Adventures with Jeff & Jenny

My Man

2012-01-25T18:55:00.000-04:00

When Jeff picked me up from school today, I was in a foul mood. All the ride home he tried to cheer me with a variety of song selections from his iPhone. Finally, he sang out his own on-the-spot-created jingle which I joined him in repeating for the final moments of our drive: "Some days are flour. Some days are salt. Some days are sugar and together they make a cake." His songs - even little rhymes - when applied with love, never fail to remind me of truths that I near-sightedly miss. Oh, and doesn't he look like such a trooper out snowshoeing this weekend?

From House to Home

2012-01-22T12:53:00.002-04:00

Jeff commented yesterday that it finally feels like every room in our house is being used properly, that there is no room with boxes or bins stacked in a corner or which serves only to collect dust, cat hair and clutter. It seems like each room now has its purpose or multi-purposes and that the layout of our home tends towards conversation and communication. May the life and interactions that take place here reflect genuine openness and joy!

Time

2012-01-13T17:22:00.003-04:00

I know that everyone has the same number of hours each day, so I try to avoid saying "I didn't have time..." when something doesn't get done in a day. Nonetheless, I am thankful for what I was able to do during the two weeks when I wasn't spending time at work. We enjoyed Christmas in Nova Scotia with friends, lingered long over visits with family, completed our 2nd Annual Chili Cheesecake Resolution Run, reorganized some closets and rooms, and I even attempted a few sewing projects. Since no one photo seems to capture each experience, I'll only display one of my sewing projects: swittens, i.e., mittens made from felted wool sweaters. Wool is my new favourite thing these days!

First Snow Day

2011-12-08T16:07:00.000-04:00

I was delighted to get that 6:30am call saying that all schools in the district are closed today due to weather conditions. I did spend nearly 3 hours correcting earlier today, but I was happy to do that during the workday rather than some tired evening or unwilling weekend. I indulged in 3 mugs of coffee with eggnog (one was decaf). Now I think I'll venture out to pick up a few last-minute supplies for Taco Thursday, formerly Taco Tuesday.

I haven't mentioned two other items calling for gratitude: Christmas advent and a new kitten. It just so happens that Bizzy has been a little too interested in our advent wreath. I’ve since revamped and relocated it, along with our knitted figure-puppet nativity scene. (Mary was daily taken and chewed… No more.)

Hair, Snow, Run

2011-12-03T14:16:00.000-04:00

I was so thankful that my hairdresser was able to squeeze me in for a last-minute appointment yesterday. She cuts my hair better and more affordably than anyone else (and trust me, I've had a LOT of bad haircuts!), even if I don't get a cafe mocha and neck massage while waiting like I used to at my salon in Montreal. Later that evening, it started to snow for (almost) the first time, although this dusting doesn't really count as a first snowfall around here. Then this morning, I decided to go for a run and my iPod has this neat new way of keeping track of my progress and it tells me (through the headphones) how far I've gone and how far I've got left. Other than this new technology, apparently my running gear hasn't changed much in the past few years. I'm also thankful for the benefits of my new wheat-free lifestyle, but that's for another day.

Complaint Rephrasal

2011-12-01T19:15:00.000-04:00

So here's my first recorded attempt at rephrasing a common complaint as a statement of thankfulness. My typical grumbling goes like this: It's disheartening to come home after teaching all day and feel like all I accomplish in the evenings is cooking supper, preparing meals for the following day, and tidying the kitchen. Here's what I want to say instead: I'm thankful that even after a day's teaching, I can still be home to prepare meals and keep our kitchen tidy. If I quickly rephrase the complaint in my mind, I expect that I will eventually be more prone to being thankful for what is rather than complaining about what isn't.

Egg Nog

2011-11-29T17:28:00.000-04:00

Now I'm starting to wonder if I'm an emotional drinker: first coffee, now egg nog. But again, I think it's all the associations I have with it. It's the first taste of Christmas. It's what I'll have in my morning coffee instead of cream from now until New Years-ish. Plus, Ben and Sam were home for the weekend and we made a batch of homemade eggnog. And it was so nice to visit with these newlyweds over this first-try beverage. Right now I'm heating some (store-bought) egg nog up with milk and cocoa (Believe it!), while I relax and warm up for a few moments before supper preparations begin/continue. So really, I suppose egg nog (as with coffee) just represents gratitude I have for much more significant things, like family memories.

And I just thought of more food-related thankfulness: We had a delicious seafood feast of crab legs and bacon-wrapped scallops this past weekend. But it was the "taste" of family around the kitchen table that made me the happiest.

