Brag, Brag, Brag!

Okay - I have to brag. Grad ceremony , dinner celebration and after grad was Tuesday evening. It was very tasteful and God honouring - what a blessing! He was front and center as He should be! However....my sweet shy and , well brilliant little girl really shone. Took home all the awards! There were only four and she took three of them because her marks were too high for the fourth - honour roll group. We were all a little surprised but proud of her! She is so sweet! Here are some pictures - not very good - the gym was dark and I was not very close. I guess I will have to pay the big bucks for the professional shots. Melina - had I known she would do so well I would have hired you to be there just to take photos of her! :) I will be in touch soon!


This first picture is Allison receiving her award for high honour roll - there were five to receive this award.

This next picture is of her receiving the Citizenship award....there was quite the intro for this award with all the qualifications - one of them being good attendance...remember I am the mom who lets my daughter stay home from school to go shopping with me and out for coffee at the mall. I think Allison was about to cry here - all those nice things being said - but then obviously something cheered her up...the money part?

And then the big long intro of the student with the highest overall average for the graduating class...we were all pleasantly surprised. Here she is receiving her award from her very favorite teacher in the world Mrs Wiens!(Mom was not a favorite - way too strict!). Wow - it was some ceremony! Our last graduated of four ...I still can't believe it! Where did the time go? Gee I think I need to celebrate somehow!

And here she is - on her first day of school - grade 10 - she wanted to go to high school so she could wear a beautiful dress for her graduation - and she did!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you, declares the LORD, Jer 29:11-14

Thanks for letting me brag!

Layouts

Here are a few more layouts...finally. My blogger has not been letting me upload any layouts - I get a message error that has yet to be resolved. It seems to have no proplem with my pictures - just my layouts - they are both jpeg file - so HOW does it know. I have sent some of my layouts to the shop - photoshop that is and they underwent reduction... still there is one layout at 2.5 mb it will NOT upload - even though it uploads a slightly larger one. Go figure! So while it might say 8mb limit - the reality is more like 2 mb!



Journalling reads..."The Polynesian Cultural Center is a unique and exciting attraction that every Hawaii traveler should visit. With our host "cousin Vetti" we experienced Hawaiian and other Pacific cultures by visiting the six recreated native villages. We visited the 'Islands' of Samoa, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, Hawaii, and Tonga. Remember the Japanese visitor on the drums. Funny! Many of the pictures below are from the Rainbows of Paradise canoe pageant that we watched during the day. Very entertaining. They danced while floating on huge rafts on the canal. In the evening we attended an authentic Luau and then the world's largest night show – or so they tell us. At the Luau we were greeted with traditional fresh flower lei and ate traditional old style foods while enjoying a hula show.

As newlyweds, Paul and Allie were invited up on stage. As a couple celebrating an anniversary, David and I were also invited up on stage – and we danced to romantic Hawaiian music. Kind of fun! Then off to the big show & our ice cream dessert. It was very colorful and there were lots of drums, impressive dancing and Hawaiian music. It was very enjoyable and very well done - a terrific end to a very full day. I think the Polynesian Cultural Center was one of the highlights of our Hawaiian experience. "

This had to be really reduced in size and quality to upload - but if you double click on it you can see it much clearer. Journalling reads..." The Bombing of Pearl Harbor, the morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941, was a surprise attack by Japan on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii. US casualties were heavy and included 2,403 dead; 1,178 wounded; 5 battleships, 3 destroyers, 3 cruisers, and 188 planes. Japan casualties, by contrast, included 64 dead, 1 captured, 29 planes and 4 submarines. The loss of sailors, marines and officers represent the greatest loss of life of any ship in American naval history. The names of those lost are carved on a wall in the memorial.

On these pages are pictures of models of some the ships involved – including the Japanese aircraft carrier. The tour of the museum led by our own personal headphones and recordings was very informative. This is a must see tour for anyone going to Oahu.

The USS Arizona Memorial itself is an enclosed bridge which spans the hull of the sunken USS Arizona. The aerial view shows the ghostly shadow of the remains of the great battleship Arizona. Spanning the wreck is the Memorial. Turret 1 and 2 are visible at low tide although the guns and machinery, have been removed. This family picture was taken on the Memorial. "

Okay - so I like to add a little history to my page - it must be the homeschooling Mom in me...if you are going to look at something you might as well learn a little about it while you are at it. :)

One of my favorite pages - I had all these shots of the kids on the beach.

Thought for the day... "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Mat 11:28-29

Thanks for looking! Have a great day!
Julie

What Mom's say!

This video clip is for those of you with children over age 10 - everything you have ever said to your kids in a 30 sec clip. Sharon and Laura we could have written this right?

Rainy (windy ) day blues!

Woke up Monday morning and the rain was still pouring down. We just seem to be getting a whole bunch of it here in Saskatoon!! I asked David is he was thinking about building an ark! He just chuckled...About an hour later I looked out on the back yard - where David and I have been working hard the past several weeks (in between downpours) to reseed the back yard, weed, weed, weed, repair and paint the deck and plant flower pots for an upcoming exec supper at our house. Everything was looking quite fine - especially with that new BBQ...then this!

Don't leave the unbrella up on a windy night, especially if you have a glass table!

So hopefully after work tonight we will make the run to Superstore to get one of their last two tables!! That means I will have 12 big chairs and two umbrellas (actually three - this is our third table) and none of these chairs is stackable!

Anybody else have any fallout from Sunday nights storm?

Fathers Day

David was pretty happy with his Father's Day gift - of course he picked it out himself. He said the best part of Father's days was spending four hours in the garage with our son Harold putting this monster together! Bonding time. I am kicking myself for not thinking if getting pictures of this event - but here are the after pictures!

