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!!!!!

Baby Birds

Tonight I received a phone call from Jon.

He said, "Well.... I think I know now how you feel when you lose your baby."

My first thought was that he was referring to our loss of our two babies who are now in Heaven.

My second thought was..... Oh no. Jon's "baby" is his truck! He's lost his baby. He's had a bad accident and has totalled his "baby".





My stomach did this flip-flop thing and I slowly eased myself into a chair for fear of fainting! I could hear him talking on the other end of the phone, but couldn't make out what he was saying. I interrupted him and said, "JON! ARE YOU OK????"

He replied that he was alright, and I asked if he had been in an accident with the truck.

He confirmed he was NOT, in fact, talking about his truck, but that he was missing his little Jacob.





His voice spoke volumes to me as he tried to hold it together. He was disappointed and upset that he'd be returning home this evening in just a few hours without his "Jake", my "Jaybo", there to welcome him home.

For eighteen years, Jake has always been the one asking:

"Does Dad come home tonight?"
"Where is Dad travelling today?"
"What time will Dad be home?"
"Is Dad working on the truck today?"
"How long is Dad home for?"
"Can I go with Dad on the next trip?"

Jake was always the one at the door to greet his Daddy (well, right behind the dogs!).

And tonight, it hit Jon that it won't be happening that way any more.

Jake headed to the big city on Tuesday afternoon to start a new job.... a new life... a new place to live....

.....without his Daddy.

And someone is having a hard time with that.

Isn't it supposed to be ME? Is Momma not the one that has the big cry because her middle child, her third babe to come from her womb, her great big 6'1" tanned muscle-toned baby has left the nest?.... has flown the coop?.... has gone to spread his wings?

But instead, it's Daddy that's broken hearted.

It's Daddy that's lost.

It's Daddy who's feeling the empty-nest syndrome.

And it's Daddy who just couldn't hold it together any longer.

So the two of us blatted away together.... all the while with me reassuring him that Jake is only a few hours drive away, and that he's living with Jon's best friend from high school, and that Jake will be OK.

And that JON will be OK.

And that likely I, Jake's Mommy, will be OK.

Jake at soccer finals with his "Playoffs-Mullet"

Jake accepting a Mini-Pumpkin-Tarts dare

Jake-in-the-box..... his second home!

My little rough and tough all-mouth hockey player

Jake's "cowtail" ponytail

Soccer pro Jake with "farm-brother" Scott

Jake and his cousin Beulah Celia

Jake, Jared, & Blake relaxing in the leaves - Oct 2008

Photo by Peggy DeWitt

Blake, Jared, & Jacob - August 2004

Photo by Peggy DeWitt

Jared, Blake, & Jacob - August 2004

Blake, Jacob, & Jared after Blake's highschool graduation

June 2008

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Our baby bird is all grown up....
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But don't cry, Daddy......

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.....he'll always be your baby bird.

50 Famous Parental Sayings

I just became Facebook Friends with a charming woman who came into the hospital last night to visit with Blake. She's an "ol' Crohny" too (haha) and was able to share her experience of this dreaded disease over the last two decades.

When I went to her Profile today, I see she had a video called "50 Famous Parental Sayings". I clicked on it, and laughed my fool head off. It was ME with a male voice! hahahhaa

Thought y'all might get a good kick out of it. I'll bet you hear your OWN voice!!!!





50 Famous Parental Sayings

See? TOLD ya you'd get a good kick out of it.

______________________
And just a further note as to Blake's status..... Dr. Fowler just came in and said Remicade was ordered yesterday and it should be in this afternoon. As long as it arrives, Blake will get his infusion THIS AFTERNOON. There is the worry of his body resisting the medication, which we will know within mere minutes as it enters his body; however, if this unfortunately happens, we will likely just switch to another med called Humira.

So, no worries, folks! Upward and onward!

Down On The Farm

HaPpY FaThEr'S DaY to my Dad, Ikey Fraser!!!!!

I can't spend today with him because I am with one of my son's in a hospital as he battles a Crohn's Disease episode.

But I wanted to acknowledge my Dad on this special day. In fact, if I recall correctly, I believe I was in the hospital with Blake back on Mother's Day as well. So today's post can be for BOTH my parents.... Dwain (Ikey) & Jean Fraser.

My Dad always recited a poem called "Down On The Farm". I recall him reciting it when I was a little girl. It always amazed me that he had every word memorized. In fact, he just recited it to me about two weeks ago. He suffered some mini-strokes about a decade ago and it has affected his memory in some ways. But sure enough, he seems to remember this poem.

I have checked on the world wide web, and unfortunately almost every version I've come across is different than what my father recited.... just the odd word here and there are different. I have found one that is close, and I might change a word here or there that is what I remember my father reciting. (I do not know the original author.)

