80 Years Old, 55 Years of Marriage and 5 Children, 7+1 Grandchildren...

Grandpa's 80th Birthday is officially tomorrow (Monday, April 18th). Happy Birthday Grandpa!


We had a wonderful day today, despite the terrible weather and nearly landing in the ditch! It's April and as much as "Spring has Sprung"  - we know in Southwestern Ontario anything in possible!! And that sure rang true today! Crazy snow and slushy road conditions, poor visibility and ofcourse, we just took the snow tires off. 

Uncle Glen, Aunt Shirley, Gayle Milliner, Sandra Lawler, Grandma & Grandpa Abercrombie.
Absent: Uncle David.

I worked nights last night, so getting my rear out of bed this morning was hard! We got ready, and headed to Steve's Restaurant in Markdale (family favourite!) to meet the family. We had a really nice lunch, and then headed back to my Aunt Sandra & Uncle Rick's house for cake and visiting. 

Lynsey, Christine, Sarah, Jacob, Neil, Mark, Grant, Ashleigh and Grandpa Abercrombie

Grandpa Abercrombie, with his `Birthday Boy`ribbon - cute! 

It`s been a busy weekend, and I am ready for bed pretty soon! I start on a couple day shifts at my new job this week, which will be a nice change as I have been working all nights so far. Tomorrow I`m taking Neil`s sister Mandi back to Waterloo for the week, and meeting up with my Grandma, Aunt Shirley and Mom in St Jacob`s for a little bit of shopping. 

I`m going to my first Prim Pickins workshop tomorrow night with my sister, Neil`s sister Holli, and her sister-in-law Amber and mother-in-law Ellen! Very excited! We`re making birdhouses!! Stay tuned for the results if they are show-able! 

Grandparents...

What's leading me to this blog, is that face that my Grandpa Don Abercrombie is turning 80 years old next week. On Sunday we're getting together, as a family to celebrate with him! I am so excited that my Aunt Shirley has trekked home from Whitehorse, Yukon to be with us on this special weekend. 

I would say, in the last five years (my more adult-like years) I have come to realize how incredibly lucky Lynsey, Grant and I are to have Grandparents, and not just one or two - we have all four grandparents alive and in good health! Thinking over friends, family and co-workers this is nearly unheard of for our ages. We are young adults, and truly blessed to have such great relationships and support from our grandparents. 


Growing up, when we moved to the farm my Milliner Grandparents lived just down the road from us. It was great, and we saw them a lot. We took for-granted they were so close - how lucky were we, they were always right there. For baseball games, for quick visits and of course, for rides to where we needed or wanted to go when Mom & Dad weren't available. My Abercrombie Grandparents were also not that far away, and it felt like they were always just around the corner and visited them often too. 

Grandma & Grandpa Abercrombie and Grandpa & Grandma Milliner
The Year they were BOTH 50 Years Married 

Anyways, what I'm trying to say is that I feel so blessed to have two grandmas and two grandpas in my life,at my age of 26 years old. Calling them to see how they are isn't a pain in my but, it's something I love to do, and I should do more often (although I'm pretty good at it - admitted!). I wish I could see them every single day, because they make my life enriched. I've had them my whole life (you know, their the ultimately forgiving ones that "their grandchildren could do no wrong" type) and always there for me. I am SO lucky. 


So take time to give your grandparents a call and spend some time with them. I wish I had a year to learn all I could from my Grandparents. My Grandma Abercrombie is a very talented quilter, she loves to sew and can bake well. My Grandma Milliner is also an avid quilter, a great cook, keeps in good touch with friends and family, and makes one hell of a pie. My Grandpa Don loves woodworking, is an avid International tractor man, was a hard working farmer, and loves to garden. My Grandpa Milliner was too a hard working farmer (gives instructions well), was a Mayor in his community for many years, and can be found either on the farm visualizing (or supervising) Mom, Grant & Dad now-a-days. All four of my grandparents are very involved in their churches, and all volunteered in their communities on agriculture societies and fair boards. When we get older, so do they and time flies. I'm not taking time for granted, however there is no way I will ever be a quilter like my Grandmas are!


Ok... now for a funny.. because usually I don't get this serious.

Grandma & Grandpa Abercrombie and Grandpa & Grandma Milliner, I love you all so much! 
I know you'll never read this, but thank you for everything you have done for me! 

6 months to go, and counting..

Well well, it`s less then 6 months away my friends! The countdown, I guess you could say, is on! But then again, I`ve been counting down for a lot longer then I am willing to admit. I`ll leave it at that! 


