tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52288246671056422902023-11-16T02:47:06.128-04:00Lady P's Cozy CornerPatriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-59941065842627807362008-08-24T13:16:00.002-03:002008-08-24T13:18:20.322-03:00I HAVE MOVED TO WORDPRESS!!<strong>*** I have switched my blog to: <br /><br /><br />http://patriciaspage.wordpress.com/<br /><br />Please update your links and visit me there! ****<br /><br />I will leave this one up for a while so you can find me at my new location.</strong>Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-25338249425056922112008-08-22T11:49:00.008-03:002008-08-22T12:57:30.034-03:00The City MarketWelcome to The City Market! Here you can purchase all kinds of goods from wine and cheese to shirts and fake lobsters... we took Alberta friend to check it out before she left.<br /><br />There are many quaint little places to eat ~ with choices ranging from Mexican to Korean to the standard Sandwich shop.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0F96-a60Jom1FvJBAquW8LZCFUE_p0gYztXPty546UmYH4QSwMMaKsBJYGfBQzwVOEL7BD-UVbjQt0ij6b47NB_z1jhwVzwwRlPF5NKE_5Sq5RlulQ1aFT66URabrLPQD6_ut90S3HTU/s1600-h/DSCF2311.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0F96-a60Jom1FvJBAquW8LZCFUE_p0gYztXPty546UmYH4QSwMMaKsBJYGfBQzwVOEL7BD-UVbjQt0ij6b47NB_z1jhwVzwwRlPF5NKE_5Sq5RlulQ1aFT66URabrLPQD6_ut90S3HTU/s400/DSCF2311.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237357505595139650" /></a><br /><br />If eating isn't your thing then you can check out the many shops or kiosks filled with colourful souvenirs ranging from windchimes or stuffed animals to... (that's the back of hubby's head there!)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmMFz4e_fK_85u0xAJNgBuvidD4aSofqe1UdVHgj3LUN4uBEYgBJlJZsZyL9UKhCZgUS7A96RICohC_U3LBZ1mUp6XWGVWKiWpy2waGL7OzOjTIEd8FNQArmMeyQl32nLdOHW9ekxZc8/s1600-h/DSCF2314.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmMFz4e_fK_85u0xAJNgBuvidD4aSofqe1UdVHgj3LUN4uBEYgBJlJZsZyL9UKhCZgUS7A96RICohC_U3LBZ1mUp6XWGVWKiWpy2waGL7OzOjTIEd8FNQArmMeyQl32nLdOHW9ekxZc8/s400/DSCF2314.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237357518108321154" /></a><br />the souvenir shirts tucked away beneath the whale.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfQ41Efrbszrs5Edr845z5CHG-najPh-gZp0BYaaNlTVTviY_jF7MCQYhbu2HXy7t5u0ZM8nu6fWdgCehYVYLdojV2fjrGkWxnbNSpLTii_1nbiarsU6HiY1Zs9WDL83kmZEauNcKAjM/s1600-h/DSCF2331.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfQ41Efrbszrs5Edr845z5CHG-najPh-gZp0BYaaNlTVTviY_jF7MCQYhbu2HXy7t5u0ZM8nu6fWdgCehYVYLdojV2fjrGkWxnbNSpLTii_1nbiarsU6HiY1Zs9WDL83kmZEauNcKAjM/s400/DSCF2331.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237359130086964498" /></a><br />Our mission this day was to find something with a local flavour for Alberta friend to take home with her. I had the PERFECT idea - Dulce!! What is dulce you ask? Well check out the following photo. Dulce is another term for "seaweed". Here in the Atlantic provinces (of Canada), with the proximity to the Atlantic ocean, dulce is in great supply. It is harvested and sold in plastic bags or, more often, in small brown bags. Many Maritimers just LOVE this stuff and chew on it like gum. To be honest I've never eaten even a piece of it. I suppose I had to scrape too much off the boat I lived on...to relate it to something you EAT. Alberta friend was game and picked up a bag for her parents.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtu6BHcNMPgGox5L-7ioBxrT6XdaX1pnIvX_QmBZhU-Peup9ky-FhNiwflTi_oRo9_dCMWZKEmov3M2eF8-FVFNwQIZH8DFIwN6esTw7oAwHAiASrqDb3fT9P02tjmlCPmXj_tPG8EQs4/s1600-h/DSCF2316.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtu6BHcNMPgGox5L-7ioBxrT6XdaX1pnIvX_QmBZhU-Peup9ky-FhNiwflTi_oRo9_dCMWZKEmov3M2eF8-FVFNwQIZH8DFIwN6esTw7oAwHAiASrqDb3fT9P02tjmlCPmXj_tPG8EQs4/s400/DSCF2316.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237357525373274034" /></a><br />While we were looking for the vendor to pay for the dulce I saw the cutest lobster trap with a stuffed lobster in it. Teasingly I coaxed my very reluctant daughter to "catch" the sea critter which she did with usual teenage enthusiasm....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtj0oJn19EVIUjvE2mxiamJ7shU82bapZ50cdZU-nnThowpCUezb5FflVuwoaHZk_OzVzHLOU869uwaMdiEyDN0tuGhXDkU7BU9dcvn_AMfQw9Mo-C3aGnHYlgkVCeK8gHkIQGLpusg98/s1600-h/DSCF2319.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtj0oJn19EVIUjvE2mxiamJ7shU82bapZ50cdZU-nnThowpCUezb5FflVuwoaHZk_OzVzHLOU869uwaMdiEyDN0tuGhXDkU7BU9dcvn_AMfQw9Mo-C3aGnHYlgkVCeK8gHkIQGLpusg98/s400/DSCF2319.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237357535859492594" /></a><br />Luckily though, Alberta friend jumped in to catch herself a little one too. And she smiled too!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_4o8cBFtpGaeXjVv7G6X7dZOird5ryLcLp7IdN7Ek18D6AXSc_aHChh2MMtMNHQlbrStyotl8WKArnjEW2ojZ-yYqNd9c3tDqwyvbvyKv4SMBFWU17thsGt384_FRz85-Jxmc84elm8/s1600-h/DSCF2320.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_4o8cBFtpGaeXjVv7G6X7dZOird5ryLcLp7IdN7Ek18D6AXSc_aHChh2MMtMNHQlbrStyotl8WKArnjEW2ojZ-yYqNd9c3tDqwyvbvyKv4SMBFWU17thsGt384_FRz85-Jxmc84elm8/s400/DSCF2320.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237359115507287922" /></a><br />Well! Not to be outdone by a <strong><em>Prairie</em></strong> Alberta friend, daughter found herself the LARGEST lobster to "catch" and smugly hammed it up for the picture.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVaJ2qI7zYRA51rMqsktaldKppu_vRwYmTGZWuOetJDUFeBbd0Qx0iG_q35Ww-E21SKYa77fyC0Wb_dGwJOJ7lVsafXCLiLEsDFVh8hQo3g6XAqes1q0SkkWdgKeDQEtcnoLduO7IPTY/s1600-h/DSCF2321.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVaJ2qI7zYRA51rMqsktaldKppu_vRwYmTGZWuOetJDUFeBbd0Qx0iG_q35Ww-E21SKYa77fyC0Wb_dGwJOJ7lVsafXCLiLEsDFVh8hQo3g6XAqes1q0SkkWdgKeDQEtcnoLduO7IPTY/s400/DSCF2321.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237359119558247186" /></a><br />*Whew*! We found the vendor before the girls got down and dirty in a scrap over their lobster catches! Here is a happy Maritimer harking the virtues of dulce. He embodies the spirit of where I live, bright, colourful and friendly. He certainly made our day!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgql6B_nOYTaOMx7hn21KoEy6Yf2P5LP_1sBp_5ZaO04I3s6kom-Jez7dh5ZYDr_61kEpl8nvH_gsEQcLFzmgBR7l4DbEVI7e1qof2JP2GyrlQV45AzG64nnzFJcmBZ4TSrmwAKnzwt1A/s1600-h/DSCF2318.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgql6B_nOYTaOMx7hn21KoEy6Yf2P5LP_1sBp_5ZaO04I3s6kom-Jez7dh5ZYDr_61kEpl8nvH_gsEQcLFzmgBR7l4DbEVI7e1qof2JP2GyrlQV45AzG64nnzFJcmBZ4TSrmwAKnzwt1A/s400/DSCF2318.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237357533780191282" /></a><br />Alberta friend looked for locally grown fresh fruit to feed daughter. Daughter has been reduced to eating grocery store fruit that doesn't quite have the freshness or taste of locally grown produce. They were hunting for blueberries and blackberries ~ Daughter hasn't tried blackberries and both Alberta friend and I are convinced she'd like them if she tried them.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_AgmqilIKdT4mj-p1VoamHER7HgCGeM5MR2oK8iQivZs0Mw8vU7oCXRC4FfaxK7ha-xXR76mBG5HwksrjWKnxltIV4B65-M4O_YMfP21Of_j-oN9sXrjJiogP82BOS4MUjSbLLpo6UI/s1600-h/DSCF2332.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_AgmqilIKdT4mj-p1VoamHER7HgCGeM5MR2oK8iQivZs0Mw8vU7oCXRC4FfaxK7ha-xXR76mBG5HwksrjWKnxltIV4B65-M4O_YMfP21Of_j-oN9sXrjJiogP82BOS4MUjSbLLpo6UI/s400/DSCF2332.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237360782281482098" /></a><br />The girls check out some of the food vendors but didn't find anything they wanted to buy on this occasion.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvNLirYHog-yuIj9QWPYh6XvzAA5c_bxXGNt5e95FjA51HtCAH85LkRtm5It-DicNSPKSojlXtUeiOP8mAuRItdr5xWx-C0Y81u06u641q1Y5nRCbE0HwfRv60A7cSxo145T4If3lRD8/s1600-h/DSCF2334.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvNLirYHog-yuIj9QWPYh6XvzAA5c_bxXGNt5e95FjA51HtCAH85LkRtm5It-DicNSPKSojlXtUeiOP8mAuRItdr5xWx-C0Y81u06u641q1Y5nRCbE0HwfRv60A7cSxo145T4If3lRD8/s400/DSCF2334.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237360790461473218" /></a><br />The jewellery was fun to poke through...and hey ~ check out those puffer fish hanging from the beam!! These dead fellas had those plastic eyes glued on (souvenirs) but I told the girls about swimming by puffer fish in Mexico and scaring them, so they'd blow up like these guys did. Boy the fun I had swimming in tropical-type waters!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrkpgYm60EMixgY-Dd0bPUU6ib2m5YE4ucM7csDpBKQblbN32Nyzg7z9yFvG7hae5g_LrW27BahA31uurd5RgOBYCJnwD8sUVud4vIt8I4WfE7Y62pVBfhAwRF4lvYaR-A9tqOoeRtpM/s1600-h/DSCF2335.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrkpgYm60EMixgY-Dd0bPUU6ib2m5YE4ucM7csDpBKQblbN32Nyzg7z9yFvG7hae5g_LrW27BahA31uurd5RgOBYCJnwD8sUVud4vIt8I4WfE7Y62pVBfhAwRF4lvYaR-A9tqOoeRtpM/s400/DSCF2335.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237360791920477474" /></a><br />Oh no! I forgot to mention that HUBBY came out that day! We enjoyed ourselves more than the girls did - they noted that it was "just another market"...and if you've seen one, you've seen them all. Oh to be blase at such an age! Hubby and I enjoyed the sights, sounds and smells of the stalls and decorations. Obviously the older we get the more the little things enthrall us!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicW4G9WF4VJfZzHxhPYKuvnoqIUgId-fL9RF8oT4OI6QovO_4qqqWxshd-C090MdSKGYnGvHpEn_lBKQSOsq98wih7d8MtWjjBoMDD7sO9CvhtbW0ZQ-njlDLN8QWoxrk1qFwvH0Hlg3A/s1600-h/DSCF2336.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicW4G9WF4VJfZzHxhPYKuvnoqIUgId-fL9RF8oT4OI6QovO_4qqqWxshd-C090MdSKGYnGvHpEn_lBKQSOsq98wih7d8MtWjjBoMDD7sO9CvhtbW0ZQ-njlDLN8QWoxrk1qFwvH0Hlg3A/s400/DSCF2336.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237360795808485202" /></a><br />The girls are heading back up the second aisle looking for a way out. It was a beautiful day outside and they wanted to get back there!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHtiic_GunlUMWvdco3DFSA5Bv51eIK8JWbcendyvaj9arNuA4xq0Icr5ctC45L1_2RIgROPxpPJaJlDEGLj1THAhJLQo18acOoDoKdBEhKgkH4VXqhbSV1DAl8aKHWYYYWg6AlMals4/s1600-h/DSCF2339.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHtiic_GunlUMWvdco3DFSA5Bv51eIK8JWbcendyvaj9arNuA4xq0Icr5ctC45L1_2RIgROPxpPJaJlDEGLj1THAhJLQo18acOoDoKdBEhKgkH4VXqhbSV1DAl8aKHWYYYWg6AlMals4/s400/DSCF2339.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237359104146387378" /></a><br />Hubby was hungry and checked out the Korean eatery. Although he looks happy here the ending wasn't quite as nice. Hubby wasn't SUPER hungry so did not want the huge meal usually available to customers, by way of one of those combination plates. A discussion ensued between the shopkeepers (whom we took to be a married couple) before they decided that hubby could have 1/2 the serving size...but for the same price as a whole serving. Hubby politely declined and went off in search of nourishment. I don't know what he ended up chowing down on as the girls and I went one way and he went the other. Bye hubby!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpddHSM5vtI_6BPA9UEV4j9qz735TuD7ZuHiOhSfIGIn7So_C41PvmBc7qWYd77YjcahMVafwvuPN3GP1ZXYFT5gGOGNTLNFZyNSdvBhNE_DAVDme5AY9VLulXwTk_iLOqCoKZN800kj4/s1600-h/DSCF2343.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpddHSM5vtI_6BPA9UEV4j9qz735TuD7ZuHiOhSfIGIn7So_C41PvmBc7qWYd77YjcahMVafwvuPN3GP1ZXYFT5gGOGNTLNFZyNSdvBhNE_DAVDme5AY9VLulXwTk_iLOqCoKZN800kj4/s400/DSCF2343.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237362002192265842" /></a><br />Oh look! The girls found their way out! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHAxYUbGfV1ooYUfXqFwKsFCj488tXNsaj6XEV9ixdXJ07oRXCrMayenw6UZ7lvnYzr56qxTDuRXWCtRNTwAQwXzSJQl9NDT4xB4ADlZXZMaO1hVH1nPNAu_AwCCFI3cTy_vLwkb4qv1g/s1600-h/DSCF2349.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHAxYUbGfV1ooYUfXqFwKsFCj488tXNsaj6XEV9ixdXJ07oRXCrMayenw6UZ7lvnYzr56qxTDuRXWCtRNTwAQwXzSJQl9NDT4xB4ADlZXZMaO1hVH1nPNAu_AwCCFI3cTy_vLwkb4qv1g/s400/DSCF2349.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237362014889439794" /></a><br />They are headed to the city centre's lovely park. I took some great and interesting pictures in the park...so stay tuned for the next post!!Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-19065501393596641012008-08-21T22:50:00.004-03:002008-08-22T00:00:01.558-03:00The End Of The TripWhile in Lake Placid daughter had wanted to check out the Ben & Jerry's ice cream place. Once she finished supper however her stomach had other ideas and convinced her to walk away...to just walk away from those calories in a cone. Once on the road again the car needed to be gassed up and daughter found a small treat that made her day.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjPHPGl6Bgky_WI8qDLAoNzNfN5u5vif5wt_tyU8NVacrsrh3JoACDG8EGMqAdjwC9ilWVsoxcRhOHjiTlmlodXXJSdl9gEt9W4kZ2SrisJ6zJUNIw6Ocoy_JQldbmhpDMfMLb2fhCDY/s1600-h/DSCF2248.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237159379527484466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjPHPGl6Bgky_WI8qDLAoNzNfN5u5vif5wt_tyU8NVacrsrh3JoACDG8EGMqAdjwC9ilWVsoxcRhOHjiTlmlodXXJSdl9gEt9W4kZ2SrisJ6zJUNIw6Ocoy_JQldbmhpDMfMLb2fhCDY/s400/DSCF2248.JPG" border="0" /></a>Even after all this adventure she is still happy and relaxed.<br /><br />Now we jump forward again, to sleeping in a strange hotel in a strange town. After a good night's sleep in the hotel, Alberta friend and I found a bank to exchange some Canadian funds to American money. Lucky for me there was a "Micheals" craft store right next door! That is one of my alltime favourite stores and there it was laid right in front of me. The girls sighed collectively and pulled out their books to settle in and read while this Canadian chick did a little R&R shopping. *sigh* American prices beat our north-of-the-border prices all to s***!!<br /><br />Then it was time to hit the road. Some lovely scenic driving and some speedy driving once we hit a major highway heading to the coast. We ended up north of Boston and stopped in at a beautiful beach area around Kittery (I'll have to check the map; although some of the American readers might recognize the pictures).<br /><br />This was a gorgeous place! I definately want to return and see more of the whole area. But for this day's pit stop, we wanted to walk out on the rocks and check out the lighthouse we saw from shore.<br /><br />Tourists are not permitted on the lighthouse island and I could not tell you if it is a working lighthouse. I think it might be as there weren't any others visible to the naked eye. This was just such a photogenic spot!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZW4w3l3efk3Gb57Ox6NdypKwYKqJHUcYXjWAM_HgQPsQ5nMDmd7G86-2nzPIdtwnpxTwsDm1GHHVtekC1JmRBULQPjb5micsgpL0RQ7CIifCuHiia8Rgr_QsoJYI6CYQRheNJ6Z_VuS8/s1600-h/DSCF2257.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237159396015077634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZW4w3l3efk3Gb57Ox6NdypKwYKqJHUcYXjWAM_HgQPsQ5nMDmd7G86-2nzPIdtwnpxTwsDm1GHHVtekC1JmRBULQPjb5micsgpL0RQ7CIifCuHiia8Rgr_QsoJYI6CYQRheNJ6Z_VuS8/s400/DSCF2257.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The girls, being the intrepid & invincible teens that they are, clamoured over the rocks heading as close to the water as they could. This made me nervous as occasional rogue waves washed a little higher over the rocks. There was also slippery seaweed and moss clinging to the rocks. The girls pooh-poohed my concerns but did hang back, away from the water, when I <em><span style="font-size:78%;">foamed at the mouth</span></em> politely requested they be a bit more sensible. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2tuqIyFlMCiQTSzxTeanl5-FQ-NBW2_Xt8OzAzD0v6o_7T5acKQH-wNCqt9S1wa5leOH8b4PgxnHk6IT3_K4iKyFFXb8RMtwBd5OtVTzuVKOg5YbJnZs9W4TnZAV2DA6YuRwKb8D69c/s1600-h/DSCF2260.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237159391081675650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2tuqIyFlMCiQTSzxTeanl5-FQ-NBW2_Xt8OzAzD0v6o_7T5acKQH-wNCqt9S1wa5leOH8b4PgxnHk6IT3_K4iKyFFXb8RMtwBd5OtVTzuVKOg5YbJnZs9W4TnZAV2DA6YuRwKb8D69c/s400/DSCF2260.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />While admiring this area and munching on some hot food, the weather crept in from the sea. Uh...actually it was more like rolled in and fast! As visible in this picture a wall of something could be seen heading our way. It actually unnerved the girls! I lived on a sailboat when I was a teenager and am familiar with some water weather patterns, so I knew this was a squall headed our way.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWfsIK7vTaTARiilxn-5-xq-5W8V9MnY0wDVwKx7rtiRZcLsfytGQ0IN5fLQPzHq7XoKagd9NLWC5UWYI-SgHZhscT9Xu8laseVo2sTpIY1AQ9IvqUQVS1WStGnBtyTGej7LdAW4J1Jw/s1600-h/DSCF2267.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237159411680219618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWfsIK7vTaTARiilxn-5-xq-5W8V9MnY0wDVwKx7rtiRZcLsfytGQ0IN5fLQPzHq7XoKagd9NLWC5UWYI-SgHZhscT9Xu8laseVo2sTpIY1AQ9IvqUQVS1WStGnBtyTGej7LdAW4J1Jw/s400/DSCF2267.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm amazed at how the weather snuck upon so many unsuspecting people! The little cluster of folks you see on the rocks below the building (a hotel) seemed completely unaware a storm was headed right for them. They ran like mad to take cover when the rain hit. And it hit like the wall it was! Isn't that little door in the hotel wall just the cutest thing? It opens to the rocks...makes me think of all those horror stories about big homes on the lonely cliffs...secret doors...murder... oops; wrong idea!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3GaEmMfTaMdO__mBTl51FwHKRRRhSf3qkCG-pvYireShSc2r_c7X6VApGQSdJqzpzTUY61tN3GnuaU5XBVdwk4WyOZ4hlp9qh6Qq4_MK8XDl-fbE9vNhYIgvpa5gIdWfGOyCXmpPfEg/s1600-h/DSCF2271.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237161275925862722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ3GaEmMfTaMdO__mBTl51FwHKRRRhSf3qkCG-pvYireShSc2r_c7X6VApGQSdJqzpzTUY61tN3GnuaU5XBVdwk4WyOZ4hlp9qh6Qq4_MK8XDl-fbE9vNhYIgvpa5gIdWfGOyCXmpPfEg/s400/DSCF2271.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is Alberta friend tentatively smiling at me. I wanted her picture BEFORE the storm hit in case she was swept away or anything so exotic. Her and daughter were trying to get into the vehicle before the blackening sky overtook us however I was all game to snap away! Right after I took this picture a little girl started screaming hysterically to Alberta friend's right (off to the left side of this photo). A man shouted to stay put and someone would come to help. A bit of excitement then! Apparently, this child's mother was following said child across the rocks and up towards the parking lot, when her hand slipped on one of the slippery rocks. Her face hit the rock and she slid down between a couple of rocks.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizI79PtGeQmHG-1LEGpSYF9L9Lt-yYqePuwYCBMSJE1FG5Xo7q9SEVZz_lkFxkVvUYS1fjV9jBnLBYXficLVfKdGMUaJrbWKm4QgO5zKhgSytxvOZx2S_64bDtsFTskQV6H1TPtQR4cDM/s1600-h/DSCF2272.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237161289595918466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizI79PtGeQmHG-1LEGpSYF9L9Lt-yYqePuwYCBMSJE1FG5Xo7q9SEVZz_lkFxkVvUYS1fjV9jBnLBYXficLVfKdGMUaJrbWKm4QgO5zKhgSytxvOZx2S_64bDtsFTskQV6H1TPtQR4cDM/s400/DSCF2272.JPG" border="0" /></a>Fortunately for her and her family, it appeared she either cut her lip and/or got a bloody nose. She made her way out and they walked over to the visitor shop/information store which probably had some sort of first aid station. It poured on them as the skies opened up before they made it to the information store.<br /><br />With the rain we decided to head north. We drove and drove and drove some more through some beautiful countryside. We actually ended up at Portland...and I ended up circling the freakin' runway about 4 times. I think it is one of the few times I actually lost my temper and my alter-ego made a hysterical appearance. By the time I found an hotel with lodgings available I was wiped out. So were the girls. But we needed to eat. Out we went. Again.<br /><br />By this time there wasn't a lot of vim and vinegar left in anyone. We ate a decent meal in a decent restaurant late at night. We did a bit of shopping at a favourite American store after ~ "Borders". Then we went back to the room and hit the sack. The following picture shows the last morning...and the sheer enthusiasm the girls had by now. Daughter wanted to hit her favourite stores in Bangor and then go home!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIQO9C29riWhkKgVe6I8W4xj0ryN3ZtB8keAiNOaabAL8PYaAc1Od_OgEEXXO1fT-Z1u-4XMifCzG8Do9sdFyuZXQnMFirZ9cBljPo3jhDSQk1qVlkKK49r1hyphenhyphenRTVqp63x1NqkfT-aso/s1600-h/DSCF2273.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237161293487015922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIQO9C29riWhkKgVe6I8W4xj0ryN3ZtB8keAiNOaabAL8PYaAc1Od_OgEEXXO1fT-Z1u-4XMifCzG8Do9sdFyuZXQnMFirZ9cBljPo3jhDSQk1qVlkKK49r1hyphenhyphenRTVqp63x1NqkfT-aso/s400/DSCF2273.JPG" border="0" /></a>Due to the fatigue felt by all of us, the shopping, eating, driving, border crossing and subsequent boring drive back to home, I did not take anymore pictures of this particular adventure. <br /><br />We.Were.Tired.Out.