Now that I have my grandson every Wednesday, I am on the search for nearby playgrounds. The one we went to this Wednesday had an abundance of great equipment for him to enjoy. The only problem was that the walk was a bit much for Dom. On the way there he asked me twice if we were still in Regina and on the way back he asked if we were still in Canada. 🙄
I do not think the park I went to this morning even had a name but it was a relatively short walk with a few points of interest for Dom along the way.
I had to go under the overpass.Through some treesPast some picnic tablesBeside a splash pad – it has four jets like this.Basic monkey bars and swingsDom loves slides!Of course there is always a police car, complete with lights and sirens, on the adjacent Lewvan. Canada Post out delivering the mail.And a train heading over the underpass.
I think this walk is worth a shot with Dom. The worst he can do is clutch his heart, drop to his knees and tell me he is not going to make it. That is a whole other story. 🤦
Have a great day. I hope you our enjoying the same beautiful weather we have today!
Happy 4th of July to my sister Jeanne, her family, and all of our neighbours to the south of us in the USA.
I used to visit the USA quite regularly, years ago. We lived so close to the American border that it was never a big deal to spend a couple of days in Minot, North Dakota just for the heck of it. After my sister Jeanne and her husband Paul moved to Gillette, Wyoming I made a number of trips down to visit them – at first with my parents and then with my own family.
Wyoming was always a great place to visit. I remember an abundance of steakhouses, country bars and friendly neighbours. There was always a visit to the Black Hills – Flintstone Village, Devil’s Tower, Mt. Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. Every curve in the road was another tourist attraction and another fascinating little gift shop. I still have pretty little vases and stone bracelets to remind me of those days.
Jeanne and Paul moved to Chadron, Nebraska when Paul left the oil rigs to run an apiary. We were down there a couple of times. As always, it was good times and friendly people. Unfortunately, a few years after the move, Paul died in a tragic accident. Jeanne stayed on, running the apiary with an American friend of theirs. They eventually married and still make their home in Nebraska. Jeanne’s son is raising his family in Wyoming and her daughter is in Washington State with her family.
It is so sad how times have changed between Canada and the USA over the years – with border control, tariffs, and of course now with Covid 19 closing borders. I would love to travel back down through the States. There are so many places that I would love to visit and of course it is always an easy drive to better weather during our frigid winters!
I just want to say, I really appreciate the photos and stories that our American neighbours post on WordPress – it is an inside look at a country that I would love to see more of.
From this side of the border, have a great USA Independence Day!
Happy Fifteenth Birthday to our dancing, world traveling, academically achieving, basketball playing granddaughter!
Gabby – Grade 9Gabby’s first visit to Grandma & Grandpa’sDaddy’s Girl💖Cool GabbyGabby, Lucas & AmandaLucas, Santa, Cason & Gabby – Gabby saves her biggest smiles for when her little brothers are in the picture😊
Life isn’t always simple or easy for young people – but no matter how great life is, or how challenging it can be, Gabby shines through. 🌞
Wishing you a Happy Birthday and your best year ever (so far). Love Grandma & Grandpa D. 🎂
We are finally getting a good soaking rain today. Our garden needs it and our house was more than ready for some attention. The dust bunnies were starting to compete for shelf space with the elephants.
From our trip to Edmonton last summerChristmas gift from son Mark, Erin & DomI just thought this little elephant family was too cute to pass up💖My pink crystal elephant from Dan Christmas gift from son Dan & familyMy Winnipeg ElephantEllie the Elephant – to mark the anticipated arrival of Maddy
Hope everyone is having a great Sunday – Rain or Shine!
Dan is on days off so he has made it his mission today to set up our above ground pool.
Since we became grandparents sixteen years ago, our yard has evolved to accomodate ‘the kids’. The major summer staple has become the Grandpa pool.
We started off with a wading pool for Genie and Rory. Even with a little spot for the kiddies to splash, we had plenty of room on our large patio for the barbecue and patio set.The first Grandpa ‘monster pool’. It was only an 8′ inflatable but to our still tiny tots, it was massive.When we switched things up to a ten foot pool, we had to move it to the other side of the yard.A couple of years ago, Grandpa decided to replace the ten foot pool with a fourteen foot one. Since there wasn’t enough room in the side yard to accomodate it, it moved back to the patio. …. Which meant moving our dining area to the side yard.But when you get a beautiful day in May and Grandpa hasn’t set up your pool yet, you just make do with Kat’s pool. 😂
Some days you can feel a major sense of accomplishment by investing a seemingly small amount of time and effort. Other days, like today, that sense of accomplishment is just not there.
Lately we have made a few adjustments in our life. One of the adjustments we have made was to give up Kat’s groomer (since they were closed for Covid-19 reasons) and invest in a set of pet clippers.
Grooming tools
Dan has been grooming Kat but since he is on his fifth shift in a row tonight and Kat was looking pretty straggly, I decided to step up to the challenge.
Straggly Kat
I got out everything I would need, including all of our grooming equipment, a fold up metal table, a vinyl tablecloth and of course – Kat.
For two hours, I wrestled with Kat while she did her best to avoid clippers, combs and the like. She fell off the table three times – fortunately onto my lap each time.
By the time I ‘finished’, there was a goodly amount of fur to show for my efforts.