Plans are coming together quite well. Next on the list is to finalize decor and invitations! What`s the etiquette on timeline of invitations - send out at 3 months, 4 months, 5 or 6 until the big day, I don`t even know what to think! I wish I paid better attention in the past to when my friends sent theirs house, and how long before the wedding they wanted the reply! Anyways, regardless we`re going to get on this very soon! I`ve got great help on my side, and some awesome talent!! 


Work (a.k.a. jobs x2) has been busy, which has hindered me in such things as laundry, house cleaning, sleep, and my `what I used to know`as my normal life. I have such a great appreciation for a night off, and plunking my @$$ down on the couch, and blogging - hello tonight! Even though I was at CVH today, worked a 12 hour day + two hours of commuting, I am still blogging - that my friends, is commitment. 


I am so excited for my friend Jenna, and her husband Hauke! Yesterday morning Aaron Mitchell Heusing was born, a little brother to 11 month old Bennett! Jenna is going to be one busy momma, but if there is anyone who has the love and patience to do it, it's her! Congrats guys, I am SO happy for your growing family! <3


I need a TV show to watch religiously as Neil is addicted to the discovery, history, speed, and these days there is really nothing else I'm interested in watching, so he gets his way and I sit here and play on the computer. Already, we're like an old married couple. It's ok though, I love it - and we don't spent many evenings together though, as I am orientating mostly night shifts so far. He must  have super powers, he just put on Tabitha's Salon Takeover, which I do like to watch! 


With that, I better go watch it - he's given me a chance to watch something decent, and not learn about maggots eating who knows what, or how to install this that and the other thing, in a car we'll never own. 

winter, spring and I were very happy.. now you just show up and wreck the relationship.. thanks. ps/ leave.

Doesn't she look annoyed.. I think so!!

Ok, so who's annoyed? I am! Spring and I had a good thing going, and that damn winter wrecked it as of today. Neil had done the poo-duty in the back yard yesterday (apparently Lennox pooped a lot this winter!!) and raked the sand, stones and crap out of the front lawn yesterday. We were so ready for spring, and even noticed our tulip bulbs were popping out! Now they are covered in a white blanket, again. So here we are, Sunday April 3rd, covered in white - again. I would like to note that Neil started singing Christmas Carol's tonight, so I almost slapped him. If he doesn't show up to work tomorrow, he continued - and I knocked him out. Just kidding. 

Ok, so we are once again in winter. I put the winter coats away, and almost washed the front door mats from the salt stains! Spring, you better return very soon. It would be nice if tomorrow I woke up and this was all gone. So Mother Nature, do me a favor and behave yourself tomorrow and get rid of this. 


Not so fast. I think I will wait another few weeks. 




We had a nice weekend, I worked yesterday at the hospital (it's so much nicer working there now a lot less {due to a long commute} - working ten minutes from home rocks!) and then came home, had a quick nap. In the midst of me trying to wake up, Neil went to a fire call and then we had a really late dinner! We went to Tamarisk & Greg`s buck & doe in Flesherton. It was so great to see everyone there! It definatley took me back to being a teenager (no, not the way I acted or how much I drank) but just being around the people I grew up with. Greg`s parents live on one side of my parents, and his uncle lives on the other side of my parents - we spent a lot of time with their families. I miss being younger and care free!! 


Today we went to a play put on at the Curtain Club in Richmond Hill - my Uncle's are involved there, Wayne helps out with the behind the scenes and ticket sales, and Cam is an amazing actor! We saw "Someone who'll watch over me" today, and it was very interesting. Only three actors in the whole play, and it was quite emotionally tugging. Here's a advertisement for the club, they put on some really great plays - my favourite so far has been "Don't Dress for Dinner!" Cam is the one in the middle of the three men (he plays the English academic). The synopsis is - "An American doctor and an Irish journalist are being held captive by terrorists in Beirut. They exercise, they argue, they do what they can to survive. Suddenly, they are joined by an English academic. The three men display their national biases and prejudices, intensified by the cramped confines of their cell. A roller coaster ride of emotional drama!"


After the play, we went back to their place and had Chinese take out for dinner and hung out with them for a while! We also went and checked out their new lot, which they are building a house on this coming summer - I am so excited for them - it is going to be so nice! They basically designed the house themselves, and seeing them go through all the planning, and the different stages of it all has been very exciting!! 


