I made valentines cards for the teams from Camrose Association For Community Living! My mom did my fingernails Valentine’s Day themed.
For Valentine’s Day there was a Valentine’s Day dance at Centra Cam and we watched Marry Me on demand on Valentine’s Day evening. I made Valentine’s Day poster at Centra Cam about the love languages.
For Theresa’s birthday presents we went to the Beauty and the Beast play on the 1st weekend in February which was awesome. We watched the actual movie before we saw the play while playing Candy Land it was my Christmas present from Craig! I helped my staff clean my fishbowl.
For Theresa’s birthday we went out with Maryann, for lunch and then we had DQ ice cream cake for dessert! Theresa got flowers from her sister and brother and sister-in-law and balloons from Kat. She had a great day, she even got to go swimming with Maryann in the evening on her birthday!
The last weekend in February we spring cleaned out my room and donated items. We drove them to the donation bin with Centra Cam!
In March we started doing my favourite Job the School presentations on google meet. They are going really well except for the computer issues. My favourite part is answering the questions from the students and getting feedback from the students and teachers.
My mom and our girlfriends went to Fox n Fable on a Saturday afternoon.
My Mom and I made brownies on Sunday afternoon, we ate them with ice cream and chocolate sauce. My mom gave me a facial.
We played name that Irish tune on one Friday night with Rose club!
We played St. Patrick’s Day bingo on a Friday evening with Rose Club and I got four corners.
On St. Patrick’s Day we had a school presentation, and I went home for green blueberry pancakes with sausage.
We had Rose Club Radio on Saturday night, Theresa and I had a great time listening to music and funny sayings on the radio.
We celebrated our brother Joel and Ashley’s birthday party on Sunday night with Skyway Chinese food and we had caramel cheesecake for dessert. Joel’s birthday is March 19 and Ashley’s birthday is March 28. Happy birthday Ashley and Joel! After they left, we watched Chasing Happiness with the Jonas brothers and a few weeks ago we watched Black Shelton Country Voice.
I wasn’t able to get to my parent’s house during the week because they were getting ready for new cupboards and appliances in the kitchen and they took some walls out.
We are excited about Grandpa Ray coming in April! He’s a super good helper with the Cupboards and we appreciate it! I think we might be having Easter with him!
On Friday evening we had Rose Club Craft night. We did water colour paint flowers and birds. It was Super duper fun evening.
I hope you had a good February and March. I hope you enjoyed my blog see you next time. ~ Kelsey
I met Taylor through my brother Joel and his group of friends! My Mom said that I should interview him and this experience with Covid! He lives in Edmonton as an OT so it was hard to get a picture of us! Taylor is nice person and was very friendly to me and everyone that he knows! I hope you enjoy reading this blog and his experience with covid and his experience as a physiotherapist.
Kelsey: How did you know that you had Covid?
Taylor: I first suspected that I had Covid when I was feeling unwell in September, I later became more worried when I noticed that my sense of taste was dulled. I soon had my suspicions confirmed by the results of a PCR test the next day.
Kelsey: What were your symptoms and how long did they last?
Taylor: I found that my symptoms were similar to a really bad cold, additionally I had significant fatigue and a loss of taste and smell. Most of my symptoms gradually improved over 10 days but some have continued to linger, I still have some issues with strenuous exercise.
Kelsey: Are you vaccinated?
Taylor: I’m happy to say that I am; I was double vaxxed when I caught Covid and have since received my third dose.
Kelsey: What’s your reply to people who say vaccinations don’t work because you can still get Covid?
Taylor: Great question Kelsey, I’ve had a few conversations on this topic. I like to compare vaccinations to wearing your seatbelt: it may not completely prevent an injury in a car accident, but it can certainly reduce the severity of the incident. I’m grateful to have been vaccinated when I got sick as my experience could have been much worse. I’d encourage anyone with vaccination questions to ask a trusted healthcare worker about their concerns.
Kelsey: Do you know how you caught Covid? Where were you working at the time?
Taylor: I’m pretty confident that I caught Covid at work as I tend to be around some very sick individuals. It’s hard to ever be certain of exposures as rates were quite high at the time, but I was working in an ICU environment where Covid was very prevalent.
Kelsey: What is your current job?
Taylor: I’m currently working as a Physiotherapist at the Royal Alexandra Hospital; this provides me opportunities to work with some incredible colleagues and help a diverse group of people.
Kelsey: What is your education?
Taylor: I completed a Masters of Science in Physiotherapy from the University of Alberta, and previously received a Bachelor’s of Science at Augustana Campus.
Kelsey: What are your hobbies?
Taylor: In my spare time I still like to shoot some hoops, play a little music, and get together with friends (in whatever creative form restrictions permit). I’ve enjoyed finding new outdoor activities last summer and I hope to be thrown off my bike less next year.
Kelsey: Where did you grow up?
Taylor: I grew up in Camrose AB, a rural community southeast of Edmonton.
