The 1st weekend in September was my dad’s band’s concert *The Baking Soda Boys* at the Bailey Theatre on Friday night. Unfortunately, my mom and I were in emergency room for the evening and night because I was getting over being sick. I was having UTI symptoms and yes, I had a UTI! It was a long night for us but I got some medicine early in the morning that next day so I was feeling pretty good for the visit with my uncle Wayne and auntie Gail! On Saturday afternoon we painted our paintings that we bought from Michaels in Lloydminster while we were there visiting in early August! My picture was of an aquarium. Uncle Wayne’s picture was of a city in Greece and my auntie Gail’s painting was the Eiffel Tower in Paris! My mom painted some mountains and fields .

The next weekend in September we had our backyard summer party on a Saturday afternoon! We played outdoors games, some people were playing board games on the deck and everyone brought a dessert to share with everyone. I made some juice!

On Monday evening we went on a nature walk with Rose Club and other people were making a leaf craft at the office. It was a pretty night to be outdoors. It was my auntie Gail’s birthday so I mailed her a birthday card and it came in the mail on her birthday!

On Wednesday morning a group from Centra Cam went to the fire hall for fire safety week for a client development day. We had a PowerPoint presentation and a tour of the fire hall. We also got to try to put out the fire from the stove with a fire extinguisher.

On Friday afternoon Mary Ann and I went on a walk around the lake! Saturday afternoon I went for nails and got some pumpkins design on my ring finger for fall and then we went to Walmart for a hook for a sign that I got from a spring bingo prize .

I had a nasty cold and flu again. My parents were gone for their 30th anniversary in PEI for 10 days straight and I was sick for most of their holiday. On Sunday afternoon I got to meet a baby girl who was four months old, Marlow Queen and interviewed her parents Joshua and Donnelle with their jobs for next months blog! They brought some pumpkin spice ice cappuccinos and some Tim bits. My mom made her some baby moccasins and she got Marlow a flowery outfit.

The Thanksgiving Weekend started with bingo and a meeting to discuss events for November and December calendars with our friends from Rose Club on Friday night. I got a bingo and I won a light to put into my pumpkin. Rose Club carved pumpkins on Saturday afternoon.

I went home for fall family pictures and then we had dinner together on Saturday evening ! We had corn bread, macaroni and beets with Ceasar salad and ribs, apple pie with vanilla ice cream for dessert . For Thanksgiving Sunday we went to Grandpa Raymond and Shandy’s house for an early dinner, there was Ham, Pineapple , Turkey, Stuffing , Vegetables , and Salad and a berry crumble with vanilla ice cream for dessert. My mom made sweet potato casserole and brought cranberries. Everything was delicious. We decided that we might have Christmas around the 21or the 22nd of December so Joel and Ashley could go to Saskatchewan for Christmas. We took some family pictures in front of the fire place.

On Thursday night, my mom and I went to the charity auction event for The Camrose Association For Community Living! They had a fantastic dinner and there were delightful desserts. I got to share some mini cheesecakes with my mom. There were live appearances from the SingAble group and they were amazing . Some people were able to make crafty stuff for an art wall for the auction , a silent auction and they had a silent auction online that you could bid on things!This year’s theme was Light , Camera & Action, You were supposed to dress up fancy! I made a beautiful pumpkin made out of buttons on wood for the art wall, someone bought it for $100 dollars. This event was at the Camrose Casino and it was a wonderful experience. Camrose Association was great for me growing up, I would go to Kandu Summer Camp in the summer months of going to school, I was able to attend their program for the children. I remember going to arts and crafts nights, getting to go on field trips on Saturdays and going to sleepovers. Now that I am an adult and in my late twenties I am allowed to go to Rose Club at CAFCL! Rose Club plans activities and events, for the months there are different events that we do, we have crafts nights, birthday bashes , scavenger hunts and nature walks! Camrose Association for Community Living seems like family to me and my family. Everyone is welcoming and friendly to everyone who comes and goes out of their doors. I would highly recommend Kandu Summer camp if you have a special needs child in your family! They would love it and they would have lots of fun.

On Saturday afternoon we decorated our living room for Halloween! On Sunday afternoon my auntie Gail came for a visit from Lloydminster. We made some cards and we went to Winners for a bit of shopping. I got some chocolates and a white sweater, my auntie Gail was looking for hair spray, hand soap and she found a jacket. She said that she might come in November and we’re going to make Christmas cards! We also discussed a couple of ideas for Christmas. Maybe we could do gingerbread man, decorate gingerbread houses , or find a Christmas craft on Pinterest. We even discussed that maybe we could do a Chinese gift exchange. It was a wonderful visit and I can’t wait for the next time we visit again!

