Courtney- Our traditions are new since having kids. We take Santa/Christmas photos every year, we do sugar cookie decorating, and we make handmade handprint ornaments every year to see how much the kids grow. One tradition that I have carried on from my childhood is making chocolate covered pretzels with my family and giving them away to important people in our lives.
Cathie – Our tradition is to purchase an ornament that represents a first, or something that happened during the year so our Christmas tree tells a story. When we lose a member of our family, we buy an ornament that represents something they enjoyed/loved. Your Great Gramma Josie has cooking tools and your Great Grampa Peter had a tool belt on our tree.
Darby – A tradition from my mom’s side of the family: we will always have eggs Benedict on Christmas morning with mimosas!
Kat-We do Lefsa and sugar cookies
Margaret – We follow the Swedish tradition and have our turkey dinner Christmas Eve. The grandkids decorate A ginger bread houses every year at Christmas.
Amber , Cole and Amelia’s – Christmas traditions We don’t have too many but 1 we do have is my hubby & I and Amelia all have a movie night in the living room on Christmas eve, in our jammies & watch the grinch
Skyler, Morgan and Sutton do Christmas jammies on Christmas Eve but that’s about it!
Every year at Christmas my family does family pictures on Christmas cards and sends out some Christmas letters! I also got my friends Christmas cards and pictures, decorated Christmas cards with Christmas stickers !
My friend Courtney showed me pictures of Marley in her birthday outfit from her birthday presents that I bought her. A white long-sleeved shirt and blue jeans.
My friend Jessica and her husband Brandon had a baby boy in September so I colored them a congratulations card. She sent me a picture of the congratulations card and I saw her newborn Zayn he’s in the picture and sitting in his chair!
On Sunday afternoon we made Christmas cards and a birthday card for Grandma Sharon with Auntie Gail!
On Saturday afternoon We celebrated Janelle’s 25th birthday and we went to the Trolls movie. We took our friend Theresa to celebrate her birthday. Then we had Chocolate caramel sauce cheesecake and we opened up her birthday presents which were a moon light, two toys, some new sweaters, and two end tables for our living room. Happy birthday Janelle!
On Sunday afternoon my mom and I decorated her house for Christmas. My mom made some moccasins for Becca and Tyler’s baby boy Luka , so my dad and I dropped them off at their house.
On Friday evening we went to Midnight Madness downtown and I started Christmas shopping.
Saturday afternoon we did most of my Christmas shopping for the roommates and wrapped, bagged, and put them under the Christmas tree.
On Sunday afternoon my friend Kathleen, her husband Davin and their baby Evelyn came for tea at my parents house, and stayed probably 2 and 1/2 hours! Kathleen brought homemade delicious sourdough bread, chocolate chip cookies and we absolutely loved them! My mom made her baby girl homemade moccasins that fit her perfectly!
Here’s to a winter wonderland….. I wonder when it’s going to Snow?
Kelsey: When did you notice that you were getting hard of hearing?
Grandpa: I noticed my hearing deteriorating when I was about 65 years old slowly and has progressively been getting worse.
Kelsey: What did the hearing test involve?
Grandpa: I was in a sound proof room and the audiologist was outside the room operating a machine that would give different tones and would tell the audiologist when I could hear them.
Kelsey: Can you hear better in one ear than the other?
Grandpa: Yes I can hear much better in my right hear than my left ear. But with the hearing in my left they are both equal.
Kelsey: What do you think caused your hearing loss?
Grandpa: The reason the left usually deteriorates is because men generally drive in there vehicles with the window down. And by operating power tools without hearing protection.
Kelsey: Do you wear hearing protection when you are working with tools?
Grandpa: Well for many years I didn’t wear hearing protection however I now wear hearing protection.
Kelsey: Are you happy with your hearing aids?
Grandpa: I’m very happy with my hearing aids I certainly know when I’m not wearing them. The new style of the hear aids today are very discreet not many people notice that I’m wearing one.
Kelsey: Do you use them all the time?
Grandpa: Yes I wear them all the time.
Kelsey: Does anyone else in your family have hearing aids?
Grandpa: My mother your great grand mother wore hearing aids.
Kelsey: Tell me about yourself, where were you raised?
