Sharing Our Stories | boots

In October 2023, I went to put on my Blundstone boots and noticed a hole. For seven years, I had worn them almost every day. A generous gift from family, they had been through everything with me, sloshing through all kinds of weather, even in the woods. I lived in them and cared for them, including taking them to the shop for stitch repair on the heel. It was a sad day to find the hole. 

I made an Instagram story of how good the boots had been to me over the years. To my surprise, Blundstone sent a kind reply to the story in direct messaging. 

Meanwhile, a few friends sent messages to me about their warranty, but I didn’t think I would qualify. (I had even seen a TikTok of a Canadian sharing about her new boots and the comments were unkind, saying she shouldn’t have received them for normal wear-and-tear and how wrong it was of her. Oh my!) 

When I thanked Blundstone for replying, they mentioned their warranty and how I could submit a claim. Because they mentioned it, I started to think I could qualify. I filled out a very detailed form which asked how I cared for my boots and more. (Side note: While my family did find the receipt later, I did not need the receipt and could fill in an approximate date with the store location.)

Within a day, I heard from them by email. I was told to cut the elastic out and cut the tags off my boots. With my name and date posted beside the boots, I needed to take a picture and send it. I followed their instructions and new boots arrived within a week! 

What an incredible company! I am so grateful for the boots (again).

In January 2024, I made a post on Instagram and they left the following comment -

blundstoneca Hello, Loraleebain, thank you for taking the time to write to us and share your story! We are so thrilled to hear that we were able to replace your boots and hope that this new pair treats you well for many adventures to come!

Sharing Our Stories

Sharing Our Stories | on the porch

 

After I took the picture of Pearl, I was reminded of the stories around her.

Tool Box - When Dad was a little boy, he built the tool box and painted it. It’s almost 80 years old. There was a bus that came to the little schoolhouse in Sandford, NS. It was filled with tools for teaching the students. It was where Dad learned to build. It has faded over the years sitting on our porch, but it is still strong and sweet.

White Crib - Mom says Grammie Lutes had this little crib for dolls. I took the half moon shaped boards that made it rock off the bottom. It held books for Annie and now it sits on the porch as well. It holds pretty weeds I pick and put in jars of water, because I can’t seem to keep flowers in pots alive. Saves money! Wink!

Rocking Chair - It was in our grandparents’ log camp in Nova Scotia. It was built over 100 years ago by a family member who passed away as a young man. It was grey and sat by the stove.

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Sharing Our Stories | teen choir

In the late 70's, when my sister and cousins were teenagers, Dad led a teen choir at the church.

This song, To Be Like Jesus with Dad singing with them, is one of my favorites.

I'm thankful Dad taped so much music over the years.

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Sharing Our Stories | summer reply

 

When we headed into summer,

I wrote an automatic reply for messages

sent to my school email address.

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Sharing Our Stories | name

In the spring, preK students come for a classroom visit. With many new faces in a short time, we have name tags to help us remember who is who.

One little boy had a long name that is often shortened. I asked him what he liked to be called and mentioned his full name and a few that are sometimes used for his name. He didn't seem to know what I meant.

I then asked, "What does your mom call you?"

He replied, "Oh! My mom calls me Sweetie!"

Perfect response.

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Sharing Our Stories | family

Looking out the window, Dad said,

   "It doesn't matter how much the sun shines.

   Today is not a bright day."

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Sharing Our Stories | God had more

Last May, Eliza was pleasantly surprised to be accepted into Architecture at Dalhousie University with her first application. She thought it may take multiple attempts as students are often older and it is difficult to get in. It was exciting news to receive! 

All of a sudden, she would be leaving University of Moncton, retiring from playing AUS volleyball, and heading to Halifax. As a mother, many questions came to mind. Where would she live? Who would she live with? What would she do about the lease she just signed with teammates here in Moncton? 

But God had more.

A couple days after the news, Eliza was with her friend, Christine. Eliza felt like staying put, but Christine wanted to do something and while they were out, they ran into an old friend from high school. As they caught up, Eliza learned that another one of their friends had signed a lease in Halifax and was no longer going to attend Dal. It was an apartment with four other girls, three from this area and Eliza knew one of them from earlier volleyball days. Ally shared the contact information with Eliza.