My friend Kirsten and I met in high school. Kirsten was in grade 12 and I was in grade 10. We had a great group of friends that Kirsten and I would visit at lunch time every day! For my 17-birthday party we got to decorate cupcakes and got to go bowling! When Kirsten said that she got Covid, I was worried about her and her husband Adam.
Kelsey: What’s was your symptoms and how did you feel like when you had COVID?
Kirsten: My husband’s symptoms started the Monday night, and he had a headache and scratchy throat. The next day he was nauseated, vomiting and had a bad cough. My symptoms started Thursday evening/Friday morning with a cough, fever, nasal congestion. We are both triple vaccinated and thankful to be! He works in a long-term care as a geriatric social worker and his work has been so careful to protect their residents as many of them would likely have severe outcomes from Covid. And myself I’m an RN who has a regular position in the ER and am currently training and working temporarily in the OR (operating room). I was also reassigned to work in ICU for a few months this fall to assist them when the delta variant of Covid was overwhelming the ICU.
Kelsey: Were you scared when you found out it was covid? Your husband had it before you, how did you know if you got it as well? How long did you have covid? What were your thoughts about your experience with covid?
Kirsten: We were a bit scared and sad and frustrated to get Covid as we have tried to be so careful and protect ourselves and those around us. We had also just finally that Saturday booked our honeymoon trip we’ve had to postpone twice already to go to Mexico from January 25 to February 1st but we booked Saturday and he got sick on Monday, so we had to postpone again which made me very sad! The last two years have been very challenging and overwhelming being in healthcare (as well they have been hard for everyone though!) and we’ve very much isolated ourselves from everyone due to our high exposure risk to try to protect those around us. Our friends were great and checked in on us and offered to bring us groceries while we isolated, my husband’s one co-worker brought us some groceries. Our friend’s daughter (our niece) video called me every day to ask if aunty was feeling okay and to check on me. Our family checked on us frequently and offered to bring us things as well. We were just grateful we didn’t get anyone else sick or expose anyone as you can be contagious for a couple days before showing symptoms.
Kelsey: What’s was your childhood like?
Kirsten: My childhood was amazing! I have the best family and was so fortunate growing up to see my parents and how much they love one another and love us. We had a great education and a great supportive home life. We played lots of sports, had great times camping and on family vacations. I know not everyone has been so fortunate and I am forever grateful. I am still very close with my Mom and talk to her every day and miss my dad who passed away in 2017 every day as well.
Kelsey: What school did you go to, how did you know that you wanted to be a RN?
Kirsten: My brother and I are close and I am fortunate to be very close to his wonderful fiancé as well now and consider her my sister! I went to Jack Stuart, Charlie Killam and CCHS. My mom is an RN and retired in February 2013, and often encouraged me to try something else or study something else in school as shift work is quite challenging and she knows working in healthcare can be very challenging. I originally thought I wanted to be an OT (occupational therapist) which is a masters degree and you need a bachelors degree to get into. So my mom then suggested I take my Bachelor of Science in nursing as then there’s also a job waiting at the end if I decided not to pursue my masters right away. I then fell in love with nursing! I graduated from MacEwan University with my BSc in Nursing in 2016. I worked in Camrose from 2015-2018 and then moved to Edmonton in Feb 2018 to try new opportunities and to be closer to Adam (and now we’re married so I’d say it was a great move!)
Kelsey: Did you get the vaccine?
Kirsten: We both felt very fortunate to get our vaccines! I believe in the science behind the vaccines and can attest that my time in the hospital and in the ICU has proven that the unvaccinated have had far worse symptoms and outcomes than those who are vaccinated (both those who are perfectly healthy otherwise and those with comorbidities!) I cried tears of relief when I got my first dose January 6th, 2021. I feel it prevented me from getting sick prior to my recent experience of having the Omnicron variant of Covid and also prevented me from having more severe symptoms. My work hasn’t been greatly impacted by the vaccine besides shortening how long I had to isolate once becoming sick. Very few coworkers that I’m aware of have left from the mandate to get the vaccine and I think we are very fortunate we are vaccinated.
Kelsey: How’s work, what’s are the rules at work?
Kirsten: Work is hard! Covid rules are often changing and evolving so lots of new policies to read and try to keep up with. We do a “fit for work” every day before our shift starts where we answer screening questions to ensure we aren’t coming to work sick. If you are sick you stay home, and the rules changed just before I got Covid where if you are fully vaccinated and your symptoms are improving you can return to work 5 days after showing symptoms. We are expected to do continuous masking and wear eye protection at all times, and if we have our mask off to eat or drink it has to be in a designated area and be 6 feet apart from everyone. We wear N95 masks (special fit, higher protection than regular masks) for all close patient contact now whereas previously they only wanted us to do it for high risk activities like intubation, extubation, doing CPR or other aerosolizing procedures. Another health related issue we could talk about sometime is organ donation or transplants! My dad had an autoimmune disorder and needed a liver transplant, and he was a big advocate and now our family is continuing to honour him that way!
