Yup - it's still very blue!

The blog, that is! That would totally suitable of some days but not lately...things are quite colourful, including the leaves on the trees. I love autumn but not in August. Good thing tomorrow is September.







This is another vacation photo. The Big Guy wanted a shot of the truck/camper in front of a Saskatchewan grain elevator. I on;y had one suggestion and did he listen - NO! He walked onto the oncoming lane of traffic to get this shot. Do you think it was worth the risk? Some kids just never listen! Love ya because of it!

OMG! Not sure I like this!

Look what I went and did...too much time on my hands????? I found this through Lesley's friend Natalie...not sure I like the light lettering on dark background. I will live with it until I have the time and energy to fix it!

Works - for - Me - Wednesday

I can never seem to remember to look closely at the clothes as I throw them into the washer, so I now keep a small container of rub on spot remover in my hamper. I pre-treat as I notice them.

Tuesday Observations

1. Even with staggered school re-openings, Walm*rt was a zoo yesterday! But, I have to give the cashiers credit...the one who served me was very pleasant.

2. You can tell it's shortly before pay day when someone returns $10.60 worth of Kleenex!

3. Some Dad's are so ingenious - putting a huge cardboard sign on the trunk of the car that screams STUDENT DRIVER...I'm not sure the young lady knew it was there.

That brings me to today's point to ponder...when I throw out my broken kitchen trash can...do I put the whole thing in a trash bag or do you think the garbage dude will know the can itself is garbage? Will let you know what happens tomorrow after our scheduled pick-up.

Local link to alleged pedophile

This is from our local paper, The Morinville Mirror. I was re-assured when I read that this person was only a legal resident of our little town for a matter of 3 days after which he changed the playing rules. Now to watch it play out in court and hope this never happens to anyone's child ever again.

OK - Who is the most BLOGGER savvy reader?

Everything I learned about this whole blogging thing, I got from Lesley over the phone! The rest was hit and miss or just trying to do something different on my own. Some of it has been mildly successful...I was pleased ...but no one ever commented on slight changes in my blog's appearance. Some were disasters that were never published...you know that "CLEAR EDITS" button on the bottom of the template page...just after the DO NOT MODIFY notification...yeah, I tried more than once!

When I have a few minutes, I often click to the next blog and see how they have their set up and BOY am I missing something! I realize that a lot of those blogs have probably been professionally set up for a buck or 2, but I'm sure there's something that can jazz up my site without the exchange of monetary funds.

Also...what are all those extras called? I wouldn't have a clue what a blinkie, tag or blogroll was if it hit me over the head. I need a blog 101 course...that's free of course. Am I alone in this boat or are there others who would like to drift aimlessly up the blogging waters?!

Heather's re-initiation to camping 101

This was day one of the return trip. We left with containers full of yummy salad from the wedding supper. All we did was add some fresh baked rolls and we were in for a great meal.

So far so good. Cody allowed Heather to share the back seat 'cuz she gave nice pats! They both had good views, although Cody did like to stetch out across the bask seat as much as she could.

We camped the first night, stayed at Aunt Bebe's the second night. The next night was...er...different. We are doing good when all of a sudden we were met with extremely heavy on coming traffic. After finding a loacl radio statio, we learned there had been a bad accident and the very highway we were on had just re-opened after 3 hours. Well that wasn't good, but we figured, hey, we're still moving, just couldn't pass because it was a two way road. That wasn't the best idea...seems a lot of the other weary travellers decided to get off the road early...so no camp sites open or motel/hotel...and it started to rain. So...we pulled into a Petro Pass, found a clear level spot. Parked, put out the ChemLights...and crawled into the trailer for a few zzz's.

This big semi wasn't here when we went to bed, but it sure was snuggled up close when we got out...

Barely enough room to open the door! Now THAT would have been a story to tell...trapped in our own camper at a truck stop! How would we ever live it down?!

Getting it done VS Roundtuit

I'm not happy with my productiveness last week. Granted I had a ton of laundry to get through and walls and floors to wash. Top all that off with carpet shampooing...Cody didn't adjust well to the last leg of the trip.

So today I'm going to try to post things I'm aiming at doing and I hope you can help keep me on track.

Bowflex workout
mini walk
laundry>washed hung put away
bedding changed
bathroom wiped down
supper planned
clean desktop
drop off recycle paper
wash car

I think I will stop there and not get myself so overwhelmed that I come back to this entry and delete the whole darn thing.

Help keep me honest!

A parting thought for Candice

Just as I was about to sign off for the weekend, I realized that Candice will be leaving for the Far East in just hours.

