Lil Salmon House: August 2007

Aren't they great?

Grandkids!

Sunday evening, Joe took a phone call...it was Joey aka Joseph. He was all excited...5 more sleeps before he comes to visit us. He went on to tell his Papa about what he wanted to do, that he was going to bring his brother Alex along with him, they could all play pirates...go swimming....His Papa was so proud.

Today Lesley called just to chitchat and confirm for tomorrow night. Joey got on the phone and the first words out of his mouth were..."guess what Nannie? Only 1 more sleep before I come to visit!" I couldn't help but smile...as we chatted about things we are going to do, he's bringing his brother and his golf clubs....then when his Mom got back on the line, she said that he's been keeping track of how sleeps all by himself..no prompting!

Gee, they grow up so fast!

Is there such a word?

No, we weren't playing Scrabble....although we should practice up before the weekend...Aaron has a new passion in board games!

Joe was looking at his grapes last night ans we took photo just in case the frost that was predicted wiped them out. He called it his grapery!!!! There's not enough to say we have a winery...or is there another word for vineyard? Let me know what you think it should be called...and no, pathetic doesn't count! at least we Have some fruit this year...best so far since planting these little guys!

7'C! Not funny!!!!

It's 16'c inside the house...just found out a cousin on mine has turned on her furnace...maybe I should go visit her!

In the meanwhile, I have a sweater on, tea is steeping and I'm heading upstairs to look for my woolen camping sox!!!!

Stay warm!

Saturday fun & games!

We were all supposed to golf at Spring Creek @ 7:30 this morning, but I bowed out - back was very sore despite meds and Latoka. Lucie & Joe had a great game..Joe got a birdie on the second hole. Lucie held her own and we will be posting a photo of her along with her score card in our sports bar.

On a different note...someone must have overhead Aaron because Tim's is coming to Morinville! Not in the location that Aaron was talking about but on 100 Street near Extra Foods. Poor Aaron...missing out on his entrepreneurial dream!

OMG! This takes the cake!

I like to pop into D.I.Y. Planner from time to time and see what's new and exciting that can make my paperwork easier or even more fun. In the forums, someone had the gall to ask how to use a steno pad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They couldn't figure out the line dividing the middle!

Now I'm not as old as a dinosaur yet but come one people...have you never heard of shorthand???? I was first introduced to this in Ontario in public school...also typing. All part of preparing students for secondary school.

Today I wish I could remember my shorthand...but I do have my favorite symbols I use when note taking. Yeesh...maybe I am that old!

Wednesday already

I've had a lot on my mind lately...hence the lack of blog updates...but here's a recap...

Sunday I noticed the leaves on our trees are starting to change. When we were out & about, noticed we aren't alone in this phenomena.

Taking in some of the garden...things aren't growing much so time to enjoy.

Sorting through more drawers & closets...I miss those regular moves which gave us to perfect time to purge.

Working on Fred. On the days when the light isn't strong, I work on the books.

Joe had an eye scare Monday. Woke with it swollen, blurred vision and a pain in back of it. He thought he could drive to work but turned around 5 minutes into his commute. Smart move...DR weren't sure if it was an ulcer behind it or just stress from the hectic week in QC or a scratched cornea. The medicated drops helped tremendously and he's back to normal...so it was one of the last 2.

My summer cold was passed but left me with a bit of a dry cough which is helped by drinking my water. I'll live!

Looking forward to golf this weekend with Lucie. Hoping to also hit the farmer's market. May be going next door for UFC later..got to coordinate supper with Jo & Ken. Last time we each contributed something cold and something for the BBQ. Worked out well. I'm not a big fan of this fighting but will go for the outing.

Enjoy the last of August...September is fast approaching!

