Sunday, November 25, 2012

Well, this is Goodbye

Gee whiz, I thought I had 36 more posts in me, but my Google/Picasa web albums had a different plan for me. 

It appears, that I have used up all of my storage space!  I've run across this before and simply deleted some pictures from my account, and voila, more space.  Not today.  Tried as I might, no way, no how. 

I'm feeling let down.
I've been gipped.
I've been snookered.
I've been hoodwinked.
I'm down for the count.
I'm throwing in the white towel.
It's anticlimactic I tell you!

I hope you've enjoyed my 330 day journey through 2012.  It has been fun trying to figure out the daily topics.  Some were as simple as falling off the proverbial log, others, not so much.

On this 25th Day of November exactly 1 month to Christmas, I wish you all of the very best and I thank you for all of the lovely comments and your interest. 

Thank you for taking this journey with me.

Blessings to you.

Thank You!






Saturday, November 24, 2012

A Man of Industry

Okay, we've all seen them.  The pop can recyclers.  They are in every neighbourhood, often on trash day when the blue boxes are out, collecting whatever is in the box that may be recycled.  People who I have no doubt, for economic reasons, collect cans.  We have a recycling station fairly close by, so perhaps we see a few more recyclers than normal.  We spoke to a man a few weeks ago and he said he'd been sick, and in the time he had a route, got sick and returned to his route, someone else had taken over his.  I can't imagine our life depending on the kindness, or litter bugging, by strangers.  More power to them and God bless them.

Yesterday when we were near Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, this man couldn't help but catch my eye.  It was a bone chilling, torrential down pouring day and this gent was out taking care of business.


Amazing!

It is Saturday and my prayer is that this man, has a cozy place to lay his head.  We all deserve that much.

Happy Saturday!



Friday, November 23, 2012

Target Practice

My Beloved and I survived Black Friday at our local mall mainly by bypassing the busy toy stores and children's clothing stores.

We managed to find some very kind and helpful store clerks who are still, thankfully, in a joyful mood even though the beginning of the Christmas frenzy has only just begun.  We crossed some little people off our list which made both of us very happy shoppers.

As we were transversing the mall, we spotted the first official sign of Target moving in.  It seems funny to say first official sign, when really it was the long closing of our Canadian Zellers store that really precipitated Target takeover.

Recently we had been in two malls, and they both still have their Zellers, which really surprised me, because I had read that there will ultimately be several Targets coming to BC.  Perhaps ours is one of the first.

I have to say, I am a little excited about it.  A few years ago I purchased this awesome flannelet set for our queen, for only $19.95 at Target!  I know, I know, it's not PC to say I'm looking forward to the low prices, but I am.


It's official, Target Hearts Canada!

Happy Friday.












Thursday, November 22, 2012

Little Ducks all in a Row

Looking up the street yesterday we spied a group of Montessori Preschoolers crossing the road at the crosswalk.  They were too far away for me to capture the picture, but they reminded me of little ducks.  Little ducks wearing bright red vests, following one of their leaders.

As luck would have it, we caught up with them in the ravine.  They were going to see if they could see the fishies in the fast running creek.  You see, this is the time of year the salmon begin their spawning and if we are lucky, we get to watch them while we stand on the bridge overhead or in the children's case, 2 at a time while a leader took them to the "shallow, very shallow" bank.   It is an awesome spectacle to behold.  Last year their numbers were amazing, this year, we've only spotted two.

Unfortunately for the little duckies, the water was running far too quickly for the salmon to swim up the West Mundy Creek but they all had a chance to go see for themselves.




Happy Thursday!



Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Black is Back

Today's walk kind of matched the weather mood - black.  I really shouldn't complain though, we are healthy; we can walk; and we can walk together - all good.  In addition to the partially not raining walk, we found 16 cents!  So we even got paid, it's a pitance, but it counts.



As I type this sentence, the rain is just hammering down on the skylight in my office, and . . . thunder and lighting and hail-oh my.  Whew, we dodged a bullet!

Happy Tuesday!

Monday, November 19, 2012

There and Back

We are home.  It feels like a guilty pleasure having all of this time on our hands now after looking after 2 little active Grandchildren.