<br /><br />Upon arriving at home we three looked forward to crashing in our comfortable home and just relaxing. That was not to be. As luck would have it hubby didn't expect us home for another 24 hours and so the next day he had arranged for the exterminator to fumigate against those *(&*#%@ ants again. We had to get professional help last summer after moving in, against these puny and totally annoying critters. Seems that lot left some family behind that came out to torment us again. We had to vacate the house for at least 4 hours.<br /><br />Four hours! I didn't want to go anywhere ~ except for my soft & fluffy bed! Instead we dragged our sorry butts down the road to our family, where we could sit up or crash, as the case may be. I fell over in a drool-induced sleep until I culd get home.<br /><br />So that ends this summer's great adventure. There is still more to come and reflections to muse about but it is late and I'm going to fall asleep at the computer if I stay here much longer.Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-49065323264067388222008-08-18T20:47:00.012-03:002008-08-18T22:16:27.406-03:00Moving Down Across the BorderTo finish the Ottawa farewells (from the last post), here are the girls:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxXfN-ISsnvRaKbCPd2q2ez5uH9Sj7BCbydqadgquvfqGh0C0csEdT5haBUklmW7D4J0e12aTGVNrM-fxv6_VBuH4zL9rbzW-rs3y9iCEW44jIIG6lbzUuP88HF4kJt9y_1cHOUBoTaU/s1600-h/DSCF2209.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236011908558653778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPxXfN-ISsnvRaKbCPd2q2ez5uH9Sj7BCbydqadgquvfqGh0C0csEdT5haBUklmW7D4J0e12aTGVNrM-fxv6_VBuH4zL9rbzW-rs3y9iCEW44jIIG6lbzUuP88HF4kJt9y_1cHOUBoTaU/s400/DSCF2209.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Bye Ottawa! See you next time!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vKra4WzUYbDjzLW0sPtELaeVAvWEkJm_PL3_NF9cJ1GR9M5dKZ4IJBdWSSp56J1dCNOYUzZuBfQ0ShrkZrailFXxTdUmqNJqx9o5O6dkLDIgPfULdLw1vEi0s_miwXPpGZ_TYxZ4KNg/s1600-h/DSCF2213.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236012980560787746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vKra4WzUYbDjzLW0sPtELaeVAvWEkJm_PL3_NF9cJ1GR9M5dKZ4IJBdWSSp56J1dCNOYUzZuBfQ0ShrkZrailFXxTdUmqNJqx9o5O6dkLDIgPfULdLw1vEi0s_miwXPpGZ_TYxZ4KNg/s400/DSCF2213.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Off we set on our next destination: the Canada/US border. Ottawa being in one of its 2 road seasons...<em>construction</em> (the other being winter) I got temporarily lost, heading west and had to backtrack. Road signs were missing at crucial arteries so I listened to my gut and pulled off to check the map. Curses!!<br /><br />It was a beautiful day for driving and within an hour we drove over the bridge linking Canada with the U.S. We sailed through the border and entered the U.S. The first thing that hit me was the change in speed from kilometers to miles per hour! Then I noticed the price of gas in <em>gallons</em> not litres! Which then made me realize that I had not changed any money to US funds!!!!<br /><br />Oh great.<br /><br />I decided we would head for Lake Placid. There were no major arterial road heading west-east in that neck of the woods so we meandered on secondary roads the whole way. It was quite scenic (would have been MORE so if not for the low clouds on them thar' hills!) as we twisted and turned and drove up and down valleys. We were good and ready for a pit stop at Lake Placid! The weather threatened to get us wet but for the most part held off.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKicKtV__IL5VRVJ7WYSY6rDsilZSrGXMqL8dSxwZPgTcX8sErTqldQu-1VBIdH3f8TiuTdlow6JTUJ1N6F-Hx9a6ah49TgqUvVF7v2HC0gcgjkRQtwv1ei8YtetfcnkLWdGYAFedNS0/s1600-h/DSCF2237.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236016638928429474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKicKtV__IL5VRVJ7WYSY6rDsilZSrGXMqL8dSxwZPgTcX8sErTqldQu-1VBIdH3f8TiuTdlow6JTUJ1N6F-Hx9a6ah49TgqUvVF7v2HC0gcgjkRQtwv1ei8YtetfcnkLWdGYAFedNS0/s400/DSCF2237.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The lake itself is not very big. The entire lake is pretty much within the pictures you see below. Lake Placid earned its place in history because the Olympics took place there back in the 1980s...and yes, kids, some of us ARE old enough to remember them!!<br /><br />This is the left half of the lake or to the northern side.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bkNJDX1sDgA-WzNEeUA82RmcmOxUgP6vOjVBtsrvEUjT7Fwtf3yPMC3qjHxxthpGprG2Uc8DqFWIf0Lcrh3wFgT2-u3coVIOXPHFtEDpwCddkTzCCSIAsm3utzrU0I1LpALaryqAi6U/s1600-h/DSCF2224.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236015228587575282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bkNJDX1sDgA-WzNEeUA82RmcmOxUgP6vOjVBtsrvEUjT7Fwtf3yPMC3qjHxxthpGprG2Uc8DqFWIf0Lcrh3wFgT2-u3coVIOXPHFtEDpwCddkTzCCSIAsm3utzrU0I1LpALaryqAi6U/s400/DSCF2224.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is the right half of the lake or the more southern part. There were houses or cottages dotting the landscape and they are not cheap. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIDCbTfhOVwXkxEE-ukdpP6j0RDCLt-CEUARj2D-2PFPcaiwwHei0svkm1QI3gia-uO3Ff4DhW36340uNvz4V7SObTJXyltaqaon7WBD3diuoh7CY_zC5wbzHPSw8p-PtsDLOBBi36Tw/s1600-h/DSCF2225.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236015268102804722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIDCbTfhOVwXkxEE-ukdpP6j0RDCLt-CEUARj2D-2PFPcaiwwHei0svkm1QI3gia-uO3Ff4DhW36340uNvz4V7SObTJXyltaqaon7WBD3diuoh7CY_zC5wbzHPSw8p-PtsDLOBBi36Tw/s400/DSCF2225.JPG" border="0" /></a>One real estate company on Main Street spotlighted a few lakeside properties for close to a million dollars or more.<br /><br />Here is daughter encouraging Alberta friend to smile. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtD7prfUExd-FqOJ98z1uOEwCw3bA9vBUMoV0PrPsOXNhL29n0I9X-UAFc80KFsXsVtwAa6E7TGYa9Fxs8hJ5u2n7K6cTww79Fw8eTC_U1hRSheI9trSz8oVi2lZkq_glM2oOdOIWZdI/s1600-h/DSCF2236.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236016633064302642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtD7prfUExd-FqOJ98z1uOEwCw3bA9vBUMoV0PrPsOXNhL29n0I9X-UAFc80KFsXsVtwAa6E7TGYa9Fxs8hJ5u2n7K6cTww79Fw8eTC_U1hRSheI9trSz8oVi2lZkq_glM2oOdOIWZdI/s400/DSCF2236.JPG" border="0" /></a>Daughter found those psychodelic socks in the pyschodelic 70s shop. I swear we entered a horrible time warp when we stepped across the threshold of that hippies place! I did note I still looked like my 44 year old self though....<br /><br />Daughter didn't realize the significance of this bobsled sitting out on the sidewalk but was game to hop in. Alberta friend simply REFUSED to get in the thing even with our coaxing. While I took this photo I told them that it was the WINTER olympics held at this location and who knows, perhaps that very bobsled careened down the local mountain in a race!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSg0DIC6tW8WYaF8h3E_-CUFdEC7OgnDNTL6oAeK_CtIqUnWWcbq1nKSoOGXY7Z9880fkxgi0X1-aT1vMu1l_W33ZXuARaK0oO71AX6DI0maNG1dKVH99jBZDweBu7GYtuhLsKjC8xyYQ/s1600-h/DSCF2247.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236017930067931906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSg0DIC6tW8WYaF8h3E_-CUFdEC7OgnDNTL6oAeK_CtIqUnWWcbq1nKSoOGXY7Z9880fkxgi0X1-aT1vMu1l_W33ZXuARaK0oO71AX6DI0maNG1dKVH99jBZDweBu7GYtuhLsKjC8xyYQ/s400/DSCF2247.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is one shot of Main Street, Lake Placid. It actually reminded me very much of Banff or Jasper in the Rocky Mountains (in Canada, folks. In my homeland!!). If you took off the "Lake Placid" signs and stickers on the souvenirs and stuck on "Banff" or "Jasper" instead, why you'd think you hit a weird time warp.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzq7M-aZZcgFQB8VBge7R7c3ytejJh_DzcoaGArs_e0cqElYMzxfnEZ9ZrI_ShO3N0ZEnBQkl4R7u7FKvspB_QGqm8EA7OlN07-NNkwnbLCNa8tNNTTBNXg4_-Df61WzuUhVf865KKsM/s1600-h/DSCF2241.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236016680276375762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzq7M-aZZcgFQB8VBge7R7c3ytejJh_DzcoaGArs_e0cqElYMzxfnEZ9ZrI_ShO3N0ZEnBQkl4R7u7FKvspB_QGqm8EA7OlN07-NNkwnbLCNa8tNNTTBNXg4_-Df61WzuUhVf865KKsM/s400/DSCF2241.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's another portion of the street. Very pretty isn't it? Perhaps the town/city wants it to look this nice so you won't gasp at the prices of accommodations or meals. Or souvenirs. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlnqRhyphenhyphenfhb6Us7SMFf0T3ODPGFa0eZ0Q1OEgbvrd0trIWoTXz0V5PLjeTuO71GUCr-q2a4dqVHskoLnvZNrb-SdUd6nzuR-4S2174qw6qstojeJM__wfHpAGfXtHu2Xhe82_vDKEcFtE/s1600-h/DSCF2221.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236013907630748242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlnqRhyphenhyphenfhb6Us7SMFf0T3ODPGFa0eZ0Q1OEgbvrd0trIWoTXz0V5PLjeTuO71GUCr-q2a4dqVHskoLnvZNrb-SdUd6nzuR-4S2174qw6qstojeJM__wfHpAGfXtHu2Xhe82_vDKEcFtE/s400/DSCF2221.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This next photo is the outside of the restaurant we ate supper in. The front area had a couple of couches and a very small bar. You walked through to the back half where the dining part was built. It is quite narrow; either 2 or 3 tables wide. What sets it apart as wonderful were the huge glass windows at the end overlooking the lake. What an absolutely wonderful view to enjoy while eating good, but pricey, food. The girls are smiling because their tummies are full. These two were like Jekyll and Hyde when they got hungry! In fact, they got downright chatty for a while after eating and it was the only time they'd carry on a full and legible conversation with their chauffeur (me). <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0SvRKGh9PeHQlk0brNo3mmMkfEIb2cQVqyxz7fNN-zcjHz_ET_ouQTH9xeFUi53__frU-PNWiLk4VJfcLKEeXGEV-bBiDxBYuzzu13gztcIobGFbcE6ILfASll8UHUVRisZxIEB4R2M/s1600-h/DSCF2228.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236015277795986594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0SvRKGh9PeHQlk0brNo3mmMkfEIb2cQVqyxz7fNN-zcjHz_ET_ouQTH9xeFUi53__frU-PNWiLk4VJfcLKEeXGEV-bBiDxBYuzzu13gztcIobGFbcE6ILfASll8UHUVRisZxIEB4R2M/s400/DSCF2228.JPG" border="0" /></a>As evidenced by the bag(s) we managed to fulfill our tourist duty and purchase some souvenirs and books.<br /><br />The girls do not appreciate the very fine things in life yet; such as the beautiful scenery. Little spots tucked to the side of the stores were nicely decorated, such as this walkway up to someone's apartment.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBzLJyU7LAK8Lc-zRN4PKNtDsADWu5sN-TXRZQYQstY3bc6Ubikph8GMTMmWo1XYplRBVHc6nYBBmK3zUM8FYVYOrBLIlFf3xHn-WW2lThIpLAmCSTtMFyXv6Gl29D8OukTEsOYykfUU/s1600-h/DSCF2245.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236017902553869858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBzLJyU7LAK8Lc-zRN4PKNtDsADWu5sN-TXRZQYQstY3bc6Ubikph8GMTMmWo1XYplRBVHc6nYBBmK3zUM8FYVYOrBLIlFf3xHn-WW2lThIpLAmCSTtMFyXv6Gl29D8OukTEsOYykfUU/s400/DSCF2245.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />While souvenir hunting, we wandered out of a store and into a mini-mall when what did we see but an enormous bear! Daughter was game for a picture with our fuzzy friend but geez...Alberta friend.... relax! Get goofy girl! We had to pull her almost kicking and screaming to just get her to stand beside the bear! It was a huge stuffy, HONEST. It wasn't going to eat you!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMw8tS92QKB0VdLnTF_DVezWAeNf6bWLu5UA4ACjkZ86U8Ss9iMVxE6KHGyFe_5SwqWK462ZTYFu0WKbwQSC5kyUDyzrU1V3fv2Jd20VoNso548YytB3m2qnnmxq4Ay_P4IE246Gieo8/s1600-h/DSCF2220.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236013536426805730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMw8tS92QKB0VdLnTF_DVezWAeNf6bWLu5UA4ACjkZ86U8Ss9iMVxE6KHGyFe_5SwqWK462ZTYFu0WKbwQSC5kyUDyzrU1V3fv2Jd20VoNso548YytB3m2qnnmxq4Ay_P4IE246Gieo8/s400/DSCF2220.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Our brief stay in Lake Placid over, the ladies posed with the town clock on our way back to the car. We decided against spending the night here and headed on. That might not have been the best idea though...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJz5DOxkOFje1XYfiZ9SiEEka7Dpqb3P386qv6Wq5-6kuidNoY_o0-mvnabKJjqhMhk7umNByjct82qLH61BVe9jtU9cCmMzPk0RAXt3utIL38L3MvJ29lwNoysMommW7V_PaoKXC6Ho/s1600-h/DSCF2243.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236017838994252706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJz5DOxkOFje1XYfiZ9SiEEka7Dpqb3P386qv6Wq5-6kuidNoY_o0-mvnabKJjqhMhk7umNByjct82qLH61BVe9jtU9cCmMzPk0RAXt3utIL38L3MvJ29lwNoysMommW7V_PaoKXC6Ho/s400/DSCF2243.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I spent the next 3-1/2 hours driving on winding secondary roads, often being the only, lonely car on a dark road with nary a gas station in sight. It was an awfully long day of driving and it seemed to take forever to get to the next town that had a nice looking hotel.Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-85424903925636064092008-08-17T01:12:00.006-03:002008-08-17T03:07:41.416-03:00Farewell Ottawa & Family PhotosWhy is it when we say good-bye we like to punish ourselves by taking family photos? Let me show you what I mean...<br /><br />It came time for the girls and I to depart Ottawa and head on down the highway. I thought a nice photo of my sister and her family would be the order of the day.<br /><br /><strong>Ha!</strong><br /><br />Niece and nephew weren't exactly cooperating for ANYONE on this day...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBIc29lgYhwFXgv7QbjOkJslGJwZbYtyqTrsu1YjM6n9sLLrXpHuEu1hHHmjiuuWvYBxIdxxfw6pK87fEvfb_z-gLNFom9hfCcFLW1P47qd2AKhmiXLoxYmM0oKFkz_wGOtDBEWFM9CE/s1600-h/Family+photo1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBIc29lgYhwFXgv7QbjOkJslGJwZbYtyqTrsu1YjM6n9sLLrXpHuEu1hHHmjiuuWvYBxIdxxfw6pK87fEvfb_z-gLNFom9hfCcFLW1P47qd2AKhmiXLoxYmM0oKFkz_wGOtDBEWFM9CE/s400/Family+photo1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235352795682985762" /></a><br />So I gave everyone a breather and tried again. Even worse! Now I'm down to only ONE person smiling at the camera! Squinty eyes at that!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnty6jzhsV3HWLZD9Bv-plFWcHYgtDB6m8rAowidcgyjiEXBxP4ur4i0erBWtkqdzeFsTqzSeMeeQade5lLJV4g5BRePK00kUFtp5FkqSWpAAEipz7-DSYYUzEnc5bn5LBekd_DdYDkg/s1600-h/Family+photo2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnty6jzhsV3HWLZD9Bv-plFWcHYgtDB6m8rAowidcgyjiEXBxP4ur4i0erBWtkqdzeFsTqzSeMeeQade5lLJV4g5BRePK00kUFtp5FkqSWpAAEipz7-DSYYUzEnc5bn5LBekd_DdYDkg/s400/Family+photo2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235352801421826482" /></a><br />Someone suggested hugging to brighten the mood. Little nephew was game but niece put a pout on and wouldn't have any part of it...there goes another photo!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPI0VlJPyw0YBDYUudLPROPI60aEWNGF4DXkvslZDOJ9EcdFs4wEvHW6Xe7tNgUmzdLuy1USSqCoCZPnDw45tpwIjGjhm46gbfSbj6c8cfzIBkDLvb6MVmVRWTV8a8oXLddQcg1yhHmU/s1600-h/Family+photo3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPI0VlJPyw0YBDYUudLPROPI60aEWNGF4DXkvslZDOJ9EcdFs4wEvHW6Xe7tNgUmzdLuy1USSqCoCZPnDw45tpwIjGjhm46gbfSbj6c8cfzIBkDLvb6MVmVRWTV8a8oXLddQcg1yhHmU/s400/Family+photo3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235352815705945298" /></a><br />Right. Surely to god everyone can cooperate for one, miserable, stinking photo???<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja27q3pkM28ZkIwktxkBQp3rnkypoiPBOVDHf2wUPm_SqXNykHSONrZjGWPbTBCJpurlGHjpsVuv65FbZF8E99QcCVj0yhNhWfrZxgLBV1f0hO9Q23K34fgx6oBD8a3IHcIb41fL2jyQA/s1600-h/Family+photo4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja27q3pkM28ZkIwktxkBQp3rnkypoiPBOVDHf2wUPm_SqXNykHSONrZjGWPbTBCJpurlGHjpsVuv65FbZF8E99QcCVj0yhNhWfrZxgLBV1f0hO9Q23K34fgx6oBD8a3IHcIb41fL2jyQA/s400/Family+photo4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235352818581956818" /></a><br />That.Was.It. Enough effort! This shot will HAVE to do!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3Dn7jhnPCFaicwGgoGER1LqSDtOqY4a1zYm81FOqrtEx4LPqup6KmBwnVBh3c-rc29zKHJf3f6nsnGL-utCZhQyboy9D7H9c5aBRCKvx_bnkfvseIH-GrRHni9S0S-5APkAZTLV3bXU/s1600-h/Family+Photo5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3Dn7jhnPCFaicwGgoGER1LqSDtOqY4a1zYm81FOqrtEx4LPqup6KmBwnVBh3c-rc29zKHJf3f6nsnGL-utCZhQyboy9D7H9c5aBRCKvx_bnkfvseIH-GrRHni9S0S-5APkAZTLV3bXU/s400/Family+Photo5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235352826388580786" /></a><br /><br />***********************************************************************<br /><br />Moving on, my sister and I wanted a picture together.<br /><br />Great. Who would take the picture?<br /><br />Brother-in-law? <em><strong>What</strong></em>? <br /><br />But I haven't SEEN what kind of pictures he takes!<br /><br />Geez...does he even take any?<br /><br />Ok ~ let him this once. <em>How bad can it be</em>?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />WELL....since you asked.... <strong>**WARNING** </strong>...what follows is NOT pretty!!<br /><br />Hmmm...extra couple of chins, kindofasmirk...excess arm skin. Oh no you didn't!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT69xVbG9lQs5fdJfjBy-E_3JCmU0K7SJpOdbvyzK0728XjalaXeYFheKjrxS1kKH1KIMkjIxOEo48x2FzLnLAuXhj2AwxC4NGkjUIykaypHUabdVPaxLw0Ajq_TnmtyQbZXq0YC6_qpI/s1600-h/Sisters1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT69xVbG9lQs5fdJfjBy-E_3JCmU0K7SJpOdbvyzK0728XjalaXeYFheKjrxS1kKH1KIMkjIxOEo48x2FzLnLAuXhj2AwxC4NGkjUIykaypHUabdVPaxLw0Ajq_TnmtyQbZXq0YC6_qpI/s400/Sisters1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235353731513486290" /></a><br /><br />Take #2 is better. Check out the face on me - not even my <em>mother</em> could love that! Does Brother-In-Law even <em>like</em> me? I'm beginning to wonder!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxtmy28Sa_EW0WfxNv84rQfneJ8k-i2RLrU2luH7YUOvgV_hf2Tk9UQeU1FD51hDCvJZtY7YMyztLIwFAxYQI6cgZS4s21DazoCKqxhGqD5VNkaK0bQcuOZ11Y3ReYvd8pmSp3UBgsag/s1600-h/Sisters2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxtmy28Sa_EW0WfxNv84rQfneJ8k-i2RLrU2luH7YUOvgV_hf2Tk9UQeU1FD51hDCvJZtY7YMyztLIwFAxYQI6cgZS4s21DazoCKqxhGqD5VNkaK0bQcuOZ11Y3ReYvd8pmSp3UBgsag/s400/Sisters2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235353738634638994" /></a><br /><br />Right. We lost one.<br /><br />The other one is not having a photographic moment.<br /><br />Auntie isn't doing great either; dig the bent neck and big arm hanging out front!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO-ufKsDmX9zA5ufm49ukc0M-AuU_FsWlALlpn8fiRxFSUEFYKvNqdvBpsXrg1vm3jmdb5KUV7vUeBgYhP_i6GEyTpIClrGWii59eYWoWTlWKJXINa3XrU0LqiFEO_29O1o0vFtKad20/s1600-h/Sisters3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTO-ufKsDmX9zA5ufm49ukc0M-AuU_FsWlALlpn8fiRxFSUEFYKvNqdvBpsXrg1vm3jmdb5KUV7vUeBgYhP_i6GEyTpIClrGWii59eYWoWTlWKJXINa3XrU0LqiFEO_29O1o0vFtKad20/s400/Sisters3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235353743659801522" /></a><br /><br />And why didn't you tell me that my hair looked so awful? Looks like a freakin' MOP and <em>THAT ARM IS HANGING OUT THERE AGAIN</em>!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QCXl16GryA_fQZsHjAgMZZ7C2hnZUAZhOIhQUwFk34rkCB1r_B7XuFDwlfSKNp4V9N2x07phyceU9l6GkXZ0sHbFxIdPGPEmA2-Ir378oy4NObn6R5_YRQCcO-FgcmphsbYfO_htB0Y/s1600-h/Sisters4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QCXl16GryA_fQZsHjAgMZZ7C2hnZUAZhOIhQUwFk34rkCB1r_B7XuFDwlfSKNp4V9N2x07phyceU9l6GkXZ0sHbFxIdPGPEmA2-Ir378oy4NObn6R5_YRQCcO-FgcmphsbYfO_htB0Y/s400/Sisters4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235353744619864674" /></a><br /><br />Okay...so let's turf the niece and get a "sisters" picture going, 'kay?<br /><br />oh boy, like that <em>improved</em> anything! This is not a look I want to see A-N-Y-W-H-E-R-E let alone in hardcopy for everyone and his DOG to smirk at!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLyRCB8TvO9Zmtvuj2nze1EOnyz0HWgujkxq3wWyGtmA7Ps7UoXQs0Bfp4WWaKCevPgx-yoAcT-XVnOw5UmzZKGOyHxeAy41tdNPa-uTlzcof5nEBdxzlT5MQ1oIq6awzzh9MjL1nPe0/s1600-h/Sisters5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLyRCB8TvO9Zmtvuj2nze1EOnyz0HWgujkxq3wWyGtmA7Ps7UoXQs0Bfp4WWaKCevPgx-yoAcT-XVnOw5UmzZKGOyHxeAy41tdNPa-uTlzcof5nEBdxzlT5MQ1oIq6awzzh9MjL1nPe0/s400/Sisters5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235353752353286722" /></a><br /><br /><br />Uh ~ HELLO THERE! Since WHEN does ANYONE photograph two larger women from an unflattering angle and then <em><strong>NOT CROP </strong></em>the bad stuff out??!! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJw_Qjdq6uSRHPR0b8PmPNRqNf_b3s7WVaUK_pga62ujt2a9ZGtjdxNJAdtOCwN3eXdiXTLmsXB3VQJkL6aU1Ho-TBivYhyvb6udyGxQ9wttwd1TcB2hf066vKODbBEytarRlRqOFGt-c/s1600-h/Sisters6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJw_Qjdq6uSRHPR0b8PmPNRqNf_b3s7WVaUK_pga62ujt2a9ZGtjdxNJAdtOCwN3eXdiXTLmsXB3VQJkL6aU1Ho-TBivYhyvb6udyGxQ9wttwd1TcB2hf066vKODbBEytarRlRqOFGt-c/s400/Sisters6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235354357778405442" /></a><br />Specially when one IS <em><strong>YOUR WIFE </strong></em>and the other is your v-e-r-y scary <strong>SISTER-IN-LAW!