Joanne Sisco

Changing Seasons: May Madness

I’m currently sitting in a tiny eye of calm in a storm otherwise known as *house guests*.

May has been a crazy month and I won’t be sailing into smoother waters until sometime around mid-June. The end result is that I’ve been absent from the WordPress community since the end of April.

I’ve only been able to pop in sporadically to say hello on brief and rare occasions.  If I haven’t visited you lately, please don’t be offended.  I miss you all.

Through all the mad dash to prepare for my Dutch cousins to arrive for their first visit to Canada, I’ve had eye surgery – again – (more on that some other time), got very sick, still crawling my way back to wellness again, and dealing with yet another broken appliance.

What could strike terror in the heart of a hostess like losing her dishwasher?!

I guess this is a long way of saying that I don’t have much in the way of photos to show for this topsy-turvy month.  I even managed to forget both my camera and my phone on virtually every outing I’ve taken my cousins in the past week.

So my Changing Seasons entry this month is a single photograph which I hope captures the spirit of May in my world.

Tina's 2

 

My younger sister and I had spent the past several months planning a family reunion to celebrate our cousin’s visit.  At this reunion, they were able to meet most of the family for the first time.

My sister graciously opened her home to our 40+ guests and we were (thankfully!) blessed with beautiful weather.

… and now, while my cousins are currently up north visiting with my brothers, I’m attempting to wrestle my life back under control before they return again on the weekend.

I hope your May has been full of sunshine and good company!

thechangingseasons

Changing Seasons is monthly photo challenge hosted by Cardinal Guzman.

103 comments

  2. Wow…I see May has been tumultuous for you as well…my first chance to pop into blogmania in almost a month. Working on getting back to normal…we should probably arrive about the same time. I’m looking forward to calm boring days. 😀

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  3. So sorry for your setbacks, Joanne. Hope your eyes are better now. Having no dishwasher when you have house guests would be my worst nightmare. Well, maybe not quite the worst, as our fridge went badly on the blink a couple of days ago. Luckily hubby has managed to fix it for now, but we’ve ordered a new one, as once something like that starts giving trouble, I never trust it again. Enjoy your family get-togethers. Beautiful May photo. very cute kissing couple and lovely tulips.

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    • Thank you. I still have one more week with my house guests and we’re taking a much needed rest day … at least I really need it!!
      I have my fingers crossed that nothing new goes wrong!

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  4. Happy June and company is always nice to enjoy without worrying about blogging, Joanne! I have been trying to “scale back” my posts saying, “Summer is calling to me!” 🙂

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  5. Cottage (Visitors’) Rules dictate that if you prepared the meal, everyone else cleans up…
    But, from what I’ve been hearing, you should be on the resting stage at both ends – Rest to Recuperate; )

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  6. My May was definitely full of madness and stress. I’m hoping that things will mellow out the rest of the summer! I guess you and I are on the same wavelength!

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    • Unfortunately my current version of madness doesn’t let up for another week when my guests from Holland head back home.
      On a positive note, I’ve lost weight 😉

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    • Having guests is very disruptive … you always have to be *on* which is exhausting.
      This is something I rarely get to do, so I’m going to enjoy every minute 🙂

      How are you feeling Stephanie? Hope everything is well with you!

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  8. That’s an adorable May photo, and I get you! May really has been kinds of mad for me, too. I keep feeling like it can’t still be May after everything that’s already happened, but here I am…. just a couple more days. Then things get calm, right? 😛

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  9. Egads! I’m so sorry to hear you’re having eye trouble again. I hope that gets fixed soon. Having the dishwasher go out just when company is arriving is the worst! I hope by now it’s all on the way to working out, and you’ve had a lovely reunion/visit with your cousins.

    The garden looks lush and the tulips beautiful! Were they real?

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    • Thank you, my eye is actually doing very well. I wish I could say the same about the stubborn lung infection that doesn’t seem to want to clear up.
      My cousin is having a very good visit to Canada for which I’m very grateful. Her health is poor and this will likely be her last opportunity to travel here.
      The garden is actually my sister’s where we had the reunion and yes the tulips are real! She has a lovely home and property.
      Thank you for the comment 🙂

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      • Wow, those tulips looked absolutely perfect! She must have a green thumb. I wish I had one. I have to plant shrubs and flowers that thrive on neglect and little water.

        I am happy to hear your eye is better, but sorry to hear your lung infection is taking longer to clear up. 😦 My daughter has been asthmatic since she was 4…and not the type of asthmatic that one grows out of unfortunately, so I am aware that lung infections take more time to heal than other type of infections we get.

