A Recent Life Changing Event

I have fought with family such as sisters, mom, and dad, a certain cousin growing up. But at the end of the day, I know they will have my back even though I have made mistakes. I am going to change. For those that don't know, I had a recent epilepsy flare up and had seizures. I haven't been consistent in taking my meds.

It was a life changing experience. I was seizure free for three years. I had people supporting me during that time. But now I need some positive vibes as I am getting back on track with consistently taking my meds and getting my blood sugars in range.

Also with support and help, I will drop the necessary 100+ pounds to get to my ideal weight. If anybody wants to come to the gym with me and help kick my ass and motivate me, it would be greatly appreciated.

Big thank you to one of my best friends in Mark. Even though he lives in another province, we talk all the time and he gives me encouragement. It is also good that I have co-workers who care and that I can talk to them. I am blessed having friends of the family, other distant relatives, fellow members of my church who are or were in the medical field as nurses or doctors. I know most of them are a message away if I need some support and medical advice. Thank you for that.

Being stubborn growing up has brought me to a place of being diabetic and epileptic. My mom and dad warned me that I could and would become diabetic. It runs in my family. Hell, a distant cousin had seizure and died at a family reunion 22 years ago. You would think that would put things in perspective. Obviously not. My sister, Angela, reminds me of that. Even though it is hard to hear, it is a reality that could happen.

Here I am working on bettering myself. I will be a tough road, but the end results will be worth it. The end result will be better for my diabetes as I will no longer rely on my meds and insulin. That's a positive for type 2 diabetes.

Last year, I made some progress with weight loss. That will happen again. It's not because I want it to happen; it's because it needs to happen. No if, ands, or buts about it.

Again, whatever encouragement, support, and love you can send my way; I am grateful for any and all of it.

May you have the most merriest and blessed Christmas. Thank you.

Uncle Jack: A Man, A Myth, A Legend

Jack Sheldon, my Great Uncle, was laid to rest on December 30, 2015.  He passed away on December 23, 2015.  Even though he looked good the last time I seen him in December, but wasn't actually doing that well.  Even though he wasn't doing well, at 88 years old, he lived a long full life.

I have many memories of Uncle Jack throughout my life.  For instance, he would hand out apples and cookies for Halloween.  As a kid, I wondered why he would hand those things out.  Looking back, that was his signature.  That was classic Uncle Jack.

Other memories is of his curling.  He would go to the Brier (Canadian men's curling championship) every year for a long as he could.  He also played in the farmers league with my Grandpa, his brother.  There were a lot times he would come out to the farm and help or do something to keep busy.  Even when my dad wasn't home, he would come to the farm and fix something.  My dad wasn't home and he climbed up on the combine and started fixing.  I remember I had to go to town to get a belt for it.  Even at that age he wasn't afraid to get right in there and do something if it needed to be done.

Classic Uncle Jack was when he raised his finger in the air.  You knew he was going to say something when he raised his finger.  When he spoke, you listened.  I remember when he stopped by the farm and dad wasn't home, we would talk.  He end up telling me stories about times gone by.  For example, he would tell me about something that happened in 1945.  He would always tell me something from his younger years.  Stories from history, even if it was about something in the countryside for instance, are invaluable.  They are interesting to hear even if they are just those local stories.  That is something I will miss for sure.

One thing we liked to do was bug each other.  If you bugged him, he would bug you right back.  It was all in a joking manner and he knew it.  So we didn't take that too seriously.

The funeral was at St. Alban's in Prince Albert.  It was full of family, friends, and acquaintances of Uncle Jack.  He would have appreciated everybody coming from near and a far to celebrate his life.  My cousin and his nephew John from Manhattan, New York; and his sister and my Great Auntie Irene from California made the trip.  My Auntie Bernice, who is a snowbird in Arizona during the winter made it up to the funeral.  It was nice to see many people I haven't seen in a long time at the funeral.  Even those who couldn't make it that wanted to be sent their condolences.  Talking to people on Facebook, a friend of the family, a lady by the name of Pat said she enjoyed Uncle Jack.  We all did.

