Christmas 2008

It has been a while, I don't know if anyone still reads this, but I want to keep in touch throughout the years we are here in Tennessee.

We had just an amazing Christmas. The boys and their familes came here for Christmas. Jake and Heather and Kids arrived on the 24th. The girls decorated our little gingerbread house. In the evening we went to The Church Christmas eve service and drove out on the 109 to the farmers place that is totally decorated. We drove through his property and through the equipment barn where Santa and Mrs. Claus greeted every car and gave the kids candy canes.

Christmas day was fun, a warmish day so the grandkids were able to be out on the trampoline alot. I made roast beef dinner because Larry was planning something special for the 27th.

Rich and Christine and family arrived on the morning of the 26th. Larry took everyone to Chuck E Cheese for lunch while I worked on preparing meals and did some baking.

On the 27th was our family Christmas day - everyone was here by then. Larry and the boys deep fried the turkey. Larry had been talking for months that he was going to do this, and received lots of advice and instruction from friends at work at church. See pictures below. The turkey turned out so moist and delicious. They did have a few exciting moments when the oil over flowed and started to flame. But Larry had the wet bath towel handy to put out the flame. A very valuable tip. During this process Jake could be heard saying "I don't care what you say this is dangerous".

That evening after our big Christmas meal we all went to The Rockettes Christmas show at Opryland. It was so wonderful, fun. The finale was a most beautiful presentation of the Nativity. Never seen any church put on such a powerful presentation.

Jake and Heather's had to leave the next day but Rich's stayed until January 1. We went to ICE! at Opryland, went to see a movie, took them to the Castle playground and bouncy indoor place. They also went to The Church with us on Sunday morning. They also insisted on helping us put our Christmas decorations away, what a huge help. The also cooked one of their famous meals for us.

We had such a fun Christmas. We appreciate our family coming to spend this time with us so much.

Finally

The election is over. The people have spoken. The Sunday after the election, churches across America prayed for the President-elect and his family and he went to the gym.

NIIIIIIIIIIIIICE.

It has been quite the experience to live through. Here in the USA they learn everything they never wanted to know about their candidates. In Canada on Labour Day 2008 the election was called and six weeks later, it was done, over, all tied up, everyone back to work.

What a mess this country, this world is in now. How did it come off the tracks so badly?

Greed, yes! Pride, yes! Our parents and grandparents were 100% correct. Stay away from credit. That includes government. Stay on a budget.

Did we listen. No. Now no one can tell us the future. I can, here comes the TaxMan.

Our hope is in God alone, He is all knowing, all sufficient, everlasting, pure love, never changing,
and one amazing friend.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Grandma

End of Summer 2008

I hardly know how to begin this blog today. So much has happened. I will start with the most recent, more profound in the life of our Ya-Ya.

She was baptized this morning at church. It was a lovely church service, powerful message and praise and worship. Ya-Ya's former youth leader Stephanie and her family joined us at church. They no longer go to our church. It was so kind of them to attend, as we have no family here to be a witness and encouragement to Ya-Ya.

Baptism here in the south is so different. It is held outside. The "tank" is a galvanized feeding trough! It has taken me so long to get use to this. I had pressed Ya-Ya before we moved South to be baptized at BAC or at Jake's church. But she apparently was not ready.

Two weeks ago on her own, she approached the pastor and asked to be baptized today. She had recommited her life to Jesus over a year ago at a youth retreat in Panama City Florida, on the beach, it was a beautiful starry night after an evening of praise and worship along the sea shore.

There had to be 10 people baptized today. One family of four, reminded me of our baptism day, a couple siblings, an older lady who was in a car accident yesterday and told our pastor she wanted to be baptized today, no matter her injuries.

On Labour Day weekend we went to Pigeon Forge TN and rented a log cabin for the weekend. We had such a relaxing and glorious time. We were 10 miles away from the hustle and bustle of Pigeon Forge and DollyWood, but we did visit.

We celebrated Larry's 60th birthday in August. His sister Connie, brother in law Dave and their two grandchildren were able to come and visit for four days. Larry really enjoyed himself at Chaffin's Barn Dinner Theatre for our adult celebration. We took the little girls to Adventure Science Center and then drove and drove south of Nashville to find Miley Cyrus' family home.

We look forward now to Fall. Ya-Ya is busy with Friday night football and Band competitions most Saturday's. Yesterday they took top honours in their division at the first competition for this year.

I must continue be thankful for the positives.

Grandma

Back to School

First day for Cecelia to go back to school. She starts her Junior Year this morning. She has had a good (read busy) summer. She spent a week at Driver's Ed, then 6 weeks at Camp Mini Yo We in the Discovery Program, leaders in training and then another week at Band day camp. Whew!

She will have a challenging year with two maths, USA History, Chemistry, Marketing (Rich will be happy about that), English and of course Band each term.

We are so pleased about Band this year. Steve, one of the parents has been elected President of Band Boosters. He has really stepped up the organization, he has organized many ambitious parents to help him out. All of this was much to our surprise. Steve is well, highly energetic, and he would totally agree, a goof ball! So when we saw how he stepped up the organization of the band parents we were shocked but so grateful.

Last night, Larry and I drove into Bell's Bend. The Cumberland River makes a huge bend, near downtown Nashville. This U shaped bend separates the land inbetween from the rest of the City. A developer has bought up lots of land and wants to put a bridge over the river there and put in office towers, condos, shopping. Lots are objecting to it. We set out to find this place. We finally did. And sure enough there are rolling hills, one road in and out of the Bend. Very sparsely populated, and the road does go right down into the river at the end of the Bend just like all the signs read.

It is peaceful there. I think they should leave it untouched. As Larry always says "They aren't making anymore land". It would be a shame to pave it all over. Look at me, I didn't even know I was a tree hugger.