        I had pneumonia in 1999 for the first time, and I hope last time! It took months before I was back to normal, and off the meds, and breathing exercises. The lesson I’ve learned from my daughters journey, and my own is that our lungs are wonderful, strong organs, but when injured or sick they need rest and time to heal. Which means we need patience, and that I’m short on when I want to be up and about doing things!

        I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I hope your cousin continues to have a wonderful visit, and takes home priceless memories, and a heart full of love.

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        • I’m also discovering that the lungs are rather sensitive (not to mention *critical*) and we become keenly aware when they’re not at 100%. As you mentioned, I’ve just come to the conclusion this will take much longer than I expected. We are sure grateful for our health after it’s taken a kicking!

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  11. I am so sorry you have had to deal with so many health issues but here’s hoping June is smooth sailing on that front. I LOVE the photo, and it’s perfect for your Dutch cousins. Please tell them this blogging friend never had a greater vacation than the time spent in Amsterdam last year. I can see those bicycles and hear those bells and just smile on. 🙂

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    • I will definitely pass this message on!

      Speaking of bicycles, my husband took my cousin’s husband cycling on our Canadian roads shortly after they arrived. He was APPALLED at the condition of our roads compared to what he rides on. I had warned him but the reality was more than he considered 🙂

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  12. The Dutch or Holland kissing cousins were so sweet with tulips in the background. I enjoyed this post a big smile came over my goofy, tired face at the library! Hope you have a special Memorial Day weekend, Joanne. I am heading to Cleveland, tomorrow afternoon. Watching more Cavs basketball with my brother on Friday, a barbecue with Mom on Sunday, while the whole weekend, my Mom and I will sit around and eat chocolate and drink coffee. Two of her favorite food groups, ha ha! 🙂

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      • I am trying to figure out if I was concerned about your eye situation on my blog or Jill’s since I don’t see what I thought I told you on this post, Joanne. Sorry about how the flu and congestion seemed to hang on for quite awhile!

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        • Believe it or not, I’m still fighting the after affects of that cough. I had heard it had a tendency to linger for a long time and they weren’t kidding.
          With my house guests now gone last night, I’m hoping for a return to my normal schedule 🙂

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  13. Gee, Joanne, I’m sorry you were sick, but glad you are recovering. Did you have a nasty flu bug?

    No worries about not being on WordPress. Family comes first and it isn’t every day you have Dutch cousins here for a visit. It may be a busy time right now, but you’ll appreciate the ability to relax when the cousins go home and you have more time to yourself. Until then, enjoy yourself and time with family.

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    • It started off innocently with what felt like a cold, but it rapidly deteriorated into a throat and lung infection.
      Three weeks later and pumped full of antibiotics, it’s flared back up again – this time with the added pleasantry of a very grouchy right kidney.
      I’m spending way too much time in doctor offices and pharmacies!
      There’s no question about relaxing and taking it easy …. I have no choice. I feel like crap :/

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  15. Well, I’ll just second all the posts wishing you a speedy recovery and hope things get back to normal very soon. We also have been without a dishwasher for six months (rented property) but fortunately my husband looks wonderful in rubber gloves 😉

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    • HAHAHAHA!!!!

      I admit that doing dishes after every meal for just 2 people isn’t a big deal.
      However, when there’s house guests it becomes a much bigger burden when layered on top of everything else.

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  16. Oh my goodness Joanne I am exhausted just reading about your world. Sorry to hear about the surgery and illness. Sending hugs and healthy and healing vibes your way. Do take care of yourself!

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  17. I always (well, mostly) get excited at the prospect of house guests. After about three days, I’m ready for them to leave so I can go back to my normal routine. I’m so glad that you are doing better! Oh, did I mention that we’ll be staying with you when we visit Toronto? 🙂

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    • hahahaha!!! Looks like I’ll have to install a revolving door this summer 😉

      I agree about the 3 day max. That’s normally my limit whether I’m visiting or being visited. Sometimes there are special circumstances though 🙂

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  18. Actually, the news report yesterday said we’d only had 4 days of sunshine this May. Today was beautiful so I think we may say 5 nice days. I love your kissing gnomes, at least I am calling them gnomes. I hope you are able to see only wonderful things now that you have had surgery.

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    • We’ve had a mixed bag of weather this month, so the current sunny blue skies are very much appreciated.

      I wish this was my yard and kissing statues, but unfortunately it’s my sister’s. She has a lovely property and I’m very jealous 🙂

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  24. We are just about to have house guests so I am crossing my fingers that all goes well,despite still having a box mountain in the hallway, not enough seats, no dining table yet… I hope they will be happy eating finger food outside (and also hope the weather is fine!). Fortunately it is only my daughter and family so they should be forgiving…

    (…and I hope you recover soon, being ill and having to entertain is the pits!)

