January 23 2014 Rosenfeld News

January 21, 2014 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            Okay, so I’ll say uncle already, these temperatures are starting to interfere with my getting out to our grandson’s hockey games. Most of the arenas are wheelchair friendly so that’s not an issue but it’s the going to and from the truck that freezes up the body including the nose hair. When our granddaughter, Amber, arrived home last week and stepped out of the airport terminal this is one of the comments she made. She reported that it had been a long time since she had frozen nose hair. I guess it’s one of those experiences which a person doesn’t think about until you go away.

School news

            The students have begun skating as part of the physed program. Fridays are a hub of activity at the rink and heads are seen bobbing over the fence. I wish I were able to go take some photos of those smiling faces.

            Another activity available for kids is the Boys and Girls Club. It takes place in the school gym and is held every second Thursday night from 7:30 – 8:00 pm.

            Stay and Play offered by the Altona and Area Resource Center is for parents and their preschool children. This takes place every Thursday morning from 9:30 – 11:30 at school and the facilitator is Candice Wiens and helper is Neta Penner.

            If the kids still aren’t tired and the wind chill keeps them indoors there’s still another activity to try. An after School Activity Program takes place at school every Wednesday from 3:45 – 4:30 pm.

            For more information concerning any of these activities please feel free to call our wonderful school secretary, Gladys Klassen.

Condolences

            Wayne Schroeder, 62, of Rosenfeld passed away suddenly last week. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all his family and friends especially to his love, Sharon and brother, Laurie and Carol Schroeder and their family. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Progress report

            One of the things I miss the most during this convalescence is the fact that I can’t get out to take photos to go with the column. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a shot of smiling kids at the rink? Even when adults dread going out somehow children find joy in being outdoors.

            I would like to thank Jim and Judith Schellenberg for a wonderful day last Sunday. We had not been able to celebrate Christmas or New Year’s Day due to the stomach flu which hit both families. We now had a wonderful visit and toasted in the new year.

            Last week was a stormy week so I had to cancel my trip to HSC for my check up on Tuesday. The receptionist at Dr. Pilkey’s office was wonderful and rescheduling was no problem. Then on Thursday we had a white out and there was no going even to Altona for physio. I got a lot of puzzling done.

            Slowly but surely my walking is improving but my balancing act is quite something to behold. If someone didn’t know that I had experienced these injuries, I’m sure they’d think I’d been in the sauce. And I don’t mean like gravy sauce. I keep the walker nearby at all times even if I’m next to the wall or kitchen cabinets. At times I feel like a drunken sailor or maybe I should rephrase that and say like someone who has been fishing on a boat and then gets off at the end of the day. I can’t stand at one spot for more than a minute; the ankles begin to burn almost immediately. When doing anything in the kitchen I sit on the walker seat so I have started helping Dave a bit. He complains that most of the time I’m in the way, it’s a huge walker. But he’ll get used to it.

            It’s amazing how things change every day. Someone asked me how I was doing and I replied, “ Well, I don’t take one step forward and one back; it’s  more like ten forward and one back.” I think that covers the progress report. Life is good.

 

 

January 16 2014 Rosenfeld News

January 13 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

The warmer temperatures surely must have everyone smiling this week. Many of those very cold nights, the skating rink lights did not go on and then quite suddenly they stayed on past their usual 10:00 pm shut down. The skaters were definitely making up for lost time.

Happy birthday wishes go out to Gail Shimonek for her birthday on January 16. I’m sure she’s having a great day in Hawaii.

Hockey update

The Altona Maroons Bantam 1 team took to the ice against Portage on Sunday, Jan. 11 and won 7 – 1. Right after that game the Bantam 2 team went up against Holland. For the first two periods it looked as though Altona was going to take the game with the score 2 – 0 but they ran out of steam in the third period. Holland took the game 4 -2. It was good to be watching the games whatever the score.

Amber’s update

Our granddaughter, Amber, who was to arrive home last Monday was caught up in that backlog at the Toronto airport. The flight out on Monday night was delayed for quite some time. They were finally allowed to board only to sit on the tarmac for nearly four hours and then told it was too cold to fly and they all had to disembark. They then had to get in line to obtain another ticket for the next flight out. This re-issuing took eight hours so needless to say she didn’t get any sleep that night. Tuesday evening they again boarded their plane only to taxi from one place to another trying to fuel-up. This took at least two hours and she was wondering if there was going to be a rerun of the night before when finally they did lift off. They landed in Winnipeg around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday morning. Little did they know that all the Air Canada baggage handlers had gone home at the end of their shift at midnight and the West Jet staff unloaded all their luggage. Way to go Zach.