During the service, my cousin John was given the honour of giving the eulogy.  Even though he had a couple of days to put it all together, he was able to pull it all together.  Being surrounded by family during the time he was here, there were a lot of stories from not only himself, but from everyone else.  He didn't have to search for words and for things to say.  It says a lot about the person when don't have to search for things to say when giving the eulogy.  It also says something about the person when you have to search for things to say.  One thing that was noted was that it was okay to laugh.  John told stories and antidotes that got us all laughing during various parts of the eulogy.  Sure there was sadness, but it was also okay to laugh.

The internment or burial was held west of Prince Albert at St. Mary's.  It was a small private family internment.  His final resting place was beside my Great Auntie Ora.  Auntie Ora died before I was born.  So I never met her.  It was somber and tears were shed as he was lowered.

The last couple times I saw Uncle Jack in December, you could tell his mind was going.  Even hearing from other people, that was happening.  He would say things to people as if he was talking to someone else.  One story I heard was that he was with his son and my cousin Hugh.  He asked him if he remembered curling together.  He thought he was talking to his brother, my Grandpa.  Stories like
that showed that his mind was going.

Like I said, he lived a full life.  He would have loved to have reminisced about past times.  Laughs were had and tears were shed all in honour of John "Jack" B. Sheldon.  The man, the myth, the legend. R.I.P.!

Oh and thanks to everyone for their condolences.  I truly appreciated it!

My Victoria Day Long Weekend - Wiener Roast at the Farm and Wakesiu

I got to get away from Saskatoon this Victoria Day long weekend.  It was my niece Allie's birthday on Saturday.  She became a teenager!  She turned 13.  So on Sunday we had a small gathering at the farm with some family and friends to celebrate her turning 13.  We had a wiener roast at the farm.  Even though we had a few people, it still was a great time to sit outside in the very nice weather and roast wieners and fellowship with the ones that were there.  Great afternoon and early evening!

On Monday my mom asked me if I wanted to go up to Waskesiu with her and my step dad.  Of course I said yes.  We took a small picnic to eat up at one of picnic spots just past the town site.  The first spot we went to was windy, so we went to another spot which was much better in terms of no wind.  My step dad and I went for a bit of walk through the wood at the one spot.  I skipped stones at both spots, but I was bit rusty at doing that.  I didn't always skip them as some of them just hit the water with a plunk.  I got a couple of rocks to skip six times.  But my average was two or three and sometimes four skips.  I got the odd ones to skip five times.  But still not the greatest at it.  There were a lot of rocks that lined the shore.  My mom wanted to take a bunch of the rocks home.  So we picked a box full or so.

On the way back to go home, we stopped at Waskesiu River.  I've never been there.  My mom and step dad said they never usually see fish, but this time we saw a lot.  We walk the trail on the boardwalk and woods.  On the boardwalk we seen two geese and six goslings.  On of the goslings got up on a rock and one of parent geese got up on the rock too.  The goslings were cute.  Than we saw three fish later on the boardwalk.  While in the woods part of the trail, we saw two deer.  It was so awesome to see them up that close.  My step dad heard something and was looking to see what it was and saw a deer.  The deer stopped and seen us, than kept going.  As we kept going we saw the other deer.  The whole Waskesiu River trail was 2kms. It was great exercise!

Overall a great day at Waskesiu.  It's been a number of years since I've been there.  Proof of that is there is a Traxx Footwear where Subway used to be.  We seen lots of wildlife on the way to and from Waskeisu lots of deer, elk, fish, and a heron.  Next time I want to take my mom and step dad on the Boundary Bog!  The Boundary Bog is a great walk in the woods.  Being one with nature is great because it lets you forget about your life for a fleeting moment or two.

While getting stuff ready to take Waskesiu, I told my step dad that I wrote a song with my good friend Mark entitled "A Day Like Any Other Day" and some of the stuff in the song was happening.  I told Mark about it and he thought it was awesome.  For instance lyrics such as "P.A.'s looking to gray, I'd rather spend my day in Waskesiu."  All that happened.  The first three lines of the song, "Sitting on the back porch, drinking Arizona Iced Tea, watching the world pass by" almost happened.  I had an Arizona Iced Tea in my car, but I didn't sit on the back porch drinking it watching the world pass by.  But it would have been awesome if the whole song happened.  Oh well, the parts that did happen was still awesome!