</strong><br /><br />Funny. Very funny. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7RK2Y85LJpdpQVyrm-Ic9_odRC6B5gy52KAxrIjiX3w5pVgu1rp8VW0Q4bN3guH1pHNTVyl3oyWwJaM09RxCre9LkZOAhiqR7Q_XFdRhdMbEmOhR8FuxlehE5D5tJc0IUS0NYBIqLbE/s1600-h/Sisters7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw7RK2Y85LJpdpQVyrm-Ic9_odRC6B5gy52KAxrIjiX3w5pVgu1rp8VW0Q4bN3guH1pHNTVyl3oyWwJaM09RxCre9LkZOAhiqR7Q_XFdRhdMbEmOhR8FuxlehE5D5tJc0IUS0NYBIqLbE/s400/Sisters7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235354358082105746" /></a><br />'Scuse us a moment while I have a word with my dear, <em><strong>dear</strong></em> brother-in-law.....<br /><br />....<br /><br />.....<br /><br />......<br /><br />I'm back! We came to an understanding; we found a very nice photo and he gets to live another fun-filled day with the kids.<br /><br /><br />FINALLY. A worthy picture.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hBfYSNWgkOaRUwwJpu_OuUajcElXRKw8zEORriIZIYXwoeJSkVz0wOjaXrYBNWkiTam3vpDmhUIgTaStlRcqPHG2qFXS3wENhnOHpRlCFBIeMs-BdjuADi0fUpsFWc-IlD3aNpGLXb8/s1600-h/Sisters8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hBfYSNWgkOaRUwwJpu_OuUajcElXRKw8zEORriIZIYXwoeJSkVz0wOjaXrYBNWkiTam3vpDmhUIgTaStlRcqPHG2qFXS3wENhnOHpRlCFBIeMs-BdjuADi0fUpsFWc-IlD3aNpGLXb8/s400/Sisters8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235354355299683554" /></a><br /><br />...and now if you don't mind, I'm going to crawl into a corner with my bottle and have a nervous breakdown while I smash the camera to bits and pieces and drink whisky straight up until that second-to-last photo looks like the last one ~ or until I pass out. <br /><br />Either way this night is going to end on a luvly note...*hiccup*....Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-59369541162960352612008-08-17T00:40:00.002-03:002008-08-17T01:11:16.613-03:00What In The Tarot...?My sister and I grew up in the same household...but worlds apart. Where I like true stories, science, down-to-earth no-nonsense kind of stuff she doesn't. She was always one to read up on dreams, back-to-nature kind of stuff and tarot cards. I'm personally not a great believer in this but don't mind some fun now and then.<br /><br />When daughter, Alberta friend and I were visiting in Ottawa my sister held court one evening with her tarot cards. According to my sister we walk this earth with some spirit animals and we can learn about ourselves through recognizing what type of animals accompanies us. We were game and her cards were brought out. <br /><br />Let me show you....<br /><br />It was a dark and stormy night... oops ~ wrong story! It was a threatening kind of evening (as per rain clouds) but that was it. I had to retouch the photo below to make it dark and mysterious as circumstances lent to a seance type of atmosphere.<br /><br />The girls are eagerly anticipating their readings. Hmmm...well, actually ONE is ready to jump in with enthusiasm. The other, well...? Engrossed in a dark, mysterious type of magazine perhaps?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3B5vmO8v9zf5TZmq7dJKkwFmqGjd1M-PhCVj1Kbp1lDcI2aCMYhpM9NtCmrmwv3L_tYMbChcSphzq3GiJ8uYjl1T59X7UQf70jjR05XpXxoJGwQnyoysFOoQRJpzSEaeqWtK5VEI5V8/s1600-h/Tarot+Card+start.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3B5vmO8v9zf5TZmq7dJKkwFmqGjd1M-PhCVj1Kbp1lDcI2aCMYhpM9NtCmrmwv3L_tYMbChcSphzq3GiJ8uYjl1T59X7UQf70jjR05XpXxoJGwQnyoysFOoQRJpzSEaeqWtK5VEI5V8/s400/Tarot+Card+start.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235327312679196594" /></a>Nope. Just some hardcore brain candy - "People Magazine". <br /><br />Daughter went first. She shuffled the deck, cut it into 4 piles and then selected her pile. My sister laid out the cards in a 7 card semi-circle and then began the reveal. It is quite in depth and complicated...stuff about east, west, above ground, below ground, etc. Each person took notes for future reference. Here you can see daughter just beginning to write about her animals. By the time my sister was done, daughter had written to the bottom of the page!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtjuUezn3s54UZQO04bM3bH_zWTF3GCZKxwFz-zwOYPGNbke5PZ9q5-xXtMTLLfp88OFa31xB3IC8WNxghr8rZhD0C30vL7j5e5GJClc2YTcelz4keIoI92hPCpQ7qWfLdtwZyK8-YKg/s1600-h/Kristen+Tarot+reading.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCtjuUezn3s54UZQO04bM3bH_zWTF3GCZKxwFz-zwOYPGNbke5PZ9q5-xXtMTLLfp88OFa31xB3IC8WNxghr8rZhD0C30vL7j5e5GJClc2YTcelz4keIoI92hPCpQ7qWfLdtwZyK8-YKg/s400/Kristen+Tarot+reading.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235327321079707970" /></a><br /><br />Next up was Alberta friend. She had finished the fluffy, light reading and turned her attention to more serious matters. She had some cards that I wanted but you get the cards you deal. The deck used by my sister is North American animals so nothing exotic or particularily poisonous showed up ~ proving we're just good ol' Canadians! Alberta friend also took copious notes which she tucked away in her suitcase.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibv2N3VX7lwgUfiL78Vss1NaIR8gWtf_sbrmiiP07h_9ZLSxACH3CNNIw8lQDGQqIJmcIfZEY44_YHgL8OKF56OkvF2ncOK4r8J65Exs0ZzQyjSXaHND3siM1gSlnN9pbfqQn6j_0Wb_k/s1600-h/Tara+tarot+cards.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibv2N3VX7lwgUfiL78Vss1NaIR8gWtf_sbrmiiP07h_9ZLSxACH3CNNIw8lQDGQqIJmcIfZEY44_YHgL8OKF56OkvF2ncOK4r8J65Exs0ZzQyjSXaHND3siM1gSlnN9pbfqQn6j_0Wb_k/s400/Tara+tarot+cards.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235327313162280626" /></a><br /><br />While my cards were being shuffled (and during a dessert break where we pampered ourselves with strawberries and whipping cream), daughter caught my speeding nephew. He is still in that cute, cuddley and kissy-pooh stage much to daughter's delight. She grabbed him up and gave him a squish-a-bug-hug (our name for happy, squeezable hugs). <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PiG6-_bdc2GcytDy4pRZT7Kpq6tO_3bX0z8J4bBlXlk84J9b_DmhdxOZkJaXG7mqRgQIZ6ywkulooRehI7tTB4RObLJacV74MSocN4YafyICNXuQrL6xxyG1Tj9UDqyC8s7-o3CFsWA/s1600-h/Kristen+hugs+Graham.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PiG6-_bdc2GcytDy4pRZT7Kpq6tO_3bX0z8J4bBlXlk84J9b_DmhdxOZkJaXG7mqRgQIZ6ywkulooRehI7tTB4RObLJacV74MSocN4YafyICNXuQrL6xxyG1Tj9UDqyC8s7-o3CFsWA/s400/Kristen+hugs+Graham.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235327324007123586" /></a><br /><br />As for me no one took my pictures during my reading. I don't mind. I have some pictures that were taken when we left and I've got to have a word with my brother-in-law about that. He has not yet learned that to live long and peacefully he must beware of unflattering camera angles....wide-angle shots...squinty eyes...<br /><br />My sister's kids popped in and out to see the animals we dealt ourselves. There are a couple of my animals I'd like to trade for something <em>cuter</em> or <strong>scarier</strong>, like the turtle or bear, but apparently wishing it doesn't make it so. I figured that being a Taurus, born the year of the Dragon, with a name that means "Battle Maiden" that I'd score some ferocious animals but no, my walk with animals spirits is a lot tamer than I'd expected! <br /><br />Although dealing myself a whale didn't improve the self-image much! Especially after I saw brother-in-law's photos! Note: people do <em><strong>NOT</strong></em> resemble the animals they deal!!!Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-46284300367280407652008-08-15T01:43:00.002-03:002008-08-15T01:46:06.708-03:00Any "Heroes" Fans Out There!Oh I just got hooked on the t.v. series "Hereos"!!<br /><br />Luckily the first season is for rent at the local Blockbuster so I've been on a Hero-type binge for the past few days. Boy are there twists and turns on every episode!<br /><br />They didn't spare the gory details either, did they? <br /><br />I'm done disc 4 out of 7, in the first session.<br /><br />So now, of course, I want to yak with someone about what I'm seeing.....<br /><br />any fans out there?????Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-6566775232799990362008-08-15T01:12:00.003-03:002008-08-15T01:42:15.604-03:00Kids At Play!Once outside the Museum in Hull (Quebec), the Parliament buildings are visible across the river. Thinking the little ones needed a bit of fresh air and room to move after the museum, my sister and I sat ourselves down and relaxed. The kids, on the other hand, moved. I took out my camera to see what kind of pictures I could get of these two MOVING and some turned out quite well!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJ1tRTLflo8fZvrI4gGyhR1Xv3Ow2fSw9oFhJ9PDNHmIgpMq616yucU3Lp8v7okSEx9Z_lrSvhSCMzQmbOVNqyQ0NCGvDFnqdAYOzwd_yp6yyng5k_Z42BgFQszCDXtxJ5-cOurakd_Y/s1600-h/DSCF2148.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJ1tRTLflo8fZvrI4gGyhR1Xv3Ow2fSw9oFhJ9PDNHmIgpMq616yucU3Lp8v7okSEx9Z_lrSvhSCMzQmbOVNqyQ0NCGvDFnqdAYOzwd_yp6yyng5k_Z42BgFQszCDXtxJ5-cOurakd_Y/s400/DSCF2148.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234594718156895746" /></a><br />Little nephew is all about motion when he is up and about. He has 2 settings: full throttle or stop. Not much in between! Here he starts his motor up with a warm-up session....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Cv9a7FUJTfhZ4F_zBVd21dA39C7mOW37JdGy3an4M-0nBm6qQWt6d1Pi8Xh-sZj45tIZYtPYflqRrhbMg5HgZ-fX1zr7C5Ey5zqXLIdWvS92-4BCEVelH5nywszKynvL2aCl5d-MwVs/s1600-h/DSCF2149.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Cv9a7FUJTfhZ4F_zBVd21dA39C7mOW37JdGy3an4M-0nBm6qQWt6d1Pi8Xh-sZj45tIZYtPYflqRrhbMg5HgZ-fX1zr7C5Ey5zqXLIdWvS92-4BCEVelH5nywszKynvL2aCl5d-MwVs/s400/DSCF2149.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234594720334827666" /></a><br />and he proceeded to run circles around his mother and I for a long time!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgls9_R_v7SySwJYuekK1SJlGqqNbpYYtzuG-Dfamo5p4kjmzsOMm1TS_4Xrh94ubKB8tJzk5BsBWuUI08DKZYftJ8Y1sM-V4Od_bVkOGP1u11n8Vten41m9q4Mopr-ZRKbcvDnmsbSPRE/s1600-h/DSCF2152.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgls9_R_v7SySwJYuekK1SJlGqqNbpYYtzuG-Dfamo5p4kjmzsOMm1TS_4Xrh94ubKB8tJzk5BsBWuUI08DKZYftJ8Y1sM-V4Od_bVkOGP1u11n8Vten41m9q4Mopr-ZRKbcvDnmsbSPRE/s400/DSCF2152.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234594727530086418" /></a><br />Eventually he settled for a quick rest on his sister's lap. He ADORES his older sister and checks with her when he's doing something or asks her to help him when he gets stuck playing a game.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuasY3y7VmAdJ8E02ksl2t5Ryz2fMCVrGJAPtiiBXSNgql8wwRwUy6W_7Ph27vVsjV3A8JgQWTVOHCtaKT0H35e3fdkafoq3TByWb_qZUriem51z1WRrD5sH__Psp90DcwlZQl7LxPoPs/s1600-h/DSCF2154.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuasY3y7VmAdJ8E02ksl2t5Ryz2fMCVrGJAPtiiBXSNgql8wwRwUy6W_7Ph27vVsjV3A8JgQWTVOHCtaKT0H35e3fdkafoq3TByWb_qZUriem51z1WRrD5sH__Psp90DcwlZQl7LxPoPs/s400/DSCF2154.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234594741267994418" /></a><br />The quiet didn't last long before he threw himself back into play (and I do mean that literally)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLEcY-3kPzOuYD-6ogWlr_SSSAK_BHmfBgoYVUEyeo_TTNP7d5ly-gKmOqjl-ZTboZeFATuOT6CV_Wr5tgkhrvqi1l0Z0J4VzXj8iCiT-XbIK3uiRUsdUXuOEc22dFr-rUgqL-O5PJq8/s1600-h/DSCF2157.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLEcY-3kPzOuYD-6ogWlr_SSSAK_BHmfBgoYVUEyeo_TTNP7d5ly-gKmOqjl-ZTboZeFATuOT6CV_Wr5tgkhrvqi1l0Z0J4VzXj8iCiT-XbIK3uiRUsdUXuOEc22dFr-rUgqL-O5PJq8/s400/DSCF2157.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234594744864591058" /></a><br />He and his sister took off running together, in some sort of tag-like game. They ran this way....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUrhUXMXGwriwkvAoeoDMXScW4pad9yqroxubY8dauds65fguYNLfPcriseLDr7vVYZFl9wQDD-OVfsipYUZVND-v5C3WR2sP3RVDY9jyLg4fjMDuWw4iPi23YhAxTwivxVRFdUPqCbM/s1600-h/DSCF2162.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUrhUXMXGwriwkvAoeoDMXScW4pad9yqroxubY8dauds65fguYNLfPcriseLDr7vVYZFl9wQDD-OVfsipYUZVND-v5C3WR2sP3RVDY9jyLg4fjMDuWw4iPi23YhAxTwivxVRFdUPqCbM/s400/DSCF2162.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234596950410668226" /></a><br />and they ran that way...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSQi5S3oh1nMiWEX-eYrobkzAY7GfPXBV288CxerCSk39gNfqGrZKs0gYpZqW5GAdBFDxFOTnM3OuljwZkwAbftTQFENX1nMyEnlfL1QOIoQT-75PYNc50kSPuxPWUtLF6DoT4CmxSXM/s1600-h/DSCF2166.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSQi5S3oh1nMiWEX-eYrobkzAY7GfPXBV288CxerCSk39gNfqGrZKs0gYpZqW5GAdBFDxFOTnM3OuljwZkwAbftTQFENX1nMyEnlfL1QOIoQT-75PYNc50kSPuxPWUtLF6DoT4CmxSXM/s400/DSCF2166.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234596953897583106" /></a><br />and eventually ran very close to me. Finally though...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCvZLq2N1Ow3wuIPokml_-bC_1h2VS2mJ4apbqTsVd7hnAfIoiAniqMWhvRg_NQKnOgIt6NGkRwjw97bKsVNiLs90REOQz8ZpeTZe3TaJZ1iUfuNPV_7KxSJGG0it6k6VLA1yJuPAhEI/s1600-h/DSCF2167.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCvZLq2N1Ow3wuIPokml_-bC_1h2VS2mJ4apbqTsVd7hnAfIoiAniqMWhvRg_NQKnOgIt6NGkRwjw97bKsVNiLs90REOQz8ZpeTZe3TaJZ1iUfuNPV_7KxSJGG0it6k6VLA1yJuPAhEI/s400/DSCF2167.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234596958872998402" /></a><br />Little nephew had enough and just plopped down. He was ready to leave.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOu7wIhp4Or6IE1P7SkEc0W_8JkY7XItCtkj6ofsQYL8Hjl-hJOOFOAPmuAE809MgyJJ2NqmrX6q8i3z3RqzczaPon6V18Bfj3HwJBddZJvbHzNPEz_yTc07woarHNh515eOMLLTkmSs/s1600-h/DSCF2150.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqOu7wIhp4Or6IE1P7SkEc0W_8JkY7XItCtkj6ofsQYL8Hjl-hJOOFOAPmuAE809MgyJJ2NqmrX6q8i3z3RqzczaPon6V18Bfj3HwJBddZJvbHzNPEz_yTc07woarHNh515eOMLLTkmSs/s400/DSCF2150.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234596963019209698" /></a><br />As soon as they were settled in the car, tucked and buckled into their car seats and the air conditioner was blowing back a cool breeze both of them conked out and slept for the drive back to sister's place.Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-1490696479447207432008-08-14T01:11:00.002-03:002008-08-14T02:14:48.848-03:00More Children's MuseumTo continue off from yesterday's post...<br /><br />The "Bob the Builder" corner of the kids' museum was an HUGE hit with the little ones! They spent more time in that exhibit exploring all the different activities than anywhere else!<br /><br />In this photo little nephew is driving one of Bob's buddies. (I don't watch the show as my kids are now teens but no doubt some mothers out there know who these characters are!)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OqJcplnF58rLyO_IPht_uLlSvcZtTEoX6Qzpa1_us68E2jN10h40BQouKkW6w3W-NA-mdeD5BugqJw2XKUc8YOsmcD_aqt43NW7l1uvi-XO9ApgWnmZYYwyziWXK3JjCKTz1ee9MnpM/s1600-h/DSCF2063.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5OqJcplnF58rLyO_IPht_uLlSvcZtTEoX6Qzpa1_us68E2jN10h40BQouKkW6w3W-NA-mdeD5BugqJw2XKUc8YOsmcD_aqt43NW7l1uvi-XO9ApgWnmZYYwyziWXK3JjCKTz1ee9MnpM/s400/DSCF2063.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234223784594738866" /></a><br />Little nephew then went to another character - I'm not sure what this guy does. Little nephew decided to stack bricks along the dashboard and here you see him hard at work. His big brother moved some of the bricks in between little nephew's trips to bring more back and *whew* was he upset when he got back! The bricks had to be STRAIGHT mister! When he was finished stacking them 4 or 5 rows high he then carefully carried them back to put them away.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66setXklLMs5TSGwtqRS3TFTPEKBBrBLm8FgVjmgdQyz2YyZY3Zp5tM5AJly3OW742isUJ05ehGuW75nyRbeHALhRXOZEIIj58Hc8qoAzlnjQI70vbZvxYZnJlPTTDGXU4DTirBGvVG4/s1600-h/DSCF2081.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66setXklLMs5TSGwtqRS3TFTPEKBBrBLm8FgVjmgdQyz2YyZY3Zp5tM5AJly3OW742isUJ05ehGuW75nyRbeHALhRXOZEIIj58Hc8qoAzlnjQI70vbZvxYZnJlPTTDGXU4DTirBGvVG4/s400/DSCF2081.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234223793055754866" /></a><br />This contraption was fascinating to all the kids. On this side the child pushes the ball into a hole and then suction grabs the ball, forcing it up the pipe you can see behind my niece's head. Then, on the other side of this box, there is a spigot the child must turn for the balls to fall out (into a waiting bucket). It's up to the kids to bring the balls back and repeat the procedure. Which they did quite happily. Over and over and over and.....aaaarghh!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6KYxCoUuPXnhwNNg0FH72bdlkzD-RZajsiwEB7X6q0wMkWt_H2meuOvGShHVU2qcd6I5MsbCzNVv5PqKjo8zBSn7IVG21qS_UttXTuNzDlIq3VdM4KqhRMIJ2pwd-jnunVKRjNX7qcU/s1600-h/DSCF2091.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6KYxCoUuPXnhwNNg0FH72bdlkzD-RZajsiwEB7X6q0wMkWt_H2meuOvGShHVU2qcd6I5MsbCzNVv5PqKjo8zBSn7IVG21qS_UttXTuNzDlIq3VdM4KqhRMIJ2pwd-jnunVKRjNX7qcU/s400/DSCF2091.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234223800920111106" /></a><br />Eventually Big nephew and I were successful in sheparding the kids to other areas. Next up were a couple of vehicles - Little nephew's passion. Obviously not just his as Big nephew is doin' some dreaming in the back there! Keep up your dayjobs, boys, that pretty toy is pricey!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8VoLhbXIRCu6NkG5GmUo0R9CavjAx-KWiT9RiOd5iaMqXH-V7-4ljijBSbD5O0jc3U_spSvznZRp2c5NyQYwujBQiMKXBuK36PdFpOAin61QuSpQ0leo0fiCoDphjCn5Ro7yMk7CeJc/s1600-h/DSCF2103.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8VoLhbXIRCu6NkG5GmUo0R9CavjAx-KWiT9RiOd5iaMqXH-V7-4ljijBSbD5O0jc3U_spSvznZRp2c5NyQYwujBQiMKXBuK36PdFpOAin61QuSpQ0leo0fiCoDphjCn5Ro7yMk7CeJc/s400/DSCF2103.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234223806371788162" /></a><br />Another area was the ship centre. The kids could grab some cargo and move it to the dock. You can see niece hard at work while little nephew looks on. After this shot he jumped down into the cargo and didn't wait for his turn. Little niece is a serious girl who concentrates on the task at hand. The cargo made it safely to shore.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kV7c1n8aVc1rslKSP8ztIDqMFjwEIqzU49VFIQ1wXrKQ6hv32HKpybCnuKfoFom4nNpiBGV3eZKJJUQ4SUz5A45EO-8T64YPHaI3r48gaKQg6mvk-eF2OeYxirtCmBwH-SGB5OmPWqg/s1600-h/DSCF2109.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kV7c1n8aVc1rslKSP8ztIDqMFjwEIqzU49VFIQ1wXrKQ6hv32HKpybCnuKfoFom4nNpiBGV3eZKJJUQ4SUz5A45EO-8T64YPHaI3r48gaKQg6mvk-eF2OeYxirtCmBwH-SGB5OmPWqg/s400/DSCF2109.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234223813621692194" /></a><br />Next up was a mini car of some sort ~ I'm thinking it was a mini Cooper. Little nephew LOVED this car as it was just his size! He actually persuaded his big brother to get in so he could drive him somewhere. Big brother (big nephew) is a bit tall to fit comfortably as plainly visible. It required some great contortions to get himself out of there. He's game for it all though - no wonder his siblings adore him (and Auntie too!).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXL0GcuRSNnPKo3Q9LtiTlTUgD978BOUWvA3nJ6qW-gD0_Nt_PAhCr71LQNQ_TzlHjnPMhn1rpHNj1LP6Qwkzqz0xfM5eCy_uO-W_6unod-ePgNvA4d6XU-B4sPwvUDDiACx6M2V9Ohmk/s1600-h/DSCF2114.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXL0GcuRSNnPKo3Q9LtiTlTUgD978BOUWvA3nJ6qW-gD0_Nt_PAhCr71LQNQ_TzlHjnPMhn1rpHNj1LP6Qwkzqz0xfM5eCy_uO-W_6unod-ePgNvA4d6XU-B4sPwvUDDiACx6M2V9Ohmk/s400/DSCF2114.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234225733713976306" /></a><br />We also hit up the bakery. While big nephew and I sat at one of the tables the shop's staff went behind the scenes to cook us up some pizza and fruit. Little nephew was hard at work creating some bread rolls for us to munch on before our meal arrived.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWR-GzCHSVa25sf7nNi9veQ7L7GpoWwEFd3EdpwFSTqLbrFbZPlNrOpYCaWpa3u2DmGPPtGqE9OH44os2bhDvcIacYPUpq6C1RCTNN9T08j_wbyP8B5mfGnFCXS0IXSS8apE3KJV-mA0/s1600-h/DSCF2124.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWR-GzCHSVa25sf7nNi9veQ7L7GpoWwEFd3EdpwFSTqLbrFbZPlNrOpYCaWpa3u2DmGPPtGqE9OH44os2bhDvcIacYPUpq6C1RCTNN9T08j_wbyP8B5mfGnFCXS0IXSS8apE3KJV-mA0/s400/DSCF2124.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234225736041156882" /></a><br />Meanwhile my niece was busy preparing the dessert. My did we "eat" a lot at that place! The kids loved creating dishes from the food, utensils and cookware. There were chef hats but there weren't any spare ones for my little ones; some older kids did a fair bit of hogging of everything until I stepped in and liberated some items for my niece and nephew.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0zzVZrpotc_6KXOZJxBwh0uwoT3kHEP1QaR8qFGzWkz15jrsYeyb84YBo_3KOJXjlERn3upclG7gZ_1zMA0OP1A3fgk-yoQwgWQE5yFwPJk0t802kgVukZNknJHD0NRcYNzLrgE5K6w/s1600-h/DSCF2123.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0zzVZrpotc_6KXOZJxBwh0uwoT3kHEP1QaR8qFGzWkz15jrsYeyb84YBo_3KOJXjlERn3upclG7gZ_1zMA0OP1A3fgk-yoQwgWQE5yFwPJk0t802kgVukZNknJHD0NRcYNzLrgE5K6w/s400/DSCF2123.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234231966856863314" /></a><br />Fun displays like the one here were placed in strategic spots to gaze at. I can't imagine the hours of work that went into this miniature house! It was behind glass as were the other miniature dioramas around the museum.