From all the information I’ve heard and seen on television it reinforces my prior conviction of never flying with Air Canada. This company is not working to serve you with a smile.

On a happier note Amber reports that the Canadian Junior Hockey team was on the flight from Frankfurt to Toronto which had been pretty interesting. When I asked her if the team had been rowdy she replied, “Well, you know how teenage boys act.” Ah, yes and then she gives her little Mona Lisa smile.

Progress report

It sure was nice to go to a hockey game last Sunday; Dave and I were suffering with hockey withdrawal. I don’t get to go to many places other than to physio or to see my surgeon at HSC. We will be making a trip for an update this Tuesday and I hope he will be as pleased with my progress as my therapist. I’ve started on leg strengthening exercises which is a slow process. My ankles are not very strong and many days doing a set of two of each of the three exercises in enough to give me pain for the night. My attempts at walking looks like a stumbling big baby but I keep at it anyway. My knees are doing very well and the wheel on the exercise bike slowly makes the circle all the way around. I won’t be trying the Tour de France anytime soon but I’ll be happy to do the tour de Rosenfeld come summer.

Jan. 9, 2014

January 6, 2014 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            If ever I could have chosen a winter to be laid up inside, this definitely is the winter for it. I’ve never liked the bone freezing temperatures and always looked forward to going south for two weeks. This of course isn’t happening this winter but I like the old arithmetic in which 2 plus 2 equals four. Guaranteed we’ll have winter again next year and due to the fact I’m not going this year, well, you get the picture.

            Monday, January 06, 2014 and the kids were supposed to go back to school after Christmas break only to be told they could go back to bed; the buses weren’t running. I can hear some yahooing going on in some homes and others where the kids really were ready to go back to class and tell their friends what they received for Christmas.

Condolences

            Christmas is a time for celebrating and family gatherings but some families in the Rosenfeld area were filled with sadness when they lost loved ones during this holiday season.

            Brian and Roxanne Friesen and their family were one of those families. Brian’s father, Ed Friesen of Winkler, formerly of Horndean, passed away on December 16. He was 88 years old. The funeral service was held in the Winkler Sommerfeld Church on Friday, Dec. 20 with internment at the Rosenheim Cemetery.

            Another family was the Grant and Leona Nickel’s. Grant’s mom, Helen Nickel of Altona, formerly of Weidenfeld passed away Wednesday, Dec. 18. She was 99 years old and predeceased by her husband, J.J. Nickel and one son. A memorial service was held on Jan. 3 at the Altona United Church with a private family burial at the Weidenfeld Cemetery.

            A dear, dear friend of mine passed away Boxing Day, Dec. 26. Kay Lang of Altona, formerly of Rosenfeld was 94 years old. A private funeral service was held on Monday, Dec. 30 at the Wiebe Funeral Chapel in Altona with internment at the Rosenfeld Cemetery. She was predeceased by her husband, August and leaves three daughters and their families to celebrate her life.

            Kay and I go a long way back and shared the love of mowing grass. I helped her out with yard work every summer for many years; she mowed until the spring she was 91. We had many discussions about her waiting for God to come get her and I can hear her say when she reached the pearly gates “It’s about time.” She was one spunky lady and I’m going to miss her very much.

            Our thoughts and prayers go out to the many families as they go through this mourning period.

Retirement

            Congratulations go out to Gail Shimenek on her retirement from her job at Red River College. From what the little bird tells me, Gail and Percy will be doing a lot of travelling for the first few months. We were invited to meet them in Mexico but we’ll have to take a rain check this year.

Progress report

            Even though I had that ugly stomach flu for two weeks, I still managed to fit in a few stretching exercises and surprised my therapist when I went back to physio. As I stated in my last column, my right knee can go around on the exercise bike and the left knee bends to a 100 degree angle. My goal was 90 so I think I deserve bragging rights. There are many challenges in my situation; some of which I would never have given a second thought. One such challenge is drying between my toes. I know, it sounds simple. We do it after every bath but I couldn’t put my finger between my toes after the accident without having a lot of pain. So the other day when I finally accomplished this feat, I was pumped. Every small step forward is step in the right direction.

