ANNIE CHRISTENA HENDERSON SUTHERLAND

January 10, 1920 - September 22, 2006

If my mom was still with us, today would have been her 89th Birthday.....

Not a day goes by that we don't think of you. It's hard to believe that it has been 2 1/2 years since I kissed you good bye. We will honour your memory today with a cake...as we always did when you were with us.
My mom was a wonderful mom and grandmother. My oldest daughter is alot like her...more like her than me. I smile when I see the similarities between them. It definately skipped my generation..LOL

My mom met my dad at a party when she was in her late 20's. She had dated someone for many years before that...not sure what happened there....but my mom and dad got married when she was 35 and he 40. I was born when mom was 38.

My mom was the youngest of 8 children. She was spoiled...she admitted that..LOL

She never spoke a harsh word about any of her brothers, sisters or parents...she loved and admired them all.

One of my mom's greatest roles was that of a grandmother...something she did not take lightly.
My 3 children cherish the times they spent with her and will never forget her. They were fortunate to spend many, many nights sleeping at nannie and grampie's house.


MOM...we love you, we miss you, but we know you are at peace and once again united with the love of your life...dad. "Love you both, always and forever." You're always with me in my heart.


I will get a phone call at some point today...long distance...from my mom's childhood friend, who is 87. She always called mom on her birthday, and since mom passed away, she has been calling me periodically..but always on mom's Birthday....love her dearly as well.
EDITED TO ADD: Received the above phone call at 9:15am this morning. Sometimes it's the little things like this that really make you appreciate what you have.

Sorry for the bad photos..I have tons and tons but don't have a scanner anymore!!

Mom and dad on their wedding day.




My mom...a photo taken for her work around 1955.
And, mom and dad on MY wedding day...1987.

Last photo of my mom and dad together...her Birthday, January 10, 2005.

Marion

TGIF

It's Friday!!
I don't have a lot planned for today. I have some beans in my slow cooker for supper tonight....the sun is shining brightly....after doing breakfast dishes, a load of laundry...general pick up...not sure what I will do. Youngest is not coming home on the bus today, she is heading out skating with a friend from school..and they will most likely drive her home when skating is done at the arena.

I'm trying to sort out in my mind what to do with all the photos, school keepsakes, etc that I have for each of the kids. I want to organize them better....I'd like to give my oldest a box when she graduates officially in June, but not sure how I want to do it. I thought about scrapbooking, but I don't think that's the answer. She has alot of photos from field trips, etc and I want to give them all to her organized. I did buy one of those photo boxes, so I might just organize the photos in that box and then try and go through the other things and scrapbook the best of them...I don't know...I hate that I am not organized on with those things. I just get overwhelmed when I start to get it organized...any ideas?

I do hope everyone has a great day......

Marion

THIS AND THAT..

A slightly random post today.

We had an ice storm last night...got freezing rain for several hours...however it has warmed up considerably overnight, so the roads really aren't a problem. Good thing...I have to pick up youngest at school today as she starts back to piano. Her piano teacher was sick before Christmas, so it has been at least a month. I do have to say...I'm liking this teacher (new to us in Sept). She teaches in her home...is an older mom like me with two young daughters she home schools....and she started Sara on Christmas Caroles back in the first part of November. Sara has played almost every day since! I am going to ask the teacher if she can throw a Christmas Carole into the mix occasionally even though it is off season. Even the teacher noticed how Sara took to those! She's doing fantastically!

There is a possibility that our school bus drivers may go on strike the end of this month! I sure hope this doesn't happen! It really wouldn't be a problem for youngest...her school is in the community and we can drive her and pick her up without too much hassles...however....my oldest will have early graduation by then (yes, through high school early) and my son will need a drive to school...that's where the problem is....the high school is much further....I fear I'd be on the road all day!! (With the driving and pickup of the two of them)....hoping we can work something out with commuting to the high school....actually I hope this doesn't happen at all!!

I am going to stop doing housework early today...I have a couple of hours before I pick up Sara, so I think I will have some lunch and stitch for a while. I am in need of ME time today....just feeling a bit stressed.

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Marion

WHATCHA WORKING ON WEDNESDAY...

and another storm!!!

I stayed at home today and am working on a few things. First of all, thanks to Leslie ....I read your blog early this morning...and I had planned on making homespun curtains for my hall, but decided to line mine so they will not fade...and to make them thicker...so thank you for telling me about your curtains!!! I won't start mine until I get some white fabric for the back...the sheet is a great idea as well!!

Okay, I started this scarf on Monday with some yarn I've had for a couple of years...I found the pattern for this scarf and this type of yarn on the web...I like how it turned out and have two more balls of this yarn, so will make another. I plan on giving one scarf to my SIL for her Birthday on Christmas Eve...yes, I did say Christmas Eve....I have been in the mood to do some shopping and planning for this coming Christmas...and I figure while in the mood...do it! We have 3 family Birthday's around Christmas as well, so the more I get planned and done early, the less stress several months from now. Speaking of yarn and patterns, Katy, I know you are still knitting and I found yet another pattern for you, I am terrible about getting them mailed out!! I will...I have not forgotten.....and you shall have them soon...I promise!!!


Not sure why there is that weird colour at the end of the scarf!

Other things I am working on.....I started this Santa on New Year's Eve...I really like working on him and when done, he will hang in our dining room/TV room year round. The girls picked out this pattern for me to stitch.




This is the cross-stitch my youngest gave me for Christmas...when these bunnies are done, I will frame it and give it to her. Wasn't she thoughtful to find this kit at her school shopping spree before Christmas? (It gives the kids a safe way to shop without parents for the Holidays, should they decide they want to participate).