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Some people take photos of their cute kids, but since mine are all grown up I take photos of architecture...I am sure this will change when I have grandchildren!

These photos are of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. It was built in 1867 and was called the Dominion Building before it became the Art Gallery. We toured the gallery - they had a display of unique quilts and also some treasures, including real 'mummies' from Egypt.

The Bank of Nova Scotia - or the Scotia Bank - of course began in Nova Scotia and was built in 1832 - one of the oldest banks in Canada. That's 175 yrs ago. It has been preserved in all its splendour. The elevator doors are brass and very shiny. It was an impressive building. Despite all the poverty of the time, I guess people needed to feel their money was secure. The front entrance to the bank is two 14 ft solid brass doors - sorry no pics of them, I had to run to catch up with my tour group.

I really like this picture of the street behind our hotel. It captures the essence of 19 century downtown Nova Scotia - if you can ignor the modern buildings in the background.

Pressgang - "a body of men under the command of an officer, employed to impress other men for service, especially in the navy or army.” Our tour guide told us the legend of how the 'press gang' would recruit young men to be privateers for the British Navy. It didn't sound like they had much choice. Privateers were like legal pirates for the British Navy- pehaps not as nasty.

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We deliberated over where to eat Friday night after the conference - The Five Fishermen or Salties - boith came very highly recommended - but Salties won out - it was on the wharf and overlooking the ocean and we were looking for lobster - a whole lobster!!

Okay - enough history lessons for one day!! Have to get outside - it is beautiful!

Thanks for looking! Leave a comment so I know you were here. :)

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

If you ever visit Nova Scotia, try to spend a day at Lunenburg. This quaint, beautifully kept heritage town was established in 1753 as the first British Colonial settlement in Nova Scotia outside of Halifax. These early settlers were from various parts of Germany, Switzerland, and France. Many of the settlers were enticed to come to Nova Scotia by being offered freedom of religion - there are five rather large churches in this small town, one of them being the oldest Lutheran church in Canada established in 1784. There is also a larger beautiful Anglican church built by the British of course. Pictured below. We were able to go into this church and take pictures.

This church actually caught fire and was very badly damaged Halloween night 2001. Click here for a photo of the damaged building. It was rebuilt to the tune of 6.7 million dollars!! The stain glassed windows were miticulously put back together from old photos. Amazing! Some of the pews are charred from the fire.

Many of the settlers were not fishermen, they were farmers - but it didn't take them long to learn the trade. When you live on the Atlantic ocean you fish - which btw is a very dangerous profession and the men in an entire family could and often were wiped out in one storm at sea.

This photo gives you a glimpse of the colourful homes and buildings. The people of Lunenburg often painted their homes the colour of their boats - and they shared their paint too! One home might be bright red the next blue the third red with blue trim. Amazingly the colours all seem to work quite well together. We had lunch at the "Olde Fish Factory" - that big red building on the wharf. Just fish and chips and a Kieths - Nova Scotia's home brewed beer. Notice the church steeples in the background?

Above is one of the first homes in Lunenburg - built in the late 1700's by someone with some wealth! What you will notice is that most of the homes have large dormers built out of the front of the house - usually three stories high. The top of the dormer is known as the "widows watch". Here is where the wife would stand to look out to sea and watch for her men - husbands and sons. If a ship was coming into harbour with it's flag at half mast, it meant someone was lost at sea. She wouldn't know who or how many until they docked. What a life! This house to the right above is one of the oldest in Lunenburg - mid 1700's and it is for sale - list in $300,000.00. Kind of small but rather pretty!

This house to the left is only 150 yrs old, but I love the yellow!! What a huge house! Can you imagine a scrapbook room on the upper floor overlooking the ocean - talk about inspiration!

And to the right above - more of those 'widows watch' rooms. Take a look at the intricate carvings over the windows and on the corner of the house.

David had a brief chat with alocal fisherman - actually he is not real - but he did talk when you stood near him - funny! Lunenburg is full of small shops - a full days worth - very nautical and local craft kind of wares. And funky wear - like these great rain boots! Wish I had more room in my suitcase and on my VISA!

This next photo is of Lunenburg Acadamy for grades K to 6. It is located on "Gallows Hill" where legend has it a few people were hung. So they say the building is haunted. Just what every kindergarten kid wants to know. Doesn't help that there are graveyards on three sides of the school and the only bathrooms are in the basement. You are not allowed to go down there alone! It has been deemed a heritage site.

And finally a picture down at the wharf - fishing and sailboats everywhere. Lunenburg btw is home to the "Bluenose" the fastest scooner on record - built and moored in Lunenburg. It is also on the Canadian dime. Unfortunately no pictures - it was off on a jaunt to Virginia when we visited.

I would encourage you to double click on any of the photos so you can see the details - especially the small fishing boats in Peggy's Cove. I am born and raised on the prairies...but I have to say there is a fisherman in me somewhere - I love being at the ocean - the Pacific, the Atlantic and the Carribean! There is something about the air at the ocean that just draws me. I want to go back...and if my sweetheart felt the same way we would buy that little pilgrims house in Lunenburg and I would open a local scrapbook store!! But I would miss my kids in Western Canada.

Stay tuned - Halifax harbour and lobster feast is coming up! For my photos of Peggy's Cove, scroll down to the posting below. and try double clicking!
Thanks for looking!

Nova Scotia - Peggy's Cove

David and I arrived home from Nova Scotia late yesterday. I am still adjusting to lack of sleep, time change and having to do dishes, prepare meals and do laundry again. We had a wonderful time and should have stayed two weeks longer. Five days is not enough time to see much but I packed it in. Here are some of my photos. I will just post the Peggy's Cove photos tonight.

Thanks for looking!