on my face giving me warmth and light, the sky above was blue, and the air was still, I thought back to last Saturday when I walked to the employment office in the rain, the north east wind beating down on me soaking my pants and jacket, the rain in my face forcing me to keep my head down while the transport trucks sped past me on Rexdale road. I rejoice in the glorious day TODAY!
Sunday the gospel doctrine lesson discussed the life of Joseph of Egypt and how he - and we - can turn dissappointment, despair, down right nastiness, into something that works for our benefit and blesses the lives of those around us.
We had a moment to reflect on the bravery of Terry Fox, hopping, walking, sort of loaping from the west coast to the east in his pledge to raise money for cancer research. He did raise millions as he trudged on in the rain, the hail, and the intense heat. He said of himself that he was nothing special, just an ordinary guy, but, I would add my voice to the millions of Canadians who herald him as our modern day HERO. At the age of 18 he contracted cancer in his let which had to be amputated and while he was in the hospital he saw all the others with cancer and he determined to do something to help them. Eventually the cancer moved into his lungs and he had to abandone his quest to reach the east coast. How could he keep going on? Why did he keep going on?
Another Canadian hero, Rick Hansen who when he was 15 was in an automobile accident that left him with a spinal chord injury. Never to walk again and all that is associated with walking noever again to participate in the sports he loved so much, so he thought at the time. He was the MAN IN MOTION wheeling is chair through 34 countries raising millions of dollars for spinal chord research, supporting wheelchair olympics, encouraging thousands of those with injuries . He did realize his dream to participate in sports and he was a winner!
These three men knew how to turn adversity into victory. Heroes to take note of. Every day we have men and women come into our employment resource centre looking for work. Some have come in Canada for a better life, to work until they can make enough money to send for their families. Today a man from Rowanda came in, he had not much in the way of skills to offer an employer, although he could read and write and he spoke english and french, his family are still in Rowanda. Yesterday Peter, who had worked in canada for 9 years before his family eventually were reunited here with him, came in for a job lead, and today his two daughters came into the centre looking for help in finding a job. A brother from Peru, one from Chile, a sister from Haiti, and the list goes on, not to mention those life long Canadians out of work.
How blessed is my life to live in my native land, to speak the language of the country and have had the opportunity to go to school through grade 12 and then onto college. Never to have been without food, shelter nor my husband out of work, to have loving supportive family and friends close by. Blessings from Heaven!
And May God Bless you today! Elaine
Sunday the gospel doctrine lesson discussed the life of Joseph of Egypt and how he - and we - can turn dissappointment, despair, down right nastiness, into something that works for our benefit and blesses the lives of those around us.
We had a moment to reflect on the bravery of Terry Fox, hopping, walking, sort of loaping from the west coast to the east in his pledge to raise money for cancer research. He did raise millions as he trudged on in the rain, the hail, and the intense heat. He said of himself that he was nothing special, just an ordinary guy, but, I would add my voice to the millions of Canadians who herald him as our modern day HERO. At the age of 18 he contracted cancer in his let which had to be amputated and while he was in the hospital he saw all the others with cancer and he determined to do something to help them. Eventually the cancer moved into his lungs and he had to abandone his quest to reach the east coast. How could he keep going on? Why did he keep going on?
Another Canadian hero, Rick Hansen who when he was 15 was in an automobile accident that left him with a spinal chord injury. Never to walk again and all that is associated with walking noever again to participate in the sports he loved so much, so he thought at the time. He was the MAN IN MOTION wheeling is chair through 34 countries raising millions of dollars for spinal chord research, supporting wheelchair olympics, encouraging thousands of those with injuries . He did realize his dream to participate in sports and he was a winner!
These three men knew how to turn adversity into victory. Heroes to take note of. Every day we have men and women come into our employment resource centre looking for work. Some have come in Canada for a better life, to work until they can make enough money to send for their families. Today a man from Rowanda came in, he had not much in the way of skills to offer an employer, although he could read and write and he spoke english and french, his family are still in Rowanda. Yesterday Peter, who had worked in canada for 9 years before his family eventually were reunited here with him, came in for a job lead, and today his two daughters came into the centre looking for help in finding a job. A brother from Peru, one from Chile, a sister from Haiti, and the list goes on, not to mention those life long Canadians out of work.
