58th Anniversary

Grampie and Grammie Penny celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary on Sunday, September 6 at the nursing home where Mom is a resident. Dad/Grampie ordered the cake and the nursing home staff hung balloons and streamers. We were concerned that Mom/Grammie might have one of her "bad" days, but she was alert and seemed to enjoy the get together. Other family members who attended were: Joyce, Rosalie & Leo, Jamie and David, and Cheryl.

Vacation in Nova Scotia (John A. & family)

We were so excited to have John A., Michelle, Tory, Claire, Charlotte and Ryan with us for 2 weeks. We ended up going over to PEI earlier rather than later - due to septic tank problems developing the day they were to arrive. We felt so bad, knowing they would like showers etc. especially after being in the car for 27 hours. On Sunday, we went to see the tall ships that were in Halifax for the week. It was very hot and very crowded. I didn't take a picture of the tall ships - just of the grandkids. These dolphins were placed here and there - why?, I am not sure. Since we do not have dolphins in this region that I am aware of. Anyway, they were very colorful and very smooth.

We went to PEI by ferry on Sunday evening, then spent the day with my sister Rosalie and her husband Leo. We had a wonderful time, crabbing, kayaking, and motor boat riding. I think catching the crabs won out for the "funnest" time. Although the motor boat ride was lots of fun too. The kids kept saying "go faster". Tory and Michelle enjoyed the ride from the back seat while the 3 "younger ones" were as close to the front as they could wiggle

A couple of evenings Natalee, Ben and Izzie "skyped" with us. Grandpa John had fun holding Ryan and Charlotte on his knee so they could be in camera range. Ryan and Charlotte in particular had fun listening to Ben read and sing. Ryan asked a couple of times, if we could talk with "that little boy on the computer". Some day, those boy cousins are going to have to meet.

Several days in between the rain, the children spent time at the beach or the lake or the pool. Tory was a super help when we went to the lake on the Saturday by ourselves. The lake is near us and free - plus it has nice grassy hills to roll, run or do cartwheels down. Too bad Grandma forgot the camera (and her sunhat and sunglasses and bathing suit). Oh well, everyone has fun in the water while Grandma watched. So no pictures of them rolling down the hill. This was the day that they were leaving, so Mom and Dad were having a nap for the long drive home.

Sigh! Two weeks goes so fast! Love you all.

Karen and Daryl's visit

Karen and I had the most wonderful time digging up rocks and roots. Or at least I hope she did. This area was full of brush and weed shrubs. But we got the top layer pretty well finished. Karen did a great job of terracing the top half of the slope. I took a lot of ibuprofen. After she left, I transplanted my rose bushes where I hope they will start to thrive - with the extra sunshine. There was a nice healthy barberry bush and some sedums growing in the middle of the mess. So we saved those. The huge stump is now gone. Someday, we will tell you the story of the stump and the septic tank - they are on opposite sides of the house.

It was nice to meet Daryl and I hope we weren't too much of a shock for him. They BBQ'd with us and we left us with a delicious salmon recipe for the BBQ. Karen: could you put your recipe on the blog for us all. It was so good. And easy! And it can be done in the oven too!

Wedding Pictures / Grandpa & Grandpa

Dad and I attended David & Jamie Chapman's wedding - 11:00 a.m. on February 14 on PEI. Just thought you would like a picture of your cousins. Of course, that is Cheryl (sister to David) and her husband Adam. Adam was the best man and Jamie had a friend as her maid of honour.


Adam was one of 5 chosen to fly to Katar in the Persian Gulf - part of his studies in Business at Holland College in Charlottetown. Teams are chosen all over the world and this year they go to Katar to do case studies and provide business solutions.


Anyway, it was a cold day, the bride was beautiful but cold. David left the rings in the trunk of his car and remembered part way through the ceremony. So they stopped the ceremony while the best man ran out to get the rings. He will be reminded of that many times throughout his lifetime, I'm sure. What made it really funny, was that the night before, we were at Rosalie's talking about various "ring" stories such as dropping the ring through the furnace grate in the floor of an old church. We had dinner at a local restaurant and home by by 3:30.





