Merry Christmas From The Found Family

Our very best wishes to you and yours for a wonderful Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

[Please scroll to the bottom of this page and click PAUSE on the blog music first. Then click this link below]

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/DCiUA7UDa3BuhtxfSLQj


NOTE: No elves were hurt in the making of this video!

~Michelle & Jon
Blake, Jacob, & Jared


*This video will apparently not be available after Jan 15, 2011.

Happy Birthday Mom!

HaPpY BiRtHdAy, MoM!!!!!

Today, Nov 22nd, is my Mom's birthday.

Do I dare tell you her age? I guess since she doesn't have a computer and won't see this, it'd be okay to share it with you.

She's 69 years old today.

I can hardly believe it!

I only hope that I am as active as she is when I reach sixty-nine!

Here is a picture of my Mom with my Dad. It's a picture that was taken a couple of years ago, but it's a really good picture of her, and she would KILL me if I put a picture on here of her that she didn't like!

Jean & Dwain Fraser - October 2008

Last week, Mom showed me a picture of our family from 1974! (less Danielle.... she didn't come along until 1976).







This is my Dad (38 yrs), my Mom (33 yrs), me (on the left) at 7 yrs and my sister, Wannett (on the right) at 5 yrs.

Dwain & Jean, Michelle & Wannett Fraser - 1974
*Wannett - Celia is the spitting image of you in this photo!!!!

A neighbour of ours had gotten married and this picture was taken in their home. I remember these little dresses that Wannett and I wore. My Mom made them. She made many of our clothes when we were little. I remember when I was a teen, she was on a t-shirt-making binge. My nickname was Froggie and she found material with little frogs all over it. hahaha. Oh the memories!







So, back to Mom's birthday. I wanted to tell you a little story about my Dad's "gift" to her today.







Today my Mom had a dentist appointment in a neighbouring city, and since her youngest brother lives in that city, he had invited her out for a birthday luncheon. She asked me if I would mind checking on Dad around lunch time to ensure everything was okay. (My Dad has had multiple mini-strokes over the past decade and has trouble with walking, speaking, hearing, writing, etc.)







So I head down the road to my parents' home, and sure enough Dad is doing well.... sitting in his big recliner watching television with the volume muted while listening to a blaring radio. We chatted for a while and then the conversation turned to Mom's birthday.







I said to Dad, "I guess we should've got some flowers or something for Mom from you, eh?" He smiled and shrugged his shoulders. I chuckled and said, "How's about I find some artificial flowers somewhere here in the house and put them in a vase and you can give THOSE to her!" He gave a big smile, so I knew he approved of our little prank.







I rummaged through the house, and when I went into Mom's bedroom, I found a big clear vase full of pretty lavender coloured flowers that she had in the corner of her room. I brought them out for Dad's approval. He grinned.







I set them on the kitchen table, and then I hunted down some paper and crayons. I proceeded to draw some flowers on the front of a folded homemade card and wrote HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I asked Dad what else he thought we should write and he suggested, "I LOVE YOU". Sounded good to me. So I wrote a big I LOVE YOU in crayon on the inside of the card.







I then grabbed a pen and encouraged Dad to write his own name. He kept saying he couldn't do it (which is correct; many times he has trouble writing because he can't physically do it and because his mind can't remember how to spell due to the strokes). I said, "Oh yes, you can do it. I'll help you."







Well, it took us a while, but he did it. All by himself. One mark at a time.







D - W - A - I - N







Then I said, "How about an 'X' and an 'O' for a kiss and a hug?" Well, he thought that'd be great. So he managed to draw those. Then he looked at it and said, "I don't even know what those things are for!!!!!" hahahahaa. I had to remind him that they were a kiss and a hug. He laughed. But I think he was pretty darn proud of himself for writing his name and a big 'X' and 'O'.







So I took the card and tucked it in the beautiful bouquet of artificial lavender flowers that sat on the kitchen table. I wish I was there when Mom walked in the door. I would have loved to see the look on her face. She called me later and said I had forgotten to blow the dust off the flowers. hahahahahaa.







I later left her a message on her phone. I had the Chipmunks singing Happy Birthday on the computer and made it sound like our dogs and cat were singing to her. haha.







Well, it was certainly an inexpensive birthday, but it was full of valuable memories for ME! We don't usually make a big deal of birthdays at my place, but it was a fun afternoon with my Dad in trying to help him pull a birthday prank on Mom.