Kelsey: What’s do you say to people who don’t get vaccinated?
Kirsten: I can’t make the choice for people, but I felt completely safe trusting the science behind the vaccine and felt much safer and more protected having my vaccines. The sickest people I’ve seen have been unvaccinated and many have expressed regret for not getting vaccinated, especially those I saw while in ICU.
Here is a website if you need information regarding COVID 19
I wanted to do a special blog for Valentine’s Day. I asked some of my friends and family what they do for Valentine’s and I also what their Love Language is. If you don’t know what your love language is you should check this out. It is interesting to see what makes you happy and your loved ones.
Nicole – As a family for Valentine’s Day, we make homemade heart-shaped pizzas with the kids. Kevin and I go out on a date sometime on the weekend. Nicole’s love language is a bit of everything. But mostly physical touch and words of affirmation. Kevin’s love language is words of affirmation.
Anna- We also don’t have any real traditions. We did a photoshoot with the kids last year, but that’s it. Apparently, we decorated cookies too ha I forgot!
Elsye – I usually buy flowers for my mom, chocolates for everyone else in the family, and the last few years I’ve gotten together with some friends for a girl’s night.
Robin- I do lots of these but I think my Primary one would be Quality time. I enjoy getting together with those I love and spending time with them. This might be an activity/experience, dinner out, a walk, or even just a long chat. I value this so much! Here is Dean and I spent some quality time together at an Oilers game.
Janet – Love language for me is gifts of service. For my hubby, it’s quality time. I will do his chores or rub his feet. He likes to cuddle while watching movies.
Tammy- Valentine’s Day is very special for us. We were married on that day. This year it will be 35 years!!🥳🎉🎈🥳. Greg often buys me flowers a nice card and we do something special for dinner. One Valentine I surprised him with post-it notes on the mirror….as far as my love language. I enjoy all 5! I love when Greg rubs my back when he comes up beside me and gives me a kiss before he leaves for work. He buys the most amazing gifts. One year I got gold(earrings), frankincense, and myrrh like the Wiseman brought Jesus. I like words of affirmation in his beautifully written cards. I enjoy when he helps with laundry, cooking, dishes, and house cleaning, and I love spending time together playing a game or doing devotions and praying together.
Joel and Ashley – Love language is quality time! We always eat our meals together and usually play games while we eat. 🙂
Kathleen – I did a photoshoot for Tracy’s sister, I went and got a little cake and a thing of Flowers for Nikky’s birthday and gave them to her, and tonight I’m going on a date! I also went to the coffee shop my sister-in-law works at, to visit her for a little bit.
My parents went to Edmonton and looked for new cupboards and new flooring on Valentine’s Day this year! My mom’s love language is quality time and my dad’s love language is physical touch.
For myself, my love language is quality time and giving presents for birthdays and special occasions. I enjoy making homemade valentines’ cards for my friends and going to Valentine’s Day parties at Centra Cam. This year we had a dance party! We also played named the song! For Valentine’s Day in the evening, we watched Marry me on demand! It was an awesome movie!
I hope everyone enjoyed their Valentine’s Day. Remember to show kindness every day!
My roommate Craig, staff Kelsey and I went to the Camrose Crush hockey game on a Saturday night!
We watched Wedding Crashers one Saturday afternoon. We had a birthday bash which was Oilers hockey game themed and played hockey Saturday night songs!
I missed the radio with Rose Club because I was isolated in my bedroom because my brother Joel shared his cold with me and my mom! The staff had to dress up in covid gowns until I had no symptoms! I have been doing lots of colour by numbers. That Sunday I Face Timed with my mom, and we made mint Chocolate chip cookies! Once I got out of being isolated, I painted the birdhouse I won from the Rose Club Bingo on New Year’s Eve! I painted the birdhouse rainbow colours!
I like to watch a cooking show on Facebook by a girl named Natasha. I really enjoy the Kbaby on YouTube. Katie and Ben have two kids Avery and Ella and they are having another baby girl coming in February! I really like the Arnold sisters on YouTube as well. You should check them out! Four sisters who also started doing a YouTube channel, While I’m colouring or doing word searches, I would have them on my iPad!
In December, Paulette and I started going back to the fire hall to shred paper on Friday mornings! We usually get two bags full!
We started watching Shauna Rae on TLC, it’s about a woman who is 22 and is in a 10 year old body! She had Brain cancer when she was 6 months old and stopped growing after chemotherapy! Kinda interesting!
Saturday afternoon Nicki and I went on a winter, snowy and sunny walk around the lake and we went walking underground to the under pathway! Saturday night we watched sisters on Netflix!
On Sunday evening we made oatmeal blueberry muffins!
Kelsey: What were the 1st symptoms of your heart problems? Explain, how did you feel? Where were you when it happened?
