Autograph please.

This is a blog that is way overdue for two reasons. Since I have committed to blogging each day, I have taken to going through my old "drafts" to see what I have started but haven't taken the time to finish.

firstly, I started this blog shortly before Mollie died this summer, and just sort of lost the mood to blog for a while. Secondly, I lost the pics off this blog late last night and had to wait for my sis to send me them again. Then I had to watch Grey's... now I finish the blog......

Scott and Michelle's wedding had a very unique twist to it, as everyone is aware. It had 13 children in the wedding party. I had adviser/friends who helped with decorating, and making the veil, creating the invitations, pew markers and fine & niggly details but my sister was my "adviser and idea man" when it came to the kids. She is brilliant when it comes to fun things to do with kids.

When she and I were kids, we each had one, and recently we found hers in dad's treasure box. It was hilarious to read some of the funny autograph poems. and not only did she come up with great ideas for them but she followed through on almost all of them. She came up with the great idea of making activity bags for the tables that the kids were sitting at. She made the little bags (her tutorial on how to make the bags is here) with left over fabric from the sash fabric.

She embroidered them with "I Do" on the outside and we filled them with fun things to do.

One of the ideas Gail came up with was to make Autograph books for each bag.

The weeks before the wedding I had three little wedding helpers that worked very hard on any task I set them too. One of the big tasks on our list was to make these autograph books. First I had to find enough bright colored paper in the wedding colors of course... and that was no easy feat. Then I had to print the covers and take the paper and covers to T &S Office Essentials to do a power and precise cut of these papers into 4.25 x 4.25 squares..

I left the rest to the girls (after a quick lesson on the binding machine from work).

They sorted the colors, deciding what order and how many of each color were to go in each of 12 books (we didn't make one for Aurora).

Then, the pushing of the holes.. a few sheets at a time. The actually binding was done.. and the decoration stuck on top! Gillian was in charge of that task, and it was precisely done, let me tell you. While we were planning out this whole task, we were also researching what autograph poem we were going to use when we were asked for our autographs.

These are the finished autograph books. They were adorable and a big hit. During the reception, the kids travelled all through the guests and asked for autographs. The guests loved visiting with all the kids and trying to dream up little poems for the books.

Aubrey and Caleigh packed up the bags a few days before the wedding. They also packed little treats in the flower girls purses. They had a blast, dividing up all the little treats and toys.

The bags had a little game in each bag, a glass slipper, a little toy, granola bar, candy ring, the autograph book, a pen and I can't remember what else.

The kids really enjoyed the little "I Do" bags. And we enjoyed watching them open them and play with the treats. It kept them busy between courses of food, the speeches and the shoe game.!

Archie Simpson

Its Remembrance Day today. With my dad being military, and later my husband being military, Remembrance Day has always been understood as a day to remember those who serve our country. I grew up on military bases and lived in Military communities ...all my life. Remembrance Day is big on Military Bases. Today I did something completely different for Remembrance Day.

I joined my friend Linda and her daughter Morgan and we went to the Remembrance Day services at Acadia University. This is my first non-military Remembrance Day. First off, it was inside U-Hall. As I sat in the majestic hall, surrounded by memories

of music festivals, Sheri Lois and Bram, graduations.. I looked out the windows and saw the beautiful blue sky. I remember many many Remembrance Days that were cold & snowy or wet & windy. As a child, on crappy days, we watched Remembrance Days on TV... Here, on a beautiful sunny Remembrance Day, we sat inside. On stage was the Acadia U Symphonic Orchestra, warming up, playing conversational music. The Honour Choir practiced in the balcony.

At 10:45, the orchestra began to lament "Amazing Grace" and the procession of war veterans and Legion members moved to the front chairs. They were followed by Scouts, cubs and beavers and finally guest speakers and representatives from the university and government. The combination of "Amazing Grace" being played so beautifully and the slow march of the veterans, stirred up tears as I couldn't help but think of what this old men and women have been through in their lives. I remembered Terry's grandfather and what he told us about his time in Italy from 1940 to 1944. I remember the stories his grandmother told me about how he had changed so much when he came back. I was reminded that it is not only the men of war that suffered, but the families they left behind, and also came back to.

This ceremony was beautiful and the haunting performance of Flanders Fields by the Honour Choir was amazing. The Symphonic Band played Ave Verum Corpus and it sent shivers down my spine. But that was not what was so beautiful about this ceremony. The sense of community shone though the whole day. This was a celebration of the local heroes. The boys from Acadia U., the boys and girls from Horton, the boys from Pt Williams, the boys from White Rock And Gaspereau...

The master of Ceremonies and the Student body president read every name of every soldier that was from the community. The names were all local names, farming names and business names. Names we recognize in fellow teachers, neighbours and doctors in the community. The wreaths that were laid were there for families members, and laid by the families.