Down On The Farm

Down on the farm 'bout half past four

I slip on me pants and sneak out the door

Out to the barn I run like the dickens

To milk ten cows and feed the chickens

Clean out the barn, curry Nancy and Jiggs

Separate the cream and slop all the pigs

Work two hours then eat like a Turk

By heck I'm ready for a full day's work.

Grease the wagon and put on the rack

Throw a jug of water in the ol' grain sack

Hitch up the horses, hustle down the lane

Must get the hay in 'cause it sure looks like rain

Look over yonder, sure as I'm born

Cattle's on the rampage and cows in the corn

Start across the medder, run a mile or two

Heaving like I'm windbroke, get wet clean through

Get back to the horses, and then for recompense

Nance gets straddled in the barbwire fence

Joints all a-achin' and muscles in a jerk

I'm fit as a fiddle for a full day's work

Work all summer 'til winter is nigh

Then figure up the books and heave a big sigh

Worked all year, didn't make a thing

Got less money now than I had last spring

Now some people say there ain't no hell

But they never farmed, so how can they tell?

When spring rolls around I'll take another chance

While the fringe grows longer on me ol' gray pants

Give me s'penders a hitch, me belt another jerk

And by heck, I'm ready for a full day's work.

Have a great day, Dad & Mom!!!!

We love you!

Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!

My Mom & Dad celebrate their Wedding Anniversary today. They've put up with each other enjoyed each other's company in marital bliss for 47 years now!



Here they are on May 25th, 1963.....


Jean E. (Steenburgh) & L. Dwain Fraser - May 25, 1963







Dad was 26 years old and Mom was 21. Mom wore her oldest sister's wedding gown (Aunt Phyllis's) and Dad wore a little black wool suit. I have that wool suit in my costume bin! Blake wore it for dress-up at a function in elementary school and it fit Blake perfectly.... I think Blake was in Grade 6!!!!! What a tiny physique my Dad must've had 47 years ago!







And then in 1967 they had this very beautiful bundle of joy!!!!!! (Well, I'm quite sure that's THEIR words, not mine! [wink])........

Dwain & Jean Fraser with first-born Michelle - 1967




I see Mohawk hair cuts must've been the "in thing" for babies in 1967..... right alongside the "bee-hive" hairdo! haha. (Just kidding, Mom; you look great!) And Dad..... you DO have a face under that beard!!!! Who knew!!!!

And here they are 47 years later......

Dwain (73 yrs old) & Jean (68 yrs old) - (taken Nov 2009)

Dad is doing the Little Rascals Woodchuck wave!

Happy Anniversary, love birds!

Jean & Dwain Fraser - (taken Oct 2008)



Newlyweds become oldyweds, and oldyweds are the reasons that families work. ~Author Unknown

Well, Aren't WE a Crazy Bunch....

Just thought I'd post a few random photos taken over the summer and autumn that included members of this crazy family.




Let's start off with Jake.


Looks normal enough...... a little dirty....


Wait!


Is that cow manure on your face, Jake?

And what exactly is that on the back of your head? A pony tail?

No, I believe it is NOT a pony tail but, in fact, a COW tail.....

You're nuts, Jake.

Here's a picture of Jared with our "adopted sons" Matthew and Christopher.

The boys were having fun going through the costume box and found these vests. Next thing I know, the boys' beginner fiddles were pulled out and Jared was trying to teach them a song whilst conducting the "orchestra" with a file that is actually used for sharpening the chainsaw!

Here they are from the backside..... they look like a couple of Dutch maidens.

I had to include this photo of Jon's baby. She was born in 1996. Jon loves his baby even more than ME! After taking a bit of a break, he is excited to see her get back on the road.

So Jake and two soccer buddies decide they need to get mullet hair cuts as they approached the season finals. Unfortunately, the mullets were not good luck, as they lost that game which knocked them out of the finals. At least he didn't wear the cow's tail to the game!

This is Jake on the left with his friends Joel (center) and Brandon (right), showing the side view of their new hairdo's.

Here's a photo of me with my two sisters. Left to right is Wannett, Danielle, and me, Michelle. We were asked to sing a song at the first fundraiser that was held in Waupoos.

I must include a photo of my nephews Bruce, Fraser, and Jackson....

..... as well as my nieces, Beulah and Hilda..... I mean, Celia and Abby.

I just HAVE to include this photo. This is Blake when we were at Kingston General Hospital waiting to have the gastroscopy done. We were waiting in the hallway for them to finish up with some other patients. I was standing at the end of the gurney, so as to stay out of the way of other gurneys that were being shuffled around. I felt something touching my hip, and it was Blake's toe brushing back and forth.

I thought he was trying to get my attention, so I went up to him and leaned over him and said, "Did you want something honey?" Blake takes a breath and, with his eyes still closed, says, "Iiiiiiii Love Youuuuuu....." I think my heart burst right at that moment and fell out onto the floor. It was so nice to hear him actually being nice to me! (Not feeling well had changed his attitude into quite a grouch, so it was wonderful to hear him actually be kind!) And THAT's why I will treasure this photo!