Maryann: I was at home when I had indigestion-like pain. I had been having stomach problems for a few months before that, so I thought it was my stomach. I tried my usual tricks to get rid of the gas, a warm beanbag on my belly, a hot bath but nothing was working. It felt like pressure in my chest, just like a baby elephant was sitting on my chest.
Kelsey: What’s did your doctors do at the emergency room?
Maryann: In the ER, they hooked me up to the cardiac monitor, and told me that I was having a heart attack. I was in denial; I couldn’t believe that!!! They gave me several medicines and then I went to Edmonton’s Royal Alex. The next day I had an angiogram where they found several of my major arteries were blocked. Within four days they put in 4 stents and 2 balloons.
Kelsey: What did you have for heart problems? What was diagnosed?
Maryann: Inferior Myocardial
Kelsey: What did your family and friends say or do when you found out what was happening?
Maryann: My family and friends were shocked and concerned.
Kelsey: What’s would you say to other people that are going through the same symptoms? How are you feeling and doing today?
Maryann: I would tell others to go to the hospital if they are having these symptoms. I am feeling great now and my life is getting busier every day.
Kelsey: What are your hobbies and what’s your typical day?
Maryann: I love to sew, garden, kayak, and swim. I also love to spend time with my dog, Koda and my grandson’s dog, Kai.
Kelsey: What was your favorite job? Explain how you got into nursing?
Maryann: My favorite job was at Team 12. There was a nursing school close to my home in Ontario, so I was able to go to school.
Kelsey: How did you get your job at Team 12 and how many years did you work there?
Maryann: I applied for the job, had an interview, and was hired… I heard about CAFCL through my friend Karen Norrie. I worked there for 3 years!
Kelsey: Have you traveled? Where have you traveled?
Maryann: I have traveled extensively in Canada, but have also been to Europe, Australia, New Zealand and I’ve also traveled to Cuba, Mexico and Jamaica.
Kelsey: Where did you grow up? What did you do after you graduated high school?
Maryann: I grew up at a lake in northern Ontario, Sesekinika. After high school, I went straight into nursing school.
Kelsey: How many kids do you have and how many grandkids?
Maryann: I have three children and eight grandchildren.
Kelsey: Do you have any memories of your parents? What’s your favorite memory of your mom and your dad? What was your childhood like? Do you have any siblings?
Maryann: I had a very nice childhood, with my two sisters and three brothers. My favorite memory of my mom is that she was always baking or cooking something delicious. My favorite memory of my Dad is that he was always building something, and he had a great sense of humour and loved to laugh.
Here is some information I found on the internet regarding Maryann’s condition:
Inferior wall myocardial infarction (MI) occurs from a coronary artery occlusion with resultant decreased perfusion to that region of the myocardium. Unless there is timely treatment, this results in myocardial ischemia followed by infarction. In most patients, the inferior myocardium is supplied by the right coronary artery. In about 6-10% of the population, because of left dominance, the left circumflex will supply the posterior descending coronary artery. Approximately 40% of all MIs involve the inferior wall. Traditionally, inferior MIs have a better prognosis than those in other regions, such as the anterior wall of the heart. The mortality rate of an inferior wall MI is less than 10%. However, several complicating factors that increase mortality, including right ventricular infarction, hypotension, bradycardia heart block, and cardiogenic shock.
You can go to this website if you want more information:
Thank you Maryann for sharing your story with me and my blog followers. If anyone else would like me to help with another topic for a future blog I would really appreciate it.
The last night in November, my mom and I went to the concert Travis Dolter and saw the Christmas Coca Cola Truck! It was great to hear live music again!
In November we had a craft night with rose club, we made sock puppets for the Christmas party and our Christmas concert. So, the second Friday evening in December it was the Rose Club Christmas party, we were in the play Covid Christmas 2021 and I was Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and I used my sock puppet on my right hand and I had to read lines off the sheet of Christmas concert paper (Covid Christmas). We sang some Christmas songs with special guests form the North Pole and it was the leaders from SingAble, we did a scavenger Christmas hunt in our house, and we found an angel on the top of our Christmas tree and some mittens! We had a Christmas exchange, and I got the Frozen puzzle (from the Frozen movie.)
The next day, which was Saturday afternoon, we did some Christmas shopping for our roommates and wrapped them in Christmas wrapping paper! Everyone is getting PJ’s for Christmas from me!
For the last week of Centra Cam we didn’t doing the Christmas dinner, Christmas exchange and the Christmas party. Instead we had some Special events during the last week of Centra Cam. On Monday morning we watched the movie Elf and coloured some Christmas pictures! Centra cam gave us a Christmas card and some gift cards from Wendy’s and McDonald’s. On Thursday morning (the last day of Centra Cam) some of the clients and staff were able to go to the bowling alley and I got 109 on my first game and then I got 88 on my second game. It was a wonderful way to end the year before the Christmas holidays and I had a great time bowling!