            I keep myself busy reading, watching movies, doing jigsaw puzzles, exercising and playing computer games. Friends drop by for coffee and stay to chat even during this awful cold snap. Dave has taken over the kitchen and I think I may allow him to stay even after I can walk without my 4-wheeler. He makes very good pie and borscht.

            Our granddaughter, Amber, is flying in tonight (Monday) from Germany and we are celebrating her return and Christmas tomorrow. We can hardly wait; don’t know how I’ll manage to sleep.

Rosenfeld news bt Tina Wolfe Dec. 24, 2013

December 22, Rosenfeld news by Tina Wolfe

            The weather outside is frightful but I hope the warmth within your home and heart keeps you cozy this holiday season. Take care when travelling and heed the saying “Better late than never.” Throughout the holiday season enjoy whatever tradition your family has chosen whether it be gatherings or a quiet night at home.

School program

            The Rosenfeld School presented The Legend of the Christmas King as their Christmas musical on Thursday, Dec.19. I was fortunate enough to attend and enjoyed the program very much.

            The Kindergarten class became little reindeer while singing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and the Grade 1 class donned aprons and chefs hats when reciting Christmas Cookies. Jackie Harms, teacher of the Grade 2 class, captured my heart when her class did a dance routine to Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives. The Grade 3 class rang ceramic bells and performed Jingle Bells and Silent Night. Then the Grade 4 class was on stage to read their own poems entitled Christmas Wishes, many which were printed in the Echo. The Christmas musical followed which of course portrayed the story of the search for the new born King. The choir sang throughout the play and the program was done much too soon.

            A huge thank you goes out to the students and staff of the school. Many hours of rehearsals take place before the final performance and every year the program is outstanding. A special thank you goes out to Sheryl Peters for her accompaniment on the piano.

 

Progress report

             I graduated from a 2 wheel to a 4 wheel walker which makes for a much more fluid walk. I’m still not winning any races but now can help set the table. This walker has a basket which I can fill with stuff and cart around. I climbed onto the exercise bike and tried going for a trip but that’s not happening yet. The right leg makes the entire circle but not the right leg so I’ll be doing exercises for a while. This cramping flu is still hanging on and it’s not any fun. All these Christmas goodies standing around and I can’t eat them. That’s not quite correct; I can eat them but pay dearly for it at the end of the day.

Rosenfeld news by Tina Wolfe Dec. 19, 2013

December 17, 2013 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            It’s a beautiful sunny morning on this Tues. Dec. 17 and I have no reason to wander outside to feel the true temperature. I wouldn’t have minded going outdoors a bit yesterday when we hit a balmy -2 but I enjoyed puzzling instead.

            Many people around here are down with the stomach flu. It starts off with a feeling of cramps in the lower abdominal area which get more and more painful. It feels as though someone has taken an air hose, attached it into your belly button and filled up your lower intestine. Just when you feel like bursting, out it comes and you better be close to a bathroom. How do I know? Well, I’ve just experienced this episode. I’m one of the lucky ones; mine only lasted one night and only one day with no food. Family brought noodle soup the second day which stayed in and didn’t produce any more cramping. Some people are down for a whole week.

Hockey update

            It’s good to report that Simon Schroeder is on the ice again. I’m sure his team mates had missed him; he’s a very good defenseman. Conner Winter has been out for a week with that horrible stomach flu that I just described. Let’s hope he recovers soon and gets his strength back.

Progress report

            My legs are continuing to get stronger and I’ve increased my exercises to include some muscle building in my quads. You normal people have no idea how much you take for granted like how to get up from a chair. I watch Dave and need to practice where to place my feet and how to lean forward. I can get up but at this point I still tend to lift my body with my arms. Now I’m to the point where I need to unlearn this and let my legs take over. My knees are bending a bit more with a lot of stretching everyday but I’m still not to the riding bike stage. Soon I will have Dave bring up the stationary bike and see what I can do. We continue to have great community support and for that we are extremely thankful.