My beach

2011-11-15T22:15:00.000-04:00

I am so happy that we live within a 5 minute stroll to the beach, where I can sit, walk or run in almost complete solitude for as long as I desire. Although our house is in a small subdivision, I still have sneak-peaks of the water from a few windows and even from our side deck and yard. We have a large lot, but not many trees for privacy. However, this is a trade-off that I'm so glad we made when we decided to buy this particular home near the sea rather than in town. Another perk: living a short drive from a seafood market where just this evening I picked up a bag of scallops (to wrap in bacon and drizzle with maple syrup, of course).

Mitaines was enjoying our yard this summer, and the view as well. (Yes, he's on a leash.)

Friends

2011-11-14T21:12:00.001-04:00

I've often felt lonely because we live so far away from many of our like-minded friends. This has certainly caused me to grumble over the years. However, when we have the occasion to spend time with far-away friends, I am so refreshed! Such was the case this weekend.

A cup of coffee

2011-11-02T16:36:00.001-03:00

All the tensions of a busy day were relieved with that first cool sip of iced coffee on the way home from work today. It was incredible! It's that first moment of relief that is felt when you put up your feet at the end of the day. It's the taste of memories from other similar moments of peace in a busy season of life. I guess what I mean is that I'm grateful for those simple moments when suddenly my perspective in changed, however briefly. Of course, what also made the moment so pleasant was that my husband had picked me up from work and surprised me with this cute-cafe-bought coffee. Surely that is what heightened my senses and sentimentality even before the first sip.

Oui, Madame!

2011-10-31T20:16:00.000-03:00

I'm thankful to be able to teach in my second language in an Acadian region of a province where I didn't grow up. I'm thankful for my grade 4 students who delight me with their antics and amaze me with their progress in learning French. I'm thankful that my oldest nephew is in my class. (I would have never imagined that the first time I met and held him as a 9-month-old.)

Thankfulness

2011-10-30T14:54:00.000-03:00

So here’s my goal: I want to cultivate thankfulness in my life. I began writing a list of everything I’m thankful for in my personal journal, but I kind of forgot about it and, frankly, started being more of a grumbler than a thanker. So I want the theme of this blog to be one of thankfulness, which will hopefully be the reflection of a life of thankfulness. I’m going to purposefully write about aspects of my life that I’m thankful for, highlighting complaints and ungratefulness only to shed greater light on that for which I am grateful.

In order to avoid the impression that this is a look-at-all-the-great-things-in-my-life exploitation, let me premise this: I believe that God is the giver of all good things. And even some of the seemingly not good things we experience can serve to bring us to greater depths of gratefulness.

Why now, after not blogging for over a year and a half? Well, during much of that time, Jeff and I were vlogging.* Being the practical person that I am, I didn’t want to repeat what we were already doing via video. Also, I figure this will help keep me accountable to interpreting life through the lens of gratitude.

*TheChaseons Along the same lines as my thankfulness accountability here, Jeff is currently vlogging about his weight loss journey. You can also see past videos of our East Coast life.

2010-03-13T19:39:00.003-04:00

I really do have good intentions about blogging more regularly. We're trying to be more intentional about living simply, and part of that means enjoying the journey of the day-to-day, even the unexpected things. I think we're getting better at that.

I started doing some supply teaching before Christmas and have been working nearly full-time the last couple of months. However, supply teaching has the wonderful perk of no take-home prep or corrections. It's quite lovely to be home by 3:30pm and still have energy to take care of the house, cook, run, relax... Plus, I can always say "no" if I'm too busy with the rest of life to teach. My perspective is that my teaching is the extra-curricular activity which shouldn't take away from my "studies" of homemaking and wifehood. Also, Jeff is now working from home doing freelance graphic design and photography, so it's nice to be available to help him out when needed.

Here we are strolling on "our" beach, near our house. (This was in the fall; presently, the beach is full of ice and snow.)

Even Mitaines is enjoying East Coast living and dining.

Introducing...

2009-10-24T13:07:00.006-03:00

The other day, Jeff called from work and said he was coming home for lunch and that he would bring something home for lunch for us. He brought home chicken (to eat) and a kitten! Now, we've always hesitated about getting a cat for many reasons, the least of which is not the tendency for some pet owners to treat their animals as human members of the family. To make a few what-should-be-obvious statements, our cat is not our baby; I am not its mother. Thus I will not refer to it or me as such. And I will never pay to have professional photographs taken of my pet. However, should you wish to do so with your own pet, please contact my husband and he'll gladly take great photos, and your money. That being said, we're quite delighted with our new feline friend. We named him Mitaines (French for Mittens, pronounced Mee-'Ten), to reflect his francophone heritage. Oh, and I also won't be spending excessive amounts of money on pet accessories. Check out the stylish scratching/climbing pole I made with a stool and a pair of old jeans. I'm glad I did, otherwise he'd probably be tearing apart some piece of furniture instead.