Then, on the way home, we (Grandma, Lyns, Grant, Mom, Neil & I) were driving along quite well until we reached Orangeville. What a different world here at home, as you see - we've been blessed with a dumping of snow tonight. Neil had just nicely planted his ass on the couch, after nicely throwing a load of laundry in the washer when his cell phone rang, it was his boss asking him to come in tonight to re-connect the plows, and sanders and to plow the town tonight. So needless to say, it's 11:15pm on Sunday night, Lennox and I are sitting here staying warm watching the CMA's and blogging and Neil is at work. I am sure he will be out for a while longer, and then again early in the morning.


The new job is going well, for anyone who cares. It's very exciting, and every single day is different there. I think I'm doing quite well (on a self evaluation stand point) and I am really enjoying it. I have been doing the 6:00pm firefighter test pages three nights in a row, which is exciting because one of the departments we dispatch for is Neil's fire department - so they get to hear my sweet voice whether they like it or not!! Anyways, keep your fingers crossed that I keep catching on well and the orientation continues to be smooth. So far so good. 


Wedding plans are currently at a stand still. I think we've got everything under control right now which is very exciting! I have even booked the hair dresser and makeup artist for the day! I am feel very good about everything, and feel like we're doing well. I would also like to note, Neil has started writing his speech! My fiancée is super amazing, can you believe that! I am so proud of him - he asked me to read what he's got so far and was already crying! I have said this before, keeping my emotions intact that day will be a huge priority!!  


By the way, we're LESS then SIX months away now!! Goodnight my friends. 

The weekends fly by...

So I had a hard time thinking about what to blog about tonight, so if anyone has any ideas forward them to me! 


What a great week this has been. Last week I started my new job, and I did three night shifts. I think I've said this before, but it's going really well and I am really enjoying it. I am missing my friends at CVH - but not the commute!


Friday Keri & Haley came up for a visit, and we had a great time! Haley is such a peach, and I just love watching her and Neil play. Neil cannot get enough of her, and she cannot get enough of him - and it gives Keri and I tons of time to chat, and hang out so it works for all of us. I just love seeing Neil with Haley, I know he's going to be a great dad when that time comes for us!! We had a nice afternoon here at the house, and then we went to the Chop House for dinner. It was delicious as always! I am addicted to the spinach salad with red onion, bacon and boiled eggs, and the key ingredient-  with a butternut squash vinaigrette - that I wish I could recreate! When we got home Haley and I made molten lava cakes with a blueberry banana drizzle and cool whip! We had a lot of fun in the kitchen!

Saturday morning we just  hung out, and then Keri & Haley headed home and I headed to work around 11:30am. It was so sad to see them go, but Keri is heading back to work tomorrow morning and she's been at her moms in Texas for a week, and returned home Wednesday so I know her & Haley needed some time with Dale before another work week started! It was SO cute when Keri was packing up, Haley really wanted to stay longer. I had promised her that we'd make a dress for her build-a-bear kitty "Elizabeth" and we ran out of time. I know I'm bound to it because this child has a better memory then anyone I know, but I cannot wait to do that with her!! 


Saturday night, Neil and I made chicken parm, rice and garlic bread for dinner and then hung out for a bit. We headed over to Christine & Ian's for Ian's 30th Birthday Shindig, and had a blast! It really sucks, but we've not been out with our friends from the fire department almost all winter - as it's usually a little quieter in the social department through the winter, I was happy to see everyone and took the opportunity to work on my tolerance ability for this big year!!


This morning, needless to say I was feeling a little slower then usual. Neil and I slept in, and then we got up and made some lunch. Neil headed to his parents to do an oil change on his car, and I headed to town for errands and groceries. I am quite fond of doing these errands during the week - and I was reminded today of that, as a lady wanted to fight over toilet paper in WalMart. Yep. I laugh.


This afternoon my mom invited us up for dinner, so we went up with Lennox so she could play with her best friend Diesel and visited with the family. We had a great dinner with them, and quick visit from my Milliner Grandparents before heading home. We got the old camcorder out and had some way-back-play-backs to Grant's first birthday party (which was nearly 18 years ago) - it's hard to believe my little brother will be 19 years old in May! June in time for the buck & doe my friends!!


One a sad note, did you see this in the news? Tragic. Woodstock Explosion Why do these terrible things keep happening?


This week is gearing up to be another busy one! 10-4 - standby!

Our Everyday Heros Shall Never Be Forgotten

I have sat down, what seems like a million times this past week to write a blog about the extremely heart retching untimely deaths of Firefighter Ray Walters, 30 years old and Deputy Cheif Ken Rea, 56 years old, who lost their lives one week ago today in a store fire, in the town of Listowel, about an hour from where we live. They went in to ensure there were no shoppers left in the store, when the roof collapsed. Today they were laid to rest in their final resting place. 

