May Hello

Several of you have written wondering when we are going to resume Isabel's blog!
Oh my! Where does the time go?

Isabel is well having weathered a rough winter of respiratory and gastro-intestinal bugs.
She is enjoying being outside when the weather is warm enough.

She walks outside with her walker and accompanying nurse and drives her power-chair 'RUFUS' independently to the BICC courtyard.

Thank you for your phonecalls and letters!

January Hello

A number of you have written that you miss the monthly updates of Isabel's blog.
Others of you have checked her blog as you have not yet received her usual Christmas letter.
For a variety of reasons, we were slow getting it out this year. If you haven't yet received it, keep your fingers crossed for February.

Isabel had a great holiday and birthday season with outings to the homes of her local daughters and the hockey rink, and a small gathering of friends for a tea party in the Blue-bird Wing of the BICC early in the new year.

Like many this winter, she has had her share of "bugs", and is fiercely determined to overcome the current one and to march into spring. But first comes weeks of spectator curling and slowly increasing daylight.

Thanks for your care.

Autumn Reflection

Hello All

It was five years in August since Isabel contracted West Nile Neurological Syndrome. Mum has made a remarkable recovery and has had a wonderful summer and autumn of outings, sitting in the courtyard, and visiting family and friends.

Thanks to those of you who have written asking about Isabel and whether I will continue to update the blog. I put it on hold for a few months as Mum is able to make phonecalls, send emails, and write letters on her word processor. This makes it easier for her to keep in touch with people.

If you are still following the blog and would appreciate updates, please email me and let me know.

I may start it up again, and if I do so, I will contact those of you that let me know that you are still following her story.

Thanks for your care,
Catherine  

catherine.barnsley@sasktel.net

Feathered Friends

Isabel's last five years have shown that patience is needed in many aspects of daily living: dedicated therapy to improve the movement of a muscle just one cm; waiting for nurses to come after ringing a call bell; speaking slowly so friends can understand her.

Patience has been rewarded in many ways ~ and most recently at her bird feeders.

After 7 months with a visit from only one sparrow, Mum has a lively groups of goldfinches who have found her feeders on the north unsheltered side of the BICC. Mum has had bird-feeders for years at the farm and in Abernethy but her busy life meant she had little time to sit and watch them. The long daylight hours of summer while living at the BICC means there is lots of time to watch her feathered friends.

As Mum says: "I can't believe how much enjoyment I am receiving." 

Isabel's Contact Information

Phone: 306-334-2889

Canada Post: BICC, Box 340, Balcarres, SK S0G 0C0

Email:catherine.barnsley@sasktel.net

Visiting: Isabel welcomes you between 9:30 AM - 8 PM daily.
We recommend that you phone her to see if she will be there when you plan to visit.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter, Everyone!

All is well with Isabel.

Mum is enjoying the low wide window sills of her room and an abundance of flowers.

"My own florist shop," she says.

She had an outing to church on Easter morning with her Robertson wool scarf wrapped around her ears for warmth. A cool Easter bonnet!

Grateful for your visits, calls, and letters.

Happy Spring!

The Month of March

Curling: and more curling to be watched......and now to the WORLDS! Thanks everyone who has sent messages and curling memorabilia to Isabel this last month.

Sunshine and lengthening days: Soon the courtyard will be clear of ice, and Isabel and Rufus lll can venture out on their own.

Amaryllis bulbs: Lil and Isabel have 5 more amaryllis bulbs reaching to the sun.

All is well.

All is well.

All is well.