We're back from our holiday. The photo above is Jack at Abraham Lake. We stopped for a picnic lunch there and Jack threw rocks into the lake and tried to pick up the heaviest rocks he could find.
On the way home we stopped at The Enchanted Forest which exceeded expectations and Jack enjoyed a great deal. When I was a kid we always drove past this tourist attraction on the way to Vancouver Island and on the way home. Mum and dad never stopped there. I imagine it would have been too expensive to stop there and spend another night on the road, but it would have been amazing to stop there as a kid.
The last photo is Jack on a massive rock at Naramata Creek Park. We never made it as far as the falls because Jack was freaked out by the signs for poison ivy along the trail (and there was a fair bit of it), but he did have fun climbing on the rocks. We ran into a family of seven kids along the way, and Jack had fun with the other kids.
I've been cleaning up dog hair and doing laundry since I got home. Yesterday I took Miss Katie out and we had a nice lunch. She's doing well which I'm thankful for; it's such a fine balancing act with her medications so that she's happy and not anxious, but also not drugged. I worked at Michener Centre (an institution to house mentally disabled people) many years ago and the patients were drugged and drooling. Not something I want for my daughter.
While I was in Penticton I got to visit with my sister in law, whom I love. She is the sister I never had:) We talked the whole time we were together and it was wonderful. Of course I cried.
Now that I'm home I'm feeling reenergized and I'm tired of doing most things by myself. I have a hard time saying no and an even harder time asking for help, but I did. There is a teachers strike looming here and we don't have anymore daycare after the end of the month. I told Jack's grandma I would need help and she said she was going to Toronto twice next month, so I texted her back and her told the dates I need her help. I also told her that I need her and Jack's aunt to take care of Jack one weekend a month. We've been doing this for four years now and at the beginning, they said they would help, but their help isn't really help. That first Christmas, they all went to Mexico for a month. It hasn't changed. So now I'm asking. They're not like me, I would offer to help, they don't. I'll ask now. If they don't want to help, they'll have to say no.
On the Provincial front, we now have to pay for Covid vaccinations $110/dose. This fucking government is shit, worse than shit. What's worse than shit? A goat rodeo!
I hope they help. I am glad you had a week away and feel refreshed. Hoping there is no strike!
ReplyDeleteI hope I get help too. If there's no strike, I won't need as much help, so I'm really hoping for that.
DeleteGlad you had a good trip out to the coast and back! Nice to come back reenergized!
ReplyDeleteWe just went out to Penticton. It was nice to not cook, or do housework. Jack got to swim twice a day which he loves.
DeleteYes. It is time to ask for help. It was promised and not given.
ReplyDeleteWhy did you have to pay for the Covid shots? I thought you got free healthcare in Canada. Please enlighten me.
We did get free vaccinations, until this excuse for a government changed the rules. They have a majority, so nobody can do anything.
DeleteMary, she means Alberta's provincial government. It is actively trying to privatize healthcare. Canadians don't want that, so why they voted-in such a jackass gov't is beyond me.
DeleteThe "goat rodeo" comment made me laugh. I'm glad you are becoming more assertive about asking for help with Jack. Love the pictures, as usual they are amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks. It is a goat rodeo, complete with lies, corruption, and a huge dose of hypocrisy.
DeleteI don't know if Medicare is paying for Covid this year or not. Doesn't matter, I'm getting it. We're hoping for Novovax again this year, it's a better vaccine, lasts longer, more durable. They were late to market, and are still handicapped by that. Sounds like a good vacation. I wish Gracie's family would stand up and do the right thing.
ReplyDeleteWe'll get the vaccinations but even health care workers have to pay for them this year. A family of four is expensive.
DeleteGood for you! I'll be interested to hear how asking for help works out. I suspect people who were willing to help before will continue to be willing and those who weren't, won't. Still, it's worth asking.
ReplyDeleteI imagine they will help for a month or two, but I'm going to keep on them.
DeleteI hope you get some help. So easy for people to offer then be unavailable. I hope they come through this time. My recent covid shot was Medicare covered. How come your provincial insurance doesn't cover? I thought you had universal healthcare coverage. Does it vary by province?
ReplyDeleteOur provincial insurance should cover the cost of the vaccinations but the government in power changed that. Universal health care does vary by province and Alberta has one of the most regressive rules.