Life on the North Shore

2009-10-24T11:49:00.016-03:00

We're now into the swing of a new fall routine, although I don't think "routine" is a word that ever describes our life for long! Nevertheless, Jeff has settled into his new graphic design job at a local print shop, as well as pursuing photography on the side. I'm home full-time for now. It's nice to feel like I can focus on doing one thing well (i.e., homemaking) rather than doing many things but feeling like none are done very well. We're in our new house near the beach and we've had the pleasure of many visits from friends and family. Here's a brief photo overview of highlights from the past few months.

Fishing trip up river (This was my first big catch...)

First family canoe run

Seafood feast with visiting friends

Jenny's folks enjoying the view from our swing

Sam being baptized in the very rough waves of the bay

Fall Beachcombing

Jeff heading to his first day at the new job

Jenny's creamy pumpkin cheesecake at Thanksgiving

Fun in the leaves

Pressing on

2009-05-22T23:49:00.003-03:00

I've obviously neglected our blog for a while now. And the longer I didn't update, the harder it was to be motivated to do so because of all I would have to squeeze into it in terms of what we've been up to. So, I decided to just continue from where we're at now because our journey over the past eight months would deserve much more than a few blogs could offer.

We recently sold our home in Ontario and moved back to northern New Brunswick, where we lived the first year we were married. I don't think either of us has been as excited about any of our moves or circumstances as we are about this. It's like a sigh of relief has come over us, like a bumpy part of the road has been travelled and conquered. And though we were wearied and maybe worse for the wear, refreshment is coming, and we are strengthened for the journey to come.

A summer of celebrations

2008-08-06T22:29:00.008-03:00

Celebrating...

4 years of marriage...

with the in-laws!

A myriad of delightful guests in our first house, (e.g., Cousin Marty and Jeff jammin' in our living room)

Culinary explorations:

Jeff on the shiny new BBQ

Jenny on the yard-sale waffle maker (note: 100% whole grain and organic waffles from scratch)

Moving

2008-06-27T18:35:00.002-03:00

Jeff and I move into our first house tomorrow. When I began packing seriously yesterday, my first thought was, "I wonder how much it costs to hire someone to do this?" Then I got into the swing of it, only the odd time becoming distracted by the newspaper I was using to wrap dishes and stopping to read an article or two. As I made it through the office and bookshelves this afternoon, I became increasingly thankful for all the people who have been a part of my life throughout the years, however briefly. Although it's a little frightening to see how much stuff we have, so many items trigger pleasant memories of times and places that would otherwise be lost in the dusty corners of my mind.

Eight Eyes

2008-04-15T23:15:00.004-03:00

Jeff and I both have glasses now. I can't believe what I've been missing! Here we are after a Toronto Raptors basketball game last week. I'm not sure if I would have even seen the ball from our nose-bleed seats if I wasn't sporting the new glasses. Just another sign of aging, I guess.

Rockin' and Restin'

2008-03-02T19:31:00.007-04:00

We escaped this weekend to a cabin in the country to rest and refresh. Jeff slept most of the time and I read, although we did manage a few games of Scrabble and a couple of walks.

Maybe we were tuckered out from all the celebrating... Last Friday, we had my colleagues over for a little birthday get-together. Here I'm putting the finishing touches on two delicious cheesecakes (if I do say so myself).

Jeff also took me out for a fancy dinner earlier that week. Check out the salmon on a potato croquette. The dessert was great too, but it seems like we post an awful lot of photos of us eating!

Wintery Journeys

2008-02-11T15:47:00.001-04:00

Since I've had a total of 6 snow days since our last post, I really have no excuse for having no time to blog. In brief, our winter season (literal, not figurative) has been full of pleasant times so far. We set up our own Christmas tree, albeit artificial because of apartment regulations. We never got around to taking one of those dressed-up-by-the-tree type photos, so we pretended to be Mary and Joseph instead. (They had a Christmas tree, right?)

I ran a very snowy 10km Resolution Run on Jan 1st. I'm really not that keen, but the registration included a new running jacket, so I had external motivation. Here I am getting ready.