How blessed is my life to live in my native land, to speak the language of the country and have had the opportunity to go to school through grade 12 and then onto college. Never to have been without food, shelter nor my husband out of work, to have loving supportive family and friends close by. Blessings from Heaven!
And May God Bless you today! Elaine
Saturday, March 6, 2010
March 6, 2010, Brithday week for Grant and Jack
I am ahead of the game writing my musings one day earlier than usual, (saturday instead of sunday). Our area manager, Doug Mallory did arrive Monday and stayed here until Friday. He is always a great help to us. One task we spent the best part of one day on was Job Postings on ldsjobs.org. When a job seeker or a ward or stake employment specialist registers on ldsjobs.org, (Ontario), we go to the web site and claim that person. This means we give them the right to look on the web site for any job postings that may be there. Also, as part of what we are expected to do here in Toronto is to identify manufacturers, industries and business who will allow us to register their company on ldsjobs.org - along with a contact person ( this means that they are willing to let us post their jobs on our web site, thus helping our lds job seekers have yet another access to available jobs.
We are also to go seek out the best english as a second language schools (esl's). On a monthly basis we offer a two day career workshop at the employment resource centre here in Etobicoke. We will also help any ward that wants our help in conducting career workshops in their ward building.
After the career workshop here in Etobicoke we drove into Toronto for a networking meeting. This is for job seekers and a representative from each of the adult auxiliariers in the ward, plus a member of the bishopric and high council. If they all show it is a great resource for the job seeker. At this particular meeting there were employees from four companies.
At our career workshop one job seeker told of knowing personally the president of a bank, we have contact with the president of General Mills ( a stake president), and the list goes on. What a wonderful resource the networking groups can be for the job seeker.
Needless-to-say Grant and I are quite agog! The only negative about brother Mallory coming is that he loves to take us out to eat and oh brother, Grant and I are going to now try to be off all things white, flour, rice, spagetti and of course - no more purchasing sweets. This may kill us both, but we will go down lean and mean. We do have a dinner invite tomorrow - guess we will have to start on Monday?
Friday was a sister missionary conference in Toronto. I attended the conference and Grant went with the senior men out to lunch. We almost made it home without a missed turn. We made a rather wide circle west and north but arrived home fine. Saturday - today, Grant had some shoes to purchase then we went to value village looking for a kitchen table - nada. Got onto OnStar and found another Value Village - a new very clean one - but no table. I made a trip to the library for a card and some junior readers for our spanish family. Washing clothes, changing bedding and polishing shoes. Grant is at the computer trying to do our reconciliation for the past month. Before we know it will be Sunday. So long for now. Elaine
We are also to go seek out the best english as a second language schools (esl's). On a monthly basis we offer a two day career workshop at the employment resource centre here in Etobicoke. We will also help any ward that wants our help in conducting career workshops in their ward building.
After the career workshop here in Etobicoke we drove into Toronto for a networking meeting. This is for job seekers and a representative from each of the adult auxiliariers in the ward, plus a member of the bishopric and high council. If they all show it is a great resource for the job seeker. At this particular meeting there were employees from four companies.
At our career workshop one job seeker told of knowing personally the president of a bank, we have contact with the president of General Mills ( a stake president), and the list goes on. What a wonderful resource the networking groups can be for the job seeker.
Needless-to-say Grant and I are quite agog! The only negative about brother Mallory coming is that he loves to take us out to eat and oh brother, Grant and I are going to now try to be off all things white, flour, rice, spagetti and of course - no more purchasing sweets. This may kill us both, but we will go down lean and mean. We do have a dinner invite tomorrow - guess we will have to start on Monday?
Friday was a sister missionary conference in Toronto. I attended the conference and Grant went with the senior men out to lunch. We almost made it home without a missed turn. We made a rather wide circle west and north but arrived home fine. Saturday - today, Grant had some shoes to purchase then we went to value village looking for a kitchen table - nada. Got onto OnStar and found another Value Village - a new very clean one - but no table. I made a trip to the library for a card and some junior readers for our spanish family. Washing clothes, changing bedding and polishing shoes. Grant is at the computer trying to do our reconciliation for the past month. Before we know it will be Sunday. So long for now. Elaine
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
March 2, What did the Ides of March bring?
