Flutterbyes

Life is funny at times. You know there are times you hear a song, or smell a sent that brings you back to a certain time or place. It can be such a funny feeling. A good feeling but a funny feeling.



Yesterday I had three de ja voo's (no idea of the spelling). The first happened as I was walking across the park lawn. It was the smell of the fresh damp grass...but it was a cold smell. How is that possible? I have no idea where that memory goes back to, the feeling was there.



Then there was a relatively new one. I picked up Tim Horton's to take to our neighbors and it was the smell of the hot coffee in the paper cups. They would bring us coffee often last year for shoveling their side of the driveway. So that was that.


Then on the way home from Wal-Mart...yes, I still love that store...there was a song on the radio that used to play while I was working late at night at the Mr. Singh's India in Glasgow. It really is not a very good song morally, but it brings back lots of memories of Glasgow, so I really kind of like it. I was trying to find a small sample to put on here, but I have no idea what the name is, or even exactly what it sounds like. Pretty shocking I know.

Interesting

FOND DU LAC, Wis. - Talk about a Big Mac attack! Don Gorske says he has eaten 23,000 of the burgers in 36 years.


The Fond du Lac man said he hit the 23,000 milestone last month, continuing a culinary obsession that began May 17, 1972, and is fed by his obsessive-compulsive disorder.
“I enjoy them every day,” said Gorske, 54. “I need two to fill me up.”

Gorske has kept every burger receipt in a box. He says he was always fascinated with numbers, and watching McDonald’s track its number of customers motivated him to track his own consumption.

Despite a diet some would call unhealthy, Gorske says he keeps himself in good shape. He says he’s 6-foot-2 and weighs 185 pounds, and walks as many as 10 miles a day.


He can instantly recall the eight days in which he failed to satisfy his craving. One was in 1988, the day his mother died, to respect a request she made.He twice failed to attack a Big Mac because of his job. A correctional-institution employee, he said a number of work emergencies kept him on the clock past midnight so he recorded those days as missed days.

Three other times he was traveling and couldn’t find a McDonald’s. He also went Big Mac-less on Thanksgiving Day 2000, and during a 1982 snowstorm that prevented the local McDonald’s franchise from opening.

“That’s when I started a habit where I kept them in the freezer,” he said. He keeps one or two burgers on hand but increases his inventory to four to five during the winter.

(article from NBC web)



Watch our MacDonald's. Winter is coming...

Wedding Pictures

For a slideshow of pics from Meg and Aaron's wedding, click here.

Grandma

Yesterday Mom and Dad went to visit Grandpa and Grandma Altena since St. Joe has been with out power since Saturday night due to hurricane Hugo. At supper Grandma wasn't feeling well so they took her into the hospital.

She has had heart problems in the past (quadruple bypass, etc.) so they are checking everything thoroughly. This morning they did find some blockage but we still do not know to what extent it is.

Please keep her in prayer.

Little update, she has a lot of blockage in the same places that they did the bypass 10+ years ago. Two of them are 100% blocked, and it has been decided that they will put stints in the other two since her heart isn't strong enough for another bypass at the moment.

Birthday Boy

James shared his second birthday with Uncle Aaron and Auntie Meg's wedding day. So tonight Lanette was throwing him a proper 2nd birthday party....Elmo cupcakes and all.

At supper Bert and I called him and sang him, "Happy Birthday". When we finished singing, Tim was on the other end to tell us James had long forsaken the phone, running, nearly crying, calling out 'Datty, Datty!' He was terrified of what he heard. Tim asked him afterwards if he wanted to talk to Auntie Kryna. His prompt reply was, " 'Nina, no!" Very sorry kiddo.

Our little Birthday Boy.

Editing

I sit here at the computer munching chocolate covered espresso beans, sipping strong coffee, and editing photos. Hope that is a good combination....

Family, weddings, and kiddies

Last week we headed out to MI for Ernie and Meg's wedding. All went well, and even though the pictures do not suggest it, Tim and Dad were there as well. We had a great time.

We all went out for breakfast at Brandywine the day after Bert and I arrived. It was awesome as Aaron had promised. I has some fiery little hash dish. Ellie was not so much hungry as she was tired.

James was totally unimpressed with something.

But he repented....

The hotel had an indoor slide...I think more for the adults than for the kids. It went very fast. The boys managed to splash water over the edge at every turn. How do they do it?

Tim taking the plunge.

We all stayed in two adjoining motel rooms (except for the nights with Grandpa and Grandma, then we had three.) James thought it was pretty fun being the door troll.

Sorry about the hairy chest here, but the picture is to show how much Ellie likes her Uncle Ernie. James may like me well enough, but Ellie still prefers Uncle Ernie over me any day!