And now on to the weather, which is a big topic around these parts...seems like we go one day...maybe two if lucky without a storm.....tonight we are supposed to get ice pellets...oh yeah...LOL...right now it is snowing.....they are saying up to six hours of freezing rain and ice pellets!!

Anyway, I plan on staying safe and warm inside tonight with some hot chocolate...take care....

Enjoy what is left of your Wednesday.







Marion

DAY 2 of Schedules....

Well, the kids made out just fine yesterday, being back in the swing of things. I guess we are all back into the routine now.

I am just about to get ready to head on over to my cousin's today for Blanket Club. Our other cousin has gone to Florida for the winter, so it's just the two of us for a couple of months. That's okay..although I am wishing I was in Florida with my other cousin! LOL

I have to say, miracles do happen!! We got our son a clock radio/alarm clock for Christmas....I wanted to get it for him in the hopes that it would help him wake up in the morning...he was unbelievable to wake up! Once up he took no time to shower and get ready, but it was impossible to get him up! He set up the alarm just after Christmas, and has been getting up with it each day!!!! Today he was up and in the shower before the other two! He said he really likes the clock radio and waking up to the music! Yippee! This is a big thing for him and for our household.

Well bloggers...must hit the road........take care...have a wonderfully productive day in your area of the world!

Marion

COUNTDOWN TO SCHEDULES...

Don't get me wrong, I love having the kids around, but face it, we all need schedules and routines of some sort. It's been over two weeks, and I am anxious to get my house in order. Fifteen minutes to countdown for first bus pickup. Twenty five minutes for the high school bus.
Let me tell you, the kids are not excited about going back to school...heehee.

I have Christmas decorations to finish taking down and pack away (usually I have this done on the first!)....I have cleaning and a good general pick up to do. I want to sew curtains for our front hallway, and tomorrow I hope to take down the trim (we are going to replace it) and get it ready for painting. I will be SO glad when all the painting is done, but that will take time..and patience...

I started a new project (cross-stitch) on New Year's eve. I'll show photos on Wednesday. I also managed to do some Christmas shopping since Christmas...for this coming year. Things I know the kids would like...I got housecoats and matching slippers for each of my girls, I got a Disney store mug (older collects them)..for my oldest, I got some makeup kits 1/2 price at Wal-mart for the girls....I got a housecoat and matching slippers for my niece...so I did well!!

Anyway, I have a busy day ahead, so I think I shall end for now and get to work!! Have a wonderful and productive day fellow bloggers...

Marion

NEW YEAR WITH A BLAST!!

That should say Blizzard!!! WE are in the midst of a BLIZZARD at the moment!!! Great way to start a New Year!!!!

Well, it's been over a week since I actually did a decent post...and I have to say, we had one of the best Holidays in years. Christmas Eve we had an open house....drop in, say hello, have a drink, leave...LOL....we had some neighbours drop in, and it was great. Later in the day, the girls and I headed on over to Larry's brother's house for their drop in.....stayed for a bit and came home to play board games around the fire...great way to spend Christmas Eve. Larry and Gregory stayed here, in case we had more drop-ins. Christmas morning I was the first one up, as usual, (I love getting up early!!) I made blueberry muffins for breakfast, and by that time, everyone else was up, so we headed on down to the family room to open presents. I got a cross-stitch from my youngest....and I'm thrilled...she is such a good little shopper! How she gets to do it, is at her school they have a shopping day.....parents donate new things (Dollar Store, or new things that aren't going to be used in that particular household.) They are all organized on tables in the gym....example, for mom, for sister, for brother....and the kids get to buy for their family..safe, cheap, easy way to shop! Each item is $1.00, and if your child takes 5 things in, she gets 5 tickets to shop....(parents have to send the money in as well)...but it's so great for the kids! I have already started the cross-stitch and it will belong to my daughter at some point.

My son gave me a Christmas plate....he wanted me to open it on Christmas Eve, so I did and I have used it almost every day since for various things. My oldest daughter gave me a gift certificate for a manicure! Yippee!!

My husband surprised me with a membership to Costco!! We had talked about it, but I wasn't expecting it for Christmas. He had the card in this really fancy box and put it under the tree. At one point he asked me if I had shaken that box...I said No, why? He said it might break! Crazy hubby!! He also got me a beautiful heart shaped ring, which I tried to take a photo of!!

Christmas Day I was going to cook chicken, potatoes, carrots, etc...and Larry's mom called and invited us over for supper! A first, as in 22 years we have never had Christmas Dinner with his mom....we went, as did all the family and it was wonderful!! I am thankful for a very Blessed Christmas!!

On Sunday, I had all of Larry's family, a couple of extras and ourselves for a buffet style meal...it went over very well.

My colourful girls...before the party..LOL

Last night we stayed home....had chinese food and set off fireworks in the middle of a snow storm at midnight!!! LOL......

Oh and yesterday morning, I had coffee with a childhood friend.....she gave me this folk art photo she drew...and a really nice card...the back of the picture frame says...."There were three cottages by the sea,Where three girls laughed and played carefree."

It will hold a special place in my heart, as does she.

And look at this!!! I won a drawing on http://athomewithbecky.blogspot.com/

this arrived yesterday!!! I am thrilled! And look at this pinkeep!!!!

Well everyone, I am staying inside safe and warm...we are all home except for our oldest...she had to work last night for a while and then was going out with her boyfriend...they were going to go back to his parents house, as it is closer to her work...much closer. She is supposed to work later today, but I sure hope the store doesn't open!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR....HOPE IT IS A BLESSED ONE!!

Marion