I am fortunate to have been born into this family. I cannot think of any better parents or sisters in the world. My parents were not rich with money by ANY means; but they loved us, and we never had a need go unmet. I am so very blessed.







So Mom, I hope you enjoyed Dad's gift. [grin]







Thank you for what you do and for who you are.







HaPpY BiRtHdAy, MoM!!!!!

Honest Abe

Again, I just can't get enough of these hilarious Geico commercials!

You must watch this one. It's priceless.

[Please remember to scroll to the bottom of the blog page and hit PAUSE on the blog music before clicking PLAY on the video.]

Geico Commercial - Honest Abe


Where do they come up with the ideas for these commercials????

How Much Wood Would A Woodchuck Chuck?

Do you remember this childhood tongue twister?

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck
if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

You're about to find out.....

[Please scroll to the bottom of this page before clicking PLAY, and click the PAUSE button on the blog music.]





Geico Commercial - Woodchucks



Another hilarious commercial that makes me chuckle.

HAHAHAHAAAAAaaaaaaaaa.

Sorry, can't help myself sometimes.

Wee Wee Wee.....

I indicated in my last post that I was having trouble with downloading videos. I've decided to just download one at a time and see if that makes a difference.

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Here's a commercial that I found to be extremely hilarious. Pardon my warped sense of humour.

[Please remember: Before clicking PLAY on the video, scroll down to the bottom of this page and hit the PAUSE button on the blog music.]

Geico Commercial - Piggy

I've got some more good ones coming up in the next few days!

Wee.... wee.... wee.........

Still makin' me laugh...... all the way home! HAHAHAHAAAAAAA [ba-dump-bump!]

Suffer Hardship

For at least three days now, I've been trying to upload videos to the blog....

.....without success!!!

Just when I thought it was going to work, ALL my PREVIOUS videos on the blog were not working either.

Ugh.

So I don't know what's going on with Blogger. I went online and tried to see if their formats changed, or if I had to install some sort of new program. Everybody had questions, others had answers, nothing seemed to work.

So I got fed up from trying and re-trying and trying some more and I just deleted the whole honkin' post!

I had some really funny videos to share, and maybe there was just a glitch in the system that maybe now has worked out; but I don't have the patience to try again today. It appears that my previous posts with videos are currently working.

This morning I took the time to read a small devotion out of a book I received as a wedding gift. The book is called A Threefold Cord and has 365 devotions in it, one for every day of the year.

Today's (November 16th) is about suffering hardship.

Now, I am certainly not saying that because I couldn't post some videos to my blog that I consider it a "hardship". Not at all. It was certainly trying my patience, but was not a hardship. I think in the last few years I've most definitely experienced some hardships that cannot BEGIN to compare with difficulty in posting a video!

But this devotion really spoke to me today.... kind of like God's way of saying to me, "I know you don't see the purpose in your current struggles, but I've got a plan.... a plan that involves suffering some hardships.... so don't worry about your struggles.... I've got it all looked after, and I promise you will benefit from them."

Isn't it just like God to keep me calm? He's just that kind of God. Must be frustrating for Him to deal with stubborn ol' whiney folks like me!!! I mean, really! Who doesn't want to have a nice comfy life? Who doesn't want everything to just flow along at a nice even pace? Who doesn't want everything to be rosey.

None of us want the storms and the rain and the thunder in our lives.....

We want the sunshine with the birds chirping and the gentle breeze with the flowers in the garden blooming full with colour...... ALL the time!

But God has other ideas. And in the book of James it tells us that we can expect trials and tribulations. Expect it! It's comin'! Unless of course you're experiencing it right now! And then when it's over, there's likely another trial just around the corner.

Well, chin up. It's in The Plan! God knows you're going through it. And some very experienced writers have some thoughts about it to encourage you. Here's today's devotional.

A Threefold Cord

November 16th

Page 327

"Suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God." (2 Timothy 1:8)

Having a hard time of it is not to be counted among the sore burdens of life. Having an easy time of it is much more to be dreaded. Nerve and unfailing pluck [courage] get temper and firmness out of hard times --- not out of hammock swinging. Only out of stress and strain comes the clear grit which tells. God pity the man or woman who has never had a hard time of it.

* * * * *

Dr. A. B. Simpson never sought nor expected an easy life. "What," he said, "would we think of Jesus if we ever found Him looking for His own pleasure and consulting His own comfort?"