A Long Blessed Weekend

This past weekend was a long one as I went back home to Prince Albert.  I went back because on Saturday, it was my Grandma Sheldon's 80th come and go tea.  Even though her birthday is in March, this is the only time we could get a hall booked, but it was a great day nonetheless.  The sheer amount of people that blessed my Grandma's day with unbelievable.  Family, friends, neighbours from when she lived on the farm, and people from the church were all there.  There were a lot of people who I haven't seen in a long time.  It was great to see them again.  In total, nearly 200 people were there to celebrate her special day.  I thank everyone who came from near and far to join us.

If you know my family, than you'll know that we won't leave you feeling hungry as there was lots of food.  2 pm was a little program where my Auntie Merle was the MC of it.  Also, we modeled various items my Grandma knitted and sewed over the years.  I showed off my afghan blanket.  In fact, I was the only one who wasn't modeling something that couldn't be worn like mitts or a dress.  I ate supper at the hall with family.  Even though it was a great day, it was long.  But it was a blessed day.

On Sunday, my cousin Jeff and his wife Tania got his two week old daughter Johanna baptized at St. Anglican Church.  It was great to worship Anglican style.  That is something I don't get to do very often.  I give Norbert credit for playing off my nephew walking up the aisle and making noise during the sermon.  More food was had after the service.  More fellowship and a blessed time was had.

The weekend was a long and blessed one.  But it was worth it.

It's Easter

I hope the Easter Bunny was good to your kids. I know my niece and nephews got some candy, toys, and DVDs.

Now for a great non-religious Easter gift for wrestling fans is that Christopher Daniels returned to ROH. TNA released him and TNA's lose is ROH's gain.

For a Christian gift, we get the gift of Jesus' death and resurrection. He is risen!

Hope you are having a happy Easter so far.

Happy Easter peeps!

Family Reunions

I was meaning to post this a week or so ago, but I didn't. So yeah, deal with it.

On the August long weekend my dad held the 2009 Burton Family Reunion for the second time in 17 years. I didn't get to spend the entire time at the reunion as I had to work on the Sunday even though I didn't want to. Nevertheless, it was a great a time when I was there.

As I look back and reflected on the reunion, I thought to myself that family reunions are a good way to meet people within your family that you have never met before. They are good to get reacquainted with family you haven't seen in years. Really, who knows how long you have left to met and reacquaint yourself with family?

People have changed over the 17 years since I have last seen some of them. For instance they have aged, gotten married, had kids, etc.. Reunions bring together family from all over Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, and British Columbia. Or at least this one did.

I will give props to my dad and his three sisters (my aunts) for getting this together. When my family puts on an event or family gathering, you won't leave feeling hungry at all. We had food all weekend. I must say that supper on Saturday was especially interesting in terms of the way they cooked it. They put food in cream cans and cooked it over an open fire. Sunday breakfast was great too. Pancakes, hash browns, and sausages was AWESOME! My family can put out a spread that is second to none.

The events that took place was a silent auction which ended at 1:30PM Sunday. I didn't win what I bid on. There was another item I was bidding on, but my cousin kept bidding just to bid me up. Sunday evening there was a live auction and my dad's auctioneer friend did the auctioning. There was bingo and I got a bingo on the one of the games. When I called out bingo, I scared the shit out of my sister. There was a planned kaiser tournament, but it ended up being four teams. Kaiser is a great card game. There was a planned horseshoe tournament, but I don't know if it happened.

Overall, it was fun. The 2011 Burton Reunion will be in Bethany, Manitoba. Next year another reunion for another side of my family...

Turning 90...

On Monday my Grandpa Cantin turned 90. That is an achievement for anyone to live that long. Sure his health isn't as great as it could be. But for 90, he is doing well. It is good I got to see him because who knows when the next I will see him is? He doesn't do much as it is hard for him. Living where my Grandparents are, it is good for them as they don't have to worry about taking care of a house. But there were some good memories in that house.

Throughout the day, my Grandpa was getting cards, phone calls, and visits from people wishing him a happy birthday. Sure there wasn't a celebration and in some ways it is good thing. He really didn't need a big celebration. He has many people who love him and that is better than any celebration in many ways. Who knows, maybe he will be around for a few more years yet.