 

Dec. 11 Rosenfeld news 2013

Dec. 9 2013 Rosenfeld News by Tina Wolfe

            I wouldn’t be a Manitoban if I didn’t mention the weather. I have only one quote from a song, “Oh baby, its cold outside.” The wheelchair lift moans and groans as it makes its way up and down but I have places to go and things to see. I’m sure the students in Border Land School Division enjoyed the snow day last week. The private schools canceled already the day before with MCI encouraging parents not to bring their students to school; they had canceled their bus pickup. Cookie baking and house cleaning was on the list of many of the parents. Everybody is getting ready for the holidays.

Hockey

            Both Altona Maroon Bantam teams participated in the tournament held in Winkler Dec. 7 & 8. The Bantam 1 team won their first game against Thompson 7 – 1. The Bantam 2 team tied 4 all against Brandon. The second game for the Bantam 1 team saw them square off against Springfield which they lost 6 – 4. The Bantam 2 took on Greendell and won 7 – 2. Now on to the playoffs and again the two Altona teams played each other. Like I previously wrote, this makes it very difficult for the spectators to cheer only for their team. I wish that somehow this could be avoided but both teams played hard and Bantam 2 won the game 3 – 2. They went on to play against Brandon but we didn’t stay for that game and I can’t report the score.

            Just a short comment to one of the refs (I could put a name in here but I won’t): the game is not about you. Let the kids play hockey. If you have to stop and think about what penalty to give the player it’s time for you to deflate your ego and quit being a ref.

Skating rink

            The lights are on at the local rink so it must be close to skating time. Work parties have been taking place to update the facility and a huge thank you goes to all the volunteers. Call the rink for the days and hours to start skating which is free unless private groups want a rental.

Progress report

            We have been busy this past weekend and at first I wasn’t going to write a column but I’ve been told that I have a following so writing must go on. Pressure, oh my, thank goodness I have the gift. You know of gabbing or some would call it long windedness.  I was able to take in two of the hockey games in Winkler last weekend which I enjoyed very much. Getting up and down, into and out of the truck is quite a workout but all part of therapy and good exercise. If chocolate is on the menu for the holidays, exercise has to be on the daily schedule. Monday my brother Martin came for a veranika lunch and stayed for a nice visit and today (Tuesday) my friend Carol is coming for coffee. Like I said, it’s a busy life. Someone asked me what I do with all my time and I looked at him with a strange expression. I’m sure he thought I had experienced some shaking up of my marbles at the time of the accident because I couldn’t give him an answer. I should have told him to read the column.

            I’ve decide to take a break from therapy for the month of December and do the exercises on my own. January will be busy again with another trip to HSC which saps all my strength for a week. Also our granddaughter, Amber is coming home Jan. 6 and I need to concentrate on getting my legs stronger. I would love to be able to meet her at the airport so that means exercise and more exercise.

            One symptom as the result of the accident was sore teeth. Now you ask how can a person’s teeth hurt? I have no answer but there were times when I could barely chew anything harder than bread. With Christmas around the corner I was beginning to worry about eating peanuts but like so many other aches I’ve experienced during this healing time; this symptom has disappeared. Life is good.

 

Dec.5, 2013

December 1, 2013 Rosenfeld News

            It’s Tuesday, December 3 and the weather forecasters are telling us that a storm system will be moving through this area today. The snow and the wind is slowly increasing as I work on the column, maybe we’ll have an old-fashioned storm today. Our freezers are filled with pork, beef, vegetables, and fruit. Jam and pickles are in the pantry and the tomatoes are in the freezer waiting to be made into spaghetti sauce.  I’ve made and sent a Christmas card to granddaughter Amber in Germany and will be working on more cards today. Bring on the storm. I have many projects to work on and computer games to play.

Best wishes

            I would like to send best wishes to Mike and Anna Wolfe who celebrate their 20^th wedding anniversary on December 5. I’d also like to send a big Happy Birthday wish to a dear friend, Carol Schroeder who celebrates on December 14.

School update

            The Christmas programs are fast approaching so here is the list I’ve been able to find so far. The Rosenfeld School programs will be held Thursday, Dec. 19. It begins with piano prelude at 1:00 pm following with the program at 1:30. Then in the evening again at 6:30 and 7:00 respectively.

            The MCI Christmas program will be held on December 19  and 20 in Buhler Hall at 7:30 pm.