Candice, I wish you a safe and swift journey and hope you love every minute you are there. I will try not to embarrass you with my blog comments. If you get lonesome and homesick, don't forget...that yes...with enough patience you CAN place a collect telephone call to Bug Tussel, so I'm sure you can call Trenton! See you through your blog.

Lots of love and prayers
Uncle Joe & Auntie Berta

Breaker breaker! You got your ears on?

This here is Broken Rubber...looks like we got ourselves a convoy!

Joe was so proud of himself for this photo idea. He was supposed to be concentrating on driving the Winnipeg ring road instead of giving me photo opportunities! The handle Broken Rubber is something he made up on the spot, it isn't his real CB name...I've forgotten what that was...and his call numbers. Oh well I'm sure I'll

catch him on the flip-flop!

Out!

Who reads signs anyways?????

Look at what happens when 6 adults - JJ, Joe, Heather, Lesley, Aaron & yours truly take Kelsey,Caitlyn, Joeye, Joseph and Alex out to the Halifax boardwalk! Thanks for an awesome tour JJ!

There is a sign in front of this giant wave that says to KEEP OFF? Yeah, right!

Joe's check up

Yesterday was Joe's check up at the U of A Hospital with his nephrologist(kidney specialist).

About a week before these appointments, Joe needs a whole series of tests done. Well Joe had these done early July in preparation for his mid July, just before holidays, check-up. Phone call...the Dr is on vacation...re-schedule for just after we get home mid August.

Well didn't we forget that all the tests had to be redone! Joe got the call not 24 hours before his appointment, after thoroughly enjoying himself for 3 whole weeks....no chance to be a real good boy, eat well & moderately and no...er...libations!

So he did the tests, went for the appoinment and had the BEST check-up ever! The Dr had a smirk on his face, knowing full well that there had been zero chance to sway the results! Except for the holiday weight gain, Joe is in awesome shape. No need for another check-up until spring 07! Happy news for sure. In the meantime...we will keep exercising!

August 23, 2006 was a special day

My Uncle Steven and his special lady, Mary, finally tied the knot in Quebec. It was to be a quiet small intimate affair as both had had the big weddings the first time around. Aunt Bessie was one of the witnesses and I hope that my cousin Samantha was also in attendance. She has recently returned from a teaching job in Taiwan.

Another special person in the MacAulay extended family is Maria Paul Lefebvre. Joe was first introduced to MP ~ 6 years ago in a remote northern camp. They instantly hit it off. Soon Joe was dragging MP along to all his projects, including Ghost River cadet camp, where the girls and I first met this mysterious Maria. Well didn't she make a wonderful first impression on all including Jeff. When a co-worker pushed his/her lunch dishes towards MP to take to the dishwashing area, Maria pushed them back and said..."No Darling, you take yours, these are my guests and I will take theirs" or something similar. Well this very special lady, who also traveled to Afghanistan with Joe and put in ~ 2 years straight there with the odd vacation on the Gaspe coast, just turned a very young 64! Oh to be half as energetic, adventurous and free spirited as Maria Paul. Hope you had a very Happy Birthday!

Why didn't I do this before?

I had the Post Office hold our mail while we were gone and it worked out so well, I may only check my mailbox once or twice a week now.

I did have a box full of the third class stuff...ie flyers, local newsletters, and such junk, but it only took about 3 minutes to go through it all and drop all but this week's grocery flyers into the recycle bin. Before I would carefully look through each page in case there was something I 'needed'. Yeah right, who am I kidding except for myself.

When I went to collect my real mail, I took along a canvas tote to carry it all. What a joke that was! There was 11 envelopes in total for me, Joe and Dad! That averages out to a half letter per day! So why do I walk to that stupid box every day? Nah...it can't be for the exercise!

Do you get IT?

We've all heard 'you just don't get it'. I'm guilty myself of saying this, usually in frustration. You spend time to explain something in great detail, answer all the questions, show more examples and then the other person just goes and does something totally out of synch and you just know THEY DON'T GET IT!

I've made decisions in the past that, with the knowledge I now have, I would not make the same decision again. Does that make sense? I mean, I am still learning every day about myself, others and human nature and the fact you can't change others, only yourself and perhaps your surroundings.

This is all very cryptic, isn't it? Well, to clear things up...I know someone, whom I thought, didn't get it. I had put a lot of effort and myself into this person, but all the while, I was shaking my head. You do the very best you can and then you have to step back. I did my best and I did step back.

Yesterday I/we got the best surprise ever in the mail. And you know what?

HE GOT IT!!!!

The who & the circumstances don't matter, what matters is there is one more person in the world, who actually gets it - the harder you work, the luckier you get!

So nice to finally meet April!

After how many years with Henry, I just met April earlier this month. I'm almost ashamed to make that admission, but it was worth the wait!