All Aaron and Megs stuff waiting to be packed into Dad's trailer. Bye, bye Leffingwell. It is a good old house.

Common scene in the motel at night.

Ellie likes her sleep.

Restaurant.com is the coolest. Here we are eating at Olive's in Gaslight Village, GR. Yum...

Mom and Grandpa and Grandma Altena at the rehearsal. It was Grandpa and Grandma's 60th anniversary on this past Monday. Congratulations!

James wanted to walk down the isle with Antie Meg (with her father John).

Sara (maid of honor), Meg, Meg 2, and Heather (bridesmaids) at the rehearsal supper.

The happy couple.

All the best to Aaron and Meg, we love you both and wish you every blessing!

Demolition Derby

Monday was Civic Holiday here. The fair was on over the week before and ended Monday with a favorite, the demolition derby.

It was a first for Bert and I. The church youth thought it would be great to all go watch so that is what we did. Initially it was shocking watching cars purposely smash into other, but after all that is why we came!

And this is what happens...

This driver was pretty happy about his win...

A lady won the final "grudge match"...

And you can't leave the fair without seeing a cute animal of course...

Zucchini Recipe?

Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor's Porch Night

Celebrate this fun holiday on August 8!

Established by Pennsylvanian Tom Roy, this day encourages sharing. "Due to the overzealous planting of zucchini, citizens are asked to drop off baskets of the squash on neighbors' doorsteps."

(1)Carefully place a dozen or more zucchini in a large, sturdy black plastic trash bag, then add a couple layers of unwanted clothing. Drive to nearest Goodwill or Salvation Army, hand over bag to nearest volunteer. Politely refuse any offered receipt. Leave quickly.

(2)Buy a large roll of freezer paper--the kind that sub shops use. Then proceed to wrap each zucchini that has managed to grow to a foot or more in length. Next time your child has a fundraiser, send him or her out supplied with these phony subs. Tell child to drop them off with neighbors or relatives and leave quickly. It's advisable that a responsible adult hover nearby in a get-away car.

(3)Gather all available plastic containers and freezer bags. Drink a vat of your favorite caffeinated beverage, in preparation for staying up 'round the clock to purée large quantities of zucchini. This can then be packaged neatly and artistically labeled: "For Zucchini Nut Bread Recipe." These packages can be freely given, along with copies of recipe, to anyone on your Christmas list.

-from http://www.allrecipes.com/

There you have it, there is a day or night for just about anything I guess!

The Wee Dog

Back in the 1960-1970's there was a couple of wee boys in the south of Ireland. They attended a one room school house and they had to walk to get there.

They came to class one day and the teacher said, "Okay, we are going to be learning about..........construct a sentence that begins with 'This morning...'"

A few minutes later she called on on of the boys, "Can you read your sentence to the class, James?"

He bravely stood up, "This morning on the way to school a wee dog crossed the road."

"James, I think what you meant to say was, 'This morning on the way to school a small dog crossed the road,'" the teacher corrected.

To that, the poor boy leaned over to his chum and whispered in all seriousness, "It looked like a wee dog to me!"


True story...

Ordination, Vacation, and Coffee

Bert's parents came to visit for 10 days and we had a great time. They now know just about as many streets in Smiths Falls as we do, from the different walks we took. It was perfect weather. We did lots of visiting, talking, coffee shops, walks, etc. They let them through customs....always a relief.
Oh yes, and lots of picture taking....Bert didn't get it from a stranger.



On a walk....

The streets of Merrickville...
Checking out the locks.....

Fruitful shopping...
A bit to eat at "Brewed Awakenings"...

Looking a little bit like wildlife....Just after Bert's ordination/installation service. Here Bert is with Rev. John J. Murray from Scotland, who came out to do the ordination. It was great to see. Very thankful to the Lord for His direction and guidance over the years. There was the service which was followed by refreshments and a couple of speeches. Thank you too, to all those who helped everything to run so smoothly!
Ann enjoying a conversation with Art...

A walk in the wild.....
The boys playing one morning....

And then there is always the goodbyes....

Laddie's Back too

Bert is home again from Scotland and all went well. The ordination exam is in the pages of history, not likely to ever be looked on again. (He passed...Praise God!) Ordination services are now scheduled for July 26th at 5 p.m. Everyone is invited!

He was only gone for three days but managed to snap a couple of pics while he was staying at the Murray's home.

They took him to visit the Burrell Collection in Pollok Park, Glasgow. We live there how long and never saw it?!? Terrible. We did enjoy the park many times while we were there, but never went to the collection. "Bobby" the Scottish Terrier.

Yep, this is 'my' house!