On our way into Vancouver we drove for the very last time over the Port Mann Bridge. (I did a post in September.)  As we got close, the fog closed in, it was as if Mother Nature was saying goodbye in her own way.





This was the scene this morning when Mommy and Daddy came home.  Four delighted family members so happy to be reunited.




Our trip home was peppered with lovely memories, of tales of exhaustion, of laughter over antics and mumblings of the horrible weather that descended upon us again.

Today, we drove on the new bridge for the very first time.  Now the old bridge is on our left.  It felt weird, and it was wonderful all at the same time.  Quite possibly the next time we take the trip, we will be paying for the priviledge, that's not so nice.






Home again, home again, jiggedy jig!

Happy Monday!

Sunday, November 18, 2012

A Visit

Today we took Colby and Annie to visit their cousins, Hudson and Abby and Auntie April.  Uncle Nick was out supporting the BC Lions in their quest for the Western Conference Final. (Missed you Uncle Nick!)
 
As soon as Colby got to the front door, his cousin Hudson gave him the biggest hug, and then they completely ignored each other!  Too funny.
 
We didn't stay too long, just long enough to really, really mess up Auntie's house.  Have lunch, several laughs and exchange a few stories.
 
Here are some pictures to document our visit.
 
 
Okay, they did get together, of all of the little trains, they both wanted the same one.  Here's the interaction action!


 This was as good as it gets!  One day . . .

 Abby's recent collection.  Amazing!

 Colby love, love, loved playing with his cousin's train!

Some of Annie's organizational skills!  Warning: there may be a fishy in the purple boot!
 
I loved how Abby was reading to her cousin.  Colby was very engrossed with her reading capabilities!


 You rock Abby!

 
Abby taking a bit of alone time!  Who could blame her?  She does such beautiful work.

Girl Power!



It was a wonderful visit.  Thank you Auntie April-you're, wait for it . . .  the BEST{H}!

Happy Sunday!

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Feels like Old Times

. . . but we are several years older! 

Nanny and Papa are spending a few days in Vancouver while our youngest daughter Amy and her husband, Tyler have a little fling in Vegas.
 
We are having a wonderful time, the children are a delight and delightfully sweet.  It feels like old times, but now we feel old and ache-y after all of the ups and down a daisys.  The hardest part, bless My Beloved, strapping them into the car and stroller seats-yikes!
 
There are wonderful open gyms for little children nearby and we have made sure to take the children. They can run, and jump, and ride and bounce and scream and anything else their little heart's desire.  Afterward they are all pooped out, we take them home for a change, and lunch, and pop them into bed for a nap.  Shhhh, don't tell a soul, but they they are down, we too are napping on the sofa,  recharging our batteries as they recharge theirs.

As I write this blog, that is where they are, snug as two little bugs in a rug.  In fact, I'm heading to that sofa myself.
 
 


 
 




 
As tired as we may be, just seeing those sweet smiling faces makes everything "all better"!  We are blessed.

Happy Saturday!
 
 
 
 

Friday, November 16, 2012

She's Five!

Wishing our Granddaughter Coco a VERY HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY TODAY!

It doesn't seem all that long ago, that we were waiting for this little bundle of love to arrive, and in the blink of an eye, she's already turning 5!


One!


Two!


 Three!


Four!


Almost Five!

This dimple faced beauty always with a smile at the ready, has brought so much joy to our lives, most especially her Parents and her Brother and her 5 sisters.

Coco, Nanny and Papa, sure hope you have a lovely day and that that beautiful smile stays on your face from the time you open those big brown eyes until you close them to sleep.  Have fun today.

We love you very much Honey,  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Always and forever,
Nanny and Papa
xxxooo

Happy Friday!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Thursday's Blog - Splat!

Don't be fooled by the day or date that appears on today's blog.  Anticipating that I may have some trouble downloading pictures from a laptop, not my own, I took a preemptive strike!

* * *

We happened along 204 the other day and there was an aroma in the air, that didn't quite fit with being in the great out doors.  This is why.