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qaK9CRtWhUIYBew8_yb2B0P0KYtiqnbM-VeUYFba1Yn6bmKgoBXYFFZ7u2WrPhZkaWnlji4BSz4TEJuj-0uI7PMm_XA2fKqKp89lVK2z3ZudzdtaUBKzaO6hKKyHxoG39NWyxf2G4yQ/s1600-h/DSCF2125.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qaK9CRtWhUIYBew8_yb2B0P0KYtiqnbM-VeUYFba1Yn6bmKgoBXYFFZ7u2WrPhZkaWnlji4BSz4TEJuj-0uI7PMm_XA2fKqKp89lVK2z3ZudzdtaUBKzaO6hKKyHxoG39NWyxf2G4yQ/s400/DSCF2125.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234225745625992882" /></a><br />Moving on to another little building we came to the clothing design shop. Looking up was colourful with much for the eye to see. In this place happy green bugs held tight to fabric. No matter where your eye rests in this museum, there is an explosion of colour and knick-knacks. Truly amazing!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnCNWEpBrRP-ALyUv7buj4t06Xw5Xv91m3C6Ei7d39huLxlVINU8Df-PbueO-KgH0uNCI3pP-izDAM-8WLZKJyga8CzcRX99s0hq4nJCVLoJbCL7S7nqAOd5bxM9FXlV0D5LzXcv0Tjg/s1600-h/DSCF2128.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnCNWEpBrRP-ALyUv7buj4t06Xw5Xv91m3C6Ei7d39huLxlVINU8Df-PbueO-KgH0uNCI3pP-izDAM-8WLZKJyga8CzcRX99s0hq4nJCVLoJbCL7S7nqAOd5bxM9FXlV0D5LzXcv0Tjg/s400/DSCF2128.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234225755647532866" /></a><br />Bringing the eyes down we come to the one of the fashion design areas. Niece was quite busy designing some new clothing for the coming season. With the different stamps and colours available all kinds of fabrics and textures might be rolled out for the fall season! In the foreground a couple of dummy models are visible, for trying on various clothes.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8y4Ns5bkLUQf4ekQCI-hYoAqe6j0wZG5k4q5naCOzeU-VAJNpsklSMdHPQIsPzt6kHSTxJVDpRZd2k1jkzgjbPqFVNVyOYRJT33i5XaRf60ZfvUh7w4nZ9o5UHMpIJcqXz4aBjIaScw0/s1600-h/DSCF2130.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8y4Ns5bkLUQf4ekQCI-hYoAqe6j0wZG5k4q5naCOzeU-VAJNpsklSMdHPQIsPzt6kHSTxJVDpRZd2k1jkzgjbPqFVNVyOYRJT33i5XaRf60ZfvUh7w4nZ9o5UHMpIJcqXz4aBjIaScw0/s400/DSCF2130.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234225758270116546" /></a><br />While niece was designing away in one part of the "showplace" the boys were busy in the other half. As a purchaser for my clothing store, the two were responsible for bringing samples of their wares to me, so I could peruse the selection and make my choices. The mirrored wall behind them was indeed warped and my goodness, I liked the skinny frame! I could almost picture myself QUITE a bit lighter!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJaxxaIOPZ5HePqd3cRrqotgtnkUpze0XAsqXGeTW4DUkjVfOnukD7ZhprkJ_8XYhkuNJUf90DZzRrPMBut_9aPmRPAAZL4LmAlSmf7SXh4-pg4ydIYYZPxBMn1kEEOofU0oyW1DVWNQ/s1600-h/DSCF2131.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJaxxaIOPZ5HePqd3cRrqotgtnkUpze0XAsqXGeTW4DUkjVfOnukD7ZhprkJ_8XYhkuNJUf90DZzRrPMBut_9aPmRPAAZL4LmAlSmf7SXh4-pg4ydIYYZPxBMn1kEEOofU0oyW1DVWNQ/s400/DSCF2131.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234227676862209362" /></a><br />Little nephew also did some design work in between ringing up customers. Here he displays one of his latest designs for the fashion shows to note.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBE8hXaV1TsqKdjuplMd8stCJKSE3Tgv61J9-2NCbUYL97s2zOZOjQ0izEoSYanYm_nI0A3VyqIdhHivemaTx83QCv_D0KjXvzCrNXVseSS7j1L0evVg8NkCoZlA9dxfaizYFrTPiAo4U/s1600-h/DSCF2138.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBE8hXaV1TsqKdjuplMd8stCJKSE3Tgv61J9-2NCbUYL97s2zOZOjQ0izEoSYanYm_nI0A3VyqIdhHivemaTx83QCv_D0KjXvzCrNXVseSS7j1L0evVg8NkCoZlA9dxfaizYFrTPiAo4U/s400/DSCF2138.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234227681828670978" /></a><br />Then we went tropical long enough to take another picture. Little niece was bright and colourful that day so I shoved her in with a bunch of palm trees and told her to smile. Being quite a good sport, she did. I told her the picture would look like she was in a jungle and indeed it does. I'll be making some hard copy prints to send her shortly, where she can clap in delight over her "travels" that day.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KrPXyCSuxfZh7owjG8TRk8Jn3oMGNui1sbrPnVG0Z9uHaepTIsEqn-kVxkdTNXIL6lahlQiV3kYd8R09Omj3bzvHbGCKh-NBb5q7SANTYksCQqyjKPZoy-_5AQ-ebdzHmfpdpBVht_k/s1600-h/DSCF2139.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KrPXyCSuxfZh7owjG8TRk8Jn3oMGNui1sbrPnVG0Z9uHaepTIsEqn-kVxkdTNXIL6lahlQiV3kYd8R09Omj3bzvHbGCKh-NBb5q7SANTYksCQqyjKPZoy-_5AQ-ebdzHmfpdpBVht_k/s400/DSCF2139.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234227690726423538" /></a><br />Here we were done with the children's museum. We were waiting for my sister to show up after work (she worked close by) and niece was a little tired out. I just quietly called her name and she turned to look at me. Before you think she never quite lightens up scroll down to the final picture....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvjCuod30rEurIaOQqfee9wI0fQl67Z8ZQlwGkeE40uUrnkxeiuPBluYOxxOKK2rNU03n7v8K5xE3gUKGj-raAeJoFko_1ipfgdehSEL0keSt70stlr8SmO9-ebHnH3BA8dlGtEF-2_s/s1600-h/DSCF2147.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvjCuod30rEurIaOQqfee9wI0fQl67Z8ZQlwGkeE40uUrnkxeiuPBluYOxxOKK2rNU03n7v8K5xE3gUKGj-raAeJoFko_1ipfgdehSEL0keSt70stlr8SmO9-ebHnH3BA8dlGtEF-2_s/s400/DSCF2147.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234227699579595202" /></a><br />Where she broke out into a grin at something I said. Don't you love those eyes??<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9MLEE9AZ7ASD_PqIfQVfSEsE12y-ixBhHNUmHqAmX2fEs4vlTNQW52S9oPcr2N7S8yq621lOBwn-Jv6p_w7nRRbOhcucZT6CioMjyBCdeLQjjqgq0xeqGNqLYE7rLGDMXOFdTnjqOew/s1600-h/DSCF2146.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid9MLEE9AZ7ASD_PqIfQVfSEsE12y-ixBhHNUmHqAmX2fEs4vlTNQW52S9oPcr2N7S8yq621lOBwn-Jv6p_w7nRRbOhcucZT6CioMjyBCdeLQjjqgq0xeqGNqLYE7rLGDMXOFdTnjqOew/s400/DSCF2146.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234227706524899778" /></a><br /><br />Thus ends the tour of the kids' museum. These pictures are only a fraction of all the exhibits in there and if you have kids and ever visit Ottawa be SURE to put this on your list of places to see and do. It truly is a magical place for little ones and those who bring them there (although daughter and Alberta friend got some passports and cruised through the place too).<br /><br />Next up will be when we moved outside for a little R&R. The kids ran and ran and ran. I turned the camera on to high speed and snapped away. Stay tuned....Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-30097283230037572442008-08-13T11:59:00.002-03:002008-08-13T12:17:28.883-03:00The Children's Museum in Ottawa<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUrxC9y24zBN_58LnwsXO-aw-pVLNZA7_Ia0V2kwt-kjW8sPoT1mEnMbZH9YzUmz7nVGad8wJO_LOUGbbb_LPmk6d2sCAAzgPkzr-VEKS0nz7D7GuxEVeJQpkmQey41zimHDfsAH52dI/s1600-h/DSCF2054.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUrxC9y24zBN_58LnwsXO-aw-pVLNZA7_Ia0V2kwt-kjW8sPoT1mEnMbZH9YzUmz7nVGad8wJO_LOUGbbb_LPmk6d2sCAAzgPkzr-VEKS0nz7D7GuxEVeJQpkmQey41zimHDfsAH52dI/s400/DSCF2054.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234018955360806802" /></a><br />May I introduce you to subject museum? It is actually the Museum of Natural Civilization...or something like it!...but it has within its walls, the BEST children's museum EVER. I took little niece and nephew there one day, along with Big nephew (older brother of 2 little ones) and my daughter and her Alberta Friend.<br /><br />We only made it through the children's museum that particular day; something to do with the whims and energy level of little ones. Today's post captures the first exhibits we ran into...<br /><br />The Theatre is first. It has an audience area where I was sitting and a complete backstage area. All the kids came out to perform for me, including totally grown-up Nephew who rather drolly pointed out that he was a "tree".<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpzocy8HkyzsVRuW9RpvawnxsOjKZvuyPQrIodnng7vkUHDJ8gCMS8W5QbVVp42Y7s3T0hyRxtt13lbXF36fsc_kB7rFGJRY69u-ZuFG3Uja5zmvOgZr4uEO3mSYLCkCHmWn4n895yh4/s1600-h/DSCF2056.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpzocy8HkyzsVRuW9RpvawnxsOjKZvuyPQrIodnng7vkUHDJ8gCMS8W5QbVVp42Y7s3T0hyRxtt13lbXF36fsc_kB7rFGJRY69u-ZuFG3Uja5zmvOgZr4uEO3mSYLCkCHmWn4n895yh4/s400/DSCF2056.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234018952100318594" /></a><br />Little niece and nephew were much more game about performing so I focussed on them. I believe little nephew is actually a Joker here... and isn't he quite the charming devil too?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_3GeYxu2YHN7XjIIXFvPfghyf3_L5nTOLDbzGkuLMm8pe7HQbqwY6CXn6bv-KYeonEbfhizzMVLA8N9PM3YAZfeN3n-zuHQ8Vt7ThAsg8eo6DHGcQNGbGEw7Gs_x90Ypqi1OSa8MR_g/s1600-h/DSCF2057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_3GeYxu2YHN7XjIIXFvPfghyf3_L5nTOLDbzGkuLMm8pe7HQbqwY6CXn6bv-KYeonEbfhizzMVLA8N9PM3YAZfeN3n-zuHQ8Vt7ThAsg8eo6DHGcQNGbGEw7Gs_x90Ypqi1OSa8MR_g/s400/DSCF2057.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234018959494738834" /></a><br />Once the theatrics were over, well of course the little ones had to rest and recline on the sofa backstage. Look at the sofa - it's kid size! That is one of the truly neat things about this museum; everything is set up for kids and not adults!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTH9hp9jcRRSXN7A4tY-9IHt0-WE-ZHBsg39q39ihbGkVRxzk3V9-qy3JdpFE8Mcm7u1HcrabFMeG8hWZbVJQT0raq3E5qH-ZuW0UpOaLZCMcv6snAG-HcJWvI4l-3W-nEB_Y5Ej6mQE8/s1600-h/DSCF2058.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTH9hp9jcRRSXN7A4tY-9IHt0-WE-ZHBsg39q39ihbGkVRxzk3V9-qy3JdpFE8Mcm7u1HcrabFMeG8hWZbVJQT0raq3E5qH-ZuW0UpOaLZCMcv6snAG-HcJWvI4l-3W-nEB_Y5Ej6mQE8/s400/DSCF2058.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234018966647316706" /></a><br />Next stop the travelling bus! Little niece loves the bus; it is absolutely covered in glitter and sparkles. She drove daughter and Alberta friend to wonderful imaginary places. Here the girls are looking in their passports for the right page to stamp. After visiting each place in the museum there is a stamp box, to mark in your special passport that you visited the place and participated in the activity.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5s5SeLIi0JWFBIicA4r2k_OSxre8taJomA4fOaNyLG29gGXSlPaoJPlhFNSn6-89UrO3ePV_hySaz1g9_ecvkQodBoCYeErmM16k30HyLJ5AuhJOiFIf868KAEw6QNsJcU9VoiOflLHg/s1600-h/DSCF2061.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5s5SeLIi0JWFBIicA4r2k_OSxre8taJomA4fOaNyLG29gGXSlPaoJPlhFNSn6-89UrO3ePV_hySaz1g9_ecvkQodBoCYeErmM16k30HyLJ5AuhJOiFIf868KAEw6QNsJcU9VoiOflLHg/s400/DSCF2061.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234018973231221106" /></a><br /><br />p.s. that guy behind the girls? We call him the scary man.... he doesn't look very happy and he wasn't with us. <br /><br />So ends the first post for the museum. There is plenty more to follow but I have to run. It is Alberta friend's last day with us and we are heading downtown to the market to buy some special local "food" to take home with her. In case her parents see this I won't divulge the nature of this interesting stuff.... but stay tuned - much more to come!Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-52309548819103790262008-08-10T00:35:00.006-03:002008-08-10T01:18:20.629-03:00The Ladies Dine OutFollowing our walk to Parliament Hill, daughter, Alberta friend and I met up with my friend (Fairy Godmother) from days gone by. We were on the prowl for a place to eat in the BIG CITY. Where to go? So many places, so many choices! Fairy Godmother has scouted many restaurants during her time in Ottawa and was able to help us narrow the list down considerably.<br /><br />At first we leaned towards a funky menu and colourful venue....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ye2aC5E1T73SFKWx6JF4DdcX7WRFYXR_S62gMO-aCGLBUQXaTA3qQpF4Kg_SmEqPkUHJEfb4VtMCTpR-yy5fewrEVRluAwt5phqze_QH2t25S6UaQFy2hzWlCBEfko6-JMOE12ucrKk/s1600-h/Blue+Cactus.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232728095445011282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ye2aC5E1T73SFKWx6JF4DdcX7WRFYXR_S62gMO-aCGLBUQXaTA3qQpF4Kg_SmEqPkUHJEfb4VtMCTpR-yy5fewrEVRluAwt5phqze_QH2t25S6UaQFy2hzWlCBEfko6-JMOE12ucrKk/s400/Blue+Cactus.jpg" border="0" /></a>... but the menu didn't appeal to everyone so we strolled on down to the end of the street and headed to a place that serves up great steak...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfu1JVgv3o1KR0B4uA5DMni4917WFjKjFNFrk_JVXBDWvtsBysPyflzkViRyC7CfqGorB80fYNppQJhN84aGQqQyRgGSlDMFwWwfAHZBUOhLO6ZDDXULmzC8L7qtveZVefUaardM-9sE/s1600-h/Empire+Grill.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232728098389445554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfu1JVgv3o1KR0B4uA5DMni4917WFjKjFNFrk_JVXBDWvtsBysPyflzkViRyC7CfqGorB80fYNppQJhN84aGQqQyRgGSlDMFwWwfAHZBUOhLO6ZDDXULmzC8L7qtveZVefUaardM-9sE/s400/Empire+Grill.jpg" border="0" /></a> at a place called the Empire Grill. Inside this restaurant there is a wall covered in real cow hides but we settled out on the patio outside.<br /><br />Fairy Godmother and I had a BLAST catching up on times & gossip. The younger ladies were highly entertained by the conversation between us old and er...more <em><strong>mature</strong></em> types... yeah, right, <em>mature</em> ~ that's what we were!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGp8GhWtze6DALOWuCZKjEFL0hX17cwQ1GW6LfRQDZ7hCtnI6q-PvM-O6osLs4BXgKlSa5JwVE0yMo7MmWpLoWUrhQITENzLNIAvjft9R2XK3KP-CY_7Dh-8xyVUZY6PW6CjEIYYYs40/s1600-h/Karen+and+me.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232728699064211522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKGp8GhWtze6DALOWuCZKjEFL0hX17cwQ1GW6LfRQDZ7hCtnI6q-PvM-O6osLs4BXgKlSa5JwVE0yMo7MmWpLoWUrhQITENzLNIAvjft9R2XK3KP-CY_7Dh-8xyVUZY6PW6CjEIYYYs40/s400/Karen+and+me.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />And even though the girls were h-u-n-g-r-y they smiled for the millionth photo. It was probably a lasting effect from one of Fairy Godmother's endearing stories that kept us in stitches. The lady can tell a story!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZG8UOpH-jOg9BXFFrfVRVVQxU16lftCuiQROQXmSxuJPEPv3CPt2Pt_q3ghmcWAtb0fFZpfU635ZU9eI9ho5X3H8ZK0QDdPJnVoXQXs656yqvQwulO63gJ9GrVrrEK9F5S7Qds0APZNM/s1600-h/Girls+dinner+out.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232728118688185826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZG8UOpH-jOg9BXFFrfVRVVQxU16lftCuiQROQXmSxuJPEPv3CPt2Pt_q3ghmcWAtb0fFZpfU635ZU9eI9ho5X3H8ZK0QDdPJnVoXQXs656yqvQwulO63gJ9GrVrrEK9F5S7Qds0APZNM/s400/Girls+dinner+out.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As with everything, all good things must come to an end and the lingering laughter kind of petered out as dinner still did not show up! By now Alberta friend was ready to shoot me for snapping yet another photo, but what am I to do? We were <em><strong>ON AN ADVENTURE</strong></em>!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQJwUH921Ux8hqIEndqoFO_PEdip0ivdydJMDdn45r3n4OdQdYLryV5wvqEJfL6zRuviMMNcIWwmpmr6o2DElVFPmVjLmtaXW6DVTx3oLa9c89vlNXpLQApNbENwnx4UlgZMiXlMfAAo/s1600-h/Tara+dinner.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232728928480997650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQJwUH921Ux8hqIEndqoFO_PEdip0ivdydJMDdn45r3n4OdQdYLryV5wvqEJfL6zRuviMMNcIWwmpmr6o2DElVFPmVjLmtaXW6DVTx3oLa9c89vlNXpLQApNbENwnx4UlgZMiXlMfAAo/s400/Tara+dinner.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Daughter was more in the spirit of things...at least until <em>her</em> dinner was served...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG07EylogHyIP32rxTEYSueR5TscfPMZHGSrcQUvof5LC3L3BfXyBWxxnZQTScKwHblzhQqOVGFEV67E37w3ODk_-kvjkP1mLF7xa3g0KPKunN_H7HYGB_bfeH0KdBbzuFM-dM0Z_Wjx8/s1600-h/Kristen+waits+to+eat.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232728711886424674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG07EylogHyIP32rxTEYSueR5TscfPMZHGSrcQUvof5LC3L3BfXyBWxxnZQTScKwHblzhQqOVGFEV67E37w3ODk_-kvjkP1mLF7xa3g0KPKunN_H7HYGB_bfeH0KdBbzuFM-dM0Z_Wjx8/s400/Kristen+waits+to+eat.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Now before everyone comments on what a bad mother I am for just letting her have meat on daughter's plate, it was her choice. I repeat ~ that is what she wanted! The girl does not eat vegetables and has not since the ripe old age of 3 or 4. Since all the accompaniments consisted of mashed potatoes or fries or a salad or vegetable soup she politely declined these extras. The result is the meat on her plate.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9KZ0FNWwlzO4owrA3_V9VBhdteXnYTb4D5fjedU0XLv66OPE2mTWo6GgUozm2S3LCr5JIc4IM9FM-7OIG6svpLub2bB8yI0TU5UUGBCfJtBbvx1NRd5UOGVAYep4nhy1lpofrrUBxfs/s1600-h/Girls+dinner.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232728109606067186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9KZ0FNWwlzO4owrA3_V9VBhdteXnYTb4D5fjedU0XLv66OPE2mTWo6GgUozm2S3LCr5JIc4IM9FM-7OIG6svpLub2bB8yI0TU5UUGBCfJtBbvx1NRd5UOGVAYep4nhy1lpofrrUBxfs/s400/Girls+dinner.jpg" border="0" /></a>Daughter had the filet mignon with sauce on the side. What we didn't know when ordering is that the meat itself is either marinated in something spicy or cooked with a hot sauce. Daughter likes a bit of kick and spice but this meat left her mouth burning. So if you ever eat at the Century Grill beware your meat could be very spicy. Alberta friend chose a milder, pasta-oriented dish that smelled and tasted very nice.<br /><br />Now MY dish was something to rave about! Fairy Godmother highly recommended it and I boldly went where she previously dared to go. It looks awesome doesn't it?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BL2VdzIyCH8J3TlYMwQvsJAws0z-GbQbFzXwKddO283UYKRyw4KSJdIn8rZXlgYtJ-2UCTya4AtiwKR0XXEHxLfA5wW_6-ZjcZiTg7hdkEqrPizGNLFkjypwhnxJvSCp_qOf_O4iRaU/s1600-h/My+dinner.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232728732396352850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BL2VdzIyCH8J3TlYMwQvsJAws0z-GbQbFzXwKddO283UYKRyw4KSJdIn8rZXlgYtJ-2UCTya4AtiwKR0XXEHxLfA5wW_6-ZjcZiTg7hdkEqrPizGNLFkjypwhnxJvSCp_qOf_O4iRaU/s400/My+dinner.jpg" border="0" /></a>The meat melted in my mouth and the taste of all the extras was incredible. I was nicely satisfied after finishing that pile of food but not overly stuffed. (I do confess that I didn't eat that green leafy fluff at the top of the pile.)<br /><br />Once we finished at this place we moseyed on over a street or two and hit a lovely dessert restaurant...whose name escapes me right now. Fairy Godmother is currently restricted in what she can eat so she inhaled vicariously through us that evening. After <span style="font-size:78%;">slobbering</span>, er...<em>deciding</em>...on which dessert to have, daughter eventually chose the Baby Chocolate Truffle. Which she was going to share with me, I might add. I was supposed to get half. I ordered a hot chocolate and Alberta friend went for some tea.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqY0I3YinoBTXI7Bz_9HgLoUVgs_Nqe8QtfdGJ5HrbC39hfi8H3SZqNYib_M8XlgMP4zpWieJswCDPs3yIuX-gZGUbyBOtLFI5GqRpZiFNHRllYWtU2Zu2vLewJ4w3g3PlXfE28h-ID8A/s1600-h/Kristen+dessert.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232728711073754546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqY0I3YinoBTXI7Bz_9HgLoUVgs_Nqe8QtfdGJ5HrbC39hfi8H3SZqNYib_M8XlgMP4zpWieJswCDPs3yIuX-gZGUbyBOtLFI5GqRpZiFNHRllYWtU2Zu2vLewJ4w3g3PlXfE28h-ID8A/s400/Kristen+dessert.jpg" border="0" /></a>Yeah, daughter - about that sharing? Can we go over the rules again? Half means HALF, NOT one itty-bitty half <em><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>spoonful</strong></span></em>. And scarfing it all down while your Mother takes pictures? NOT NICE!<br /><br />Alberta friend relaxes with a spot of tea to finish up her excellent meal.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiPddK68GvNrks44in_VMILCxWMAroqfnLK4lMF9TlUUU26kC4704bFj5dGki4RHQm00Xr1dpTuT5EoG_vbdKJlkchExkPpnnLlNUtA1gMLMMMcK1BZWgryvJBA-Rc-AdKhY4y6eJygQ/s1600-h/Tara+and+tea.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232728737258172450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiPddK68GvNrks44in_VMILCxWMAroqfnLK4lMF9TlUUU26kC4704bFj5dGki4RHQm00Xr1dpTuT5EoG_vbdKJlkchExkPpnnLlNUtA1gMLMMMcK1BZWgryvJBA-Rc-AdKhY4y6eJygQ/s400/Tara+and+tea.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A slow walk back to my vehicle followed dinner and dessert. Downtown Ottawa comes alive with different features as the night wears on and by the time we left some places were changing into music and dancing. We also glimpsed the nightly light show on Parliament Hill. We were sorry we didn't stay to see the whole show because the changing colours and scenes playing across the Parliament building looked like quite an event. Perhaps next time.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwE-eCQ3f_K2ictC9K8uIusaRETa75Hp_kN6_NRbnOVdYsXBBckg1Xd8nXUlFk0_NaL2jgExNRvZizfa74jTl4XQYlMZMtr3skrAX1sb-rLMjdBaFseB-19sf3XPo-UJS_mapqDBpMRUk/s1600-h/Heading+home.