Listowel honours firefighters as bodies removed - Canada - CBC News

Listowel Dollar Store Fire - March 17th, 2011

I'm not even though a paragraph and I'm already very emotional. I have said it before, and I will say it again - I am so proud of Neil and the men and women who run in to help, when everyone else is running out or away. Not only Neil, but one of my bridesmaids and best friends Heather, is too a full time firefighter in Markham, and although I know she is protected by her peers, I always pray for her safety. I feel so grateful every single day for the volunteers in our communities where my families are. I know if a member of my family needs emergency assistance, the most likely first response they will get to their home is a volunteer firefighter. We count on them, and they do so much to prepare themselves for our needs. 

Fellow firefighters witness two bodies of their fallen brothers being removed from the scene.

I could go on and on about the volunteers, and how little they are recognized for the time and energy they put into our communities. These men lost their lives trying to protect others from harm and hurt, and they lost their lives, their families lost their sons, husbands, fathers, brothers as they were trying to ensure the safety of others. Please try to take time to recognize them. 

An overwhelming amount, 10,000 (and very well could be more) men, women, and children lined the street sides of Listowel today to witness the funeral procession to these heroes. I cannot imagine the overwhelming support that the families, and the fire departments in Perth County felt with that many people in their town to salute Firefighter Ray Walters and Deputy Chief Ken Rea today. 


Here's an article from the Toronto Star today reporting on the story. 

I am proud to say our small little town, joined with another (Hillsburgh) sent a bus load of firefighters to Listowel today. Neil was one of that group, and I know he's extremely tired from all of that marching, and emotional exhausted from the experience, but I pray to god for the rest of our lives, this is the only time he will have to do this. I know he will never forget this day. God bless our firefighters, each and everyone. 


I know I have put this up before, but I am going to again. I need it tonight. 


Lord I thank you for my firefighter. This firefighter that I love.
Give me strength to give him support with your guidance from above.
Make me a good partner, attentive listener & my love's best friend.
When I chose him I chose a firefighter, and the job on which he depend.
Lord, keep my firefighter safe when our plan's have gone awry,
Answering an emergency call with a life or death cry.
Keep the gusting winds and raging flames from being his final fate.
please help me cope with the trauma of being a firefighter's wife.
-Anonymous 

Okay okay.. I know this is selfish of me, but can we talk about something else. I am soaked.


I started the new job Monday night. I have to say, I have this feeling already - I am going to love this job. Obviously I cannot say much about it, but it's fast paced, it's rewarding and the group of men and women who I work with are really great. I am really excited to continue through my orientation and gain confidence as I go. I have got the phonetic alphabet under my belt, and am now practicing the 10 codes - lots of learning, but I need this challenge!


Lyns and I were talking "wedding talk" tonight after supper and it seems to me we've got things under control if you can believe it. We just have to make another appointment with the Four Seasons (rentals) to confirm our colour choices and setup and we're ready to rock. Ofcourse, the work is not done - but I think for now - SIX MONTHS BEFORE we're doing quite well! Six months and one week away my friends - the countdown is on!!


Lots of love, say a prayer for the families please, and think of them tonight - I know I am. 

it starts tonight

I'm going to need all the finger crossing I can get, tonight's the night that I start the new job! I'm really excited and I cannot wait to get into it! I'm making cupcakes to take in tonight, first impressions mean a lot, don't they? Haha! Needless to say, I know orientating someone can be stressful and really time consuming, as I have done it numerous times at the hospital, so I know how it feels.


I made panzerotti's last night - so easy, if you want to try them without the hassle of making your own pizza dough, you can pick up a bag of fresh pizza dough at your local grocery store, and then just let it do one rise at home and voila, you're ready to rock. About two weeks ago, I was going to make panzerotti's however Neil requested plain old pizza, so we did that. Last night we did the panzerotti's and they were soo good! 


So split the dough into however many you need (we did two really big ones with the store bought dough), let rise on a warm surface (I preheat the oven or put it in in the microwave) for 1/2 an hour. I like buying the store bought not only for the simplicity, but also you can get it in whole wheat. Once it's sat, stretch the dough out (I did the good ol' palm stretching) and stuffed with sauce, peppers, pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, mozzarella cheese, then stretched the other half over the top, pinch the sides together and bake for 20 minutes at 425 degrees. You will know when they are done, they turn a nice brown. Next time I'm doing chicken, goat cheese, spinach, tomato and who knows what else! 


Mmmm.. I love cooking! I should share more recipes, because the panzerotti thing is more of an idea, not a recipe - but gosh I love to cook!!