All the wreaths were carried by the local scouts, cubs, beavers and venturers, and then passed to the representative who actually laid the wreath on the stand. I was so proud to see the scouting community participating.

As I sat and listened to all the names, I thought about Terry's grandfathers. Both were in the 2nd world war, and both left their wives and children behind for over 4 years. 4 years... 4 years. Terry's dad was less than 6 months old when his father left, and

Terry's mom wasn't even born when Archie left. Both survived the war physically, but mentally, the war changed them dramatically. The families also paid a huge price as well... for our freedom.

I only really knew Terry's grandfather on his mom's side, and although he didn't talk about what happened during his time in Italy, there are many stories that were written by his comrades and published in local papers. Nanny kept a collection of newspaper articles, with news of local boys, and they gains and losses. She compiled all these clippings in a book and copied it for each of her grandchildren. When I got home today, I got that book out and read through some of the clippings. I understand now, a little better, the sense of pride and community that these local paper clippings represent.

As I sat listening to each of these names being read today, I thought of Archie. I imagined that at the Remembrance Day ceremonies in Lanark or Perth, Ontario, someone read the name

Archie Simpson. I hope they did. As each of these names were read today, I listened and silently thanked each one of these brave young men and women for what they gave, and gave up, for me and for our country those many years ago.

Thank you Papa Archie. Its not the first time I have said this to you, and it won't be my last.

Adele Simpson Archie Simpson

1915-2006 1915-1993

Pete's Frootique

I am not sure how I stumbled onto the deli at Pete's Frootique but its a pretty fun experience. Everyone in the Maritimes knows who Pete Luckett is, from Pete's Frootique and his two stores are an amazing collection of fruit, veggies, breads, sweets, meats and cheese. His business sense is amazing, and his stores are very enjoyable.

A few years ago, I decided to take a trip into his newly opened grocery store which is located down town, just off Spring Garden. I wondered around for bit, with a friend, and we noticed the deli type section was really a restaurant type place. Actually it looked like a cafeteria.. with trays, and slide bars where you stood and ordered your food. There is a griller bar there, where you can have what every kind of sandwich you want... grilled, panini'd or plain. Several amazing soups on tap, and omelet bar, and a salad bar. The salad bar perked my interest. I sold a picture as I was heading up stairs to eat my salad, the last time I was there... but its not that clear. When you order your salad you start with a server, like at Subway, but dressed in black. All the servers there have a very professional way about them and I feel they add to the whole experience. The server will ask what size salad you like.. small or large (maybe there's a medium, I don't remember). The server selects an appropriate size stainless steel bowl and their tongs. They wait for you to sing out your choices of what you would like in your salad.

Now, they offer 4 types of greens... and then to that they will add a pinch of what every you request. Your choices are endless.. and I kid you not. There is every kind of chopped fresh veggie (they are in the bowls lined up in front of you, behind the glass, sitting in a large bed of ice.) I think you have a choice of 20 or so veggies, then there are proteins like cheeses.. there are 4 to 6 kinds of cheese to chose from, beans, egg, nuts of many types, seeds, grains... raisins, cranberries, olives... I can't begin to list them all. But that's not the end. Then you can chose from 20 different types of salad dresses... all made on location. They add the dressing to the steel bowl and give it a good toss. Then... they cram...cram..cram... it into a little white take out box... and close the lid (they will allow you to have your dressing separate if your not eating it right away).

When you open your box up to eat, you have a perfectly tossed, made to order... salad that never ends. It looks like it is about one cup of salad but it goes on and on.. you never seem to get to the bottom.

Please try and stop in to experience this place... I love going there, but the problem is, I love the salad so much I have yet to try the sandwich bar, or the omelet bar...

Caught in the ACT!!

When I was doing my massive vacuuming yesterday, I discovered that on the spare bed in the middle of the two pillows was a large pile of grey/black cat hair. I guess one of the cats frequented that location to snooze in. I took the spread off the bed and washed it, dried it and put it back on the bed. I also washed and dried a blue blanket that was in amongst Stephanie's belongings that she is storing at my house. I figured I would put the blue blanket on the bed and let them sleep on that, and if I need the bed, all I have to do is take the blue spread off. Well, it wasn't a half hour later, I found the culprit... Paralax was cozy on the bed and was lazy enough to not move when I snapped a couple of pics

Well, this afternoon, I was delivering some items to the room again and there was a different cat perched!