            WC Miller Collegiate’s Candlelight Service will be performing at Buhler Hall on December 12 and 13 at 7:00 pm.

            I will have the date for Altona Parkside Junior High School’s program next week. I couldn’t find it on their home page. I will also post the dates and times for the church programs at that time.

 

Hockey update

            Tom Wolfe was picked up to play with the Altona Maroons Midgets against Winkler on Thursday November 28. They were up during the second period but lost 7-6.
            Then the Altona Maroons Bantam 1 took to the ice in Treherne on Saturday, Nov. 30 and lost 8 -7 but who cares when our grandson scored a hat trick in the third period.

Progress report

            I thoroughly enjoyed having my sister Susie stay with me last week. I can’t remember the last time I drank so much coffee or talked as much. Then on the weekend my sister Eva came out from Selkirk. She used to work in massage therapy and she gave me the most incredible foot rub ever. I think I’ve already received two wonderful Christmas presents.

            My glasses were broken in the accident and Dave and I made a trip to Morden for an examination and the purchase of a new pair which we picked up this week Monday. Between the two of us, I managed to get into the truck and away we went. I must admit that the trip was exhausting and I wouldn’t want to go much further than that at this time.

            My walking power is steadily increasing but I now know how a baby must feel when it takes its first steps. Its very empowering and a person gets determined to go one step further. Dave begins hovering when he feels I’ve done enough so I’m very careful not to annoy him after all he is my care giver at this time. The time will soon come when I’ll be able to do more things myself and he’ll feel more relaxed.

The rest of Amber’s Irish vacation

            Okay, I’m going to do this a little bit unorthodox and tell you about my third day in Dublin before my second, just because I enjoyed my second day the most and want to save the best for last. On Sunday I took a tour to the west coast of Ireland to see the cliffs of Moher. It ended up raining all day, which meant that by the ocean it was also extremely foggy, not to mention windy. I got soaked, but I managed to catch glimpses in between the cloud cover of the beautiful and wild view of the sides of the cliffs. We then all piled back into the bus and sort of drove through the wilds of Ireland until we reached the city of Galway. There we had the opportunity to walk around for about 2 hours, taking a look at all of the cute shops and stuff. After that, it was back on the bus and a three hour bus ride back to Dublin. Once back, I went to get some food and then catch some sleep before waking up super early the next morning to catch my flight back to Bremen.
            Now, for my favourite day! I had the opportunity to sleep in (8:30, as opposed to 6:15), and then at 11:00, was standing to the side of the courthouse downtown ready to embark on a 3 hour sightseeing tour. We got to have a look inside the Dublin castle, walk around the centre of Dublin, and learn a little bit about Irish history. It was a very enjoyable walk altogether. I ended up leaving half an hour early because I wanted to see the coast of the Irish Sea before it got dark. I took a bus out to a smaller town just outside of Dublin, and toured a small castle there. I then went for a walk on the beach. I walked out on the sand of the Irish Sea as far as I could, and just enjoyed the fresh air until the sun went down. Walking back into town, I found myself a nice restaurant and had fresh fish for supper. Even though I was all by myself, I had a fantastic time.
            That was my trip to Ireland. I guess I’m going to have to pray that God will give me a new dream, since this one was fulfilled.
            Now, there has been some really exciting stuff happening over here lately! Sunday evening was a big day for Robert, a new friend from Manchester, England: he gave his life to Christ! Me and the rest of the gang were just so excited for him! I really can’t put into words how God has blessed me with friends over here. I was just thinking about something the other day: during the beginning of my stay here in Germany, I was scared to enjoy my time here because I was afraid that I would like it so much that I wouldn’t want to leave. Well everybody, I would just like to announce that, against my will, my fear has come true. I have really grown to appreciate the life that The Lord has given me here. However, let me clarify my problem; I am also super excited to come home and see everybody.

            I now have 2 lives in 2 different countries, and to say goodbye to this one in Germany is going to be hard. It’s not exactly an ending that I pictured, these mixed feelings that I have, but I think that if I didn’t feel at least a little bit down about my impending departure, it would be a sign that my 11 months here have been a waste of time. Although my return trip is exactly 6 weeks from today, I have decided to live and enjoy this experience here while I still can, without constantly schlumping about being sad that I’m leaving soon.