Kat hairGroomed Kat – sort of 🙄
At least I got her ears trimmed! Maybe we will both feel like continuing the battle after a walk. 🌞
Happy Father’s Day to all those Dads out there. I hope your day is special.
A lot of men, like my husband Dan, are ready to marry in their mid-thirties.Dan was even ready for a family (fortunately for me – because I had one).A couple of years later Dan was ready for his dog Casey, followed a few more years later by our first grandchild, Genevieve. Genie and Grandpa shared a special bond from the day he was in the delivery room to welcome her into the world. Over the first few years, Genie spent so much time on Grandpa’s shoulder that a few years ago he got his one and only tattoo – a ladybug on his left shoulder. He got it for Genie to remind her that in good times and bad, happy or sad, his shoulder would always be there for her.
Genie has been followed by eight more grandchildren – all of whom Dan welcomed with open arms and a loving heart.
Rory (with Genie & Kat)GabbyBrook Maddy & PrimCousins Dominic and LucasLast but not least – Cason
Having a family is great, except for the times when it is hard, and we have had our share of both with our family. Dan is there, in good times and bad. I cannot imagine doing this without him. He makes the good times better and he makes the bad times tolerable. I love you Dear. Happy Father’s Day!
I can’t let Father’s Day go by without honourable mention to a few more fathers today.
Mark with Erin and DominicSon Dan with LucasSon-in-law Charlie with MaddyAnd my Dad (with Danny, Mark, Jennifer & Mom)
It is hard to believe Rory is fifteen, going into grade ten, and looking to start drivers training –
And, he is SO big. 👀
Rory with Prim and Maddy (& Kat)Grandpa With Baby Rory & GenieLittle Rory –Those eyes!Turning 2 at Candy Cane ParkRory & his sister Genie at the ‘Under the Sea’ theme room at the Saskatoon Travelodge. Rory struggled with extreme chronic pain, and mobility, speech and dexterity issues throughout his younger years. His mother arranged for a number of diagnostic appointments in Saskatoon. I would go with her and the kids and arrange for special hotel accommodations so Rory would have positive memories of those days. He loved the hotel outings but struggled with the medical visits. They were hard on him. Ultimately, tests would reveal genetic collagen issues. Rory was prescribed higher and ever higher levels of painkillers until he was finally old enough to be accepted into a pain management program. Rory at the Sheraton Cavalier in Saskatoon. This hotel did not turn out great, as the waterpark was closed when we were there, but as always we had a great time. We did have a beautiful corner suite on an upper floor which was memorable and perfect for us. We also had a great supper in the upscale lounge to celebrate Mother’s Day. Best of all – Rory loved the view of the city, especially after dark when the bridges were all lit up.On our last trip to Saskatoon, we stopped at the Royal University Hospital gift shop. I bought souvenirs for Rory and his sisters and this elephant to add to my collection. This will always be one of my most special elephants as it is a tribute to Rory’s early struggles, to his mother’s dedication and determination to get him the help he needed and to the memories we made on those trips to Saskatoon.Rory at the Gravelbourg Inn. Not all of our trips were for Rory’s medical issues. Rory and his sisters also enjoyed trips to visit my mother. It was always an adventure staying in a small town motel, taking Great Grandma out for brunch and stopping off for a visit at the town playground.Rory had a special place in his heart for Great-Grandma. My mother had suffered with chronic pain throughout her lifetime. Rory was so sensitive to that connection. They shared a common bond.💞Outnumbered – Rory with his sisters – Brook, Maddy, Genie & Prim – visiting with SantaOne of many lunches with Rory and his sisters. Those kids were always so well behaved in restaurants. Even as infants and tots, we could take them anywhere. My daughter and I went into a store one day and one of the cashiers turned to the other and said “that’s her” and pointed at Jen. Jen looked at her and the woman said. “You were at the oriental buffet last night with your family. You and your husband have five kids and they are all so beautiful and well behaved!”. It wasn’t the only time people commented on Jen’s family, by far, but it was pretty note worthy – and well deserved. A highlight of a Rory sleepover at our house was always uninterrupted computer time!Rory’s Grade 8 Graduation – With everything that Rory had endured as a youngster and everything he went through to overcome his medical issues, his Grade 8 graduation was a major accomplishment and a huge step forward in his life. When his teacher presented him with the award for the most improved student in his class, we were all moved to tears. Rory so deserved the acknowledgement and we were all so proud of him.
Happy Birthday, Rory! We love you so much! We wish you all the best going forward. Grandma & Grandpa D. 🐒🐒🐒🙈🙉🙊🐒🐒🐒
Dan was home this weekend so we got more than a few things accomplished.
Dan cleaned the pond. Looking forward to repainting the planters and trim boards in our yard. They are looking a little too rustic for my taste.I did all the laundry, plus all of our bedding including our pillows. I made up the bed nice and fresh. I gave Kat a bath. I scrubbed down the entire bathroom because it smelled like wet dog. Kat got into our room, jumped on our bed, and went into some psychotic whirlwind of a thing. ALL of our fresh bedding – including the fitted sheet, ended up on the floor smelling like wet dog. Do over!I made cookies.Dan mowed the lawn again – it needs a serious watering! I enjoyed some texting with son DanAnd scored a sweet, new photo of CasonAnd I did some texting with son Mark.
Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie 