Creative Memories

This morning I went to Kathy's house (her husband hired Grandpa, almost 3 years ago). She had a friend there that sells Creative Memories scrapbooks, etc., etc.

I decided it really is time for me to get all of our thousands of photos organized. Yes we must have thousands, as Grandpa and I have been married for 36 years now and if you times that by the number of double photos that grandpa takes and orders!!

So I bought a box that will start me to get organized 2 500 photos in one box! Plus I bought this little paper cutter thing, I am supposed to crop the edges as I sort.

Anyway, I can see a corner of our Bonus room becoming my sorting area, if I give away that old love seat, which I want to do anyway.

I need inspiration on where to start and how to organize. Looks like fun though.

Love to all,
Grandma

P.S. I still think the pages I have seen Heather and Christine do are the most gorgeous and creative of any pages I have seen anyone do.

Memory Lane

This morning I was telling Ya-Ya about the time that Jake and Rich and Grandpa and Grandma sat on folding chairs at the end of the visitors bench at the old Olympia Arena in Detroit.

Toronto Maple Leafs were playing the Red Wings that night. Lanny MacDonald reached over the boards and said to Jake who was sitting either right at the end beside the door onto the ice or the second chair in, anyway Lanny McDonald said to Jake, "Hey kid, touch my stick for good luck". Jake was shocked, I think, but did as Lanny asked. That night Lanny scored a hat trick.

After the game grandpa and I yelled at Lanny to give Jake his stick but he didn't hear us. That was a wonderful evening. We have never before nor since had seats like that. They were folding chairs right at the end of the visitors bench. Grandpa often held the door for players to go on and off the ice, more for protection from getting wacked with the door.

That was one of the last hockey games they held at the Olympia before they built the Joe Louis arena downtown. Ya-Ya and I got talking about this because she noticed the octopus hats that Red Wing fans wore last night here in Nashville. She wanted to know what that was all about. She was fascinated by this story that we told her.

I was just thinking, what was the name of that restaurant we used to go to often before the games in Detroit? Was it Carl's Steakhouse? That was where I first had pickled herring - yum.

Now I know where Rich gets his love of raw fish!

Grandma

Saturday Night Live

Last night was our time to volunteer to help raise money for Ya-Ya's Thundering Herd High School Band. We travelled into Nashville and helped serve desserts at the GEC (the arena where the Predators play hockey) to all of the Private Suites. After the game we cleaned up the Suites after the fans had left.

It was a thrill entering the GEC through the employees entrance then we were led deep in the GEC where on the way we encountered many of The Predators playing "soccer" outside of their dressing room area. They had to stop playing to let us walk by. We recognized the goalie Vokoun, also Tootoo and Kariya.

We worked for 5 hours. It is very labour intensive. We set up these huge dessert carts, more than carts, with delicious, decadent looking desserts. Near the end of the first period we pushed these carts along to our designated Suites, where we served the guests as the waitresses kept account of the number of desserts taken for each Suite.

After the game we cleaned out the dirty plates, etc. and garbage from each Suite. This was back breaking and not so pleasant.

But if the band fulfills all of their obligations to the GEC, they could earn $5 000 this year plus have opportunity for more dates next season.

Earlier in the day we had another neat experience. We went into a granite wholesaler and picked out the actual slap of granite for our new kitchen counter tops. It is called Creama Bourdeux brought in from and mined in Brazil.

I think that is enough excitement for one weekend, we are going to crash this afternoon.

God bless you!
Grandma

Grandpa's Joke of the Day

Child; "Grandma, what is that wrinkley thing on your arm?"

Grandma; "Grandpa".


Love Grandma and Grandpa

Emergency Radio

Our emergency radio sounded an alarm at 12:22 AM today. It said that our town was in for a severe thunderstorm. In the middle of the announcement lightning, wind and hail started powerfully and abruptly. Grandpa and I got out of bed and went into the living room. Hail was hitting the windows on all sides of the house. That was interesting.

It was a fast moving storm at 40 MPH so it didn't last long. This morning we had a six inch hail drift up against the patio door. Mercy loves chewing on the hail.

Mercy is on antibiotics. We think she ate something that has disagreed with her. She is such a garbage dog when I take her for walks. I am forever pulling dirty kleenex, styrofoam, etc. out of her mouth that she finds along the way.

She is on a bland diet of cottage cheese and rice mixture for 5 days.

Grandma

Dam Meeting

Tonight Grandpa and I went to the meeting about the condition of the Wolf Creek Dam. It was an excellent presentation by the Corps of Engineers. There 1000 in attendance.

The basic issue is that in the 1930's and '40's when they built the dam they did not extend the concrete far enough and deep enough and so now the limestone base on the dirt edges of the dam are leaking.

The situation is serious but a catastrophic break is not imminent. They are beginning to rebuild deeper and wider walls which could take another 8 years to complete.

They had topographical maps showing the worse case scenarios for our town. Worse case we would have 21 hours to evacuate before we would see any changes at all in the river and creeks around here. Worse case the water does not come anywhere near our subdivision.