This & That

Happy 22 nd Anniversary to Aline & Nikolas Tossman.
Joe should be home today after being in Montreal since Monday. Poor guy had his heart set on St Hubert's chicken with the tangy coleslaw...but it wasn't to be!
A quick story while I think of it...not sure why now, except maybe because it's TGIF and we sometimes have a pizza...Anyways...While Joey was with us he and his Papa got to talking about lunch and they decided on homemade pizza. So we piled into the car to get the ingredients. While Joe was looking at the various things...Joey wanted a 'macaroni pizza' - Joey gets macaroni and pepperoni mixed up sometimes...Joey spotted something in the deli case and took off. He comes back with a big grin on his face and a pizza L*nchable! Papa, I got it! he exclaimed! Seems the moral to this story is 'homemade means sometimes totally different to a 5 year old and a Red Seal Chef! We went home...Joe popped our favorite frozen pizza in the oven while he and Joey sat at the dining table and 'made' his homemade pizza! What a great day that was!

Have a great weekend everyone, rain or shine! I know I will! Hugs to all!

Happy Birthday Gary!

Hope you have a great day!

Thursday 13's

On the 30th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, here are my favorites -

Jail House Rock
Blues Suede Shoes
Suspicious Minds
Hound Dog
Heartbreak Hotel
Burning Love
Can't Help Falling in Love
How Great Thou Art
Love Me Tender
Don't Cry Daddy
Little Sister
That's Alright Mama
Are you Lonesome Tonight

This list could not complete without Elvis' Amazing Grace.

Think about this

More Or Less

Go Less - Sleep More
Ride Less - Walk More
Talk Less - Think More
Scold Less - Praise More
Waste Less - Give More
Eat Less - Chew More
Clothe Less - Bathe More
Idle Less - Play More
Worry Less - Laugh More
Preach Less - Practice More

This is from an old cookbook and is just as poignant today.

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday Dear Betty.........

Happy Birthday to you!!!!!

Enjoy the day!

McGregor Mills new location

Cousin David moved it and I finally tracked the new site down and have corrected the link in the sidebar. Alli - the corrections have been made.

Great photo of my great grandmother Gabby and her sister Aunt Minnie on the front page - check it out!

Mmmmm!

Back to school supplies! Can't you just smell those new crayons? I always love to see what is new and exciting that will make my meager note taking more interesting and fun. Gel pens, mini Sharpies...I'm sure Jeff can add the newest and most popular items...seeing it is his business to know! (I love my PaperPro stapler...works every time! Thanks Jeff!)

I don't need anything...but I sometimes need a boost to get my back on track. I'm slowly weeding out the ugly pens that don't write nicely and replacing them with ones that have a soft rubber grip on the bottom. I snag these from Joe's pockets when he comes home! They are great.

I did buy another magnetic pencil cup...now I have one on the side of the frig and my file cabinet. I'm still looking for a 7 hole punch fro my Dayt*mer...there are ones online but I like to actually put my greedy little mitts on stuff when I buy. No rush - I've wanted one for several years and seem to have managed with my 1 hole punch and a homemade template.

I'm unsure about an organizing calendar...they're worked great in the past but now my life is quite a bit more simpler. We'll see...the smell of the ink may persuade me to buy another one!

TaTa!

Super Heroes & Villians

Kokanee Kid Jeff

Laura Croft, Mr Incredible & ?

Superman and friends!

Hulk Joey

Calgary fan Heather & GI Jonathan

Shrek Alex

Punisher

MaryKatherine Gallagher - SuperStar!

Swedish Chef and Mrs Hannigan

August 13, 1999

Aaron & Lesley Beck

Love Life
Engage in it
Give it all you're got!
~Maya Angelou~

Happy Anniversary Kids! Love Mom & Dad
xoxo xoxo

Thanks for a great time Alex!

Alex celebrated his birthday yesterday with 54 of his closest friends! What a riot! The food was awesome, Papa smoked a roast beef, Uncle Jeff manned the grill for burgers and hot dogs, Auntie Heather tossed the caesar salad, there was baked BBQ beans, home style macaroni and cheese, potato salad, Mommy Lesley made Superman Jello, Daddy Aaron set up the garage for everyone's dining pleasure...even the weather was a good as you could hope for.The entertainment was supplied by 2 very talented women with temporary tattoos!