Schnitzel, sushi and snow days

2007-11-22T23:29:00.000-04:00

Jeff and I have recently been expanding our gastronomical horizons. Last week, we discovered a quaint restaurant that specializes in Czech-style schnitzels. Then last night we found a tasty all-you-can-eat Japanese restaurant. It wasn’t a buffet; you choose off the menu what selections you want and in what quantity. And you can do that again and again for a maximum of two hours. We thought that part was interesting. Along with shopping malls, all-you-can-eat restaurants may very well lead to the demise of North American society.

But the best news of all is that I had my very first snow day of the school year today! For those of you not fortunate enough to live in a climate that offers such pleasures, ‘snow day’ refers to the cancellation of school due to extreme weather conditions. It is a day to be cherished, when hot chocolate is to be sipped, responsibilities temporarily forgotten, and pajamas are to be lingered in. Sadly, I was so excited that by the time I finished my I-got my-very-first-snow-day dance (to the tune of “cha cha cha cha CHA CHA”), that I couldn’t seem to get back to sleep.

Shopping Mall Culture

2007-11-17T01:25:00.000-04:00

Most of my adult life ( I AM closer to thirty than 20 now), I have felt an uneasiness about shopping malls. Today, after three hours in the mall -longer than I have spent in a mall in a very long time- I discovered that being in a mall is actually an exercise in suspending reality. Once through the main entrance, all my senses were suddenly forced into turbo because of the excessive stimuli: the smells of the food court, bright lights, the many other reality-suspending citizens. All of a sudden, I forgot what I really came for, and was infused with a sense of need for so many other things. "Should I get a coffee? It smells so warm and cozy." "Wow! So many sales!" Cost became relative. For example, I reasoned, " That fleecy-lined wool toque was originally $29.99, and now it's only $19.99. That must be a good price..." It was in that moment that I remembered why I avoid malls: I become confused about what I need and what I want. (I have a box of warm wool toques in the closet.) I had hit a wall; after all the excitement of so many choices, so many deals, so many colours... I only wanted out. It was a feeling of disgust really. I knew of a reality beyond the walls of the mall where toques do not cost more than the dress pants I had just purchased, where a person recognizes that sometimes, you just don't need anything that you don't already have. I fear for all those who become lost in this shopping world where needs and wants become as mixed up as the smell from New York Fries and Orange Julius.

Back in Business

2007-10-22T18:02:00.000-03:00

Life has been busy these last couple of months. I'm teaching French full-time at a small Christian elementary school, as well as an ESL class for New Canadians (adults) one night a week. Jeff is speaking a lot of weekends these days, as well as working on graphic design projects. But we’ve had some relaxing times: the African Lion Safari (err…in Canada), a chilly weekend camping with some friends and their youth group, our Friday night make-your-own-pizza tradition, some biking, and three Thanksgiving dinners. I don’t have time to post any photos now, but the ones of the monkey on our car, tearing off a sun visor, are quite comical.

PS Here are some photos after all.

Cornish hens at Thanksgiving

Jeff cutting onions for a a big batch of chili

A Monkey hanging off the rear wiper of our van at the African Lion Safari

The warning sign at the Safari (and my new policy for shopping malls... See the following post.)

Camping on the West Coast..

2007-08-20T11:12:00.000-03:00

of Ontario, that is.

We finally got bikes! So last weekend we broke them in and camped again at MacGregor Point. We hadn't made reservations, but we arrived early and Jeff, with his boyish good looks and charm, convinced the park lady to give us a nice site. Today, Jeff biked to work for the first time. We’re very pleased with our new investment: for health and quality time.

This past weekend, we met up my old roommate from Bible school, Kathryne, and her husband, Paul. We camped at Presqu’ile which was lovely, though chilly, and about halfway between here and Ottawa, where they live. I don’t think we’ll make a habit of camping on the other side of Toronto, however. It took us double the time to drive home because of traffic. (But I already wrote a blog about the 401…) Yet it was worth it to spend time with them.

Jenny, Kathryne and Paul skipping rocks on Lake Ontario

Heating up some yummy chili on the beach

The Day-to-Day

2007-08-06T15:29:00.000-03:00

Just so our blog doesn’t convey the message that all we do is vacation: The other day at the grocery store, I experienced a moral dilemma… There were huge lineups at all the checkouts, except the 1-8 Items Express Checkout. I had around a dozen items in my cart. But everyone else had mile-high shopping carts stocked up for the long weekend. So I quickly wheeled it to the Express Checkout. I even offered to let the older gentleman who arrived after me go first, since he only has a couple of items in his arms, though he declined. No dirty looks. Phew.

Then I spent this weekend in the kitchen, making soup, chili, coffee cake, bread, beans and I can’t remember what else. Now that I will be working (I have a full-time teaching job at a small Christian School starting this fall), I’m trying to organize our meals in advance. Jeff went to the office to work on an extra design job this afternoon and I’m going to rev up the sewing machine to do some mending and hemming.