DeleteI hope that they will be reliable about helping; that's another issue with people like that. They say they will be available and then "something" comes up. I'm sorry they're like that. It's not fair to you and NOT good for Jack. That Enchanted Forest looks fascinating and magical. The trees!! I wouldn't like being on top of that rock with my fear of heights.
ReplyDeleteI've done what I can do, I've asked for the help. Now it's up to them.
DeleteThe rock wasn't high enough for me to be afraid of falling, or I probably wouldn't have let him go up there:)
Your photographs are inspiring
ReplyDeleteThanks John.
DeleteAmazing pics! We all need help sometimes. I'm learning that too.
ReplyDeleteYes, they should be called the UCB (united conservative bastards).
UCB sounds good. They make me so angry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DeleteThe Enchanted Forest photo is stunning. I just love trees but that picture is really special. So glad you had some time away to rejuvenate.
ReplyDeleteTrees are wonderful and always make me feel better.
DeleteJust looking at your splendid photos from your holiday is reenergizing for me. Jack certainly enjoys the places you go to with him. Your photos of him show that. Since my stroke last March, I've had to ask for help now and then, which is not easy for me. It's been a revelation to find out which people are truly willing to give the help they offer. I'm used to being the helper rather than the helped. I do hope Jack's other Grandma helps out as requested.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize you'd had a stroke Amanda. I'm so sorry.
DeleteIt's so hard to ask for help and yes, it is a revelation to see who will actually help.
It sounds like you had an excellent time, and it would be good for Jack as well as yourself. One person hospitalised because of Covid would pay for how many hundreds? thousands? of vaccinations.
ReplyDeleteIt was nice. Jack asked me this morning when our next holiday is.
DeleteOur provincial government are a bunch of uneducated morons who know nothing about medicine, science, or math.
I'm surprised about the charge for the vaccinations. That's crazy, almost as bad as here. I'm glad you had a good vacation and hope you can get some much-needed help. Much love and fingers crossed.
ReplyDeleteI think most Albertans were surprised by the charge for the vaccinations. But we also have a government who has allowed a measles outbreak to continue to grow. We have more measles in Alberta, than the entire US. We're right up there with Nigeria.
DeleteWell done for asking for (telling??) Jack's other family that you need help. It'll be interesting to see their response. I hope they step up, for everyone's sake!
ReplyDeleteI hate asking and telling is even harder for me, but it's been a long time with no offers of help made. It's funny, the only person who ever offered to help me with Katie, other than my mum, was my sister in law. My sisters, crickets. Oh well, their loss. Katie's pretty cool.
DeleteYour photos are beautiful. That lake water looks so clean and clear. Hopefully your provincial government will be voted out in the next election that you have. I have read where your premier is a MAGA type politician. And yes, it is hard to ask for help. I always have a difficult time doing that.
ReplyDeleteThe lake is part of a dam system, like Lake Mead in the US. Our provincial government is corrupt, obtuse, and given to gaslighting.
DeleteI think it could be said it may be worse here. Jack is looking so grown up. I love that photo of the trees. Perfection. Good for you putting it on the grandmother and aunt. They have used you long enough.
ReplyDeleteIt always comes down to Jack and what's best for him. We give him a stable, predictable home, not something the grandma or aunt want to do, or are able to do. But I do need help.
DeleteJack is growing up so fast.
It is wonderful to see that boy in this stunning nature! Great pictures.
ReplyDeleteAs the saying goes, a change is a good as rest. But
Yesterday I took Jack to the spray park and he played hard for almost three hours. He's happy being outside, me too:)
DeleteThat does look and sound like a wonderful break.
ReplyDeleteMy head hurts when government, whose one job is to represent in the best interest of the public throw away science.
The government blinked and now health care workers will get free vaccinations.
DeleteJack seems to respond well to being outside in nature. His whole body looks happy. I know I feel that way and my kids and grandkids do too. Maybe an outdoor/forest school would work for him. My daughter has a Waldorf preschool and the kids spend most of the day outside in all weathers. That education approach results in sturdy, self reliant kids. My daughter's son, who had some trauma when he was young because of a dysfunctional father and his family, went to Waldorf school until he was 10 with positive results. Sending hugs and hope for help. x0x0 N2
ReplyDelete