After cake and before gift openings was a Batman pinata (I know this is spelled wrong but for the life of me I can't find it in the dictionary!!!) bash...Alex let all the kids have a turn with the stick. Everyone seemed to fill their loot bags. Lots of smiles all around!

Alex and his choice

Papa's dragon symbol - I hope that's really what it is! If not, I apologize!

Daddy Aaron

Cousin Jonathan's first tattoo! Great Canadian cutie!

My first tattoo and probably my last...it looks foreign on my arm and I know I could not live with the permanent type. Seems I will be the odd one out in my family...DH and both girls sport tats! Me, I'm old fashion and sport freckles!

Note for Heidi...Team Crockett is our family team name for the Uncover the Cure Underwear walk in Calgary 2008. Here's my direct link to my page. Team Crockett

Team Crockett Update

I've had 2 sponsors for me ante up and the ball is rolling! Gayle & Steve are now going to join Team Crockett!!!! How great is that! I'm getting so excited about getting back into a training regime...Joey's visit was my excuse these past few days, now we are off on another road trip...more excuses...but there's a Monday around the corner and my treadmill is so very close to the washer & dryer! I can walk and spin at the same time!

Let's keep the momentum going!

Day 2 recap

Joey took Papa to the new playground and had a blast showing off!

Having practiced with with his 7 iron, we took Joey to Spring Creek for 9 holes. He's looking very good for this being his 3rd game, first with his new clubs and he's only 5! Hope the blister heals fast!

A new crawling friend to examine.

As promised after supper...a fire and

MARSHMALLOWS!

Well as quick as this visit began, it ended. Joey had a phone call from home and after 48 hours away, it struck him hard. The tears started to flow and he summed it all up with "I miss my family"! What do you do? A quick call to Mom & Dad, and we both headed out on the highway to meet halfway for the handover. An hour and a half later, he was back with his family, no tears in sight.

Joey, it was a pleasure to have you visit us. We hope you come back again...if you want to bring your brother, you can, you can even bring the whole family - Lyla too!

Day 1 recap

Pizza lunch

Playing pirates with Papa

Joseph golfing with his new 7 iron

Splash down

Joey manning the water canon

Joey's first Oreo Blizzard!

Joey's first solo visit

We popped down to Turner Valley Sunday to meet Heather's future Mother in Law Betty. Jeff and Heather were hosting their family reunion...great set up by Jeff, everyone seemed to have fun.

Anyways, long story short...Cody jumped in to Lesley's van and Joey into our back seat! Stopped back at Les's house long enough to pack a get away bag, grab my dog and we were off.

Supper at the golden arches was a hit but then around Didsbury it started...are we there yet?!!!! He was happy with our answers until Papa said 7 minutes away TWICE! Papa was so busted! For those who don't know...it's a 3 hour drive!

We thought we had all the answers, things were wonderful...we passed to city limit sign, then it happened...I want to go to my home now!!!!

We got through that little crisis, he had a quick swim in the tub, found Whidden again and then we made popcorn and watched some tv...Joey was shocked to find out we were out of peanuts...his staple treat when he visits! Oh well, got him into bed @10pm and he slept straight through to 7:30 this morning...now it's go go go!

What fun! Will try and get some photos of this visit and post whenever I can think straight!

Happy Birthday Alex & Brian!

Way to Go!

Congratulations to Aaron for his latest accomplishment!

Team Crockett , here I am!

Well it's official...I'm walking for the Uncover the Cure next June in Calgary! And because misery loves company, I've also signed Joe up! Nah, I'm not that demented, I did have his permission despite anything he may say.

Now to get my pledges...which may require some thinking on my part because I don't work outside the house and I would HATE to have to depend on my loving and generous family! The really good news is I do have time to get my grey cells in working mode ...and time to get the bod up to snuff! I would really like to have to change my registration to a 10K run but I don't want to back myself into a corner I'm reluctant to get out of. Tis far better to upgrade from walker to runner than the t'other way around, n'est pas?

Thanks for all your support - in whatever form it takes! No Heidi, I don't think people would pay to see me shave my head!