On another topic but still involving the cats, last week I brought in my hibiscus flower bush from outside on the deck and put it in my dining room. It has spent the summer on the deck and then a week or two in the garage. Well, of course, coming from cold dark existence into the warm diningroom... the poor thing went into shock and lost all its leaves. My floor was littered with dried up leaves. Friday night, I was chatting with Stephanie on Skype and I heard the crunching of dried leaves... I stole a peek and it was Tonks, hunched over the leaf have a grand time. I messaged Stephanie and asked her to research and see if hibiscus plants were poisonous for cats.. and within 20 seconds she was replying back in BIG LETTERS......YES!! VERY!!! POISONOUS!!! Oops. I chased her away, and before I could finish my conversation with Stephanie, she was back at it. I had to move the big plant to the bedroom and shut the door. I swept up all the dropped leaves and garbaged them. Poor Stephanie, she got very worried and advised me on what harm it could do. I will keep an eye.

Anyway, this morning I snapped these pictures of the little grazer... eating my fiddlehead plant!

Thank goodness its plastic! She would be in really big trouble if it was real!!

Children's Liturgy

I used to be volunteer extraordinaire, being a part of every organization that my kids were involved with, as well as things for the school and for church. I no longer run the Kingston Strings Program, or am a brownie leader. But the one thing I still do every Sunday is co-teach for our Church's Children's Liturgy program.

I am not sure, but I think Kay and I have been involved in this program for about 17 years. Children's Liturgy in our church, happens in the annex, and our priest calls the kids to the front right after his opening prayer. He chats for a sec with them about the day or about the season and sends us off to the annex for the next 30 minutes. Once in there, we all get in a circle, and its my job to light the candle. Kay always says to the kids "When we light the candle, what does that mean?" One or two always says "we have to be quiet while we listen to God's word". Its actually pretty cute, and we get several versions of that same statement.. depending on who happens to be there that week.

Kay reads the readings and the gospel (kid versions) and the children are very good to listen. Of course, they have me wandering behind them, ready to put a reassuring hand on their shoulder if they are fooling around or something. I am so proud of our kids because they truly do stand and listen. Of course, this has evolved over the years. From year to year we get the same students, but eventually they grow too old for the program and new ones are added in each year. As the older ones mature (to the ripe age of 8) they have been involved for 4 to 5 years at this point and understand that they have to listen quietly. They become role models for our brand new 3 to 4 year olds and they learn very quickly that this is what is expected.

Once Kay has finished the readings, she blows out the candle, so they don't have to be quiet anymore, and she asks them who we should pray for. Hands dart up and we get lots of suggestions... from Grandparents who are sick, or have died; dogs who are sick; parents who are away (we have mostly military children). We have even prayed for a little baby girl from China who was going to be adopted into a family, and it was nice to mention her every week for almost 6 months. When she finally arrived, a lot of the kids already knew who she was and her name. Her brother and sister mentioned her every week... so we were all anxiously awaiting her arrival as well! Today we even prayed for a fish.

Everyone sits down on the floor and Kay does an amazing job talking to the children about the readings of that week. We have an average of 35 kids between the ages of 3 and 8, and she is able to incorporate a lesson about the reading to each of them. Its amazing to see the hands raise when she asks... who was walking down the road... or... what did Jesus say to them... or why did God tell so and so to do that.. Even the three year olds have something to say about what they heard. It makes me smile each week, knowing that we are helping these little ones enjoy and learn about God and Jesus.

After Kay finishes... the real work/fun begins... we make a craft. That is usually my job. Kay and I invent a new craft each week, or we recycle some craft from 3 to 4 years ago.

This is the bulletin board full of last years' crafts that I cut out of one of Michelle's wedding pictures. It was hanging in the annex when we were getting all the little children ready for the wedding. The bulletin board looks very different now, with just a few crafts on it, since we have only being into this year of Liturgy for about 6 weeks.

The books at church recycle ever 3 years, so we don't have the same readings each year. I usually am the one to design, print and cutout the craft each week and bring the supplies. Then when we get down to crafting. We rely on our helpers to each sit with a circle of kids and help them to create using glue, glitter, crayons.. or what ever is usable. We have 4 big girls (age 13-14) who come out with us each week. We didn't have them last week (prolly cause of Halloween) and we really felt they're absence. It was nice to have them back this week.

Our craft for this week involved cutting out 160 hearts (Thanks Kay), 40 big circles and 40 little circles.
The kids glued the hearts onto the big circle and then put the little circle on top of all the points to hid them. We ended up with a big poppy, which ties in really well with Remembrance Day this week on Wednesday.
We even made a couple of extras for the two priests and our organist. It was a really fun craft and a great day.

Ah... Saturday

Yawn Yawn Yawn

I think I have mentioned before that Saturdays are my favorite day of the week. Today.. was just one of those Saturdays that I love. It was sunny but cool when I woke up the second time.