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232728120792164450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwE-eCQ3f_K2ictC9K8uIusaRETa75Hp_kN6_NRbnOVdYsXBBckg1Xd8nXUlFk0_NaL2jgExNRvZizfa74jTl4XQYlMZMtr3skrAX1sb-rLMjdBaFseB-19sf3XPo-UJS_mapqDBpMRUk/s400/Heading+home.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Good night everyone! Hope you had as good a night as we did.Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-73717543136310253332008-08-08T06:24:00.003-03:002008-08-08T06:37:08.405-03:00SSHHHH!!! Quiet Time!!By now it seems like the girls are on a capacity-overload-sightseeing trip! Not so. Just to show you there is also plenty of downtime....<br /><br />A morning at the lake. Look closely ~ the girls are at the end of the dock.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiIAKwVUovdbmr4DRlTHMXHl5Q89ReBqJr6MmXniWJ1ab70kJwLVHCrAHRRMByJeBxVc8QaFsU7H_Tt52NAnNQzoiQ33b3lSt1wk_xBRugYso1mj5CRqwt-TR4JtY5z4D8Y8rxlX1_3s/s1600-h/DSCF1970.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtiIAKwVUovdbmr4DRlTHMXHl5Q89ReBqJr6MmXniWJ1ab70kJwLVHCrAHRRMByJeBxVc8QaFsU7H_Tt52NAnNQzoiQ33b3lSt1wk_xBRugYso1mj5CRqwt-TR4JtY5z4D8Y8rxlX1_3s/s400/DSCF1970.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232076674549807858" /></a><br />Geez, still can't see them? Let me help - <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiciRN3UJBI18lUAht8bOU89-oWojL7WmQuXCbNdlBapIhJ2ZgGiKLdVmWffjFV87FwQ546LIwzr_37W6zpp17a1QL8-KK8keJNVlu1tuiSt6Zh8Lj5L1FJ9fbj4gDV_h529cG8d103Ko/s1600-h/DSCF1971.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiciRN3UJBI18lUAht8bOU89-oWojL7WmQuXCbNdlBapIhJ2ZgGiKLdVmWffjFV87FwQ546LIwzr_37W6zpp17a1QL8-KK8keJNVlu1tuiSt6Zh8Lj5L1FJ9fbj4gDV_h529cG8d103Ko/s400/DSCF1971.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232076678255447970" /></a><br />Don't think it's them? Hey girls - OVER HERE!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYv-_fldI7Of267McgExxt1HuL4L8LOSXmkC231qtOnni4m_86h3xSq9YR6-TR56EH4OYJeHZ4GhekXOXHObAzdBLlh4ZfvugaYLXBhoWLmtGhoBjacQ5ySUesFGmdDZxTwtZnfzb2Tno/s1600-h/DSCF1975.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYv-_fldI7Of267McgExxt1HuL4L8LOSXmkC231qtOnni4m_86h3xSq9YR6-TR56EH4OYJeHZ4GhekXOXHObAzdBLlh4ZfvugaYLXBhoWLmtGhoBjacQ5ySUesFGmdDZxTwtZnfzb2Tno/s400/DSCF1975.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232076681626552786" /></a><br />Here both indulge in a favourite pastime. I almost fainted to find 2 teens relaxing and reading QUIETLY in my house! I had to capture the moment! This scene does not play out frequently in the living room while son is awake and moving about. Of course, the girls shut and locked the door to keep us out.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7O4XQOlxRv5RcK2C28CWORMTbw8rCtKI6RQcd6ThmtnrTY0PahckMHEgtJNFB4iWmnrqDGQByiGpMb3gOH2AqpMzko1i3sIefEXU1LdXd3HTLcb1ITqii5qKMu54Tt72ovb47lh-ANXw/s1600-h/DSCF1978.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7O4XQOlxRv5RcK2C28CWORMTbw8rCtKI6RQcd6ThmtnrTY0PahckMHEgtJNFB4iWmnrqDGQByiGpMb3gOH2AqpMzko1i3sIefEXU1LdXd3HTLcb1ITqii5qKMu54Tt72ovb47lh-ANXw/s400/DSCF1978.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232076683522681170" /></a><br />Carry on you two. I'll leave quietly and shut the door behind me....Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-71186204024592803302008-08-08T05:34:00.005-03:002008-08-08T06:22:54.821-03:00St. Martin's and the rocky beachDigressing a little, before leaving on our Ottawa trip; daughter, Alberta friend and I headed out to St. Martin's for a little cave exploring. Although the girls could access the bigger cave when we first arrived the tide rose quickly and before we left the area, that cave was no longer accessible by the beach. Exploring was cut short when threatening storm clouds dumped rain on us.<br /><br />St. Marten's caves. This picture was taken while walking back to the car. The big cave is not accessible any longer; but it sure was a magnet for the girls to explore when we first arrived.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BInSDee_8Td5a4w0VGE23gYMHn5-x1JZu6ph2YAFVMHDJzfvtn-8cbFk0bnn4qWBZx8VPW-n1ImmhOdXPGaR3RkL3kpNhOIFa5XytzIGhFx2XDeT8NUzQ7xSoxaQNxF6mC5tnFum8yI/s1600-h/DSCF2007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BInSDee_8Td5a4w0VGE23gYMHn5-x1JZu6ph2YAFVMHDJzfvtn-8cbFk0bnn4qWBZx8VPW-n1ImmhOdXPGaR3RkL3kpNhOIFa5XytzIGhFx2XDeT8NUzQ7xSoxaQNxF6mC5tnFum8yI/s400/DSCF2007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232065935690194482" /></a><br /><br />See the biggest cave in the above photo? Here is a closer shot of it. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQ8w4StLme2n5mpXUsvGU2R_uTTe8NXpa2L32pMMyCkq7qKEhAsMziyJkfUUYg3ydS8uRluZcrdvzWMF9sxo8V9oWe59ZaIk2E_3mZ_X6BEayMjMg7qjh40kvGyy8zJiCiYlb5pFPGrk/s1600-h/DSCF1979.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQ8w4StLme2n5mpXUsvGU2R_uTTe8NXpa2L32pMMyCkq7qKEhAsMziyJkfUUYg3ydS8uRluZcrdvzWMF9sxo8V9oWe59ZaIk2E_3mZ_X6BEayMjMg7qjh40kvGyy8zJiCiYlb5pFPGrk/s400/DSCF1979.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232068685775455506" /></a><br /><br />The tiny white blur in the very back is actually either daughter or her friend; the 2 individuals standing are other tourists to the area. The girls are way, WAY back. You can see both of them crammed into the back crevisse. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyn-BmD0dF25L90VsLJ_ny10MJ1abIQxI1drQ3Gnml_udqv3M9lr-myG3Dg4Gjuf5gxckZP2FB8kUdZOMW_pkRUT7mAJuVHQfWgPtDlF-q7cZ4HkRWlgnizZ8ojlfwQvzh5XLnzEppqM/s1600-h/DSCF1980.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyn-BmD0dF25L90VsLJ_ny10MJ1abIQxI1drQ3Gnml_udqv3M9lr-myG3Dg4Gjuf5gxckZP2FB8kUdZOMW_pkRUT7mAJuVHQfWgPtDlF-q7cZ4HkRWlgnizZ8ojlfwQvzh5XLnzEppqM/s400/DSCF1980.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232068691643857874" /></a><br /><br />Even my dog didn't want to go in the very back. It felt claustrophobic and I was nervous about the girls being wedged into the rocks so once I took this photo I asked them to remove themselves from the ledge. It was cold in here and clammy from the salt water.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1HgrQMnCFqP4u5AUqidJxNB-noMcgohItEE20vVPUl3j7SWr7cXjzTucACSI9Mep9je5sFWET-ejEZKK7vA96Z6OlgP6EiN0gl01_Pdb1RM7MF2jYhiRM3KYO4wgdHMpVsjS2j2Ft4E/s1600-h/DSCF1983.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1HgrQMnCFqP4u5AUqidJxNB-noMcgohItEE20vVPUl3j7SWr7cXjzTucACSI9Mep9je5sFWET-ejEZKK7vA96Z6OlgP6EiN0gl01_Pdb1RM7MF2jYhiRM3KYO4wgdHMpVsjS2j2Ft4E/s400/DSCF1983.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232065945746041442" /></a><br /><br />Here daughter and friend left the cave and moving closer to shore, explored an indent in the red rock layer.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeTxJErqsfDd33L75mLi-fQPhYQRgZTNhEPb27FYX924GIvK-T5wpO70PGRjaqmo3xVIxKs-j53D1AIHDnKwZ1NCIK_rTxLSzcO7aOClWMuRssVt1xsc7giZ7QW5MjLXsk08OOpdwDUQ/s1600-h/DSCF1987.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeTxJErqsfDd33L75mLi-fQPhYQRgZTNhEPb27FYX924GIvK-T5wpO70PGRjaqmo3xVIxKs-j53D1AIHDnKwZ1NCIK_rTxLSzcO7aOClWMuRssVt1xsc7giZ7QW5MjLXsk08OOpdwDUQ/s400/DSCF1987.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232065955164962962" /></a><br /><br />The rock slivered off the ceiling and wall easily and crumpled in their hands. So of course I was nervous again and hovered until they left this shallow cave. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-VkbQaLNvGgK-wpaFiCmUTHMrJ8AYpHY4fbdIgqZHgSfaDpFb8Vk4lRsLdoxjcWh760y6rBybNsx-n8AfN95hWIISCQnGNNkNnq7H5vzv5vS8Id7ZHvzSKVJV4B5-Saad-Yf5_TLr68/s1600-h/DSCF1990.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV-VkbQaLNvGgK-wpaFiCmUTHMrJ8AYpHY4fbdIgqZHgSfaDpFb8Vk4lRsLdoxjcWh760y6rBybNsx-n8AfN95hWIISCQnGNNkNnq7H5vzv5vS8Id7ZHvzSKVJV4B5-Saad-Yf5_TLr68/s400/DSCF1990.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232065959496220338" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JGhsA-G426TOArfw2AVevqhpAx0UWp3g57msoELKlvsu1oWoJSa-BvVjh6qiB-us1XEn8tEjTU4wwpsUV91cEnRtdybnjlvNZF-bFih_5X167IY33TqupQ4mylHZFBGSMj_1mAjy3dg/s1600-h/DSCF1995.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JGhsA-G426TOArfw2AVevqhpAx0UWp3g57msoELKlvsu1oWoJSa-BvVjh6qiB-us1XEn8tEjTU4wwpsUV91cEnRtdybnjlvNZF-bFih_5X167IY33TqupQ4mylHZFBGSMj_1mAjy3dg/s400/DSCF1995.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232065962952724322" /></a> <br /><br />It didn't reassure me at all when they started to climb up the rocky slope. I could see evidence of rock slides and mini-avalanches all along this area and nervously voiced my concerns about how they would get down if indeed, they succeeded in climbing to the top. Good sense prevailed and they slipped and slid back down.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRDaoXSQfzJFqc23QOdU8efEbMYgBs9FS1-rd1KKuAWGxPiTJZBSyKhRS2sfD6O2YimsIbvqXNb5zKxLmIXZIXZMitcxxsrG0wqqLIYn886RiIebveo4d-VVSqxQ1m_94HajaTxPVtAM/s1600-h/DSCF2001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRDaoXSQfzJFqc23QOdU8efEbMYgBs9FS1-rd1KKuAWGxPiTJZBSyKhRS2sfD6O2YimsIbvqXNb5zKxLmIXZIXZMitcxxsrG0wqqLIYn886RiIebveo4d-VVSqxQ1m_94HajaTxPVtAM/s400/DSCF2001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232066834955252002" /></a><br /><br />That didn't deter them for long. Daughter found yet another cramped space to squeeze into and scrape away at, while Alberta friend tapped on the wedged rocks.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujA2CmBoX7vT6eyRtailP_BGXjC5CrELUWjAE4OeKgX_T9s9cnY3yeKd1nbmke72kgKwfwNxTXQURNx-eUQ-04zHOAz81TztZ6ubnklsgoarb1-sF4ZGFFKJS3ppkUt4MsYmzD9qiHqw/s1600-h/DSCF2004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujA2CmBoX7vT6eyRtailP_BGXjC5CrELUWjAE4OeKgX_T9s9cnY3yeKd1nbmke72kgKwfwNxTXQURNx-eUQ-04zHOAz81TztZ6ubnklsgoarb1-sF4ZGFFKJS3ppkUt4MsYmzD9qiHqw/s400/DSCF2004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232066827067349378" /></a><br /><br />All the green algae/seaweed that you see in these photos is VERY slippery, making any trek treacherous. Daughter demonstrates another use for the green slime however; and molds her feet into a mermaid-type creature.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iIGCEO2d0-twnIxk838nUGbhUXQTJpjetLuXRiewYn5v4FW927BPhrd2Bs-hjb7vMbBqBHyVu1Br2X3Oke39UuMV4Wy7I0ej59JYyO8QvXV1JWl0w1h-qmnT8Gjs0pN4ocYiaBoNVPU/s1600-h/DSCF2006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iIGCEO2d0-twnIxk838nUGbhUXQTJpjetLuXRiewYn5v4FW927BPhrd2Bs-hjb7vMbBqBHyVu1Br2X3Oke39UuMV4Wy7I0ej59JYyO8QvXV1JWl0w1h-qmnT8Gjs0pN4ocYiaBoNVPU/s400/DSCF2006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232066828781859794" /></a><br /><br />After this the weather turned and we made our way back to the vehicle. Before leaving St. Marten's however, daughter spotted an old church advertising a book sale. What luck! Who could resist?! We found good reads and hard-to-find sequels among the displays. <br /><br />The backseat was very quiet on the ride back to "chez moi".Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-31388435820011377702008-08-08T04:42:00.006-03:002008-08-08T05:33:56.347-03:00Hey-Ho To An Adventure We Go!Early on a recent morning daughter, her Alberta friend and I packed up our red Toyota Matrix and hit the road. We drove off into the sunrise cruising down the New Brunswick highway headed towards Ottawa, Ontario.<br /><br />We did some serious driving! The first pit-stop was for breakfast in Edmunston. All that napping and reading in the backseat made the girls hungry so they ordered up a hearty breakfast. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzsmJ8hiHQCmqOOHi1ijP-ljDq5syTG6eX-52IVOP4QGeCxADNV0S-D8F_KFB4CLld_er95Avo-2idFjrcBTdZ_qPvBYG1Pup_wKvtB9k_QEoYk5_Z-docxv2rE43NVxqaQI7teU-GBQ/s1600-h/DSCF2010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzsmJ8hiHQCmqOOHi1ijP-ljDq5syTG6eX-52IVOP4QGeCxADNV0S-D8F_KFB4CLld_er95Avo-2idFjrcBTdZ_qPvBYG1Pup_wKvtB9k_QEoYk5_Z-docxv2rE43NVxqaQI7teU-GBQ/s400/DSCF2010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232053315319384002" /></a>Daughter and Alberta friend wait for breakfast to be served.<br /><br />The kilometres sped beneath the tires and after one wrong turn in Montreal and about 13 hours of driving we arrived at our destination. That night is a blur as the travelling exhausted us and we conked out early.<br /><br />The next afternoon the girls headed to downtown Ottawa and I joined them later in the day. We were meeting up with a friend of mine but had some time to kill, so we wandered over to Parliament Hill. <br /><br />First we came across the monument to "women becoming Persons in Canada". Daughter and Alberta friend met with their predecessors...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2CqfREr1W_0PMjK0RI86waIQV4NNFZwpbaHWr4yFMQTV7OJQtVijUPtaQftgj-OMWdQemQl5MqCeIWRRBsWOfHW2XgORPEUMXYBjrxH7tWm-zRwZta2vDiUXPRwFd-NJfMMmfBTzXWo/s1600-h/DSCF2021.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2CqfREr1W_0PMjK0RI86waIQV4NNFZwpbaHWr4yFMQTV7OJQtVijUPtaQftgj-OMWdQemQl5MqCeIWRRBsWOfHW2XgORPEUMXYBjrxH7tWm-zRwZta2vDiUXPRwFd-NJfMMmfBTzXWo/s400/DSCF2021.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232058873981448146" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIsKa557gMrAQW0AQcIf3uppMtScHgRY5zuVoGSEh3m9bWqtyaw4N9dyCvMrerVcxzGBx3WePzj8RKKqwQ993EdZC0uV-L-1rNW5xK4MpmyEBRd9XB3NoGYaF5eRfzmfEu3f9cD3c1eY/s1600-h/DSCF2022.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIsKa557gMrAQW0AQcIf3uppMtScHgRY5zuVoGSEh3m9bWqtyaw4N9dyCvMrerVcxzGBx3WePzj8RKKqwQ993EdZC0uV-L-1rNW5xK4MpmyEBRd9XB3NoGYaF5eRfzmfEu3f9cD3c1eY/s400/DSCF2022.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232058877532380898" /></a><br /><br />and contemplated life with these great ladies over a cup of tea.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6nftlEPvhhJlbC25WTqcToWiWfo9MSo3fvqUgIBlf7ZtcvQhp04wtfkyndDvdi6hGUSRiqwnAboKNl2GeK8sWV5mOM1nUkv_gfNI2aL9m2qYuLIJhKDyUhyEhrA6rROP7B_Alapmmxw/s1600-h/DSCF2024.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6nftlEPvhhJlbC25WTqcToWiWfo9MSo3fvqUgIBlf7ZtcvQhp04wtfkyndDvdi6hGUSRiqwnAboKNl2GeK8sWV5mOM1nUkv_gfNI2aL9m2qYuLIJhKDyUhyEhrA6rROP7B_Alapmmxw/s400/DSCF2024.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232058881964028706" /></a><br /><br />Moving on from there we met up with our first representative of Parliament Hill.....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmY5L_STGbOJ8DKEBNo5eYZzcXpHXSeZLa3RfX2rLOIAItEDSGgxKl1Po8ZWEzqjEfZABD1Li5uqYkhWNSm_9BkbruYyRbk0F1E63KtZ-s2ir7ut6CpRk4Mpy_fw2SfOtAV_mOnWvg320/s1600-h/DSCF2013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmY5L_STGbOJ8DKEBNo5eYZzcXpHXSeZLa3RfX2rLOIAItEDSGgxKl1Po8ZWEzqjEfZABD1Li5uqYkhWNSm_9BkbruYyRbk0F1E63KtZ-s2ir7ut6CpRk4Mpy_fw2SfOtAV_mOnWvg320/s400/DSCF2013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232053322328275634" /></a>this fat...er groundhog...gopher? The <em>fattest</em> such critter I've ever seen. Seriously people - tourists - he doesn't need all your scraps! This guy is gonna <strong>BURST</strong> at the seams if you keep feeding him like this!<br /><br />He lumbered about looking for handouts and let daughter and Alberta friend get close before deciding they didn't have any snacks for him.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFodmNnR8RIxiFP_scDv2BkINJrl618z0wCya-RDVLiJVgY_smlq1qHWqrZRSRmeAIIW7MlN9EKJEHIY93YkywYHQJvfEWQ-gMZiV12lSXyasVN_8RNp_R3Kp80mh8HEgo3xCCykepXs/s1600-h/DSCF2020.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFodmNnR8RIxiFP_scDv2BkINJrl618z0wCya-RDVLiJVgY_smlq1qHWqrZRSRmeAIIW7MlN9EKJEHIY93YkywYHQJvfEWQ-gMZiV12lSXyasVN_8RNp_R3Kp80mh8HEgo3xCCykepXs/s400/DSCF2020.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232053327015548930" /></a>His hidey-hole was underneath the bushes and he could move when required. The girls didn't give serious chase for fear he'd keel over and croak in front of them. Canada...about that Participaction fitness thing? Ya' might want to start practising it in your own backyard before encouraging the masses with your advertising slogans....!!<br /><br />With groundhog back in his cubby hole we moved on to the building itself. We were thirsty. It was very hot and muggy and nowhere outside could I find a water fountain (hint, hint, Parliament Hill!). The only one available was inside the building. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Vjo0YqaJJ5dMKxrhNd2_amrH39mvvUhP_NQrhrB66rBwHMGqMnJPh6g-X5qIdVkQeq2kzwXCWkiZzyKTEgOSWnimXQJkgQ1y3sUNcbN4EgU8qt9l4aB-iTHzrPZMAKTZ5y18QIR8xHg/s1600-h/DSCF2032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Vjo0YqaJJ5dMKxrhNd2_amrH39mvvUhP_NQrhrB66rBwHMGqMnJPh6g-X5qIdVkQeq2kzwXCWkiZzyKTEgOSWnimXQJkgQ1y3sUNcbN4EgU8qt9l4aB-iTHzrPZMAKTZ5y18QIR8xHg/s400/DSCF2032.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232053331778883858" /></a>Our Canadian flag atop the nation's parliament building.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViryu-WtF3Kt2LAB5E1vYFpTeoGuakUt5UfOP-R-58wROuVsie1c2N6hsKjR6jlsXNYjcpg7qeaH9y2G9jG04d2HdgHXuXy_9hfAKz0iaL2Rx3Kixq_ijzyxdbDL7wREc7esCTobm1to/s1600-h/DSCF2033.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViryu-WtF3Kt2LAB5E1vYFpTeoGuakUt5UfOP-R-58wROuVsie1c2N6hsKjR6jlsXNYjcpg7qeaH9y2G9jG04d2HdgHXuXy_9hfAKz0iaL2Rx3Kixq_ijzyxdbDL7wREc7esCTobm1to/s400/DSCF2033.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232053335195779570" /></a>Some scary beaver statue carved into front entrance of parliament building. Yeah, that'll scare away potential bad guys who want to take over our country, all right. Scary fangs and all. <br /><br />We ended up going through insane security to access some drinking water. Security was just like that at the airport, including checking all cellphones and x-raying bags and emptying pockets. Police and security were everywhere and access was limited to a small area unless you joined a tour. After gulping down quantities of cold fountain water we wandered back outside....<br /><br />where the girls displayed their intense enthusiasm for all things government.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEoZCdq9VPlAxb-xliwGatOZg6ZNi29ejeW31pGZ3DnqfKV7W7_YQxFJWpj8T2kyBP40rUozPTiMlyXRswJB2PhYcPaMIcBGKw-UEwKsIk-TexqMNGzccL1OF0SGDv2GjQCsGRYTjXeE/s1600-h/DSCF2029.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEoZCdq9VPlAxb-xliwGatOZg6ZNi29ejeW31pGZ3DnqfKV7W7_YQxFJWpj8T2kyBP40rUozPTiMlyXRswJB2PhYcPaMIcBGKw-UEwKsIk-TexqMNGzccL1OF0SGDv2GjQCsGRYTjXeE/s400/DSCF2029.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232058869095730242" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQARO1Yr2icrPdUHwvQj9kR9Sw_RWC8-z5JB2joRIVaNQmflPgsM65Tg0MVVTBp3vgAlM2F9PuZxNGK9Xd02-6lk6dZ4qV0tmmeoG-HoNpEkIBjGd_Kc-QHJ44fOexsJmGFDOtBDyETE/s1600-h/DSCF2031.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQARO1Yr2icrPdUHwvQj9kR9Sw_RWC8-z5JB2joRIVaNQmflPgsM65Tg0MVVTBp3vgAlM2F9PuZxNGK9Xd02-6lk6dZ4qV0tmmeoG-HoNpEkIBjGd_Kc-QHJ44fOexsJmGFDOtBDyETE/s400/DSCF2031.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232059480264048226" /></a><br /><br />Seriously though, the girls were exhausted from the travelling, sight-seeing and heat by this time. From here we headed over to my friend's place for refreshments and later, dinner out. Stay tuned for that post....Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-76410831706148372482008-08-08T03:55:00.007-03:002008-08-08T04:40:29.942-03:00Catching Up A Little - Inner TubingNow that I'm back home it is time to catch up on everything. First on the agenda was a birthday fun day!<br /><br />River Tubing Fun!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOG5d47MwzX8_Qd4zJ7yDcGSEoyW42s3NR9JZEdCIMWT-GfKUDOC9gr1whR8BY0YYCFmM1P0vAGPI1vxSW0fK-8NQhD1cQ4daTn3WvY6aSoXAISfF4B16CQBKwN_tH1nMkSk7aaYPhfE/s1600-h/Lotsa+women.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOG5d47MwzX8_Qd4zJ7yDcGSEoyW42s3NR9JZEdCIMWT-GfKUDOC9gr1whR8BY0YYCFmM1P0vAGPI1vxSW0fK-8NQhD1cQ4daTn3WvY6aSoXAISfF4B16CQBKwN_tH1nMkSk7aaYPhfE/s400/Lotsa+women.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232044960957605378" /></a>The Saturday before the girls and I left for our trip, sister-in-law celebrated the little "4-0" in style and invited everyone for an adventure & a bbq. The sport was inner tubing down a local river and what a blast! The ladies tied the tubes together so we could drift and visit while the teens floated down in little groups on their own.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNXe4jrD_pQ7FAmZqgO0K9-vcwiOXInpcVkBK6B81JCjRai-mPQJdKfhNaKc8lnz-Wlt5y3kZrywbnYHhLLsRpxvqDXUOX6Jirn0DJ2Ae52wyzY1y0gh_wqOewD9xntt5I8gZuATPDbY/s1600-h/Denise+in+tube.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNXe4jrD_pQ7FAmZqgO0K9-vcwiOXInpcVkBK6B81JCjRai-mPQJdKfhNaKc8lnz-Wlt5y3kZrywbnYHhLLsRpxvqDXUOX6Jirn0DJ2Ae52wyzY1y0gh_wqOewD9xntt5I8gZuATPDbY/s400/Denise+in+tube.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232039234492487314" /></a>The birthday girl!<br /><br />Sitting in my tube I snapped photos whenever my tube swung around enough to catch someone in the camera's frame. See for yourself some of the fun memories of that day...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoAiC3Id9okFroH4-i0y-x6WEjJ8YKxISuGCLX8QtbIOwoX51Fxo85qYLYtJcV_AjKHfoWWhkndSFp1mMzQ-NQXVb392EfVKjhYoiw0FyWtTbVgBtZLXBi_RSpj3xseA6KUANl5jJ23Y/s1600-h/Mathew+in+tube-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoAiC3Id9okFroH4-i0y-x6WEjJ8YKxISuGCLX8QtbIOwoX51Fxo85qYLYtJcV_AjKHfoWWhkndSFp1mMzQ-NQXVb392EfVKjhYoiw0FyWtTbVgBtZLXBi_RSpj3xseA6KUANl5jJ23Y/s400/Mathew+in+tube-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232040200317288402" /></a>Son tubes away. At first he was very nervous and his tube was tied to mine. It wasn't long before he grew confident enough the "bonds were severed" and away he floated to join his cousins further downstream.