I don't know what the story is behind why this CLR spray bottle was on the road, it wasn't garbage day, so it didn't get dropped off the truck or left behind on the curb, but I can tell you, the road is cleaner after the recent rain.  Should all go out and purchase a bottle do you think?

Happy Thursday!




















Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Tent City

Walking by Walnut Grove High School a while back we happened upon this scene.




Not sure why, but it was a great photo-op!


Happy Tuesday You!

Monday, November 12, 2012

Burger Wars

In Walnut Grove, McDonald's and A&W are right across the street from each other.  Both have 24 hour drive through.  Both have their customer base. One has disposable cups, the other has pottery mugs.   Both have piped in music, but different.  One is quieter, one is much noisier.  Both have free newspapers.  Depending on our mood, or if we know our friends will be there or not, we choose our coffee/paper joint of the day.  "Same, same, only different."

Today as we were at the A&W, this parallel universe caught my eye.


Wishing you a Happy Monday!


Sunday, November 11, 2012

I'm Forever Blowing

Bubbles, not the soapy kind, but of the Bubblegum variety! 

Today's goodies after church included a bowl full of "leftover" Halloween treats, which pleased the Sunday School children immensely, and in that bowl was bubblegum.  Name me a kid alive that doesn't love blowing and popping, and blowing them so large they cover your nose, and if you have a good batch, you can blow them large enough to cover your face.  Lots of giggling, and taking of pictures in the back of the van.  That was the ride home today. Great fun!

When we arrived back home I asked all of the bubble blowers if they would on the count of three blow a bubble for my picture of the day.  Here it is:

You can barely make the gum out against those beautiful faces.  It looks as if I've photo shopped out nosein case of Catie), and mouths.  Little Coco informed me that she didn't have any gum but she sure has a huge smile.

Happy Sunday!
 

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Download Surprise

I went to download the pictures I took today and I discovered this one instead.  My Beloved took it and I am so glad he did. 

We are very much alike he and I, we both like shadow and light play.

Thanks for the photo of the day Mr. A!

We have really been enjoying the glorious sunshine that comes along with colder, crisp air.

Happy Saturday!

Friday, November 9, 2012

Friday's Four

Today is recuperation day at our house. 

You can tell you are getting older when a mere 5 hours with 6 children, including, walking 6 blocks to pick up 5 little girls from school, drive to a predetermined spot to pick up Jr. High Boy, only to find out the little voices in the back of the van were correct, there is another Subway--and after gassing up the school bus van, we finally met at the predetermined Subway to pick up said Grandson!

Then off to "Grandmother's house we go" for dinner, colouring, school reading, plus a story book for the dimpled Kindergarten girl while we wait, and wait, and wait for the 3 chickens to be cooked so we don't get salmonella! 

Before dinner as we were all in the kitchen, each child hungrier than the next, I threw in a little "thankful lesson" -- Now imagine, you are this hungry, and there is nothing to fill your little bellies, not tonight, not tomorrow.  Imagine.  That is how so many children live day in, day out.  I know they were listening, I know they were imagining.  I think they were, at least I hope they were, empathising.

Finally, the table was set, the chickens were appropriately roasted, gravy, mashies, carrots with cinnamon, buns, mandarin oranges and hot chocolate-cake pudding were on the table-we were a very hungry bunch. 

After dinner, we cleaned up, put away, grabbed backpacks, coats, boots, et al, and piled back into the dark, cold van, for the drive home. 

Off to a new home piled high with boxes, a daddy who is getting a fierce cold, a weary Nonna, and an equally tired Momma.  It was a long day for us, for the children, and even longer one for the adults "waiting" at home. 

No peeking-I forgot, I also made a dinner for the 3 weary movers, but hadn't realized that the new appliances weren't yet hooked up.  I knew I should have stuck with my first choice, crock pot!

 Shaw and moving truck all at once-a very busy time on the block!

 Watching Coraline while waiting, and waiting and waiting.

Cameron was even unimpressed with the slowness of his Nanny's computer!

Wishing you all a happy, safe and blessed life in your new home Cathy and Cliff and Nonna!  It is beautiful.  May you soon have time to sit back and reflect on how lovely it is.

Happy Friday!