* * * * *

The only crown a faithful soul will ever get from the world, or from a carnal church, will be a crown of thorns. Rev. G. Grubb

* * * * *

The way seems rough over brier and root,

And the road is so long;

But the Feet that were tired with going afoot

Help mine to be strong.

The Hand that He reaches out to me

Has a scar in the palm;

'Tis a heart that was broken on Calvary

Teaches mine to be calm.

Lest We Forget

[Please scroll to the bottom of the page and click the PAUSE button on the blog music before watching videos.]

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Remembrance Day Video - 2010 - Exclusive WW2 Footage
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"In Flanders Fields" is one of the most notable poems written during World War I. Canadian physician and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae is popularly believed to have written it on May 3,1915 after he witnessed the death of his friend.
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In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
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We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
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Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

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In Flanders Fields - Anthony Hutchcroft

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Lest we forget.
God, heal our land.

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Rippin' Up The Keyboard

Last post I mentioned that I was gonna tell you something I've been up to lately.

So.........

you might be interested to know that I've decided to take up piano lessons again!

I haven't taken lessons since back around 1979 or so.

I had thought about taking guitar or mandolin lessons, but Blake decided to take these two instruments, along with his fiddle, to college in New Brunswick. So I had to scrap that idea.

Then an opportunity was put before me to take piano lessons from the multi-talented Tony Silvestri.

And, I am thrilled to tell you that I started lessons last month.

I first met Tony a number of years ago at The Milford Fair. My boys were performing with their fiddles and then Tony came on stage with his piano and blew me away with his talent at such a young age!

I've watched Tony perform over the years, and he continues to fascinate me. He and Sebastian Sallans performed together with Fiddlers Found a couple of summers ago in an old schoolhouse, unrehearsed, and it was a great show.

I'm thankful for this opportunity to learn from one of the best pianists I've ever heard. I wanted to show you a video that I watched this week of Tony. Now, I'm fully aware that I won't be rippin' up the keyboard like THIS anytime soon; but it gives you a taste of the talent that this young man has!

Enjoy!

[Before pressing PLAY, please scroll to the bottom of this page and PAUSE the blog music!]



Tony Silvestri's Crazy Piano Video

Fascinating, eh???

My Busy Boys

One would think with this "skeleton crew" on duty at our house, I would have lots of "spare time".....

NOT!

At this very moment I am actually taking my first break in quite some time. I'm in the rec room in front of the woodstove and the television and the computer! ha. I have "Saturday Night Hockey In Canada" on the tube, and just watched The Leafs goalie make an amazing save. Looked more like he was playing soccer, as he bounced the puck off his body and into the air. Fabulous save.

And speaking of soccer, I must update you on my youngest son's achievements this week. Jared's game last week proved to be quite intense as the PECI Panthers battled Nicholson for the Bay of Quinte championship title. I had a funeral to attend and then headed to the game, where I found our team down 2-1. The boys worked hard to regain momentum, but Nicholson fought through and won with a score of 3-1. You can see a fabulous photo of Jared (dressed in black & white) and a write-up of the game in The Picton Gazette by clicking HERE.

But even though the Senior & Junior PECI Boys Soccer teams lost last week's games, both teams moved onto COSSA (Central Ontario Secondary School Association) in Port Hope on November 4th. I am proud to report that Jared and his teammates won their first game and moved on to the finals. After a tough battle, they were defeated by one. Congratulations on your Silver, gentlemen. First place last year and second place this year..... that's a lot to be proud of!

The Senior team won their first game and moved on to the finals as well. Tying up the game, they treated the crowd to some overtime soccer where they scored the game winning goal, taking home the Gold. Congratulations to the Senior boys for their first-ever COSSA Soccer First-Place title! I am definitely a Proud Panther Parent!!!!!

[Oh... hang on.... big fight on the tv in the hockey game between a Leafs player and a Sabre.........
OK, it's over.... two in the penalty boxes! haha]

Anyways, the rain came down for most of the day in Port Hope, and unless there's lightning, you continue to play. The umbrellas helped the spectators somewhat, but we were pretty damp for the day. Unfortunately today, as temperatures drop, I am feeling the results. My poor ol' joints are aching quite a bit. I was hoping the woodstove would help, but I can't seem to get this heat to stop the throbbing in my legs and lower back. Sign of old age? [grin]

It also didn't help that Jared had a double-header in the cold hockey arena today. He won his first game, and then stayed to fill in as goalie for the next game, which resulted in a win as well. I'm tellin' ya, that boy just makes sports look so easy. He gives it his all, no matter how he's feeling. And those glove-saves in the goalie's net make it look like he's playing baseball!