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcb7fWJhbNEspeO7V1lUHRra94P9999aLKFaDeRRtaa71sakXdj8_n6gERxEIbiQjl011SfXiRAvAkiloYpzFcDR1Pw4jFibQmWS4x0XtoBmrNAudZekdi-8D8702ljJjQ-W_xeKS10A/s1600-h/Ella+relaxes.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcb7fWJhbNEspeO7V1lUHRra94P9999aLKFaDeRRtaa71sakXdj8_n6gERxEIbiQjl011SfXiRAvAkiloYpzFcDR1Pw4jFibQmWS4x0XtoBmrNAudZekdi-8D8702ljJjQ-W_xeKS10A/s400/Ella+relaxes.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232039232100835810" /></a>This niece did not like the inner tube at all and was rather panicked until husband offered up a tube he had brought. It had a netted bottom so she could sit safely and lounge about. Once settled into this float she enjoyed herself immensely.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hLZCqeacxfedw43A8qnbLqpUcdRM47ig5W-oBzrE9tqu2a1grofTmxx8mG6KGOHDOPHM44KGzyq30vj4OdO6ODmy2yjJO-f9XaqH47sbaj_OLOMsYf1vLtL4Czi196IOAeU4Zlg8PD8/s1600-h/Three+tubing.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hLZCqeacxfedw43A8qnbLqpUcdRM47ig5W-oBzrE9tqu2a1grofTmxx8mG6KGOHDOPHM44KGzyq30vj4OdO6ODmy2yjJO-f9XaqH47sbaj_OLOMsYf1vLtL4Czi196IOAeU4Zlg8PD8/s400/Three+tubing.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232040201051390786" /></a>Daughter, her Alberta friend and my nephew prepare to float away at the start of tubing. They flew down the river and often stopped to swim until the tied-up convoy floated within range.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1bhi36u0_rmZxiQVMU1L8LgyIvNewR-VLnSqkFC9gMY4vzq-LpEoK3Xu38jQFlQkryGGFQflgFbxYDFafCEQSg9sobaKk3ODws9bOXkmwbIjNrKVEMq43pE6weLfv16n2lGIiqFTcMA/s1600-h/Bumping+along.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1bhi36u0_rmZxiQVMU1L8LgyIvNewR-VLnSqkFC9gMY4vzq-LpEoK3Xu38jQFlQkryGGFQflgFbxYDFafCEQSg9sobaKk3ODws9bOXkmwbIjNrKVEMq43pE6weLfv16n2lGIiqFTcMA/s400/Bumping+along.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232040198555326306" /></a>The problem with having many tubes inter-tied is that we got hung up on anything... rocks, branches, shallow water... husband and his brother were our guides, pushing and pulling our tubes as necessary to get the posse floating away again. Here you can see husband navigating the flotilla away from the shore.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uUgY-uiWq9iA6alqRJF7hQl0CNpcJk8L4N8TUYv9cSL5PHaeors67IRpQesLdwuAGRstETo3w3pNE0-O2VOfH2TOtcJsbeS5UXQOBKWkHRtLVzS1zBxUXt81SXsWdDAaJJz8jAcxT1g/s1600-h/Three+girls+in+water.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uUgY-uiWq9iA6alqRJF7hQl0CNpcJk8L4N8TUYv9cSL5PHaeors67IRpQesLdwuAGRstETo3w3pNE0-O2VOfH2TOtcJsbeS5UXQOBKWkHRtLVzS1zBxUXt81SXsWdDAaJJz8jAcxT1g/s400/Three+girls+in+water.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232040203602499474" /></a>One of our pit stops was for a lunch break and the other was to swim. This is the second stop and the 3 littlest ones tested out the water. There was a cute little cove just off to the right, with warm and shallow water. The girls paddled in there and one niece gave me a "spa" treatment by scrubbing my arms and feet with sand (lucky her, huh?)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8guNhbzHoEL74WGqmNaQJvb4q_tXYoyBa707466h0oWHZM4tdTlh6Vq8gxbsbOCt78bbaT_uS-rCMjb8FujeDl8yqcU3s5KZ11aUn87v-r8AmAYiBuNM4zaS1JtRxw2NPO669qVYZDs/s1600-h/Callum+and+lunch.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8guNhbzHoEL74WGqmNaQJvb4q_tXYoyBa707466h0oWHZM4tdTlh6Vq8gxbsbOCt78bbaT_uS-rCMjb8FujeDl8yqcU3s5KZ11aUn87v-r8AmAYiBuNM4zaS1JtRxw2NPO669qVYZDs/s400/Callum+and+lunch.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232039230607564546" /></a>Nephew enjoys the lunch break. The tubes doubled as comfy seats during the meal.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XAwPBpdSI0LO9jTpCwlxHG2VeFfqbSgGdL_qlv7yIomgvsv4f2h9_KKYdkblqjL1OMxpIzgcUQ_Ht1fa7v5SvAWJmgf8olAPaM8bthdqqgKBw_hKJV7hjw2Emw6YcrLRh9copo_QTqQ/s1600-h/Aiden+tubing.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XAwPBpdSI0LO9jTpCwlxHG2VeFfqbSgGdL_qlv7yIomgvsv4f2h9_KKYdkblqjL1OMxpIzgcUQ_Ht1fa7v5SvAWJmgf8olAPaM8bthdqqgKBw_hKJV7hjw2Emw6YcrLRh9copo_QTqQ/s400/Aiden+tubing.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232039228713750322" /></a>The birthday girl's son. Isn't nephew a handsome fellow? Whether playing or working he takes a serious outlook to his life and squeezes every moment out of life. He not only tubed but also brought a net along to catch and examine stream critters. He explored both the water and water's edge. Given this is the same kid who caught the only snake EVER to slither through my backyard I didn't even ask him what he found on this trip (remember my butt is sagging in the water below the tube!!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiHMcw5l0YljBU_YjSC6KWqG-VhhlNNK2KtYPXMApkodoI5XR-JCHFjLQZlPdEzcmjNuF7voVKCcr6Z48kIijVEwrBq_nVul8RihTndt9sUH2D0CYSJCaNM-M8KI6NL7iSjGWuwaaPnw/s1600-h/Kristen+in+tube.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiHMcw5l0YljBU_YjSC6KWqG-VhhlNNK2KtYPXMApkodoI5XR-JCHFjLQZlPdEzcmjNuF7voVKCcr6Z48kIijVEwrBq_nVul8RihTndt9sUH2D0CYSJCaNM-M8KI6NL7iSjGWuwaaPnw/s400/Kristen+in+tube.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232039236083622818" /></a>Here daughter semi-poses for me. Although she appears serious she wasn't. Need proof? After this stunning photo she needed a drink.... (not THAT kind folks - she's just 14!!)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXh08eJIm6e9HJ3plpjJcoXdFnrSAwJmF4F1ToQS0VaoFndNeIxVyC6ZEP8xF50PiUIiCsL5plBUC4Iz5TXme-otl3XPbM65_ibW5b3bIjk0aE02rlTNcPonY9rfsT0mD9LpjWYIEWJ3I/s1600-h/Kristen+chugs.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXh08eJIm6e9HJ3plpjJcoXdFnrSAwJmF4F1ToQS0VaoFndNeIxVyC6ZEP8xF50PiUIiCsL5plBUC4Iz5TXme-otl3XPbM65_ibW5b3bIjk0aE02rlTNcPonY9rfsT0mD9LpjWYIEWJ3I/s400/Kristen+chugs.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232047929390561810" /></a><br /><br />Hey birthday girl ~ you know how to throw a party! How about turning 40 again next year and doing this again?? We're in!!Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-65030800841367879422008-08-03T11:02:00.002-03:002008-08-03T11:13:20.134-03:00We're Doing Some TravellingI'm on the road which is why I haven't posted at all lately.<br /><br />Last Wednesday daughter, her best friend and I headed on a road trip. We drove for over 13 hours and arrived in Ottawa the same evening. It was a beautiful day for travelling. The girls were excellent travellers; they read in the back seat or napped.<br /><br />We've been in Ottawa since and are leaving today. The past few days have been spent enjoying some quality time with my niece and nephew and exploring Ottawa. I've taken plenty of pictures and will post some upon our return to N.B.<br /><br />Yes....I'm ashamed to admit but yes.... I did help my sister wipe out her blog...we were working on changing her background and even though we thought we had saved a backup turns out we didn't. It was late at night when it happened. I considered sneaking away in the dead of night with the girls but sister has wooden floors that creak something terrible and we'd be busted. I'm still here so that's something I guess. If you do read her blog, she is trying to get everything back.... <br /><br />Today the girls and I are heading south of the border on our way back towards New Brunswick. We had a great time in Ottawa and *gasp* even had our Tarot cards read by my spiritually-inclined older sister. Pictures to follow! <br /><br />Stay tuned!Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-66884082311078325892008-07-24T11:51:00.004-03:002008-08-12T05:15:14.692-03:00Happiness Is....<span style="font-family:times new roman;font-size:130%;"><strong><em>Hanging out with your best friend.</em></strong></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xsagX84Dz9KLdRxEogeNUPhb9qmNsoaOB1K-fVfRlXkT5nIA1qkJtKwPc2q3umfZMfI6w-VgfRX33DHWOHmKsNacDv3rijQW41VoSQIuVV8FqID7UQJlcJwBRGt5u_V5mL2iEKjrUqk/s1600-h/Girls+behind+flowers.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226595519895497314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xsagX84Dz9KLdRxEogeNUPhb9qmNsoaOB1K-fVfRlXkT5nIA1qkJtKwPc2q3umfZMfI6w-VgfRX33DHWOHmKsNacDv3rijQW41VoSQIuVV8FqID7UQJlcJwBRGt5u_V5mL2iEKjrUqk/s400/Girls+behind+flowers.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Daughter's best friend finally arrived from Alberta for a visit. For her first full day here in New Brunswick daughter took her to the shores of the Bay of Fundy/Atlantic coast. The water was freezing and rogue waves had the girls sprinting for higher ground.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3J7pInYtitJA-fFYj0Vm8sq5ugxeXvr0aNM3-x12SE2oK31visheM2A-QxvPonkhDrKunwQa_j3-uBlWGiWsvsbt597RgZpM5VBNxBvuyXmorDIdayOyZvNFk788Mv_QEtSgwuGxn9oo/s1600-h/Girls+and+Wave.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226595525789839538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3J7pInYtitJA-fFYj0Vm8sq5ugxeXvr0aNM3-x12SE2oK31visheM2A-QxvPonkhDrKunwQa_j3-uBlWGiWsvsbt597RgZpM5VBNxBvuyXmorDIdayOyZvNFk788Mv_QEtSgwuGxn9oo/s400/Girls+and+Wave.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />They quickly toured the wetlands sanctuary by the beach...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUEz6CIoYM9a4qENvikjs_CZhLe5RYGjTgT7Dj5HfK4XAAT9zbMdV_fkBhAZznf65xmslVsFtZnBsApjJEzLKVfX8FDzc1C51rOeDz9wKO4EY4aHMVKyG3TG9GR-eAoXuQkQqFYnIT3w/s1600-h/Girls+on+boardwalk.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226595530038640530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUEz6CIoYM9a4qENvikjs_CZhLe5RYGjTgT7Dj5HfK4XAAT9zbMdV_fkBhAZznf65xmslVsFtZnBsApjJEzLKVfX8FDzc1C51rOeDz9wKO4EY4aHMVKyG3TG9GR-eAoXuQkQqFYnIT3w/s400/Girls+on+boardwalk.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />and had a great day.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqW9Of66Jzd7_5PKJeOfDGpSlQHTeTpXmaNMV_wUomg7iRHsjUsC8e2wa2TNUqkFlKyHni8m6em1HtUpyeu4BUUASPD-al8I0o3ff1yHZFK2dA13x5IH3mtpbg1fB3zGXjSvuZhORFT-M/s1600-h/Tara+sitting.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226595533545153330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqW9Of66Jzd7_5PKJeOfDGpSlQHTeTpXmaNMV_wUomg7iRHsjUsC8e2wa2TNUqkFlKyHni8m6em1HtUpyeu4BUUASPD-al8I0o3ff1yHZFK2dA13x5IH3mtpbg1fB3zGXjSvuZhORFT-M/s400/Tara+sitting.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Life is perfect.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEMzYwZKxjEPbJJ09FnLVzaR1CysnqZ7m07wYdnes1f7Xj1MiavOHzauZcsw28WAvYz3ATdwSQSTP7FINAZgdf82IKK5PzMT6IPhyphenhyphen0e7hWuB-S67c3vzLLGqiuVbu0uj2i_KgNRrbnSU/s1600-h/Kristen+sitting+on+boardwalk.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226595539490627378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEMzYwZKxjEPbJJ09FnLVzaR1CysnqZ7m07wYdnes1f7Xj1MiavOHzauZcsw28WAvYz3ATdwSQSTP7FINAZgdf82IKK5PzMT6IPhyphenhyphen0e7hWuB-S67c3vzLLGqiuVbu0uj2i_KgNRrbnSU/s400/Kristen+sitting+on+boardwalk.JPG" border="0" /></a>Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-23531614742818745352008-07-17T01:33:00.003-03:002008-07-17T02:03:06.808-03:00Some Folks I KnowRecently a parade of family traipsed through our area. We were lucky enough to have a gathering or two chez moi and I broke out the camera to catch some "locals" on tape, so to speak....<br /><br />Here is one of my nieces, on our trampoline. Our trampoline has a security net which makes it easier for the wee ones to safely jump to their hearts' content while making sure their mommies' hearts don't stop in panic!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmuBGORrK9rRyyKtf_fxLZPTe992gItBvNfY8g3ebpEXZVkQnty7-Iq8XPs0iL4Zi8CGES6rHf7UDnFKpTRFSuEoI2N35iIKQ55JG2o0mNdyrdC1ahwJt-o7t2nGIOUgfJ8kytOrzhgg/s1600-h/Sophie+on+trampoline.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikmuBGORrK9rRyyKtf_fxLZPTe992gItBvNfY8g3ebpEXZVkQnty7-Iq8XPs0iL4Zi8CGES6rHf7UDnFKpTRFSuEoI2N35iIKQ55JG2o0mNdyrdC1ahwJt-o7t2nGIOUgfJ8kytOrzhgg/s400/Sophie+on+trampoline.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223839603428875122" /></a><br />Piggy back rides were the order of the day with each little girl taking a turn hiking the others on her back. More often than not one or both riders ended up crashing to the trampoline floor in giggling fits...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWuu7TRNKkKuvYYT2FW3W1M1hOtTMqtyo0STN0F33du7Irg_i2UcFMZ_XbUBMJknoccE2G2qfH0UxKhOP5ibQzMPcMh3-CjBsGcE3DE27VRaqxgeBQP1i7nXIFZ0l31oidgoe2GCF5hM/s1600-h/Sophie+and+Ella.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWuu7TRNKkKuvYYT2FW3W1M1hOtTMqtyo0STN0F33du7Irg_i2UcFMZ_XbUBMJknoccE2G2qfH0UxKhOP5ibQzMPcMh3-CjBsGcE3DE27VRaqxgeBQP1i7nXIFZ0l31oidgoe2GCF5hM/s400/Sophie+and+Ella.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223839610993954530" /></a><br />Here a few of the visiting ladies enjoy some quiet moments on our dock, as the sun sets. There were kids at the raft and others in kayaks. Keen eyes watched through the splashing and fun to ensure everyone arrived safely back to shore.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzTca23VQ22COaPEbJnQPQyO6YnxMowRuGUdrB7_j5TqS_tnbCw-KBi-2K5V6JfMwqHZn1b8nUC2PQwwpXpirdb8-Trl-QIO_8o_FiY24gyaKz4Qkb1x6B3aZEcrxI1SERBzCT3rH4LM/s1600-h/DSCF1698.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzTca23VQ22COaPEbJnQPQyO6YnxMowRuGUdrB7_j5TqS_tnbCw-KBi-2K5V6JfMwqHZn1b8nUC2PQwwpXpirdb8-Trl-QIO_8o_FiY24gyaKz4Qkb1x6B3aZEcrxI1SERBzCT3rH4LM/s400/DSCF1698.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223839615554501074" /></a><br />One of my nephews makes his way back to shore after exploring the lake in a kayak. This handsome fellow had a bit of adventure prior to launching the boat out on water; he spotted a...er... snake in our lawn...and received a nip or two when he tried to catch it. It was a garden variety and aside from exciting the mothers for a few moments while we determined the severity of the situation (and what his parents' reaction was going to be) all turned out well. Little snake carried on his way and my nephew opted to head out to open waters...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtQI2uVkw9Aq1-AUbK8hh9FcRtoZnRFaTuVOWutEVhun1R-uMj1ezRoqMKGjO2EN7c6cVKttwrk5_hJR3sHeLHxFp8FLPwd5JrPkaXSJo9dsvpRPSkyMbJZNYP5vU0Liq1EDBA8aNhr8/s1600-h/Aidan+in+kayak.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtQI2uVkw9Aq1-AUbK8hh9FcRtoZnRFaTuVOWutEVhun1R-uMj1ezRoqMKGjO2EN7c6cVKttwrk5_hJR3sHeLHxFp8FLPwd5JrPkaXSJo9dsvpRPSkyMbJZNYP5vU0Liq1EDBA8aNhr8/s400/Aidan+in+kayak.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223839620782426210" /></a><br />Here is hubby relaxing after a Bbq with family. Hubby has worked many overtime hours the past couple of weeks and the chance to relax with family and chat about life was a welcome break for him.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54WEkKzf8HrJvhQW7Hph2uIQjTGGlaR0qsNfOSv9VafEqb9dOA8JyDYNM-2SEZzbnzzZun5f9jTRSwlu0PFx0aAvkAFFqojKZZjXmhslUVe3ngyQcs-s5xjqJbCCMnsO2I0NOCW2mmjQ/s1600-h/John+at+bbq.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54WEkKzf8HrJvhQW7Hph2uIQjTGGlaR0qsNfOSv9VafEqb9dOA8JyDYNM-2SEZzbnzzZun5f9jTRSwlu0PFx0aAvkAFFqojKZZjXmhslUVe3ngyQcs-s5xjqJbCCMnsO2I0NOCW2mmjQ/s400/John+at+bbq.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223839624614125618" /></a><br />Here is daughter with her beloved Nana. This photo was taken on Nana's porch - and didn't I tell you in the last post that more pictures were coming from her beautiful grounds? Her back deck is the perfect backdrop for portraits and family shots.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxhiCvJCMoRsDmjGEWFkHTULQSsa0wT3FURtMRXcaJQljYatAmtjdmlTSibXO0WlUxct0vLPQMVv9PS2YalH1z1PLSS8QmlNWW4EpjOA1I1BnKEhDCDYTPBVVXbGBzaTAaQ2Niu2thCE/s1600-h/Kristen+and+Jean.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxhiCvJCMoRsDmjGEWFkHTULQSsa0wT3FURtMRXcaJQljYatAmtjdmlTSibXO0WlUxct0vLPQMVv9PS2YalH1z1PLSS8QmlNWW4EpjOA1I1BnKEhDCDYTPBVVXbGBzaTAaQ2Niu2thCE/s400/Kristen+and+Jean.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223837886258441714" /></a><br />Here Nana enjoys the three littlest girls who also happen to be her youngest grandchildren. The girls were good sports as I rustled and hustled them around Nana and encouraged them to relax and look natural. These little beauties are going to break a lot of hearts when they get older - just check out the eyes and the smiles!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IIJ5bHs_wVeJkZrMEtIsBf0pg7_qGBvbKF0tWeXgb03GiNKn4kiILPXQsXIyUw4SfrrMIgLoCq88zorVeBy3PjrR88KuRdoMufFSWzOdjHZSNUH1ipa-HgjwzRJLFnDKwva5kS2xXMI/s1600-h/Nanna+and+girls.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IIJ5bHs_wVeJkZrMEtIsBf0pg7_qGBvbKF0tWeXgb03GiNKn4kiILPXQsXIyUw4SfrrMIgLoCq88zorVeBy3PjrR88KuRdoMufFSWzOdjHZSNUH1ipa-HgjwzRJLFnDKwva5kS2xXMI/s400/Nanna+and+girls.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223837895101073458" /></a><br />Here one niece rests from the trampoline and enjoys a very lady-like moment with some Cream Soda. She needed no encouragement to pose like this; she's a natural for the camera!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloiRj2ufMv2Inw2uT8qZdQFU-tDwGNxvvWA85lCtVtfk17U_oxV6PpihqJE-n2idfbP6B813OR2D_ngiWzozdGpkOKNUAdTgUXrW4EwqLRjK1I5jDTrc48223lOU_D-TQipb2NBRKd_I/s1600-h/Ella+and+a+drink.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloiRj2ufMv2Inw2uT8qZdQFU-tDwGNxvvWA85lCtVtfk17U_oxV6PpihqJE-n2idfbP6B813OR2D_ngiWzozdGpkOKNUAdTgUXrW4EwqLRjK1I5jDTrc48223lOU_D-TQipb2NBRKd_I/s400/Ella+and+a+drink.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223837903221230802" /></a><br />Two cousins beach their kayaks after a turn around our lake. Honestly they make it look so easy but if you've ever tried a kayak, those suckers tip and sway just by the operator BREATHING! I've only tried it once and did not feel comfortable away from the shore. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_GezY5vPtE1_t4BwHFQTBYG3MlM0vS1Oa9VihOiBd3F5SFrB5JKDCmqOvhxEHw9RySPPNyh-dqEQTGeiYL8UldY61HhvJ-WyCesJVaPvcqjhb0r0_CtrQVhu-MHf8O48PJM6E80auFw/s1600-h/Boys+in+kayak.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_GezY5vPtE1_t4BwHFQTBYG3MlM0vS1Oa9VihOiBd3F5SFrB5JKDCmqOvhxEHw9RySPPNyh-dqEQTGeiYL8UldY61HhvJ-WyCesJVaPvcqjhb0r0_CtrQVhu-MHf8O48PJM6E80auFw/s400/Boys+in+kayak.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223837910624445682" /></a><br />Little niece borrowed my daughter's glasses and she thought it was an absolute HOOT to look through them! All the little fingerprints on the glass didn't help but she sure liked what she saw!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSsPQpiRokLRpQjDFX7gs9bYDCTdq2172yZZiJ1X-i5sJKGa6aMLpMQlyDPpNSrxzceN-m8dHyIISnSpD0WBH8Bwx8bAUw5A1utmmVVPkCDkTLfMcZYrzI4qCH0sloAvWs6qM6PBhXo4/s1600-h/DSCF1852.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSsPQpiRokLRpQjDFX7gs9bYDCTdq2172yZZiJ1X-i5sJKGa6aMLpMQlyDPpNSrxzceN-m8dHyIISnSpD0WBH8Bwx8bAUw5A1utmmVVPkCDkTLfMcZYrzI4qCH0sloAvWs6qM6PBhXo4/s400/DSCF1852.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223837915697293122" /></a>Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-80852519934908039362008-07-16T11:52:00.004-03:002008-07-16T12:26:58.349-03:00A Special PlaceIf you are ever in our area and want to enjoy a wonderful place to visit and create some golden memories, then you simply must stop by our Nana's garden. Being from Ireland, she has the green thumb and whimsical imagination to create a little piece of heaven of earth.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiS1PjHT1Kqz43Sa6W1wdumGq701v0RJqhW-WlH1FS4RF1TtGxXxQlh5FmH6xwDkAwJaPKClGx8nBQLc_vl_zuO88CVziqHCqCjiONQTw69tvi2Idt-rZJxEacB6UNj8iZ08zcfph5Dg/s1600-h/Nanna+garden1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiS1PjHT1Kqz43Sa6W1wdumGq701v0RJqhW-WlH1FS4RF1TtGxXxQlh5FmH6xwDkAwJaPKClGx8nBQLc_vl_zuO88CVziqHCqCjiONQTw69tvi2Idt-rZJxEacB6UNj8iZ08zcfph5Dg/s400/Nanna+garden1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223629065428723858" /></a><br />Nana's garden is not the same kind I would create or grow and that makes it more special to visit. Today's tour takes you around the grounds - her back porch, where family gathers, will be for another day as it is special too.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqZBWywT_uM3oCE5XxmVasx5K-w-4-3RQznN0gQcL772EsicuNUTL1uDOnnLe3zdSijC4vDBzuMqubrt07xYC8DbDzSdbfSYogKd20EnL0Wl8uIMPlXShnCpzH3Z2_0KX1h-60jO0Tn4/s1600-h/Nanna+garden2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqZBWywT_uM3oCE5XxmVasx5K-w-4-3RQznN0gQcL772EsicuNUTL1uDOnnLe3zdSijC4vDBzuMqubrt07xYC8DbDzSdbfSYogKd20EnL0Wl8uIMPlXShnCpzH3Z2_0KX1h-60jO0Tn4/s400/Nanna+garden2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223629070559652050" /></a><br />A casual stroll around the sides of her home displays the most delightful characters peaking out from the plants and flowers. Some of these creatures have spent many years travelling through life, while others are relative newcomers to this place.