So we do have a regular life after all.

Return to Lake Huron

2007-08-01T22:09:00.000-03:00

Our latest camping trip truly felt like a vacation even though we were only gone for 2 nights. The beach at MacGregor Point, our campground, was a little rocky and busy for our liking but we heard about a beautiful stretch of beach just down the road in Port Elgin, on Lake Huron. It was quite windy one day, so we had a blast frolicking in the ocean-like waves without worries of sea life nibbling on our toes. (Yes, Jeff frolicked, too!) Of interest is the fact that I forgot to pack the pump for our air mattress bed and, since our air compressor for the van tires didn’t fit, Jeff blew himself to dizziness - all in the name of a good night’s sleep!

Jeff happily blowing up our air mattress bed

Juicy steak grilled to perfection over an open flame

Jenny's always happier on a full stomach

Jeff got up close and personal for this shot

Would you believe it's actually a lake?

"The Clarification"

2007-07-24T19:36:00.000-03:00

Some have been wondering if Jenny was telling the truth about her ability to do flips on the trampoline... Well, exclusive to Blogspot I have uploaded a TOP SECRET video to show whether or not she is still capable of such manouvers.

Ethan trying to be like his auntie Jenny! BUT watch him use his head as a spring board!!! LOL

Back to the Bay

2007-07-23T15:26:00.001-03:00

Our visit "home" was loaded with family, seafood, ice cream and trips to the beach - all the things that east-coast vacations are made of. I rediscovered my childhood (and fading flexibility) on Ethan’s trampoline. But I can, with in-laws as my witnesses, still do flips, albeit with less gracefulness than earlier years. Jeff wasn’t too keen on the bouncing machine, so he and Ethan took a youthful spin on Dave’s 4-wheeler. We played frisbee on the beach with Jeff’s mom (who denies having ever played before despite her accurate passes) and hunted for smooth rocks on the beach (which Jeff’s mom will paint with Ethan). Betty even cooked us a turkey dinner! Boy, it’s great to be loved, eh?

Sonya BBQing some delicious shrimp, to go with the ribs

An unexpected hail storm

Lobster and crab legs with Jeff's mom

Frisbee on the beach

Note the giant lobster trap behind

3 years married this month!

Beach combing for the perfect rocks...

Ice cream, please!

Kipper Snacks with Cheese Whiz - Dave's fishing delicacy

Islands Apart

2007-07-18T15:53:00.000-03:00

After our week at camp, we journeyed eastward. We spent a few restful days on Prince Edward Island with Jeff’s sister, her husband and our niece. It was lovely driving along the scenic country roads, with the distinctive red sand of the island, ocean views, potato fields, and lupins in bloom.

Katelyn reading to Uncle Jeff and Tracy (Mom)

Great Blue Heron (I think...)

A stroll on Cavendish Beach

Lupins by the sea

Roadside lupins

Back from Quebec and yonder

2007-07-17T15:37:00.000-03:00

Jeff warned me early on that if we didn’t update our blog regularly, people would stop checking it. So after a month’s hiatus, I hope there remains a faithful few who still count us worthy of the mouse click and moments spent waiting for this page to load.

The first week of this month we spent at Camp Livingstone, near Montreal, where we worked 3 out of the past 4 summers. Jeff was the speaker for the chapel sessions and I was the “speaker’s wife”. Jeff did a great job, of course, and my noble position afforded me much time to catch up with old friends and enjoy the scenery. However, trying to squeeze into 6 days the fun campy activites that we usually spread over 7 weeks proved a challenge!

Some campers

Jeff talking to the teens in chapel

Enjoying 'mille feuilles' in the kitchen at night with Sam

Cool creature

Fun at the frog pond

Trisha at the waterfront

Breaking out the camping gear!

2007-06-18T16:37:00.000-03:00

We had our first official camping trip of the season at The Pinery on Lake Huron, near Grand Bend. Now we’ve swum in two of the five Great Lakes, since we camped on Lake Superior during on cross-Canada honeymoon adventure. It fascinates me to swim in a non-salty body of water that you can’t see the other side of. And the sandy shore lent itself to frolicking and frisbee. We also went on a lovely nature walk in the woods. (To call it a “hike” would be to deny my BC roots.) And even though it was the first camping experience of the summer, we didn’t forget anything important like the tent or frying pan. Packing the sleeping bags did come as an afterthought, but it was such a warm weekend that we would have survived without them anyways. And other than a few whiny kids around our campsite that needed a good spanking and some yapping dogs that needed a good euthanizing, our little spot in nature was very pleasant.

Why the 401 Highway is Stupid

2007-06-11T18:35:00.000-03:00

The 401 is the scar of southern Ontario. The following list refers specifically to the 150km or so that span from Oshawa to Kitchener, with the deepest wound (perhaps a clogged artery?) being through Toronto. Now I'm not saying I have a solution to the 401 injury, except to question why anyone would want to go to Toronto anyways. (OK, we're both exceptionally bitter about all the time and mental energy we waste in traffic.) So here's why the 401 is stupid:

1. There are too many lanes.
2. There are too many cars.
3. There are too many incompetent drivers.
4. There are too many accidents.
5. People drive too fast.
6. Driving on it causes tension between driver and passenger(s).
7. Verbal and non-verbal obscenities are often exchanged between vehicles.
8. It increases human stress levels enough to spoil a perfectly good road trip.

Friends, the North, and a new couch

2007-06-03T17:19:00.000-03:00

The day after my folks left, three friends from Montreal came and crashed at our place for the occasion of another friend’s wedding. Jeff and I had to miss the event, however, because we were “up north” on a speaking tour, (Jeff speaking, me touring…). I say “up north” because when you live in southern Ontario, everywhere else in Canada is north. Then the day we got back, our neighbor below us was getting rid of some furniture since she’s moving. So we went to make an offer on a couch, and she offered it to us for free! It’s retro enough to be stylish again and still in great shape. Jeff has been wanting a “comfy couch” for a while, sighing that our apartment just didn’t feel like a home without one. Now he can’t stop talking about how cool our place is. Well, technically it’s only been cool since yesterday when we bought and installed an air conditioner.

"Up North" in Sudbury, at the giant nickel

view from the giant nickel (Can anyone explain the giant nickel to me?)

Further north in Larder Lake

Thankfully, we don't have bikes, skidoos or dogs...

our "new" and "comfy" couch

A Gift for Mom

2007-05-14T00:59:00.000-03:00

To celebrate Mother's Day, my Mom and I played a friendly game of tennis this afternoon. It was the first time in a number of years that we were in the same province for the occasion. When I was leading 3 games to 1, I casually yelled across the net as I was serving for her not to give the game to me, at which point she exclaimed, "I'm not!" and began her underdog journey, eventually tying it up at 6 games each. You can't really tell from our expressions below, after our game, who won or lost. But for the record (that nobody's keeping), I won! But really, I had nothing to lose anyhow. If she had won, I would have just admitted that it was a Mother’s Day gift. In any case, it's a blast to have my parents visiting this week. Mom to play tennis and shop with, Dad to wash the dishes and oragnize Scrabble games... C'est la vie!

Here are some pictures with my grandmother, parents and Jeff at our supper with my uncle, aunt and cousins today.

Springish Activities

2007-05-07T14:29:00.000-03:00

Finally the weather has warmed up enough for outdoor excursions. We've played catch and frisbee until our right arms hurt too much to go on. We've also become expert picnickers over the last few weeks. We don't have a BBQ, so we just pack the food, find a park, and fire up our signle-element Coleman stove. Sometimes we're extravagant (note the steaks below); other days, we opt for the simple and cheap (i.e., Kraft Dinner). I also forgot to pack our spoons for the KD...

Here are our friends, Quick and Quack. They always come visit us for a little snack at this park.

We also celebrated Jeff's 28th birthday recently.

Last weekend, I went to New Brunswick Bible Institute for the graduation and conference. It was a delightful road trip with Lydia and Ruth, and a very refreshing time at NBBI. Plus, I got some insight into Jeff's life, as he spent three highly eventful years there.

This past Saturday night we saw Robin Mark, an exceptional worshp leader from Northern Ireland. www.robinmark.com

Beyond Grammar

2007-04-18T01:16:00.000-03:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post, one of my secret identities (in the name of education) is Gramma Grammar. Here's a photo of me in my wig and shawl, along with the ESL class at our end-of-year potluck.

More valuable than the English lessons, however, are the unique friendships that develop among students and volunteers despite cultural differences. The other night we had supper here with a young couple who are recent refugees from the Middle East. As they shared their experience in beginner-but-improving English, I was overwhelmed at how what they have lived is so completely foreign to my small life. Yet we sensed a wonderful camaraderie with them that I can't explain. After supper (Jeff's famous ribs, of course), I was helping the wife with some English work while Jeff and her husband were watching guy stuff on the computer. At one point I overheard Jeff trying to explain to him the difference between a knock out and a technical knock out (wrestling jargon, I think?) and I recognized that there are some things that will always serve as common ground for the average male. His wife and I preferred potting some plant clippings that have been rooting around our apartment for the last months, a gift to them that I hope will be symbolic of a newly planted friendship.

"People will always do the stupid thing"

2007-04-17T22:26:00.000-03:00

This entry should really be credited to my old friend (who I haven't seen in years), Andrew Maves. Andrew, if you read this, you might not remeber telling me this but I remember it like yesterday. Andrew and I were in Saint John, NB working on some renovations (church work) and Andrew, who was obviously entertaining some memories, looked over to me and said, "JEFF, people will ALWAYS do the stupid thing." It sunk in and made sense to me because I, being a "people," had done many stupid things. Well, this week folks really made me appreciate that timless phrase, and without going into too much detail about the idiotic, juvenille, elementary, imature and stupid things people did to me last week and early this week, simply consider yourself warned! Mabye not today, mabye not tomorrow but mark my words! "People will always do the stupid thing!"

In case you don't get it, here are some pictures to help illustrate the stupedness in people!

Back to Basics

2007-04-12T23:52:00.000-03:00

Greetings my humble friends and foes,

As you may have noticed, Jenny has been the one creating all the interesting posts for all to indulge in on this blog of ours. Yet this day yields another suprise... It is I (Jeff) that has been writing all the blogs in the guise of my lovely wife Jenny A.K.A "Delia"!

BREEWHAAHAA! Just joking It was Jenny all along, like you suspected, that has been creating the interesting blogs. However, I had you all going there for a second huh? Oh yeah! You all know it too! Anyways, here is my "beef" (vent) for today! What is with "cops" A.K.A "C'OPs" (SEE-OH-PSS), "PoPo" (PO PO), "Oinks" (Oh-INKS)? As you may have all read by now (see last post)Jenny and I got a Quebecquois speeding ticket (I assure you, Jenny was the one driving... or at least telling me how to drive, hehe).

Well this is my question: How is it that cops are like good salesmen? I mean, he comes to my window and knocks just like a regular salesman would at a door. I roll down the window (knowing who it is always makes it a little slower of a roll) and say "Yes, officer" kind of like the ol' "yeah I know why you are here and can we just get on with this already" thoughts run through my mind. This is probably how I feel everytime a sales guy tries to pitch one on me. Anyway, the cop comes back with the ticket and tells me, "You were going 115 km/h in a 90 km/h zone, but I marked it down 114 km/h. This will save you $25.00." WOW! I thought after he left and I quickly reverted my window to its original position. "I got a deal on this one, I saved $25.00"!

The funny thing is, I still have to pay $111.00, and I didn't get anything out of it. But because of the "discount" I felt like I got a deal on the whole thing, and a part of me felt like I ripped the guy off. I'm not sure if this all helps but here is a picture to envision what I was thinking at the time.

Easter in the East

2007-04-11T16:00:00.000-03:00

If you can't fly, just drive. At least that was our motto last week. We looked for cheap flights to New Brunswick for Easter weekend to no avail. So Thursday afternoon we decided to just drive the 15 hours. It was a relatively uneventful journey there minus snowy conditions (yes... in April!) and a speeding ticket in Quebec. Apparently pretending you don't speak French doesn't make you ineligible to receive an all-French ticket. I can see the headlines now: "French-speaking couple hides behind Ontario plates and Anglophone facade in hopes of evading speeding violation on snowy Quebec highway." Don't worry, I already mailed in the fine payment.

It was a surprise visit for the family and, thankfully, they hadn't moved or changed the locks since we were home at Christmas. Conveniently, we arrived just in time for turkey dinner. Spending time with family was amusing and memorable. We also had brief visits with friends in Montreal on the way there and back. Jeff and I both miss the uniqueness of the Acadian culture, so it was delightful to be back.

Ethan and Uncle Jeff

Jeff's mom and our niece

Jeff's dad (aka "Beau pere") giving Jenny some well-needed tips

traditional stop at the beach, come snow or shine

Driving back to Ontario through la belle province (i.e., Quebec)

New York, New York!

2007-03-31T11:41:00.000-03:00

Jeff and I decided that we hadn't seen enough of the Canadian winter, so we took a road trip south with 4 other Canucks to experience a New York City snow storm. That wasn't exactly the plan, but cars in the ditch along the highway, ankle-deep slush and torrents of blinding ice pellets in the city make for a good story. On a warmer note, we enjoyed the Broadway performance of Les Miserables, followed by hot chocolate and cheesecake. We also went to church at the Brooklyn Tabernacle (check out Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala). Ellis Island, with its view of the Statue of Liberty, was a fascinating step back into the experience of the immigrants who had to pass through various inspections before being granted entrance to their new home-much like Pier 21 in Halifax. Here are a few photos from the journey. Note: we were much colder than we look and our feet were soaked!