I went back home on the Thursday afternoon, and we made cookies to decorate! We also started to make my dad’s birthday cake which is homemade ice cream cake with chocolate sauce and mint chocolate patties on top of the ice cream cake!
We celebrated our dad’s 52nd birthday. So, there’s a story behind this… okay our Dad has a green vest that our grandma Shirley brought him for a Christmas present ages ago that he Loves! So Ashley and Joel decided to buy every one else a green vest to give to him for his birthday presents and we got dad long john’s, new blue jeans and underwear for his birthday! He kept saying What’s going on??? He opened 6 green vests then, we took some family pictures in the front of the Christmas Tree and everyone wore their vests! Then, we opened Christmas presents and they were Old Navy PJ bottoms with Santa Clause on them.
The day after Dad’s birthday, we celebrated Christmas, this was the weekend before Christmas. We did this because Ashley and Joel were celebrating Christmas in Moose Jaw and Luke might have to work this Christmas! So on the Saturday morning we opened Christmas presents and then we played Qwerkle together!
For our parents, we bought my mom some boots and we bought dad a new black vest! Joel and Ashley got some cookbooks, and kitchen supplies. I gave Ashley some fingernails and Luke got some jewelry making supplies! My mom brought her grand puppy Coco Christmas PJ’s ! My Christmas presents this year… Ashley made me a Scrapbook of my Kelsey’s Butterfly lifestyle blog! I got a butterfly and flowers puzzle, word searches books, fingernails, and tattoos pens and stickers. Brett young’s new CD and an day planner! Luke even made me a ring. My parents found some holders for our game Qwirkle and some score sheets.
Instead of doing stockings, Our family plays a game where you wrap up stocking stuffers into alot of saran wrap and then you roll dice until you get double numbers on the dice and then you give it to the next person! From the game, I got some shower gel, hand lotion, Christmas socks, face masks and an luffa. On the Sunday afternoon we decorated sugar cookies as a family and then mom and I did our fingernails!
The week of heading up to Christmas weekend!
On Monday evening, we did our roommate’s Christmas exchange! I got lots of bath bombs and a bath bomb kit that you can make your own bath bombs! I got two pairs of PJ bottoms, Willy Wonka themed Candy Land Game!
On Tuesday evening I went to the swimming pool with Maryann and Dylan. I gave them their Christmas presents! My mom made moccasins and I coloured a Christmas card for Maryann and we gave Dylan swim passes for the swimming pool!
On Wednesday afternoon my mom and I went for our booster covid vaccination shot and then we got our flu shots at the same time at save on foods. Then we made a ham pie for supper! We watched Uncle Buck in the evening and babysat Coco for Joel and Ashley!
On Thursday afternoon I did some word searches and finished the book! I had to pack for the Christmas weekend!
On Christmas Eve afternoon we were lazy and watched My Dad’s Christmas Date! It was good at the start, but it got boring after awhile! My parents and I tried out the Qwirkle bonus pack from my Christmas presents! It has score sheets and holders for the tiles! It’s worked so well! My parents tied and beat me by two points! On Christmas Eve we had Anna-Marie over for appetizers and we played Qwixx!
On Christmas morning I helped my mom get the stuffing ready by ripping up pieces of bread! On Christmas afternoon, My parents and I worked on a beautiful butterflies and pretty flowers puzzle that I got for Christmas! It took four hours to do! I helped my mom make sweet potato casserole! After Christmas dinner I watched El Camino Christmas with my parents and my brother Luke! It wasn’t a very good movie and we were disappointed!
On Boxing Day we played a few games of Farkle and we decorated gingerbread houses with Luke! The day before New Year’s Eve we made a turkey pie with the leftover turkey, and we made homemade bath bombs! For New Year’s Eve we watched New Year’s Eve movie! We hope 2022 will be better than 2021! Merry Christmas and Happy New year!
My family usually goes to look at Christmas lights and we watch Christmas movies on Christmas Eve. Christmas morning, we usually open up Christmas presents, and then we either do Christmas cookies or decorating gingerbread houses on Christmas in the afternoon! On Boxing Day we usually go to Lloydminster and celebrate Christmas with dad’s family!
Donna ‘s family
Christmas to us is all about family – we love to get together and just eat until we explode out of our clothes and play games into the night. We don’t use wrapping paper but we have Santa bags with each kids name on them and the gifts go in there! The kids love it. We also have a tradition since my boys were small to bake Jesus a birthday cake so we always remember that he is the reason for the season.
Keitha
We used to have turkey for Christmas Eve. But now with family being farther away we have to be flexible. Sometimes my daughter flew in on Christmas Day or even Boxing Day. So we have Christmas turkey whenever we can. Then lots of leftovers. We have gotten together with my niece for Christmas appies on Christmas Eve. I ask each member of family for their cookie request and make what each one wants. Instead of a bunch of baking that no one eats. Christmas is not the same without kids excitement but it is all about Jesus so we celebrate Him.