This Halloween I dressed up as Business lady, if I had a school presentation . At Centra cam there was a Halloween party. In the morning I played the monsters bean bag toss and I also did some of the cross word sheets, Halloween colouring pages and Halloween word searches. We danced in the morning and afternoon as well as there were people who were digging for apples.

Come back for more activities and more Christmas festivities. If possible could you please send me your Christmas traditions and your past Christmas pictures for another special blog. I hope you have enjoyed your fall season as much as I did!

Back in July Maryann and I took our friend Mary’s daughter Alayna swimming and then we visited with our friend Mary on her driveway before she moved to Saskatchewan.

   On Saturday afternoon I got to use the gift card from my birthday that my auntie Gail gave me!  I got a lamp that changes colours from Winners and I also got some hair clips and some hair elastics to have different hairstyles! 

For the long weekend in August, (on the Saturday)  we went to Lloydminster for  the day to visit my grandma  Sharron, uncle Patrick, uncle Wayne and my auntie Gail. We made lanterns with flowers to decorate the jars, put a battery candle inside and put some rope string around the lid. Then we went shopping and went to a place like south Common in Edmonton. There was Winners, Michaels, Home Sense, and  Reitman’s.  I got some clothes, an organizer for my markers and a canvas paint kit.  Sometime in September they’re coming out to Camrose to watch my dad’s band play, so we figured we would buy some canvas with pictures to paint.

Anna, me and Theresa went to Big Valley Jamboree on Sunday night, we saw Phil Vassar and Brett Kissel . We were supposed to see Keith Urban but it was canceled due to the rainstorm! It was super duper fun watching Phil and Brett, both great musicians and great performances!  I can’t wait to hear who’s coming next year!

Wednesday was my friend Jessica’s birthday, so I painted a few pictures and then I painted her a birdhouse and made her a colourful birthday card. She appreciated her birthday present!

On Thursday a group of people from Centra Cam went to the Reynold’s Museum in Wetaskiwin. We had a great day looking at the vehicles and airplanes. Then we went to the other side of the park, we went for a walk and some people played on the playground! It was a great day to get away from Camrose and Centra Cam.

Then on Saturday, my roommate Kat, her staff Nodija and I went to the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller! We had a great time looking at the different types of dinosaurs. My favourite part was the garden area where they had a lot of plants and waterfalls.  I got a hoodie, a keychain, and a hat from the gift shop!

I did my fingernails chocolate and white chocolate Strawberries in July and I got Watermelon nails in August!    Tried out the new nail salon, Minis!  It’s very nice and very fancy and the people are very friendly!

On Saturday afternoon Maryann and I went to visit my old roommate, and my friend Theresa at her new house team seven. We picked up some iced cappuccinos from Tim Horton’s and brought them with us. Then, we visited on her deck, got a tour of her new house, and met her new roommates! We decided that we should go visit Theresa every month!

On Wednesday at Centra Cam we had our yearly summer BBQ and our wind- up garden party! There were games, activities, a music performance from Brian Dumont.  It was set up and decorated like a wedding reception.  They had flower centerpieces on the tables.  In another room there were outdoor games!  Everyone got * years of service * and a little goody bag with a pen, a notebook, and a keychain!

On Friday night we went to the Ponoka stampede, and it was really fun to watch the horses do races and there was a market place where they had people selling their products!

1. How did you become a firefighter?

First, Joe owned a restaurant in downtown Camrose called Café Rose. In 1990 the Alberta Winter Games were in Camrose and he wanted to feed all the kids involved, about 1500 kids. He did not have enough room at his restaurant, so he moved it to the CRE and needed grills to cook on and someone told him that the fire department had grills because they do the pancake breakfast. So, he borrowed the grills from the fire department and the fireman that was helping him set up told him he should volunteer as a firefighter and brought him an application. He really didn’t want to as he was very busy with his restaurant, but he filled out the application and got accepted. At first, he didn’t want to be a volunteer firefighter but his partner in the restaurant said it might be good for business, so he went and really enjoyed it and wanted to become a full time firefighter. He took some training and became an emergency medical technician (EMT) and a volunteer firefighter from 1992- 2000. Then in 2001 a training officer for the fire department full time job became available and he applied and got the job. Now he is full time at the fire department.

2. What do you do if there are no calls or paperwork? How do you keep busy?

Every Tuesday the volunteer firefighters have training. The EMR program teaches 80-100 hours on top of the Tuesday night training. Joe coordinates and teaches this course.