Times Square

Lower Manhatten from the Empire State Building

A quaint cafe in Greenwich Village near Washington Square

A Walk in the Park

2007-03-13T12:16:00.000-03:00

On Sunday afternoon, we went for a walk in the park to try out our new camera. The local wildlife was quite willing to join us for some poses.

Western Adventures

2007-03-09T17:47:00.000-04:00

While Jeff was speaking in Alberta and New Brunswick with CMI last month, I took a trip to BC to visit my folks (thanks to their Air Miles). Although initially disappointed to not be able to accompany Jeff, I had a delightful trip and Jeff now appreciates my homemaker skills even more.

So while in BC, I decided to face my fear of failure and of ending up in the ER, and I learned how to snowboard, thanks to my teacher-friend who has only gone a few times herself. The first and last time I tried snowboarding was in France about 9 years ago, and I fell and dislocated my shoulder before I even made it up the rope-tow. But with more than half my twenties now behind me, I figured it was time to suck it up and give it a try before I'm any older and feebler.

I also went ice skating, running and biking with my retired and extremely fit mother. I shopped and enjoyed coffee breaks and treats with my dad. I reminisced with my grandmother. Plus, I connected with over a dozen other friends. And since I hadn't been "home" for my birthday in 7 years, I was able to lay heavy the guilt and enjoy pancakes, spaghetti and triple-layer chocolate cake for the occasion, all homemade.

Although excited to be reunited with my loving husband, I was a little teary-eyed leaving beautiful BC for not-so-beautiful-but-learning-to-like-it Ontario. However, Jeff surpised me with 2 nights at a cabin in the country north of Waterloo when I returned. How enchanting and refreshing!
-Jenny

I won an AWARD!!

2007-02-09T17:37:00.000-04:00

Greeting everybody!

For those of you who have heard of www.Worth1000.com I entered a competition and Won! The competition was to place a cow into an everyday scene. This is encouraging because there are alot of graphic desiners that enter these comps.

Jeff (CMIman) on "Worth"

Gramma Grammar

2007-02-06T21:01:00.000-04:00

One evening a week, I dress up in a grey wig with a bun, a lovely knitted scarf and a floral-patterned skirt. Then I teach grammar to New Canadians. Why the gramma get-up? I’m not really sure, actually. Apparently Gramma had made appearances at the English as a Second Language class in the past and the coordinator thought it would be a nice idea to bring her back again. It’s comical because I’m the youngest one there, students and volunteers included. It is handy to be able to blame any errors I make on my age.
-Jenny

Laundromat Lessons

2007-01-23T21:30:00.000-04:00

One morning a week, I heed the call of our overflowing laundry basket and head to the local laundromat. I am surprised that the rhythmic sloshing of a stainless steal box, followed by the chase-the-tail dance of clothes in a dryer creates an environment conducive to reflective thought -well, sort of.

Everyone has dirty laundry.
Don't believe everything you read. (The sign says 8am, but it actually opens closer to 7am, if you want to beat the crowd.)
Laundry soap freezes in sub-zero temperatures. (I keep our soap in the van for convenience but, inconveniently, I couldn't get a drop out this morning. See #4 for a happy ending.)
Most people are friendly. (My early morning clothes washing companion -who told me about the early bird hours- lent me the last soap from her bottle.)
Don't separate colours; it costs more.
Never trust a coin machine with more than a $5 bill. (Ironically, the machine is not yet able to accept the new $5 bills.)

From the realm of clean clothes, -Jenny

The Lord "IN" the Ring

2007-01-22T16:34:00.000-04:00

Hey guys,

I was on the Nacho Libre web site earlier today.
And saw an option for fans to upload their art
(parady, mix a movie, ect.). So I decided to give
it a shot!

Here is my attempt.

Jeff

First day of the week!

2007-01-22T11:10:00.000-04:00

Monday morning here I come.
I think it is going to be one of those weeks. I have
been working on producing PPT slides (over 400) for CMI
speakers across the globe to use in their presentations.

Here is an example of what they look like. This book,
"The Annals of the World" is A literary classic that traces
world history from creation to AD 70. While Interweaving
biblical and secular history. Really cool! Well I should be
getting back to work, seeing I am actually at work.

Cheers for now,
Jeff

Welcome to the Jeff & Jenny Adventure Series!

2007-01-21T17:50:00.000-04:00