My parents are putting their house up for sale within the next few weeks.  I lived in that house all my life and it is going to be heart wrenching to see a “for sale” sign on the lawn.   I’ve had so many great memories.   There were always so many kids around.   We would stay out until it got dark playing hide-and-go seek, skip, hopscotch, ball tag or war.  In the winters, we would build snow forts or play king of the castle.  The court I grew up on was developed by my grandfather and it is named after him.  I have two aunts that still live there and another aunt lived there when I was younger.   My dad and his father built our house.  I’ll have to get some pics from my mom of them building it.  I lived there from the time I was 2 yrs old until I moved out at 28.  I guess it’s just one of those things that happens when you get older.  Mom and dad have their cottage which they live in during the warmer months and they will be looking for an apartment to spend the winters.  We always went to mom and dad’s christmas day for dinner.  It will be different going somewhere else.

Brace yourselves…we are expecting hurricane bill tomorrow. Not sure what time it will hit, but we are stocked up on water, flash lights and candles.  Hopefully we won’t get hit too hard and I hope the ones that do get hit hard stay safe.

Heavy rains expected from hurricane Bill
Tropical storm watch in effect for eastern and central P.E.I.
TRANSCONTINENTAL MEDIA
The Journal Pioneer

P.E.I. – Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for Queens and Kings counties as Hurricane Bill approaches the region.

A tropical storm watch has also been posted for both counties.

There are no warnings or watches for Prince County at this time.

In a statement issued this morning, Environment Canada said, “Heavy rain is forecast on Sunday as hurricane Bill is expected to track south of Nova Scotia and north of Sable Island.”

Rain is expected to begin Sunday morning on P.E.I. The estimated amount for Queens and Kings Counties is 40 to 50 mm. Winds are expected to be significant but with the current forecasted track of hurricane Bill the winds aren’t expected to reach warning criteria.

But Environment Canada warns that if Bill tracks further north than forecasted, wind warnings may be issued and forecasted rainfall may be increased.

The winds in Queens and Kings counties are forecast 20 km/h becoming east 40 gusting to 60 in the morning, then northeast 60 gusting to 80 late in the day.

In Prince County, they’re forecast southeast 20 km/h, becoming east 40 gusting to 60 in the morning then becoming northeast 40 gusting to 60 in the evening.

Environment Canada is asking Islanders to monitor weather updates today.

A tropical storm watch has been issued for southern and eastern sections of P.E.I.

Over Eastern Prince Edward Island gale force winds of 65 km/h are possible later on Sunday as gales are expected to extend more than 300 km west of the path of the hurricane as it moves through Canadian waters Sunday and Sunday night.

A tropical storm watch means that a tropical storm or an incipient tropical storm condition poses a possible threat to the specified areas within 36 hours.

Is it just me or am I noticing a lot of bad drivers lately. I can’t count the times I’ve been cut off but someone because they don’t understand the “right of way” concept.  And then there is that cursed round- a- bout they decided to put on the highway.  Why doesn’t anyone know what a yield sign means?  It’s almost like it’s a race to beat the other person into the circle.   Another pet peeve of mine is people who drive on the shoulder of the road.   That white line does not signify a lane you know.  ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was 3 years ago today I had my third and last baby…Doris “Gabrielle.”  I was a week overdue and I think it was one of the hottest summers.  At least it felt like it.  I spent all my time at the beach in the water.  I went in on a friday morning for them to break my water and she was born saturday at 2 in the morning.  It was a fairly easy labor if you can call labor “easy”.  She was my biggest baby at 7lbs 13 oz.  My mom was in the delivery room and we saved the name as a surprise.  My grandmother, mom’s mom had passed away 2 months earlier and mom and I were both very close to her.  Doris was her name.  It brought mom to tears when I told her the name.  It was a very emotional and touching moment and I only wish my grandmother was still around to meet my daughter.

Happy Birthday Gabby!