3. How do you keep the water hose from flailing around?  Is it hard to pull out of the truck?  Is it hard to hold onto?  How much does it weigh?

Two people hang onto it.  Do not let go! The hose is not hard to pull out of the truck, if it’s put back correctly.  Weight and water pressure of hose is 900cpa (20-25 pounds) It is hard to hold.  That’s why we need two people.

4. When there is a fire do you need to do paperwork on it?

Yes, the captain writes up the reports and a medical report. The chief deals with the billing part of the fire investigation report. Joe keeps stats to help with things down the road. 

5. If you were to use the jaws of life would you need to do paperwork for that? 

Yes.

6. Do you have to go to every call to 911?  How do they decide what call you have to go to?

We go on technical rope rescues, ice rescues, cats in trees, medical calls, and confined spaces.

7. If you are on call how long does it take to get everyone there to go on that call?

On average about 12-15 minuets

8. How many people go on one call?

About 6-10 people on average.  There is 12 people on a crew, and they have 3 crews. 

9. How many people can fit in a fire truck?   How many fire trucks go on a call? 

There are 6 people in a truck.  4 people in the back, 1 driver, 1 passenger.  1st engine for rescue, and 2nd engine for Arial

Kelsey: What is your job title?

Joel: Acute care occupational therapist

Kelsey: What does your job entail?

Joel: I assist people with improving their ability to complete their activities of daily living with or without equipment so they can return home from hospital when they are medically stable. I also complete cognitive assessments and assist with lower extremity edema.

Kelsey: Is your day always the same or sometimes different?

Joel: No, days are the same and depend on why people are in hospital and what they’re having difficulty with.

Kelsey: Do you like your job?

Joel: Yes, days are busy and go by quick!

Kelsey: What’s your education?

Joel: I have a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy.

Kelsey: How long were those courses?

Joel: I did my Bachelors in 5 years and masters in about 2.5 years.

Kelsey: Where did you go to school?

Joel: I did 2 years at Augustana and the rest at the University of Alberta.

Kelsey: Are there other jobs that you are qualified for?

Joel:  I could work in Homecare or other areas of rehab at a hospital. I could also work in paediatrics, but I don’t have any experience, except for living with Ashley. I’m also qualified to wash dishes but I’m told I miss spots sometimes…

Kelsey: What other jobs have you had as an OT?

Joel:  I’ve worked in long term care, at the Glenrose, and at a rehab Center for people injured at work called Millard Health.

The month of April was full of school presentations! One week, we went to Edburg school on a
Tuesday and then we went to Forestburg school on Wednesday. Centra cam had
their 27th bowl a thon on Friday and my mom took me bowling. I think 86 and 108
were my scores for the games of bowling, they had doughnuts and new t- shirts
that are orange for everyone.

In the Afternoon on Friday, mom and I made bath salts, coloured and had iced cappuccino with whipped cream and some Mimi bites. We had to watch Coco and she sat on my lap.

On Thursday evening I went to Edmonton to Roger’s Place for Luke Bryan concert, it was called “Mind of a Country
Boy Tour”, with opening acts Chayce Beckham and Tenille Arts.

It was really good concert. On Monday I had a presentation at OLMP! On Tuesday another school
presentation at OLMP and Wednesday I did another school presentation at OLMP!
We went to Killam school for a presentation on a Monday morning! On Tuesday
evening I painted a Mother’s Day plant pot for my mom for Mother’s Day . On
Saturday morning we went to the Special Olympics walk in honour of Larry
Gibson. The walk was at Mirror Lake. There was music and hot dogs, chips and
water for lunch. It was a beautiful sunny morning for a walk. On Wednesday
morning my friend Emily sent me a picture of her daughter Brielle with the
birthday card that I coloured back in April and that’s petal bead that I made
at Centra Cam. It was shaped as a star but I made it like a sunflower. Emily
and Brielle absolutely loved their birthday present and the colourful flowery
birthday card!

On Thursday morning we went to Kingman school and then we
started bocce ball on Thursday after Centra Cam for May and June months. On
Friday evening we went to Rose Club game night and a meeting, we talked about
upcoming events and voted on activities for the June calendar. Then our group
played a game of Yahtzee. Some people were playing Camrose Monopoly board game,
a Twilight themed board game and Harry Potter themed Scene It. Some people were
making puzzles as well. It was a fun evening with our friends from Rose Club!