WEll---- for one thing. Canada is on top of the world with all the 2010 Olympic achievements from our athletes, the crown being the Hockey win!!!
What a showcase at the closing ceremonies. We were in awe at the opening ceremonies but enjoyed equally the closing ceremonies . In downtown Toronto, Yonge Street was overrun with bodies in red shirts, pants, jackets, hats, banners, and flags, what a crowd! Apparently with all the television sets being turned on to watch the game there was a power outage in part of the city, so the good people took to the streets to celebrate and rejoice in BEING CANADIAN. Wow it surely feels good!!! eh!!!
Every time the national anthem was played I got up of the couch and stood to attention. Grant refused to join me but after several times in one hour I decided I better go to bed to excuse myself from that patriotic gesture. We watched the curling, the hockey games, the skiing, the ludge, the bob sled races, the speed skating, the figure skating, and yes we did go to work each day but as our day is three hours ahead of Vancouver we would find outselves at 1:00 a.m. reluctantly turning off the T.V. set and slowly making our way to our bed. What an exciting two weeks.
Today we purchased two olympic tumblers and I think I better buy two more so when you come to visit we can celebrate all over again.
Grant and I had agreed to conduct a Career Workshop in Stayner, our first one, Stayner is close to Wasage Beach we couldn't tell where one left off and the other began. It is a lovely resort town surrounded by Georgan Bay on one side and (my Ontario map is in the car) some other great lake on the other side. Hence much heavy wet snow. The weather was calling for a storm to move in on Friday afternoon so on Thursday we decided we better drive ahead of the storm and go as far as Barrie. We gathered our material for the workshop, went to our apartment to pack a few toiletries and a change of clothes and proceeded on to Barrie.
The snow came down in large flakes but the roads were fine. We checked into a recently renovated Best Western hotel and spread out our workbooks and continued our preparations for the workshop the next day at Stayner. By evening the snow was swirling in huge flakes and the roads were pretty slick. We were hungry so went in the car looking for a place to eat, we happened on to Gio's Italian Restorante, (one small room) first class restaurant. What an exceptionally delicious meal. Our waiter told us that a party of six had just cancelled due to the bad weather, so we had their full attention. The career workshop was scheduled for 6:30 in Stayner, this left us the day to put the finishing touches on our presentation.It meant we had to find a computer/printer to make the final draft. This need was met at the Barrie public Library. During the final fifteen minutes of typing we looked outside to see even larger snow flakes coming down so once again we hurridely gathered out papers and left for Stayner. Barrie is a very old city and one we want to explore at length in the summer time.
The snow was only local in Barrie and the roads to Stayner were not trecherous. Most of the farm houses were red brick two to three story with peeked roofs. When more room was needed the farmers just added on with wooden building materials. It struck me as rather strange to see a tall stately home of brick with an add on of wood painted white. To build an all brick home in Southern Alberta is very costly and there are many many of them here.
Sis Drebeilbis, the ward employment specialist, welcomed us to the Stayner Branch. We met in a former bank building the church leases, it is in Wasaga Beach. There were four job seekers at the workshop. At the conclusion of the instructions Friday evening we were shown the way to the Branch President's home, President and Sister Vennette. A beautiful home close to the lake. While we were making turns and twists in the road in the dark we were very grateful to Stanley who showed us the way. The Vennettes were so very kind to us, we had a great visit with them. Thank you good people. Saturday we completed the workshop, said our goodbyes, gave hugs and proceeded back to Toronto. Tired and happy to have served.
March 1st. Brother Dough Mallory - our Area Manager has come up to give Grant and I some more help with our calling. He is conducting the career workshop in the Employment Resource Centre Tues and Wednesday. We have eight job seekers and one ward employment specialist attending. A great workshop! I mentioned that Grant and I were giving Maria, Katheine and Christian rides to church. We are also helping them with reading english. They are a great little family. So loving and grateful for our friendship. Isn't networking wonderful?