Soon we will have some Canadian snowbirds visiting us. LA from Burlington this coming weekend. She enjoys history so we will take her to Franklin and to Carnton Plantation. The following week Connie and Dave. They will be here to celebrate Larry's 60th and attend a Friday Night Lights Football Home game. In September we will have a visit from Rich and Christine and in October Barb and Dean and probably Bill and Mary and maybe Richard and Diane. Love it!! Our boys are even seriously considering coming around Christmas time! Yahoo!!

Love ya'll
Grandma

Summer 2008 pictures

Summer 2008

It was two years ago on July 1 that we moved from Canada to our home here in Tennessee!! Wow that time has flown by.

On July 1 this year we were back in Canada child sitting, they are not babies any more, Jake and Heather's 4. We kept them busy, they kept us on our toes. We visited Niagara on the Lake and got a Christmas ornament with Mercy's name on it and had lunch and a play in the Park.

We visited the July 1st fire works down at The Falls, by driving back and forth along the river, no place to park. The 3 older kids and grandpa went go carting and Daisy and I played mini golf (where is that 16th hole Daisy!). We spent an amazing day at Marineland - kids went on lots of rides; we all got splashed by killer whales and 5 of us petted Belugha whales. We went to multiple soccer games and practices (where did your team go Clara?).

We visited the Butterfly conservatory. There sure were a lot more butterflies there than when we visited years ago. I was disgusted with the little boy who picked up an injured butterfly and finished him off by crushing him in his hands. His parents nor he could understand me when I asked him to stop.

While in Ontario we attended our friend Bill's retirement party. There we visited with friends and got caught up on many lives. We also visited our friend Richard in Oshawa who was recovering from surgery in the hospital.

Sadly Grandpa had to fly back home to work, but happily I went up to Orillia to visit with Rich and Christine and 2 grand kids. Here we played monopoly, swam in their pool, went for long walks along lake Couchiching (spelling ?), enjoyed orchestra on the lake and visited Stephen Leacock's home on Brewery Bay. It is a lovely old home, with many rooms with dark wood tongue in groove panelling. Most rooms are lined with books. In the basement there was a wine cellar of his family line of wine and a huge pool table we figured 12 x 6!!

We were caught in this home during a pretty descent thunder storm, sort of added to the ambiance.

We brought Cecelia out of camp for a dinner at Webber's, soccer games and her favourite Mint Chip ice cream. Then a quick drive back into the bush for 9 PM.

Grandpa sure enjoyed his time, doing jobs around Jake's house and spending time with the grand kids. He enjoyed getting to see each child's personality and spending one on one time with Wilson talking about Wilson's school and his hopes for a career. I gave the girls my "hero" talk, every situation needs a hero - we all need to step up at times, and give in for others to have their way. Who will be a hero today in your family?

I enjoyed playing monopoly with Haley at Rich's. She explained the game to me as if I hadn't ever played it - she has an amazing concept of the game for a 7 year old. She and I also worked on her learning the books of the New Testament.

I made my way home through Terminal One out of Toronto on Air Canada Jazz. I had to sit in the very back row of the plane. I thought I booked closer to the front - I would have never chosen to sit there, right beside the 'lavatory'! Oh well, it was fine. Glad to be home, even though I have a pretty bad cold - yuck.

I continue to think of Tennessee as home now and am trying to talk the kids into moving here, with no luck. It was so cute to hear Haley talk in her southern drawl to me!! So she would fit right in. I do appreciate this beautiful State. Wow, I have come a LONG ways.

Love to ya'll
babs

Memorial Day USA 2008

On Friday night we went to see Indiana Jones, good, but I don't think we enjoyed it quite as much as the other Indiana's.

On Saturday afternoon we visited Cornerstone Church in Madison. This is a mega church where our little congregation was planted from. On this Memorial Day weekend and again on the Fourth of July they hold very patriotic services. A huge, gigantic Stars and Stripes hung over the 300 voice choir. Marines repel from the ceiling. Each Service is recognized for their sacrifices for freedom. A marine who just two days earlier returned from Iraq led them all in the Pledge of Allegiance. To top it off Col. Oliver North gave the main "sermon". He gave stories from his work with Fox News (yeah Fox News) in Iraq and Afghanistan. He told of one young man(sorry I forget his rank) that led his squad in Bible study every day in Iraq. He first had them hurry double time to get their daily chores completed and they gathered and this young man taught the Bible study and led them all in prayer.

After Col. North was home for a few short days, he received a call from this young man's father asking him if he would speak at this son's funeral, he had been killed in Iraq, just a day or two after Col. North had returned home. Col. North was visibly moved just retelling of this young Hero's life, courage and faith.

It was a very beautiful service. Patriotic and respectful, not gushy nor glamorizing of war. Col. North himself said he would never to do that. WAR IS NOT PEACE.

On Monday we drove down along the Natchez Trace. This is a well maintained parkway that runs 444 miles south of Nashville to Natchez Mississippi. It was first a trail used by American Natives then used by early settlers for trade and commerce before they began to use the Mississippi and Tennessee rivers. Daniel Boone often walked along this trail. At multiple places you can park the car and walk along this original trail. We got out and did this for a short while, until I wondered if there were bears around there, after that my hiking day was done. Off to lunch.

We stopped at The Loveless Cafe. It is right near the beginning of the Natchez Trace in south Nashville. It is famous with locals and tourists. We have seen Carol Fay, The Biscuit Lady, from the Loveless on Martha Stewart's show. Well, she was there, at the front desk and came into our dining area and after speaking to her she stopped and visited with us.

After lunch there was a gulley washer of a rain storm. Larry got soaked running for car. But we had a most memorial weekend.

Love to all,
Grandma