My Thoughtful Spot

Paul made me cry today. No, not his restaurant pics. Down further where I hadn't read before, the picture of his grandparents store and the post about the interactions between our families. There's a picture of his sister and I on one of my scrapping pages - two little girls all dolled up in dress up clothes with purses and dolls (The one I am holding belongs to my sister. Her name was Kelly I believe...

I was devastated when Mackays moved. If Paul was 15 I believe I would have been about 11? I'm guessing here (not trying to make you old Paul!). School was miserable, for Carol had been my friend and also my protector. I cried myself to sleep every night for a year after their move, and spent my lunch hours at school hiding so the kids couldn't find me to make fun.

So many memories... I spent weeks at a time at Mackays house in Ontario in the summers following their move. Fell in love the first time there, got my first roses from a boy... so many memories.

Suddenly I have this imagine of my dad and Paul and Carol's grampie having themselves a grand old visit in heaven. It's a comfort.. so why does it make me cry yet more?

It's time for an ice cold coke and a brainless movie. It's so good to be reconnected with old friends... even if Paul DID used to wake us up at camp with his tuba stuck in the window!

I picked up some frames for scrapping pages last week at the dollar store. Today I finally got the scrapping done. they're simple pages, because life was simple in those days. Enjoy...

(edit: I am working at making these pics fit right. Nothing is changing it, even sizing them. one day I WILL prevail!)

A few months back I started geneology research. I even bought a book to help me. While at moms I learned a LOT and got some neat pics too. I want so share some here, for tonight... some early pics of my dad and mom.

Here ya go JonJon.

My sister blogged about an old country store that was down the hill from us, and her gum chewing days with the proprieters grandson. Well, said grandson had a little sister with whom I was friends. She and I had some great times. She likes to tell about the time she had to rip her blankie in half because I thought I was a big shot and left mine behind when I went to a sleep over at her house - and woke up sobbing in the night. I like to tell the story of when I announced that in 3 months I would be as old as her and she put me right in my place. "Glenda Leigh Harbinson you will NEVER be as old as I am". Need I say that on her 40th birthday I made a very big deal of this announcement? hahaha. This beloved friend and I went years and years with next to no contact but this summer were able to spend about an hour together in a nearby park. I posted a few pictures. This last week at moms I found another one I really think I need to share. Here's to the old. (her... that is.. I'm not old. ROFL)

The purses are opposite now.. she likes a HUGE one... in fact I *think* she carries even a kitchen sink in her purse! hehe

The here and now.... two oldies.

(standing on the same side in both pics!)

I came home with pictures. Some I was able to scan and get copies of, some I only took pictures of. We'll see what I end up with. As I sit here editing, sizing, generally playing with the pictures I find myself unable to see for tears. One day I will go a whole day without crying. For now... bear with me. I won't always talk about it.

First of all, little Glenda with mom and then dad.

do not let this picture fool you. I am a Montreal Canadians fan all the way. I couldn't help what I was dressed in when I was this little!!!!

Sliding...

at the river...

In the water with my little sister (she's standing, I'm on my hands)

And an absolute favorite of mine....

Later......

I love the outdoors. tonight just before dark I bundled James up and we went outside. Katelynne came along and for a few moments they blew bubbles. But then we got exploring. It's been a while since I've been out behind our house. My favorite spot out there is as nice as ever. He loves being there - he calls it the rainforest. The canopy created by the apple tree is awesome and it's surrounded by trees and pretty flowering weeds. It was fun, hanging out there with a couple of my kidlets. Then we got out the soccer ball and had some more fun. J also loves our "playground", and old broken down swing set that has one working swing and a slide on it. Time there was a must and we ended it with a walk. Now he's having an espom salts bath (helps to calm) and hopefully he'll sleep well tonight. Tomorrow is my first day with my new Sunday school class, plus I have to take Mark to work at 6 am, so I REALLY need a good nights rest. Of course J chose today to nap! Thus all the outdoor play just before bedtime and a long, fun, warm epsom bath. Here's hoping!

I know *I* am tired. Very. I didn't get much done today. Unless sobbing my heart out counts. I had some alone time and that is a rare thing. I started to write and.. well.. it call came pouring out.

Hubbie will be home in an hourish and I hope to have a few more things done than I do now. That wouldn't take much.

Later.

Ok, my brother barely knew what an DSLR was a month ago. Today he has one. Life is so not fair!! I've wanted one for months without end. Ah well. One day........! I have to admit he takes a good picture. He sent me a few today in return for my grasshopper. I want to share some here.. I love my family (even the annoying brother!! haha) and have decided to share some of them today.

My neice... I've heard of kissing frogs in hopes of a prince, but a fish??

The brother with the kick butt camera... (and the boat I could be envious of!)

I love this one.. I think it's absolutely awesome..

I had to do an upclose one to give the reflection it's full benefit.

And thats it for now. More later.. tho possibly not till I get home. We'll see.

I am leaving on Monday for ten days at my moms. I'm looking forward mightily to it (tho I will miss my husband madly!), but I have SO MUCH to do before then. I need to make me a master list and break it up into "friday, saturday and Monday" to do lists. Sunday is not going to be listed. It's my day of rest as far as is possible and that it stays.

Right now the dishes are done and counter tops are coming nicely. Table is mostly clear and floor is swept to the point of "decent" but not clean. Half a job is better than no job, tho doing it properly will be on my list. Laundry (both machines) are running. James is packed and I need to get going through Bria's stuff. I've got school stuff to take for Bria and James as I have so MANY books for them. Kate's will have to be packed more last minute than that. I need to remember to take some discs with pics that my mom wants as well. Oh me oh my. Oh, and tomorrow I simply must call in my rx for my xantac (I think thats it!). I will forget something, of that I am certain. I plan to post my list here for my own sake and cross off as I accomplish. The simple publicity of it should keep me moving!

Later taters....

We're so fortunate to have our own little bit of water in the backyard. Ok, so it's a lot of water. It's the St John River. Anyone care for a few pics?

It's fun to learn outside sometimes

We don't swim close to home. First of all it's a fast moving river and secondly I have little ones. I do not EVER want them to think that it's acceptable to just walk down to the river and jump in. When kids are older perhaps we'll put a dock and some buoys in, and fix up some stairs down the bank. We'll see. For now we can't afford to and wouldn't do it anyways. Some risks aren't for us. However, a 3 minute walk away is the park - with a cove where St John river and Eel river meet, AND a dock. It's a great swimming place.

we have lots of fun... tho this summer didn't work out so we got a lot of swimming time. Maybe next year!