Where did I get the extra thumbs?

No, the fabric didn't sprout thumbs, I must have!

I picked up these fun fabrics for giant pillow cases for our youngest grandson's play pen pad. With him getting more active by the minute and his parents doing some summer travel, he will be spending more time in his playpen. I didn't think the plastic covered pad would be very comfortable on hot August days/nights.

My quick plan of serging these up went amuck when the lower looper broke and then re-broke after I re-threaded it. Not sure why but I ended up rethreading the whole thing and I just couldn't get my fingers coordinated with that silly set of bent tweezers! I finally had to walk away and clear my mind and relax my hands...then it went OK and I got them made. Now to get them in the mail!

What's in a name?

Seems as a grandmother, my name has evolved as the grandchildren have grown.

This past weekend, my eldest grandson (5) asked if he could call me Alberta. I said 'Yes' as this is my name. This conversation was just between the 2 of us...I think the guys were out for a bike ride.

Later that afternoon, Joey was outside in the back yard, I was in the kitchen getting cool drinks. Joey seen me through the open window and called me Alberta and then proceeded with a small request. Papa was within hearing distance and was somewhat surprised. He asked Joey why he was calling me Alberta. Joey's reply...'because I like the name!'

Well as the weekend unfolded, my name went from Nannie to Alberta to just 'Nan'! Aren't these great times!

Somber anniversary

20 years ago today, July 31, 1987, Edmonton was devastated by a F4 hurricane which left 27 dead, many others injured and millions of dollars in property damage. A memorial service is scheduled for this morning at site of the largest number of casualties, the Evergreen Mobile Home Park.

We had just left Alberta for British Columbia and so have no personal view point. It does drive home to power of Mother Nature. Be aware and stay safe.

Photo courtesy of the Edmonton Journal.

101 things in 1001 days update

July 31 2007 - Addendum - Pumpkin asked how I came up with my list...I had seen this on another blog...sorry I've forgotten the name and I didn't bookmark it...and thought what a great idea. I tried to pick things from all aspects of my life, things that always seemed to get pushed into the background as I speed through my life @ Mach1! So, will you take the 101 in 1001 days challenge?

Today is Day 134 in this and I have 13 things checked off. 88 to go! For those tracking me I have until Dec 9,2009 to do these.

Since the last update I have listened to all my CD's (#69)...I have some new favorites and DUH...I found 6 duplicate discs! Some were from when I was driving back and forth to work as was Joe along with all his travel. The good news, I have donated the doubles to our local library.

I repainted our front door white (#82). Not very exciting but it works with the salmon stucco and red brick. I have to ask my neighbour what the original house colour was when it had siding. My bet is white because it also had a red roof! Not a good choice with salmon. Anyways, I've been researching painting the stucco. I don't dislike the salmon, but after 16 years, it's starting to show more hairline cracks and a good product will bridge those before water can get behind it. We are leaning towards a gray green shade...my neighbours have a beige, a yellow (they are also going to change...will ask to what) white and a dark brown. I'd love to go white but stucco holds the dust and dirt and looks dirty unless freshly pressure washed. The house painting will have to wait...for plants to go dormant as well as waiting for that money tree to re-bloom!

Surprise, surprise...I wrote my fan letter (#93). Can you guess the recipient? None other than Rick Mercer. He's not your usual 'star' but I do think he's an amazing thinker as anyone who has read his blog or watched his rants. Also, he's been quick to do the right thing by visiting our troops when they go and put their lives on the line.

A few weeks ago, the heat just wasted me totally so I had an afternoon nap (#59). I felt a bit out of kilter but more energized. Last but not least...#99 has been checked off. Don't think you need the details, it's about my sleeping arrangements....just know that power surges are not fun!

Join me with this 101 in 1001!

Addendum - #3 - buy a new chair...well I found a nice one but it's a bit costly right now...maybe closer to Christmas...hint hint! But Joe did bring me home a 'new to me' office chair. They're redecorating at work and had a bunch of surplus...even the thirft stores don't want them! But I like it a lot. Thanks Joe!

Fred SAL & such

I'm lagging behind but still enjoying Fred. Only got about 50 more stitches done in the past few weeks. Seems I'm having too much summer fun!

Speaking of summer fun, our youngest DD and family are returning for a repeat weekend! They went home for another cast clinic check up for the youngest's broken arm...things are going well, but still another 4 weeks or so of cast time. They want another visit to our water park...but I know of another nice one within 15 minutes of the house!!!!

The big guys may get a round of golf in while the ladies check out another new-to-us playground. Then Saturday it's off to Legal for the fete au village! One of the mot anticipated events...the Demolition derby! That's always a hit to watch.

Monday will be back to work for all! Hope you are having as much fun as we are!