These shots were taken the weekend before the wedding. The girls were so nice to perform their celtic dancing for me, on Paul's front lawn. Such talent!

April, welcome to the family!

As requested

This isn't the greatest photograph taken, but it seems to be my only one of Betty & Jerry with Joe. Can any of the technical whizzes in the family help?

Now this really SUCKS!

Sorry Lucie, I don't mean to steal your thunder...but...

where the heck is everybody????

Being the last ones home, I figured I'd be way behind in the blog, but no one else seems to be in the mood - could it be - you all talked so much that there isn't anything else to say?

Say it isn't true because us old folks who were too tired to go party with all the young-ens would like to hear some gossip or juicy details.

Any takers??????

3 of 4 brothers

I'm not sure if standing in the middle of these two gentle giants is a good thing or not! But what wonderful brothers and friends they are! David - you were missed, but we will pencil you in for the next reunion.. for Heather & Jeff's wedding, October 11, 2008!

Does this help you Candice?

What a good looking couple! They must take after their parents!


Matt proudly walks Nannie down the aisle.


Mike & Monica looking stunning in formal wear!


Here are a few of our shots we got on vacation. Joe took the wedding photos - he wasn't shy about moving around the church. Derek, I hope he didn't get in your way as the 'official' wedding photographer!

One last holiday with us old folks!

Well, maybe not the last one but the last one before life changes for Heather! The next time she goes on vacation - unless she surprises us all with an encore performance this year - she will be lugging a big diaper bag, squeaky toys, teddy bears, stroller, playpen oh and Jonathan! I think Jeff will have to lend some muscle too! I do so look forward for the details!

3 weeks plus 16 hours!

That is how long we were away from our home and Chow! At least she is still speaking to us - barely!

Great return trip home. We had the unexpected pleasure of back seat company - Heather! It was a nice opportunity to look back at past vacations when the girls were small and reintroduce Heather to camping! I'm not sure if she will ever want to camp again with her family but it was a good refresher course. That fact that she survived you know who's snoring gives her bragging rights. I'm not sure, but perhaps I will leave our 'best' camp site for Heather to chat about!

Our house guests are gone without a note. We had spoken with Joanne, so knew this was for real, but it would be nice to know where they are so I can return a few small things left behind and pick up our spare house key.

The garden is doing very well - sniff sniff...better than I expected! I thought I was the only one who knew what it needed in the form of TLC....this is a big shot to my green thumb ego, but as soon as we grill up that 2 foot long zuke, I'll get over it!

Today we will complate the laundry plus all the towels and bedding in the house, clean out the camper and get it back into the driveway. Gee, I wonder if I still know how to drive a standard???

I hope everyone has a great weekend. Stayed tuned for pictures and more vacation deatils. It was by far, one of our best vacations to date because we got to see so many of our families!

Finally got some online time!

It's been a whirl wind visit so far...and things got a little hectic yesterday - April, Henry, Nannie and the girls arrived mid afternoon! After a quick bbq supper, more arrived, Heidi, Adelard, Noella & Nobel and then Ed came over with the guitar...needless to say, no one went to bed at their regular time!

So far we have visited Aunt Anna and Luger, they are both well and looing forward to the wedding. Aunt MaryAnne,Aunt Bette, and lots of others are coming up from the south part of the province. Aunt Mina should be back from Aline's - she went with Luois and Crystal for a quick visit. We caught her just before she left, in the midst of baking goodies for the trip. She is looking well. LeeAnne is on vacation in PEI, so we missed her.

We went over to Heath Court and checked out the old 'hood. The house looks good, they added a front deck. We learned from Agus that the big round brown bath tub was removed...they probably wanted to turn the room back into a bedroom. Angus is looking good and we even met up with Audie! Audie works in NWT, 4 in 2 out. Just as we were leaving, Troy showed up, looking pretty good. Nice to see the boys are checking on Dad and keeping him busy. Hopefully Hamel can do his magic and get Angus out to Calgary - if he does, we may scoot down and take a side trip to see Dad in the Hat.

That's just a quick outline of our trip. Joe has all the pics downloaded on his computer and Henry will try and get the bugs out of his wireless contection so we can post some.

For those interested, we did stop into Manitouwadge and get 2 entries in the free house draw. So we may have another reason to stop in on the trip west...to pick up some keys!!!! Have a great Saturday. We are off to Halifax to see Peggy, Emile & Michelle tomorrow. After that, I don't know but we will see you at the airport Tuesday. Have a great flight, get some rest because you are going to be busy!

We made it!

Arrived on the Miramichi last night about 5:30...and almost on budget! Will post more when things slow down and we have time to think! Oops... with Dad's computer...need a digital communication feed...analog here! :(