A Train Trestle

Ken asked me what I wanted to do. I said I wanted to go on a beautiful walk, one we hadn't been on before and one with a view. Ken found me a train trestle bridge because he is the best. There might have been a little bit of fighting between the sisters, but it was a beautiful day and there was a beautiful view, and we were together. The bridge is called Doube's Trestle Bridge and it is in Omemee, Ontario which is just a little bit west of Peterborough.

Cell Phone Pics

DSLR pics

(And a certain someone named Ken is super excited to be attending a playoff game with Andrew tonight! Let's Go Blue Jays!!!)

McCartney Thanksgiving

At the last minute Lisa decided to host the family for a potluck Thanksgiving. It all worked out great and we all had a fun time. 

I am speaking in church tomorrow, and Kate and Fiona came to visit me and "help" me write my talk.

Ken drove on the way there so I could take pictures of the pretty sky - I mean write my talk.

Some of the cousins!

Cute Anders came at it's always so delightful to see him.

Yay for cousins.

Halloween Haunt

Tonight Ken and Alice and Caden went to the Halloween Haunt at Canada's Wonderland. I had no desire to go, neither did Kate or Fiona. Kate, Fiona and I went to Boston Pizza for dinner, and Ken, Alice and Caden had an epic time being scared.

Oh and I posted on Facebook: I'm here to mark myself safe from the first week of teaching recorder to the grade 2s and 3s this year! Long live "Hot Cross Buns!" Have an amazing weekend!

Our civilized dinner at BP.

The crazies at Wonderland!

New Glasses

Last week on Tuesday Ken came with me to Costco to help me pick out new glasses. I wanted new frames and for the first time progressive lenses.

After trying on several different frames, I settled on a pair that made me smile when I put them on. However, the technician told me no because they were "too deep" and wouldn't be good for my first set of progressive glasses. 

After much sadness and several more pairs, I settled on frames that I mostly liked and weren't "too deep". I took a selfie in them and looked at it several times over the last week and felt a tinge of sadness every time because they weren't the ones I really wanted. 

Today I got a text letting me know that my glasses were ready. I stopped in at Costco on the way home and when the sales associate presented me with the new glasses I laughed and told him these are the ones I wanted but not the ones I ordered. 

After explaining the whole story (and showing him the selfie) he measured me in the frames and said that the measurements for both pairs were the same. 

I have no idea how this happy accident came to pass but I'm very excited for my new glasses!! And so far progressive lenses aren't so bad.

The glasses I picked out.

The glasses I've been wearing the last two years.

My new glasses!

Back to School

Tuesday September 2nd meant back to school for me, Fiona and Alice. The high school has grade 9 day - a day for the grade 9s to get oriented and meet their teachers and learn their way around. I love this idea and wish it had existed when I was in grade 9. Everyone had a great first day. I'm super thankful for parents who send me pics of my kids and their adventures!

Wednesday meant back to school for Kate. She had a good first day, even though she says she doesn't like school. (She might use stronger language than this!)

I'm thankful for good schools! I'm thankful for education. Here's to a great 2025-2026 school year!

Back to School Blessings

 Alice - healthy and strong - enjoy your classes - find ways to involve yourself in the community - grade the grades that you desire with the work that you put in - learn how to work hard for results - set a good example for your parents - bless you with safety and security

Fiona

- excel in school

- achieve success that you haven't achieved before

- find joy in learning

- be healthy and strong 

- have all the energy that you need

- get the sleep that you need

- continue to have an outgoing personality

- brighten the days of those around you

- bless you with great safety as you travel to school and that you will always make good decisions and keep yourself out of harms way

Wendy

- have the strength, body be lightened  and invigorated so that you can teach the children and take care of your family

- get the rest that you need

- walk away from distractions

- discernment so that you'll know what to teach the children and take care of your family

- find balance I'm so grateful for back to school blessings! I'm so grateful for a worthy priesthood holder that lovely administers blessings whenever we need them. I hope that we all have an amazing school year and realize the blessings promised to us.

Labour Day Weekend

Saturday

Today was a shopping, painting, lock practicing kind of day.

Sunday

Today was a beautiful Sabbath morning walk, more painting, Joey's homecoming watching, Sonia and family stopping by, henna-ing kind of day.

Monday

Today was a cling snuggle, beautiful walk at Greenwood, room arranging, driving range visiting, back to school nails, present delivering, sign making (back to school blessings too - it's own post) kind of day.

And just like that the summer is over and it's back to school. It has been a really wonderful summer of down time and busy time. Of visits with friends and family. I'm so thankful for summers. I'm not happy to be going back to work, but I'm resigned. The days keep going whether you want them to or not. I am grateful that I love my job. Here's to another amazing school year! Thank you summer for your happy memories that will carry us through.