So long for now. Talk to you next week. Sis Gehmlich
WEll---- for one thing. Canada is on top of the world with all the 2010 Olympic achievements from our athletes, the crown being the Hockey win!!!
What a showcase at the closing ceremonies. We were in awe at the opening ceremonies but enjoyed equally the closing ceremonies . In downtown Toronto, Yonge Street was overrun with bodies in red shirts, pants, jackets, hats, banners, and flags, what a crowd! Apparently with all the television sets being turned on to watch the game there was a power outage in part of the city, so the good people took to the streets to celebrate and rejoice in BEING CANADIAN. Wow it surely feels good!!! eh!!!
Every time the national anthem was played I got up of the couch and stood to attention. Grant refused to join me but after several times in one hour I decided I better go to bed to excuse myself from that patriotic gesture. We watched the curling, the hockey games, the skiing, the ludge, the bob sled races, the speed skating, the figure skating, and yes we did go to work each day but as our day is three hours ahead of Vancouver we would find outselves at 1:00 a.m. reluctantly turning off the T.V. set and slowly making our way to our bed. What an exciting two weeks.
Today we purchased two olympic tumblers and I think I better buy two more so when you come to visit we can celebrate all over again.
Grant and I had agreed to conduct a Career Workshop in Stayner, our first one, Stayner is close to Wasage Beach we couldn't tell where one left off and the other began. It is a lovely resort town surrounded by Georgan Bay on one side and (my Ontario map is in the car) some other great lake on the other side. Hence much heavy wet snow. The weather was calling for a storm to move in on Friday afternoon so on Thursday we decided we better drive ahead of the storm and go as far as Barrie. We gathered our material for the workshop, went to our apartment to pack a few toiletries and a change of clothes and proceeded on to Barrie.
The snow came down in large flakes but the roads were fine. We checked into a recently renovated Best Western hotel and spread out our workbooks and continued our preparations for the workshop the next day at Stayner. By evening the snow was swirling in huge flakes and the roads were pretty slick. We were hungry so went in the car looking for a place to eat, we happened on to Gio's Italian Restorante, (one small room) first class restaurant. What an exceptionally delicious meal. Our waiter told us that a party of six had just cancelled due to the bad weather, so we had their full attention. The career workshop was scheduled for 6:30 in Stayner, this left us the day to put the finishing touches on our presentation.It meant we had to find a computer/printer to make the final draft. This need was met at the Barrie public Library. During the final fifteen minutes of typing we looked outside to see even larger snow flakes coming down so once again we hurridely gathered out papers and left for Stayner. Barrie is a very old city and one we want to explore at length in the summer time.
The snow was only local in Barrie and the roads to Stayner were not trecherous. Most of the farm houses were red brick two to three story with peeked roofs. When more room was needed the farmers just added on with wooden building materials. It struck me as rather strange to see a tall stately home of brick with an add on of wood painted white. To build an all brick home in Southern Alberta is very costly and there are many many of them here.
Sis Drebeilbis, the ward employment specialist, welcomed us to the Stayner Branch. We met in a former bank building the church leases, it is in Wasaga Beach. There were four job seekers at the workshop. At the conclusion of the instructions Friday evening we were shown the way to the Branch President's home, President and Sister Vennette. A beautiful home close to the lake. While we were making turns and twists in the road in the dark we were very grateful to Stanley who showed us the way. The Vennettes were so very kind to us, we had a great visit with them. Thank you good people. Saturday we completed the workshop, said our goodbyes, gave hugs and proceeded back to Toronto. Tired and happy to have served.
March 1st. Brother Dough Mallory - our Area Manager has come up to give Grant and I some more help with our calling. He is conducting the career workshop in the Employment Resource Centre Tues and Wednesday. We have eight job seekers and one ward employment specialist attending. A great workshop! I mentioned that Grant and I were giving Maria, Katheine and Christian rides to church. We are also helping them with reading english. They are a great little family. So loving and grateful for our friendship. Isn't networking wonderful?
