Lexi has arrived for her two sleep overs

I will be laughing over this photo forever - even Lexi, at 3 1/2 months old, knows that at Nana's if you want to eat you have to feed yourself! We are going to have a delightful few days. I have one phone interview to do so that should be very interesting if she is awake at the time. Lexi has, you might say, found her voice!

Love

CA

Presenting the "V" Puppies

If you love puppies you will love this card from my friends Judy and Garry Charette. Their card presented the "V" puppies - Vinny, Vegas, Viscount, Ventor, Victoria, Vitality and Vermont. How cute are they?

Judy and I worked closely together during my last position at Bell in the Logistics department and we have become very good friends since first meeting on the job. In fact, next week Judy will be here for a visit and we will "do lunch" with three others from the Logistics team - Eileen, Sam and JC. More on that another time.

CA

Moments become memories. Life's experiences are worth journaling

"The White sisters" - Phyllis, Dorothy, Jeannie and Karen gave me this beautiful wooden box while we were together in Montreal to watch the Royal Wedding. Yes, I continue to celebrate my birthday and they surprised me with yet another celebration! The quote on the cover of the box, "Moments become Memories. Life's experiences are worth journaling," is from one of my books and the girls shared the story of looking through my books to find the perfect quote. On the inside cover each of their names is written within a Comfort Heart - how origional is that? They put so much thought into this and that makes it even more special to me - girls thank you so much! Two beautiful pens were inside the box but I confess to having removed the pens because I want to use the box for jewellery. I have my mother's jewellery box and now I have a second - from the White girls! My friends from Wilmot have included me in all of their milestone birthday parties and I don't see that ending anytime soon. They have recently been involved in my milestones - both birthday and good health!

See you in Nova Scotia girls!

Love

Carol Ann

"Home"

No, these pictures are not from the Halifax harbour, but they do remind me of the many times I have watched the Tall Ships sailing in and out of Halifax. Today's blog is a shout out to my "down home" friends and other folks who are following my blog and e mailed to say they were pleased that I was heading home this summer. There is no question - a very strong bond exists between us Maritimers. See you in August.

Love

Carol Ann

A New Month - A New Picture

Lexi is coming for her first sleep-over this week so wish me luck. Jalen is due to come again soon as well - I still owe him part of his Christmas present which was a return trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Dorothy shared her birthday with the Royal couple

All those years ago we walked from our homes (next door to each other) to the two room school house in Wilmot Nova Scotia.

And here we are all these years later wishing Dorothy a happy 60th birthday on April 29th. Robbie brought his son Ryan to the weekend party and it was wonderful to see him after so many years. Even the "White girls" brother George White and his wife Joan also from Wilmot NS dropped in and wished Dorothy well.

I am so proud of Dorothy - she has lost 30 pounds in the last year (can I share that Dorothy? Hope so!!) She has new clothes, a new attitude and is moving forward with her sisters right beside her. I love the bond that these sisters share - it is rare.

About the birthday hat Dorothy is wearing.....those are birthday candles on the top and the hat is decorated in a birthday theme (a rather loud birthday theme.) The hat is passed from sibling to sibling as they celebrate major birthdays. For example Phyllis might have the hat next for her 65th followed by Jeannie for her 60th and so on. They sign the hat before sending it on so it comes with many memories over the years. Nice idea yes?

Happy Birthday again Dorothy - I will never forget this year's celebration.

Love

Carol Ann

Up At 3 am to watch the Royal wedding

Here we are at 3 am Friday April 29th watching the Royal wedding in Phyllis and Tony's home in Montreal. Jeannie (sitting beside me) and Dorothy (in the birthday hat - more about Dorothy and her own special day in a separate blog) and beautiful Phyllis . We got up early and not only did we watch the entire wedding we watched reruns during the rest of the day and the next day too. I am sure we were not alone.

We loved every second of our mini-holiday and Phyllis is such a wonderful hostess (not like when they come to my condo and other than coffee and breakfast we have to eat out!)

Phyllis and Tony make their own pasta and everything that goes with it so we ate very very well. I have a wonderful memory from when James and I lived in Montreal during the early '80's. When I travelled with my work James would stay at their home - he was always happy because Phyllis was such an excellent cook and her children, Robbie and Chrissie, were happy because we arrived with store-bought muffins.

Phyllis made my hat as well as her own (I didn't realize that we must wear a hat even though my invitation said so.) Jeannie wore her hat and decorated it appropriately for the day. Her hat is one that she has worn many times and each time she decorates it to suit the occasion. Now, Dorothy's hat is another story but, again, that is explained in a separate blog.

We were served a champagne breakfast and other than the drink everything we ate came from the Pedicelli kitchen. Love it and I brought food home with me too.)

Tony and I watched Sports Desk in the morning so I even had my sports-fix while I was there.

We did break away from the television to have a 1 1/2 hour walk but came right back and began watching the reruns.

Phyllis, Dorothy and Jeannie I will always remember where I was and who I was with on April 29th. Thanks for including me in your family!

Love,

Carol Ann