Grandpa: Well I’m 72 years old. I had various jobs through my working years. I took a carpenter’s course in Saskatoon and NAIT in Edmonton in the early 70s and built many homes throughout Saskatchewan and Alberta. In 2000 I move to Kitchener Ontario and was a supervisor for the Region of Waterloo.
Kelsey: How many siblings do you have?
Grandpa: I have 6 sisters and 4 brothers and I’m the oldest.
Kelsey: What was your childhood like?
Grandpa: I was raised on a farm in Saskatchewan near Unity. When I started school in 1957 there was no means of transportation, it was with horse and buggy. We got a school bus in 1963. We got power installed in our house in 1964. We heated our house with wood and coal. We had to carry water to the house from the well by pail. We had kerosene lamps for lights at night. We had a kerosene refrigerator and in the winter we use a grain bin as freezer.
Kelsey: What jobs have you had?
Grandpa: I have had various jobs through my working years primarily worked as a carpenter and I also operated heavy equipment and did some truck driving.
Kelsey: Who is your favourite granddaughter?
Grandpa: This a loaded question as I only have one so that would be you Kelsey.
On my parents anniversary we went walking in the valley! It was a nice fall day good for a walk.
We went to the beading workshop at the library on Thursday evening. We learned a bit of the indigenous people’s lifestyle. It was for orange shirt day and we made orange shirt pins! It was neat to learn about indigenous people’s lifestyle and how to do their beadwork.
On Friday evening was birthday bash for September birthdays. It was a mix with country music and pop music playlists.
On Saturday afternoon I got my nails done and I got some pumpkins and red nail polish! I’m set for the fall season!
On Friday evening mom and I went to Bear Grease! It was all indigenous people acting so they changed some of the songs, and it was a very interesting play!
For thanksgiving Sunday we went to Joel and Ashley’s house for smoked turkey dinner! It’s good to be together with the whole family for thanksgiving!
On Monday morning, I coloured some birthday cards and matching envelopes for my friend Mary’s daughter Alayna’s birthday and my friend Teresa’s mom’s birthday. In the afternoon we bought Alayna’s birthday presents which was friendship bracelets kit and an homemade resin bowl. Mary said that Alayna absolutely loved her birthday card, the friendship bracelets and the homemade resin bowl!
On Wednesday afternoon we learned about drum yoga and someone named Jessica showed us how to do drum yoga. It was interesting and relaxing.
On Friday afternoon I finally finished my cross stitch hummingbird and roses.
On Saturday afternoon we decorated the house for Halloween. Unfortunately everything falls off the windows so we decorated our kitchen table for Halloween!
On Thursday evening was the charity action for Camrose Association for Community Living. It was jeans and plaid shirts themed. We got to raise money for Kandu camp kids a camp that I loved going to every summer. Their was a silent auction online for everyone to bid on items around the dinner table.
On Friday evening we went to the Halloween haunted house at the CRE! Scary Halloween decorations and everything else was making me jump, I probably jumped ten times! It was good to get into the Halloween spirit!
On Saturday afternoon Skyler , Courtney, her baby girl Marley and I went out for coffee at Starbucks. It was Marley’s 1st birthday a few weeks ago so I got her a pink sweater, white shirt and blue jeans which everyone loved and I coloured her a birthday card! We talked for two hours!
On Tuesday evening we carved some pumpkins 🎃 how do you like them? It was really fun and we listened to Halloween playlist of Halloween songs! I did a bat and a witches hat.
Cherilyn: How long have you had Cerebral Palsy? Kelsey: I have had cerebral palsy since I was a baby. When I was 13 days old my heart stopped. It was stopped for 20-30 minutes, and that is why I have cerebral palsy.
Cherilyn: How Does Cerebral Palsy Affect Your Daily Life? Kelsey: My muscles are tight, making my daily activities difficult, so I need help getting ready for my day. The tight muscles also affect my speech, so some people have a hard time understanding me. The tight muscles also cause me to aspirate when I eat, so I’m mostly tube fed. Cerebral Palsy also affects balance, so I can’t really sit on a chair without support, and I can’t walk on my own. I use a power wheelchair.