I was wide awake at 4:20 this morning... that could be because I went to sleep about 9:45pm last night. Anyway, at 4:20, I flicked through channels, and watched "Say Yes to the Dress". My tummy began rumbling and I couldn't figure out if I was hungry or sick. I tried to go to sleep again but I couldn't stop thinking about my rumbling tummy. I got up.. had a drink of water... and scanned the fridge for a piece of cheese or something... but what I found instead was a piece of Delisiouso pizza that I cooked for a little boy's lunch on Friday. I sliced a little piece and ate that, went back to bed. I fell asleep pretty quickly after that and woke up at 7:30 after dreaming the weirdest dreams.. I can't even remember much about the dream except I chose to wake up in the dream but it was too stupid.. and when I woke up, I was quite surprised that it was sunny and 7:30.

After a quick coffee and a piece of toast (peanut butter, no jam) I started with my predetermined schedule.. clean the kitchen, clean out the fridge (ewwww), cleaned most of the bathroom.. and then.. the biggest event of the day... I dragged out my "Rainbow" vacuum and started at the far end of the house and vacuumed under, behind, on top and around every object in each room ending with the livingroom.

I locked the cats downstairs, lifted every rug, every chair, every basket and every odd item that found itself on the floor. I piled the floor in front of the steps with rouge items that belonged down stairs including the laundry. Every trip down was loaded with objects. By 12:30, I had the entire upstairs, dust free, cat hair free and clutter free. I listened to Harry Potter chapters 17 through 22 while working all morning and was still in my pajamas. I scarfed down a piece of left over pizza and had a shower and scrubbed down the shower when I was done.

A nice surprise, Michelle and Scott, along with Lucy arrived around 2:30 and stayed for supper (which I did not cook, by the way... thanks to King of Donair) We sat around and chatted about school, work, Christmas and all our pets... and then they were off. Scott took my VCR and a whole grocery bag of VCR tapes. He is going to turn my VCR video of my Olympic torch run into a digital clip so I can share my amazing experience with my blogging world~

My evening was spent chatting with Stephanie and working on a church craft for tomorrow. We are making poppies at church and my job is to cut out the circles for the inside of the poppy. They say "Lets pray for Peace". The pictures of the cats are for Stephanie. She enjoys seeing her little kitties...

Friday night!!!

Lets see.. its been quite a day. I am not one for "journaling" my day.. but there are a few "mentionables".. if that's a word.

15 cms of snow... heavy snow fall warnings.... that's what we were told yesterday. We in the schoolin' business hear these weather reports and get all quivery inside... trying really hard not to get excited so that we are sadly disappointed in the morning when school isn't cancelled.

I know that last night, I couldn't talk about it or blog about it so that I didn't jinx it. I made two plans in my head for the morning, one set of plans for what would happen in the morning if we had a storm, and the other set was plans like what to make for lunches, and what to wear and all the normal work day plans.

This morning, when all we had was rain, my hopes were dashed... but then.. at 6:03am.. the weather announces.. heavy snow fall warnings... 15 cm... DURING THE DAY!!!!!. My heart went from hopeful to terror. Those were the words I didn't want to hear... a storm.. hitting in the day... the first storm of the year.... early November. This type of thing seems to create panic and havoc in our little community. The minute a snowflake hits the windshield of a car, the phones at our elementary school start ringing off the wall.. ARE YOU CANCELING SCHOOL!!!! We patiently explain that we are not allowed to make that decision, the board decides. We go through the rhyme of "listen to the radio, they generally hear that schools are canceled before we do"... we listen to all the reasons why we must/ mustn't cancel school... but if we do ... what we should do with their child ...

If they were to cancel school during the day.... that would mean that 467 children would be sent home, unexpectedly. Our plan at the school is that each teacher create a phone tree with all their students on it, their parents home, work and cell numbers on it, plus second and third contacts.. If, for any reason we need send kids home unexpectedly, we call the first name on the caller list, and then that parent starts the rest of the calls...

All fun, well organized and efficient.. unless, the classroom teacher doesn't have their tree done!

That is the case, right now... we have about 10 classrooms with a phone tree. And even if they did have them, this whole process is a nightmare, since.. while we are phoning out... several parents are phone in... "Are you canceling school"... "will you tell Johnny to wear his red boot on his left foot.. and his green mitt on his right hand!". We take messages by the page full, and its like air traffic controlling.. getting them all on the buses, confident that someone will be there for them when they get home.

Whew..that was a long story... all to say.. it didn't snow.. at all today. We spent the full day there... and even got an outdoor recess today. Bonus to the day. I was so exhausted today, I left work at 4:15. I didn't know what to do with myself when I got home. I checked email, flipped on the TV and flipped through Dr. Phil, General Hospital and Family Feud. Thank God for Debbie's phone call, inviting me out for supper... so I wouldn't be tempted to break my "no cooking" goal!... Turkey Dinner at the Aurora... oh.. yum. And.. no dessert! hee hee...