Sisters

Sisters are 2 different flowers from the same garden.

How could I possibly pick just one to show you? I am just so grateful to have any left standing after last night's horrific thunder & lightening storm. The action started around 8 pm and was still going strong at 1:08 am when the power went out. How did I know the exact time? With the driving winds, we had the windows closed and I just had to get up, turn on the fan and have a drink of water. Except for some leaves blown about and a few bent stalks, the garden is looking very pretty today.

Thanks for visiting me today!

No turning back now!

DD & our future SIL are well on their way to their wedding next summer. While DD was home visiting, we went bridal gown shopping! Oh haven't styles changed since our youngest DD's wedding in '99. On the plus side, I didn't find a huge difference in pricing!

So after several shoppes, lots of browsing and ~ 20 try-ons, we have THE dress on order! I must say, it's the perfect one! Our bonus....DD & her sister (who will be be matron of honour) have selected her dress as well. Luckily, it doesn't need to be ordered right away. The main reason being, someone is now in training for her first 10 K run and her body may go through some significant re-shaping. So we will get her measured up early in the new year.

So I am checking off the dress, the date, the location, the colour scheme, the invitations...and am working on the catering. We have one price so far, and hope to get another very shortly. The kids are collecting DJ info and making the refreshment arrangements. Whew! No wonder I'm tired! But it's a happy tired!

Wonderful family time!

The Happy Couple! The wedding was so beautiful!

Youngest grandson enjoying his time in the water

The guys meet race car driver Mike Forest just before the Edmonton Grand Prix.

Oldest grandson's first golf swing. Although he's a leftie, we finally figured out that he hits right.

DD helping her youngest with his tee shot.

What have I gotten myself into?

One of my 101 things to do in 1001 days was 1 10km walk for me and one for charity. Well Lesley and Aaron are joining the underwear run for cancers below the waist and have issued THE CHALLENGE! So now the big decision - do I really challenge myself and go for the 10 km run or play it safe and sign up for the 5 km walk?

I can do the 5 km walk now, not much extra effort. I could try and do a personal best. But the idea of the run is needling me in the back on my noggin!

OK, I'lve talked myself into upping my workouts and if my back holds up, I'm going for the run! Watch out for more details about pledging etc...

BTW - the teams are encouraged to dress for the occasion...for those who seen me in my borrowed thong last August ( even OVER my jeans!)...no fears, there won't be a repeat showing!

Boy, am I going to be busy reading!

So many blogging friends to catch up with, so little time! I'll do my best to get up to speed while getting back into routine around the house. I'm excited to read about all your adventures etc!

Truth, Duty, Valour and so much more

This is the motto for the Royal Military College in Kingston ON. Joe had the pleasure of spending 2 tours there. 1977 - 1982 and again in 1991 - 1993. It was during the latter period that Joe got to meet an outstanding cadet by the name of Phil Dawe. Years have past and the name slipped into the back of our memories only to be thrust to the forefront by that deadly Afghanistan blast. Phil's brother Capt Matt Dawe was one of the 6 casualties. Today the family held a press conference to talk about their loss. So as we celebrate the sacred union of Andrea & Charles this Saturday, they will be saying a final goodbye. Capt Dawe leaves a young widow and son behind.

Closer to home, Jeff lost his dear grandmother Lillian late this afternoon. I never had the chance to meet her, but Heather was always excited about a trip to see her, especially once Jonathan arrived. She sounded like a person I would have enjoyed knowing. We are fortunate though to have a photo of Grandma Lillian along with three generations of her descendants...Bob, Jeff and Jonathan!

I hope that this will be the last obituary I have to put in the family Bible this month...Art Godin, Capt. Matt Dawe and now Grandma Lillian. Gone but not forgotten.

Another emotional roller coaster

Yesterday we lost another special person in our extended family. Art was the reason why DH became a cook in the military. Last night we learned that our soon to be SIL's grandmother Lillian wasn't well...leukemia. Family is gathering, so it isn't going to be a happy ending.

I'm having a hard time getting excited about our cousin's wedding this weekend. Hopefully by Saturday, I'll feel more in a celebratory mood.

ADDENDUM: Jeff will be staying back to support his father who is flying into town. HL will join us for the wedding along with the rest of the family.

Thanks for all your kind words and encouraging thoughts. Just knowing you are there makes each hour pass quicker!

Blog sidebar has been trimmed

I'm using Bloglines and am dividing up my favorite blogs by categories and I'm hoping it'll be easier to keep track of the updates. With summer here, I'm getting busier and am out of the house more.

So don't panic because your blog has been de-listed...I do have them all safe and sound on my blogline account!

Welcome!