When Blake was first hospitalized in Picton, before we knew the extent of damage to his intestines, Blake was given a form of morphine to alleviate some pain. Jake decided he could give Blake some "happy medicine" straight from the earth of Prince Edward County..... he took some "grass" (it was actually grass that had been cut from the lawn... so don't panic or report us or anything!) and he rolled it in some paper. Blake was excited that he had his very own "doobie". Jake assured Blake it was for medicinal purposes only; however, we were not allowed to smoke in the building. hahahhahaaa

This photo is of my sister Danielle and my Mom. It was taken moments before the ambulance transferred Blake from Picton Hospital to Kingston on Oct 2nd. (Thanks, Todd & Chris, for the safe travelling you provided for m' boy.) Dani is giving Blake a wet willy before his ambulance ride.

(PS) - Happy Birthday Mom! (today, Nov 22nd).... 68 years young!

Our adopted son, Billy, wanted to ensure his best friend arrived safely in Kingston, so I told him I would ride with him in his car so he knew where to park and how to get to the right spot in the hospital. He gave us a hard time in getting his picture taken, so I had to use my Mommy Muscles.

When we were at Picton Hospital for the first stay, Blake received a bib from the Ladies Hospital Auxiliary. They are helpful volunteers who come around to assist those who need help being fed or opening up some of their containers and drinks, etc. They supply bibs, so I made Blake wear it in case he made a mess on his beautifully professionally designed hospital gown. He got silly when I went to take his picture with Jackson and he started drooling on the bib. You can't really notice it, but trust me... it's there! He's such a kook!

Before Wannett headed off to the Toronto airport to head to Kenya, Africa, she popped by for one last visit with Blake. I told her I had to get her picture in case her plane went down. I know. That's morbid. But that's honestly what I thought. I think you look really good in this photo, Wannett; so if your plane had have gone down, you would have entered Heaven's gates looking absolutely divine. Here's Wannett with her youngest daughter Beulah Celia.

Next up is a photo with me and our "adopted son" Justin. Justin lived with us in March and April of 2009 and worked with Jon on a construction site. Hey, Dooley, you clean up reeeeeeeeeal gooooooood. I miss Justin. He's about due for a visit, I'd say.

And THIS is Mikey-the-nice-guy. Mikey has been Jon's friend for about 20 years. They truck together, hang out together, eat together, and literally sleep together. They called me one night from their hotel room at a construction site in Petawawa... the beds were taken by other co-workers, so they shared a cot.... they "spooned". Jon says Mikey has a hairy back. hahahahha

Mikey is HONESTLY as crazy as they come. He is 100 percent nuts! crazy! looney! NOTHING is too crazy for this man. He lived here with us this past summer from Monday to Friday while he worked on the construction site and then headed home on the weekends. One weeknight my aunt and uncle were here for a visit. All of a sudden we realize that Mikey is burning our picnic table. And it's not only burning, but HE is on top of it WHILE it's burning.

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He managed to coax Matt, Jared, and Jake to join in on the "fun". [sigh]

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"OK!!!! I AM INSISTING THAT YOU ALL GET OFF THAT PICNIC TABLE RIGHT THIS INSTANT BEFORE YOUR GOOSE IS LITERALLY COOKED!!!!!"

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You'll notice I haven't put any crazy photos of ME in here... that's because I don't do crazy things...... [a-hem]......or is it just that no one has the camera handy when I DO!??? This photo is of me when we took Blake to the Emerg back on Sept. 13th, before he was first diagnosed with Crohn's. I spent the night in his terribly uncomfortable wheelchair, wrapped in a hospital sheet. My Mom said that "I" looked more like the patient!

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I had to include pictures of Mick and Duke, too. Here's Micky just after Jake and Jared took the cow clippers to him. They decided to give him a Mohawk cut with a lion's mane. Pooooor Mickyyyyyy.

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They decided to give Duke the "checker board" look...... nahhhhh, I'm kidding. It's just the shadow of the lattice on the overhang of the back deck.

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Now most of you know that Blake lost over 1/3 of his body weight with this disease. He went from 165 lbs. to 102 lbs. He was just skin on bones and looked like he'd just walked out of a concentration camp. When we were in the sitting room one evening with Jon and Jake and Jared, we were commenting on the size of his legs. Jared and Jake put their forearms next to Blake's calves. Check this out:

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Can you BELIEVE THAT???? Their forearms are larger than Blake's legs!!!!!! What a shock.

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And for the last photo...........

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JON! IT SURE LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE IN A BIRTHING CHAIR!!!! WHEN ARE YOU DUE???

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ARE YOU SURE YOU NEED THAT MUFFIN?????

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Hope you enjoyed this little photo gallery.

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There's lots more hospital photos that I want to share with you, but I thought you'd have fun checking out some of these crazy shots.

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Yes, I believe we ARE a crazy bunch.

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