Happy belated birthday Grandpa!

The Wedding - Ceremony, Reception, Gift Opening

Friday was my cousin's Jeffery's wedding. I had to be at the church at 12:30 for pictures. The wedding was held at St. David's Anglican Church in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Plus we had to blow up balloons which I will get to in a moment. It was very simple. The church wasn't decorated too much. Just some flowers in the sanctuary and lobby. My dad and I were made last minute ushers. All we had to do is hand out the programs (for lack of a better word). It wasn't a long wedding ceremony. It was a good thing as it was crazy hot inside the church and outside. There was not many people from Tania's (the bride) family. Actually, that is not her real name. That is her English name. Her real name is Yee Chee Kim. She is originally from Malaysia. I will admit she was a very beautiful bride. My cousin was stylin' and profilin'. Now my cousin had a lot of family there. I have had some good times growing up with my cousin. Where does the time go? But anyways, after the ceremony they released all the balloons that was blown up. I don't know the significance of that. If anyways knows please leave a comment and tell me.

After the ceremony before the reception a bunch of us went to my Auntie Janet's for a drink and eat some food. My family is notorious for putting out a spread of food. It is crazy. Not to mention my Auntie Merle (mother of the groom), baked a ton of stuff. 15 kinds of dainties alone.

After that I then went to the reception which was at the Travelodge. We first started out with drinks and than the program. The MC was Marty Houle. Marty Houle was cousin's old boss when he worked at Houle Furniture & Appliances. Tania had to get out of her dress into an Asian type dress (I can't remember the name). There was one part of the program that was for the bride. There was an Asian tea ceremony. It was explained the significance of doing it and what everything behind it meant. Don't ask me to tell you as I don't remember. The food was very good. They had trivia questions about the bride and groom. Whoever got the question right got to get their food. The music was done by Mystic Music Services. It was a great time. Oh and I should mention I got the garter. My cousin Jamilynn (sister of the groom) was called up and sang Mmmmm Bop by Hanson. Even after all these years she is still a Hanson fan. There was a midnight lunch and cakes most of which were made by my Auntie Merle.

The next day was the gift opening at my Auntie Merle and Uncle Harvey's (mother and father of the groom). Again there was more food. I guess you can see a trend. My family is known for food. Jeff and Tania received a lot of practical stuff. They got household items such as plates, cups, mugs, appliances, and other stuff like that. One thing that was on my cousin list on the registry at Wal-Mart was gum and candy (Reisen was one of them). He actually got it which was the funny part.

All in all it was great time this weekend. It sure makes you wonder where the time goes. Plus everybody I know is getting married. I wonder if it is expected of me to get married... first I have to find someone. Any takers? Ha, ha, ha!

Pray For My Grandpa Cantin

My sister left me a message on Facebook via PM and said that my Grandpa, Bill Cantin is not doing well. He has gotten progressively worse over the course of time since he had his mini-stroke. She was wondering if I am going to go up to Prince Albert on Saturday. I said that I didn't know, but I have some pending vacation time for June 22nd and 23rd. That is the weekend of my cousins grad party. But anyways, I really should consider going as he may not be around much longer. But I think of making the excuse of going down in a few weekends anyways. He has a tube through his nose cleaning his stomach. Also he can't move much. He just stays on the couch and watches TV.

It would mean a lot if you could add my Grandpa to your pray list. Sure he is nearing 90. But please pray for him as it would mean a lot to me and my family.

Thank you
Mr. C.C.

“Live this day as if it will be your last. Remember that you will only find ''tomorrow'' on the calendars of fools. Forget yesterday's defeats and ignore the problems of tomorrow. This is it. Doomsday. All you have. Make it the best day of your year. The saddest words you can ever utter are, ''If I had my life to live over again. ''Take the baton, now. Run with it! This is your day! Beginning today, treat everyone you meet, friend or foe, loved one or stranger, as if they were going to be dead at midnight. Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.”
-Og Mandino, American Essayist and Psychologist, 1923-1996

My Dad Is OK!