So long for now. Talk to you next week. Sis Gehmlich
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Totonto Winds
From my childhood throughout my teen years and well into my adulthood I have been force fed the notion that the wind only blows in Southern Alberta Canada. Well folks I am here to let you in on a well kept secret---The wind blows in Edmonton Alberta Canada, Salt Lake City Utah, Palm Springs California and even in Toronnah! And they do bundel up, everyone here wears a hat of some kind. They are smart. No snow , yet - just a cutting wind.
This has been a rather quiet week - Grant and I are doing the one step forward and two steps backward in an effort to learn what we need to know about the church computer programs. In addition we will spend several days of study before we conduct our first "Career Workshop" to job seekers.
Last week we were introduced to a family from Mexico who needed rides to and from church. We have begun a series of home evenings to help them with their english and gospel basics. Sister Maria Covarrubias invited us for mexican food today. It was delicious! We went with the Elders to Sister Barnes (from Jamaca) on Saturday for a short lesson then Grant and I went to the Toronto Temple for an afternoon session. Beautiful large temple. There were very few patrons and very few temple workers.
Not much more to report today. We are well , our family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers. Bye for now the Gehmlich's
This has been a rather quiet week - Grant and I are doing the one step forward and two steps backward in an effort to learn what we need to know about the church computer programs. In addition we will spend several days of study before we conduct our first "Career Workshop" to job seekers.
Last week we were introduced to a family from Mexico who needed rides to and from church. We have begun a series of home evenings to help them with their english and gospel basics. Sister Maria Covarrubias invited us for mexican food today. It was delicious! We went with the Elders to Sister Barnes (from Jamaca) on Saturday for a short lesson then Grant and I went to the Toronto Temple for an afternoon session. Beautiful large temple. There were very few patrons and very few temple workers.
Not much more to report today. We are well , our family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers. Bye for now the Gehmlich's
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Happy Valentines Day, February 14, 2010
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !!!
Approximately 2,000 occupants live here in the twin towers of Humberwood Blvd. that is a little over half the number of people that reside in the town of Cardston. Wow. Is it any wonder that Grant and I have gotten lost in the underground parking lot - more than once, more than twice, more than three times. In order to help us find our way to our car and from our car to the elevator, I took a black felt pen and drew small arrows on three of the pillars leading to number 58 - which is between two cement pillars just wide enough for us to squeeze into and carefully open our passanger doors.
Now that we are out of the underground parking we use our fob to get into the main hallway where there are four elevators to take us to our apartment on the 21st floor.
This has been another week of instruction in the employment centre. We waved a red distress flag at Bro. Doug Mallory, our Area Manager from Detroit. He answered our call for help and got into his car that very day and drove up to Toronto. He spent 2 days here with us. What a help he was.
Saturday I located the Value Village and there shopped for more lamps, a few dishes and a table cloth. Looks pretty good. Sundaywe went to the Etobicoke Ward. The elders called Saturday night to ask us to pick up a mother and her two teen age children for church. A lovely Mexican sister with a 14 year old girl and a 17 year old boy. Nice family. We have invited them to come to our home for family home evening tomorrow night.
If you watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics I am sure you were as thrilled as we were at the wonderful, spectacular, fantastic, all inspiring, display - that welcomed the world to Canada and the Winter Olympics. WONDERFUL!!! And a huge thank you to those who worked for years to make this event such a highlight in our lives. We are so very proud to be CANADIAN.
Bye for now - Elaine
Approximately 2,000 occupants live here in the twin towers of Humberwood Blvd. that is a little over half the number of people that reside in the town of Cardston. Wow. Is it any wonder that Grant and I have gotten lost in the underground parking lot - more than once, more than twice, more than three times. In order to help us find our way to our car and from our car to the elevator, I took a black felt pen and drew small arrows on three of the pillars leading to number 58 - which is between two cement pillars just wide enough for us to squeeze into and carefully open our passanger doors.
Now that we are out of the underground parking we use our fob to get into the main hallway where there are four elevators to take us to our apartment on the 21st floor.
