red robin

The Team Save Janet Report is Out! #TSJ #house4sale #realestate #cars

I pulled up to the patio off of Janet’s house at Connect, she was sitting out there waiting for me but didn’t clue in that it was me until Nash popped his head out the window at her. Big laughs and smiles.

Karl and Lorne had put Janet through her paces this morning and she was already for the weekend. Nash was very excited to see Karl and his buddy from last night, Humberto, who greeted Nash with a “hello friend”. Makes me rethink that therapy dog idea.

There were three showings of our house scheduled for this afternoon so we weren’t allowed to go home for quite a while. We did have an appointment at one of the Ford dealers in town and that as Janet even remembered was our first stop. We test drove a Fusion and a Focus. There is no comparison in driving experience between the two and apparently the same can be said about the riding experience. Janet noticed how much quieter and smoother the Fusion is. She can get in and out of both equally and her wheelchair can squeeze into the Focus but alas, not the Fusion. Maybe we need to look at a folding wheelchair.

Still with time to kill we stopped at Red Robin and sat outside sharing a salad for an hour. Nash waited patiently in the car as he had at the Ford dealership so we took him to the Mission Creek Greenway so he could run around a little. He wasn’t too interested though as it was pretty hot again today. We made one more car shopping stop before going home and that was at the Subaru dealer. I was disappointed there as the only car Janet could get in and out of is their version of the Focus minus the hatch space for the wheelchair. We’ll check out some others as we get time.

Home at 5:30 we later learned that we just missed a family that had been checking the place out. Apparently they stayed for over an hour and will be making an offer tomorrow. Pray its a good one.

With all the showings today the blinds had been open all day and since we don’t bother with air conditioning it was very hot inside and the sun was beating on both decks so Janet and I sat out front to cool down before Skypeing with Laurel. Janet wanted to hear from her as to when she’s “coming to town” and is excited that it’ll happen this coming Wednesday. Janet helped prep and build pizzas which I cooked on the BBQ. Turned out great and after watching AGT we went to bed where Janet continues to toss and turn as I write this.

Praying for rest tonight, a good offer on our house tomorrow and weekend of progress for Janet.

Happy Easter! An emotional day indeed. #TSJ #Heisrisen

This morning was what Easter Sunday ought to be, in my mind anyways. Bright, sunny, full of excitement with an air of celebration. I had to wake Janet up so we could start our day on time and with a big smile she told me she was ready. With Laurel’s help we had breakfast done and were all dressed ready for church ahead of schedule. I was anxious to get there knowing it would be packed and there is really only the one seat that’s best for Janet. We were first in line at the door leading to that seat and a short while later were all settled in. I had to ask Janet one more time if she was excited to be a part of the service and seeing herself on the side screens. She played it down and I wonder if we were asking her too often about that. I wanted her to be happy about it and understand the potential for touching a lot of people and I think she gets that and just wanted to not think about it. The team at Trinity did an outstanding job with this weekend’s services and Janet showed no signs of nodding off today at all. The music kept her clapping or singing throughout and when it came time for Wayne’s message she was as tuned in as I’ve ever noticed her. Our video was the last of the three to be shared during the message and as soon as it started Janet broke down. She cried throughout which made me cry and I’m still not sure why she was crying. My best guess is the release of a lot of pent up emotion over the whole thing and perhaps some worry as to how it would be received. Those were things I was certainly feeling so I can only hope she was feeling the same as that would be cool if she was able to think ahead like that. I showed her the video again at home and she watched it through without tears then when I asked her what she thought she said “it makes me want to cry”, so she did. One comment she managed this time was she felt she “did bad”. Totally not so. See for yourself here. Her feeling like that makes no sense for the first time she saw the video as she was crying before she was even on the screen. It was easy to calm her as I could remind her of the dozens of people that stopped and thanked us for sharing our story today. Most of them people we don’t know at all. One gentleman who had been at the service prior to the one we went to had tears in his eyes as he told me how our story had touched him. Janet agreed that we hope people are inspired by the video to understand how quickly life can change and to honor the commitments they have made to others.

Before Laurel and Raj set off on their drive back to Calgary we enjoyed a quick lunch in the sun with them at Red Robin.

Raj, Laurel, Janet, Larry

Raj, Laurel, Janet, Larry


That was a great way to decompress from the day so far and enjoy a last chat until the next time we see them. Laurel will be back at the beginning of May with Heather to do some wedding dress shopping and Janet is excited about that. Knowing they would see each other soon there were no tears at the parking lot goodbye. A first I believe!

A little bit in denial about the need for a nap, Janet was sleeping by 2:30 and I had to wake her at five so we could enjoy dinner together before heading back to Connect. Once the cobwebs cleared she was able to help me make a salad but I’m going to have to get her doing some bicep curls in the gym again as I sense she’s a little weaker than she ought to be. We watched and really enjoyed The Voice during dinner. Janet couldn’t pick a clear favorite contestant but Blake Shelton remains her obvious favorite coach as she laughed out loud to a few of his antics. The ride back to Connect was pleasant as I got Janet singing a little bit but I was kind of dreading leaving her there tonight. This weekend at home was a good one and I sense a little more awareness from Janet and even though her speech is still too quiet there were a number of times she came up with comments and answers that really impressed me. The only breakdowns she had were when she was simply too tired to do anything else, the video reaction exempted. She didn’t protest but I don’t think she was all that excited to go back tonight either. I reassured us both by reminding her she’s there to get better and she agreed.

Praying for rest and healing tonight and thanking the risen Christ for all we have been blessed with.