My sister told me about what happened to my dad. Good to hear that he is okay. My dad get hit by a truck. Not full on or anything. My dad was at an auction and was looking at this vehicle. So he was bent down looking at the gas tank and stuff underneath when this truck hit him. It than kept going and run over his ankle. His safety boots saved his ankle from being broken. Thanks be to God for looking out for my dad and keeping him safe.

Kaylee Anne Gibson

That is the name of my niece. I wasn't too found of the name Kaylee. I getting to like it more. After hearing her middle name, her name sounds pretty gooda! I went and saw her on Saturday at the Victoria Union Hospital. I guess you can say she is cute. I have this thing about saying cute. Alas, I will get over it. I will post a picture when I get some. I believe my sister Heather is home now. She was supposed to go home on Sunday. Now my sister will have to get used to staying home more often now that she has a baby to take care of. My sister doesn't like to stay home much. This will be an adjustment for her.

Mr. C.C.

"A child is God's opinion that life should go on."
-Unknown

It's A Great Day To Be Alive

You are probably wondering what's with the blog title. Well, my sister had her baby. She named her baby Kaylee or something like that. Apparently she was bleeding from her uterus and it wouldn't stop. I kind of cringed when my other sister told me that. But luckily everything is alright now. At Christmas I will see the baby for the first time. Oh and thanks to whoever prayed. I do appreciate it.

Continued Prayers

I recieved word today that my Grandpa, Bill Cantin had another mini-stroke. It's bad enough he had one mini-stroke, but a second one... I don't know what condition he is in. It's so hard not knowing something, but at least my sisters are sending me the information on his condition and whatnot.

I just keep thinking the worst. I know it's only a mini-stroke, but that doesn't make it better. That doesn't make the situation any less nerve racking. I don't know why I am thinking the worst, but I am.

People here at school have been praying for me and I totally appreciate that. I just want continued prayer for him. As I said in an earlier post, that I am appreciative of the people who are praying for him. Just continue praying for him to get some semblance of what he had back. I just want him to go back to doing what he does best and that is playing the fiddle. He is known throughout Prince Albert for his fiddle playing.

Until next time: Keep on rockin' in the free world!

There isn't any formula or method. You learn to love by loving.
-Aldous Huxley

Prayers For My Grandpa

When I got up this morning, I noticed I had to IM's on Windows Live Messenger from my two sisters. I thought nothing of what it could be. So I clicked on and they said that my Grandpa, William (Bill) Cantin (my mom's dad) had a mini stroke. I was taken aback. I didn't expect this at all and I just couldn't help but cry a little bit. After all, it is my Grandpa. At lunch as I was leaving after finishing, one of the teachers Brian Frable asked me how everything was going and so I told him that my Grandpa had a mini stroke and my eyes started tearing up. So Brain prayed for me which I appreciated it and I would appreciate it if you would pray for him. You don't know how much it would mean to me if you did that. My family would appreciate it as well. But as the day went on I was thinking the worst and I didn't want to do any of the reading I had to get done.

Once again, prayers would be very, very appreciate. I can't state how much appreciated prayers would be.

Until next time: ignorance is bliss!
Mr. C.C.

“Live this day as if it will be your last. Remember that you will only find ''tomorrow'' on the calendars of fools. Forget yesterday's defeats and ignore the problems of tomorrow. This is it. Doomsday. All you have. Make it the best day of your year. The saddest words you can ever utter are, ''If I had my life to live over again. ''Take the baton, now. Run with it! This is your day! Beginning today, treat everyone you meet, friend or foe, loved one or stranger, as if they were going to be dead at midnight. Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.”
-Og Mandino, American Essayist and Psychologist, 1923-1996

Busy, Busy Weekend

What a weekend I had. I had reunion stuff to do. Saturday, Sunday, and Monday I did stuff with family. There was family from all over Saskatchewan, Canada, United States, and Wales at the reunion. I was staying at the farm on Friday after work, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Saturday Afternoon:
Saturday afternoon there was a come and go tea at my Auntie Merle and Uncle Harvey's place on 22nd St. E. in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. There was a lot of family from all over at the come and go tea. Some people I never even met. So it was good to see people.