Kristy
We make Swedish meatballs and eat them Christmas Eve instead of the turkey most have – last year preparing and eating we’re virtual. We also open a Christmas Eve box that we open no matter where we are – so if we go to BC we take it and it has treats Christmas movies and our stockings for Santa 😉
Karlina
We have appetizers on Christmas Eve and open presents. We draw names and just get for the one we drew. We often play games and always build a puzzle together. Ice fishing is often the activity for Boxing Day.
Bridget
Well when Mom was alive we always met at her place on Christmas Eve and did the “Chinese” gift exchange and we usually ended up arguing every year cause there were really no rules to end the swapping lol. We always had Hors-d’œuvre and fruit cake and goodies to eat. We did this with my grandparents as well so we kept that tradition going. We also meet at my Swedish husband’s Moms place on Christmas eve and exchange family gifts as well and have a different Swedish meal consisting of different casseroles and ribs and Swedish meatballs etc. When I have my kids over we usually start Christmas day with a huge breakfast and then start the dinner prep and usually eat around 4 pm. In the past we have also met and started having a raclette meal and usually invite others to join us for New Years.
Rebecca
We started a new tradition with nieces and nephews this year. We do gingerbread houses, pizza party, movie night and sleepover.
Melanie and Murray
We usually do lefsa making with Auntie Karen.
Mary
Every Christmas Eve we go to an outdoor skating rink. Joshua and Alayna play hockey and I drink a hot drink and watch. Then we open one present that night. And then I cook a big Christmas supper on Christmas Day.
Emily
Since getting married and being so far away from my family we do an early Christmas with my side with Turkey/ham gifts, lots of games and snacks. Growing up we always went to my Grandparents in LaCrete for a big family gathering Boxing Day, upwards for 150+people with just cousins, aunts, uncles etc. (Not recently with Covid). On Christmas Eve, Tyrell and I go to the evening service with his family then go back to their home for appies and presents. Christmas Day is just us, and this year Brielle! We open our gifts to each other and have brunch before we head to his parents for Cornish hens instead of Turkey!
Robin
Each Christmas Eve we spend out at my mom and dad’s farm where we always have a traditional Christmas dinner with my sisters and their families. We eat amazing food like my Norwegian Grandfather’s favourite dish, Lutefisk, homemade cabbage rolls, perogies and lefsa. After dinner we spend time as a family playing games and visiting. We love it at the farm. If it’s nice out we often will do outdoor activities like skidooing as well! We love being at the farm. Here are my 3 kids and our pup by my moms beautiful Christmas tree and warm wood burning fire!
Janet
Our traditions have changed a lot, especially with Covid. I try to get together with friends to do a craft like a Grinch tree or an arrangement. We go to all the kids concerts or watch them on Zoom. I do a bit of baking and usually participate in a cookie exchange. I try to have meals with all my family, which can be hard since all our kids are in different places. I must have turkey, stuffing and turnip (yes turnip) at least once over the holiday.
Ashley
We always open our gifts Christmas Eve by the fireplace in our basement! We either have a ham or turkey dinner, We also always have a real Christmas tree at my parents house. We used to go cut one down as a family when we were younger, but unfortunately that doesn’t happen anymore. Picture taking is also unfortunately not part of our Christmas tradition, but here is an old photo
Kenndey
I couldn’t find any recent pictures of my family on Christmas, it’s been a while since we all got together to celebrate with one another. I also can’t think of many traditions. We usually open gifts one at a time. So I would open a gift, then my sisters and so on until there are no more gifts. We usually make breakfast and then play games all day. We play a lot of cards and board games. We also like to play Mario brothers on the Wii, but it always ends in a fight because somebody is purposely killing other people 😂. Just a super relaxing day spent with family 😁
Cherilyn
Our family always drives around and looks at Christmas lights, last year we did a scavenger hunt and that made it even better! We get together with family and have a Turkey dinner or 10! We enjoy spending time with friends and family over the holidays.
Mackenzie
Before the Pandemic my immediate family would drive to Edmonton Christmas Eve to my Oma and Opa’s house. We would have mussels for dinner. We would drive back to Camrose to have Christmas morning at home. Christmas morning we open gifts and have eggs Benedict for breakfast. Before Covid we would drive back to Edmonton to open gifts with extended family and have Beef Rouladen for dinner. (2020 was only the second year I have had Turkey for Christmas dinner).This last Christmas we had Christmas Eve dinner at my house in Camrose. Christmas morning , Christmas dinner and all day in Camrose as well. This Christmas I don’t know the plans yet but something similar to last year.