Cherilyn: Is Cerebral Palsy Painful? Kelsey: When I was little I didn’t have pain, but as I get older I find my tight muscles are painful. When I sit in my wheelchair for long periods of time my back hurts. I go to the chiropractor and for massages frequently. It took awhile to figure out why I was having pain. We thought maybe my hip was out, but it’s just tight muscles.
Cherilyn: Can you walk? Kelsey: I can walk in my walker.
Cherilyn: Tell me why you wear braces on your feet. Kelsey: If I didn’t wear braces on my feet my muscles would shrink in my ankles, causing my feet to point. This would make it impossible to wear shoes.
Cherilyn: What kind of exercises do you do? Kelsey: I have hip stretches. They really help with my back pain.
Cherilyn: What barriers do you face? Things that are hard in the community? Kelsey: Sometimes people park too close to my wheelchair van, and then I can’t get in or out. This is very annoying! I can’t get into most stores downtown. I can’t go to anyone’s house unless someone carries me – everyone seems to have stairs.
Cherilyn: Do You Work? Kelsey: Yes, I work at centra cam. Part of my job is doing school presentations to grade 5 students. I also volunteer at the fire hall, shredding paper.
Cherilyn: What Has Been Your Biggest Challenge as an Adult Living With Cerebral Palsy? Kelsey: Back pain has been my biggest challenge.
Cherilyn: In What Ways Have You Worked to Overcome these Challenges? Kelsey: A Phyisio Therapist at the Glenrose gave me stretches to do, and we do them every night. It has made a huge difference.
Cherilyn: Who or What Has Been Your Biggest Support? Kelsey: Family and friends have been my biggest support.
Cherilyn: Have You Been Involved in Any Support Groups or Organizations? Kelsey: There is a CP group in Edmonton and Calgary, but that’s too far away. I am involved with Special Olympics. That’s a fun group. I go swimming, bowling and play bocce ball.
Cherilyn: What Are Your Hobbies or Things You Like to Do for Fun? Kelsey: In my spare time at home I colour and do word searches. I also like to go to concerts. I go to BVJ every year, and sometimes other concerts, if we can get tickets.
Cherilyn: What Advice Would You Give to Others About Making the Most of Living With Cerebral Palsy? Kelsey: Be positive, look on the bright side and have a good attitude.
On Saturday afternoon we got some pictures frames for three wedding pictures and my certificate of nine years of service at Centra Cam.
At Centra Cam for * fun in the park we had Rock and Roll Band’s*week! We had blow up drums, guitars, keyboard, rock star glasses and wings! I played the drums on Monday and on Wednesday afternoon I played the guitar. It was pretty much every day we got to play with the Rock and Roll band.
On Tuesday afternoon my friend Amanda and I went for nails. I got bees and ladybugs with an French manicure.
On Saturday afternoon my Auntie Gail * my dad’s sister * came down from Lloydminster for the day. We made Resin bowls from an birthday present, that I got from my friend Kelsey and her family. It was really fun to make. After that we took my Auntie Gail shopping to Winners and Rickis!
On Sunday afternoon my mom, me and my dad coloured a picture of the butterflies and the flowers that my auntie Gail gave me on Saturday.
On Monday My friend Courtney showed me her baby girl Marley in the outfit that I bought her! She looks so absolutely adorable in her outfit. I absolutely loved the pictures that she sent me!
On Wednesday we had a BBQ and an wind up party for the fun in the park activities with Centra Cam. There was outdoor activities which was outdoor games! I played connect four and pin the badge on the cowboy. Their was a blow up gorilla! It was outside until it started to rain! Everything was pretty much finished once it started to rain so it turned out to be perfect timing!
On Sunday we had two appointments and I got my new braces! I got a design of butterflies. This time I decided to get some yellow belts . Then while the guy was working on my braces, we went to Kingsway mall because we had spare time between the two appointments! I got two shirts/ jackets that are blue and pink.
On Saturday afternoon we went to the block party downtown Camrose. It was just like Jaywalkers without the rides. I got an butterfly tattoo and I got a face painting on my arm which was a rainbow. I played bean bag toss! It was very fun event in our community! It was a warm and sunny day!