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJTQ3dkGbVu4Kx-wlaBenzU5kSP4-LXMa4aaiJw1oOXYo9PidP1SRodvXeuBlOs3K8aenbn1q1CRj0-pdc6GYRTMptJdKRRi3P-HDyg23FUSqFjasrg_vKIvfaxVrQiK-5rTsmYEsLb0/s1600-h/Nanna+garden3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJTQ3dkGbVu4Kx-wlaBenzU5kSP4-LXMa4aaiJw1oOXYo9PidP1SRodvXeuBlOs3K8aenbn1q1CRj0-pdc6GYRTMptJdKRRi3P-HDyg23FUSqFjasrg_vKIvfaxVrQiK-5rTsmYEsLb0/s400/Nanna+garden3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223629078450709778" /></a><br />Whether it is a person smiling out at you, or an old chair....they all sit comfortably in her forest as though made for that very place.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6JfBecm2IFEz1gddXArHRkB5n0dbn5kjzaZqyNXMeDIxcvazyZ2XS-kFvd0irBL8JQlvuhgKzqvbXcA7gzEIcFG-QA0GVPOEsQNtw-VSjeu2IongN-8KbGO8TuvS14eW_Z3zA3L4LX4/s1600-h/Nanna+garden6.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6JfBecm2IFEz1gddXArHRkB5n0dbn5kjzaZqyNXMeDIxcvazyZ2XS-kFvd0irBL8JQlvuhgKzqvbXcA7gzEIcFG-QA0GVPOEsQNtw-VSjeu2IongN-8KbGO8TuvS14eW_Z3zA3L4LX4/s400/Nanna+garden6.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223629085432728306" /></a><br />From beneath the lush green leaves you may find little frogs gathered to discuss the intricate details of catching flies...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6OgFSOr-S-Ks4KfjugBBarSfyj6zbGPFGjQQ7C9NF8ku42P2UZQeZwFP82X0yea9xPcNQ1hX0Ab0xE12X28mP1DuZ7fTzHkH0FIHBhsMwWr9mrGG6Qz4CcCUmbtqmhDxdKnm1qicN68/s1600-h/Nanna+garden29.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6OgFSOr-S-Ks4KfjugBBarSfyj6zbGPFGjQQ7C9NF8ku42P2UZQeZwFP82X0yea9xPcNQ1hX0Ab0xE12X28mP1DuZ7fTzHkH0FIHBhsMwWr9mrGG6Qz4CcCUmbtqmhDxdKnm1qicN68/s400/Nanna+garden29.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223629093386274594" /></a><br />to a single, brilliant flower spotlighting a watering can. If these were placed in my garden, it would look like cluttered garbage ~ but over at this garden...well, magic happens...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRgo8qCl8bsd8OcGJqewae-dvN5jtG_9bpD-a_osN7OfKiGTBF_2nfQgSqcRJ8xAamnVtvEJqzFxzWN9bBiZPFDkxnuO1mB5wbnyYEx9Rdo2AiwJV9Skee4yJksiRruTTrsaytYoEsX4/s1600-h/Nanna+garden13.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRgo8qCl8bsd8OcGJqewae-dvN5jtG_9bpD-a_osN7OfKiGTBF_2nfQgSqcRJ8xAamnVtvEJqzFxzWN9bBiZPFDkxnuO1mB5wbnyYEx9Rdo2AiwJV9Skee4yJksiRruTTrsaytYoEsX4/s400/Nanna+garden13.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223626550609193746" /></a><br />There is the quaint little shed hiding out back,<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4I5OHuanZ3QqaEDquVuTXeiXpaTp6OWR5mZh-3UqP5bzagZwspC452W2kyUpJc58bGII14cpKIIg7PpN9hTEH2UNPffDK_CwrZmUYmUozzM4QbWr4FbdNFJS02tC12As5mQFmzGSghw/s1600-h/Nanna+sun+garden2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4I5OHuanZ3QqaEDquVuTXeiXpaTp6OWR5mZh-3UqP5bzagZwspC452W2kyUpJc58bGII14cpKIIg7PpN9hTEH2UNPffDK_CwrZmUYmUozzM4QbWr4FbdNFJS02tC12As5mQFmzGSghw/s400/Nanna+sun+garden2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223626564953955666" /></a><br />to one of the numerous birdhouses lurking behind some flowers. There is willow accenting the birdhouse stand, another classic touch from this accomplished gardener.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHGgUXYFfFY7QpHOCPsIZKNLtAWpICnY6vgLL-O609qCkw8SoNWBxN1VGgRyyasL0_sqX6Nbol3dOMbfUpcRx9O8E4M3L_ap3scQeMH6d5fMeWUW9xrdFLQGh7jRSbMp6fybLHCmGKgQ/s1600-h/Nanna+garden8.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHGgUXYFfFY7QpHOCPsIZKNLtAWpICnY6vgLL-O609qCkw8SoNWBxN1VGgRyyasL0_sqX6Nbol3dOMbfUpcRx9O8E4M3L_ap3scQeMH6d5fMeWUW9xrdFLQGh7jRSbMp6fybLHCmGKgQ/s400/Nanna+garden8.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223626581457687554" /></a><br />My favourite stop around the corner are these two little guys. A cute little pig telling a funny story to his friend, the hen. Neither mind they are getting on in years or that they are a bit weathered...like any old and dear friends, they enjoy each other's company and feel fresh and young when sharing stories.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHWwspCmk4_dy6c2PkFbzCHRigNMwMZkH6CGs-NsPIog_t5oE_3WixxGqMJkViDSWssKzX0YkpjCEu-ilQpvxUdbMq7V0a-yIa9d8g-GiJdBUQx1CydqmMfphyphenhyphenDlXv_D-WgSKNt_ISQo/s1600-h/Nanna+garden21.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHWwspCmk4_dy6c2PkFbzCHRigNMwMZkH6CGs-NsPIog_t5oE_3WixxGqMJkViDSWssKzX0YkpjCEu-ilQpvxUdbMq7V0a-yIa9d8g-GiJdBUQx1CydqmMfphyphenhyphenDlXv_D-WgSKNt_ISQo/s400/Nanna+garden21.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223626596295949362" /></a><br />Here and there splashes of colour wave in the light breeze. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWfPBZbD7nEN1IYeNvaVyRxuCvkvKJ-JFVdLBTtxXUtK4e_O-pQsTKpnTiXVlMV6LKE5VYVTkSs5qe85M9-xW2MxV3a-YUFteT5ZT0r9UQqk0xfW7j2HzFi-7jKnpDx7frVi77Ugeq4E/s1600-h/Nanna+garden31.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWfPBZbD7nEN1IYeNvaVyRxuCvkvKJ-JFVdLBTtxXUtK4e_O-pQsTKpnTiXVlMV6LKE5VYVTkSs5qe85M9-xW2MxV3a-YUFteT5ZT0r9UQqk0xfW7j2HzFi-7jKnpDx7frVi77Ugeq4E/s400/Nanna+garden31.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223626606927643554" /></a><br />These gardens have a cottage-y, English-garden feel to it. Today I gave you a glimpse at one of my favourite place's around here; a place where the atmosphere is as warm and inviting as the gardens that surround Nana's (and Poppa's) place.Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-40417754473906317452008-07-02T13:10:00.006-03:002008-07-02T14:18:32.185-03:00How To Have Fun Kid-StyleToday's lesson can be learned from our children...<br /><br />Take one inflatable toy...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSsxWZVFN7lP38T1XZNVd8IQwgv78XzTfBpcZY1gbf1I2aODiKYt-zsHTQUAszSEikQqxLawhbMrGqVjqCzvDVBplHIRyyvmJQVejMjWtg0F_0LsLC6WJvOoU-SAqHRD9Ge2P7j6Nad0/s1600-h/waterplay2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSsxWZVFN7lP38T1XZNVd8IQwgv78XzTfBpcZY1gbf1I2aODiKYt-zsHTQUAszSEikQqxLawhbMrGqVjqCzvDVBplHIRyyvmJQVejMjWtg0F_0LsLC6WJvOoU-SAqHRD9Ge2P7j6Nad0/s400/waterplay2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218451771249722450" /></a><br />Add 2 kids (cousins in this case)...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3R-nM1Rh4fkjU-9CvmaU59nb0IpCDpQ8E9OW2afN5YK3lNIfDspCioxqCHqXpqdYEe1fV6R5BfwUwxIjDWXYH08T87g9juj0n5voArNTKIHwVtAEUPp9SEoEo8dPoH9NlQGDA_o3JtFY/s1600-h/waterplay22.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3R-nM1Rh4fkjU-9CvmaU59nb0IpCDpQ8E9OW2afN5YK3lNIfDspCioxqCHqXpqdYEe1fV6R5BfwUwxIjDWXYH08T87g9juj0n5voArNTKIHwVtAEUPp9SEoEo8dPoH9NlQGDA_o3JtFY/s400/waterplay22.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218454975931957938" /></a><br />And send them on their way!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpadBiJ1-ujd8Sq6ByBvzHOSldhO_7sX-ho6UxXYFlKZT67Je04fze8QmT9PvdbwxHiSzri0scda1ovVaI8BbEQyuNcZisnCXaSbaG32sG_tR8gFUqnx0wH_8q_Jdhm5dWt4ec0fUsu0/s1600-h/waterplay8.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpadBiJ1-ujd8Sq6ByBvzHOSldhO_7sX-ho6UxXYFlKZT67Je04fze8QmT9PvdbwxHiSzri0scda1ovVaI8BbEQyuNcZisnCXaSbaG32sG_tR8gFUqnx0wH_8q_Jdhm5dWt4ec0fUsu0/s400/waterplay8.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218451804504393970" /></a><br />The kids will try everything with this wheelie-thing! Here you can see daughter on her way OUT and DOWN into the water<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3x9ERY09wqEcAuQgOH70s9C_JiKeAOsFQ2DrZz0T66NZ0DyqYQTQ25njmFXNAe5RDee1_IwlBT7y2Ww7FEJXWcpEmNbql4zU-IeDtEt4oLde_JvHxBLEQaMBUiDdG5VlV1unSPV4BAo/s1600-h/waterplay15.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3x9ERY09wqEcAuQgOH70s9C_JiKeAOsFQ2DrZz0T66NZ0DyqYQTQ25njmFXNAe5RDee1_IwlBT7y2Ww7FEJXWcpEmNbql4zU-IeDtEt4oLde_JvHxBLEQaMBUiDdG5VlV1unSPV4BAo/s400/waterplay15.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218454908987555058" /></a><br />This one shows her cousin trying to twirl in a loop.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpT8rTizyxWb4L-MhoCp9JWU-zsMVMZk0lrPWvAzDWCshUv7rLeu4kpK8WiZq4qLko0I_-MfNbfrjjs2IAxkHPeNbMyZRDtGr1Yw8HDV9Om0rWPN3ZGk5uE8vKnsuZNEfBJ2382Y7RatI/s1600-h/waterplay18.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpT8rTizyxWb4L-MhoCp9JWU-zsMVMZk0lrPWvAzDWCshUv7rLeu4kpK8WiZq4qLko0I_-MfNbfrjjs2IAxkHPeNbMyZRDtGr1Yw8HDV9Om0rWPN3ZGk5uE8vKnsuZNEfBJ2382Y7RatI/s400/waterplay18.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218454933039049074" /></a><br />Playtime was shortened because the sun dipped beneath the horizon and the temperature cooled off. The kids came back tired and happy.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qcQEUdjx2De2lnTbybmwVqx23kVTXTjzOCvgu9SlcGe1iu0xsbNYwTl-CuZz_e6VJ65vKEkwFJbquMV9b9ORGE7a3cqZ9vVx8orUMZLKR0kQO1ViYY9cPnVMq3PgwJVWbgWBRT1ao0o/s1600-h/waterplay6.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qcQEUdjx2De2lnTbybmwVqx23kVTXTjzOCvgu9SlcGe1iu0xsbNYwTl-CuZz_e6VJ65vKEkwFJbquMV9b9ORGE7a3cqZ9vVx8orUMZLKR0kQO1ViYY9cPnVMq3PgwJVWbgWBRT1ao0o/s400/waterplay6.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218451782152287506" /></a><br />Daughter warming up on the dock.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QVGgWmiwDEobAsRi7q5f-YltI2I0TXnWV_VCKaj2F3uhL-ceCJ8JbZK2rjTFHT5NsCAuP4Zseks6KYjI57h3kjuo_DWw_KrWGpjgxM3cs1M8gdQq4esULTktb75OZ7AVQMNdcg0ZxNY/s1600-h/Kristen+towel.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QVGgWmiwDEobAsRi7q5f-YltI2I0TXnWV_VCKaj2F3uhL-ceCJ8JbZK2rjTFHT5NsCAuP4Zseks6KYjI57h3kjuo_DWw_KrWGpjgxM3cs1M8gdQq4esULTktb75OZ7AVQMNdcg0ZxNY/s400/Kristen+towel.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218455967614397506" /></a><br /><br />Now, let me show you the fun the adults were having!<br /><br />Scroll down....<br /><br /><br /><br />way down....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Tah-dah! Can <em>you</em> guess which one was relaxing with some beer? <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FckrJkO4MrVbLT_gUBUX-lpvCIJ9no3NPX3a30-NgOfzXug_9sX07IWqLz4zbvAgx-_5uUl_kXPtbhTpaRLd_qmCpP6Td5AuHC00r0pYoAhwlMWBTxIj4eWbnglrGgCO3Xdz2gndlHc/s1600-h/bonfire2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FckrJkO4MrVbLT_gUBUX-lpvCIJ9no3NPX3a30-NgOfzXug_9sX07IWqLz4zbvAgx-_5uUl_kXPtbhTpaRLd_qmCpP6Td5AuHC00r0pYoAhwlMWBTxIj4eWbnglrGgCO3Xdz2gndlHc/s400/bonfire2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218455930069393698" /></a><br />Just kidding! There was much laughter to be heard in between the photos. Even though it seems such a serious group, it wasn't. My poor nephew, here seated on the white chair ~ later in the evening he leaned back in the seat and due to the soggy ground, the chair flipped over backwards! Thankfully, aside from a bruised ego perhaps, nephew was fine. The chair however, came to the end of its life and is now waiting for the garbage truck. See the little black dog? See the box of timbits on the chair?? Well a little later on someone put that box on the ground and the next thing you know the Pug's head was in the box trying to help himself!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItgJW-JiK9jTLDVvCrhsOk8Cfd6i2BlRggAoxRmZLQF69Xr_lOublbQ5j44tChaGL3koofv6-GTTJhyphenhyphen3dIqp_A93LB1_jnaIJvkovgHCIxLktVuyHUrthqOijH64OTi2k9chBD3ViqLg/s1600-h/bonfire4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItgJW-JiK9jTLDVvCrhsOk8Cfd6i2BlRggAoxRmZLQF69Xr_lOublbQ5j44tChaGL3koofv6-GTTJhyphenhyphen3dIqp_A93LB1_jnaIJvkovgHCIxLktVuyHUrthqOijH64OTi2k9chBD3ViqLg/s400/bonfire4.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218455948768165314" /></a><br />Here are Nanna and Poppa relaxing by the fire, along with sister-in-law-to-be (to the right of Nanna) and my neighbour (seated to the left of Poppa). That is my neighbour's house in the background. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyjYz5NwAnKzwKCHENn1viImCnLXZryckedPl16r2Sf6FZoSyls1pJLXSyHIdX4vhnjqzZZV08URhCpiI6bENHd-I4wy218rmgfHkcrnr-ZJkNVBfPfgQjj_AgYvmFH5El74KeSVnE-Y/s1600-h/bonfire3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTyjYz5NwAnKzwKCHENn1viImCnLXZryckedPl16r2Sf6FZoSyls1pJLXSyHIdX4vhnjqzZZV08URhCpiI6bENHd-I4wy218rmgfHkcrnr-ZJkNVBfPfgQjj_AgYvmFH5El74KeSVnE-Y/s400/bonfire3.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218461691837450770" /></a><br />This photo was taken before....<em><strong>someone</strong></em>...who shall remain <em><strong>nameless</strong></em>...had the nerve to ditch this great gathering for Gordon Ramsey's "Hell's Kitchen" ~ on T.V.!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nwdguH-HW9WvCo3nb_tNKNMmrKyQUTh5ahxhwXlw72DDScUZK6WCitRNQ_BFqS8cqIdpj2ipcIlyNkRmDZDnGlLCmW7pm0HsY3zT2FEa7_BzUQM_CAJOq4vbEX9RwnZz-O1brzSF5co/s1600-h/bonfire6.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1nwdguH-HW9WvCo3nb_tNKNMmrKyQUTh5ahxhwXlw72DDScUZK6WCitRNQ_BFqS8cqIdpj2ipcIlyNkRmDZDnGlLCmW7pm0HsY3zT2FEa7_BzUQM_CAJOq4vbEX9RwnZz-O1brzSF5co/s400/bonfire6.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218455957426003410" /></a><br />There was a LOT of smoke from our first "family" bonfire - we used some old wood behind the barn and it was still soggy from recent rain. The fog lifted long enough for our little Canada Day celebration and then it crept back during the night hours.Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-27678098565445853312008-07-01T12:31:00.002-03:002008-07-01T12:48:39.285-03:00Happy Canada Day!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XD5fBfETBtBWFNE1Z7SS_SVEMYH3SjkRe_84XHSMqvaY0XYUHbnow65Zc4usRE2qaRyAXAKWFcNZyuBe-_YLKgtAz0C9N6FXt-QUuGZmDYUWmY-3B8wBI6kAExkM6deBUPX5x0oGJes/s1600-h/Canada+flag.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XD5fBfETBtBWFNE1Z7SS_SVEMYH3SjkRe_84XHSMqvaY0XYUHbnow65Zc4usRE2qaRyAXAKWFcNZyuBe-_YLKgtAz0C9N6FXt-QUuGZmDYUWmY-3B8wBI6kAExkM6deBUPX5x0oGJes/s400/Canada+flag.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218069305792536498" /></a><br />Today is 1 July 2008 and it marks my country's birthday!<br /><br />The last few days were foggy and blah. Bright and early yesterday morning there was a small disturbance as a 5-minute storm blew through, complete with thunder and lightening. That was our area's wakeup call as 6 a.m. marks the beginning of the day for a lot of working people. It did seem ironic that one of the few lightening strikes in our little physical location.... was the local police station! No need to dispatch the police to the site but please do call the fire department!<br /><br />Aside from that the summer has started. Son is bored but truly fights doing any housework. Apparently that isn't what his idea of summer holidays means! The weather did pick up enough for him and some cousins to swim for a couple of afternoons in the lake. It hasn't been hot enough for me to want to do so yet.<br /><br />Daughter is busy with her school's theatre department. Just because the school is closed for the summer does not mean the theatre isn't being used. If the theatre is in use then the staff is needed to run it. The staff is comprised mostly of students and daughter is more than happy to keep busy there. She works the lights mostly. The countdown has begun to her friend's arrival from Alberta in 1 month. Her friend has never been to the Maritimes before so it'll be a fun trip for her. For part of the visit I'm taking daughter and friend to Ottawa to let them loose on the city. Look out nation's capital! No telling what 2 teen girls can get up to!<br /><br />Our front garden is showing off beautiful plants and colours. I'm blown away by what grew unexpectedly this year ~ this is the same garden where we dug out the three bushes last summer. The three evergreen bushes that blocked our view and had grown too tall for their location. We did not know that other plants were "trapped" beneath the large bushes and only needed some space and light to burst out this year. One of the more spectacular plants is a Peony bush! The enormous pink flowers are just blooming now and they have the nicest, faint fragrance about them. There are 2 unknown plants growing great guns; they will probably bloom in another few weeks to a month. There is a small rose bush sprouting up and yet another unknown plant. The potted Mum was transplanted to this small garden a few weeks ago and it is taking off! I had no idea that Mums in the right growing zone are actually perennials! I bought some black-eyed Susans and they have taken root as well.<br /><br />I'll be taking some pictures to post shortly...maybe even today if the sun stays out long enough! Fog, fog, go away!!<br /><br />Have a great day everyone and happy birthday Canada!Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-58267294983546280452008-06-24T00:14:00.001-03:002008-06-24T00:14:19.429-03:00Tired and Not Loving It<p><font face="Spongy" color="#d5ffd5" size="3">Have you ever had those moments or days where it takes so much energy to do anything?  Where you just don't have it in you to do things that normally fill your day?</font></p> <p><font face="Spongy" color="#d5ffd5" size="3">I've been having a few of them lately; in fact, every day in the last while!  If you wonder where I've been it's that I'm using all my energy to get through the days and that includes my work.</font></p> <p><font face="Spongy" color="#d5ffd5" size="3">The kids both completed grade 9 successfully.  It is most likely that son will be spending time with a tutor this summer as his math mark showed how much of a struggle he had.  He does not have much confidence in himself and tends to give up rather quickly rather than spending more time on a math problem.  He also tends to rush through the questions and it is difficult to re-read test questions or homework.  </font></p> <p><font face="Spongy" color="#d5ffd5" size="3">Daughter finished with excellent marks and will spend her summer doing "Tech" things and spending time with her best friend from Alberta.  Friend from Alberta will be joining us for 3 weeks in late July and we intend to do a little travelling.  Oh yeah - sis in Ottawa....that means we're heading your way for the last week in July - you can be a hard person to get a hold of!  It will be me, daughter and her friend descending upon your home.  </font></p> <p><font face="Spongy" color="#d5ffd5" size="3">The heat and sun are trying to make a dedicated appearance in our area.  Seems the fog has taken offence to that and in the city, where I work, the fog ebbs and flows daily.  Sometimes the sun peeks out for an hour or so before being obscured once again by the creeping fog.  Some fog is refreshing especially during some of the warmer and muggier days we've seen out here.  Out in the "valley" where I live, we are outside the fog belt (hubby made sure of that) and the weather is usually 5 degrees warmer (Celsius, that is) and muggier.  Son, his cousin and my hubby have actually swum in the lake....proclaiming it to be warm.  Ha!  I'm not buying into that just yet!  I plant myself into a chair beneath the maple tree and carry out lifeguarding duties.</font></p> <p><font face="Spongy" color="#d5ffd5" size="3">I drove daughter's friend home today and the route took us the OTHER way around our lake.  While driving past the second (and smaller) beaver dam at the far end of the lake I was amazed to see a painted, WOODEN ROOSTER planted on the top of the dam!  I'm going to break out my camera and snap a photo or two because it is a funny sight!  I have no idea how long it has been there or if there is any particular reason why someone stuck it on top of the dam (gee...maybe the beaver borrowed it from someone's back yard??) but it is quite a sight!</font></p> <p><font face="Spongy" color="#d5ffd5" size="3">Gardens are a-bloom with the early summer flowers and folliage.  We planted most of the annuals and moved around perennials.  Last summer we took out the evergreen bushes in the front gardens and this year the most amazing plants sprung to life!  In the front garden there appear to be an azalea bush, a rose bush, some lilies in addition to the irises; the mum from the pot grew back with a vengeance.  Why would the previous owners want to cover all that up with ugly evergreens?  We put in some black-eyed Susan's and I want to transplant a pink potentilla bush from the backyard to the front garden.  I shall take pictures shortly and post some "before" and "after" pics for you to see.</font></p> <p><font face="Spongy" color="#d5ffd5" size="3">Son likes to be engaged constantly and does not like being on his own.  Which is the reason why I changed my working hours to part-time evening and weekends.  Only I didn't mean every.freakin'.weekend!  Except that is what is happening.  Work is going very well as a part-time occupation.  A bit of time away from the house and a little money on the side.  For the most part it is the customers who make the job fun for me.  I get to indulge in my "gift of the gab" and the customers respond in kind.  I do get grouchy ones and occasionally it feels like they all stood in line together to be nasty all at once.  The people who become the angriest, actually, are the ones I ask for I.D. because their signatures don't match their credit cards at all.  Not even remotely.  Boy, do some of them get ticked off when I keep the card until other identification is shown.  It appears that my doing this is the uncommon and unheard-of procedure.  The ones who have had their cards stolen previously are thankful that someone is checking....  </font></p> <p><font face="Spongy" color="#d5ffd5" size="3">So far I've worked the front cash, in the tool section (tool corral it is called) and outside in the garden centre.  The garden centre is quite nice and you aren't watched as closely out there.  With some store managers you feel like you are back in kindergarden again!  Some of these people need to chill out and relax a little - if we don't have enough staff to efficiently help everyone when it is busy, don't freak out at me!  I'm going to snap right back at you!  There are a few people on the staff that I try to avoid and don't care for at all.  There are a lot of younger people, teens, working there and it is interesting to have them around.  They sure can make you feel your age!!  I had my first "round table" meeting last week.  That's where miscellaneous employees sit with a couple of the managers and go over procedures and bring any problems to light.  I brought forward some of the concerns I've seen on the cash register line and it remains to be seen if anything is resolved.</font></p> <p><font face="Spongy" color="#d5ffd5" size="3">On top of this I have a small and ongoing medical concern that is starting to affect my life in an increasingly bigger way....*sigh*..... nothing is easy, is it?  This is when I really miss having a family doctor; one who is familiar with my history and situation.  I've been in this province a year now and am already sick to death of the health care system. I've had to make use of the emergency care system and the after-hours clinic and I have grown to hate them so much I'd rather endure any health concern than use those services.  I am tired of being treated in a condescending manner, by abrupt and rude doctors who are overworked and tired.  And who usually don't want to be with me as much as I don't want to be with them.  So it will be interesting to see what happens if this minor health concern doesn't take care of itself.  I'm not about to subject myself to the whim of a so-called professional who believes they know best - and are shocked when I say "no".  The word "no" is very liberating and enjoyable and is partially responsible for why I come across as cranky and eccentric with some.  I love "no".  After years of being the "yes" woman and going along with what anyone and everyone said and wanted, I am LOVING the "no" effect and using it wherever possible.  Perhaps it is a sign of maturity?  (Immaturity some would probably say)  I'd say by my age, 44, I have the knowledge and power to make decisions for myself rather than be swayed or led into one or another.  Oh, the power of "no"!!!!!</font></p> <p><font face="Spongy" color="#d5ffd5" size="3">Oh, we found out that the new SUV needs a cadillac converter.  The vehicle is still under warranty and will be repaired once the back-ordered item actually shows up out here.  Now really, what were the chances of THAT failing on the first day we took possession of the vehicle?  My faith in mankind - or car salesmen in particular - took another spectacular hit after that!</font></p> <p><font face="Spongy" color="#d5ffd5" size="3">so that is my ordinary world for now.  Not enough energy to be hip-hip-hooray but still enough to enjoy the early summer and blooming flowers.  I do hope to drop in often and to take some colourful pictures to upload.</font></p> <p><font face="Spongy" color="#d5ffd5" size="3">Oh yeah, and Nana and Poppa return home tomorrow!  Yeahhhh!  We all sure missed them.  And no, I didn't "shop" for flowers in Nana's garden while she was away....she knows where to find me folks; and I'd be the first stop on her way to get the plants back!  Ha ha ha, the Lupine flowers are looking mighty fine right now though....</font></p> Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-65337326393670850642008-06-12T14:25:00.001-03:002008-06-12T14:25:08.609-03:00Oh Crap - School's OUT!<p><font face="Euphorigenic" color="#00ffff" size="4">I'm crying but it's not tears of joy!  Thus begins 2 months of, "I'm bored; what are we doing today?".  Structure is important to kids with Asperger's Syndrome and the longer I am subjected to it the less appealing it becomes.  I have one child who is easy to entertain and doesn't need a lot of stimulation or support to fill her days.  She has quiet hobbies, as well as the drive and interest to keep busy most of the time.  The other one however, wants - demands actually - to have "fun" constantly.  It's now a word I'd ban from our vocabulary if the chance ever comes up.  It means I will fill our days doing as many things as possible to entertain his days and keep him somewhat happy.  There are so many things I'd rather be doing that shall be set aside in favour of helping him cope.  I love to read or garden.  As they aren't on his list of favourite activities..... guess what?  On the other hand we do see more and keep busier because I try to plan excursions to see new places and do new things.  It was easier in Alberta however as we lived in a very large city that had more available activities than where we are currently located.  Mind you, should the summer get hot and muggy we are located on a lake and swimming is an activity we both enjoy so although I'm not a fan of really hot and sticky days let's hear it for swimming and the lake!</font></p> <p><font face="Euphorigenic" color="#00ffff" size="4">I'm sick still and so is hubby.  Dang those summer colds ~ you think you've made it past cold season then *wham* some random little bug knocks you off your feet.  Something nasty is going around my workplace but due to understaffing, clerks and cashiers are reporting to work sicker than dogs and puking.  It is a sad state of affairs when hard-working folks such as these are taken advantage of to the point they feel they MUST work to help out.  I have some scathing remarks on that subject that are best left unsaid...you never know who is reading a blog these days.</font></p> <p><font face="Euphorigenic" color="#00ffff" size="4">This is the first week of part-time work and it is working out much better than the last 3 weeks.  Son is happier with me here throughout the day and I've been able to provide dinner before I head off to work.  The four hour shift goes by much better for me and I'm not worried about those dreaded calls from home (cripes....there goes "Mom of the year award" AND "employee of the month"!!).  It is fortunate I have today and tomorrow off so I can simper and whine and try to get over this darned bug that is making me miserable.</font></p> <p><font face="Euphorigenic" color="#00ffff" size="4">I have had some time to do a bit of gardening.  It is good for my soul to putter and dig.  The flowers seem so vibrant after the long, white winter and the explosion of green vegetation and the rainbow of flowers is a happy sight for all of our tired eyes!  I'd like a word with whatever force of nature invented "humidity" however....that great energy-sapper that it is.  I grew accustomed to the low humidity levels during the 10 years in Alberta and the pampered princess is having trouble adjusting to sweating, er perspiring??, when moving about on hot days.</font></p> <p><font face="Euphorigenic" color="#00ffff" size="4">Before closing and heading back to bed, I'm sending  a "shout-out" to my in-laws who are presently in Northern Ireland.  They have not been back since landing in Canada 33 years ago however the illness of a family member back there inspired the quickly-arranged trip.  We hope that health matters improve for those concerned and this walk down memory lane provides happy memories to recount when you come back.  We miss Nana and Poppa already and I know their children can't wait to hear stories about their childhood haunts and homes upon their parents' return.</font></p> Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-27067477468253185392008-06-08T20:16:00.002-03:002008-06-08T20:33:54.249-03:00Whooaaa ~ What a week!You know how some people are born with that proverbial silver spoon in their mouths? Everything they touch turns to gold? The ones who make a billion dollars from 2 nickels they rubbed together as kids?<br /><br />Well...that's NOT us. We are somehow related to "Murphy" and his stupid laws. I'm not sure where in the family tree there is a connection but it's there. If unlucky had a name it would be us. We just brought home our new "used" vehicle yesterday. A 1995 Hyundai Santa Fe. While taking it for a spin today what do you know; the ENGINE light came on ~ as in, "check your engine"! The SAME FREAKING thing happened when we bought our van some years back; it cost $500 plus dollars to fix brand new "used" vehicle before its engine purred. That was the same van that started itself during the cold winter; freaking us out at 1 in the morning when it started itself while we were sleeping in the house! (The garage abutted the master bedroom).<br /><br />When we bought the Toyota Matrix we'd been assured everything was hunkey-dory with it. Then we found out it had been in an accident. When we bought the SAAB years ago, we found out IT had not only been in an accident but the seat warmer had caught fire with the previous owner!<br /><br />I am officially working part-time hours at the store. The full-time gig didn't work out; son just couldn't deal with the time home, alone. I got more than one frantic call from him at work. Which meant that he called the switchboard, who then passed the call to my supervisor. Who then tracked me down to give me her phone or to send me to a phone to call him back. So everyone could hear our conversations. Yeah that was fun, all right. To make matters "Murphy-lawish" of COURSE dear son had to take quite ill just a day before my full time hours ended. Which was the same day hubby had to drive an hour north to purchase our lovely black SUV that has the "check engine light" on. Today hubby and I are sick. Thanks, kid. I hope we don't get the sinus infection you have because those yellow horse pills you are taking are gross and I just know I'd puke them back up!<br /><br />The kids are done classes, if you can believe that. Whatever happened to a full semester of school? June 6th the end of classes? What the ~ ?!! Exams run this week and then the little darlings are all mine for the summer. Yahoo. I'm relieved I switched my hours to nights and weekends only; that way I can spend time with them and make sure they don't kill each other.<br /><br />As I write this there is a nasty little thunderstorm coming. Could this be mother nature adding to our misadventures? Like, building a new bathroom to replace the leaky one from the winter's storms isn't enough? Next we're gonna get zapped by lightening or something! Oh wait...that already happened, what am I saying? Been there, done that, don't want to experience that again! Oh I know what this little weather system is all about....I FINALLY got my flower pots planted! It's going to absolutely HAIL and kill every little flower I lovingly planted this afternoon. Just you wait! It's been THAT KIND OF WEEK around here.<br /><br />I best go batten down the hatches and close the garage doors. Of course the lawn tractor is in the garage so we can't park the vehicles in there. Hubby's motorbike is in the other "bay", apart, because the last time he drove it the engine shrieked at him. So I had to rescue him one chilly morning last week. It's getting quite black out. Maybe I will crack open the garage door and actually pull my flowers inside. I know for sure something has it in for us if anything kills my flowers in there tonight! (uh...except for the one my mother-in-law gave me. I think it died. I forgot it was real and er...didn't water it. In the hopes of a near-death experience I've planted it in one of the front planters. This, after I killed the flowered plant hubby gave me a month or two ago. People you need to know that I've moved on to plastic plants for a good reason!)<br /><br />So long from the front line......!!Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228824667105642290.post-89076975765921959502008-06-02T00:13:00.001-03:002008-06-02T00:13:46.495-03:00One Year and Counting....<p>The first anniversary of our arrival in New Brunswick happened a couple of days ago.  One year since we left Alberta.  How did one year  go by so fast?</p> <p>Hubby asked me yesterday, if I missed Alberta or if I wished I was still there.  I replied that I do not think about moves and changes in those terms.  If you spend much time dwelling on past things you might start regretting things.  I try to stay focussed on where I am and what is going on NOW.  My here and now is New Brunswick, for better or worse....richer or poorer...heh heh heh!!  There are things I miss and always will, about Alberta.  What I miss most are my friends.  My cherished buddies with whom I could visit and discuss life and events, perhaps catch a movie or do some eating or shopping.</p> <p>Life slowed down once we moved here and perhaps the hardest thing for me was the lack of friends.  My kids are older and one, at least, has established her own life now and is busy with it.  When they were younger it was us parents who arranged playdates and activities and so met others by these social outings.  Working also created other friendships.  As I have neither here, it was the loneliness that I didn't like.</p> <p>So I recently took a job at a "home improvement store" much like Revy's or Home Depot out west.  I'm a cashier, out there on the front lines....talkin' my heart out to customers.  It was also a trial for son as the hours required him to be home alone for periods of time.  Two weeks into the experiment and it is evident of FAILURE.  For someone who NEVER used to use a telephone, he figured out how to call the store and get connected to my pretty quick.  The call is received by the switchboard then transferred to my supervisor who then notifies me of the call.  She then either transfers it to the phone at my cash or I have to close it temporarily and walk to the customer service desk and answer it there.  Either way it is a very public place I receive a private call from a distraught and panicky child.  Out of desperation I then call on my hubby's family to help and am eternally grateful they have been able to thus far.  </p> <p>Then it suddenly HIT ME last week....school classes finish this coming week!  A couple of exams the following week and then school is OVER for this academic year!  Holy cow, when did that happen?  For someone who can barely handle one afternoon alone ~ to be suddenly faced with every.day.all.day..... well, I don't even want to pretend to go there.</p> <p>I sent an email to my employer this evening requesting a reduction in hours to only evenings and weekends.  This was identified as a possibility in the first few days I worked, after I received a frantic phone call from home during training.  I do enjoy meeting the public and seeing a few people I recognize here and there.  </p> <p>It seems strange that, after a year of living here, I can still go days without seeing any familiar faces.  It still feels foreign in that respect and like it will never change.  I'm not sure how many of you out there truly understand what that is like, to not see anyone familiar day after day, week after week.  After 10 years living in Alberta, I truly enjoyed stopping to chat with people I knew in the grocery store, or while shopping at Walmart.  I still feel like a stranger here and not embedded in the community at all.</p> <p>So join something, someone suggests.  This brings me back to our situation.  Nothing is easy or normal when there is a disabled person in the home; a child in particular.  Everything we do is scheduled around him and his needs still.  After 15 years of it with still no end in sight.  It didn't get better; it just changed.  It is one of the hardest parts of raising a child who struggles with developmental issues.  The nature of Asperger's Syndrome, for instance, makes it difficult if not impossible, to make or keep friends.  Even though they often crave companionship.  This means Mom and Dad become that companion by proxy.  These kids crave structure and activities to keep busy.  Well hubby's job is  unpredictable and so are my hours.  We now live in a small community and it does not offer any of the specialized activities that were available in Edmonton.  That has been rough on him.  Guess who provides the activities and entertainment now?  Yup, us, his parents.  Son always wants to know what he is doing at least a day in advance and look out if nothing "fun" is planned.  He loses his cool and his temper.  Basically that happens at least once a day.  He isn't good at knowing what this "fun" is and it does usually entail spending money.  Every family knows the need to budget by reducing outings and money-costing activities.  </p> <p>Are you getting a picture of what happens every day now?  I usually try to plan some errands and drop-ins to places son likes to see or visit, in order to get him out of the house on a daily basis.  It is very tiring and some days I do deeply resent it.  A day of relaxation?  Doesn't happen often.  Today for instance, was my "day off".  Well, hubby has been entertaining son while I'm working so I wanted to give him a break.  I was exhausted from work but rest was out of the question.  Son demanded my time and that meant keeping busy.  So I didn't get necessary chores done, am still exhausted and sore, and spend a great deal of the day with son.  Entertaining him.  Please don't tell me he'll be grown up soon and I'll miss these days....</p> <p>He IS grown up.  He's 15-1/2!  This is the age where teens start demanding that independence and alone time.  Where they hang out with their friends, their books, their room; whatever.  I'm saying that isn't happening here and is unlikely to soon.  Again I've had to adjust my life, my work around him.  It's hard.  It is a whole lot harder than you can even imagine.  It is hard not to resent the fact that I still have to worry about him and be his company for so much.  That what I do and how I live my life is connected in such detail, every day, to his needs and happiness.  You cannot imagine what effect this has on you, year after year.  I've had so many calls from him over the years.  Had to leave work so many times.  Had to adjust my work, the hours....everything.  A year ago I had a break-down from the unrelenting stress of this kind of life.  It had led to severe problems with my employer and work environment and after 9 years of it, I was frazzled and basically snapped.</p> <p>I had a year off work and can feel that I've recovered somewhat.  I am not the person I was though and will never be again.  Something broke during those last couple of years from the extreme stress; although my health has recovered somewhat who knows the permanent damage from those kinds of emotions day in and day out?  I took a small step back out into the workforce 2 weeks ago and got another heavy  and immediate dose of reality about our life again.  I should say his life and mine.  Although my hubby endures the fallout of this, his work life has never been affected like mine.  I suspect that for families with disabled children, it is the mother whose life suffers the most.  It's not about a contest to see who is the winner; I'm talking about the direct impact on your life directly.  It was MY worklife that was affected; I'm the one who had to arrange and re-arrange my work around my son.  When my employer and I were kind of forced into a mutually acceptable working arrangement, I had to listen to the words and barely concealed anger of coworkers who thought I had received special treatment and an easier life.  They imagined, when I was teleworking, that I'd mosey on down to my office in my pajamas whenever I got around to waking up, coffee in hand....and plunk down to an hour or two of work a day.  The reality was starkly different but they didn't care to see or hear that though.  If someone's spouse had cancer or was seriously ill, coworkers were sympathetic and the employee had plenty of time off to tend to the needs of their spouse, child, etc.  It is the nature of life.  It always seemed like I had asked for a disabled child and that I enjoyed the challenges and struggles that it brought on.</p> <p>I can guarantee you that isn't the case.  I worry endlessly about how he will survive when his father and I are gone.  In particular when something happens to me.  He is obsessively attached to me; don't ask me why.  I don't have any answers and he certainly didn't come with any guidelines!</p> <p>Anyway it is very late and I have to work again tomorrow morning.  I still have to get the dogs out for their last bathroom excursion before hitting the sack.  I hope that life balances out more after this coming week; when either my hours are cut in half....or I quit.  One way or another, school is out soon and for this summer at least, the kids still need me at home.... </p> <p>I may not post much for a week or so; so much adjusting to do right now and so little time for it all to happen!</p> Patriciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11256567414059449423noreply@blogger.com3