Teresa
We spend Christmas Eve with Mattias’s family. We have a mid-afternoon dinner, with lots of Swedish foods, games and a walk after dinner, as long as it’s not too nasty outside. That evening we go to Ferry Point Church (not last year, and probably not this year either – pandemic) where they do a 10:00 candlelight service, with the old wood stove burning, Mennonite carolers, and the old pump organ. On the way out everyone gets a cup of hot cider. When the boys were little, they would get Christmas Jammies (and often went to church in them) and then were tucked into bed. Christmas morning, we get up early, have a large hearty breakfast, and then open Christmas stockings and then presents. We have trays for lunch/supper (meats, cheeses, crackers, sweets, fruits and veggies with dips) because that’s what they really like to eat, and then I don’t have to slave over a turkey dinner.
Annalise’s family decorate the Christmas Tree
Alex
My family’s Christmas traditions are, we always watch Polar Express on Christmas eve and then we open a new ornament to put on the tree every year.
Melanie
Traditions: Matching Christmas jammies, Christmas movie on Christmas Eve , Skating on the pond with a fire and hot chocolate, Being with extended family.
Nicole
Christmas traditions! Well, our traditions have changed over the years. As a child we did Xmas eve at my grandma Neudorf’s house. Stayed until my Grandpa St. Louis came on the radio and told the kids to get to bed because you could see Rudolf’s nose in the sky. Christmas morning we woke up, opened gifts at our house and headed over to grandma and grandpa St. Louis’ for Christmas brunch, gifts and dinner. This day involved tobogganing because they had a hill behind their house.
Today, we make sure to grab hot cocoa and find decorated houses around town. We watch a ton of Christmas movies but our favorite is Muppets Christmas Carol. From when I was a kid. We would also bring supper to my grandpa’s work at the airport. He would give us weather balloons filled with helium and we would sound like chipmunks while singing Christmas carols. Lol.
Marisa
I don’t think we really have any traditions other then the normal dinner and opening presents. I guess one is the kids get to open one gift on Christmas eve and it always has Pajama’s and a Christmas movie for us all to watch.
Auntie Gail
Our Christmas traditions are Usually in the month of December we try to volunteer for something. We have worked for the Salvation Army and usually Wayne volunteers at the Kinsmen tree lot. Christmas Eve we always go to church in the evening and then come home and eat and open most of our gifts. The boys always get new pyjamas and socks. They put on their new pyjamas and we watch a Christmas movie. Christmas Day we always go to Wayne’s family for dinner. This is your dad with uncle Ron and Auntie Cecelia playing music at our family Christmas party.
Breanna, Maryann and Dylan
We drink hot chocolate by the Christmas tree, play cards Christmas Eve. Usually watch a Christmas movie together. We cook a big meal and talk about the best part of our day after we finish eating. Everyone goes around the table talking about what the best part of our day is and what we are thankful for. We go together to cut down our Christmas tree to a nice little tree farm where we can have sleigh rides and campfires. In the morning everyone can open their stocking but cannot open presents until everyone is up and ready. We have a magical mix of reindeer food that we sprinkle on the snow in the front yard, it sparkles and guides the reindeer to our home.
Anna
Well with my whole family like my parents and siblings we do a 2 day event. Spend a day playing board and card games and doing some baking and then treat the next day like Christmas morning and wake up together and have brunch where the men cook! And the women and kids play and hang out, then we eat and then do gifts and stockings and spend the day just hanging out.
Then with Chris and I and our kids we do Christmas eve together a dinner and church and then matching jammies. Then Christmas morning the kids open their gifts and stockings and we spend the day playing and watching Christmas movies.
The 1st week and weekend in November we decorated the house for Christmas and then I started Christmas decorating for my parents house!
My Mom changed my feeding tube in November because my feeding tube was feeding me too slowly so, we changed my feeding tube a month earlier and it is working lovely!
Niki cut my hair! How do you like it?
We celebrated Janelle’s birthday and we decorated her some jars and lights for her birthday presents! We listened to her favourite music videos and her favourite music is pop and Disney music!
Kelsey and I played Qwirkle! In that same weekend we wrote Christmas cards for our friends from the different group homes! We painted our senior Santa Ornaments! We also had birthday bash and we danced the night away!
My friend Emily sent her baby picture of Brielle and she finally got into the shirt that I bought her baby in the summers!
My Auntie Gail gave me some Christmas cards and new markers, so my mom and I have started doing Christmas cards! Thanks so much!
We made stocking puppets for the Christmas party from Rose Club! We got some games for Christmas presents for the Rose Club virtual Christmas party!
We made oatmeal muffins and banana muffins!
We went to say goodbye to Chester Ronning school and I saw my old teachers and my old grade one aide June Jonson. The school is going to be taken down because they have built a new school! Lots of memories and lots of happy good memories from that school! It’s going to be missed!
I tie dyed a towel!!
We painted Christmas sun catchers for our windows.
I hope you had a wonderful November. I can’t wait to show you what I have done in December. I hope you have a Very Merry Christmas and see you next year!
Kelsey: How did you get the answers to your back pain?