These next 2 pictures were taken at the restaurant. Grammie was cold, so she has on a heavy sweater. In the morning, she did not want to get up and get dressed, but between Joyce and myself, we got her ready for the wedding. She actually did very well and lasted the whole time before wanting to go home. I think her new medication is helping - as she seemed to understand what we were asking and even answered a couple of times. Dad was his usual vibrant self and gave his little speech to the bride and groom.



I thought this would be a good time to get a picture of Mom and myself. She is actually smiling here. The Manor cut her hair awfully short this past time. I don't know if Dad requested that or not. Grampie is getting homecare for Grammie each morning for an hour Mondays - Fridays.

I am trying to get over once a month to cook for Dad (Grampie) and do some cleaning. Apple pies were the request for this past visit. And then he gave me some scallops in return. I think I got the better deal. Yum!

I think Grampie finds it difficult in that he likes to talk to people and of course, Mom's communication is very limited. She seemed to recognize myself and Joyce but didn't/couldn't say our names. Joyce was staying for a week's vacation and she will see them each day. Grampie is going to try to stay at the summer house - but how he will manage to cut grass etc. - I don't know. Anyway, he is going to give it a try. Your Dad and I are planning to go over every long weekend starting in May through Thanksgiving.

Christmas in Nova Scotia

Just some pictures of our decorating around the house this year. I think we are going to give in and get ourselves a "fake" tree. Of course, I have said this for about the past 5 Christmases - hasn't happened yet.

This is the day after the storm on New Year's Day. It was so pretty with the light coming through the trees. We dug out just over a foot of snow and several snowdrifts about 2 feet high.

Everything is lovely and white. And cold!

We drove over to PEI to visit my parents on boxing day and the Saturday. This is my mom, who is in Stage 4 Alzheimers. She did not know me but Dad was glad to see me. He is doing a great job of caregiving - but it is tiring him out. My camera battery died so I didn't get his picture. Next time though!

Fire Engine Riding Around the Mall

While Chris and Julee took Jonathan to the lab for his "bilyrubin" test on day 3, Grandma, Ben and Sam were dropped off at the mall where there was a running pit and rides. After we tired of the running, we walked around the mall, took a few escalator rides, threw pennies in the fountain and ended up back at the running pit. Then we got into the fire engine "stroller", fastened our seatbelts and went for a ride several times around the mall. The boys loved making the siren sound (not too loud) and most of the shoppers smiled at the sound of them. (Some shoppers just couldn't crack a smile. They must have been really tired.) Then we had to get a frozen yogurt cone after all that hard work. Then Grandma had to buy some wet wipes - the frozen yogurt place had a limit on napkins. Sheesh! Although, we really needed the wet wipes. Poor Grandma kept calling Sam, Ben and Ben, Sam, and finally they started saying their name for me. Worse still, when I was looking only after Sam I still called him Ben a few times. It was such a delightful time, just imagine if we had Ryan too. Sometime, we will have to have a family reunion with all sides of all the families getting together.

St. Hubert Chicken

The great debate raised its head once again this summer. Swiss Chalet vs. St. Hubert. Who serves the best chicken - or is it really the sauce that counts.

Dad and I were on our way home after attending a conference in "Brown's Flat", New Brunswick - down the Saint John way. Part of that journey involved crossing the river on a small ferry that held maybe 6 cars. The ferry ran on an underwater electric cable. Actually, we got lost and had several "small ferry rides". But I digress. We "hit" Moncton about lunch time and decided to do the St. Hubert thing.

As we left the restaurant, I couldn't resist taking a picture. This picture will need to be archived for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren - so they will know the great St. Hubert chicken sauce debate was for real. If anyone wants a copy, just let me know. It was a nice meal. But was the sauce worth it? We'll leave that hanging for the next discussion on the St. Hubert sauce question.

Actually, I think Julee and Natalee bought a package of St. Hubert sauce to do a comparison taste test while they were here this summer. I am not sure if there was a clear winner.

For the price - I'll take Swiss Chalet any day.

Love
Mom