Saturday afternoon I got my fingernails painted red with butterflies for
stickers! I got my mom a Bleeding Heart  plant for Mother’s Day and I got my senior
Sharron a flower bloom! For Mother’s Day my mom got spoiled with Mother’s Day
presents and Mother’s Day cards, she got a gift certificate for the green
house, lots of shower gels and some lotion, homemade card and a little flower
pot and a bleeding heart . We just hung out and my mom got to plant some
flowers in her backyard and she got to water them too! We ordered sushi for
dinner and had ice cream sandwiches for dessert.

On Tuesday morning I had a school presentation at Sifton school. On Saturday afternoon we celebrated our
roommate Craig’s birthday and went bowling. Everyone had pizza and had
chocolate cake from Safeway. I gave him a subway gift card and I coloured a
birthday card with balloons.

I have a best friend forever Teresa who I always
exchange Christmas and birthday gifts with every year. It was her birthday on
the long weekend in May! My parents dropped off her birthday present for me and
came home with a box of presents from Christmas! So on Sunday afternoon I got
to open the box of presents! Teresa spoiled me rotten of course! I got a
sweater, Christmas CDs , socks, Christmas earrings and some bath stuff. I got
two Christmas coffee mugs and blue hair dye! Thanks for the Christmas presents Teresa!
For her birthday/ Christmas presents I got her a flowerpot, a candle and
something for her car that makes it smell so pretty! I made her a petal bead in
a shape of a cupcake with different shades of blues and purple beads. I also
coloured her a birthday card with blue ribbons and purple and pink presents.
After I opened up the box of presents, I got to try out a craft that I will be
doing for my birthday party and decided on what to cook for my Auntie Gail and
my uncle Wayne for the second weekend in June! On Saturday evening we went to
Rose Club birthday bash!  We danced and
had Oreo cake. It was a fun evening.

This month I decided to interview my sister in law and talk with her about her job. Ashley is married to my brother Joel.

Kelsey: What is your job title? 

Ashley: I am a Paediatric Occupational Therapist

Kelsey: What does your job entail?

Ashley:  My job requires me to drive all across Alberta to work with kids and their families and\or teachers at homes and schools. I support them with many things like toilet training, behaviours, feeding, and more!

Kelsey: Is your day always the same or sometimes different?

 Ashley:  Every day is very different! Sometimes I am driving lot, sometimes I’m at family homes or in the community, some days at schools, and some are paperwork days at the office or home.

Kelsey:  Do you like your job ?

Ashley: I actually really do enjoy my job!

Kelsey: What’s your education?

Ashley: I have an undergraduate degree in kinesiology and a masters in occupational therapy.

Kelsey: How long were those courses?

Ashley:  My undergrad degree was four years and my masters was two and a half years.

Kelsey:  Where did you go to school?

Ashley:   I completed my undergraduate degree in Saskatoon at the UofS and my masters in Edmonton at the UofA

Kelsey:  Are there other jobs that you are qualified for?

Ashley:  As an occupational therapist I could work in a number of areas such as long term care, a hospital, rehab clinics and more.

Kelsey:  What other jobs have you had as an OT?

Ashley:  I have worked in a similar position that was based in Edmonton which was much less travelling as well as in a preschool program based in Sherwood Park.

I feel like this weather can’t make up its mind…. There’s the valentines’ pictures, the practice drawing and face masks. Nothing is worse than when your pictures don’t load or show up!

We went to Rose Club birthday bash on Friday evening for the February birthdays! People were making some valentines’ heart poppers and there was lots of dancing of course.  We celebrated the first of the March birthdays in our family, which is Sandy’s birthday! We celebrated at my brother Joel and sister-in-law Ashley’s house on Wednesday with dinner. It was a very yummy dinner with salad, garlic bread and lasagna! My mom made a mousse layer chocolate cake for Sandy’s birthday cake! For birthday presents, we brought her some colouring books and markers. Joel and Ashley made her a cookbook of some our family’s recipes! Luke got her some chocolate and couple of bottles of wine for her birthday present. Sandy seemed very happy and very thankful!

 On Sunday afternoon I finally found some new shoes and sandals that fit over my braces. I also found a brand-new winter jacket. All from Sport Check. I coloured three birthday cards for my brother Joel, sister-in-law Ashley and my friend Mary! My friend Mary’s 27th birthday was on Sunday, so I made a card with a window of a house and lots of flowers and greenery around it for her birthday!

I have started doing school presentations again and I went to Sifton school on Thursday afternoon! It was good to get back out there! I can’t wait to do more!