Mary: It took me about 7 years to finally get diagnosed with fibromyalgia. As well as to find out the bottom joint in my back never formed properly. It’s the joint that carries all your weight so this is why my back has always suffered the most pain out of everywhere else in my body. It took several specialists to come to this answer. I finally got diagnosed about 3 years ago.
Kelsey: What was your symptoms?
Mary: My very first symptom has pain in my right hip, which eventually went to my left hip and back. And gradually has affected most of my body over the years. My biggest symptom is pain all over my body. But I also deal with fatigue, headaches, numbness in my arms and legs and insomnia.
Kelsey: How did your family act when you found out what’s was happening?
Mary: My boyfriend Joshua was with me through many appointments, tests, emergency room. Visits as well as me getting diagnosed and he has been very supportive the whole time. Which I am very grateful for. My friends are also very supportive and understanding of my limitations and bad days.
Kelsey: How’s your back pain now? From, 1-10
Mary: My back pain definitely fluctuates. It hurts everyday. But some our worse than others. Most days it’s probably a 4 or 5, which for me is tolerable. But I definitely have days where it’s a 10 and brings me to tears the odd time.
Kelsey: What’s your tips on your experience with back pain? What’s makes better? Dose it make a difference to do things with your back pain? Is there any other places that you might have pain in your body with your Fibromyalgia? Where are they if you do?
Mary: Unfortunately, my pain is what they call nerve pain which is very resistant to treatment. I am on medications, but I’ve been told no medication will reduce my pain more than 50%. Things I found that help a little are my heating pad. I usually lay with that on my back every night. Which reduces my pain enough to fall asleep. I also make sure to exercise as much as I’m able. Keeping my body active keeps me from getting too stiff. I also take a lot of hot showers, which usually helps a little with my aches and pains. It does affect quite a few parts of my body, mainly my back and hips. But it also effects my hands and feet that experience swelling and numbness on and off. I get shooting pain down my arms and legs and have pain in my neck and ribs at times as well.
Kelsey: Were you kinda glad when you found out what’s happening?
Mary: When I was finally diagnosed, I cried on the way home because I was so relieved, I finally had an answer to why I felt the way I did. When you are in so much pain and no one can find a reason it’s very easy to start to feel like you’re going crazy. So to have my symptoms validated and given a name was a huge relief.
Kelsey: What’s your childhood like growing up? Did you enjoy your school? Did you make friends easy?
Mary: Growing up I spent many years in Saskatchewan being raised by my Grandma Betty and Poppa Tony. They were the best people I could have possibly been with. Many of my best memories are with them on the farm. I spent the other years here in Camrose, which was rough at times. But luckily my best friend McHale lived right across the street from me. And we made many many years of amazing memories growing up. I did enjoy school a lot, I made friends quite easy. And enjoyed the schools I attended both here and in Saskatchewan.
Kelsey: What did you want to do when you grow up? What’s your job now? Did you do more after grade 12?
Mary: For the longest time I wanted to be a nurse when I grew up, however with my back issues getting worse I ended up not following that path. I had the pleasure of working in Kelsey’s home for many years, which I loved very much. At the moment I’m at home on leave, but I am currently in college and will be opening my own business within the next couple years. Which I look forward to very much.
Kelsey: What’s your hobbies?
Mary: In my free time I love baking for my family and friends, reading, going to the gym, and visiting with my friends.
Kelsey: What’s your favourite season, and what’s your favourite holiday Season?
Mary: My favourite season is summer; I’m not cut out for the cold! And my favourite holiday season is definitely Christmas.
Kelsey:. How many brothers and sisters did you had growing up?
Mary: I am an only child, but my Dad remarried when I was older and she had 3 kids from her previous marriage. So now I have two stepsisters and a step brother. And lots and lots of nieces and nephews!
Kelsey: Where you a Dads or Mom girl growing?
Mary: Honestly neither! My grandparents raised me for the most part, and I was definitely a Grama’s girl. She has always been someone I look up to.
Kelsey: Where did you go to school?
Mary: I went to school in Churchbridge, SK for a number of years. Then I attended OLMP here in Camrose.
Kelsey:. Where have you lived, and have you travel around the world? Do you have any favourite places in the world where you been?
Mary: I have lived in Camrose, Brooks, Swift Current, Viking, and Langenburg. I have actually never travelled outside of Canada. But I hope to one day!
My friend Mary and I met when she was learning about my morning routine. I was supposed to be moving out of my parent’s house in April of 2015, but it wasn’t ready yet but I moved into the group house in August of 2015! Mary worked upstairs for probably 4 years. I asked Mary Do you like baking?. She said, ” I love baking ” and I said, she’s hired! When Mary started working at the group house with me, she had to found a way to lift me without hurting her back! I was curious about her journey and how she found out about her fibromyalgia!
For more information on Fibromyalgia follow this link:
Kelsey's butterfly lifestyle 