I finally received my course information package in the mail.  I’ve been waiting for weeks.  I was able to preregister for all my courses.  So far classes will be mon, thurs and fri.  Sounds good to me!  There is also an orientation the week before classes begin.  I’m really looking forward to meeting my fellow classmates and professors.

Some people dread school, but I’ve always loved school.  I have seven years of university and college to prove it.  The next two years will bring it up to a grand total of nine years and eventually I would like to get my masters degree.  The sky’s the limit!

Grace was so excited to be able to go to camp this year.   Everyday she would ask “how many more days until camp?”.  She did this for 3 months. I guess I should have waited to tell her she was going.  Oh well, lesson learned.   Grace is such an independent girl, I had no problems dropping her off.  I’m picking her up tomorrow and I can’t wait to hear all about her first year at camp.  I actually went to the same camp growing up and I loved it.  They didn’t have half the things they have there now, but it was still just as fun!

checking out the play equipment

the cabins

I am a strong believer that pesticides play a role in the cancer rates on the island.  It puts me in an awkward position because I have relatives that farm and will argue just the opposite.  So, I keep mum and do what I feel is best for my family.  A few months back, a friend emailed me about a new organic veggie delivery.  It was something some local organic farmers decided to create for other families.  Tuesday was my first pick up and I am beyond pleased. The veggies were washed and placed in a tub.  Each family has a tub and once a week we receive a new batch of veggies.  As the veggies grow, there will be a bit more variety.  They also include a sheet with recipes and some info about the veggies.  Here is a first organic veggie delivery…all for $20 plus $5 for the tub rental.  What a sweet deal!

5lb bag of new potatoes, lettuce, cabbage, swiss chard, radishes, zucchini, snap peas, onions, beets and broccoli.

Every summer I try to make it out to the dinner theatres on PEI.   They are so much fun and the characters are hilarious.  Last night, my highschool/college friends and I went to see “Summer of ‘69″.  The characters (cloud, rainbow, ziggy, dancer to name a few) were all dressed in 60’s clothing and they played popular tunes from the 60’s.  It was a great show and the food was really good too.  I’m also going to the show in charlottetown next month “Class of ‘89″, so I will post some pics from that show as well.  If you are ever in PEI, be sure to check out a dinner theatre.

the whole gang together again

“ziggy” on the left, “rainbow” on the right

“ziggy” and “cloud” in the background…the music was amazing!

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.”  ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

I seen a woman the other day and I just can’t seem to get her off my mind.  You see, this was no ordinary woman.  She was in a pool with her daughter and when she turned around I noticed something very different about her;  she had only one breast.  My first thought was “wow, what an amazing woman!”.   I really wanted to go up to her and tell her how much I admired her for showing the world what she had been through.  I’m not sure I could be that brave but I would hope that I could.  I have aunts and a cousin who have lost one or both breasts to cancer.  I can’t imagine what they must have gone through emotionally.  I think from now on, whenever I feel down or upset about something, I will think of this woman and know that to get through life, all you need is a little courage and some faith.

We’ve been busy the last two weeks going to the beach and taking part in some of the local festivities.  Last week we went to cavendish and enjoyed a beaver tail at the boardwalk and then a  swim at cavendish beach.

chocolate hazelnut beaver tail

cavendish beach

cavendish

On the weekend we went to the annual Master Packaging S.O.S cardboard boat race.  All the boats are made of cardboard and there were some really cool entries this year.

tow mater ~ cardboard boat 

theodore tugboat, another cardboard boat

Today we went to Magic Mountain and Butterfly World in Moncton.  It was a little chilly at Magic Mountain, but the kids enjoyed it.  I was also able to enjoy another beaver tail. They are soooo good!  The girls and I loved Butterfly world.  It’s an enclosed building with wild butterflies.  A must to see if you are ever in Monton, New Brunswick.
butterfly world

Magic Mountain

chocolate and banana beaver tail