We would evacuate because of destruction that would be south of us. We are not worried but now we have the information in order to talk over our evacuation plans and be aware.

It felt very bizzare to me while sitting there to be hearing speakers talk about a dam break that might involve our family.

We look to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for His continued protection.
Grandma

A Tale of Tennessee

This morning in the local newspaper I read a powerful and touching story of some very rich and revealing local history.

It is being filmed as a documentary by ACT 2 Communications, a Nashville based media production company.

To parapharase the events. It all began in 1963 with two brothers asking a group African-American boys if they could join their after school pick up basketball games in the park that separated their two neighbourhoods. One of the brothers and one of the African-American boys became close friends until they both entered high school. They went to segregated high schools here in our town! The brother went to Gallatin High which still stands and the African-American boy went to Union High School, I have no idea where that building is today.

In their senior year at school their two basketball teams met in the finals for the year, up in Springfield, where Grandpa works, (more connections). The team from Gallatin High School won by 8 points. The brother walked toward center court where his childhood African-Amercian friend stood crying over the loss, but ready to congratulate his friend and the team from Gallatin High School.

At that moment the crowd grew still, the brother grabbed his childhood friend at center court and hugged him as they both cried and cried. You see the Union High school was being closed down and all the youth from the town of Gallatin would be attending Gallatin High together in September. The hushed crowd broke into cheers.

This union at center court broke the ice for this community that still exists today. These two men are still in this area and have both become successful in their careers. They are helping with the retelling of their story for this documentary.

I can hardly wait to see it. I didn't retell this story very well, left out many details, but it truly touched my heart this morning and endeared me more to my new surroundings.

I remember the one and only time I ever saw segregation. My parents took us on a road trip to Kentucky when I was about 12. We stopped at Calumet Farms, we should try and find that, since we live here now. Anyway we went into the lunch room for a meal. A sign on the door read: Whites only to the right. I remember thinking how strange is that. We often went to downtown Detroit and ate at the lunch counter at Kresge's and everyone sat together. I grew more aware in my teenage years of the struggles going on in the South.

Praise God He made each one of us, we are all His precious children.
BAB

Welcome Rich and Christine

Our son Rich is now totally blogged. You can see his blog at www.birchtv.blogspot.com.

Our son Jake started us all blogging, he has blogged for a few years now, you can see his blog at www.birchbarq.blogspot.com.

Enjoy!

BAB

Valentine's Day Flurries

Unlike our family in Canada we are only experiencing very light flurries and a cold breeze today.

Overnight our families up home have experienced 6" of snow at least and cold and windy weather. The kids are off school.

Jake blogged their patio set covered in what looked like white 12" cushions on their patio chairs.

Out with the red, in with the new colour choice for Valentine's - Pure White love.

Love you forever
Grandma

Difficult Day

Grandpa found out this morning that the husband of one of his co-workers died on Friday evening. The man had fought hard to stay here for his wife and family and friends.

He braved numerous surgeries and treatments. His wife battled valiantly with him. She tried to be at work and care very specifically for her husband. Grandpa did not always ask her each day how Charles was, but would let her come in and speak whenever she felt she needed.

We often remarked here at home where Jolene found her strength. We know she is quite open about her faith in Jesus Christ, she even has a picture of our Lord hanging in her office at work. Something very rare yet powerful in this day and age.

Grandpa visited the funeral home today at noon. He was quite sad as he returned to work. Our prayers are with Jolene at this time. We know for certain that Charles is now free of pain and healthy and is praising God in heaven.

Grandma

Too Bad So Sad

We were at the Leafs vs Predators game this evening in Nashville at the GEC (Gaylord Entertainment Center)(pronounce Geck rhymes with deck). It was a back and forth game with lots of penalties. The Leafs played better than I have personally seen them play in years. The Predators won 4 to 2.

We had excellent seats in the 200 section. One section lower (closer to ice) that our past times there. The seats had more leg room and were padded.

A highlight for me was; as we were eating our dinner at the Grill Snack Bar, Barbara Mandrell walked right past us. This was my first time here to see a real live country star up close like that. And our friend R. had blogged earlier this week about seeing her the first night she was at the Opry years ago! And now we see her here just a couple days later.

She looked amazing in a full length white wool coat, white wool slacks and white turtle neck sweater.

As the game started two families came and sat in the row in front of us. All wore Maple Leaf sweaters. There were lots of Maple Leaf fans at the game. Any way, the youngest child, a little boy, ended up sitting right in front of Grandpa, but as he was taking his seat his little leg slipped through the back of the seat. Grandpa rescued him. The parents seemed oblivious to all that went all with the little guy. They were at the other end of the row.

Ya-Ya enjoyed herself. She wore her Maple Leafs home shirt and carried her Canadian Beaver stuffed animal. She loves letting folks know that she is Canadian.

I have never felt very patriotic, but as they sang the Canadian National Anthem, I sang along and found myself getting all choked up over it. Absence truly does make the heart grow fonder.