On Sunday afternoon mom, dad and I went to the Camrose museum for their country fair . Their was an table set up in an tent with Centra Cam’s art and crafts that was made by the clients and some pictures of the clients. I held one of the roses that we made from the garden party and the BBQ. There was outdoor games like bean bag toss and connect four. We played together. Later on my dad put up my picture frame on the wall, that has the certificate for nine years of service at Centra Cam inside of the picture fame .
On Friday evening I was in the Rock the Runway Fashion show at the casino. It was very fun to be in the fashion show and we could watch some of it as well. It was an awesome experience and I enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you Twig for the amazing clothes I got to model.
On Saturday evening we took family pictures and had a family dinner! After that we sat around the fire table in our backyard, and we talked about the coming up holidays! We might have Thanksgiving at Joel and Ashley’s house and Joel might smoke a turkey. We might have Christmas on dad’s birthday weekend so Joel and Ashley could go to Saskatchewan for Christmas .
This summer I finished two word searches books. I just started a new one.
On Friday evening we had Rose Club Karaoke Night . I sang ” What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction and “Take Your Time ” by Sam Hunt.
Cheryl: In July 2020 unfortunately, an MRI revealed a spinal Thoracic 11-12 benign tumor.
Kelsey: Did you try out physical therapy first before you had surgery on your back?
Cheryl: I was having a cortisone treatment for pain issues to lumbar spine. A new loss of balance, numbness and tingling to the front of my legs with difficulty sitting triggered an MRI.
Kelsey: What was your recovery time after your surgery on your back?
Cheryl: I had a resection of the intradural extramedullary cystic tumor as the mass was impeding on my spinal cord. I had a surgical consult within a week with surgery booked on August 20th. Surgical time was longer with 5 days hospitalization.
Kelsey: How did your family react when you had the news that you needed surgery on your back?
Cheryl: After my doctor’s appointment as a nurse, I knew what I was in for. I went for a drive and cried my eyes out as I realized my life just changed. I shared news with Steve though I kept silence with my girls until I had more details. When we shared the diagnoses with the girls, we cried as a family though I assured them I was going to be ok.
Kelsey: How long was recovery for your back? What did your day look like?
Cheryl: Post op care was a focus of cerebral spinal leak prevention, pain control, bladder function and mobility. These days were intense though my focus was equally intense as I was determined to regain complete presurgery function.
Kelsey: Did you have to take time off work, how long were you off for your back Surgery?
Cheryl: After U of A Hospital discharge I was off work for 5 months. These months were spent with recovery of the surgical implications of this type of surgery. I did very well though spent lots of time sleeping, regaining strength and emotional contemplation.
Kelsey: So, explain how much pain were you in? How is your back pain now?
Cheryl: Unfortunately, I have a history of lumbar back issues. At the time of diagnoses, I was dealing with lumbar spine pain only to reveal a thoracic issue. As spinal compression symptoms increased, I was very nervous as goal was to prevent permanent function loss. Thankfully surgical interventions were given.
Kelsey: How is your back pain now?
Cheryl: 2 years anniversary has come and I’m doing very well. I still have lumbar issues though I have minimal complications from my thoracic tumor removal. MRI’s will be done for monitoring. Blessed beyond words.
Kelsey: Did your daily life change because you had a bad back? Did your doctors give you some stretches for you back after your surgery?
Cheryl: I still have lumbar issues that are chronic. I’m mindful of prevention strategies of an active lifestyle and healthy living for life.
Kelsey: Would you recommend this back surgery to anyone else who has back problems or issues?
Cheryl: Spinal issues are a top Dr. complaint. One needs to mindful of good spinal care for as we age degeneration is a health factor. Emergency back surgeries happen. I’m so grateful at a time of COVID pandemic that I was able to access surgery. Forever blessed.
Here is some information I found on the internet about intradural extramedullary cystic tumors if you would like to learn more:
On Tuesday afternoon we had a BBQ and a social garden party with Centra Cam. We got a flower pin, Centra Cam’s certificate for how many years of services and mine was nine years! There was an dance off and everyone who didn’t stop dancing, got a centerpiece from the tables! There was a special guest Brian Dumont who played music and sang. It was a wonderful day celebrating Centra Cam’s staff and clients. Everyone got a new flower pin, some chocolate kisses and some stickers.