I was recently asked if I really enjoy watching my boys at their sporting events. My answer? "Ohhhhh yaaaaaaah!" I really really do love it.....; wish I was warmer, wish I was dryer, but oh yah, baby, I LOVE it. I am so proud of them. Just like when I watch them perform with their fiddles and make so many people happy with their musical talents..... it makes me so thrilled. I don't think the boys will truly understand that until they become parents themselves. Or maybe it's just a Mom-thing. I don't know. But I do know I'm proud of them and love them sooooo much.

I never stop being concerned for them. Jon and Jake delivered in Chicago this morning, and I see on Facebook that they are staying at a hotel tonight in Chicago. Jon wrote that he had a nap while Jake went swimming in the pool downstairs. After his nap, Jon writes that he went to check on Jake and saw that he was in good hands! (Apparently there was a young lady swimming as well!). So MY first thought is: "Why on earth is my husband leaving my baby unattended in CHICAGO, of all places!". I replied to Jon's comment on Facebook by stating that perhaps it would be in Jon's best interest to ensure my son's safety in that city or else his transport would be his new home! And Jake can spend the winter at home with ME!

What's hard for me to remember is that Jacob is an eighteen (almost nineteen) year old boy, and when JON was that age, he was travelling to Chicago ALL BY HIMSELF! It's no wonder his poor mother worried and never wanted him in the trucking industry. I didn't worry about Jon taking Jacob with him in the truck because they're TOGETHER; but when hubby is snoozing away and Jake is walking around by himself...... well..... let's just say I'm likely not gonna sleep well tonight. I've said this in previous posts, but can I once again state that I wish my children were still babies, toddling around at my feet?

And my eldest son that is around a 13-hour drive away is not excluded from my concern either, although I must tell you that he is doing WONDERFUL. Blake received his infusion of Remicade on October 26th in New Brunswick. By that evening, he felt considerably better! In fact, I think he stated he even felt better that afternoon! I don't know what ingredient in that drug makes it so effective, but "hats off" to the man or woman that discovered it!

Around the middle of this past week, I had sent Blake a couple of messages asking how he was feeling, as I hadn't really chatted with him much since his infusion. He said he was "fine"... his favourite word! I said, "Well, on a scale from one to ten, one being bad and ten being perfect, where are you on that scale?" He replied, "A twelve!" YIPPEEE! I was thrilled.

The other night he called and said he was interested in playing some pick-up hockey with some other folks in Sussex. I had to chuckle a bit because Blake has NO interest whatsoever in sports events. (He played T-ball as a little boy, and he played house-league soccer for about two years as a young boy; but his interests have always been more in music.) So I was taken aback when he said he wanted to play hockey. I said to him, "You realize that's the sport with the little round black piece of hard rubber that you chase across the ice with a stick while on skates, right?" hahahhaaa.

Then he informed me that their ice-time was at 10:30 at night! Oh brother. All I could think of was that Blake needs as much sleep and rest as possible with his disease, yet he's heading out to play hockey at 10:30 at night? But, as a friend reminded me today, it's only pick-up hockey, so if he gets tired and needs to sit down, then it shouldn't be a problem. It's not likely to get too aggressive for him. I just hope he listens to his body!

He still has a very busy schedule with his school work, and he is continuing to make most of his own meals. I am hoping that with Jon and Jake trucking so hard lately that we will have a bit of extra money for December so we can maybe fly out and spend some time with Blake before he heads to Brasil for Christmas and New Years. I'm trying to not get my hopes built up in case it doesn't work out; but I sure would like to see him before he heads out. Otherwise I won't see him again until March. It's certainly an adjustment after spending the whole summer right by his side as we were in and out of hospitals. But at least his health is coming along; I am grateful for that fact.

Well folks, I must put another log on the fire. I need to eat something for supper (it's already 9:20pm!). Jared is out with friends tonight so I'm having some yummy leftovers. I wasn't hungry until now. I could kill for a big slice of pizza! haha

Thank you to everyone for remembering us in your prayers. [You know who you are!] God is faithful. And we are blessed.

Until next time...... keep your stick on the ice. [grin]

(Next post I'm hoping to show a video that will give you an idea of something I've been involved in lately! Hmmmm.... think you can guess?)