Have a great weekend.
Love
Grandma

Blue Birds in Tennessee

When I have gone on my morning walks with Mercy down by the old abandoned barn on the next property, I have been startled to see Blue Birds.

I don't mean Blue Jays. These are smallish, round bellied, bright blue coated, orange-red breasted Blue Birds.

Like the Blue Bird of happiness. Being from Canada I thought they were a myth. Just yesterday I saw another one in our backyard. I called into Ya-Ya to bring me the camera, but the Blue Bird had flown away.

If I ever get a picture I will place it on this blog. I looked on the WWW and found out that we could build some kind of box for them to nest in. We won't be doing that.

Wasn't it Blue Birds that brought Cinderella her dress? I don't know, but I have some picture in my mind about something like that.

We have noticed many different kinds of birds here. The most notorious is the Mocking Bird. It wails away in the tops of the neighbours tall trees all summer long. I have told you of the Turkey Vultures that daily circle the fields on the drive into school. We have also heard all kinds of little songbirds.

I guess I am getting anxious for Spring. We read today that Buffalo has 50 inches of snow on the ground. 50 inches! Whatever that is in centimeters, it is still alot of snow.

Love to all,
Grandma

Oops

We received a Warning letter from our Home Owners Association last week plus they placed notice signs all around the neighbourhood that our subdivision was being rezoned for schools and that we needed to be at a meeting tonight at the Middle School.

Grandpa went as we were quite concerned that Ya-Ya not be moved again.

The Assistant Chairman of the Board told Grandpa that our Home Owners Association had made a mistake and that our subdivision was not included in the new rezoning.

I guess the sign maker was the winner in all of this fuss.

Love
Grandma

By Popular Demand

Grandpa's long, long time friend from Calgary has asked for more updates on Grandpa. So I will try and write more and ask him to include some writings also, but please do not hold your breath on that one.

Grandpa loves Tennessee. He often mentions that we could settle here, he means after retirement. I try not to respond.

He enjoys his work. They are busy redoing the factory here in Tennessee. Getting rid of old machinery and setting up the plant with "in-lines" as they have done at the new facility in Hamilton. There have also been numerous staffing challenges.

But Grandpa thrives on all of this. He says retirement for him is eight to 10 years away. Grandpa enjoys working with the others in management here and the parent company, probably some of the best co-workers ever.

He loves our new home. Has painted 95% of the rooms, had new hardwood placed in the Great Room. He decided that we would find a new church home in October and is really encouraged by our new young pastor, who we find to be an interesting combination of both our sons.

Grandpa has tested the health care system here and has been mostly pleased. He even likes my new female doctor for his own personal physician - a major step forward in time.

He travels 40 minutes each way up the ridge to work while he listens to southern talk radio which most times keeps him amused and has even been known to phone in and express his opinion often on politics.

His job requires him to travel back to Hamilton about once a month. This gives him the opportunity to spend time with one family or the other of kids and grandkids.

So, that is more or less, Grandpa to date.

Love to all
BAB

See the snow! And Mercy

Mercy in the snow this morning before church outside of our house.
We had a half inch of snow this morning.

Our church did not bring the trailer full of church supplies out so we had no Sunday School, nor nursery supplies, nor Praise and Worship speakers, instruments etc. due to the possibility of slippery hills to travel on. The Super Bowl party we were going to was cancelled as the host people live at the top of a hill, so we are going to another family's home for the Super Bowl party this evening.

Church was wonderful though. They left the cafeteria tables and chairs set up so we set around a table with two couples we feel an affinity towards and went out for lunch with one of those couples and their kids. The Pastor spoke a different sermon than he had prepared; it had 6 quick points but very powerful. He did this because even the babies and toddlers stayed in the service; they all did so well, we hardly heard a peep out of any of them.

God bless you,
Grandma

We have snow in Tennessee

Yes siree, we woke up to an inch, yes, an inch of snow on the ground. Very light and fluffy.

Mercy thinks it is to play with, she rolls little snowballs with her nose and eats them! She doesn't realize she is to soil that white stuff, so I am having to keep her in her quiet room in between runs outside. Sorry for the potty humour for all the non-pet friends.

Ya-Ya is on her second day off school because they closed our county schools for Thursday and Friday due to so much flu. Ya-Ya does not have flu, she normally misses the stuff that goes around so hopefully she dodges this also.

Grandpa made it home safely from Hamilton yesterday. He had excellent video of Christine and H and H skiing in Kitchener when he was up there. H and H are doing so well. Miss H skiis back and forth and Mr. H goes a straight shot down the hill. They have excellent equipment with helmets, etc. but apparently they don't have to use ski polls anymore. Videos are great but I do miss being with our family.

Ya-Ya and I were recalling yesterday when I took H and H to McDonald's when Mr. H was only two and they both wanted grilled cheese sandwiches. Well, I thought that was what they both wanted but Mr. H insisted "I don't want a girl sandwich, I want a boy sandwich" Grill vs girl.

Well, I must take Mercy out again, I refuse to shovel the snow for her, she has to learn what this white stuff is all about.
Love and hugs to all,
Grandma