Saturday Evening:
Saturday evening there was a wiener roast at the farm. My dad's farm that be. My dad's cousin wife Eileen and their three kids didn't know what a wiener roast was. Eileen said: "Is it like roasting marshmallows?" Yes it's exactly like that. It was windy and John (dad's cousin from Coneticut) were freezing because they were not used to 50 degree F weather. They came from 100 degree F weather. But it was a good time. The wiener was roast was the Sheldon side of the family.

Sunday Evening:
Sunday evening all of the family went to my dad's cousin Carmen's place. He had the perfect place to hold a few hundred people. He used to have dairy cattle, but not anymore. So he converted his loft into a place where people can have dances and whatnot. So we ate more food and had a dance. The Cottonpickers were the entertainment. Seen a lot more family I didn't know. So it was a great time. I was in charge of the name tags.

Monday Afternoon:
My dad's cousin Gwyn was staying out at the farm. So I had to go pick up my dad's cousin Anna's husband Bryn from Carmen's at around 4 PM and bring him to the farm to stay the rest of his time here in Prince Albert. I gave Bryn the grand tour of the farm and he was fascinated by all that I shown him. Bryn does some farming back in Wales. He really enjoyed the tour. Here is a bit of trivia for you. Bryn told me that sheep out number people in England. There are nine million sheep and three million people.

Then on Monday evening after John, Elieen, their three kids, my Grandman Sheldon, Uncle Jack, Auntie Irene, Stew, Gwyn, John and Joy, Uncle Harvey and Auntie Merle came back from Waskesiu (Prince Albert National Park), we had pizza for supper.

All in all it was great weekend to see some new faces and see some old familiar faces. I am thankful that everyone arrived safe and made their way home safe. I am also thankful that all the functions during the reunion went off smoothly and safely.

The whole point of the reunion was to get people together and see people because we only got together at funerals. Busy weekend, but busy in a good way.

My Sister's Supposed Engagement - Need Some Advice

One day I was on MSN and my sister asked me... "Do you want to come to my wedding?" I was like huh? "I am getting married." She said her boyfriend has ordered a ring and that the wedding is in 2007. I was taken aback by all this. It came at me all too quick. I was like speechless. I didn't know what to say. So I said a few things in responce to what she had just told me. Basically I told her that I she doesn't regret getting married because she and her boyfriend like to argue. It's not your little spats. Okay, it's sometimes is little spats but most other times it's major arguing. God love them and all but it sometimes gets too much.

Now then one day recently I went over to my sister's apartment after work to pick up somethings that I have left there and checked out her new computer. It's better then what she was running. It's used, but it has Windows XP Home Edition. Anyways, we got to talking and the subject of her wedding came up. She was telling me who her maid of honor is and I gave her suggestions as to who her brides maids could be. But she flat out said NO! It's like those suggestions weren't good enough for her. She was telling me what colors she was having and all this other stuff.

I held my tongue on my thoughts. I want to tell her how I feel but I am not sure how go about saying it. One on hand, I want to get married and live her life the way she wants. But on the other hand I don't want her to make a huge mistake with her life. I mean, I feel as though the negative thoughts are stronger then the positive ones. I mean, I just feel them getting a divorce because they like to argue like I mentioned.

My other sister who lives in Saskatoon even has doubts about this wedding. I was talking to her on MSN one day and I told her that I thought she would get married before my sister Heather did.

I feel so conflicted on this matter. I don't think she has even told our parents yet which is the bad thing about it. I just need advice and prayer as I try and come to terms with this issue. I hope my sister come to realization that she should hold off on marriage for now. So any comments, advice, and prayer would be greatly appreciated.

I guess I have some praying of my own to do. *Sigh*

Maybe the next post will be much more upbeat.

Was In Saskatoon Over The Weekend!

I was in Saskatoon over the weekend. I left on Saturday for my sisters place.

Sunday I had Easter dinner (which is at noon for us Canadians). Then I rented a movie on Sunday. I rented "Ladder 49." I think "Ladder 49" is a good movie.

On Monday I babysat my 4 year old nephew. I took him to McDonalds. Then we went to the mall. After that I took to Mac's to get a slush and some chips. Then we went back to the apartment.

Then on Tuesday I came home.