This has been another week of instruction in the employment centre. We waved a red distress flag at Bro. Doug Mallory, our Area Manager from Detroit. He answered our call for help and got into his car that very day and drove up to Toronto. He spent 2 days here with us. What a help he was.
Saturday I located the Value Village and there shopped for more lamps, a few dishes and a table cloth. Looks pretty good. Sundaywe went to the Etobicoke Ward. The elders called Saturday night to ask us to pick up a mother and her two teen age children for church. A lovely Mexican sister with a 14 year old girl and a 17 year old boy. Nice family. We have invited them to come to our home for family home evening tomorrow night.
If you watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics I am sure you were as thrilled as we were at the wonderful, spectacular, fantastic, all inspiring, display - that welcomed the world to Canada and the Winter Olympics. WONDERFUL!!! And a huge thank you to those who worked for years to make this event such a highlight in our lives. We are so very proud to be CANADIAN.
Bye for now - Elaine
Monday, February 8, 2010
21st floor on in our new residence
Monday, February 8th, Our first day on our own in the Employment Resource Centre - and we have survived!!! I hope we locked everything up o.k.
Luckily we weren't busy with people rushing in for help. But to back up a couple of days. Saturday was a day to do errands, locate some lamps, mirrors, ironing board cover, some garbage containers and so forth. We decided since we weren't going to be here permanently (Grant keeps reminding me that this is just a temporary residence and we aren't going to make it a mini Tajmahall) We agreed that we would first look at Goodwill for these household items. But before we began that quest - we had to locate a vacum repair shop. This we did in search of a new brush roller. As you might guess the vacum repair man tried very hard to sell us a new vacum for only $60.00 more than the cost of a new roller - stating that these plastic rollers only last one year. We explained that we would only need it for 18 months and since I only vacumed once a week and needed it for only one bedroom carpet - the new plastic roller would do us just fine. Sadly he let us go with just an order for a new roller - to be in stock in one week's time. Well, on our "Onstar" to find the one and only Goodwill store. This took us almost downtown - so we thought. Here we purchased two table lamps for our bedroom, a wicker basket for my hair appliances, a kitchen clock and a small end table to put our printer on, $41.00. Next stop to Homesense, we needed a floor lamp, tablecloth for our card table and a few inexpensive pictures to hang on our bare wall in the living room. Again "On Star" since we were part way downtown Toronto the address closest was on Yonge Street. As we crossed a freeway with 17 lanes - we felt like to were probably going the wrong direction. Upon arriving at Yonge Street we decided that we readly didn't want to spend a half hour trying to find parking so we made a legal U turn and headed back toward Etobicoke.
We found a Homesense -one store, part of a HUGE strip mall. Here it looked like there was one of every store in town. The wind was raw and I mean raw. Grant waked across the parking lot to Rona for some wood filler and a can opener and I walked into Homesense. We purchased two mirrors, some carmel popcorn -yum, yum - an ironing board cover and braced outselves for the wind again. Next stop Ikea. This was just across a freeway opposite this huge mall. Oh, lovely Ikea. What did we purchase there - one lively orange garbage can. A very fragile floor lamp and that was about all. By now it was dark and thankfully we were close to our apartment.
Did I mention that the office room in our apartment was painted an intense dark green? No windows and it was dark - I mean dark. We got permission to repaint - soooo I have painted two coats of beige the same color as our living room and kitchen, as well as some sanding and painting a coffee table, end table, t.v. table, and a set of book shelves that are on loan from the Mission home. With this completed and my computer working at last - I am ready to put my full attention to my task - that is - a resource person at the employment resource centre. President Hinckley stated:
"There is nothing quite as invigorating as being able to evaluate and then solve a difficult problem, to grapple with something that seems almost unsolvable and then find a resolution"
Now I wish to leave you with a story from the Welfare Square by Brother Rudd
" Ora " A salesman for Sears Roebuck began to have serious health problems. He had a stroke, a heart attack, and a cerebral hemorrhage that resulted in severe headaches. He was given a medical retirement and spent the next three years pretty well confined to bed. Then on the advice of his doctor that he should get out and meet people and with the blessings of his bishop, he was sent to work at Welfare Sauare. The contact with other people and the service he could render at his own pace and with the pressures off was invaluable to him. His health steadily improved. He did not receive financial assistance - only a few groceries occasionally. His real pay was the feeling of happiness in rendering a good service to others.