On Thursday afternoon we went to the hall by the outlet store and there’s was tea and goodies with lots of flowers!
On Friday afternoon I went to Edmonton to get fitted for new braces, and they made me casts for my legs and feet.
On Sunday afternoon I got to smell some flowers and went floating in our swimming pool!
On Monday morning I played the big Snakes and Ladders outside game. It’s an actively for the ” fun in the park” for the week.
On Thursday morning we went to the Big valley parade! This is the start of Big valley weekend and we went all three days!
On Friday evening at Big Valley, We saw Dallas Smith, Lone Star and High Valley. I saw my friend Skyler and my friend Melissa.
On Saturday evening at Big Valley, we saw Morgan Wallen and Chase Rice . I got to hold my friend Skyler’s baby girl Sutton!
On Sunday evening at big valley we saw Joe Nichols, Ashley McBryde and Dierks Bentley. That’s was the weekend of big Valley! Everything went very well, Good weather, good singers and good musicians!
On Thursday afternoon I found out that I have a ear infection and got some ear drops.
On Wednesday I was supposed to get my new braces but they got stolen so we had to start all over.
On Friday evening we had birthday bash with Rose Club for the August birthdays. It was Star Wars themed and we played baby Yoda toss!
On Sunday afternoon we made pickles and played bocce ball.
I hope your summer is going really see you in the fall!
I made a poster at Centra Cam on How To Dress For Work. I thought I would share it with you. Comment on how you dress at your job!
If you work in an office, it’s important to dress for your work environment. You should fee comfortable and confident. When it comes to dressing for the office, there are four different categories. Business professional, business formal, business casual and casual.
Business professional – is more high end. Requiring men to wear suits and ties and ladies to wear blazers and knee length skirts.
Business formal – Mainly dressing for more formal events such as a ceremony. Men’s attire would require a silk pocket square and tie.
Business Casual – does not require a suit and tie. Short coats, blazers, polo’s and sweaters are all acceptable with slacks, khakis or skirts.
Casual – although it is casual, it still needs to be appropriate dark or black clean with button down tops or solid color t-shirts is acceptable.
Hygiene – your hair should be washed, combed and styled. Your breath should be clean and teeth brushed. Twice daily wash your face morning/evening. Nails should be cleaned, trimmed and filed down. Deodorant should be applied and be aware of perfumes/colognes.
How to Dress:
Do’s
Clean clothes Nice clothes Pressed (iron) when needed Properly fitted clothes Sweater over tank tops Minimal cleavage Tailored clothing Minimal Jewelry
Don’t
Dirty/stained clothes Wrinkled clothes Baggy clothes Thin strap tops Show too much skin showing, see through or holes Gawdy jewelry
On Saturday afternoon We went to Elsye and David’s wedding at Four Seasons Rotary Park, and then they had the reception, cake cutting and the wedding dance at the Ohaton hall. In between the ceremony and the reception Nikki, Kathleen, and her husband Davin and I went out for Starbucks for coffee. I gave Evelyn a stuffed elephant that she loved to look at. We headed out for the reception at the Ohaton hall. We heard some speeches from the bridal party and the parents of the bride and groom! Then we had dinner. The wedding cake cutting and a game Who knows the bride and groom the best. We danced with everyone and we had a perfect evening to celebrate Elsye and David! Best wishes to the newlyweds.
Then on the Sunday my family celebrated my birthday. We played outside games and had pizza, with homemade lime cheesecake that was amazing, probably the best cheesecake ever! I did not open my birthday presents until my birthday! On my birthday my brother Joel smoked our beef for dinner with some potatoes and salad. Our grandpa came for birthday cake. We decided to finish our lime cheesecake for dessert! For birthday presents I got some butterfly PJS and some shower gel and lotion that has butterflies on the bottle. Joel and Ashley gave me the Shaina Twain CD. My mom gave me a wallet but she’s going to get me a different one. Grandpa and Shandy got a nail gift certificate for studio nails. My friend Kelsey and her boyfriend Joshua with their girls came over on my birthday and I got some jewelry kits that organize stuff for your jewelery. It was a pretty good birthday and I got really spoiled with presents. On Saturday afternoon we went bowling with my friends and my roommates to celebrate my birthday! Then we went to the house for cheesecake and homemade punch. My friend Laura and Catherine from Centra Cam crashed my birthday party. They gave me happy birthday balloons, a birthday necklace and a birthday card. For my birthday presents, I got a Mauiny sand art kit, word search books, bath bombs, solar light that is a butterfly. Some decorating sand in an jar… it was a pretty good day!