Twenty-four hours later, Eliza had a place to live in Halifax. Not only a place to live with a group of girls, but in a charming old house that was a stones throw away from her building. Dal's campus is spread out in the city and Eliza would only be a ten minute walk from where her classes and studio would be.

Then I quietly worried about rent in two places while Eliza worked out her living arrangements in Moncton as well. 

But God had more.

Someone else bought the house and before they re-signed a lease with the new landlord, Eliza talked to him and her friends were so kind saying there was no need to put her name on the new lease. They also said not to worry about paying after the first month. She paid rent in two places for only one month, and another roommate was found. 

A year has almost passed by, and I wrote this story down because I want to remember what God did. 

With God, there is always more.

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Sharing Our Stories | in November

 

We haven't been able to connect at Sharing Our Stories,

but I did write some stories in November.

backbone

school bus ride

juggling

screen story

Sharing Our Stories

Sharing Our Stories | backbone

Recently I shared this story with a co-worker who is an EA in my classroom. She couldn't stop laughing. We've worked together before, so she knows me well and what it is like in our classroom community.

I'm not sure how well I can capture the moment here, but I will try.

A few years ago, I had a little friend who was going through a lot, and my EA for another student was supporting her the most. We kept in touch with home and had meetings together with others who were supports in their lives.

One morning I had a short email from her mom saying there were never any problems at home and never any problems at daycare so why did her child have problems at school. I knew this wasn't true and so did she as shared in meetings, but I know folks go through hard times and have difficult days.

Not too long after reading the email, her little one arrived and decided to color. She started up a little conversation that went like this -

   B: What is a back bone?

(I knew instantly what was coming but went with it.)

   Me: It's found in your back.

   B: Does everyone have a backbone?

   Me: Oh yes, everyone has a backbone.

   B: Do you have a back bone?

   Me: Yes.

   B: My mom says you don't have a backbone!

Kids say the darndest things! Wink!

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Sharing Our Stories | school bus ride

It was 1974.

I was in grade one. 

Mom worked part-time, and I guess I forgot where I was going after school on this particular day.

(I don't remember talking to my teacher about it.)

I looked for my cousin, Glenda. When I was 6, she would have been 12. 

(I don't remember how I got to the older kids to ask for her.)

Glenda's friend, Sharon, told me she was sick, so I thought she must be home with Aunt Carole. I asked Sharon, who took the same bus, if I could get on the bus with her.

(I don't remember the bus driver asking any questions.)

The bus dropped me off at Uncle Norman and Aunt Carole's house. I went to the door and no one was home.

(I don't remember what I did. Did I start to cry then? Did I knock over and over?)

I was taught not to walk along the road alone and their house was on a road known as the Trans Canada Highway back then. I decided to walk home and I started through the field.

By this time, of course, my mom was afraid and out looking for me. 

As I walked through the field along the highway, I saw our car pass by. I could see it pull into the driveway, but I couldn't run back fast enough to catch my mom before she left to keep searching. 

(I don't remember how many times this happened.)

Still in the hay field, I would turn back towards home. I didn't think to go back to the house and wait. I kept trying to get home.

(I don't remember how much time passed.)

From the highway, my mom saw the top of my head above the hay.

My last memory is running back through the field towards the house.

The story makes me teary...

...remembering it as a little girl

...and thinking how hard it must have been on my mom. 

Mom says I didn't like to ride on a school bus for a long time after that day.

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Sharing Our Stories | juggling

For a kinesiology assignment, Ethan has learned to juggle this fall. 

While I was getting decorations out for Christmas, I placed a collection of vintage tree ornaments on the counter. Natalie had given them to me for Christmas a few years ago. She found them in an antique shop.

Ethan walked into the kitchen and I heard, "Oh! These would be good for juggling!"

And before I could say that was not a good idea, they were in the air!

Thankfully we only lost one! And gained a good laugh and story!

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Sharing Our Stories | screen story

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Sharing Our Stories | ketchup

When we were first married, we had an argument over ketchup. (Well, let's be honest, it was all me.) We were in a drive thru on our way home from Michigan and Jim drove away without checking the bag.