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    • Thanks Dan. It’s my sister’s place and she has a really lovely home. Mine doesn’t look even remotely as manicured as her’s is.

      There is a lot of stuff going on this summer, but I’m hoping to get a few week’s reprieve before the next onslaught of activity.

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  26. I find that when my life gets out of control with too many somethings going on, I back down from blogging. I also believe that our corner of the blogosphere is a forgiving place, so take your time healing and resting and organizing. We’ll wait, knowing you’ll have great stories to tell when you’re back here again.

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    • Thanks Ally. Sometimes we have to put the fun things we enjoy on hold while other priorities fight for your attention. This is one of those times.

      Hopefully I’ll have great stories to tell 🙂

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  28. Oh, from one terrible-surgery-sufferer to another, you have my heartfelt good wishes to come out the other side quickly and feeling that surgery was worth it in the end. Regarding dishwasher…..OMG! Yikes! Gasp! Horror! Of all the appliances in my home, this is the one I CANNOT live without! Hope it’s a quick fix! Thanks for the update on things….good to hear from you even when the chips are down (and scattered all over and the place is in shambles! LOL). Crossing fingers for a noticeable and definite upswing in your world…..AND SOON!

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    • Thanks Torrie 🙂

      Actually the eye surgery went very well – in spite of my nervousness. Getting sick had nothing to do with the surgery. It’s everything else that’s been careening out of control :/

      … and as I was just commenting to Marissa, I jinxed myself with the dishwasher comment. Now I currently have no water in the entire house.
      We can’t get a repair guy to look at the dishwasher until next week (!!!!) and this morning I discovered it’s been leaking water which has been pooling downstairs in the basement. Grrrr.
      We discovered there is no shut-off valve for the dishwasher and had to shut off water to the house until Gilles can put one in.
      I just got back from the gym where I had to go to grab a shower for an appointment I have shortly … to get some relief from injuring my back coughing from the lung infection I had.

      Are you starting to get the picture?

      I actually smiled when I typed that so I think I’m finally starting to see the humour in this mess.

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      • O M G. Hate to use the pun “When it rains, it pours” but with the current water issues…….

        Hang in there, Joanne. Sounds to me like you’ve got nowhere to go but up!

        (Very glad that eye surgery went well!)

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  29. Phew. Sounds busy and hectic and fun. Visitors always tire me out even when I’m having a great time. Your yard and garden look lovely, Joanne. Relax and enjoy the guests. 🙂

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  30. I am the worst host ever. If I were in your shoes, I’d show everyone to the garage and shed, ask them to pick their favorite yard maintenance tool and get going. “If you need me, I’ll be watching a ball game over at my neighbor’s.” Hats off to you for doing such a splendid job of it, even while you are not feeling well.

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  31. Oh no! Sorry that you had problems with the surgery! Glad you’re getting back on top of things. I have noticed the absence of your blogs and hopefully will hear more out of you soon.

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  32. Bleh. What a rough go you’re having!
    Yes, I do think that photo nails the sunny side of your May. 🙂
    Take care, rest easy. (Buy more paper plates for now…) 😛

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  33. I like your backyard. Everything looks very green. I think if I had that many guests, I’d spend a lot of time taking long walks through those woods back there.

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  34. Hope you are able to spend a few days recovering from all of the craziness of the past little while. Take a page from Theo & find a nice sunny spot to curl up & have a wee nap!

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  35. Control is illusory. You may think you have it but you are only fooling yourself. So just enjoy the chaos! The photo makes wherever you are seem quite inviting. So maybe Lynn and I will stop by on our way out of town. 🙂 By that time, your present house guests will be a memory. A happy one, I’m sure.

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    • By the time you and Lynn arrive, I will have this whole hostess thing down to a fine art … I hope 🙂

      … and you’re absolutely right. The only reason why we get stressed is because we have this bizarre concept of thinking we can be in control :/

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      • The hostess thing can be challenging! We had three sets of house guests in April – but my House Guest Rules really made everything much easier (for me):
        1. Guests make their own breakfast. (So everyone can sleep in as long as they like.)
        2. Guests make their own lunch – which for some was their breakfast!
        3. Guests help me make dinner – always a group thing.
        4. Guests go shopping for groceries near the beginning of their trip to buy their favourite things for breakfasts and lunches and snacks (absolute necessity when guest is celiac or has other special food needs.)
        5. Guests always clean up the kitchen when they are done!

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