I've added Itching to Stitch along with Gail @ Rambling Stitches and Vicki@ Southern Stitcher to my list of craft blogs I like to visit. I hope you can check them out if they're new to you! So many talented folks, so little time!

Surviving not being creative these days

DH didn't really notice any big difference in his domain when I mentioned I had invaded his turf! He did like that I had picked the stuff up off the floor and put them back in their respective bins. That to me = a successful mini purge!

My nephew and his friend arrived shortly before DH got home from his road trip. The whole weekend was a whirlwind. Talking and catching up, farmer's market, a trip to the Zoo, and BBQ with our friends, then we all watched the UFC PPV. Sunday morning, the boys packed up and followed us south to the race track to watch our friend John. Unfortunately John jumped the light and was disqualified, but we had amazing seats and seen some great driving and awesome vehicles. I always get a kick out watching snowmobiles taking on motorcycles! Late afternoon, the boys headed home and we headed north to our home.

It was good to be back in a quiet environment after all that racket, even with ear plugs!

I have a road trip Thursday to Friday and when I get home, the house should be full for the weekend. we have a cousin's wedding and we are hosting as bed and breakfast for 12!

Excuse me, I have sheets to finish, beds to make up and rooms to air out! Have a great week. Hopefully next week I'll have some stitching news!

Trying not to melt!

I've taken refuge in the coolness of our basement while it soars to plus 30' outside. I've had all the blinds, drapes closed all day in hopes of a cooler sleeping night.

So I've been trying to keep busy in ...is he looking?...DH's cold room where he keeps all his gadgets etc. {{{{DH is away on a short road trip}}}} I've cleaned out the obvious garbage and emptied a bunch of small baby food jars he had for assorted nails screws etc. Those I sorted into the correct little drawers. So what to do with the jars?

I'm going to use them in my sewing craft area for those small bits of trim, buttons, clasps, grommets! I got them all washed out and they are drying. So I ducked back into DH's zone and found a nice piece of trim that was slated for the burn heap. It's just the right size and length to screw the caps on!!!! Now to find small screws, something to make pilot holes in the lids (nail?!). A quick sand, spray paint white outside tonight and I should be good to go! This way I hang mount it on the wall or the bottom of a shelf and only make 2 holes, not 12x2! I remember Dad did this in his workshop - he had to put 2 screws per cap to keep the cap from turning around and around!

So that's what I'm up to when I'm not struggling to cross stitch under artificial light. I need lots of natural for Fred!

Will this heat be unkind to my garden?

It was +18'C @ 5:40 am...it's going to be a scorcher, on our way to +33'C. The hot tub will now be a cooling tub, with water temp of ~90'F.

The garden is slowly coming to life, some disappointments, but hey, it's all a learning curve. Enjoy!

Lupins and memories of PEI

Mom's hosta - obviously happy at my home

Morden Blush rose

Snow on the Mountain

Bachelor Buttons

Bleeding Heart

Manitoba native Grapes

Iris

Lemon Gem marigold

Yes folks...this is our FIRST almost ripe tomato, still on the vine!!!! Yes we are in zone 2A! When you factor in the greenhouse price, this is one very expensive tomato! There better be more!

Simple thoughts

First and foremost, Happy July 4th to all my American cyber friends!

Sad day for CDNs as we hear about another 6 soldiers lost in Afghanistan.

Weather wise, it's almost too hot to stitch, but I'm willing to give it a try this afternoon! Fred, where are you hiding? I realize it's Wednesday not Tuesday but our stat holiday on Monday has really thrown my internal clock for a loop!

Thanks for stopping by. Keep up the amazing stitchery! I love 'em all!

Fort Edmonton

We recently had a chance to step back in time and were pleasantly surprised. It's a self guided tour with characters interacting with visitors while maintaining their role's integrity.

We arrived at the fort itself after a brief train ride. This train had been featured in Brad Pitt's movie about Jesse James.
What a great looking clay oven...almost wish I had one in the back yard!
Joe, looking so small in the entrance door to the fort.
One of Joe's favorite rooms!


As we walked from display to display we found some treasures from our past! There before us were the very same headboards that now grace the grandkids bedroom in our home! Mom had found them while yard sailing in the Eastern Townships. It was a definite labour of love, because Mom had to scrape away layers of paint off those spindles. She only found the headboards, not the foot boards. Thank goodness!


I can remember growing up, always having 3 basics things in the medicine chest. They were Phillips Milk of Magnesia, Rawleigh's Antiseptic Salve - good for man or beast! and Minard'sLinimint! Didn't we find 2 of the 3 in the drug store display!
This is a fine carousel, boldly painted horses as well as various local scenes from early Edmonton around the top. Despite the worldliness of today's youngsters, it was nice to see so many lining up to ride their favorite steed!