   It's still a thing many years later.

On Sunday, we went through a drive thru on the way home from Halifax. I asked him to ask for ketchup which he did. As he passed it to me, I said, "It's not enough" and he still drove away from the window.

I did some growling. He pulled over in the parking lot of an Irving gas station, went in, and brought out a bottle of Heinz ketchup!

   So funny.

   True love.

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Sharing Our Stories | tree planting

At the end of the tree planting season, Eliza made a video. 

There were

   bruises

   blisters

   bug bites

   8pm bedtimes

   4am mornings

   bandaged feet

   Christmas toe

   hot days

   eating on the move 

   wet boots

But there were

   beautiful sunrises

   great views of their province

   fresh air

   lots of critters

   wonderful people

   goals surpassed

   opportunities

   thousands and thousands of trees planted

Annie and Eliza came home after long, hard days with a smile. 

Every day.

Sharing Our Stories | their Bethany days

 

In an album that says, "Snaps and Scraps", Mom has saved memories from growing up on the family farm, going to Bethany Bible College, and meeting Dad and his Sandford family. There are so many wonderful stories attached to the photos and memorabilia. Hearing my parents reminisce - especially about each other - is a blessing. I made a little slideshow about their Bethany days.

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Sharing Our Stories | my akr inspired posts

A couple days ago, I was asked about my Amy Krouse Rosenthal posts and what the history was behind them. As I thought back to how they began, I decided to make it my story this week.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

When I read the news that morning in March 2017, people were grieving and writing beautiful words about Amy Krouse Rosenthal. I then read the letter she wrote about her husband. It touched my heart. (Later, my cousin sent the actual newspaper to me. I'm grateful to have it in my keepsakes.) 

I read more and more about her online and she sounded so wonderful. I didn't think I knew who she was, but then I realized she was the author of "Little Pea" which I read to my students. 

I ordered her book, "Textbook", and I connected with the way she wrote. I found myself thinking about my own life. I felt inspired. She helped me see so many things to write about and how I could use school subjects to organize stories, thoughts and experiences.

I also found her accounts on Instagram and Twitter. Her photos and words inspired me there as well. Project 1,2,3 is one of my favorites!

I soon had her book, "Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life", in my hands and I was drawn to the way she used words found in an encyclopedia to write about her life. As a person who likes to write short and simple (and as a rambler that is surprising to my family I'm sure), her books reminded me that that's okay!

Amy seemed so loving, kind, fun, creative, and genuine. I love how she spoke of her family and how she brought people together to do good things for others.

When I started the journey, I chose akr inspired as my heading and began counting them. Since August 1, 2017, I have written over 400 akr inspired posts. 

Amy's words in books (and pictures and videos and posts and tweets) have been a blessing in my life. They've helped me be a story saver and a memory saver.

akr inspired | 1

Sharing Our Stories | pronunciation

As I was reading messages in a group chat, a friend wrote,

"Everyone is scared except the deniers."

Another replied using the same word, saying a denier had blocked them on Twitter.

My brain was trying to figure out what a "denier" is.

I was about to ask and thought, "I'll Google it before embarrassing myself."

I read the definition and laughed out loud. 

I was mispronouncing it.

I read it as a "den-ier".

But it's a "deny-er".

Oh, Loralee. 

You have another funny pronunciation story to add to the family list,

but at least this time you didn't say it out loud! 

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Sharing Our Stories | introductions

Our custodian, Mr. Kirby, lives near the school.

He ran into one of my kindergarteners at a community playground.

She was very excited to see him!

(Mr. Kirby likes to make them smile and jokes with them throughout the day. They love him.)

She was quick to introduce him to her family.

   "This is Mr. Kirby! 

   He's the cleaning teacher!"

It was a sweet introduction.

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Sharing Our Stories | bookshelf

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Sharing Our Stories | housework

When I ask, "Can I clean for you?"

Her response usually goes like this,

"As long as I can do it, I'm not going to sit and watch someone else clean my house."

The other day she dropped a wooden tv tray on her foot while cleaning. She put some ice cubes in her sock and went on with her day.

Mom is 85 and determined.

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