This good man worked about 30 hours a week and went to the temple at least once each week. His heart condition bore continual watch, but his severe headaches were a thing of the past. Those who saw him busy working at the storehouse would never realize the condition he had been in before. His quote when interviewed was, "I have made a million dollars worth of friends at Welfare Square." Good night now. Elaine
Luckily we weren't busy with people rushing in for help. But to back up a couple of days. Saturday was a day to do errands, locate some lamps, mirrors, ironing board cover, some garbage containers and so forth. We decided since we weren't going to be here permanently (Grant keeps reminding me that this is just a temporary residence and we aren't going to make it a mini Tajmahall) We agreed that we would first look at Goodwill for these household items. But before we began that quest - we had to locate a vacum repair shop. This we did in search of a new brush roller. As you might guess the vacum repair man tried very hard to sell us a new vacum for only $60.00 more than the cost of a new roller - stating that these plastic rollers only last one year. We explained that we would only need it for 18 months and since I only vacumed once a week and needed it for only one bedroom carpet - the new plastic roller would do us just fine. Sadly he let us go with just an order for a new roller - to be in stock in one week's time. Well, on our "Onstar" to find the one and only Goodwill store. This took us almost downtown - so we thought. Here we purchased two table lamps for our bedroom, a wicker basket for my hair appliances, a kitchen clock and a small end table to put our printer on, $41.00. Next stop to Homesense, we needed a floor lamp, tablecloth for our card table and a few inexpensive pictures to hang on our bare wall in the living room. Again "On Star" since we were part way downtown Toronto the address closest was on Yonge Street. As we crossed a freeway with 17 lanes - we felt like to were probably going the wrong direction. Upon arriving at Yonge Street we decided that we readly didn't want to spend a half hour trying to find parking so we made a legal U turn and headed back toward Etobicoke.
We found a Homesense -one store, part of a HUGE strip mall. Here it looked like there was one of every store in town. The wind was raw and I mean raw. Grant waked across the parking lot to Rona for some wood filler and a can opener and I walked into Homesense. We purchased two mirrors, some carmel popcorn -yum, yum - an ironing board cover and braced outselves for the wind again. Next stop Ikea. This was just across a freeway opposite this huge mall. Oh, lovely Ikea. What did we purchase there - one lively orange garbage can. A very fragile floor lamp and that was about all. By now it was dark and thankfully we were close to our apartment.
Did I mention that the office room in our apartment was painted an intense dark green? No windows and it was dark - I mean dark. We got permission to repaint - soooo I have painted two coats of beige the same color as our living room and kitchen, as well as some sanding and painting a coffee table, end table, t.v. table, and a set of book shelves that are on loan from the Mission home. With this completed and my computer working at last - I am ready to put my full attention to my task - that is - a resource person at the employment resource centre. President Hinckley stated:
"There is nothing quite as invigorating as being able to evaluate and then solve a difficult problem, to grapple with something that seems almost unsolvable and then find a resolution"
Now I wish to leave you with a story from the Welfare Square by Brother Rudd
" Ora " A salesman for Sears Roebuck began to have serious health problems. He had a stroke, a heart attack, and a cerebral hemorrhage that resulted in severe headaches. He was given a medical retirement and spent the next three years pretty well confined to bed. Then on the advice of his doctor that he should get out and meet people and with the blessings of his bishop, he was sent to work at Welfare Sauare. The contact with other people and the service he could render at his own pace and with the pressures off was invaluable to him. His health steadily improved. He did not receive financial assistance - only a few groceries occasionally. His real pay was the feeling of happiness in rendering a good service to others.
This good man worked about 30 hours a week and went to the temple at least once each week. His heart condition bore continual watch, but his severe headaches were a thing of the past. Those who saw him busy working at the storehouse would never realize the condition he had been in before. His quote when interviewed was, "I have made a million dollars worth of friends at Welfare Square." Good night now. Elaine
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