On Friday evening I went to a birthday party which was supposed to be a surprise birthday party for our friend Preston from special olympics who turned 40 years old; but the surprise came out! Preston was dressed up as Elvis! For food, there was pizza, chocolate and vanilla cupcakes and vegetables trays with dips. For events there was dancing and a photo booth! It was a really fun evening, it felt like a wedding reception for a birthday party! I gave him a gift card for East Side Mario’s restaurant for his birthday present and a happy 40th birthday card! I’m happy and thankful that I went to celebrate with everyone from Special Olympics for his birthday celebration!

On Sunday evening, which was St. Patrick’s Day. We celebrated the second birthday in March. Which was Joel’s 32nd birthday.  His birthday is Tuesday 19th of March. We played the golf card game from Amazon. Grandpa and I were on a team. We ordered sushi from Mikaku Japanese restaurant by Boston Pizza for dinner and we had homemade mini egg cheesecake for dessert. For Joel’s birthday presents he got some Paint sprayer, chocolate bars, and money with a space card that I coloured and some bought birthday cards. It was a really good day!

Saturday morning was our Special Olympics Bowling Tournament. In the morning the Camrose team went bowling, my scores were: first game was 87, second game was 66 and third game was 99.  Whenever you’re in tournament you’ll bowl three games. In the Afternoon and into the evening on Saturday we went to City Lights Church for a banquet. There was dancing, karaoke, awards, and a ham and turkey dinner with chocolate cake, chocolate pudding and whip cream and cherries for dessert. My mom was helping people get their meal, so I got to have dessert and it was delicious. I enjoyed the bowling tournament! Everyone got a red and black bracelet and an award that was a medal.

 We celebrated Ashley 30th birthday on Sunday evening as her birthday is so close to the Easter weekend, it’s Thursday 28th of March. Ashley requested my best friend Teresa’s chicken with peanut sauce and coconut rice and a salad. For dessert she requested carrot cake with pineapple and raisins. That was actually really good, and it had cream cheese icing! We all decided what our Easter activity would be! It was between dyeing Easter eggs or an Easter painting, and everyone voted Easter painting! We played the golf card game again and Ashley and I were on a team! For her birthday presents she got some nice Tupperware, some chocolate bars, a blade for her Cricut machine from grandpa and Sandy, and money from mom and dad! Some birthday cards, and I coloured her a flowery birthday card. It was a great celebration, happy 30th birthday Ashley!

Unfortunately, I got a cold/ flu for a week before Easter weekend. I was supposed to have three school presentations, but I was sick! On Saturday afternoon I got to FaceTime with my mom while she made mini egg cheesecake for Easter dessert. Saturday evening I died my hair purple… what do you think?

On Easter Sunday, we went to Grandpa and Sandy’s house, we did watercolour Easter paintings. We had ham and turkey dinner with Gravy, salad, pineapple, and potatoes. We had mini egg cheesecake again for dessert. My uncle Patrick from Lloydminster came with a big chocolate egg, money and an Easter card. He also brought Grandma Sharron’s an Easter card and chocolate treat! It was a good day with the family! Grandpa and Sandy gave us chocolate bunnies to take home! Easter Monday in the afternoon we dyed eggs in food colouring with the roommates! Happy Easter everyone! I hope the Easter bunny was good to you! I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend, see you soon!

Kelsey: Where do you work?

Sheila: I work at Westway Garden Greenhouse in Bittern Lake.

Kelsey: Is the greenhouse open all year?

Sheila:  The greenhouse opens around the beginning of May and is open until about mid June. 

Kelsey: When do you work?

 Sheila: I start the end of February.  Seedlings get flown in from the Maritimes, and then we work hard to get them transplanted into bigger pots. There is usually a bit of a break until the flowers need to be pruned.  I work on and off as needed after the transplanting is done, until the greenhouse opens. 

Kelsey: What do you do at the greenhouse?

 Sheila: First, we have to fill pots with soil.  Then we transplant little seedlings into the pots. After the plants get bigger, they need to be pruned so they become nice and bushy instead of tall and spindly. 

Kelsey: Do you plant seeds there?

 Sheila: I don’t, but the owner does.  She starts lots of different vegetables, and some flowers, like pansies and impatiens.

Kelsey: What do you like about working there?

Sheila: I love the smell of the soil, I love to see how quickly the flowers grow, and I really love pruning.  Pruning is my favourite.  During pruning time, the flowers are blooming, you can hear the birds singing outside, and it is really calm and warm in the greenhouse.

Kelsey: Do you have a favourite flower that is grown there?

Sheila: There are SO many, but Dahlias are pretty amazing! 

Kelsey: Do you plant many flowers in your yard? 

Sheila: Oh yes, I get paid in plants, so my yard is pretty full of flowers.