On Thursday evening we went to see Ryan Lindsey at the Jeanne & Peter Lougheed Centre. He was really good guitarist and singer.
On Friday afternoon my mom and I went to Wetaskiwin to see my best friend forever Teresa and her mom Victoria. We went out for coffee at Tim’s Horton . It was really good to see them in person after long three years of not getting together. I got her a Christmas mug says “happy pawlidays”, hot chocolate and coffee with an picture of cross stitch with flowers in a heart, and I gave her mom Victoria the same one… crossing my fingers they’re won’t fight over their Christmas presents. My best friend forever Teresa spoiled me with colouring books, word search books, markers, the Anna of Green Gables books, paint, and paint brushes. She also got a really beautiful blanket!
On Friday evening we had birthday bash for June, which was Hawaii themed and in the darkest room ever with glowing lights. We just danced and had a good time.
For Father’s Day we went to Joel and Ashley’s house for dinner gave presents to our grandpa Raymond and our father.
On Wednesday afternoon Centra Cam went to Indigenous Days at the Camrose Museum !
On Thursday morning my mom showed me My dahlia is really growing that I got my mom for Mother’s Day ! On Sunday afternoon my mom and I planted flowers and put my solar light which is a beautiful pink, purple and blue butterfly.
On Monday morning I learned how to play and watched my coworkers to play Pickle Ball, it’s pretty interesting to learn about.
For Canada Day in the morning my dad and I went to the festivals at the museum and we tried to do the scavenger hunt of games , but they were all lower down to the ground and games I couldn’t play because I’m in a power wheelchair. I got to do the egg toss and it landed on my seat belt and broke. I got to play X and O’s and an word searches about Canada day. Then, in the afternoon my dad and I went to the car show downtown and looked at the fancy cars. Later on I coloured some Canada day themed pictures and put them on the window! We printed out some name tags that were maple leafs for our bedroom doors. In the middle of the night I could hear the fire works in my bedroom but I didn’t watch them. Happy Canada Day! My mom showed me my butterfly solar light , lit up in the darkness of the night! It’s so beautiful and pretty lighten up in the darkness sky!
On Monday evening we celebrated our mom’s 59th birthday with chinese food from Skyway. For her birthday cake we had a brownie chocolate cake with peppermint extract inside the icing, which had mint chocolate bars on top. I made my mom a birthday card and she picked out some earrings.
On Friday afternoon Anna and I did my Sand Art from my birthday presents from my friend Karlina and did some cross stitch. On Saturday afternoon Karlina and I went out for coffee outside of Fox and Fable. I bought a Cactus and an hummingbird for my van. After that I planted the Cactuses into the planter outside on our deck.
On Sunday evening we celebrated Luke’s 25 birthday! For his birthday presents he got a blender, bed sheets and some money. Luke’s friend Josiah and his mom Anna-Maire brought him a mug and a game. His birthday cake was brownie with almonds and cream cheese Icing. His birthday was on Tuesday.
On Monday morning we were supposed to have “fun in the park” due to the weather, it was inside the community room as it was a bit rainy outside. We made kites and decorated them with stickers.
On Tuesday morning I finished the poster ” Hearing Impairment”. I will show you it in a future blog! In the afternoon on Tuesday, I got blood work done and I got my ID done, trying to get everything checked off the list. Then, mom and I sat outside enjoying her beautiful flowers. On Thursday afternoon we had a wonderful tour at the art Center by Co-op. I painted the background sky blue colour, then I painted some white clouds, and then we blow dried the crayons on the bottom half of the canvas for stems and hot glued paper flowers. It was an super super fun art craft class and it was pretty easy to do too. That’s June and a bit of July, I can’t wait to see what’s in the next couple of months, I hope you are having wonderful summer so far.
Kelsey's butterfly lifestyle 